The number of people infected with the coronavirus crossed 22,000 in densely populated South Asia yesterday driven by a rise in cases in India as the tiny Indian Ocean island nation of Maldives locked down its capital.

The Chinese city at the origin of the coronavirus outbreak revised up its death toll by 50 percent yesterday, as global criticism mounted over China’s handling of the deadly pandemic.

A member Arakan Liberation Party, locally known as Mogh Party, was shot dead at remote Kenaiju Para in Rowangchhari upazila of Bandarban yesterday morning.

Law enforcers yesterday arrested seven people on charges of illegally storing and selling over nine tonnes of rice, 3.65 tonnes of sugar and 980 litres of edible oil meant for poor people in different districts.

Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday expressed concerns over the ruling Awami League’s announcement that partisan “relief committees” would be formed to help officials distribute relief goods among the poor.

Elderly people require special attention in the days of coronavirus as they are the most vulnerable, said experts.

Bangladesh is today admitted to the Commonwealth as its 32nd member. The announcement of the membership is made by the

Police yesterday arrested Abdus Sattar, chairman of Arjunpur Baramahati union parishad, for allegedly assaulting a farmer who called the hotline for relief in Natore’s Lalpur upazila.

Inadequate relief distribution is compelling farm labourers in Rajshahi, mostly from indigenous communities, to travel outside their villages and unions to look for agricultural work.

A man allegedly raped a schoolgirl in the toilet of Dharbila community health centre in Pabna around noon on Thursday.

Six months ago, Abul Bashar invested around Tk 1.5 lakh in setting up two new 40-yard tables at his home-cum-factory. He was targeting bumper demand of batik clothes ahead of Pahela Baishakh and Eid-ul-Fitr.

It may be small but Pinor village in a remote corner of northwestern Spain has the peculiar distinction of being known for coffins, with coronavirus death doubling demand at its nine workshops.

In the wake of widespread allegations over theft of rice meant for the poor, law enforcers continue drives to recover such rice.

Dozens of ship-breaking yards in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram have started operations since yesterday amid the countrywide shutdown that has been imposed by the government to contain coronavirus.

Coronavirus outbreaks across the Middle East threaten to shatter the lives of millions of already destitute people in conflict zones, and could fuel socio-economic upheaval, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said yesterday.

President Donald Trump has vowed to unveil plans to reopen the world’s top economy, following cautious moves in Europe, claiming the US had “passed the peak” of the coronavirus crisis despite a record daily death toll.

In the days of shutdown and social distancing, many people are finding it difficult to stay calm and keep anxiety at bay, but proper meditation and practical exercise can be helpful, said a physical education expert.

A Bhutanese government delegation led by Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dawa Tsering calls on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today at his official residence.

North Korea marked the anniversary of the birth of its founder Kim Il Sung in subdued fashion yesterday, with mask-wearing citizens placing flowers before his statue in Pyongyang as the country imposes strict anti-coronavirus measures.

The technical glitches that had created problems in the production of Covid-19 testing kits at the Gonoshasthaya Kendra pharmaceutical factory in Savar have been addressed, and the healthcare organisation plans to hand over the kits to the government for approval for mass production by April 23.