United News of Bangladesh

Some stars arrive, shine brightly and disappear with time. A rare few, however, remain suspended in the memory of generations, their presence refusing to fade even decades after they are gone. In Bangladesh’s cinematic history, few such stars have left an imprint as enduring as Salman Shah, and today marks his 30th death anniversary. Born Chowdhury Mohammad Shahriar Emon on September 19 during the turbulent period of Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, the popular actor died on September 6, 1996, at the age of 25. In a career spanning only around four years, Salman Shah became one of the defining stars of 1990s Bangladeshi cinema. He made his debut with “Keyamat Theke Keyamat” in 1993 and went on to win audiences with films, including “Sotter Mrittu Nei”, “Shujon Shokhi”, “Ei Ghor Ei Shongshar”, “Anondo Osru” and more. His screen pairing with Shabnur became particularly popular, while his performances with other leading actresses, including Moushumi with whom he debuted in Dhallywood, Shabnaz, Lima and Shahnaz, further established him as a romantic hero. His fashion, hairstyles and effortless screen presence also turned him into a trendsetter whose influence continues to be felt in popular culture. However, alongside the enduring affection for the star, questions surrounding his death have remained for three decades. Salman Shah was found unconscious at his residence in New Eskaton on September 6, 1996, and was later declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Subsequent investigations did not establish murder. The Criminal Investigation Department of police concluded that he had died by suicide, while the Police Bureau of Investigation reached the same conclusion in its 2020 investigation. His family, however, has consistently rejected those findings and maintained that he was murdered. The issue took a new turn in October 2025 when a Dhaka court ordered that a murder case be filed over Salman Shah’s death. A case was subsequently filed against 11 people, including his former wife Samira Haque, businessman Aziz Mohammad Bhai and actor Ashraful Haque Don. The case remains under investigation. Don was arrested in August this year in connection with the case. The investigation report has been deferred several times, with September 29 set as the latest deadline. As Salman Shah’s 30th death anniversary is observed, his legacy remains remarkably undiminished. For audiences who grew up watching him, he remains the young star captured in the frames of his films, forever at the height of his charm. Social media sites have also been flooded with tributes to the iconic actor by his ardent admirers. One of Dhallywood's biggest “what-ifs”, Salman Shah has never truly left the screen or the hearts of those who made him a legend.  

Iran said Sunday that it had struck an unmanned U.S. vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, marking the latest escalation in renewed fighting between the two countries. The United States did not immediately confirm the reported attack. It came a day after the U.S. military said it had struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to a missile attack targeting U.S. Navy warships. The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Although a ceasefire was announced in June, sporadic clashes have continued as negotiations between the two sides collapsed. Fighting resumed last week after about a month of relative calm, with attacks again focusing on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian communities along the strategic waterway. At least five people were killed earlier in the week during U.S. strikes in southern Iran. The Trump administration appears to be pursuing both military and economic pressure, responding to attacks in the strait while targeting foreign financial institutions accused of helping Iran move money. Despite years of sanctions and the current U.S. blockade, Iran has continued finding ways to export oil, relying partly on a so-called shadow fleet to transport crude to buyers and ease growing economic pressure. Meanwhile, efforts to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear programme have stalled after negotiations broke down shortly after the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June. Diplomats say the United States, Britain, France and Germany are seeking to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council over Tehran's alleged failure to meet its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Iran, however, is increasingly using its position around the Strait of Hormuz as leverage. The waterway is a vital route for global oil and natural gas shipments and had been regarded as an international passage before the war began.

Three people were killed and at least 30 others injured when a bus plunged into a roadside ditch in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj on Sunday morning. The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately. Police said the Tungipara Express bus, travelling from Khulna to Dhaka, lost control after reaching the Gerakhola area and fell into a ditch near the Gerakhola Bridge on the Dhaka-Khulna highway around 10:45am. The bus was badly damaged in the accident, leaving three passengers dead on the spot and at least 30 others injured. On information, police and Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene and conducted a rescue operation. Bhanga Highway Police Station Sergeant Md Azadur Rahman said 12 of the injured were taken to Muksudpur Upazila Health Complex.

Indonesia cancelled hundreds of flights and temporarily closed airspace around Jakarta and several other airports on Sunday after Anak Krakatau volcano erupted, sending massive ash clouds across parts of western Indonesia. The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, had shown increased activity since Friday before erupting for about 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m. Sunday. Camera footage showed lava flaring from the crater. No casualties were reported, and authorities did not order evacuations. However, residents and visitors were advised to stay at least 3 kilometers from the active crater. The nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometers away. Volcanic ash spread over parts of Jakarta and Lampung province, prompting AirNav Indonesia to close airspace around Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports, along with four other airports. By mid-afternoon, the disruption had affected 516 flight movements, including 202 at Soekarno-Hatta airport, impacting around 22,800 passengers. The airport was ordered to remain closed until at least 5:30 p.m. Flights at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and in Medan were also affected. Satellite images detected two major ash clouds, with one rising to about 6,100 meters and another reaching around 15,200 meters. The ash spread across several provinces and nearby waters. Indonesia's Geological Agency said volcanic activity at Anak Krakatau has intensified since July, with Sunday's eruption the strongest during the current period of unrest. Officials said they could not predict whether a larger eruption might occur. Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau,” emerged from the site of the historic Krakatau volcano, whose devastating 1883 eruption had global consequences. In 2018, an eruption and subsequent underwater landslide triggered a tsunami that killed at least 430 people in Java and Sumatra.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been reduced again, with the price of 22-carat gold cut by Tk 2,216 one bhori to Tk 2,35,146. The Bangladesh Jeweller’s Association (BAJUS) on Sunday said the new price came into effect at 10:00am. The decision was taken as the price of locally traded Tejabi gold declined, it said. The reduction was approved at a meeting of BAJUS Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring. Under the new rate, one bhori of 22-carat gold jewellery will now cost Tk 2,35,146, including VAT. The price of 21-carat gold has been cut by Tk 2,100 to Tk 2,24,590 per bhori, while 18-carat gold has been reduced by Tk 1,750 to Tk 1,92,864. The price of gold under the traditional method has also been reduced by Tk 1,458 to Tk 1,57,522 per bhori. Earlier on September 3, BAJUS raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 5,482 to Tk 2,37,362 per bhori. Before that, gold prices were reduced three times on August 29, August 31 and September 2. Despite the reduction in gold prices, silver prices have remained unchanged. At present, one bhori of 22-carat silver jewellery costs Tk 5,132, including VAT. The prices of 21-carat, 18-carat and traditional-method silver stand at Tk 4,957, Tk 4,257 and Tk 3,208 per bhori, respectively.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Sunday appreciated Japan's efforts toward achieving a durable solution through the safe, voluntary, sustainable, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to Rakhine State in Myanmar. He also appreciated the Nippon Foundation and Japan's humanitarian assistance for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. The State Minister said Bangladesh remains firmly committed to working with the international community to resolve this prolonged humanitarian and regional challenge. He made the remarks when Honorary Chair of the Nippon Foundation of Japan Yohei Sasakawa paid a courtesy call on him at his office. During the meeting, Yohei Sasakawa mentioned that the relationship between the Nippon Foundation and the People's Republic of Bangladesh is built upon a history of profound friendship and mutual trust that spans over half a century, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Our cooperative efforts began in 1971 with emergency relief for displaced persons during your nation's independence,” he said. "Since then, we have consistently stood by the people of Bangladesh, supporting various developmental, healthcare, and educational initiatives. In recent years, our attention has been heavily dedicated to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis," Sasakawa noted. He informed the State Minister that for over 40 years, he and his organisation have been closely involved in efforts to eliminate leprosy, working in close cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), governments, international organizations and NGOs, and organizations of persons affected by leprosy. They wish to assist leprosy patients in Bangladesh.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged everyone to play a responsible role from their respective positions to ensure pollution-free rivers and a clean, liveable environment for future generations. “We must try to ensure pollution-free rivers and a liveable environment not only for ourselves but also for future generations,” he said. The Prime Minister made the call at a review meeting on pollution control, waste removal, conservation and management of rivers around Dhaka, ensuring navigability and improving the circular waterways, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The meeting was held at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the morning. Tarique Rahman stressed that people should not simply wait for government directives but should also act out of a sense of personal responsibility to protect the environment, rivers and waterways. The meeting reviewed the overall activities concerning pollution control and waste removal from the Buriganga, Turag, Dhaleshwari, Balu and Shitalakhya rivers and adjacent canals and drains. Those who attended the meeting also discussed measures to ensure navigability and the natural flow of water in the rivers and improve the existing circular waterways around Dhaka. The Prime Minister directed the authorities to take effective steps to quickly implement the plans already undertaken. He also stressed ensuring proper coordination among the ministries, divisions and agencies concerned to expedite the activities. Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Industries and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for LGRD and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Shipping Md Razib Ahsan, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr Saimum Parvez, among others, attended the meeting. Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Commander Dhaka Naval Area Rear Admiral Abdullah-Al-Maksus, secretaries of the relevant ministries and divisions, administrators of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur city corporations and other senior officials were also present.  

  A fuel tanker exploded in western Iran, killing 11 people and injuring seven others, state media said. IRNA reported late Saturday that the tanker hit other cars before bursting into flames near a traffic police station close to the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, some 400 kilometers (248 miles) west of the capital, Tehran. The report cited a faulty brake system. The injured were transferred to hospitals. In 2018, a similar road accident between a fuel tanker and an intercity passenger bus near Sanandaj killed 15 people and injured four. Road and traffic accidents annually leave more than 17,000 dead in Iran. Experts blame the high fatality rate on unsafe vehicles, disregard for traffic rules, and inadequate emergency services.

The death toll from a mudslide in eastern China rose to three on Sunday after days of torrential rain triggered by Typhoon Saudel, while nine people remained missing. The mudslide struck part of a village in Suichuan County of Jiangxi province early Saturday, damaging around a dozen houses. Rescue workers recovered the bodies of two more victims on Sunday, according to state broadcaster CCTV. More than 5,300 people were moved to safer locations as heavy rain continued to affect parts of the region. Meanwhile, two people were killed in Hunan province in south-central China following heavy downpours linked to the typhoon, CCTV said. The report did not specify how they died but said the intense rainfall had triggered landslides and other disasters. Typhoon Saudel first made landfall twice in Zhejiang province on Aug. 28 before making a third landfall as a tropical storm in neighboring Fujian province on Sept. 3, according to China's official Xinhua news agency. Both Zhejiang and Fujian border Jiangxi province.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir arrived in Thakurgaon on Sunday afternoon on a two-day visit, his first tour to his home district since assuming office. A helicopter carrying the President landed at Thakurgaon Mohammad Ali Stadium at 1:00pm. Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam, Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Huq, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rangpur Range) Mohammad Abdul Mabud, Superintendent of Police Md Belal Hossain, Thakurgaon district BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin and General Secretary Paigam Ali welcomed the President at the helipad. Convener of the Citizens’ Committee Dr Abu Mohammad Khairul Kabir and Secretary General Dr Shahiduzzaman were also present. Later, a contingent of Bangladesh Police presented a guard of honour to the President at Thakurgaon Circuit House. After inspecting the guard of honour, Mirza Fakhrul is scheduled to go to Senua graveyard to pay respects to his parents. Later, he will visit his residence in Thakurgaon town. On the first day of his visit, the President is scheduled to attend a civic reception to be arranged in his honour at the Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School playground at 3:30pm. He will attend a view-exchange meeting with local leaders and dignitaries in the evening. On the second day on Monday, President Mirza Fakhrul will lay the foundation stone of Thakurgaon University.