United News of Bangladesh

For decades, the 1990 theft of 13 artworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — now valued at more than $500 million — has remained unsolved. It remains the largest art theft in history — far surpassing more recent museum thefts, including a daylight heist at the Louvre involving far fewer works that was resolved more quickly. In 2013, the FBI said it knew who was responsible for the Boston museum heist but declined to name them, fueling speculation that persists today. A former FBI agent who led the investigation for more than two decades is now offering the first detailed account of how investigators reached that conclusion — and publicly identifying the men he believes were involved. In a new book, “Thirteen Perfect Fugitives,” Geoffrey Kelly traces how the artworks moved through criminal networks, where violence took the lives of key suspects and witnesses, and challenges long-circulating theories by revisiting key details. The irony at the center is Gardner’s intention for the museum to remain frozen in time, stipulating in her will that nothing in the Venetian palazzo-inspired building would be changed after her death. Gardner, who lived in the museum and died there in 1924, intended for the paintings, sculptures and architectural fragments to remain exactly as she had arranged. The empty gilded frames of the missing paintings still hang in the museum today — silent witnesses to what was taken. The art heistEarly on March 18, 1990, as Boston wound down from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, two men dressed as police officers arrived at the museum and persuaded a security guard to let them in, violating protocol. The men handcuffed the guards in the basement and made their way to the museum’s Dutch Room, where they cut Vermeer’s “The Concert” and Rembrandt’s “Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee” from their frames, also taking works by Degas and Manet. They also took a Napoleonic eagle finial — a decorative metal piece of comparatively little value that investigators later found puzzling — and the museum’s security videotapes. The museum offered a $5 million reward that they then doubled a decade later for information leading to the recovery of the works.  

A wooden bridge built with the 25 years of savings of a porter now spares thousands in Kurigram the daily risk of crossing the Buri Teesta River. Abdul Karim, a resident from the Jonaidanga area under ward No. 8 of Ulipur municipality, spent nearly Tk 3 lakh to build the 120-foot bridge entirely on his own initiative. What makes the feat extraordinary is how the money was raised: Karim saved bit by bit from his earnings as a porter over 25 years, later selling his motorcycle and taking small loans to complete the bridge. Bangladesh farmers cut costs with solar irrigation, save 7.5m litres of diesel For more than two decades, locals had been forced to cross the river using a risky bridge, often facing the danger of accidents. The situation was especially difficult for students, patients, and daily wage workers. With the new bridge now in place, residents from several nearby villages say their daily travel has become safer and far more convenient. Earlier, travelling on this route was extremely risky. Students and sick patients suffered the most, local residents said, adding that the bridge has significantly eased their daily struggle. The bridge was formally inaugurated on April 17 by Karim’s mother. A prayer gathering was held on the occasion, attended by thousands of local people. Karim said he was compelled to take the initiative after years of waiting for official action. “The nearby railway bridge was very dangerous. There was always a risk of accidents. Even though many public representatives came, no one took action,” he said. “So I built this bridge with my own ability — from my income as a porter, my savings over 25 years, selling a motorcycle, and taking loans. I seek everyone’s prayers,” the porter added. Locals now hope the initiative will inspire improved infrastructure development in neglected rural areas.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday drove a go-kart built by a college student, praising the young innovator's creativity and assuring government support for such homegrown initiatives. The student, Rizwan Rashid, designed and built the lightweight racing vehicle on his own after completing his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. Rizwan   presented his self-built go-kart during a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon. PM asks officials to be ‘servants, friends of people’ Tarique examined the vehicle with keen interest, closely observing its design, engine and overall structure before taking it for a short drive in the PMO premises, much to the delight of those present. The Prime Minister lauded Rizwan's ingenuity and said more young people should become involved in such creative and technology-driven initiatives. He noted that initiatives like these reflect the immense talent and potential of Bangladesh's youth. The Prime Minister also assured all possible assistances from the government to help Rizwan further refine and modernise his invention. Rizwan said he was overwhelmed by the Prime Minister's gesture. "I never imagined that the Prime Minister would actually drive a vehicle made by me. This is truly inspiring," he said. Rizwan also said he drove the go-kart all the way from Mohammadpur to the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon. Rizwan's creation recently went viral on social media, drawing widespread admiration and eventually catching the attention of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Following this, the Prime Minister asked his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon to gather details about the young innovator. During the meeting, Rizwan shared the story behind his invention. He said his father, a diploma engineer currently working in the Mechanical Division under the Ministry of Education, has been his greatest source of inspiration. After completing his Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations in 2025, Rizwan decided to make productive use of his free time. Although his family bought him a motorcycle he always dreamed of owning a car. Unable to afford one, he decided to build his own. Collecting parts from local markets and relying on his own technical skills, Rizwan successfully assembled the lightweight racing vehicle, demonstrating remarkable determination and practical engineering ability. Officials at the Prime Minister's Office said the interaction reflects the government's commitment to encouraging youth innovation, technical education and hands-on learning.

The body of one of the two Bangladeshi doctoral students missing from the University of South Florida was found on a bridge over Tampa Bay, and his roommate has been taken into custody, law enforcement authorities said Friday. Zamil Limon’s remains were found on the Howard Frankland bridge Friday morning, but Nahida Bristy is still missing, Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said. Limon’s roommate in an off-campus apartment, Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, 26, was taken into custody at his family’s home nearby on preliminary charges that include unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and battery. “We are still actively searching for Nahida,” Maurer said, appealing to the public to share any useful information. Officers encountered Abugharbeih as they responded to a report of domestic violence at his family’s home, just north of the campus, and were able to remove his relatives to safety. But then he barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. A SWAT team responded, along with a drone, a robot and crisis negotiators, before Abugarbeih came out with his hands up, apparently wearing nothing but a blue towel. “This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth.” Limon and Bristy, both 27, were a couple, considering marriage, a relative said. They disappeared from campus on April 16. Limon, who was studying geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home in an apartment complex where he lived with Abugharbeih. Bristy, who was studying chemical engineering and lived on campus, was last seen an hour later at a campus science building. A family friend contacted authorities last Friday after being unable to contact either one, USF police said. Investigators interviewed Abugharbeih, who is a native-born U.S. citizen, on Thursday, Maurer said, but Abugharbeih ended the interview after a bit. He said Abugharbeih was speaking with detectives again after his arrest Friday morning. There are no other suspects in the investigation at this time, Maurer said. An autopsy is being done on the remains to determine the manner and cause of Limon’s death, and those results are expected Saturday morning, he said. Abugharbeih had been a USF student but was not currently enrolled. University records showed he had attended the school from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023, and had pursued a BS in Management, a university spokeswoman said. Abugharbeih also had several previous arrests, the sheriff’s office said. He was charged with battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023, and with battery that May — both classified in court records as misdemeanors. Court records show Abugharbeih may have entered into a diversion program. A phone call to his lawyer in that case was not immediately returned. Hillsborough County Court records also showed two domestic violence petitions filed by a family member in 2023. A judge granted an injunction in one case and denied the other petition. He also was accused of traffic violations. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth,” Chronister said in the sheriff’s office statement. “We will continue to follow every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to hold those responsible fully accountable. Our thoughts remain with the families of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy during this time.”

“Food coma” can occur in both people and animals. After having a large meal, you may feel the urgency to rest and find a corner or bed to relax. This is referred to as a “food coma”. The experience feels lethargic, and people struggle to get the necessary energy. However, by being aware of a few steps, food coma can be prevented. What is a Food Coma? A food coma is when you feel sleepy and tired after having a heavy meal. It's not like being in a deep sleep or a medical coma. After a large meal, your body sends a lot of blood to your stomach to digest the food, which can make you feel tired because it takes blood away from other parts of your body, like your brain.  Foods high in carbohydrates and fats can also make your blood sugar spike and then crash, leaving you feeling super tired. Additionally, hormones released after eating fatty foods can slow down digestion and make you feel sluggish. When you eat carbs and fats together, it can lead to a release of insulin, which increases the production of a chemical called tryptophan in your brain. Tryptophan boosts serotonin levels, making you feel relaxed and sleepy, leading to what's known as a food coma. Read more: Reasons Why Ramadan Fasting is More Beneficial Than Dieting Causes of Food Coma The reasons for a food coma lie in the intake of certain kinds and amounts of ingredients and the workload the stomach feels while metabolizing foods. To understand more deeply, reading a little explanation will help. Foods Containing Tryptophan People often get sleepy after eating certain types of foods. Some experts say it's because foods like whole grain, beef, lamb, poultry, dairy, nuts, seeds, legumes, etc contain a lot of a substance called tryptophan. When someone eats such foods, along with foods high in carbs, like rice or mashed potatoes, it can make them feel even sleepier.  It happens because tryptophan helps the brain make serotonin which makes a person feel calm and relaxed. Serotonin also helps the body produce melatonin, which is a hormone that gets people ready for sleep. So, eating tryptophan-enriched foods and carb-heavy foods can make people feel exhausted after a big meal. Read more: Colon Cancer: Everything You Need to Know Anomaly in Blood Supply to Brain Away from the brain to the digestive organs, a slight shift in blood flow can cause postprandial somnolence. Again, eating pumps up the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which is liable to regulate different body functions like blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. When the stomach fills with enough food, the PNS gets triggered, causing more blood flow to the digestive organs and less to the brain. This lack of blood flow to the brain will cause a person to feel tired and sleepy. High-Calorie Meals Some experts propose that high-fat meals like dairy products, eggs, fatty fish, meat, nuts, seeds, etc which are low in carbohydrates can also create drowsiness.  Scientists also propose the idea of satiety signals, a rather complex combination sent to crucial sleep centers in the brain when such a meal with high fat or high calories is taken. The signal theoretically decreases hunger and arousal signals in the brain and increases sleepiness. Read more: How Does Physical Activity and Exercise Affect Testosterone Levels? Cytokines Increase Cytokines, a molecule from the Interlekin-1 family, is a signaling substance, involved in processes like inflammatory response, and is believed by experts to be responsible for augmented post-meal fatigue.  To draw an example of the use case, experts refer to any incident that involves a person taking medications to reduce inflammatory responses when the postprandial somnolence effect gets less intense and less common. Cytokines can affect the central nervous system and increase one’s perception of fatigue.