United News of Bangladesh

Foundations backed by actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have launched a $200 million initiative to help save 100 of the world's most threatened species. DiCaprio's Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund announced the Phoenix Species Project on Tuesday, describing it as the largest single fund ever created specifically to help recover critically endangered species. The project will support efforts to protect animals including lemurs, salamanders, pangolins, pigs, tortoises and echidnas whose survival is threatened by habitat loss, climate change and other pressures. DiCaprio has for years advocated for a major international effort to protect species at risk of extinction. In 2021, he and Re:wild co-founder and CEO Wes Sechrest met Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, who are chair and vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. The meeting was followed by discussions with governments, environmental organisations and Indigenous communities about ways to protect some of the world's most vulnerable species. Those discussions eventually led to the Phoenix Species Project. Among the species the initiative will support are the golden-crowned sifaka, a lemur found in Madagascar; the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander, which lives only in a small canyon in North Carolina; and the Visayan warty pig, found only on islands in the Philippines. Other species include Mexico's Cozumel harvest mouse, the pink land iguana of the Galápagos Islands, the Malayan pangolin of Southeast Asia and Tanzania's pancake tortoise. The project will also help protect the starry night harlequin toad, found only in Colombia's mountains, and Attenborough's long-beaked echidna, an egg-laying mammal native to New Guinea and named after renowned naturalist David Attenborough. The initiative aims to provide long-term funding and support to conservation projects that have achieved progress but often struggle to secure enough resources to continue their work. “We've protected the golden-crowned sifaka for years on a budget that would never match what this species deserves, but letting it go extinct was never an option,” said Tiana Andriamanana, executive director of Association Fanamby, one of the organisations receiving funding. She said the new funding, along with global cooperation and technical support, would create new opportunities to protect the species.

Ariana Grande is showing a quieter side on her latest album “Petal,” stepping away from the powerful vocal performances that have long defined her music. Her eighth studio album and first full-length release since the end of her “Wicked” run and 2024’s “Eternal Sunshine,” “Petal” features 12 tracks that see the pop star taking a more inward and controlled approach. The change is clear from the lead single “Hate That I Made You Love Me.” With its smooth hook and understated vocals, the song offers an early glimpse of the album’s new direction. It became Grande’s 10th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Rather than relying on her trademark vocal power, Grande delivers the song in a softer style, allowing the bubbling synths and gentle pop arrangement to take center stage. The track was produced with Ilya Salmanzadeh, who has worked with Grande since 2018’s “Sweetener,” and Swedish hitmaker Max Martin. For an artist famous for effortlessly hitting big notes, the restrained performance feels almost like an experiment. But it works, giving the song an easy, relaxed quality. That sense of effortlessness runs through much of “Petal.” On “Oh Well,” upbeat production contrasts with lyrics that deliver a clear message of moving on from a troubled relationship. “Petal” also offers a range of musical textures, though most of them are cooler and more laid-back than what listeners may expect from Grande. The album occasionally comes close to sounding carefree, but it still maintains the charm associated with her music. The record carries a moody R&B feel, with some of its smoothness reminiscent of SZA. “Freak” feels more like a dream—or perhaps a nightmare—with hazy layers of vocals creating an intimate and slightly mysterious atmosphere. Grande largely avoids the elaborate vocal runs and huge vocal moments that have become her trademark. Instead, she embraces a more controlled style. While the change shows artistic growth, some longtime fans may wonder whether the subtle approach will keep them fully engaged. The album becomes more energetic in its final third. Grande brings back some of her more dynamic style on “Like I Do,” particularly over its heavy bass, while “Never Get Over Me” builds slowly around the line, “The grass is way greener / Since I been beneath ya.” “Bad Thing (Bunny Hop)” is one of the album’s strongest moments. It captures the excitement of a new crush through dreamy guitars, a driving beat and playful lyrics. Grande’s distinctive way of shaping her words adds to the song’s appeal. The album closes with “Nowhere, Nobody,” which combines a retro-style vocal melody with vocoder effects. In promotional material for “Petal,” Grande described the album as something “full of life and growing through the cracks” of something difficult and challenging. That idea fits the record to some extent. Its 12 songs find moments of happiness beneath atmospheric production and subdued melodies. More importantly, “Petal” shows what happens when one of pop’s most powerful vocalists deliberately chooses to hold back. Rather than trying to prove what her voice can do, Grande seems more interested in exploring what it can say when she turns down the volume.

Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who won an Academy Award for the 2007 film Once, died in a motorcycle crash near Dublin early Wednesday, his management company said. He was 56. ATC Management told Irish broadcaster RTE that Hansard’s family was “deeply shocked and heartbroken” by his death. Tributes poured in from fellow musicians and artists, including Bruce Springsteen, who said he was “heartbroken” by the loss of “a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.” Irish police said a man in his 50s died after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, west of Dublin, shortly before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police did not identify the man, saying he was treated at the scene but was later pronounced dead. Hansard built a career in both acting and music. He appeared as a member of a Dublin soul band in the 1991 hit film The Commitments before gaining international recognition as a singer-songwriter. He won the Oscar for best original song in 2008 for “Falling Slowly,” which he co-wrote with his Once co-star Markéta Irglová. The film tells the story of two struggling musicians who form a close bond while pursuing their musical ambitions. Once was later turned into a Broadway musical featuring songs by Hansard and Irglová. The stage production won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical. Hansard was the longtime frontman of the rock band The Frames and also formed the musical duo The Swell Season with Irglová. He released several solo albums, including Didn’t He Ramble, which earned a Grammy nomination for best folk album in 2016. Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly described Hansard as one of the country’s great singer-songwriters. “Glen was one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world, bringing people together in the sharing of live music,” Connolly said. “He will be sorely missed by all who knew him or experienced his work.” Actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd praised Hansard’s “energizing melodies and soulful, searching voice,” saying his music helped make difficult times easier, quiet periods more beautiful and happy moments more memorable. Hansard began his musical journey as a street busker in Dublin. He later became known for leading the city’s annual Christmas Eve busk outside the Gaiety Theatre, where well-known Irish musicians perform for the public to raise money for a homelessness charity. Former Irish President Michael D. Higgins remembered Hansard as a “wonderful musician and performer” who also devoted much of his life to addressing social problems. In 2023, Hansard performed a powerful rendition of The Pogues’ “Fairytale Of New York” with Irish singer Lisa O’Neill at the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan. The performance moved mourners, with some members of the congregation dancing in the church aisles. Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.

The Dink, a new sports comedy arriving on Apple TV this Friday, mixes underdog humour with a familiar redemption story, using the fast-growing sport of pickleball as its backdrop. The film follows Dusty, played by Jake Johnson, a former tennis prodigy whose promising career ended early after a loss to a young Andy Roddick. Now working as a tennis coach at his father's exclusive club, Dusty spends more time talking about his past than building a future. His father Chuck, played by Ed Harris, raised him with dreams of becoming a tennis champion and has nothing but contempt for pickleball. Dusty shares that attitude until a wrist injury forces his doctor, played in a brief but funny appearance by Ben Stiller, to recommend pickleball as part of his recovery. Reluctantly taking up the sport, Dusty finds himself playing alongside a lively group of older women, including characters played by Mary Steenburgen, Cleo King and the late Lynne Marie Stewart. As he spends more time with them, he gradually changes his view of both the sport and himself. Jake Johnson delivers another strong performance as an imperfect but likable underdog. Mary Steenburgen adds warmth and humour, while Ed Harris is convincing as Dusty's demanding father. The supporting cast includes Patton Oswalt as an enthusiastic pickleball player, Chloe Fineman as Dusty's unpredictable former girlfriend and Chris Parnell as a tennis professional. Directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Sean Clements, the film balances comedy with emotional moments without making pickleball or its players the target of constant jokes. One standout comedy sequence, involving minor characters rather than the main storyline, is described as one of the film's funniest moments. Greenbaum, known for directing Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and the upcoming Spaceballs sequel, continues to establish himself as a dependable comedy director at a time when big-screen comedies have become increasingly rare. The review also notes that although audiences still enjoy going to cinemas, many mainstream comedies are now being released directly on streaming platforms instead of theatres. While films like The Dink and Kevin Hart's 72 Hours continue the tradition of straightforward comedy, the reviewer suggests something is lost when audiences cannot share the experience of laughing together in a movie theatre. The Dink begins streaming on Apple TV on Friday. The Motion Picture Association has given the film a PG-13 rating for strong language and sexual material. It runs for 102 minutes and receives two-and-a-half stars out of four.

British pop star Harry Styles has earned a Guinness World Record after completing 12 consecutive sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium, setting a new mark for the longest concert residency by a musician at the iconic venue. The 32-year-old singer surpassed the previous record of 10 Wembley shows, set by Coldplay in 2025. Guinness World Records adjudicator Will Munford praised the achievement, saying Styles' 12-show run highlighted the scale, ambition and cultural impact of his live performances, as well as his strong connection with fans. Styles began the London leg of his Together, Together tour on June 12, with the final performance held on Saturday before an audience of about 80,000. During the closing concert, Styles reflected on his journey with former boy band One Direction and thanked his bandmates for their role in his career. "I wouldn't be on this stage if it wasn't for four friends of mine that were a massive part of this journey," he told the crowd. He thanked Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne, saying their friendship and shared experiences made his success possible. One Direction was formed in 2010 on the television talent show The X Factor and went on an indefinite break in 2016. Former band member Liam Payne died in 2024 at the age of 31. Styles also looked back on his early career, noting that it had been 16 years since he first appeared on The X Factor, which was filmed next to Wembley Stadium. He said returning to Wembley always brought back memories and thanked fans for their continued support. After launching his solo career in 2017, Styles has won six Brit Awards, three Grammy Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards. His fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, was released in January. Before Saturday's concert, Wembley Stadium unveiled a commemorative banner recognizing the record. In a post on X, the stadium wrote: "12 shows. One record. A place in Wembley history." The Wembley residency was initially planned for six concerts but was expanded to 12 because of overwhelming demand. London was the only UK stop on Styles' current tour. Other artists to stage extended runs at Wembley include Taylor Swift, who performed eight concerts at the stadium in 2024. Following the record-breaking achievement, Styles' mother, Anne Twist, shared childhood photos of the singer alongside his sister Gemma, as well as pictures from Saturday's concert. In a social media post, she said she had believed since 1996 that her son would one day perform on stage, though she never imagined he would go on to break records and become the kind of person "the world needs right now." Source: BBC  

Veteran actor and activist Danny Glover has revealed that he is living with Alzheimer's disease, saying he is still trying to come to terms with the diagnosis. Glover, widely known for playing the calm and dependable police officer in the Lethal Weapon film series, said he was diagnosed with the progressive brain disease three years ago. The four-time Emmy Award nominee, who will turn 80 on July 22, shared the news in separate interviews with NBC's Today show and People magazine. "I'm still not accepting in my mind all parts of it," Glover told People. "There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I'll never forget." Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It gradually affects memory, thinking and daily functioning. More than 6 million people in the United States and millions more worldwide are living with the condition. Throughout his career, Glover has received four Emmy Award nominations and was honoured with an honorary Oscar in 2022. He has also been recognised by the NAACP and Black Entertainment Television, and has earned nominations from the Screen Actors Guild. Beyond acting, Glover has been active in humanitarian work. From 1998 to 2004, he served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, supporting efforts to address poverty, disease and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Several well-known actors, including Adolescence star Christine Tremarco, Sex Education actor Asa Butterfield and Trainspotting star Jonny Lee Miller, have joined the cast of the upcoming BBC drama series Hamburg Days, which explores the early years of The Beatles. The six-part series will chronicle the legendary band's formative period in Germany, tracing their journey from a group of Liverpool teenagers to global music icons. Bafta-winning actress Tremarco, 49, has been cast as Mimi Smith, the aunt who raised John Lennon. Butterfield, 29, will portray Brian Epstein, the manager credited with helping shape The Beatles’ rise to international fame. Jonny Lee Miller, 53, is set to play Jim McCartney, the father of Sir Paul McCartney. Production on the series began in May in Germany and Liverpool. The drama focuses on the period between 1960 and 1962 when The Beatles played more than 250 shows in Hamburg, a crucial chapter in the band's development. Hamburg Days is inspired by the memoirs of Klaus Voormann, a young artist who befriended the group during their time in Hamburg. Voormann later designed the cover of The Beatles’ landmark 1966 album Revolver and collaborated with John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison on their solo projects. According to the producers, the series will depict the band's encounters with Voormann and photographer Astrid Kirchherr. At that time, the lineup included bassist Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best, alongside Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. The series has been written by Jamie Carragher, one of the writers behind HBO's acclaimed drama Succession. Director Christian Schwochow, known for his work on The Crown, will serve as showrunner, while Bafta-winning composer David Holmes, who worked on Killing Eve and the Ocean’s film franchise, will oversee the music. The cast also includes Rhys Mannion as John Lennon, Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney, Harvey Brett as George Harrison, Louis Landau as Stuart Sutcliffe and Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best. Luna Jordan will play Astrid Kirchherr, while Laura Tonke and Casper von Bülow will portray Nielsa Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann respectively. Widely regarded as the best-selling music act in history, The Beatles scored 18 UK number-one singles and 16 UK number-one albums during their career. The band is also the subject of four upcoming films directed by Sam Mendes. The movies are set to feature Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. With inputs from BBC

The world of Westeros is set to return as ‘House of the Dragon’ prepares for its third season, promising bigger battles, more dragons and deeper political drama, all without revealing any spoilers. Based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood’, the series explores the rise and internal collapse of House Targaryen, set generations before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’ and Daenerys Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne. With rival factions already formed and tensions escalating, Season 3 is expected to push the story into a more intense and large-scale civil war across the realm. War enters a more intense phase The upcoming season is likely to move beyond early political manoeuvring as the conflict becomes more open and unavoidable. Alliances have already been made, and their consequences are now set to ripple across Westeros. Viewers can expect the story to fully shift into large-scale warfare, with growing consequences for all sides involved. More dragons take centre stage One of the biggest attractions of the series — dragons — is expected to feature more heavily than ever. Season 3 will likely introduce more dragon riders and larger aerial battles, with upgraded visual effects bringing the creatures to life in greater detail. New characters enter the conflict As the war expands, new characters are expected to emerge across Westeros, including nobles, soldiers and political players looking to gain power or survive the chaos. In the world of Westeros, even minor figures can quickly become central to the story. Political intrigue remains key Despite the focus on dragons and warfare, political strategy remains at the heart of the series. Secret alliances, shifting loyalties and tense negotiations are expected to continue shaping the story. The show is known for scenes where words can be as powerful as weapons. Moral lines remain blurred One of the franchise’s defining features is its refusal to present clear heroes or villains. Season 3 is expected to continue this trend, with characters making difficult choices that challenge viewers’ loyalties. Supporters of certain characters may find their opinions shifting as events unfold. Emotional consequences deepen Beyond the battles and politics, the series continues to focus on family conflict, grief and revenge within House Targaryen. The emotional cost of the war is expected to become more prominent, showing that the impact of conflict extends far beyond the battlefield. The world of Westeros expands Season 3 is also expected to explore more regions of Westeros, introducing new locations, houses and political dynamics that broaden the scope of the story. Story moves toward a turning point While the series is not yet nearing its end, Season 3 is expected to act as a major turning point, with decisions made by key characters shaping the direction of the larger conflict. Each choice is expected to carry heavier consequences as the story progresses. Why viewers should catch up For new audiences, *House of the Dragon* offers a more focused entry into the *Game of Thrones* universe, centred mainly on one royal family and its internal war. For returning fans, Season 3 promises the familiar mix of dragons, political tension, betrayals and unpredictable twists that define the franchise. One thing remains constant in Westeros — no character is ever truly safe. Source: NDTV

American actor Daveigh Chase, best known for her chilling role as the ghostly figure Samara in ‘The Ring’ and as the voice of Lilo in ‘Lilo & Stitch’, has died at the age of 35, her longtime manager confirmed. Her manager John Ryan Jr. told BBC News that Chase died on Tuesday from complications linked to meningitis, which developed into a bloodstream infection and later sepsis. He also said she had earlier been hospitalised due to malnourishment. Ryan, who worked with her for 15 years, described her as a private person who stayed away from Hollywood’s spotlight. “She was the greatest. She loved cats,” he said, adding that she often spent long periods at home in Las Vegas and preferred independent projects over big studio films. “She was not very Hollywood,” he said. “She’d rather eat at Bob’s Big Boy and go home with the cats. She loved acting but wasn’t into the fame scene.” Chase rose to fame in 2002 with her breakout role as Samara Morgan in the horror film ‘The Ring’, a remake of the Japanese classic about a cursed videotape. Her performance as the eerie, long-haired ghost crawling out of a television became one of the film’s most iconic images. She later won the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003 for the role. Reflecting on the character at the time, Chase said she enjoyed playing something so unusual and dark, telling the Los Angeles Times that she gave the role her own creative twist. In the same year, she voiced Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl, in Disney’s animated hit ‘Lilo & Stitch’. The role earned her an Annie Award for voice acting, and she continued to reprise the character in later spin-offs. Chase also appeared in several television series, including ‘Charmed’, ‘ER’, and ‘Touched by an Angel’. She had a recurring role in HBO’s ‘Big Love’, where she played Rhonda Volmer over 32 episodes. Source: NDTV

Actor Tom Holland has appeared to confirm that he and his longtime partner Zendaya are already married, ending months of speculation about their relationship status. Rumours about the couple intensified after Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach suggested in March that the pair had already held a wedding ceremony. The discussion resurfaced again after artificial intelligence-generated images showing a supposed wedding of the two circulated online. When asked by ‘Esquire U.K.’ whether he had informed family members about the fake AI images, Holland responded, “No, because they were all there.” “That’s all you’ll get on that,” he added, without giving further details. In the same interview published Tuesday, Holland spoke warmly about his relationship with Zendaya, describing her as a strong source of emotional support in his life and career. “Our business can present very stressful situations and it’s really nice to have a bedrock of a relationship that will stand the test of time,” he said. “I found my person. She’s my best friend,” he added. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been when I’m with her, and I’ve never felt so supported and safe.” Holland and Zendaya first met while working together on the 2017 film ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’. The pair continue to collaborate professionally, with both set to appear in upcoming major releases, including ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’.