United News of Bangladesh

Actor Parineeti Chopra has publicly backed her husband, Raghav Chadha, after he was removed as the deputy leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha. The change came after the party appointed Ashok Mittal to the role and notified the Rajya Sabha secretariat. Shortly after, Chadha shared a video on Instagram featuring clips from his parliamentary speeches, where he raised issues such as the tax burden on the middle class, banking penalties, food adulteration, air pollution, exam paper leaks, data privacy and rising costs in sectors like aviation and healthcare. The video concludes with Chadha exiting Parliament and carries the caption “Silenced, not defeated,” as he questioned the reasons behind his removal. He said that he consistently used his time in Parliament to highlight public concerns and wondered whether raising such issues had led to his ouster. Showing her support, Parineeti reposted the video on her Instagram Stories. She has previously praised Chadha’s work, including when he spoke in Parliament about paternity leave — a stance she publicly supported, highlighting his role as an involved father. The couple got engaged in May 2023 in New Delhi and married later that year in Udaipur. They welcomed their son, Neer, in October 2025. On the professional front, Parineeti was last seen in Amar Singh Chamkila alongside Diljit Dosanjh and is set to appear next in the upcoming Netflix series Talaash: A Mother's Search. Source: NDTV

Tollywood actor Rahul Banerjee drowned while shooting for a television serial in Talsari, near Digha, on Sunday. The 43-year-old, famed for the film Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, was filming the serial Bhole Baba Par Karega when the incident occurred. According to Anandabazar, he entered the water during the shoot and went under. Technicians on set later pulled him out, but he had been submerged for a significant period. He was rushed to a hospital in Digha, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Preliminary reports indicate drowning as the cause of death, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. Actor Diganta Bagchi, speaking on behalf of the Artist Forum, said Rahul went into the water after the shoot. “Either he didn’t know how to swim, or he got stuck somehow. Suddenly, the technicians shouted, ‘Rahulda is drowning’. When he was rescued, he was still alive, but after being taken to the hospital, he was declared dead,” he said. Rahul Banerjee began his career on the big screen with the film Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, in which he starred opposite Priyanka Sarkar. The pair later fell in love and married, and they have a son together. He also appeared in the 2025 film Academy of Fine Arts and was currently acting in the television series Bhole Baba Par Karega. A few days before his death, he was seen in the web series Thakumar Jhuli.

James Tolkan, the actor remembered for his roles as a strict vice principal in ‘Back to the Future’ and a commanding officer in ‘Top Gun’, has passed away at the age of 94. Tolkan died Thursday at his home in Lake Placid, New York, his booking agent John Alcantar confirmed Saturday. A short obituary on the ‘Back to the Future’ website said he passed away “peacefully,” without mentioning a cause. In the 1985 classic ‘Back to the Future’, Tolkan played the bow tie-wearing Vice Principal Gerald Strickland, who constantly watched over students, especially Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox. His memorable line, “You got a real attitude problem, he was a slacker, too,” has become iconic. Tolkan also appeared in ‘Top Gun’ as Cmdr. Tom “Stinger” Jardian. In a notable scene near the film’s end, he reacts with humor when Tom Cruise’s character chooses his future duty: “God help us,” he says with a laugh. Born in Calumet, Michigan, Tolkan graduated high school in Arizona and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He later moved to New York, where he spent 25 years performing in theater, including as part of the original cast of ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Parmelee Welles, who said Tolkan loved art and adored animals.

South Korean actor Lee Sang-Bo has been found dead at his home in Pyeongtaek. He was 44. According to local police, a family member discovered his body around 12:40 pm local time on Thursday. Officers said there were no signs of foul play, but an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of death. His funeral is scheduled to be held at 10:30 am on March 29 at Jungang Funeral Home in Pyeongtaek. Following the incident, his agency, Korea Management Group, confirmed the news in a statement, saying the cause of death will not be disclosed at the request of his family. The agency also urged the media and public to respect the family’s privacy and avoid visits or unnecessary coverage. Lee’s death has also drawn attention to a 2022 incident that briefly affected his career. At the time, he was investigated over suspected drug use after being seen acting unsteadily in public and was briefly detained. However, later tests by authorities confirmed that no illegal substances were found in his system. Officials said his condition was linked to prescribed medications, including antidepressants and tranquillisers, taken after a personal loss. The case was later closed, clearing him of all allegations. Born in 1981, Lee began his acting career with the 2006 drama ‘Invisible Man Choi Jang Soo’. He went on to appear in several TV series, including ‘Private Lives’, ‘Miss Monte-Cristo’ and ‘The Elegant Empire’. His lead role in ‘Miss Monte-Cristo’ in 2021 brought him wider recognition, while his 2023 project ‘The Elegant Empire’ marked his return to the screen. In 2025, he signed an exclusive contract with Korea Management Group.

A Florida woman accused of opening fire at pop star Rihanna’s Los Angeles home has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and several other charges. Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, entered her plea through her lawyer on Wednesday at a Los Angeles County court. She is accused of trying to kill Rihanna after allegedly firing a semi-automatic rifle at the singer’s Beverly Crest mansion on 8 March. No one was hurt in the incident. According to court documents, Ortiz allegedly targeted not only Rihanna but also rapper A$AP Rocky, their three young children and others present at the home and a nearby property. Ortiz remains in custody with bail set at $1.875 million. She is scheduled to appear again for a preliminary hearing on 8 April. Prosecutors said she fired around 20 rounds from an AR-style weapon, putting multiple lives at risk. They also claimed she had a wig with her, suggesting the attack may have been planned. A judge has barred her from working as a speech pathologist in California. She faces several additional charges, including 10 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited property. Each assault charge relates to a different alleged victim. The complaint names victims including Rihanna and A$AP Rocky—whose real names are Robyn Fenty and Rakim Mayers—their children, Rihanna’s mother Monica Fenty, and others. Investigators said Ortiz allegedly drove up to the house, fired multiple shots, and then fled. Her vehicle was later found about 12 kilometres away at a shopping centre in Sherman Oaks, where she was arrested. If convicted, Ortiz could face life in prison. Her lawyer and representatives for Rihanna have not yet commented on the case. Source:BBC

K-pop supergroup BTS made a highly anticipated return on Saturday with a large-scale free comeback concert in Seoul, marking their first group performance in four years. The event, held at Gwanghwamun Square, drew tens of thousands of fans, prompting authorities to impose strict security measures, including closing major roads and deploying a heavy police presence. The concert was also streamed exclusively on Netflix. Opening the show, group leader RM greeted fans and kicked off the performance, sparking loud cheers from the crowd. All seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook—recently completed their mandatory military service and reunited for the comeback. The concert followed the release of their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, which reportedly sold nearly 4 million copies within its first day. The performance also marked the beginning of an extensive global tour across the United States, Europe and Asia. Fans from around the world gathered in large numbers, with thousands securing designated viewing spots while others watched from nearby screens. The atmosphere was energetic, with fans singing along and waving light sticks throughout the show. Authorities enforced tight crowd control measures, shutting down nearby transport services and restricting access to surrounding areas to ensure safety during the high-profile event. The comeback comes at a time when global interest in K-pop continues to rise, and analysts say the group’s return could have a major impact on the international music scene.  

US actor Nicholas Brendon, best known for his role in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 54, his family confirmed. In a statement shared on social media, his family said he passed away in his sleep from natural causes. Brendon gained widespread recognition for portraying Xander Harris, a central character in the series that aired from 1997 to 2003. Tributes poured in following his death, including from co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar, who honoured him with a message referencing the show. Throughout his career, Brendon also appeared in several television series, including Criminal Minds, Private Practice and Kitchen Confidential, as well as films such as Psycho Beach Party and Big Gay Love. He had been open about his personal struggles, including health issues and addiction, and had advocated for awareness around stuttering. His family said he had been undergoing treatment and remained hopeful about the future prior to his death.   With inputs from BBC

ABC has abruptly cancelled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette starring reality personality Taylor Frankie Paul just three days before its planned premiere, after a 2023 video surfaced showing her allegedly assaulting her former partner while her young daughter looked on in distress. The scrapped 22nd season had already been filmed, making the late cancellation an unprecedented move for the long-running reality franchise. ABC’s parent company, Disney, said the decision followed the emergence of the video, though it also coincides with an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen, the father of her youngest child. In a statement, Disney Entertainment Television said the network would not move forward with the season at this time and would instead focus on supporting the family. Paul’s representative said she had suffered years of mental and physical abuse but had remained silent out of fear. The footage, released by TMZ, appears to show Mortensen trying to shield himself while recording as Paul punches, kicks and throws chairs at him, while a child cries and calls out for her mother. The incident matches details of Paul’s 2023 arrest. She later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, with other counts dismissed.

Guitarists in Dhaka are not just individual artists; many of them see themselves as part of a close-knit musical family. An iftar gathering recently brought them together under a platform called ‘Guitarist’s Community of Dhaka’, planting the seed of a stronger sense of brotherhood that participants hope will lead to larger musical events, collaborations and workshops in the future. The event was organised by young guitarists Emil, Shawon, Prince and Debashish, while it was conducted by Rashed Shibli. The gathering was particularly meaningful for young guitarists, as it offered them a rare opportunity to interact directly with experienced musicians associated with popular bands such as Dalchhut and Prometheus, allowing them to exchange experiences and receive feedback.  

Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees says he will not be able to attend this weekend’s Academy Awards due to a US travel ban affecting Palestinian citizens. Malhees plays a call centre operator in the film The Voice of Hind Rajab, which has been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. The movie tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. The actor said he cannot travel to the United States because people holding Palestinian citizenship are currently barred from entering the country. “I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship,” Malhees wrote in a post on Instagram, adding that it “hurts” not to be able to attend the prestigious awards ceremony. The film is based on a tragic incident in which five members of Hind Rajab’s family and two ambulance workers who tried to rescue her were also killed by Israeli fire. Israeli authorities have said the incident is under review. The travel restriction stems from a December proclamation issued by US President Donald Trump, which limits the entry of individuals using travel documents issued or approved by the Palestinian Authority. The order cited security concerns for imposing the restrictions. The U.S. Department of State did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Malhees’s claim. Source: NDTV