United News of Bangladesh

Kicking off the final quarter of the year, Netflix is set to entice its audiences with a dynamic array of new English films and series. While the focus is on horror and thrillers, the lineup will also feature a vibrant touch of romance, action, and adventure genres. In addition to the new releases, there will be new seasons where audiences can look forward to seeing their favorite stars. Let's look at the top 10 Netflix English originals set to grace the OTT (Over-the-Top) this October. Top 10 Netflix English Originals Streaming this October It's What's Inside / Scifi Horror / October 4, 2024 This amazing blend of sci-fi, horror, and thriller is brought to life by Greg Jardin as both director and writer. The mystery film delves into a pre-wedding celebration that spirals into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend arrives with a cryptic suitcase. Brittany O'Grady, Alycia Debnam-Carey, James Morosini, Gavin Leatherwood, Devon Terrell, David W. Thompson, Nina Bloomgarden, and Reina Hardesty round out the cast. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals August 2024 Lineup: Most-hyped Movies, Web Series, Shows William Rosenfeld, Kate Andrews, Jason Baum, and Raul Domingo are the masterminds behind the film's production. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft / Animated Action-adventure / October 10, 2024 Based on Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider video game series, this animated television series features Hayley Atwell lending her voice to Lara Croft. Other voice artists are Allen Maldonado, Richard Armitage, and Earl Baylon. The fantasy series continues the narrative from the 2013 video game reboot trilogy and unfolds after the events of the 2018 game, ‘Shadow of the Tomb Raider’. Tasha Huo serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Dmitri M. Johnson, Jacob Robinson, Stephan Bugaj, and Howard Bliss. The film excels with DJ2 Entertainment and Legendary Television producing it, and Powerhouse Animation Studios in Austin, Texas, doing the animation work. Read more: Top Hindi Films to Watch: August 2024 Bollywood Releases Outer Banks season 4 part 1 / Teen Adventure / October 10, 2024 This television series, set in a community within the Outer Banks of North Carolina, boasts Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke as its creators. The storyline explores the tension between two teenage factions searching for a lost treasure, highlighting the divide between affluent seasonal residents, ‘Kooks’, and working-class locals, ‘Pogues’. In Season 4, the Pogues create a new sanctuary, ‘Poguelandia 2.0,’ but financial difficulties propel them back into the ‘G’ game for a fresh adventure. Returning series regulars are Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, Carlacia Grant, Austin North, Drew Starkey, and Fiona Palomo. The new faces in Season 4 are Pollyanna McIntosh, J. Anthony Crane, Brianna Brown, Mia Challis, and Rigo Sanchez. Lonely Planet / Romantic Drama / October 11, 2024 Directed and written by Susannah Grant, The drama unfolds at a Moroccan retreat, where a woman's encounter with a young man blossoms into a consuming and transformative love affair. Read more: Most Hyped South Indian Movies Releasing in August 2024 The romance movie stars Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth in the lead roles, supported by Diana Silvers, Adriano Giannini, Rachida Brakni, Ben Youcef, Bellina Logan, and Francesco Martino. ‘Lonely Planet’ is bankrolled by director Grant, Sarah Timberman, and Liza Chasin under the banner of 3dot Productions. The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 3 / Crime Thriller / October 17, 2024 Created by David E. Kelley and developed by Ted Humphrey, This legal drama series draws its inspiration from Michael Connelly's book series of the same name. Season 3 adapts ‘The Gods of Guilt’, the fifth book of the series. Humphrey and Dailyn Rodriguez serve as the showrunners.  Starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, this thriller follows a Los Angeles defense attorney who conducts his practice from a chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator. Read more: August 2024 Netflix English Originals Lineup: Top 10 Most-hyped Releases Season 3 welcomes four new cast members- Merrin Dungey, Allyn Moriyon, John Pirruccello, and Philip Anthony-Rodriguez. They’ll star alongside returning cast members Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, DaCosta, Neve Campbell, Elliott Gould, Krista Warner, Fiona Rene, and Devon Graye. In the season, Mickey is approached by a former client in dire need of legal assistance. Despite the client's accusations of murdering a woman Mickey once tried to protect, he agrees to take on the case of Andre La Cosse.

Netizens and entertainment industry professionals were surprised and shocked when screenshots from a WhatsApp group named "Alo Ashbei" came to light. The chat group had some entertainers, politicians and journalists voicing their negative opinions on the student-led Anti-discrimination Movement in July. The student protests began with a demand to reform the quota system for government jobs but coalesced into a full-scale revolt against the former premier Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government. Clashes with security forces, and the deaths that resulted, fueled wider outrage against Hasina's rule, forcing her to resign and leave the country for India on August 5. After the students ousted Hasina, Awami League politicians and campaigners, as well as vocal pro-Awami League artists have gone into hiding. According to reports, actor and former Dhaka-10 lawmaker Ferdous Ahmed and former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat initiated the WhatsApp group "Alo Ashbei", intending to work against the student protests. Pro-Awami League artists and journalists were among the group, alongside other political personalities. Based on the leaks that are circulating on social media platforms since Tuesday, the group included Aruna Biswas, Sohana Saba, Ferdous Ahmed, Rokeya Prachy, Riaz Ahmed, Suborna Mustafa, Azizul Hakim, Badrul Anam Saud, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Zayed Khan, Shomi Kaiser, Tanvin Sweety, former state minister Mohammad Ali Arafat, former Shilapakala DG Liaquat Ali Lucky, Ashna Habib Bhabna, Jyotika Jyoti, Shamima Tusty, Jamshed Shamim, Urmila Srabanti Kar, Zinat Sanu Swagata, Mamunur Rashid, Ebert Khan, Sazu Khadem, Hridi Haq, Ashraf Kabir, Deepanwita Martin, former MP Hasan Mahmud, Symon Sadik, Jewel Mahmud, Harunur Rashid, Jhuna Chowdhury, Syed Aulad, Said Khan, Sakhawat Mun, Smaran Saha, Sayem Samad, Rafiq (of 'Rojonigondha'), Shakil (Deshnatok), Shahid Alamgir, Nuna Afroz, Sangeeta Mekhal, Syeda Shahanur, Md Shahadat Hossain, Nahid, Milon, Pronil, S A Haque Olike, Runi, Rubel Shankar, Rajibul Islam Rajib, and journalists Khan Jehad and Limon Ahmed. A total of 160 screenshots of that WhatsApp chat have been leaked, in which some of the aforementioned artists were seen sharing explosive remarks, in contrast to their public image. Some of them have been criticised during the protests for their activities in support of the now ousted regime. However, netizens and celebrities have been surprised to see the remarks, such as a controversial comment made by actress and former Censor Board member Aruna Biswas who seemed to suggest "Pour hot water on them," indicating the protesting students. She later clarified to The Daily Star that her comment was misinterpreted and that she was referring to those responsible for the vandalism, whom she claimed were members of "Jamaat-Shibir". Several other group members, such as actress Sohana Saba and journalist Limon Ahmed, to name a few, were seen throwing negative remarks towards director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who has been an ardent supporter of the movement and regularly expressed his thoughts on social platforms. Other distasteful remarks were seen in that WhatsApp group against a number of artists who publicly demonstrated their support towards the student-led movement, and the leaked conversations have ignited a widespread backlash within the entertainment arena and social platforms, sparking intense debate and criticism against the AL government-favoured artists in the group.

Bangladesh Association of AdFilm and Content Producers (BAAcP) announced an indefinite strike, effective from September 1, 2024, against advertising agencies and clients working with production companies. In a recent Facebook post, the organization stated that despite ongoing negotiations, key issues remain unresolved, including settlement of previous dues, timely work orders, 75% advance payment and remaining 25% payment within 45 days of billing. "As Bangladesh undergoes widespread reforms, it is high time to reform our industry as well," Bangladesh Association of AdFilm and Content Producers said on its Facebook post, specifying the initiative. Other associations such as Advertising & Filmmakers Association (ADFA), Bangladesh Alliance of Cinematographers (BAC), Post Productions Association of Bangladesh (PAB), Art Directors & Costume Designers Association of Bangladesh, BAAMS, makeup, production managers, light, camera, casting directors and set builders are united with BAAcP in this journey and supporting this strike, the post stated. The organization called upon all members to stand united in their effort to secure the essential rights and continue the advocacy until they are achieved. BAAcP is an association that represents the interests of production companies, producers, and stakeholders in the audiovisual industry, including commercials, fiction, nonfiction, and other content forms.  

Showcasing a remarkable collection of political cartoons, the much-acclaimed exhibition ‘Cartoon E Birdroho’ wrapped up on Saturday at the DrikPath Bhaban in the capital. From August 16, the exhibition showcased a well-curated collection of 175 artworks by 82 cartoonists, capturing the spirit and significant incidents of the student-led anti-discriminatory movement, leading to the Hasina regime’s eventual fall on August 5. The July massacre, the youth-led mass movement, the strength of their voices, and their unwavering spirit were all memorialized in this unique exhibition, jointly organized by Earki, Drik, and the Bangladesh Cartoonist Association.

The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna earlier this month sought to kill “tens of thousands” of fans before the CIA discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests, the agency's deputy director said. The CIA notified Austrian authorities of the scheme, which allegedly included links to the Islamic State group. The intelligence and subsequent arrests ultimately led to the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows, devastating fans who had traveled across the globe to see Swift in concert. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen addressed the failed plot during the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit, held this week in Maryland. Taylor Swift's Eras tour returns in London, with assist from Ed Sheeran, after foiled terror plot “They were plotting to kill a huge number — tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans — and were quite advanced in this," Cohen said Wednesday. “The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do.” Austrian officials said the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man, was inspired by the Islamic State group. He allegedly planned to attack outside the stadium, where upwards of 30,000 fans were expected to gather, with knives or homemade explosives. Another 65,000 fans were likely to be inside the venue. Investigators discovered chemical substances and technical devices during a raid of the suspect's home. Austria’s interior minister, Gerhard Karner, previously said help from other intelligence agencies was needed because Austrian investigators, unlike some foreign services, can’t legally monitor text messages. The 19-year-old’s lawyer has said the allegations were “overacting at its best,” and contended Austrian authorities were “presenting this exaggeratedly” in order to get new surveillance powers. Swift broke her silence about the cancellations last week after her London shows had concluded. “Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating,” she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows.” Taylor Swift kicks off UK Eras shows as some fans wonder if singer is ready to say 'So long, London' She thanked authorities — “thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives,” she wrote — and said she waited to speak until the European leg of her Eras Tour concluded to prioritize safety. “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows,” she wrote. Concert organizer Barracuda Music said it canceled the three-night Vienna run that would have begun Aug. 8 because the arrests made in connection to the conspiracy were too close to showtime. The main suspect and a 17-year-old were taken into custody on Aug. 6, the day before the cancellations were announced. A third suspect, 18, was arrested Aug. 8. Their names have not been released in line with Austrian privacy rules. The shows in London, the next stop after Vienna, came on the heels of a stabbing at a Swift-themed dance class that left three little girls dead in the U.K. In a statement issued after the Southport attack, Swift said she was “just completely in shock” and “at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.” News outlets reported that Swift met with some of the survivors backstage in London. The Vienna plot also drew comparisons to a 2017 attack by a suicide bomber at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people. The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years. Cohen on Wednesday praised the CIA's work in preventing the planned violence, saying that other counterterrorism “successes” in foiling plots typically go unheralded. Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert as fans complain about high temperatures and lack of water “I can tell you within my agency, and I'm sure in others, there were people who thought that was a really good day for Langley,” he said, referring to the CIA headquarters. “And not just the Swifties in my workforce.” The record-smashing tour is on hiatus until the fall.  

 Tuesday marks the 48th death anniversary of Bangladesh’s national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, who was unanimously revered as the rebel poet’ and a pioneer for his enormous contributions to Bengali literature. However, even after 52 years of independence and 47 years after his passing, the benevolent poet is yet to be gazetted as the ‘National Poet’ of Bangladesh, pointed out by several Nazrul-Sangeet artists, scholars, and enthusiasts who demanded the declaration of Nazrul as the ‘National Poet’ of the country. Commemorating the life and works of the great poet, people from all walks of life, including his family members, and different educational, social, cultural, and political organisations paid floral tributes to the poet’s tomb beside the Dhaka University central mosque on Tuesday. Different cultural institutions, including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and Bangla Academy, placed floral wreaths on the poet’s graveyard on Tuesday. Bangla Academy held a seminar and cultural event at the academy in the morning; however, many other cultural institutions, including BSA and Chhayanaut, have been unable to hold commemorative events on the poet’s 48th death anniversary due to the recent flood disaster and the state of reformation in the country. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and different television channels-radio stations are broadcasting special programmes marking the 48th death anniversary of the poet, including drama, musical shows, and discussions. The President of the newly independent republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, invited Kazi Nazrul Islam to settle in Dhaka on May 24, 1972, with the permission of the Government of India. In 1972, the Bangladeshi government announced him as the ‘National Poet’; however, no formal gazette was released in response to the announcement. During his stay in Bangladesh in February 1976, he was conferred Bangladeshi citizenship and an Honorary D.Litt. from the University of Dhaka in 1974, as well as the Ekushey Padak in 1976. Demanding the official gazette on Nazrul’s status as the ‘National Poet’, renowned Nazrul singer Salahuddin Ahmed said, "His status as our ‘National Poet’ is general knowledge; however, no official notification or any other document regarding declaring Kazi Nazrul Islam as the national poet has been found anywhere, which is very shameful for our nation.”  Emphasising the importance of such official recognition, prominent Nazrul singer Ferdous Ara said, “Certifications and official documentation are required to establish any claim. A formal recognition is essential to secure Nazrul’s legacy and status as our great national poet.”Born in Churulia village of Bardhawan in West Bengal, India, in 1899, Kazi Nazrul Islam had a brief 21-year literary career, during which he produced 2,600 songs, 600 poems, three books, and 43 essays, according to the Kabi Nazrul Institute. Within a few years of beginning his military service in the British Army in 1917, Nazrul embarked on his literary career. He wrote his cult classic poetry "Bidrohi" (The Rebel) in 1921 and founded "Dhumketu" (The Comet), a monthly journal, in 1922. Due to his frequent nationalist involvement in the Indian Independence Movement, Nazrul found himself in the clutches of colonial British authorities. Freedom, humanity, love, and revolution are recurring themes throughout Nazrul's remarkable literary creations, and his works later inspired the Bengali netizens during the 1971 liberation war. Nazrul also published short stories, novels, and essays, although his songs and poems have received the most praise from critics. He is renowned for his liberal use of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings and for popularising Bengali Ghazal melodies. He invented his musical genre known as "Nazrul Geeti," which consists of almost 4,000 songs he penned and composed the music for, many of which were released on vinyl and HMV records.When Nazrul was 43 years old and suffering from an unidentified illness, he started to lose his voice and his memory. His condition was later discovered to be "Pick's disease," a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease, by a medical team in Vienna. The revered poet breathed his last on August 29, 1976 (12 Bhadra of Bangla calendar year 1383) at the then PG Hospital (now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital), in Dhaka. He was buried with state honour beside the Dhaka University central mosque.

Oasis, the Britpop band known for timeless hits like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” is reuniting for a tour of the British Isles next summer, ending a 15-year hiatus and, presumably, the long-held feud between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. The guitar band will play 14 dates in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland next July and August, Oasis said on Tuesday. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday. “This is it. This is happening,″ the band said. Oasis split in 2009 after many years of infighting, with Noel Gallagher officially leaving the band just before a performance at a festival near Paris. Even before the dissolution, the brothers had long had an antagonistic relationship and reportedly did not speak to each other for years after the breakup. “People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer,” Noel Gallagher, the band’s guitarist and songwriter, wrote in a statement at the time. While the Gallagher brothers haven’t performed together since, both regularly perform Oasis songs at their solo gigs. They’ve also each fired off criticisms of the other in the press. Noel Gallagher accused his younger brother of having a hangover that forced them to cancel a 2009 concert. The frontman disputed the accusation and sued, later dropping the lawsuit. But now the brothers are preparing to reunite, with the band saying fans would experience “the spark and intensity” that occurs only when they appear on stage together. The tour will begin July 4 and 5 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Oasis will also perform at Heaton Park in Manchester, England, on July 11, 12, 19 and 20; Wembley Stadium in London on July 25 and 26 and Aug. 2 and 3; Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Aug. 8 and 9; and Croke Park in Dublin on Aug. 16 and 17. The band alluded to past tensions in the tour announcement. “The guns have fallen silent,” Oasis said. “The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.” In 2011, Noel Gallagher told The Associated Press in an interview that he left the band after an incident where Liam Gallagher started wielding a guitar “like an axe ... and he’s swinging this guitar around and he kind of you know, he took my face off with it, you know?” In 2019, Liam Gallagher told the AP he was ready to reconcile. “The most important thing is about me and him being brothers,” he said. “He thinks I’m desperate to get the band back together for money. But I didn’t join the band to make money. I joined the band to have fun and to see the world.” “I don’t know what his problem is,” he continued. “I think he just wanted to go away and do his solo career, get all the coin and be surrounded by all the yes men you can fire and hire whenever he wants. You can’t do that with me.” With the announcement, the Britpop progenitors ended a few days of fan speculation. A short video on the band’s social media accounts Sunday night had revealed the date “27.08.24,” and time “8 a.m.,” written in the same font as the well-known Oasis logo. The brothers shared the same to their individual accounts. Of course, fans have long theorized a reunion might be on the horizon: In the wake of the 2017 bombing that killed 22 at an Ariana Grande concert in Oasis’ hometown of Manchester, Liam Gallagher performed at a benefit concert that fueled speculation of a reunion. He criticized his brother’s absence, but a spokesperson said Noel Gallagher couldn’t attend because of a longstanding family trip. Benefit organizers said Noel Gallagher approved the use of Oasis’ music and donated royalties from “Don’t Look Back In Anger” to the British Red Cross’ One Love Manchester fund. Later that year, Liam Gallagher tweeted at his brother, leading some to believe they made up: “I wanna say Happy Xmas to team NG it’s been a great year thanks for everything looking forward to seeing you tomorrow AS YOU WERE LG x” Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, Oasis was already teed up to release a new collection, “Definitely Maybe - Deluxe 30th Anniversary Editions,” celebrating the anniversary of their debut album. Rumors of a potential reunion were amplified this past weekend when Liam Gallagher responded on social media to unconfirmed reports of the band playing London’s Wembley Stadium and Manchester’s Heaton Park. When one social media user criticized Heaton Park, the Manchester native wrote, “See you down the front,” calling the user a vulgarity. In another stand-alone post on X, he teased, “I never did like that word FORMER.” “You tell me man,” Liam Gallagher replied. He also responded to several negative tweets about the potential reunion with “Your attitude sucks” and “SHUTUP.” Noel Gallagher, on the other hand, remained silent other than posting the teasers.

At a time when Bangladesh is celebrating its first-ever Test win over Pakistan and overall 20th win in the format, record-breaking all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is standing in a judiciary crossroad - and netizens including his teammates and other celebrities are showcasing support towards him. The former top position holder in the ICC Men’s All-Rounder list and former National Parliament member from Awami League, who was criticized and trolled for not speaking out in support of the student-led mass uprising, has recently been accused of killing garment worker Md Rubel. A case was filed at the Adabar Police Station on August 22 against Shakib Al Hasan, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader and 156 named and 400-500 unidentified people. This is seemingly jeopardizing Shakib Al Hasan’s future with Bangladesh Cricket, although Shakib’s inclusion in the murder case seemed confusing to netizens from all walks of life. Eminent music director Prince Mahmud who has been vocal about many social issues, came up with a handful of questions regarding the issue on his Facebook: “Shakib Al Hasan is accused of murder? Was the case intentionally made simpler by doing this? What is the intention? The true offenders remain disconnected. Are these cases being set up to cover up the actual offenders who are denouncing this regime both domestically and internationally? How was someone charged with murder when he was not in the country at the time of the movement?” Development professional and communications expert Tony Michael wrote: “One of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, Shakib Al Hasan, has been found guilty of murder. I believe that after Dr Muhammad Yunus, Shakib Al Hasan is the most renowned and respected Bangladeshi person that the world knows. Every Shakib hater in Bangladesh thinks, in my opinion, that the case against Shakib Al Hasan is fabricated, even if they don't actively discuss it on social media during their tea-time gossip.” Several of Shakib’s present and former teammates also wrote on their social handles, in support of him. Cricketer Mahedi Hasan wrote: “For 17 years, Bangladesh has been represented in the international arena by a cricket player I know, named Shakib Al Hasan. He has brought attention to our nation on a global scale today. Only Allah knows what’s happening and he is the greatest planner, hopefully, he planned the best for Shakib bhai as well.” Echoing the same, cricketer Sabbir Rahman wrote: “Shakib Al Hasan - the person through whom the world of cricket recognizes and respects Bangladesh. My respect and love will remain for you always.” Cricketer Anamul Haque Bijoy wrote: “Shakib bhai your contribution to cricket in Bangladesh is undeniable. You have taken Bangladesh cricket to an incredible height on the world map. We are all with you. InShaAllah this darkness will pass. I say this loud and clear that you are innocent, and may Allah bless you.” Shakib’s former teammate Rubel Hossain wrote: “Undoubtedly one of Bangladesh's unluckiest politicians, having spent nearly most of his 6-7 months term abroad. As a member of parliament, you have lost more than gained. I am with you, all the Bangladeshi cricketers are with you. Cricket suits you Shakib, not politics.” Sara Hossain, unpaid executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), has recently said that an influx of cases has been seen for two weeks. “Some of these cases have 30, 40 and more than 50 accused. Many may have anger and resentment, but filing such cases will not work, and will not last - will not even pass the first step. These cases are questioning the movement, and these must be stopped.”

The current flood situation in Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, and Moulvibazar, have raised significant concerns among netizens across the nation, including celebrities from the country’s entertainment industry. Several prominent cultural personalities have shared useful information, thoughts and prayers for those hit hardest, while some of them joined rescue missions in person or have started sending resources through their teams. Popular filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki wrote on his Facebook: “Let’s think that we are at war; what would we do? We all would have jumped together. Then let's do it again. Brothers and sisters of the Navy, Army and Air Force, let's step up. Rescue boat, cargo aircraft--whatever is there, let’s speed up the rescue mission.” Nearly 1.8 million people affected by flood in 6 districts “From what I’ve heard, people need rescue boats at this moment. Rescuing millions of people is a Herculean task, but let’s do it,” Farooki added, while concluding with “No one can break us.” As social media is also being flooded with multiple narratives from netizens, music director Prince Mahmud requested not to share fake news or old photos. “Feni itself has more volunteers against requirements. Only, rescue/safety equipment, motorized boats and food are required. Don’t go all together now to rescue, especially those who don’t know how to swim because it will be counterproductive. A lot of volunteers will be needed for various renovation work and health services after the water recedes, so be prepared.” Renowned filmmaker Amitabh Reza Chowdhury wrote, “Bangladesh has never seen a flood like this. Stand up instead of telling others to stand up. Don’t panic, organize. Help the government bodies.” Young singer-social worker Tasrif Khan, known for his previous attempts to actively rescue flood victims in Sylhet, has once again geared up and is currently travelling to Feni from Lakshmipur with influencer Mashrur Enan, popularly known as “Keto Bhai,” with two speedboats to rescue the flood victims. Both of them posted on Facebook that they are willing to work in several shifts from noon to night, in liaison with the army and navy. Rising Gomti River water leaves thousands in distress in Cumilla “Mohanagar” series-famed director Ashfaque Nipun wrote, “Whatever we have, we all should utilize them to rescue children and thousands more from the flood-hit Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, and Khagrachhari. May Allah help all these people.” Television actor-model Irfan Sajjad posted on his Facebook, asking, “Are there any skilled rescue teams who can rescue the flood victims by helicopter? I want to provide all sorts of support including renting helicopter.” Several other celebrities from the entertainment industry, including actors Shabnoor, Aupee Karim, Pori Moni, Safa Kabir, Sabila Nur, Mahiya Mahi, Q Nawshaba Ahmed, Mehazabien Chowdhury, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Tanven Sweety, Rafiath Rashid Mithila, Zahara Mitu, Chanchal Chowdhury, Ziaul Faruq Apurba, Yash Rohan, Khairul Basar; social media influencer Salman Muqtadir; writer Sadat Hossain; lyricist Latiful Islam Shibli; cartoonist Morshed Mishu; directors Raihan Rafi, Shihab Shaheen, Redoan Rony; bands and musicians and many others have posted and shared valuable information on their social media. Besides, several groups including the Visual Artistes' Society, Get Up and Stand Up (Bangladesh Musical Artists' Society) and others have shared bKash and Nagad numbers where netizens can donate money for the flood victims.

After a relationship that spanned two decades, two engagements, two weddings and headlines too numerous to count, Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck. The filing Tuesday in Los Angeles brought to an apparent end a celebrity coupling — or at least the second installment of it — that dazzled from the very heights of the pop culture firmament and emblazoned countless tabloid covers. The pair became known, even before such power-couple portmanteaus were ubiquitous, as “Bennifer.” Court records showed Lopez filed the petition Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The news was first reported by the TMZ website. TMZ reported further that Lopez listed the date of separation as April 26, 2024. It added that she did not mention any prenuptial agreement. After meeting, falling in love and getting engaged in the early 2000s — and starring together in 2003’s infamous “Gigli” and 2004’s “Jersey Girl” — the couple parted ways, blaming in part the pressure of the public eye. But to the delight of many and perhaps the skepticism of others, they reunited two decades later and married — twice — in 2022. “Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient,” wrote Lopez, announcing their first, quickie Las Vegas wedding that July, and signing off as Jennifer Lynn Affleck. “Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find the best moment of your life in a drive through in Las Vegas at 12:30 in the morning in the tunnel of love drive through with your kids and the one you’ll spend forever with,” she wrote in her newsletter. The couple had flown to Las Vegas, lined up with their license with four other couples and were wed just after midnight at A Little White Wedding Chapel, where Lopez said a Bluetooth speaker played their brief march down the aisle. She called it the best night of the couple’s lives. A month later, they had a much grander wedding at Affleck’s house in Georgia, in front of friends and family. Both of them had been previously married. Affleck, 52, married Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children, in 2005. They divorced in 2018. Lopez, 55, had been married three times before. She was briefly married to Ojani Noa from 1997-1998 and to Cris Judd from 2001-2003. She and singer Marc Anthony were married for a decade, having wed in 2004, and share 14-year-old twins. She started dating former baseball player Alex Rodriguez in 2017, but the couple called off their engagement in 2021. All along, it had been Lopez who was more vocal in describing her and Affleck’s journey. When asked earlier this year whether she was harder on herself because her relationships had been so high-profile, Lopez agreed. “Oh yeah. 100%. It’s made me doubt myself and really feel bad about myself at times. Made me feel like I wanted to quit at times. But at the end of the day, I feel like you kind of have to do this thing where you learn how to navigate it,” she told The Associated Press. “You take the things that could be constructive about that and use it, and the rest you kind of just throw away as kind of like haterations or, you know, other things like that and just be like, ‘Whatever. I know who I am, I know what I want to do.’ ” Affleck himself expressed admiration for her self-possession, telling the AP last year that he agreed with the idea that Hollywood was unsure how to capitalize on her wide-ranging talent. “I think she’s in her prime,” Affleck said then. “She’s doing extraordinary work in large measure because she’s taking that step to take responsibility for what she’s doing rather than say, ‘This is what I’m being offered.’ ” Lopez is starring in the upcoming “Unstoppable,” under Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity banner. In May, she starred in the Netflix movie “Atlas.” At the end of the month, she suddenly canceled her 2024 North American tour, saying she was “heartsick and devastated” to be letting fans down but the move was necessary. “Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends,” organizers said in a statement. The tour was to be her first in five years, in support of her first solo album in a decade, “This Is Me.... Now” and its companion film. a fictionalized look at her long love life, and a documentary. “When I was a girl they’d ask me what I’d be. A woman in love is what I grew up wantin’ to be,” Lopez sang on the title track. The album, she said, was inspired by her rekindled relationship with Affleck. But the film was more “about your journey as a person, it’s about one person’s journey and what it takes to get from heartbreak back to love. Or a hopeless romantic’s journey in their search for love.” In the movie, she played a character called The Artist who, similarly, had decided as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up: “in love.” But the road was rocky. In an early scene, The Artist is on the back of a motorcycle, riding across a beach, with a hunky man, face shielded. Then the motorcycle crashes. “Not all love stories have a happy ending,” she says.