Three Bangladeshi workers died and two others were seriously injured when an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Malaysia on Tuesday night, police said.  The incident occurred at 9:58 pm (local time) in Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas, Malaysia, Malaysia’s Bernama news agency reported.  The deceased were identified as Mohammad Moqaddesh Ali, son of Md. Afsar Ali in Haripur village under Shibganj upazila of Bogura, Mohammad Saiful Islam, son of Md. Rawshan Ali in Laxmipur village under Debidwar in Cumilla and Md. Ahad Ali, son of Mohammad Osman Mandal in Chaipai village under Chatmohar upazila of Pabna, said a media release signed by Sufi Abdullahil Maruf, first secretary (press) of Bangladesh High Commission  in Malaysia. Bangladesh among 5 countries selected for project to strengthen preparedness to COVID-19, other infectious diseases The injured workers were sent to Penang Hospital for treatment, while unidentified four are believed to have been buried under the rubble. A search and rescue operation was underway by the Fire and Rescue Department with assistance from other agencies, including the police and the Civil Defence Force. The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) asked the developer to immediately stop work at the site. Local Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said this was to facilitate the rescue operation and the investigation carried out by the authorities. BNP’s 24-hour blockade underway with arson attacks Meanwhile, Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, who also visited the site, called for strict action against those responsible if negligence is found to have caused the incident. The Bangladesh High Commission in  Malaysia expressed deep sorrow and shock at the unexpected incident.  Bangladeshi acting High Commissioner Mohammad Khorshed A Khastagir sent first secretary (labour) A.S.M Zahidur Rahman and Legal Assistant Sukumaran Subramanian to the spot. The envoys collected information about the victims and are in touch with the families of the Bangladeshi workers to send the bodies home soon. The high commission has also been working to realise compensations for the victims from the authorities concerned. Dhaka's air 6th worst in the world this morning  

A 65-year-old Saudi expatriate was killed Saturday night in the capital when a train struck him in Malibagh's Gulbagh, police said. The deceased was identified as date trader Md Shahabuddin from Noakhali. Also, he had a permanent residence in Uttara Sector 14. "The accident occurred at 9:30pm as Shahabuddin was walking along the railroad tracks while talking on his mobile phone. He was critically injured as a Tongi-bound train hit him while crossing the tracks," Bacchu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Police Outpost, said. "The date trader was declared dead at 11pm after being rushed to DMCH. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy," he added. Read more: Youth dies after being hit by moving train  

A United Arab Emirates returnee was detained with two kilograms (KG) of gold at Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport in the port city of Chattogram on Tuesday. Expatriate Md Ziaul Hoque is from Companyganj upazila in Noakhali. Bashir Ahmed, director general at Chattogram Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, confirmed the gold recovery  and detention saying that a flight of Dubai Airlines FZ-563 landed at the airport in the morning.   Noticing suspicious movement of the expatriate, members of customs intelligence challenged him and searched his bags, he said. Read more: Man held with 2kg gold from Ctg airport The gold weighing around 2kg was recovered from his bag,  the customs officer said, adding that legal actions were taken against him in this connection.

Currently, the Bangladesh passport application and renewal processes are quite simple. Like the locals, the Bangladeshi expatriates are also benefitting from the centralized hybrid application system. In this article, we will take a look at how can Bangladeshi expatriates residing in a foreign country apply for passport renewal.    Passport Renewal: MRP to E-passport  Assuming that the expatriate is already residing in a foreign country, and s/he already has a passport. Handwritten passports were last issued in 2010, with MRP replacing them in the same year. As an expatriate, you are most likely to hold an MRP because each passport has a maximum validity of 10 years.  Now the question is, should the expatriate renew his or her MRP to MRP or e-passport? For local applications, the government has stopped issuing the MRP, with e-passports being available at every regional passport office in Bangladesh. As a result, there is no longer scope for MRP-to-MRP renewal. For expatriates, if the Bangladesh mission abroad - where the expatriate is currently residing - supports e-passports, then s/he should go for the e-passport renewal option. However, e-passport is still not available at every Bangladeshi mission abroad. In that case, if the embassy doesn’t support e-passports, then the expatriates can go for the MRP option.  Read More: How to Get E-Passport in Bangladesh: Things you need to know Step-by-Step Process of Bangladesh Passport Renewal Application The application process for renewing a Bangladesh passport is a hybrid one. The Bangladeshi expatriate needs to fill out an online application form and then make an appointment with the relevant Bangladeshi mission in the expatriate's country of residence. In case there is no Bangladeshi mission, the application will be handled by a partnering mission in Bangladesh.   A detailed outline of the online application can be found in our passport renewal process article. But since there are some key changes in information input, we will cover the steps again.  Step 1: Location Registration   The first thing to do is to visit the online passport application portal. Here the Bangladeshi expatriate needs to register an account. But before that, the expatriate needs to fill out some basic information regarding the passport.  On the prompt “Are you applying from Bangladesh?”, the Bangladeshi expatriate needs to select “No.” After that, the expatriate will have to select the country of his or her current residence. From there, the relevant Bangladeshi mission or a partnering mission will be selected automatically, which will process the passport renewal application.  Read More: E-Passport for Children in Bangladesh: Application process, necessary documents Step 2: Account Registration The second step is to register an account on the e-passport web portal using your e-mail. Here the expatriate has to input his/her name and e-mail address. Here the expatriate should make sure that the given name and surname match his or her existing passport/NID/BRC. The expatriate will also need to input his/ her contact details here.  After that, an activation e-mail will be sent to your registered mail. From there, the expatriate will be able to start the application process.  Step 3: Form Fill-Up  The next step is a long one. This is also the step where the Bangladeshi expatriate needs to be most careful as the expatriate will have to correctly input a lot of information. Here’s what the expatriate will need to fill up.  Personal Credentials  The first section is related to personal credentials. Here the expatriate will outline all his or her information step by step. The applicant must make sure that the information she or he provides is in line with the NID/BRC information.  The expatriate will also need to specify the country of birth if she or he was born outside of Bangladesh. You will also need to outline the means of your nationality (eg. By birth or by naturalization).  Read More: Bangladesh Passport Renewal Process: How to renew MRP, Handwritten Passport Address Information  The next step is to input address details. There are two distinct parts here, permanent and present address.  If the applicant is a Bangladeshi by birth, then the expatriate will need to input a permanent residence address in Bangladesh. The present address should be the expatriate's current location from where she or he is applying for renewal.  Passport Information In this step, the expatriate will need to provide details of his or her NID/BRC as well as the existing passport. You will also need to select why you are applying for a new passport. In this case, you will need to select either “expired” or “e-passport conversion”.  Parental and Spouse Information  In the next step, the expatriate will need to provide his or her parental information. This is a highly detailed section where you will need to fill out their personal details, address, and profession.  If the expatriate is married, then s/he will also need to input the same information for your spouse.  Read More: Bangladeshi passport’s ranking improves in 2023, still behind Iran and Sri Lanka as per Henley Index Emergency Contact  The Bangladeshi expatriate will need to set an emergency contact as well. It is better to select someone from the same country the expatriate resides in. The first step is to select the relationship the expatriate shares with that person. After that, the expatriate will have to fill out their details in the same way as parental information. After all the information has been correctly input, the expatriate will need to submit the application and pay the application fee.  Passport Fee and pages  The new e-passport is available in either 48 or 64 pages. The Bangladeshi expatriate will also get two validity options at either 5 or 10 years. The fee structure for expatriates varies depending on the location of the expatriate.  Appointment at Mission  After completing the online application and fee payment, the Bangladeshi expatriate will need to download the application form and the application summary. Both these pdf documents can be found on your applicant’s dashboard.  After that, the expatriate will need to schedule an appointment with your designated mission for biometric verification. The expatriate should make sure to take the two printed documents with him or her for verification purposes.  Read More: Bangladesh E-passport Error Correction Process Final Words  Even a few years ago, the passport renewal process in Bangladesh was quite hectic and tedious. The process was completely analog with a spur of middlemen creating hindrances at every step. But with the introduction of the hybrid application system, the process has become easier for everyone. It has reduced complicacy, streamlined processes, and made every step more efficient.  The passport renewal process for Bangladeshi expatriates has also become seamless and easy. With proper application and delivery options, an applicant can get a renewed passport at the earliest. This was previously a very tedious and time-consuming aspect. This is certainly a step towards efficient bureaucracy. 

Two people were killed and six others were critically injured as their microbus crashed into a roadside tree after losing control on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Feni Sadar upazila on Saturday morning. The deceased---Jannatul Ferdous, 36, wife of Kuwait expatriate Belal Hossain of Gobindarapur village under Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni and the microbus driver Imam Hossain Ripon, 23, son of Abdul Matin Babul Miah of Dakkhin Mohammadpur village under Senbagh upazila of Noakhali.   Belal, 45,  is among the injured. Five others have been identified as injured and receiving treatment at Feni Sadar Hospital: Saber Hossain, 14, Sabbir Hossain, 10, Fahmida Aktar, 22, Sharif Uddin, 30, Limon Hossain, 8.  Read more: oliceman killed in Naogaon road accident; wife injured Highway police and fire service department said the group was returning home to their village in Gobindarapur after receiving Belal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The accident occurred Saturday morning when the speeding microbus hit the roadside tree, presumably after losing control on the highway. The driver died on the spot. Although seven others were rushed to the hospital, Jannatul's injuries did prove fatal by the time they arrived.   Mostafa Kamal, officer-in-charge of Feni Highway police station, confirmed the tragedy saying that the bodies of Jannatul and Ripon were sent to the morgue for autopsies.   Read more: Train crash leaves wife dead, husband injured in Natore The bodies will be handed over to their respective families upon completion of legal formalities, the OC added.

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on Sunday agreed to form a joint working group to resolve the issue of Bangladeshis living in Saudia Arabia whose passports require renewal. The issue was raised when visiting Deputy Minister of Interior of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood called on the PM at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. Read more: BAIRA won't submit passports at Saudi embassy anymore The Saudi Deputy Minister raised the issue of Bangladeshis with expired passports living in the Kingdom. He also proposed the formation of a joint working group to address the issue. The Prime Minister agreed on the proposal and instructed concerned officials to form a joint working group. PM’s press secretary also said that various issues related to bilateral interest came up for discussion during the talks. He said, Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood thanked the Prime Minister for Bangladesh’s support to Saudi Arabia in multilateral fora on the issue of its expo scheduled for 2030. The Saudi Deputy Minister congratulated the Prime Minister on 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence and 100th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He also lauded for the impressive development of Bangladesh over the last decade under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Read more: “Reintroducing machine readable passports for Bangladeshis in US to be reviewed” During the meeting, the Prime Minister referred to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war and said that these have created obstacles to the economic progress of countries in the world. She also sought Saudi cooperation to resolve the Rohingya issue. Sheikh Hasina conveyed good wishes for the custodian of the two holy mosques and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the crown prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. PM's Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr Javed Patwary and Ambassador of the Saudi Arabia Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, were present, among others.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the expatriate Bangladeshi business community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in Bangladesh and help the country to grow further.  "Bangladesh has now become a land of opportunity from the cliché of a so-called bottomless basket," said Dr Momen while addressing a business meeting hosted by Bangladesh Business Council (BBC) at a local hotel in Dubai as the chief guest.  He recalled the tireless contribution of the expatriate workers in collective achievement of Bangladesh while terming them as heroes.  The foreign minister called upon the CIPs and businessmen to take advantage of the business-friendly environment prevailing in Bangladesh and urged them to share the country’s achievements to the global community.  The meeting, held on Friday, was chaired by Mahtabur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Business Council, Dubai.  The programme included a thematic seminar on "Role of NRBs" in the implementation of economic and public diplomacy and a reception.  Also read: Bangladesh, US keen to further strengthen ties with greater engagements Dr Momen handed over the crests to the new recipients of 26 CIPs awarded last year. Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Md. Abu Jafor and Consul General of Bangladesh Consulate in Dubai were present in the meeting as special guests. The Foreign Minister paid deep tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation, for his unique contribution to the national history: an independent national identity- a state and ‘a dream of transformation of the newly born state’s socioeconomic conditions’.  He highlighted the country’s remarkable transformation from the identity of a food deficit country to a food-surplus one under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  Reduction of absolute poverty through the social safety net program and ensuring home for the homeless--the Ashrayan project are other additions to the many success stories of Bangladesh, he added.  Dr Momen also apprised the gathering about the measures undertaken by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic for the welfare of the expatriate community.  Recalling his continuous engagements with his counterparts in securing safety and interests of Bangladesh community abroad, he elaborated the measures undertaken in this context. Also read: Bangladesh promotes culture of peace: FM  He underlined the need of opening the new window of economic diplomacy stating that the new canvas would open up scope and expanse of investment opportunities, enhancement of trade, export etc. gainful employment of people, as well as knowledge- based technology and skills in the country’s economy.  Mahtabur Rahman, founder Chairman of the Bangladesh Business Council and Chairman of the NRB Bank, urged the government to step up efforts  to establish a direct shipping link between Chittagong and Dubai.  He also sought government’s cooperation in allocating an Exclusive Economic Zone for the CIPs.  The Foreign Minister assured the business community of their possible integration to the country’s development processes.   The Foreign Minister is now leading a 10- member delegation to the UAE on a bilateral visit from February 10-13.  Earlier, he addressed a seminar on "Bangabandhu’s Vision for World Peace and Security: Its relevance in Today’s World" at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi.  The delegation included among others, Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East), Iqbal Hussain Khan DG (West Asia) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka. 

The government of the Republic of Korea has recently decided to resume the entry of Bangladeshi expatriate workers to the country which has been suspended since June last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun informed the decision to Expatriate’s Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed during his meeting with the Minister at his office on Tuesday. Ambassador Lee also requested the Bangladesh Government to take necessary steps to ensure that no COVID-19 positive case is found among the Bangladesh expatriate workers coming to Korea by taking necessary preventive measures before, during and after their travel and their full vaccination. Also read: Bangladesh an attractive investment destination: Korean envoy Minister Imran, expressing deep appreciation to the decision of the Korean Government, assured of full cooperation with the Korean authorities for a smooth and successful resumption of Bangladesh expatriate workers’ entry and re-entry to Korea.

A so-called ‘ex-boyfriend’ predating her marriage attacked an expatriate's wife on Tuesday in Matlab Dakshin upazila of Chandpur. During the attack, the tendon in her left leg was severed, causing the victim to lose blood rapidly. As her condition deteriorated, the victim was referred to  Dhaka Medical College  from Chandpur on Friday evening. Read: School teacher stabbed dead in Chandpur The perpetrator was identified as  Habib Patwary. He has gone into hiding. According to local sources, Habib and the victim used to be in a romantic relationship. However the woman was married off to an expatriate as her family never accepted the relationship. According to the victim’s mother, Habib attacked them with a knife when she and her daughter were by the pond for an afternoon bath. “At one stage, he cut the tendons of my daughter’s left leg right in front of my eyes,” the mother said. Neighbours immediately rescued the victim and rushed her to a local medical facility, but Habib fled. Officer-in Charge of Matlab Dakshin Police Station Md Mohiuddin Mia confirmed the incident to UNB. “Saving the victim is our main goal. We arranged her shift to DMCH from Chandpur today. We will definitely launch an all out operation to catch Habib soon,” the OC said.

The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) will provide Tk 25000 as subsidy for the Saudi Arabia-bound Bangladeshi expatriate workers to bear quarantine cost.  Workers who stayed or will stay in compulsory institutional quarantine at their own expense from 20 May 2021 to 30 June 2021 as per Saudi Arabia government guidelines would get this subsidy money, said a MoEWOE media release. READ: Bishwanath UNO to construct Expatriate Square honouring expatriates Wage Earners Welfare Board under MoEWOE has decided to provide the money upon workers’ application. This subsidy money would be sent to the bank account of the concerned worker or the nominee. The concerned employees could download the application form from MoEWOE website-www.probashi.gov.bd, Wage Earners Welfare Board website- www.wewb.gov.bd or Manpower Employment and Training Bureau website- www.bmet.gov.bd. The form could also be collected from the Expatriate Welfare Desk at three international airports of the country. The form can be submitted to the Expatriate Welfare Desk at the airports from June 7. READ: Expatriate Bangladeshis in South Korea urged to come forward to build "Sonar Bangla" The expatriate workers have to submit the form along with the documents mentioned in the form. Saudi expatriate workers who have already left for the country and have completed or are completing the quarantine at their own expense must submit the relevant application form by June 30 to the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh or Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah by post, the release also said.