United News of Bangladesh

A woman known as the “Ketamine Queen” pleaded guilty Wednesday to selling the drug that killed actor Matthew Perry. She became the fifth and final defendant to admit guilt in the case. Jasveen Sangha, 42, a citizen of both the U.S. and U.K., admitted to five federal charges, including providing the fatal ketamine dose. She faces up to 65 years in prison when sentenced on December 10, though prosecutors said they will recommend less than the maximum. Sangha was portrayed by prosecutors as a major drug dealer with wealthy clients. In court, she admitted her role while standing beside her lawyer, Mark Geragos. Perry’s mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather, journalist Keith Morrison, were present for the first time during the proceedings. The actor, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28, 2023. The medical examiner ruled ketamine overdose as the primary cause of death. Sangha’s guilty plea followed earlier deals by four others, including doctors and a middleman, who also admitted involvement in supplying drugs. Perry had been legally using ketamine for depression but sought extra supplies, leading him to Sangha through a friend. According to prosecutors, Perry bought 25 vials for $6,000 in cash just four days before his death. Sangha has been in custody for nearly a year, while the other defendants remain free on bond.

Janhvi Kapoor opened up about the challenges she faced after her mother Sridevi’s death in 2018. Despite making her Bollywood debut with Dhadak just months later, she said public empathy was lacking. In an interview with Vogue, Janhvi said both she and her sister Khushi hid their grief, which led people to treat them harshly. She called the experience “cynical,” noting that media scrutiny amplified their pain. “Imagine losing your mother and it’s entertainment for half the nation,” she said, recalling constant paparazzi attention and criticism over her every reaction. On the work front, Janhvi’s latest film, Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra, is currently in theatres.   Source: NDTV

French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu has been ordered to stand trial in Paris on charges of rape and sexual assault involving fellow actor Charlotte Arnould. Arnould welcomed the decision, writing on Instagram Tuesday that she felt “relieved” by the judge’s order, calling it “a form of judicial truth.” Her lawyer, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, told Franceinfo she was “extremely satisfied,” describing the ruling as a key step in the case. The allegations date back to 2018, when Arnould accused Depardieu of raping her at his home. Prosecutors launched an investigation and last year requested the case be sent to trial. “The acts of rape and sexual assault have been acknowledged,” Arnould said, adding that she now awaits the next stage of the proceedings. Depardieu, 76, was convicted earlier this year of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021, receiving an 18-month suspended sentence and being added to France’s sex offender registry. Once nominated for an Oscar for Cyrano de Bergerac in 1991, the veteran actor has appeared in more than 250 films. Over 20 women have accused him of sexual misconduct in recent years, but most cases were dismissed for lack of evidence or expired limitations.

Renowned artist and cultural personality Mustafa Monwar was celebrated on his 90th birthday through a special television programme titled 'Amader Mustafa Monwar', aired on Channel i at 6:15 pm on Monday. The programme, directed and produced by Anonna Ruma, highlighted Monwar’s illustrious life and contributions to art, puppetry, theatre, and television.  Eminent painter Monirul Islam and renowned actor-filmmaker–painter Afzal Hossain joined the show to share their reflections on Monwar’s extraordinary career. Fulfilling the artist’s birthday wish, over a hundred birds were released into the sky as a symbolic gesture of freedom. A group of young performers also sang to honour him, while rare artworks painted by Mustafa Monwar were showcased at the programme. Born on September 1, 1935 in Jashore, Monwar was the youngest of six siblings. His father was renowned poet Golam Mostafa. Mustafa Monwar studied at Narayanganj Government School before briefly enrolling in science at Scottish Church College, Kolkata. He later shifted to the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, graduating in 1959 with first class first in Fine Arts. After beginning his professional career as a lecturer at the then East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts, Mustafa Monwar went on to serve as Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Television, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and National Institute of Mass Communication.  In his illustrious career Mustafa Monwar also held the positions of General Manager at BTV's Dhaka station, and Managing Director of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). He also chaired the Population Development Centre and directed the Educational Puppet Development Centre. An eminent cultural personality in the country, Mustafa Monwar made remarkable contributions to fine arts, puppetry, theatre, and television. He received the Ekushey Padak in 2004, along with numerous other honours including the Tenashinas Award for television drama (1990), Bangladesh Charushilpi Sangsad Award for fine arts (1992), Kids Honour Medal from Chittagong’s Kids Cultural Institute (1999), and special recognition from Shishu Kendra in 2002 for his contributions in painting, theatre direction, and puppet-making. Mustafa Monwar married Mary Monwar in 1965, and the couple has a son, Sadat Monwar, and a daughter, Nandini Monwar.

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, chronicles a messy breakup, contrasting the romance celebrated in her earlier work Short n’ Sweet. Known for blending pop with R&B and country influences, Carpenter has never hidden her sensuality. The album’s original cover, showing her in a submissive pose with a suited man, drew mixed reactions online, with some calling it misogynistic and others seeing it as satirical. The album opens with Manchild, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in June, portraying the immature men Carpenter often encounters. Subsequent tracks like Tears and My Man on Willpower explore disappointment in relationships, leading to the breakup-themed songs Nobody’s Son and We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night. While expressing heartbreak, Carpenter maintains her signature sensual edge, with tracks like When Did You Get Hot? and House Tour highlighting post-breakup confidence and fun. With a mix of catchy choruses, playful lyrics, and emotional depth, Man’s Best Friend offers a varied, provocative, and engaging take on love, loss, and moving on.

Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi are set to attend the Venice Film Festival on Saturday for the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, marking the start of what is expected to be a major awards season campaign for the film. Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein, while Elordi takes on the role of the monster in del Toro’s long-anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel. “It’s the movie that I’ve been in training for 30 years to do,” del Toro recently told The Associated Press. Some disruption is possible around the premiere, as an anti-war march is scheduled that evening near the festival, aiming to draw attention to the crisis in Gaza. Del Toro last attended Venice in 2017 with The Shape of Water, which won the festival’s top prize and later went on to claim the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director in 2018. Netflix, which has yet to secure a Best Picture Oscar, is betting heavily on Frankenstein. Del Toro’s previous project, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, earned the streaming giant its first Oscar for Best Animated Film. Like The Shape of Water, Frankenstein is considered a strong contender for Venice’s top awards, competing against films including Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. The winners, chosen by an Alexander Payne-led jury, will be announced on Sept. 6. Netflix plans to release Frankenstein in theaters on Oct. 17, followed by streaming on Nov. 7.

Julia Roberts and director Luca Guadagnino faced questions about feminism and #MeToo at a Venice Film Festival news conference on Friday for their film After the Hunt. The movie, set in academia, follows a philosophy professor (Roberts) whose colleague is accused of misconduct by her mentee (Ayo Edebiri). The screenplay by Nora Garrett avoids easy answers, sparking debate about its stance on feminist issues. Roberts said the film does not pit women against each other, adding it aims to provoke discussion and reflection. Guadagnino described it as exploring “clash of truths” rather than promoting any manifesto. After the Hunt screened for press Thursday and premieres publicly Friday. Roberts emphasized the film encourages conversation, capturing characters in complex, self-deceptive moments. The film, releasing in North America on Oct. 10, uses a Windsor-style font for its opening credits, a nod to Woody Allen’s 1985–1991 films, which Guadagnino said reflects on the responsibilities of working with an artist one admires. Not in the main competition, the film won’t compete for awards on Sept. 6. Roberts and Guadagnino are familiar faces at Venice, with past films and premieres, though this is Roberts’ first visit. The 82nd Venice Film Festival continues with major upcoming premieres including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were seen in public together for the first time since announcing their engagement earlier this week, attending the Nebraska-Cincinnati game at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night. Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent time on the field during warm-ups wearing a red-and-white striped sweater before heading to a suite to watch the game. Swift joined him and several others shortly before kickoff. The couple revealed their engagement in a five-photo Instagram post on Tuesday after dating for about two years. The engagement ring is an old mine brilliant-cut diamond from Kindred Lubeck, confirmed by Swift’s publicist Tree Paine. The Chiefs did not make Kelce available to reporters this week. The Chiefs are preparing for their season opener against the Chargers next Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of Kelce’s closest friends, was also at the game. Mahomes reportedly enjoyed seeing another No. 15 in action—Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola—who has drawn comparisons to the three-time Super Bowl MVP because of their similar looks and jersey number. Kelce’s older brother, Jason Kelce, retired Eagles center and TV personality, co-host of the “New Heights” podcast with Travis, was also present. Chiefs safety Bryan Cook attended as well. Fans of the Huskers were also at the stadium. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt’s son, Dawson, plays linebacker for Nebraska, and defensive line coach Terry Bradden, who helped Kansas City reach five Super Bowls, was among the spectators.

Julia Roberts is making her Venice Film Festival debut with the psychosexual drama After the Hunt, which premieres Friday evening. Set in the world of higher education, the film stars Roberts as a respected professor whose mentee, played by The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri, accuses her friend and colleague (Andrew Garfield) of misconduct. Venice Film Festival kicks off with premieres starring George Clooney and Emma Stone Directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, the film also features Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny. Amazon MGM Studios will release it in North American theaters on Oct. 10. Though strong enough for the main lineup, After the Hunt is screening out of competition at Venice at the studio’s request. The 82nd festival continues with major premieres, including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite. Source: Agency 

Rapper Cardi B testified Wednesday that she did not touch a security guard who accused her of scratching her face and spitting during an argument outside an obstetrician’s office in 2018, when Cardi was pregnant with her first child. “I didn’t touch her,” Cardi said on the second day of her testimony in Los Angeles County court. She admitted being angry because she was pregnant, but insisted the argument, while heated and chest-to-chest at times, never became physical. Cardi said she had been in Los Angeles for promotional work during the NBA All-Star Game and kept her pregnancy private. She claimed the security guard, Emani Ellis, followed her and appeared to be filming her, prompting the confrontation. The rapper, now 32, said she feared Ellis would reveal her pregnancy and explained that at the time she was still adjusting to fame after her first major hit, “Bodak Yellow,” and worried about public reaction.