United News of Bangladesh

A growing line of visitors at a sculpture on Prague's historic Charles Bridge is giving the 14th-century landmark a new attraction: recreating an iconic photograph of British band Depeche Mode. Tourists have long visited the statue of St John of Nepomuk on the bridge over the Vltava River. But many are now stopping at a nearby Pietà sculpture to pose like Depeche Mode members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore in a famous 1988 photograph. The band first visited Prague in March 1988, when the city was part of communist Czechoslovakia, for a landmark concert. They returned in November with Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn, who photographed them around the city. The pictures were later published in his book, “Depeche Mode: Strangers.” One black-and-white photograph showing Gahan and Gore beside the Pietà sculpture has become particularly popular among fans. Fans have been visiting the location for years, but interest appears to have grown after photos of a large gathering on the bridge during the band's Prague concerts in 2024 circulated online. The recreation has now gained millions of views on social media. Jorge Sanchez, from California, visited the spot with his wife after learning about the photograph. “I remember seeing the picture from way back,” he said. “Then I looked it up and learned that it was here, so I wanted to make sure I took a picture.” Austrian visitors Maria Hofer and Lara Hinteregger said they discovered the trend on Pinterest and TikTok. “We just saw this on Pinterest or on TikTok, and it's kind of one of the most famous pictures you can take here in Prague,” Hofer said. Hinteregger said they also liked Depeche Mode's music and felt it matched the atmosphere of Prague. The nearby statue of St John Nepomuk commemorates the 14th-century priest who was tortured and killed after refusing to reveal the queen's confession. His body was thrown into the Vltava River from Charles Bridge. Local tradition says touching the engravings on the statue's pedestal brings good luck and ensures a return to Prague.

Rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach early Thursday and charged with battery after a woman he was living with told police that he assaulted her, authorities said. Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, turned himself in at the Miami Beach Police Station, two days after the woman reported the alleged incident to police. According to online court records, Ross faces a felony charge of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor battery charge. Ross, 50, has denied the allegations through his attorney, Steve Sadow, who said the rapper was being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose motives were unclear. “The ex did not even file a police report until a month after the claimed incident allegedly took place,” Sadow said in a statement. “Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges.” Sadow asked Ross' supporters and the public not to prejudge the case and to allow the legal process to continue. Ross was released from jail later Thursday after posting a $5,000 cash bond, court records showed. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22. According to a police report, the woman told Miami Beach detectives that she had been living with Ross on Aug. 28 when he accused her of cheating on him and allegedly struck her several times. She also alleged that Ross choked her using the collar of her shirt and pushed her into a wall. She said she eventually left the home and returned later, after Ross had left, to collect her belongings. Ross pleaded no contest in 2017 to an aggravated assault charge stemming from a 2015 incident at his suburban Atlanta mansion. He was accused of forcing a man into a guesthouse and beating him with a handgun. Under Georgia's first-offender program, a court later issued an order exonerating Ross of guilt on the felony charge, according to court records. Ross, a longtime South Florida resident, rose to fame in 2006 with his debut single “Hustlin'.” He became a major figure in Southern hip-hop during the 2000s, when Atlanta and Houston were among the genre's main centers. “Hustlin'” was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and led to a bidding war before Ross signed with Def Jam Records, then headed by Jay-Z. His debut album, “Port of Miami,” also went platinum and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was followed by several successful albums, including “Trilla” in 2008 and “Deeper Than Rap” in 2009. Ross has received nine Grammy Award nominations. In 2008, he founded Maybach Music Group, which helped launch or expand the careers of artists including Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana. His latest album, “Set In Stone,” was released in July.

Singer Babul Supriyo has recalled his 2005 disagreement with Sonu Nigam and compared it with the earlier dispute between legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi over music royalties. Supriyo and Nigam had a heated exchange at music director Aadesh Srivastava's birthday party at Mumbai's Sun-n-Sand Hotel in Juhu in 2005. What began as a discussion about music royalties eventually turned into an argument. In a recent interview with SCREEN, Supriyo said similar differences had once emerged between Mangeshkar and Rafi over the same issue. "A similar fallout happened even between Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi Sahab; it was over the same thing," he said, adding that the issue should now be left in the past. Supriyo said older musicians are helping singers secure better earnings and that music companies have also recognized the importance of royalties. He recalled that singers previously had royalty agreements and said he still receives royalties from his HMV contracts for albums released in 1998-99. However, he said payments were generally linked to successful songs and depended on what music companies agreed to pay. He said artists who had only one or two hit songs often did not receive royalties. He also recalled refusing to give up his share of earnings from live shows despite pressure from some music companies, saying the decision cost him several songs. Supriyo said the music industry's revenue model has changed significantly with the rise of digital platforms, even after CDs and cassettes declined. He added that his relationship with Nigam is now good and praised Nigam, Anup Jalota, Shaan and other senior singers for their efforts. Regarding the Lata-Rafi dispute, a biography of Rafi says differences over royalty payments on their duets led the two singers to stop recording together for around two to three years in the early 1960s. According to Mohammed Rafi: My Abba - A Memoir, Mangeshkar wanted royalty payments from producers, while Rafi believed singers should not receive royalties after being paid their agreed fees. The two eventually reconciled after music director Jaikishen helped resolve their differences. Their first duet after the dispute was recorded for the film Palkon Ki Chhaaon Mein. Source: NDTV

Authorities in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu on Tuesday gave singer Na Ying a rare exemption after she performed an unapproved song at a weekend concert, drawing fresh attention to China’s strict controls over the entertainment industry. Songs and other content used in live performances, including stand-up comedy, must be approved by local authorities in advance. Artists who break the rules can face fines, bans from future performances and restrictions on public appearances. The Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism said Na’s performance was a short part of an audience interaction rather than a full performance of the song. Therefore, it did not require additional approval. Na, one of China’s best-known female singers, performed “Curved Moon” at her concert in Chengdu on Saturday to remember fellow singer Liu Huan, who died the previous day. “I want to sing a song he sang before on this stage, to pay tribute to him,” Na told the audience, according to videos shared on social media. Dressed in black, she appeared emotional as she sang. Some social media users described the performance as an “expensive tribute,” praising Na while expressing concern that she could be fined. Liu, one of China’s most prominent musicians for nearly four decades, died Friday at the age of 63, according to an obituary published Sunday by the University of International Business and Economics. Liu was a music history professor at the university for more than three decades before retiring. He also performed the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympics with British soprano Sarah Brightman during the opening ceremony. Brightman described Liu as an “amazing talent and a true gentleman” and said he would be greatly missed in posts on Facebook and X on Sunday. The Chengdu decision came several weeks after authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan fined a prominent comedian for changing the lyrics of a patriotic song during a performance.

A Turkish court on Monday sentenced comedian Deniz Goktas to more than 19 months in prison for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and religious values, but released him pending an appeal. Goktas, 32, had been in custody since July 3 after videos of his comedy routine circulated online. In the performance, he referred to Erdogan as a "dictator." The court convicted him of insulting the president and religious values, handing him a combined sentence of 19 months and 10 days. During his defense, which prompted laughter in the Istanbul courtroom, Goktas said he stood by a joke in which he described Erdogan as having developed from a "shy dictator" into one who was "confident in his identity." He argued that political satire had previously been tolerated in Turkey and that laws concerning insults had not changed. "What has changed? Fragile leaders who can't handle jokes or criticism," he said, according to remarks published by Birgun and other opposition-supporting media outlets. Goktas also said none of his jokes had led to complaints until excerpts were taken out of context and shared on social media. His comedy show, "Dead Sea," was recorded in Istanbul in June and received more than 9.5 million views after being uploaded to YouTube. The court was told that 185 complaints had been filed through a reporting system operated by Erdogan's office. Goktas was arrested after returning from a vacation and held at Karatepe high-security prison in Tekirdag province, west of Istanbul. Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades, during which critics say restrictions on freedom of expression have increased. Journalists and government critics regularly face investigations, detention and prosecution. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Erdogan's main political rival, has been imprisoned since March last year and is facing trial on corruption charges. Hundreds of mayors and other officials from Turkey's main opposition party are also facing corruption prosecutions. The party's leader was removed by a court order, moves critics describe as attempts to weaken the opposition ahead of the next elections. The Erdogan government maintains that Turkish courts operate independently and without political interference.

Actress Keya Payel believes she will eventually get married and when it happens, it could happen all of a sudden. Recently on July 15, the actress created a buzz by posting a photo with actor Arifin Shuvoo on her verified Facebook account with the words ‘Happily Married’. Many assumed she had secretly tied the knot, but it was later revealed to be the announcement of her first web film, Chorki Original ‘Happily Married’. Directed by Zahid Preetam and produced by Chorki, with Chabial as co-producer, the film under the ‘Ministry of Love’ project is scheduled to premiere on Chorki at midnight on October 7. The release announcement has once again drawn attention to the film, with many viewers expressing excitement in the comments. Some fans have also jokingly asked when Payel herself will actually become ‘happily married’ or make such an announcement on social media. Payel did not shy away from the personal question. She said she would certainly get married and would be happy when she did. “I believe in destiny. So, let’s see when it happens. It will happen when it is written in my fate, and everyone will know about it. But for some reason, I feel it might happen all of a sudden,” she said. For now, however, Payel is more focused on her work. Alongside acting in dramas, she is busy with endorsements and fashion runways. She is also scheduled to travel abroad in early October and plans to return towards the end of the month. Payel has been receiving offers for films and web films for quite some time, but she said she had been waiting for a role and story that would allow audiences to see her differently from her regular television work. “I have received many offers for films and web films. I can especially talk about web films. I have been receiving offers since web films started in Bangladesh, but I have always felt that I wanted to work in a character and a story where people could see me differently,” she said. “As I regularly work in dramas, I wanted audiences to see a different Payel when I worked in a film or web film. From that perspective, I felt ‘Happily Married’ was a film where audiences would be able to see me differently,” she added. Payel also praised the film's team, saying she had a very positive experience working with them. “The team of ‘Happily Married’ was very active and cooperative. I really enjoyed working with them and felt very comfortable. Especially our director Jahid Preetam, who is very humble. Overall, it was a very good experience for me,” she said. The film stars Arifin Shuvoo opposite Payel. His involvement also encouraged her to take on the project, she said. According to Payel, Shuvoo has the qualities and on-set presence expected of a leading actor. “Shuvoo bhai is very sincere, professional, quiet and helpful. At first, I was wondering whether I would be able to do it because he is senior and has so much experience. But while working with him, I never felt that difference. I really enjoyed working with him,” she said. Expressing her excitement about her first web film, Payel urged her fans to watch it and share their views. “As ‘Happily Married’ is releasing on October 8, I am very excited. It is my first web film, and the story is also very good," Keya Payel said. "I want my fans to watch it and then share me their opinions. And of course, I have brought something different for my fans this time. They will be able to see a special Payel,” she said.

Malaysia-Bangladesh Tourism, Arts & Cultural Network (MBTACN) was inaugurated at Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) on Monday,  aiming to strengthen tourism cooperation, cultural exchange and people-to-people connectivity between the two countries. Launched under the slogan ‘Bridging People. Celebrating Culture. Inspiring Tourism,’ the network aims to connect stakeholders from tourism, culture, arts, education, healthcare, business and youth sectors. Hazwan Hasnol, Chargé d’Affaires of the High Commission of Malaysia in Dhaka, attended the ceremony as the Guest of Honour and said the theme of MBTACN was particularly relevant as Malaysia and Bangladesh continue efforts to promote their tourism potential and unique cultural identities. “MBTACN can serve as an important bridge between these tourism initiatives, helping Malaysia discover Beautiful Bangladesh while encouraging more Bangladeshis to experience Malaysia Truly Asia,” he said. Referring to Visit Malaysia 2026, which has been extended into 2027, Hasnol said the campaign provides a platform to showcase Malaysia’s multicultural society, rich heritage, natural beauty, gastronomy and hospitality. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s tourism attractions, including the Sundarbans, Cox’s Bazar, rivers, tea gardens, historical sites, cuisine and cultural traditions. Hasnol also highlighted Malaysia’s Year of Medical Tourism 2026, saying the country offers world-class medical treatment, advanced technology, internationally recognised healthcare professionals and competitive pricing. He called for closer cooperation among hospitals, healthcare facilitators, travel agencies, hotels and tourism operators, alongside business-to-business cooperation, joint tourism packages, cultural exchanges and educational partnerships. Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, Chief Executive Officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, attended the programme as the Special Guest. Syed Yahya Syed Othman, former Regional Director of Tourism Malaysia and a founding member of MBTACN, joined the ceremony virtually from Putrajaya, Malaysia, and delivered his remarks through a video message. The welcome address was delivered by François Chambraud, Director of Alliance Française de Dhaka, while Md. Abdus Samad, Senior Adviser of MBTACN, chaired the session. Abu Sufian, Executive Chairman of MBTACN and Editor and Publisher of Travel Magazine VROMON, is leading the initiative and moderated the ceremony. According to the organisers, MBTACN will promote cultural festivals, art and photography exhibitions, film and literary exchanges, culinary programmes, student and academic exchanges, tourism cooperation, healthcare connections and youth initiatives. The network seeks to build on the longstanding friendship, travel, professional engagement and cultural exchanges between Malaysia and Bangladesh by turning individual relationships into broader institutional and people-to-people cooperation. Hasnol also acknowledged the contribution of Travel Magazine VROMON and its editor and publisher Abu Sufian to promote exchanges between Malaysia and Bangladesh. The speakers expressed hope that MBTACN would become a lasting platform for tourism cooperation, cultural exchange, education, youth engagement and stronger people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Popular British professional wrestler Benjamin Satterley, better known by his ring name PAC and formerly as Neville/Adrian Neville in WWE, has passed away at the age of 40, the US-based wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) announced on Sunday night. The shocking announcement came just a day after PAC competed in his final match at AEW All Out in Chicago, where he challenged Andrade El Ídolo for the AEW National Championship. AEW, in a statement, said it was "saddened to announce the passing" of Satterley and described him as a wrestler known for his innovative high-flying moves and in-ring ability. The promotion said Satterley, a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, began his wrestling career in 2004 and went on to perform for wrestling organisations around the world. No cause or circumstances of his death had been publicly disclosed as of Monday. Several reports confirmed that details surrounding his death remained unavailable. PAC's shocking death came shortly after he appeared at AEW's All Out event on September 26. In the opening match of the main card, he faced Andrade El Ídolo for the AEW National Championship. PAC delivered a series of high-impact moves, including a 450 splash and an attempted Black Arrow, which are his signature wrestling moves, before Andrade countered and retained the title by pinning him. The match was notable not only because it was PAC's final appearance in the ring, but also because of how suddenly his death followed it. Born Benjamin Satterley, PAC began wrestling professionally in 2004 and established himself on the British independent circuit before gaining international recognition. He also worked in promotions including Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Dragon Gate, where his aerial wrestling style helped build his reputation as one of the prominent high-flyers of his generation. He joined the world's biggest wrestling promotion, WWE, in 2012 and performed under the name Adrian Neville. During his WWE tenure, he became NXT Champion and later captured the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. His WWE run made him widely known among mainstream wrestling audiences, particularly for his athletic style and signature high-flying offence. PAC became one of AEW's early signings after the promotion was launched in 2019. He went on to win multiple championships in the company and became part of several prominent storylines and matches. AEW credited him with competing in some of the promotion's memorable bouts since joining the organisation. He was also a member of the AEW wrestling stable Death Riders, a group centred around Jon Moxley. At All Out, PAC was involved beyond his singles match as the Death Riders remained part of the wider event storyline. AEW's official All Out report described PAC and Andrade's contest as a high-level opening match, with both wrestlers exchanging a series of reversals and aerial wrestling manoeuvres. News of PAC's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from the professional wrestling community, with fellow wrestlers and fans remembering his distinctive wrestling style and lengthy career across the United Kingdom, Japan, WWE and AEW.

A new crop of television shows, films, music and video games is arriving on streaming services and gaming platforms this week, including a new album from Quavo, Netflix’s adaptation of East of Eden and the latest Minecraft spinoff. Other notable releases include Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Wynonna Judd’s first album in 10 years and Minecraft Dungeons II. New movies to stream starting Oct. 2 — Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, streaming Friday, Oct. 2, on Mubi, is Jane Schoenbrun’s follow-up to the 2024 film I Saw the TV Glow. The film, which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, stars Hannah Einbinder of Hacks as a filmmaker attempting to revive a slasher franchise with its original star, played by Gillian Anderson. AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr described it as an ambitious, carefully crafted film that explores identity and transformation through cinema and popular culture. — Amir Bar-Lev’s The Last First: Winter K2, arriving Friday on Apple TV, follows the first group of climbers who attempted a winter ascent of K2 in 2001. The expedition to the world’s second-highest mountain took place in extreme conditions, with temperatures at base camp capable of dropping to 50 degrees below zero. New music to stream from Sept. 28-Oct. 4 — The Austin City Limits Festival begins Friday in Texas and runs across two consecutive weekends. Fans outside the state can watch a livestream of the first weekend, Oct. 2-4, on Disney+ and Hulu. — Country singer Wynonna Judd is releasing The Hard Truth, her first new album in a decade. Judd co-wrote most of the songs, with her husband, Cactus Moser, serving as producer. The album focuses on themes including heartbreak, healing, faith, loss and overcoming adversity. — Grammy-nominated rapper Quavo will release QRÖMELIFE on Friday, Oct. 2. Pharrell Williams serves as executive producer on the project. One of the album’s tracks, “Backwards,” features T.I. New series to stream from Sept. 28-Oct. 4 — Florence Pugh stars in Netflix’s seven-episode adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel East of Eden, premiering Thursday, Oct. 1. Pugh plays Cathy Ames, while Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist portray brothers Adam and Charles Trask. Zoe Kazan wrote and executive produced the series, which explores the story in greater depth than the 1955 film adaptation directed by her grandfather, Elia Kazan. — Catherine Zeta-Jones stars in and executive produces AMC+ thriller Kill Jackie, premiering Friday, Oct. 2. The eight-episode series follows Jackie Price, a former international drug smuggler who has spent two decades living undercover as an art dealer. Her quiet life is disrupted after she discovers that a group of assassins has been hired to kill her. The series is based on Aidan Truhen’s novel The Price You Pay and was created by the team behind Killing Eve. — Tip Toe, premiering Friday on Starz, stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as longtime neighbors whose relationship deteriorates as prejudice increasingly affects their lives. Russell T. Davies wrote all five episodes of the drama. — Tubi is also launching the horror anthology Bite Size Terror on Friday, Oct. 2. The series features emerging filmmakers and explores body horror, dark comedy and supernatural stories. Episodes include “Kachina,” about an influencer who disturbs a family’s sacred doll while redecorating their home, and “The Deep End,” which follows a babysitter who becomes suspicious after a child performs an underwater trick in a pool. New video games from Sept. 28-Oct. 4 — Minecraft Dungeons II expands the popular game universe with a new dimension called the Sift. Players can take on the adventure alone or team up with as many as three friends to battle enemies threatening the Overworld. The game launches Tuesday for Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch and PC. — Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve takes players to Strangereal, Bandai Namco’s fictional version of Earth, where the Federation of Central Usea has been invaded by the Republic of Sotoa. Players and their wingmen must fight to regain control of the skies. The latest installment in the long-running series features updated graphics and new weapons and arrives Friday, Oct. 2, on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has responded to the support he has received from Bollywood celebrities amid the state’s ongoing food safety campaign, saying public backing should also lead to concrete action. Actors including Preity Zinta and Mallika Sherawat have publicly praised Mundhe and his work. Zinta recently showed her support by wearing a black T-shirt bearing the words "Team Tukaram Mundhe." She also praised the FDA chief’s efforts. "It is time to celebrate these heroes," Zinta said when asked about Mundhe. Mundhe said he had not spoken personally or over the phone with Zinta but appreciated her public gesture. "No, I haven't spoken to her personally, nor have we talked over the phone. But I am grateful that she mentioned Team Tukaram Mundhe," he told PTI. While thanking those who have supported the campaign, Mundhe said public gestures should be followed by participation and action. "I feel that people with good intentions exist at every level and in every sector of society. A team should be formed around these good causes; good ideas, thoughts, and actions should be promoted," he said. He stressed that simply wearing a T-shirt showing support was not enough. "Simply wearing a T-shirt with 'Team Tukaram Mundhe' is not enough. Merely displaying the title won't suffice; the actual work must be done, and the right mindset must be adopted," Mundhe said. Mallika Sherawat praises Mundhe Mallika Sherawat also shared a video praising Mundhe and the FDA's food safety campaign. In the video, Sherawat was seen eating idli and chutney while speaking about the inspection drive. "Aap ki wajah se ab main shanti se khana kha sakti hu... Aap ki nazro se kuch bachta nahi," she said, meaning that she could now eat peacefully because nothing escaped Mundhe's watch. Responding to the wider issue of food safety, Mundhe urged citizens to remain alert about what they eat, especially products that may be adulterated, unsafe or unhealthy. "I believe that every citizen must keep 'nazar' (vigilant eye) on items that are adulterated, unsafe, or unhealthy, specifically those high in fat, sugar, or salt that could harm one's health," he said. He also described food safety as a shared responsibility rather than the task of one person. "I am trying to do my part and carry out my responsibility. However, I feel this isn't just a task for one individual; it is a team effort," Mundhe said. Twinkle Khanna jokes about inspections Actor and writer Twinkle Khanna also joined the discussion with a humorous take on the FDA's inspection drive. She joked about what might happen if inspectors visited her home, imagining them finding a packet of "Shahi Masala" that had expired around the time of the Mughal Empire. Source: NDTV