United News of Bangladesh

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has announced that she and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will stop using Elon Musk's social media platform X, saying it no longer supports healthy public debate. In what appeared to be her final post on X, Nandy said the platform had become harmful to democracy and communities. She said a platform that was originally created to promote free speech and expression now gives greater space to abuse and misinformation than to meaningful discussion. Nandy added that she would continue communicating through Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Her decision was criticized by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who argued that the DCMS should confront misinformation rather than leave the platform. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's office said the government regularly reviews its use of social media but confirmed that Downing Street would continue using X. The spokesperson added that individual ministers and government departments can decide for themselves whether to remain on the platform. DCMS is the second UK government department to leave X after the Attorney General's Office stopped posting on the platform last month. Attorney General Lord Hermer defended that decision, telling lawmakers in June that X frequently became a place for racism and misogyny and that his department could better engage in respectful and detailed public discussions through other channels. He said while some government departments may need to interact with the public on X, the Attorney General's Office did not. Prime Minister Starmer has also been critical of X owner Elon Musk, accusing him of using the platform to increase divisions in the UK following the murder of student Henry Nowak last month. The case sparked violent protests in Southampton after police body-camera footage showed officers handcuffing the 18-year-old as he lay dying. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, had claimed he was acting in response to a racist attack. The release of the footage triggered widespread political debate and drew criticism from Musk over the police's handling of the incident. Earlier this year, several Members of Parliament, including Liberal Democrats Layla Moran and Vikki Slade and Labour MP Darren Paffey, also left X after reports that its Grok artificial intelligence tool had been used to create sexualized images, including images involving children. X has previously said that anyone who uses or prompts Grok to create illegal content will face the same consequences as users who upload such material.

Veteran actor and activist Danny Glover has revealed that he is living with Alzheimer's disease, saying he is still trying to come to terms with the diagnosis. Glover, widely known for playing the calm and dependable police officer in the Lethal Weapon film series, said he was diagnosed with the progressive brain disease three years ago. The four-time Emmy Award nominee, who will turn 80 on July 22, shared the news in separate interviews with NBC's Today show and People magazine. "I'm still not accepting in my mind all parts of it," Glover told People. "There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I'll never forget." Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It gradually affects memory, thinking and daily functioning. More than 6 million people in the United States and millions more worldwide are living with the condition. Throughout his career, Glover has received four Emmy Award nominations and was honoured with an honorary Oscar in 2022. He has also been recognised by the NAACP and Black Entertainment Television, and has earned nominations from the Screen Actors Guild. Beyond acting, Glover has been active in humanitarian work. From 1998 to 2004, he served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, supporting efforts to address poverty, disease and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Milwaukee paid tribute to legendary Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker on Tuesday with the unveiling of a giant mural in downtown Milwaukee, celebrating the man whose voice became synonymous with the team's baseball history. Fans gathered for the dedication ceremony to honor Uecker, who spent 54 seasons calling Milwaukee Brewers games before his death on Jan. 16, 2025, at the age of 90. Standing before the mural, which stretches 80 feet wide and 100 feet high, former broadcast partner Lane Grindle said Uecker's legacy would continue to inspire both the local community and the baseball world. "We always said Bob was larger than life, and now he literally is," Grindle said. Although Uecker became a nationally recognized figure through movies, television appearances and commercials, he remained devoted to Milwaukee throughout his career. The new artwork shows Uecker wearing one of his signature plaid blazers and includes his autograph along with his famous nickname, "Mr. Baseball." It is displayed on the north side of the Wintrust Financial Center at 731 N. Jackson Street. The mural was created by artist Mauricio Ramirez, who also designed the large downtown mural of former Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2022. Work on the Uecker mural began in mid-May. The dedication ceremony featured Brewers manager Pat Murphy, outfielder Christian Yelich, president of baseball operations Matt Arnold and several members of Uecker's family. Murphy remembered Uecker as someone who genuinely cared about players at every level of the team. "He cared about everyone, whether it was a star like Christian Yelich or a young player just called up from Triple-A," Murphy said. "The clubhouse was like family to him." Yelich said spending time with Uecker off the field was one of the highlights of his career. He recalled Uecker's endless stories about baseball, acting, television appearances, and memorable experiences with celebrities, astronauts and even U.S. presidents. "It was a privilege just to listen to his stories and learn about the incredible life he lived," Yelich said. As part of the celebration, the first 500 attendees of legal drinking age received a complimentary can of Miller Lite from Molson Coors for a toast in Uecker's honor. Brewers president of business operations Rick Schlesinger said Uecker turned down opportunities to work nationally and with other Major League Baseball teams because of his deep connection to Milwaukee. "He had chances to leave, but Milwaukee was always his home," Schlesinger said. "Loyalty defined who he was, and he never left us."

Naomi Osaka once again made a bold fashion statement at Wimbledon, arriving for her first-round match in a flowing white kimono inspired by a character from Quentin Tarantino's film ‘Kill Bill’. Despite Wimbledon's famous all-white dress code, Osaka embraced the tradition in her own way by wearing a white embroidered kimono with wide sleeves as she walked onto Court No. 3 for her match against Elsa Jacquemot. The four-time Grand Slam champion then defeated Jacquemot 6-1, 7-5 to advance to the second round. Speaking after the match, Osaka said the outfit reflected her Japanese heritage and was inspired by Lucy Liu's character O-Ren Ishii in ‘Kill Bill’. "My Japanese heritage means a lot to me," Osaka said. "Since Wimbledon requires players to wear white, I thought it would be special to come out in a white kimono." She added that she enjoys drawing inspiration from different sources and often likes to imagine herself as a video game character rather than being herself while competing on court. The crowd welcomed Osaka's entrance with loud cheers, with many fans raising their phones to capture the moment. One supporter shouted, "Come on, queen!" as she walked onto the court. Former top-10 player Alicia Molik, who was commentating for the BBC, said Osaka's arrival had become one of the day's most anticipated moments. Osaka kept the kimono on during the pre-match instructions at the net before removing it and placing it on her chair ahead of the warm-up. She is no stranger to making memorable entrances at Grand Slam tournaments. Earlier this year at the Australian Open, she appeared wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a veil and carrying a white parasol. At the French Open, she entered the court in a black ceremonial skirt and beaded bodice before revealing a gold playing outfit underneath. Off the court, Osaka also attracted attention at this year's Met Gala, where she wore a striking white sculptural gown designed by Robert Wun, complete with red feathers, a matching headpiece and two-tone red gloves. Her Wimbledon outfit drew attention even before she reached the court, as she walked through the tournament grounds. Osaka said she noticed people turning around to get a better look, adding that she found their reactions entertaining. She also revealed that fellow players had been asking practical questions, including whether she owned only one white kimono and what she would do if it got stained. At her post-match press conference, Osaka highlighted another part of her heritage by wearing the red-and-blue football jersey of Haiti after the country's national team qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time since 1974. "I felt really proud of them," she said.

Comedian and digital creator Druski will become the youngest host in BET Awards history when he emcees Sunday's ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, surpassing Kevin Hart's record set in 2011. The 31-year-old will host the live event, which will also honour Lauryn Hill, Teyana Taylor and music executive Sylvia Rhone for their contributions to the entertainment industry. Cardi B leads this year's nominations with six, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto received four nominations apiece. The ceremony will feature performances by Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I. and The War And Treaty, while MC Lyte returns as announcer. Hill will receive the Living Legend Icon Award for her lasting influence on hip-hop and R&B, while Taylor will be presented with the Icon of the Year Award for her achievements as a singer, actor, director, producer and choreographer. Rhone will receive the Ultimate Icon Award in recognition of her pioneering leadership in the music industry. The show will also present awards recognising creators and cultural impact in fashion.

Ann Blyth, the Hollywood actress who earned an Oscar nomination at just 17 for playing Joan Crawford's troubled daughter in the classic film *Mildred Pierce*, has died at the age of 98. Blyth died of natural causes on Wednesday at her home in Rancho Santa Fe, California, according to her daughter, Eileen McNulty. She was surrounded by family. One of the last surviving stars from Hollywood's golden studio era, Blyth built a successful career in films, television and musical theatre. She appeared alongside some of the biggest names of her time, including Bing Crosby, Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum and Tyrone Power. Although she stopped making movies by the late 1950s to focus on raising her five children, she remained active in television, concerts and stage productions, including ‘Show Boat’ and ‘The Sound of Music’. Blyth began performing as a child. At 13, she landed her first major role in the Broadway production of ‘Watch on the Rhine’, starring alongside Bette Davis. Her performance led Universal Studios to sign her to a contract, where she first appeared in a series of low-budget musicals. Her career changed dramatically in 1945 when Warner Bros. cast her in *Mildred Pierce*. Blyth played Veda, the selfish and manipulative daughter of Joan Crawford's title character. The role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, while Crawford won the Oscar for Best Actress. The film became a landmark of the film noir genre and established Blyth as a talented dramatic actress after she had mainly been known for light-hearted musicals. In 1946, Blyth suffered a serious back injury in a toboggan accident. She spent seven months in a full body cast and another seven months in a wheelchair. She later said her Roman Catholic faith helped her recover during the difficult period. After returning to acting, she appeared in several films, including ‘Brute Force’, ‘Killer McCoy’, ‘A Woman's Vengeance’ and ‘Another Part of the Forest’, further proving her range as a dramatic performer. Her career took another turn in the early 1950s when she returned to musicals. She starred opposite Mario Lanza in the hit film ‘The Great Caruso’ and later appeared in ‘Rose Marie’ and ‘Kismet’ with Howard Keel. Her other notable films included *Top o' the Morning* with Bing Crosby, *The World in His Arms* with Gregory Peck and *The Buster Keaton Story*. Her final movie was *The Helen Morgan Story* in 1957, which also starred Paul Newman. Born in 1928 in Mount Kisco, New York, Blyth was raised in New York City by her mother after her father left the family. She started performing on radio at the age of five and later trained with the San Carlo Opera Company. Blyth often credited her mother for encouraging her to continue pursuing acting despite early disappointments. Her mother died of cancer before Blyth achieved her breakthrough success in 'Mildred Pierce'. In 1953, Blyth married Dr. James McNulty, and the couple remained together until his death in 2007. They had five children. A memorable moment later in her career came at the 1954 Academy Awards, when she performed the song 'Secret Love' while visibly pregnant, making a rare and historic appearance on the Oscar stage.

Hollywood is increasingly embracing microdramas, a fast-growing mobile-first storytelling format that is attracting celebrities, major studios and media companies as audiences shift toward consuming content on smartphones. Emmy-nominated actor and producer Issa Rae became interested in the format after studying China’s booming market for short, mobile-first soap operas while much of Hollywood focused on the streaming wars. Seeing its potential to build audiences and intellectual property, Rae’s Hoorae Media released the thriller Screen Time in May, one of the first studio-quality microdrama projects developed by an established Hollywood production company. Backed by TikTok, the series drew nearly 75 million views in its first week. Rae said lower production costs allow creators to take more risks than traditional television and film, while faster production schedules make it easier to produce timely and relevant stories. She also praised the format’s interactive nature, saying viewers can engage with creators and one another through real-time comments. Typically filmed vertically with episodes lasting one to three minutes, microdramas originated in China during the pandemic. Omdia estimates the global market will generate $14 billion in revenue by the end of 2026. Peacock, Fox Entertainment and TelevisaUnivision have already expanded into the rapidly growing microdrama business.

Giorgio Armani’s creative legacy remained at the center of attention in Milan as his fashion house presented a new runway collection at its historic headquarters, followed by a relaxed garden dinner attended by celebrities and industry figures. As the Giorgio Armani Foundation continues efforts to find a buyer for a 15% stake in the company, as directed in the late designer’s will, each runway show is now seen as a test of how successfully his design philosophy can endure and evolve under the stewardship of his heirs and longtime collaborators. “We tried to continue the message that he wanted to convey,” said Silvana Armani, Armani’s niece and head of womenswear design, speaking to reporters after the co-ed show that closed Milan Fashion Week on Monday evening. The latest Giorgio Armani menswear collection for next summer, combined with womenswear cruise pieces, reflected the brand’s signature relaxed elegance. Models moved with casual ease, reinforcing the house’s long-standing emphasis on understated style. One model was seen idly turning a ring while walking toward photographers, while another casually carried a jacket over his shoulder, highlighting the effortless mood of the presentation. Silvana Armani and menswear designer Leo Dell’Orco introduced subtle adjustments to the familiar Armani silhouette, including slightly longer jackets and slimmer trousers, creating a refined balance in proportion. Longtime observers noted that the roughly 160 looks presented conveyed the impression of real people dressed for everyday life rather than conventional runway models. “When the models came for their fittings, they were always a bit taken aback,” Dell’Orco said. “It felt as though they could easily just walk out onto the street.” The collection drew inspiration from a Mediterranean summer mood, featuring safari jackets, lightweight blazers, shawl-collar vests, and fluid tailoring. A palette of sun-faded greens, cobalt blues, and sandy neutrals reinforced the seasonal theme, while fabrics such as linen, cotton, and textured knits emphasized comfort and ease. The womenswear cruise pieces, the first led by Silvana Armani, were integrated into the show with dresses, coats, and jackets designed to drape naturally over the body. “I think he would have applauded,” Dell’Orco said. The front row included actors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mark Strong, Lucy Boynton, and singer Conan Gray. Following the show, guests including filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino and former Gucci CEO and Armani board member Marco Bizzarri joined a casual garden cocktail gathering at the venue. Under Armani’s will, his heirs are required to sell a 15% stake in the company—covering labels such as Emporio Armani, Armani/Casa, and Armani Hotels—within 18 months of his death last September. For now, Silvana Armani and Dell’Orco, both longtime collaborators of the designer, are leading the creative direction of the house while overseeing its continuity. Dell’Orco, who also serves as chairman of the Armani Foundation and holds a significant voting stake in the company, dismissed reports linking former Versace executive Dario Vitale to Emporio Armani, calling them “not true,” according to ANSA.

When a large tent appeared next door to Taylor Swift’s Watch Hill estate this week, it didn’t take long for speculation about the superstar's impending nuptials to ripple through the affluent New England seaside village — and the internet. Soon, fans were swapping theories online, photographers were staking out vantage points and residents found themselves fielding questions about a wedding that never was. Or at least, a wedding that seems yet to happen. The rumors, so far, have proved unfounded. But they offered a glimpse into life in Watch Hill, the Rhode Island beach community in the town of Westerly, close to the Connecticut border, where Swift has owned a home for more than a decade and where curiosity about the singer has become woven into everyday life. Rumors take hold From the nearby lighthouse, visitors craned for a better view of Swift’s mansion, a sprawling white home perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Security cameras dotted the property, and a guard called out to visitors who strayed too close. Wedding planner Nicole Simeral, dressed in black, stood outside the small white chapel across from the massive yellow Ocean House hotel — Swift's neighbor on the beach — waving along cars and buses that slowed and directing traffic to keep moving. She watched visitors speculate about a wedding she said she knew wasn’t Swift's. She's working a different wedding every weekend in June in that spot. Still, the questions kept coming. “Is Taylor Swift getting married here? Many, many, many have asked,” Simeral said. She said there had been “a lot of chitter chatter” as people tried to connect sightings of people who know Swift in local shops to impending nuptials. But she doubted Watch Hill would be practical for a wedding of that scale because of its limited luxury lodging. The Watch Hill rumors also dovetailed with separate online speculation that Swift and her fiance, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, were planning a celebration at Madison Square Garden, though no details about the pair’s wedding have been released, despite multiple requests for comment to Swift’s spokesperson. The tent itself, Simeral said, was hardly unusual. “Next weekend, there’ll be another tent just like this.” For two summers, Westerly Police Department community service officer Nick Quaratella has stood at the entrance to a public path leading to the beach beside Swift’s estate, answering questions from beachgoers and keeping traffic moving. “They come to the beach, but then they also ask if she’s here or not,” Quaratella said. He said he can't help but joke around with some fans. “I’ll say, ‘Oh, did you hear that she moved?’” he said. “And they’ll say, ‘No.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson moved in.’ And they’ll go, ‘Oh, really?’ and then they’ll walk away.” “That's pretty funny,” he concluded. Over the years, he’s seen plenty of unusual reactions. His coworker once spotted a fan on their knees, bowing toward the entrance gate near the property. Visitors have shouted “I love you, Taylor!” from the roadside. One woman convinced her granddaughter he was Swift’s security guard and posed for a photo with him. Quaratella has fielded a few questions about the supposed wedding, but not as many as he expected. “At this point, it’s part of my job,” he said. “It makes me smile. It makes me laugh. I have no problem with it. It makes the day go by.” Living with Taylor Swift Down near a strip of beach boutiques, lifelong resident Lauren Nigrelli said the frenzy surrounding the star has eased since Swift first moved into the neighborhood in 2013. Back then, Nigrelli recalled, fans would drive around in circles by her shop playing Swift’s songs. “Things have definitely calmed down since then,” she said. Today, Swift’s presence remains a fixture among local businesses in what she described as a “quaint New England coastal community.” Nigrelli, a Realtor who owns the boutiques Tide and Tide Kids, said she began selling apparel emblazoned with “Holiday House,” the nickname associated with Swift’s mansion, after children began coming into the store asking for it. On Saturday, she was also selling a Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding sticker book. “I think every shop has something related to her,” Nigrelli said. On the beach below the mansion, Audrey and John Curtis, a married couple from Connecticut who have been vacationing in Westerly for years, settled into beach chairs and debated the wedding rumors. “We were just looking up at her house,” Audrey Curtis said, pointing toward the mansion. “She’s not getting married here now, though.” Curtis said she had heard various theories, including speculation that a wedding might be held at Ocean House. But as she thought through the logistics, she became skeptical. “Then I was thinking about, ‘How would everybody get here?’” she said. “In New York, you’ve got JFK, you’ve got LaGuardia, and she’s got two penthouses in New York that she combined, so I figured they could obviously have more people there.” Her husband wasn’t so sure. “They could lie and say it’s happening there, but it’s happening here,” John Curtis said. “When important people do things, they don’t want people to know.” Six friends from New York, posing for photos in matching Watch Hill sweatshirts while celebrating a birthday, said Swift wasn’t the reason they chose the beach town, though they weren’t sure they would have discovered it if not for the singer. Leslie Aucapina, 24, who attended Swift’s Eras Tour in Philadelphia, said she grew up listening to Swift’s music and thought the Taylor-themed merchandise was “really cute.” She liked that the excitement surrounding Swift helped local businesses and enjoyed visiting the inspiration for “the last great american dynasty,” a song about Holiday House from Swift’s 2020 Grammy Album of the Year-winning album, folklore. But she said the speculation at times crosses a line. “If she wants to share it, she wants to share it,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s someone’s house.”

Actor Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Kamineni Konidela have revealed the face of their daughter Klin Kaara for the first time as she celebrated her third birthday. The couple shared a family photograph on social media on Saturday, featuring them lovingly holding their daughter. Until now, they had only offered glimpses of Klin Kaara in public appearances and on social media. In a joint post, the couple wrote: "Happy Birthday Klin Kaara our precious little one," accompanied by heart emojis. Ram Charan and Upasana, who had known each other for several years, got engaged in December 2011 and tied the knot in June 2012. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Klin Kaara, in June 2023. During Diwali last year, they announced that they were expecting their second child. In February this year, the couple welcomed twins – a boy and a girl. Sharing his happiness at becoming a father again, the actor had posted on social media that he and his wife had been blessed with a baby boy and a baby girl, adding that having two daughters and a son filled him with immense gratitude. He also thanked fans, family members and well-wishers for their continued support throughout the journey. Earlier this month, the couple shared the first glimpse of their newborn twins on the occasion of their 14th wedding anniversary, posting a photograph showing the tiny hands of their three children. The image was captioned simply: "Heart is full," along with an infinity symbol.