United News of Bangladesh

Most Americans will "spring forward" for daylight saving time this Sunday, losing an hour of sleep a change that can leave people tired, irritable, and even impact their health. The shift in daylight darker mornings and longer evenings can disrupt the body’s internal clock, potentially causing sleep problems for days or weeks. Research shows a slight increase in heart attacks and strokes immediately after the March time change. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, and clocks will “fall back” on Nov. 1. Hawaii, most of Arizona, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not observe the spring switch. Globally, many countries also follow daylight saving time, though start and end dates vary. Experts recommend getting morning sunlight to help reset the circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep and alertness. The extra evening light from daylight saving time delays melatonin release, making it harder to fall asleep. Sleep deprivation can affect heart health, metabolism, stress levels, and cognitive functions. The change also temporarily increases risks on the road, with more fatal crashes reported in the days after the shift, particularly in the morning. Heart attacks and strokes also see a small rise, possibly due to disrupted circadian rhythms combined with existing risk factors. To adjust, sleep specialists suggest morning sunlight, shifting daily routines like meals and exercise earlier, avoiding late naps and caffeine, and reducing evening exposure to screens. Although there have been repeated calls to end the time change including former President Donald Trump’s promise  health experts recommend sticking with standard time year-round, which better matches human biology and supports more consistent sleep.

Two people were killed and two others injured when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw crashed into a road divider while taking a U-turn in Tejgaon Industrial area of the capital on Friday night. The deceased were identified as Alim, 48, a CNG driver and passenger Harunur Rashid, 32, of Kishoreganj district. The accident occurred around 10 pm when the Mohakhali-bound CNG-run auto-rickshaw, carrying three passengers, hit the road divider while taking a U-turn, leaving four people injured. Father, daughter killed in Dhaka road crash Inspector Faruk, in-charge of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp, said the injured were taken to the hospital where doctors declared the CNG driver and one passenger dead. The injured female passengers—Happy Akter, 22, and Brishti Akter, 25—are undergoing treatment at the hospital, he added.

President Donald Trump on Friday warned that the U.S. collegiate sports system could collapse without immediate cost controls and more revenue for players. Speaking at a White House summit with lawmakers and sports officials, he said he plans to issue an “all-encompassing” executive order within a week, which could prompt a lawsuit revisiting court-approved NIL payments. Trump said the court settlement that created the NIL system had left many schools in financial distress and threatened the broader educational system. “The whole educational system is going to go out of business because of this,” he said, stressing the urgent need to reform college athletics. Trump says he ‘does not care’ if Iran play in World Cup Meeting participants agreed on the need to save the industry from escalating NIL costs and largely supported the SCORE Act, which would provide limited antitrust exemptions for the NCAA and preempt state NIL laws. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated the bill may now have enough support to pass. Officials also flagged Olympic and women’s sports as particularly at risk, since their funding depends on revenue from football and basketball. U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland said economic pressures threaten both men’s and women’s programs, underscoring the need for immediate action.

Real estate developer House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) has sold a 2.67-acre plot in Ayodhya to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for Rs 35 crore. According to the company, the deal was completed on Friday by Rajesh Yadav, managing director of AB Corp Ltd. The land is situated close to HoABL’s 75-acre luxury development project, The Sarayu. In January 2024, Bachchan had already purchased plots within the same project. This marks his third investment in Ayodhya through HoABL and his fourth investment in the city overall. Previously, Bachchan also bought a 10,000-square-foot plot in HoABL’s Sol de Alibaug project. Abhinandan Lodha, chairman of HoABL, said Bachchan’s investment highlights the belief that land is a long-term asset capable of preserving value for future generations. He added that Ayodhya is gaining attention as a promising location for land ownership due to continued infrastructure development and public investment. Established in 2020, HoABL has grown into one of India’s major branded land developers, focusing on transparent, technology-driven land transactions. Over the past five years, the company has sold more than 13 million square feet of developed land and currently has around 34 million square feet under development. HoABL operates projects in several locations including Alibaug, Anjarle, Vrindavan, Dapoli, Goa, Khopoli, Nagpur and Neral. The developer also plans to launch new projects in Amritsar, Shimla and Varanasi. Looking ahead, HoABL aims to expand its presence to 48 cities across India to meet growing demand for plotted developments in areas driven by infrastructure growth and tourism. Recently, the company also entered the vertical real estate segment, launching three residential projects in Mumbai with a combined development area of about 3.1 million square feet.    

A prolonged dry spell has created a severe water crisis in the haor areas of Sunamganj, leaving Boro farmers worried about their crops and livelihoods. With almost no rainfall in the region for nearly five months, croplands across several haors are facing an acute shortage of water, severely affecting Boro paddy cultivation this season. Farmers said the lack of irrigation water has already begun to damage many paddy fields. In some areas, plants are drying up due to drought while in others they are being attacked by insects and diseases. Funding delays stall haor embankments, putting Sunamganj’s Boro harvest at risk If the situation continues, farmers fear that overall production may drop significantly, they said. Most haor areas in the district depend heavily on natural water reservoirs and rainfall for irrigation. But this year’s prolonged dry weather has left many fields without sufficient water. Local farmers also alleged that some water bodies have been drained prematurely by unscrupulous people. They said the absence of effective government initiatives to address the water shortage has added to their anxiety, with many fearing financial losses if the drought continues. During a visit to Khushdar haor in Sunamganj Sadar upazila, UNB correspondent found large stretches of farmland suffering from severe water scarcity. In some upstream areas of the haor, the soil has cracked due to drought. With no alternative irrigation system in place, farmers are anxiously looking to the sky hoping for rain. Nazir Ali, a farmer from the Baraghat area, said he cultivated Boro rice on six khanis of land this season but the lack of water has put his crop at risk. “The soil has cracked and the rice plants are turning reddish and drying up,” said the 50-year-old farmer. “I thought it would rain, but there has been no rainfall for a long time. If rain does not come soon, we will face heavy losses. Many farmers like me in the haor areas are in the same situation.” Race Against Water: Delayed funds put Sunamganj’s Boro crop in danger

Ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat and Paturia-Daulatdia river routes resumed on Saturday after a two-and-a-half-hour disruption caused by dense fog Abdus Salam, Deputy General Manager of BIWTC Aricha Sector, said the ferry services remained suspended from 7:30 am due to poor visibility. Two ferries got stuck in the middle of the Padma River, causing immense suffering to the passengers. Several hundred vehicles including goods-laden trucks are waiting to cross the river.  Vegetable prices soar in Manikganj amid inclement weather  

A 45-year-old man and his daughter were killed when a truck hit a motorbike in Science Lab area of the capital on Friday night. The deceased were identified as Saju Ahmed Sumon and his daughter Sumaiya Ahmed Trisha, residents of Shahjahanpur area. The accident occurred around 11 pm when the truck hit the motorcycle carrying the duo while they were heading towards their home, leaving one killed on the spot and another injured, said sub-inspector of New Market Police Station, Mahmudul. Bus–microbus collision leaves 2 dead on Dhaka–Barishal highway The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared her dead. Police arrested the driver and seized the truck.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 4th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 182 at 9:13 am on Saturday. Dhaka’s air was classified as ' unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. India’s Delhi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 237, 202 and 198 respectively. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.  

Islamic militants attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria on Friday, abducting more than 300 people, including women and children, local officials said. The attack occurred in Ngoshe town in Borno state, according to Bulama Sawa, an official from the Gwoza area. He told The Associated Press that the assault was likely carried out in retaliation for a recent military operation that killed three commanders of the militant group Boko Haram. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Nigeria is facing a complex security crisis involving multiple armed groups. The United States has also deployed troops to the West African country to advise and support its military in tackling the growing insecurity. 50 killed, many abducted in armed attack in Nigeria Separate attacks were also reported earlier this week in the communities of Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok between Wednesday and early Friday, a military spokesperson said. Spokesperson Uba Sani said troops managed to repel the attacks in those communities, but noted that “a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” including a senior officer. He did not provide details on the number of military casualties. Sani described the incidents as “failed attacks” and said they reflected the “increasing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure” from the military. Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation said the attack on Ngoshe highlighted the Nigerian army’s challenges in controlling vast areas where jihadist groups operate. He said militants are also benefiting from stronger cross-border cooperation and the use of drones to identify targets before launching attacks. “The army is fighting a ghost — fighters descending with motorbikes on villages and disappearing into the bush before the army can respond in time,” Laessing said. Among the most prominent militant groups operating in Nigeria are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, which is affiliated with the Islamic State group. Other groups include the IS-linked Lakurawa as well as criminal “bandit” groups known for kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining. The security crisis has recently expanded with the involvement of militants from the neighbouring Sahel region, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack inside Nigeria last year. According to United Nations data, several thousand people have been killed in the violence in Nigeria. Analysts say the government is still not doing enough to protect civilians.

Powerful explosions were reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, early Saturday, sending thick smoke into the sky. In response, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, while the United States warned that an even larger bombing campaign could soon take place as the weeklong conflict escalates. There were no clear signs that the fighting would end soon. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump approved a new $151 million weapons sale to Israel after Trump reiterated that negotiations with Iran would only happen if Tehran agreed to an “unconditional surrender.” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said the country would take all necessary actions to defend itself. Video obtained by the Associated Press showed flashes from explosions and rising smoke across western parts of Tehran as Israel confirmed it had launched a broad round of strikes. At the same time, Israel’s military said it was working to intercept a fresh wave of Iranian missiles. The conflict appeared to be expanding across the region. Early Saturday, warning sirens sounded in Bahrain after an Iranian attack targeted the island nation. Saudi Arabia reported destroying drones headed toward its Shaybah oil field and intercepting a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, where U.S. forces are stationed. Over the past week, the United States and Israel have carried out repeated strikes on Iran, targeting its military infrastructure, leadership and nuclear facilities. However, the war’s objectives have shifted over time, with some U.S. officials suggesting the possibility of overthrowing Iran’s government or encouraging new leadership within the country. Meanwhile, two U.S. officials familiar with intelligence assessments said Russia had provided Iran with information that could help it target American military assets in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday to offer condolences following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, according to the Kremlin. Concerns over deadly school explosionNew evidence has also suggested that a deadly explosion at a school in the city of Minab may have been caused by U.S. airstrikes that struck a nearby facility connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian state media reported that more than 165 people, most of them children, were killed in the blast. Iran has blamed both Israel and the United States for the incident, although neither country has confirmed responsibility. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the matter was under investigation. Global economic concerns growSaad al-Kaabi warned that the war could have severe economic consequences worldwide. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said the conflict could disrupt Gulf energy exports and push oil prices to as high as $150 per barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude already climbed above $90 on Friday, the highest level in more than two years. Possible Russian involvementOfficials also said Russia had supplied Iran with intelligence that might help it target American ships, aircraft and other assets in the region. Although there is no indication Moscow is directing how the information should be used, it may represent the first sign of Russia becoming involved in the conflict. Trump outlines conditions for Iran’s futureIn a social media message, Trump stated that the only possible agreement with Iran would require unconditional surrender. He added that once Iran chooses “acceptable” leadership, the United States and its allies could help rebuild the country and strengthen its economy. The comments have raised questions about the ultimate goal of the war. According to officials, the conflict has already killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel. Six U.S. troops have also died. President Pezeshkian said on social media that several countries had begun mediation efforts, though he did not provide details. Trump has also suggested he should play a role in choosing a successor to Khamenei. He dismissed Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is considered a leading candidate to replace his father, calling him politically weak. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned Trump’s remarks and insisted that Iran would never allow foreign powers to interfere in its internal affairs. Iranian state television reported that officials had begun discussions about convening the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the country’s next supreme leader. Warning of more intense bombingU.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the most extensive bombing campaign of the war may still lie ahead. Israel also said it had heavily targeted an underground bunker believed to have been prepared for Iranian leadership during the conflict. Fighting spreads into LebanonIn eastern Lebanon, the state news agency reported that local fighters clashed with Israeli troops who landed near the town of Nabi Chit, an area known as a stronghold of Hezbollah. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Israel has also conducted multiple airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a significant presence but which is also home to large civilian populations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes since Monday have killed 217 people and injured 798 others. Heavy traffic clogged the streets of Beirut as residents tried to flee, while smoke rose from the southern districts of the city. Two hospitals evacuated their patients and staff amid the attacks. One displaced resident, Jihan Shehadeh, said many families were forced to sleep in their cars because they had nowhere else to go.