United News of Bangladesh

AUST EEE Day 2026, the flagship semester fest of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), will be held Tuesday at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), bringing together students, faculty members, alumni and industry leaders. Organised by Soroikko-50 and co-organised by Trayottik-55 under the AUST EEE Society, the fest will begin at 1 pm on Oct 6. The event aims to create a platform where engineering education, emerging technology, industry and culture come together, while providing students with opportunities to showcase their talents and interact directly with corporate and technology-sector leaders. The organisers said the fest will also help students gain exposure to real-world technologies and career perspectives as they prepare to enter the workforce. The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Chery and the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Neural Semiconductor are expected to attend the programme and deliver speeches. The Vice-Chancellor of AUST, professors and faculty members, current students and distinguished alumni will also attend the event. Around 2,000 participants are expected to join the fest. AUST EEE Day will feature various student performances alongside activities aimed at strengthening ties among students, faculty members and alumni. The event also seeks to encourage young engineers to explore innovation in areas including automotive technology, semiconductors and sustainable energy. Chery is the title sponsor, Neural Semiconductor the powered-by partner and Superstar Group the driven-by partner. Gigabyte, Polar Ice Cream and Omera Solar are also among the sponsors. As part of the fest, Chery is showcasing its vehicles at the AUST campus on Oct 4 and 5. The showcase will continue at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Oct 6. The fest will conclude with a live concert by popular singer and composer Habib Wahid. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) is the media partner of AUST EEE Day 2026.

The casting of Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep to voice Aslan the lion in Greta Gerwig's upcoming adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia has sparked controversy among conservative Christian commentators, even though the public has yet to see a single frame of the film. The critics have expressed concern over a female actor voicing Aslan, a central character in the seven-book fantasy series by British Christian author C.S. Lewis. Published in the 1950s, the books portray the lion as male, with a magnificent mane, and Aslan is widely regarded as a literary representation of Jesus Christ. Filmmakers often make changes when adapting literary works for the screen. Gerwig, for instance, has moved the setting of The Magician's Nephew from around 1900 to the 1950s. However, the decision to cast Streep does not necessarily mean Aslan will be portrayed as female. Conservative Christian critics argue that even the possibility of presenting a figure associated with Christ as anything other than male goes beyond artistic freedom. They point to the Bible and ancient Christian creeds, which refer to God as the Father and Jesus as the Son of God. Seth Udinsky, writing for the evangelical news website Christian Post, described the casting as an attempt to undermine Christian symbols. He also accused Gerwig of making Aslan transgender, citing a promotional image showing the lion with rainbow-coloured whiskers. The casting has also drawn mixed reactions on social media, including numerous comments and counterarguments under Netflix's Instagram post announcing the decision. Some scholars and admirers of Lewis's work have urged people to wait until the film is released before reaching a conclusion. Kat Coffin, a New York-based writer and Lewis scholar, said she had questions about the casting but was more troubled by the intense hostility towards the possibility of a feminine portrayal of a figure representing God. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in February. Gerwig seeks a voice with wisdom and wonder Gerwig has not directly addressed the controversy over Aslan's gender. However, she has explained the qualities she wanted in the actor voicing the character. “I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness,” Gerwig said. She said she wanted a voice capable of conveying emotional depth, sadness, joy and delight. She also sought someone older than 70 who could bring the wisdom of experience while retaining a child's sense of wonder. Gerwig said she first read The Magician's Nephew as a child and fell in love with its story and magical world. The director is known for bringing feminist perspectives to films such as Barbie and Little Women, the latter also based on a classic work of children's literature. A report in film magazine Empire has added to the debate, saying Gerwig drew inspiration from pop artist David Bowie, known for his gender-fluid image, when developing Aslan's appearance, including the lion's differently coloured eyes and bold red-striped face. Published in 1955, The Magician's Nephew follows two children, Digory and Polly, who travel between parallel worlds through magic. They eventually reach the newly created land of Narnia but inadvertently bring along the evil witch Jadis. In this and later books in the series, Aslan guides young characters in their struggle against evil. Critics question changes to Christian themes Ted Baehr, founder and publisher of Movieguide, which advises Christian families on film and television content, said casting a woman to voice Aslan challenged Christian teachings about the nature of God. He acknowledged Gerwig's directing abilities but questioned whether she fully understood the importance of the character to many Christians. Although Lewis said his Narnia books were not allegories, they contain strong parallels with biblical stories and Christian beliefs, Baehr said. He argued that the series could not be adapted in the same way as Greek mythology in Christopher Nolan's recent film The Odyssey. “The Gospel is not a myth,” he said. The controversy reflects the strong connection many Christians, particularly evangelicals, feel with Lewis, whose fiction and non-fiction works promoted Christian teachings. The Narnia series has reportedly sold 120 million copies worldwide since the publication of its first volume 75 years ago this month. Many Christian readers feel a strong personal attachment to the stories because of their religious themes. Author Christin Ditchfield Lazo, who has written books about Lewis, said the stories had deeply influenced millions of readers, particularly those who value their spiritual messages. She encouraged Christians to wait until the film's release before judging the casting decision. “There's a huge difference between a woman voicing a male character and the director changing the gender of the character,” she said, adding that the decision could raise concerns but its implications would not be clear until audiences watched the film. She also noted that actors have long played or voiced characters of different genders, from Shakespearean theatre to modern animated productions. Lewis family expresses support for Gerwig Several evangelical Christians embraced the film adaptations of the first three Narnia books released in the early 2000s, in which actor Liam Neeson provided Aslan's deep, masculine voice. Coffin noted that literary works have sometimes portrayed God through feminine characteristics. She pointed out that Aslan also appears as a lamb in the Narnia series, with a voice Lewis described as “sweet milky”. A statement from the family of Lewis's late wife, Joy Davidman Gresham, praised Gerwig's enthusiasm for the books. “We saw this enthusiasm during our visit to the set in London,” the statement, provided by Netflix, said. The family expressed excitement about working with the director and production team on the film and future projects. The C.S. Lewis Company, which holds the rights to Lewis's intellectual property and is producing the film, also welcomed Gerwig's approach. The company said it was deeply moved by the director's commitment to Lewis's fictional world and her efforts to bring joy, emotion and genuine affection for the story to The Magician's Nephew.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s second feature film Master has won the Best Feature Film award at the 22nd Lucca Film Festival in Tuscany, Italy. The award adds another major international recognition to the film, which earlier this year won the Big Screen Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and was subsequently screened at the 73rd Sydney Film Festival. The Lucca Film Festival, held from September 26 to October 4, featured Master in its International Feature Film Competition. The film was selected alongside 11 other features from around the world. The feature-film jury comprised Oscar-winning costume designer Franca Squarciapino, Lithuanian filmmaker Šarūnas Bartas and Italian actor, director and screenwriter Michele Riondino. In its citation, the jury praised Master for using a seemingly local story to portray the crisis facing representative democracy around the world. It also highlighted the film’s subtle screenplay and its portrayal of an idealistic teacher whose commitment to social justice comes into conflict with a political system driven by individual interests. The jury further noted the film’s agile storytelling and its depiction of the protagonist’s gradual confrontation with political contradictions and corruption. Directed by Sumit, Master centres on Jahir, a respected teacher who enters local politics with sincere intentions but gradually becomes entangled in a system of power, pressure and compromise. The film explores how political influence can erode an individual’s ideals and moral principles. The film stars Nasir Uddin Khan, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Zakia Bari Mamo, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Sharif Siraj and Tasnova Tamanna. Sumit co-wrote the screenplay with Sabbir Hossain Shovon, while Tuhin Tamijul handled cinematography and Kristan Sprague edited the film. Master emerged from Sumit’s earlier experience working with climate-vulnerable communities in coastal Bangladesh during the making of his debut feature The Salt in Our Waters (Nonajoler Kabbo). His observations of displacement and local administration eventually informed the film’s exploration of power, governance and personal compromise. The filmmaker, in a social media post announcing the latest award, expressed gratitude to the jury and his cast and crew, describing the recognition as another testament to the universality and urgency of Master. The film’s international festival run has now raised a fresh question for Bangladeshi audiences: when will Master be allowed to reach cinemas in Bangladesh?

Musician and actor Pritom Hasan and actress-model Shahtaj Monira Hashem have announced that they have mutually decided to end their marriage and move forward with a divorce. The couple made the announcement in identical posts on their respective official social media handles on Saturday night, saying they had reached the decision after much thoughtful consideration. “Shahtaj and I have mutually and amicably decided to end our marriage after ten years together,” Pritom wrote in his post. A similar statement was also shared by Shahtaj. They said they remain grateful for the memories they shared and continue to care for each other, but gradually realised that they were “better off separate ways due to lack of mutual understanding.” “With the support from our families, we are moving forward with a divorce,” they said. The couple also requested their friends, colleagues and the media to respect their privacy during the transition. Pritom and Shahtaj tied the knot at a private ceremony at a five-star hotel in Sreemangal on Oct 28, 2022, after keeping their relationship largely private for several years. Their wedding was attended by close friends and family members. The couple had first met while working on the music video for Pritom's song ‘Jadukor’. Pritom later said that they had been close friends before their relationship developed, while reports at the time noted that they had kept their relationship away from public attention for around five years. Pritom, son of late singer Khalid Hasan Milu and younger brother of singer Protic Hasan, is known for his work as a singer, composer and actor. His acting credits include Nuhash Humayun's ‘700 Taka’, Adnan Al Rajeev's ‘YouTumor’ and Chorki's ‘Araal’. Shahtaj is an actress, model and singer who has appeared in television dramas, films and music videos. She made her mainstream acting debut through television and was also part of the anthology film ‘Iti, Tomari Dhaka’. The couple concluded their joint statement by thanking everyone for their understanding and support, while asking for “privacy and grace” as they navigate their next chapter.

Bangladeshi author Shazia Omar launched her third novel, Being Water, at Bookworm in Shahabuddin Park, Gulshan-2 on Saturday, closing the weekend literary festival organised by Bookworm in collaboration with HerStory. The launch featured a conversation with Professor Firdous Azim, Chair of the Department of English and Humanities at BRAC University, who also moderated the launches of Omar's first novel, Like a Diamond in the Sky, and second novel, Dark Diamond, in 2016. The conversation brought together the writer and the academic who had followed Omar's literary journey from her debut to her latest work, published by Om Books International in June 2026. Being Water follows Nora, a British Bengali woman struggling with the aftermath of a family rupture, as well as difficulties in her career and relationships. On her therapist's advice, Nora travels to Galle Fort in Sri Lanka, hoping to distance herself from the turmoil in her life. But the journey gradually forces her to confront memories of the past. Set against Galle's colonial architecture, cultural history and layered relationship with trade, empire and migration, the novel explores grief, art, inheritance and the body's memory. The Ramayana runs beneath the narrative as a recurring presence, drawing on themes of captivity, waiting and release. "I wanted to write about the kind of grief that lingers," said Omar. "Nora goes to Sri Lanka to get away from herself, which is the one journey nobody completes. Healing isn't gentle. It breaks you before it remakes you." Omar's debut novel, Like a Diamond in the Sky, was published by Zubaan-Penguin, while Dark Diamond was published by Bloomsbury in 2016. She also writes the column Kundalini Rising for The Daily Star and is the author of Intentional Smile, a guide to positive living, and two children's books. She has edited two short story anthologies by Bangladeshi authors and led writing communities Writers Block and Pen Warriors for several years. An Ashtanga yoga teacher with a background in psychology, Omar has worked at Lehman Brothers and the World Bank. She is also the founder of Flow Fest, a wellbeing and cultural platform that has reached more than 40,000 people across Bangladesh. Being Water was published by Om Books International in June 2026 and is available at Bookworm and leading bookshops across South Asia.

Three musicians from different genres have joined hands to raise awareness against child marriage through an experimental folk-fusion song and music video titled “Koinya”. National award-winning musician and composer Emon Chowdhury, rapper Aly Hasan and folk singer Aleya Begum collaborated on the track, produced by BBC Media Action as part of its “Child, Not Bride” campaign. The music video has been released on social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. Child marriage remains a major social problem in Bangladesh. According to the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and UNICEF, nearly one in two women in the country were married before the age of 18. The practice affects girls’ education, health, safety and future prospects while increasing their risks of early pregnancy, violence, poverty and lifelong inequality. Emon said he joined the project because he believes music, particularly when combined with visuals, can effectively communicate social messages and reach a wide audience. “I feel music, when it comes with video, is an important medium to raise awareness as it can touch people emotionally through both melodies and visuals, so the information and messages given stay in their minds for long. As musicians, we are liable to mankind for its well-being,” he said. Emphasising the adverse impact of early and child marriage, Emon said families should prioritise the dreams of girls rather than destroy their futures through early marriage. For “Koinya”, Emon blended soulful folk melodies with the energetic pulse of hip-hop in an effort to engage audiences across the country. He said one of the challenges was creating a musical package that could carry a strong social message while blending Bengali folk with fast-paced rap. However, the artists enjoyed working together for the cause. Although Emon had previously worked with Aleya Begum on several projects, “Koinya” marks his first collaboration with rapper Aly Hasan. “Aly has a natural instinct for putting a rhyme to raw local words, turning those into engaging rhymes instantly, which is really interesting,” Emon said. The song uses simple and memorable lyrics to convey its message against child marriage, while the music video presents the issue through a localised storyline aimed at making it relatable to rural audiences and younger generations.

Bigg Boss 20 host Salman Khan has hinted at a possible return of Rhiti Tiwari to the reality show, a day after she was evicted in a mid-week elimination. In a newly released promo for the upcoming Weekend Ka Vaar episode, Salman addressed Rhiti's eviction and suggested that another twist could be in store for the contestants. "You think she is gone, I think she is gone, Bigg Boss thinks she is gone. But iss season ka theme kya hai?" Salman said, referring to the season's theme. Gullu then responded, "Tathas-two," prompting an excited reaction from Kanika Mann. The promo subsequently showed Salman inviting someone to join him on stage, while Rhiti's familiar "Aaaye haayee" could be heard in the background. The moment has fuelled speculation that Rhiti could return to the Bigg Boss 20 house. However, the promo did not confirm whether the voice was actually hers. Following the hint, Kanika Mann, Amrapali Dubey, Mary Kom, Love Gill and Gullu were seen clapping and appearing excited, while Mahhi Vij and Qazi Touqeer looked shocked. Rhiti, daughter of actor-politician Manoj Tiwari, was evicted mid-week after Mahhi Vij, Uditi Singh and Yung DSA voted to remove her from the show. Salman had earlier pointed out that the contestants had not given Rhiti enough opportunity to demonstrate that she had changed, despite her apology for her earlier conduct. Rhiti's stint on the show has been marked by controversy. She recently had a confrontation with Qazi Touqeer and Uditi Singh. During a diss battle, she made derogatory remarks about Uditi, which led to a verbal altercation with Qazi. Later, during a Weekend Ka Vaar episode, Salman reprimanded Rhiti over her behaviour and criticised her for invoking her father's name to threaten other contestants. Despite the latest promo hinting at her possible return, there has been no official confirmation of Rhiti Tiwari's re-entry into Bigg Boss 20. Source: NDTV

A growing line of visitors at a sculpture on Prague's historic Charles Bridge is giving the 14th-century landmark a new attraction: recreating an iconic photograph of British band Depeche Mode. Tourists have long visited the statue of St John of Nepomuk on the bridge over the Vltava River. But many are now stopping at a nearby Pietà sculpture to pose like Depeche Mode members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore in a famous 1988 photograph. The band first visited Prague in March 1988, when the city was part of communist Czechoslovakia, for a landmark concert. They returned in November with Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn, who photographed them around the city. The pictures were later published in his book, “Depeche Mode: Strangers.” One black-and-white photograph showing Gahan and Gore beside the Pietà sculpture has become particularly popular among fans. Fans have been visiting the location for years, but interest appears to have grown after photos of a large gathering on the bridge during the band's Prague concerts in 2024 circulated online. The recreation has now gained millions of views on social media. Jorge Sanchez, from California, visited the spot with his wife after learning about the photograph. “I remember seeing the picture from way back,” he said. “Then I looked it up and learned that it was here, so I wanted to make sure I took a picture.” Austrian visitors Maria Hofer and Lara Hinteregger said they discovered the trend on Pinterest and TikTok. “We just saw this on Pinterest or on TikTok, and it's kind of one of the most famous pictures you can take here in Prague,” Hofer said. Hinteregger said they also liked Depeche Mode's music and felt it matched the atmosphere of Prague. The nearby statue of St John Nepomuk commemorates the 14th-century priest who was tortured and killed after refusing to reveal the queen's confession. His body was thrown into the Vltava River from Charles Bridge. Local tradition says touching the engravings on the statue's pedestal brings good luck and ensures a return to Prague.

Rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach early Thursday and charged with battery after a woman he was living with told police that he assaulted her, authorities said. Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, turned himself in at the Miami Beach Police Station, two days after the woman reported the alleged incident to police. According to online court records, Ross faces a felony charge of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor battery charge. Ross, 50, has denied the allegations through his attorney, Steve Sadow, who said the rapper was being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose motives were unclear. “The ex did not even file a police report until a month after the claimed incident allegedly took place,” Sadow said in a statement. “Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges.” Sadow asked Ross' supporters and the public not to prejudge the case and to allow the legal process to continue. Ross was released from jail later Thursday after posting a $5,000 cash bond, court records showed. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22. According to a police report, the woman told Miami Beach detectives that she had been living with Ross on Aug. 28 when he accused her of cheating on him and allegedly struck her several times. She also alleged that Ross choked her using the collar of her shirt and pushed her into a wall. She said she eventually left the home and returned later, after Ross had left, to collect her belongings. Ross pleaded no contest in 2017 to an aggravated assault charge stemming from a 2015 incident at his suburban Atlanta mansion. He was accused of forcing a man into a guesthouse and beating him with a handgun. Under Georgia's first-offender program, a court later issued an order exonerating Ross of guilt on the felony charge, according to court records. Ross, a longtime South Florida resident, rose to fame in 2006 with his debut single “Hustlin'.” He became a major figure in Southern hip-hop during the 2000s, when Atlanta and Houston were among the genre's main centers. “Hustlin'” was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and led to a bidding war before Ross signed with Def Jam Records, then headed by Jay-Z. His debut album, “Port of Miami,” also went platinum and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was followed by several successful albums, including “Trilla” in 2008 and “Deeper Than Rap” in 2009. Ross has received nine Grammy Award nominations. In 2008, he founded Maybach Music Group, which helped launch or expand the careers of artists including Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana. His latest album, “Set In Stone,” was released in July.

Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan is set to reunite with ‘Priyotoma’ director Himel Ashraf for a new film titled ‘Mohabbat’, produced by Arshad Adnan. The film was officially announced Thursday evening, with the makers confirming its release for Eid-ul-Azha 2027. Announcing the project on Facebook, Himel, Arshad and Shakib wrote, “Sometimes love comes with a price, a promise and a struggle… Introducing Mohabbat, the beginning of a new story and a new journey. See you next Qurbani Eid!” Within about an hour of the poster’s release, ‘Mohabbat’ and Shakib Khan began trending on social media. The post from Shakib’s official Facebook page had garnered more than 50,000 reactions, nearly 4,000 comments and around 1,000 shares. Himel Ashraf previously directed Shakib Khan in ‘Priyotoma’ and ‘Rajkumar’, both of which were produced by Arshad Adnan. ‘Mohabbat’ will mark their third collaboration with Shakib. Details about the film’s story, Shakib’s co-star and the shooting schedule have yet to be announced. However, sources said the film may feature a foreign actress opposite Shakib Khan.