Abdul Kader, popular television actor who has recently been diagnosed with stage IV cancer, tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

The actor returned home from Christian Medical Hospital in India’s Chennai on Sunday and straight got admitted into Evercare Hospital in the capital, where his coronavirus test result came out positive on Monday, according to his family sources.

Kader went to Chennai on December 8 for treatment after feeling unwell and the doctors there diagnosed him with stage IV pancreatic cancer which has already spread to different parts of his body.

Also read: Bangladesh sees 32 more Covid-19 deaths, 1470 new cases

The doctors in Chennai could not provide him with chemotherapy due to the actor’s extremely weak and critical health condition.

Kader’s family was waiting for further progress of his ailing health so that he can be treated with chemotherapy once his body regains strength, however, things went more critical at this stage with him being positive for COVID-19.

Also read: Dipjol hospitalised in Dubai with heart blocks

His family members are also going for further tests and asked for prayers to his fans and admirers for his recovery.

Abdul Kader is best known for playing “Bodi” in Humayun Ahmed’s iconic drama series “Kothao Keu Nei” and “Dulabhai” in Humayun Ahmed’s another popular drama “Nakshatrer Raat.”

Also read: Bollywood actor Sunny Deol tests Covid positive

He has been regularly active as a renowned and popular actor in television since the 90s’ and also had been a regular cast as “Mama” on the “Mama-Vagne” segment alongside actor Afzal Sharif on Hanif Sanket’s “Ityadi,” the most popular magazine show in the country.

There's no denying that Bollywood celebrities often indulge in publicity stunts to increase their popularity or promote their upcoming films. And it has now emerged that Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar's photo with a visible baby bump was also nothing more than a publicity stunt for her upcoming music video.

Neha's posting of the photo on social media topped the trends' list on Friday. In her Instagram post, the 32-year-old wrote, “#KhyaalRakhyaKar,” and also posed with husband Rohanpreet. "Now I’ll have to take extra care of you,” Rohanpreet had written in the comments section.

Read Also: Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar announces pregnancy

Several Bollywood celebrities also took to social media to wish the couple. “Congratulations you both,” wrote singer Kanika Maan.

However, sharing the same picture on Instagram on Saturday, the singer made it clear that it was a promo photo. “#KhyaalRakhyaKar 22nd December” she wrote. Neha will reportedly collaborate on the music video with her husband.

The couple tied the knot in Delhi in October, after meeting on the sets of a music video. They later hosted a reception at Rohanpreet's hometown in the northern city of Chandigarh, some 250 kms from the national capital. They went to Dubai for their honeymoon.

A popular name in Bollywood, Neha began performing at religious events at the age of four and participated in the second season of the singing reality show, Indian Idol. She made her Bollywood debut as a chorus singer in the film 'Meerabai Not Out'.

Read Also: 'Bollywood going through its worst phase'

The singer hogged limelight upon the release of the dance track 'Second Hand Jawani' from Cocktail, which was followed by several other popular party songs, including 'Sunny Sunny' from Yaariyan and 'London Thumakda' from the blockbuster 'Queen'.

In 2019, Neha was listed among the most viewed female artists on Youtube with 4.2 billion views. And in December 2020, she appeared in the list of Asia's 100 Digital Stars by 'Forbes' magazine.

Read Also: Bollywood bodyguards: Their pay packages could make you feel really poor!

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Yesteryear Bollywood heroine Neetu Singh announces comeback

Less than two months after her fairytale marriage with Punjabi actor-singer Rohanpreet, Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar has announced her pregnancy by posting a picture with a baby bump on social media.

In her Instagram post on Friday, 32-year-old Neha wrote, “#KhyaalRakhyaKar,” and also posed with husband Rohanpreet. "Now I’ll have to take extra care of you,” Rohanpreet wrote in the comments section. And the posts topped the trends' list.

Also read: Yesteryear Bollywood heroine Neetu Singh announces comeback

The couple tied the knot in Delhi in October, after meeting on the sets of a music video. They later hosted a reception at Rohanpreet's hometown in the northern city of Chandigarh, some 250 kms from the national capital. They went to Dubai for their honeymoon.

Several Bollywood celebrities took to social media to wish the couple. “Congratulations you both,” wrote singer Kanika Maan.

Also read: 'Bollywood going through its worst phase'

A popular name in Bollywood, Neha began performing at religious events at the age of four and participated in the second season of the singing reality show, Indian Idol. She made her Bollywood debut as a chorus singer in the film 'Meerabai Not Out'.

The singer hogged limelight upon the release of the dance track 'Second Hand Jawani' from Cocktail, which was followed by several other popular party songs, including 'Sunny Sunny' from Yaariyan and 'London Thumakda' from the blockbuster 'Queen'.

Also read: Bollywood bodyguards: Their pay packages could make you feel really poor!

In 2019, Neha was listed among the most viewed female artists on Youtube with 4.2 billion views. And in December 2020, she appeared in the list of Asia's 100 Digital Stars by 'Forbes' magazine.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) arranged its traditional Nabanna Uthsab for the Bengali calendar year 1427 on Sunday at its National Theatre Hall auditorium.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the academy only held a cultural show this year instead of its usual festivities arranged in the previous years.

KM Khalid, state minister for cultural affairs, joined the event as its chief guest while Badrul Arefin, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, joined as special guest.

Also read : BSA launches month-long exhibition marking PM Hasina's 74th birthday

"The pandemic has taken so many personalities and usual festivities from us, throughout the year. Due to COVID-19, the academy could not celebrate this long-awaited festival and all of its usual festivities. The government is hopeful that soon we’ll be able to see the return of all festivities after the pandemic situation improves and we’re all in this together," Khalid said.

Also read: Shilpakala Academy receives ‘Outstanding Organisastion award’

The programme was arranged by the department of dramatics under the academy, which now has renowned thespian Afsana Mimi as its director.

"Although the pandemic situation is ongoing, this cultural event was made possible because of all our participating artists - and we promise that more festivities and rendezvous will make glorious return once the pandemic’s over," Mimi told UNB.

The cultural festival began at 5pm at the National Theatre Hall auditorium lobby with group dance and songs along with special 'Gambhira' song performances by the BSA dance and music troops. Artist Mamun Zahid Khan sang ‘O Amar Desher Mati’ after the performances.

Also read: 19th Asian Art Biennale to begin March 1, 2021

Dancers from Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts then gave a special performance which took place after the inaugural ceremony, choreographed by Farhana Chowdhury Baby.

Renowned music artist Chandana Majumder and Baul artist Shafi Mandal performed folk songs written based on the seasonal aspects and festivities while ‘Vawaiya’ songs were performed by the academy's Vawaiya team.

Also read: 22nd Young Artist Fine Arts Exhibition begins at BSA

Music artists from Government Music College, Gambhira troop from Chapainawabganj Gambhira Team under Faizur Rahman Manik and the music troop of BSA performed other musical performances throughout the event.

Television and stage artist Abdul Aziz performed a special Punthi performance at the cultural event, which has been a long-lost tradition and medium of entertainment in the rural areas of Bangladesh.

Also read: ‘Nabanna Utsab’ being celebrated

Dhriti Nrittanalay performed a dance performance on a winter song choreographed by Warda Rihab; a group Kathak dance performance choreographed by Snata Shahrin was held, followed by a special Indigenous dance performance by Chakma, Tripura and Tanchanga performers under the choreography of Antor Dewan. Dance troop of BSA showcased the concluding dance performance on Nabanna song.

Convicted former movie producer Harvey Weinstein is expected to appear briefly via video from a New York prison Friday as part of legal efforts to send him to California to face sexual assault charges.

Authorities say the extradition proceeding, originally scheduled for August, likely will be postponed again, this time until April 9.

Weinstein, 68, is serving a 23-year prison sentence after being convicted in New York City earlier this year on charges of rape and sexual assault against two women.

He faces similar charges involving five women in California, stemming from alleged assaults in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2004 to 2013.

Read Also: Harvey Weinstein stripped of UK honor

Because Weinstein is imprisoned in New York, a judge must sign off on transferring him to the custody of Los Angeles authorities to be tried there.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office agreed to the first delay because of the pandemic, a spokesman said.

Weinstein survived a bout with the coronavirus in March at the maximum-security Wende Correctional Facility east of Buffalo, where he is incarcerated. His lawyers said he experienced symptoms of COVID-19 again in mid-November but did not test positive for the disease at that time.