The Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Justice Syed Abu Kausar Md Dabirushshan, father of DCAB member Tasnim Mohsin. Justice Kausar, 75, passed away at a city hospital Sunday afternoon due to complications resulting from old-age, said Mohsin. Read: Veteran journalist Reazuddin Ahmed dies of Covid In a condolence message, DCAB President Pantho Rahaman and the association's General Secretary AKM Moinuddin extended deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. Justice Kausar left his wife, three sons, and a host of relatives to mourn his death. His namaz-e-janaza was held at Japan Garden City. Justice Kausar was laid to rest at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard tonight.

Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh, popularly known as the 'Flying Sikh', has died from post-Covid complications at a hospital in the northern city of Chandigarh. He was 91. "It is with extreme sadness that we would like to inform you that Milkha Singh Ji passed away at 11.30 pm. on the 18th of June 2021," his family said in a statement. Just five days ago, Singh's wife Nirmal also died due to post-Covid complications. "He fought hard but God has his ways and it was perhaps true love and companionship that both our mother Nirmal ji and now Dad have passed away in a matter of 5 days," the family statement added. READ: World Cup silver medalist Bangladesh Archery team return home Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences over the passing away of the legendary sprinter. "In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation's imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians. His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions. Anguished by his passing away," PM Modi tweeted. "I had spoken to Shri Milkha Singh Ji just a few days ago. Little did I know that it would be our last conversation. Several budding athletes will derive strength from his life journey. My condolences to his family and many admirers all over the world," he added. Singh, who was born in undivided India,  won four gold medals at the Asian Games and finished fourth at the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. He also won India's first Commonwealth gold in 1958. Singh who lived with his parents in a remote hamlet in Multan (now in Pakistan) as a child, saw his parents and seven siblings murdered during India's Partition in 1947. READ: Japan’s vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late As his father died, his last words were "Bhaag (run) Milkha Bhaag". The boy ran -- first for his life, and then to win medals for India where he had arrived as an orphan. In 2013, his life story was turned into the Bollywood biopic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Though the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia improving slowly, she is still not out of danger due to various post-Covid complications, her medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Monday. “There’s a slow improvement in her condition, it’s almost the same as it was yesterday (Sunday),” he told UNB. He said the BNP chief needs to stay at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the Evercare Hospital for a few days more due to her post-Covid complications. “She’s still not out of danger.” “A corona patient of this age like Madam (Khaleda) can suffer from various post-Covid complications. She has some other diseases which aggravated during her stay in jail for lack of proper treatment.” Another member of the BNP chief’s medical team, wishing anonymity said, Khaleda’s saturation level has improved, but she is still given 1-2 litres of oxygen a day for avoiding any risk. He also said fluids are still coming out of her lungs and it is a matter of concern. The doctor hinted that Khaleda may be kept at the CCU of the hospital until her health condition improves significantly. Meanwhile, BNP will hold a press conference on Tuesday on the government’s rejection to an application of Khaleda’s family seeking permission to send her abroad. The party will present legal explanations on the matter and the instances of receiving treatment abroad by convicted people on different occasions since the independence of the country. Talking to UNB, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said the government has a taken a political decision, not a legal one, on Khaleda’s treatment abroad. Also read: Khaleda’s condition looks better: Fakhrul “It’s not a correct statement of the government that the convicted persons cannot go abroad. If this is the fact, how did a convicted Awami League leader go to Singapore for treatment in 2008?    On Sunday, the government turned down the application of Khaleda Zia’s family seeking permission to send her abroad for advance treatment, saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope. On Wednesday, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted the application to take Khaleda abroad for treatment. The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3. On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there. Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive. Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia tested negative for Covid-19 on Saturday, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus. Also read: Govt turns down family’s application to send Khaleda abroad Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.