United News of Bangladesh

Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu got her first taste of the Met Gala’s grandeur — and her own rising fame — as she mingled with celebrities at the star-studded event in New York. Attending the gala for the first time, Liu described the experience as “big,” while appearing in a striking red custom gown by Louis Vuitton. What surprised her most, however, was how widely she was recognized among the elite crowd gathered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Still adjusting to her rapid rise after winning Olympic gold, Liu expressed amazement at the sudden global recognition. She was later seen socializing with fellow guests, including Connor Storrie. The gala setting transformed the museum’s Great Hall into a Northern Italian-style garden, complete with floral displays, a suspended moon installation, and live harp music. Guests lined up to greet co-chairs such as Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour, while Beyoncé arrived later in the evening. Attendees enjoyed gourmet snacks while mingling. Celebrities including Zoë Kravitz, Bradley Cooper, Gigi Hadid, Hugh Jackman and Lindsey Vonn were among those seen interacting throughout the venue. The presence of billionaire Jeff Bezos as an honorary chair drew some criticism, though civil rights leader Al Sharpton dismissed concerns, noting such figures have long been part of the gala’s history. Musician Jon Batiste attended as a guest this year, enjoying the evening as a personal outing with his wife rather than performing. The event also highlighted efforts toward inclusivity. Activist Sinéad Burke worked with organizers to ensure accessibility, while model Lauren Wasser emphasized the need for broader diversity beyond the gala. Later in the evening, high-profile arrivals included Beyoncé alongside Jay-Z. The night concluded with the much-anticipated appearance of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, who shared a lighthearted moment with Heidi Klum. The event once again showcased a blend of fashion, celebrity culture and cultural conversation under one roof.

Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke scored rapid half-centuries to propel New Zealand to 182-6 against Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 international on Monday. Bangladesh needs 183 runs to secure a victory. After Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, the hosts' bowling attack, led by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (2-32), successfully pulled back the scoring rate following a dominant New Zealand powerplay. New Zealand suffered an early setback when Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in the second over. However, Cleaver quickly shifted the momentum, playing a creative innings featuring scoops and classical shots. He struck seven boundaries and a six in his 28-ball 51. Clarke, who survived a dropped catch by Saif Hassan on 44, anchored the other end to score 51 off 37 deliveries. The pair built an 88-run partnership before Rishad broke through, trapping Cleaver lbw. Both set batters were dismissed shortly after reaching their half-centuries while attempting reverse sweeps. Following the breakthrough, Bangladesh restricted New Zealand's middle order as wickets fell at regular intervals. Captain Nick Kelly attempted to rebuild with a composed 39 off 27 balls, but his departure in the 18th over, caught off Shoriful Islam (1-36), stalled the visitors' push for a 200-plus total. Josh Clarkson added an unbeaten 27 from 14 balls in the final overs to ensure a competitive score. Mahedi Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed one wicket apiece. Ripon Mondol delivered a precise final over, utilizing yorkers to concede only six runs. However, he ended up giving up 39 runs in four overs.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque on Monday told Parliament that the current government has taken a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country. “The present government has a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country as per its election manifesto. There will be arrangements for the development of cricket under this plan,” he said while replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Mohammed Fakhrul Islam (Noakhali-5) in the House. Earlier, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, tabled the question-and-answer session at the outset of Monday’s sitting. The state minister also said the government has initiated the process of undertaking a project titled "Construction of an International Standard Sports Tourism Complex in Cox's Bazar District". Under this project, an international standard cricket stadium will be constructed in Cox's Bazar district, he said. Besides, a plan has been taken to build an international standard cricket stadium in Purbachal, Dhaka, said Aminul Haque.

The 117th edition of the historic Jabbar-er Boli Khela is set to be held on April 25 at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram, alongside a three-day Baishakhi fair from April 24 to 26. Digital operator Banglalink is sponsoring the event for the 12th time, continuing its long-standing support for one of the country’s most iconic traditional sporting events. Preparations for the event were outlined at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Chattogram City Corporation Library. Also known as Abdul Jabbar-er Boli Khela, the century-old wrestling competition has been an integral part of Chattogram’s cultural heritage since its introduction in 1909 by local merchant Abdul Jabbar Sawdagor. Traditional ‘Jabbar er Boli Khela’ begins in Chattogram Originally aimed at inspiring youth, the event has grown into a major public gathering that draws wrestlers and spectators from across the country each year. Banglalink said its continued association with the event reflects its broader commitment to preserving and promoting Bangladesh’s cultural traditions, alongside its focus on customer service. This year’s competition will be livestreamed on Toffee, enabling audiences nationwide to watch the event in real time and expanding its reach beyond Chattogram. The descendants of Abdul Jabbar, along with members of the local community, continue to play a vital role in organising the event, helping maintain its authenticity and ensuring wide participation. With digital support and growing national interest, organisers hope the traditional sport will reach new audiences while retaining its historic significance.

A fire broke out Wednesday morning at Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Park velodrome, prompting a major emergency response involving about 80 firefighters and 20 vehicles, authorities said. Rio state military fire department said the blaze was under control and largely confined to the venue’s fabric roof. There have been no reported injuries, and the interior of the building — including the Olympic Museum — remained untouched. While the cause of this latest incident is currently under investigation, the facility has a history of roof fires. Two similar blazes occurred in 2017, both caused by falling paper sky lanterns. Since hosting track cycling during the 2016 Summer Games, the Velodrome has served as a primary training base for Brazil’s national cycling and weightlifting teams.  

NBA legend LeBron James made history Friday night by recording the league’s first-ever father-son assist, passing to his son Bronny James for a 3-pointer during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 116-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Bronny, playing alongside his father for nearly four and a half minutes in the second quarter, described the moment as “special for us two, and a lot more to come down the road.” Both generations contributed to the scoring during their shared on-court time, with LeBron first making a layup before assisting Bronny, who sank a three from just behind the arc. LeBron called the milestone “a cool moment for us, and also for the family,” highlighting the significance of playing meaningful minutes together in back-to-back games. Bronny, now in his second season with the Lakers, has mainly seen limited playing time but earned rotation minutes this week due to an injury to starting guard Marcus Smart. He has also continued to refine his offensive game in the G League. “My shot has gotten more comfortable just by getting reps and keeping at it,” Bronny said. LeBron added that Bronny’s shooting is returning to the level it had before a cardiac arrest incident in 2023, praising his confidence, rhythm, and recovery. LeBron and Bronny are the first father-son duo to ever play in the NBA simultaneously, and the historic assist adds to LeBron’s already record-breaking career. “I’ve been wanting to play basketball my whole life,” Bronny said. “It’s a dream come true to play professionally and alongside my dad. I love every second of it.”

Most of Iran's women's soccer team left Australia on Tuesday, with only seven players having accepted offers of permanent asylum. Tense scenes unfolded at Sydney Airport as Australian officials held last-minute private meetings with each player, explaining through interpreters that they could choose not to return to Iran. Earlier, seven players had received humanitarian visas to stay in Australia permanently. Despite emotional appeals and tearful protests from the departing players, no additional team members chose to remain. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described the airport meetings as "emotional," adding that one of the seven women who initially stayed behind later decided to return to Iran. The episode drew national attention after the team’s first Asian Cup match, where some players remained silent during Iran's national anthem. Their silence was widely interpreted as a protest or act of defiance, while others viewed it as a form of mourning. Burke said the gesture had “been heard as a roar all around the world” and noted that Australia offered the players a safe choice. The team arrived in Australia before the outbreak of the Iran war on Feb. 28. Following Iran’s exit from the tournament over the weekend, players faced the prospect of returning to a country under conflict. Iranian-Australian groups warned the players could face serious consequences for their actions, even as the players themselves did not publicly explain their silence. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Australia for not offering asylum, although Australian officials confirmed private discussions with the players had already been ongoing. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities insisted the players were safe and that the government would protect them. Burke said Australian officials had made every effort to allow players to decide freely, arranging last-minute discussions, private phone calls, and separation from team minders to ensure decisions were made with dignity. The six players remaining in Australia were relocated for security, guaranteed permanent residency, and provided health, housing, and support. The Asian Football Confederation confirmed the squad had moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where it would continue to receive support until further travel arrangements.

Iraq’s head coach, Graham Arnold, has appealed to FIFA to postpone his team’s intercontinental World Cup playoff due to the disruptions caused by the escalating war in Iran. The Iraqi squad faces major challenges ahead of their winner-takes-all match against either Suriname or Bolivia, set for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. With Iraqi airspace closed until April 1, Arnold’s team — mostly made up of domestic league players cannot fully assemble. Many players are also unable to secure visas for Mexico because of embassy closures, while Arnold himself is stuck in the United Arab Emirates amid the conflict. “Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of Iraq,” Arnold, a former Australian national team coach, told the Australian Associated Press. The turmoil has already forced the cancellation of a planned training camp in Houston. Arnold said relying only on overseas-based players is not a viable solution. “It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need our best squad for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” he said. Arnold has suggested a strategic delay: let Suriname and Bolivia play their preliminary match this month, but postpone Iraq’s final playoff until a week before the World Cup starts. “This would give us time to prepare properly and allow FIFA to see how the situation with Iran develops,” he said. “If Iran withdraws, we go to the World Cup, and it also gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, time to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname.” Iraq Football Association president Adnan Dirjal is reportedly working tirelessly to make the World Cup dream a reality, and Arnold stressed that a quick decision from FIFA is crucial.

Beijing has been recognized as the world's leading sports event city, according to a report released Wednesday during an academic symposium on "Sports and Urban Development" at the Olympic Museum. According to the Leading International Sports Event Cities Influence Index 2025, Beijing - the first city in the world to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games - joins Berlin, Doha, New York, Shanghai, Sydney, Paris, London, Tokyo and Los Angeles in the ranks of leading international sports event cities. "In recent years, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports has leveraged the legacy of hosting both the Summer and Winter Olympics to create a 'Dual-Olympic City of International Sports Events,' thereby promoting the high-quality development of the sports sector," said Shi Fenghua, deputy director general of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports. Paul Downward, a professor at the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, told Xinhua that Beijing holds a "unique position" after becoming the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics. He added that this position reflects a broader international trend where countries use sports events to drive social and economic development. "China's Olympic success also offers a distinct opportunity to enhance national pride and well-being through sport," Downward said. The index, developed by Xinhua Indices Institute, establishes a systematic evaluation system for major global sports event cities based on four key dimensions: the city's sport DNA, event hosting capability, integrated sports industry ecosystem and global connectivity. Following the principles of "broad coverage, benchmark alignment and strong representativeness," cities worldwide were screened using four selection criteria: industrial scale, event level, overall urban development and international influence.

Hugo Alejandro Pérez was at his home, just a few miles from the stadium in Guadalajara set to host FIFA World Cup matches, when gunfire and explosions broke out nearby. The 53-year-old restaurant owner had already questioned whether his city was prepared to stage such a major international event. Frustrated by unresolved local issues like unreliable water service and persistent cartel violence in the surrounding state of Jalisco, he said this week’s surge in bloodshed — triggered by the Mexican military’s killing of a top cartel leader — reinforced his doubts. “I don’t think they should host the World Cup here,” Pérez said. “We have too many problems, and with all this violence, it’s not a good idea.” His concerns surfaced as others also questioned Guadalajara’s readiness to serve as a host city for the tournament, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada. Mexican officials, however, insist the event will proceed as planned. President Claudia Sheinbaum said there are “every guarantee” that matches will be safely held in Jalisco, adding there is “no risk” to visiting fans. Jalisco Governor Jesús Pablo Lemus said FIFA officials have no plans to relocate any of Mexico’s venues. Meanwhile, Portugal’s soccer federation said it was closely monitoring developments ahead of a scheduled friendly against Mexico in March at the renovated Estadio Azteca, which will host the tournament’s opening match on June 11. Jalisco has long grappled with intense cartel violence, including the discovery of a suspected killing site at a ranch last year and a growing crisis of disappearances. The state is considered a stronghold of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), whose leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — known as “El Mencho” — was killed Sunday during a military operation. The crackdown unleashed widespread violence that left at least 70 people dead. Armed groups torched vehicles to block roads and clashed with security forces across multiple states before authorities said the situation was brought under control. The operation forms part of Mexico’s intensified campaign against organized crime, amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to curb cartel activity. The White House confirmed providing intelligence assistance in the mission and praised Mexican forces for eliminating one of the most wanted figures in both countries. Still, analysts warn that eliminating a cartel leader can sometimes spark further instability, as rival factions compete for control. Experts say uncertainty remains over whether CJNG has a clear successor, raising fears of internal conflict or territorial disputes with rival groups. For residents like Pérez, the violence underscores lingering insecurity. When gunmen set a vehicle ablaze near his home during clashes Sunday, he sheltered neighbors inside as the firefight continued for an hour. He remains unconvinced that the World Cup’s projected $3 billion economic boost — estimated by Mexico’s soccer federation — will benefit working-class communities like his, even those close to the stadium. Despite the turmoil, Guadalajara appeared to regain a sense of normalcy Tuesday. Businesses reopened, traffic returned to the streets, and workers continued preparing the stadium. Security forces maintained a visible presence across the city. Some residents urged calm, saying the unrest had been exaggerated, while others worried about the long-term impact on tourism. Maria Dolores Aguirre, who runs a small shop in the mountain town of Tapalpa where the military operation took place, said she fears the violence could hurt local livelihoods. “It’s going to affect us. The whole world saw what happened,” she said. “People are going to think twice before coming.”