The confirmed global Covid-19 cases surpassed 10 million with over 500,000 fatalities as of Monday morning.   Besides, over 5 million people have made recovery from the coronavirus, according to the latest tally from Johns Hopkins University (JHU).   The worst-hit US has recorded 2,548,143 confirmed cases with a death toll of 125,799.   Brazil has come up to the second position with 1,344,143 confirmed cases and 57,662 deaths. Russia has counted the third highest Covid-19 cases - 633,563, after the US and Brazil with 9,060 fatalities.   Meanwhile, India has taken the fourth position with 528,859 confirmed Covid-19 cases. The country has so far reported 16,095 deaths. The UK has the third-highest death toll with 43,643, followed by Italy with 34,738, France 29,781 and Spain 28,343, according to the JHU data.     Chinese health authorities said on Monday that they received reports of 12 newly confirmed Covid-19 cases on the Chinese mainland on Sunday, including seven domestically transmitted cases and five imported ones.   Coronavirus cases were first reported in China in December last year.   The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic on March 11. Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh saw another surge in coronavirus cases on Monday when the health authorities reported 1,975 cases, detected within the last 24 hours. The number of confirmed cases now stands at 35,585. “During the period, 21 more people died from coronavirus, taking the local death tally to 501 , Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, the Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said at a regular online briefing. Meanwhile, the global death toll from coronavirus rose to 345,059 on Monday morning, according to the Centre for System Science and Engineering of the Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed cases has topped 5.4 million – 1.6 million in the US alone. China, where the first coronavirus cases were reported, did not record any local transmission on its mainland on Sunday, the health authorities said Monday. The World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic on March 11. Bangladesh confirmed its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18. To tackle the situation, the government extended general holidays further until May 30. The public transport services will also remain suspended until then. But amid the rising number of coronavirus cases, thousands of people left the capital for spending Eid-ul-Fitr holidays at home with their families. Experts said this mass exodus will worsen the coronavirus situation in the country. Source: UNB AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina distributed the National Film Award-2016 among artistes and film professionals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country's film industry.  She handed over the award, the highest state recognition, to 31 artistes, performers and organizations in 25 categories at a gala ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Sunday. Reports UNB. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu presided over the function while Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the ministry AKM Rahmatullah, State Minister Tarana Halim and Information Secretary Abdul Malek were present. Film actress Farida Akter Babita and film actor Akbar Hossein Pathan (Faruk) were given Lifetime achievement award while award for best film went to 'Oggatonama’ (The Unnamed) produced by Faridur Reza Sagor and best film director award to filmmaker Amitabh Reza Chowdhury (‘Aynabaji’ film). Chanchal Chowdhury was awarded as best actor (Aynabaji film) while Afroza Imrose Tisha (Ostitto film) and Kusum Sikder (Shongkhochil) best actresses (jointly). Best short film producer award went to SM Kamrul Ahsan (Ghran) while that of best documentary film producer to Ekattur Media Limited and Liberation War Museum (‘Janmasathi’ documentary). Best supporting actors are Ali Raj (Pure Jay Mon) and Fazlur Rahman Babu (Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe) while best side actress is Tania Ahmed (Krishno Pokkho), best villain Shahiduzzaman Selim (Oggatonama), best child actor Anum Rahman Khan (Shongkhochil), best music director Emon Saha (Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe), best singer Wakil Ahmed (Darpan Bisorjon), best singer female Meher Afroz Shaon (Krishno Pokkho), best composer Gazi Mazharul Anwar (Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe), best lyricist Emon Saha (Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe), best storywriter Tauquir Ahmed (Oggatonama), best cinematographers Anom Biswas and Gausul Azam (Aynabaji), best scriptwriter Syeda Rubaiyat Hossain (Under Construction), best editor Iqbal Ahsanul Kabir (Aynabaji), best art director Uttam Guho (Shongkhochil), best photographer Rashed Zaman (Aynabaji), best sound director Ripon Nath (Aynabaji), best costume and decoration Md Abdus Sattar and Farzana San and best makeup man Manik (Under Construction). Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister stressed the need for making world-class films to keep the country’s ongoing development pace in all the sectors. "Today Bangladesh is marching forward in all the sectors. I want our film industry to develop further," she said. "Being a victorious nation, we want to move ahead keeping the head high. We don't want to lag behind in any sector...we especially want our film industry to produce world-class films so that we can march forward," she added. Sheikh Hasina said her government will do whatever needed for the development of the film industry. Terming movie as the reflection of public life, she said a film can play a big role in social reform. The Prime Minister suggested that films should be more modern with the use of advanced technology. Mentioning that Bangladesh is now a digital country which sent satellite Bangabandhu-1 into the orbit, she suggested the use of digital system in the film industry and modern presentation of movies. "We should make more high quality films and thus keep a bigger role in reforming the society," said the Prime Minister.   AH

The government will continue the existing tax-free income limit in the financial year 2018-19. Finance minister AMA Muhith made the proposal Thursday while placing the national budget in the Jatiya Sangsad. Reports BSS. “I proposed that the tax exemption threshold and tax rate remain unchanged for the next year except that the threshold for a parent or guardian of a person with disability will be higher by Taka 50 thousand for each of such child or dependent, he said in his budget speech. The existing tax exemption threshold is Taka 2,50,000 in general cases. But the threshold was higher for special classes of taxpayers including female taxpayers. Explaining the reasons of not changing the tax exemption limit, Muhith said in developed countries, tax exemption threshold is generally less than 25 percent of per capita GDP, and in developing countries it is mostly equal to per capita GDP. In Bangladesh, he said, tax exemption threshold is almost 200 percent of per capita GDP. “That means our tax exemption threshold is high in global comparison. Moreover, the increase of tax exemption threshold puts a significant number of taxpayers out of the tax net,” he added. The existing tax exemption for the female taxpayers and senior citizens aged over 65 years is Taka 300,000. Existing minimum tax for a taxpayer, except company taxpayer, residing in Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation and ChittagongCity Corporation is Taka 5 thousand, residing in any other city corporation is Taka 4 thousand, and residing in other area is Taka 3 thousand. Muhith also proposed these rates to remain unchanged. AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a courtesy call on President Mohammad  Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the capital on Tuesday evening. “Sheikh Hasina exchanged Eid greetings with the President,” President’s Press Secretary Mohammad Joynal Abedin told BSS. The Premier apprised the President of the outcome of her recent visits to Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Canada, he said. President Hamid congratulated the Premier for getting Doctor of Literature (D. Litt) degree from Kazi Nazrul Islam University at Asansol in India. Earlier, Sheikh Hasina reached Bangabhaban at 7.36 pm. On her arrival, the Prime Minister was received by President Abdul Hamid with a flower bouquet. Secretaries concerned and high officials of both the President and Prime Minister’s offices were present. Source: BSS AH