A Reuters photographer who was killed while covering fighting in Afghanistan was part of a team that took home the Pulitzer for feature photography. Danish Siddiqui and his colleagues Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo and Amit Dave won for images depicting the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Also read: Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist killed in Afghanistan Their work, which was moved from the breaking photography category by the judges, “balanced intimacy and devastation, while offering viewers a heightened sense of place,” the committee wrote. Siddiqui, 38, had been embedded with Afghan special forces in July and was killed as the commando unit battled for control of a crossing on the border between southern Afghanistan and Pakistan. Also read: Teen who recorded Floyd s arrest, death wins Pulitzer nod

The Appellate Division on Monday asked photographer Shahidul Alam to submit a regular petition to challenge the High Court’s rejection of his earlier appeal to strike down a case he faces under the ICT Act. The Apex court led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order during a hearing on the petition filed by Shahidul against the High Court’s order. The appeals court asked Shahidul, founder of Drik Gallery, to submit the petition within four weeks. READ: Shahidul Alam moves HC challenging legality of his case  On December 14,last year, the High Court bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Rajik Al Jalil rejected the writ filed by the photographer challenging the legality of the case and sought a stay on the trial proceedings of the case. After that the public prosecutor said there is no legal bar to precede the investigation in the case. On August 12 in 2018 the court directed to send Shahidul to jail over a case filed against him with Ramna Police Station for 'spreading propaganda' through Facebook during the student movement seeking safe roads.   READ: Finally, Shahidul Alam walks out of jail He was freed from jail on November 20, two days after the HC granted him bail. On March 14 in 2019 the HC stayed the investigation into the case for three months and issued a rule questioning the legality of the investigation in the case which the court rejected later on December 14.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has stepped forward with financial support to renowned photographer Chanchal Mahmood who has been undergoing treatment at a hospital after suffering a heart attack. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan handed over a cheque of Tk 5 lakh to the wife of Chanchal Mahmood, widely considered as one of the most accomplished fashion photographers in the country.  As an ardent follower of Bangabandhu’s ideology Chanchal Mahmood always wears black attires since the death of Bangabandhu in protest of the brutal killing.  BGMEA extended the assistance to the ailing photographer on Saturday, the month of mourning for the people of Bangladesh as Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members were assassinated on 15th August in 1975. As a trade association BGMEA works for the development of the ready-made garment industry which is making a difference to millions of lives in Bangladesh. READ: BGMEA optimistic about increase in orders Going beyond business promotion, BGMEA said it also believes in responsibility towards society and is actively engaged in activities for the greater good of the society.  Considering the unprecedented crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, BGMEA came forward with its limited resources to extend its support to frontliners and the poor people who were hit hard.  BGMEA donated PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to healthcare providers and also distributed food items among poor people who amid locked down were passing a miserable life. BGMEA donated Tk 6 crore to the Prime Minister’s fund to help the poor affected by Covid fallout.  The trade association also donated 15 German-made high flow nasal cannula with BiPAP and 50 thousand masks to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital to meet the needs of patients.  Besides, BGMEA donated more 10 lacs pieces of face masks to frontliners including healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, Directorate General of Health Services, customs, sea port, airport, Dhaka North City Coportation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Gazipur City Corporation and Chattogram City Corporation etc. READ: Govt's crucial support helped RMG industry make a turnaround: BGMEA chief BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Tanvir Ahmed and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director of Giant Group Sharmeen Hassan Tithi, renowned actress Sadia Islam Mou and fashion designer Biplob Saha were also present on the occasion.

Golam Mustafa, the winner of Ekushe Padak 2018 and Shilpakala Padak 2016, died at his residence on Friday. He was 81. He left behind wife, one son, one daughter, two grandchildren and three sisters, and a host of well-wishers to mourn his death.  He will be laid to rest at the Azimpur Graveyard (new).  READ: Eminent lyricist Fazal-e-Khuda dies of Covid-19 Mustafa, one of the frontline photographers during the inception of Bangladesh Television (BTV) back in 1964, had been serving as its Director of Photography and guest lecturer at the Architectural Department of North South University. In its early days, BTV started its journey with just three newly-groomed photographers and Mustafa was one of them to take up the challenge.  He served BTV for 30 years and with his retirement he left behind a network well facilitated enough to accommodate 42 cameramen.  READ: Veteran journo Shahbuddin departs