United News of Bangladesh

A rare copy of Action Comics No. 1, the 1938 issue that first introduced Superman, has been sold in a private deal for $15 million, setting a record for a comic book sale, according to brokers involved in the transaction. The comic, once stolen from Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage and later recovered, was purchased by an anonymous collector. The sale was confirmed Friday by New York-based Metropolis Collectibles/ComicConnect, which negotiated the deal. Both the buyer and the seller chose to remain unidentified. Action Comics No. 1, originally priced at just 10 cents, is widely regarded as the foundation of the modern superhero genre. Fewer than 100 copies are believed to still exist. The sold copy was graded 9 out of 10 by Certified Guaranty Company, making it one of the highest-rated versions known. This particular comic has a dramatic history. Cage bought it in 1996 for $150,000, a record at the time. It was stolen during a party at his home in 2000 and remained missing for more than a decade before being discovered in a California storage unit in 2011. Cage later sold it at auction for $2.2 million. The previous comic record was set in November, when Superman No. 1 sold for $9.12 million. Collectibles experts say the comic’s rarity, condition and high-profile backstory significantly boosted its value, cementing its status as an icon of American pop culture. With inputs from BBC

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan faced difficulty leaving a location in Surat after a small crowd surge broke out during his visit to the city. The incident occurred when he stopped by the Pal-area residence of his friend, businessman Sunil Shah, at Casa Rivera. Bachchan had traveled to Surat to attend the inauguration of Season 3 of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), which begins this evening at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium. Several former cricketers and film celebrities are taking part in the opening ceremony. After landing at Surat Airport in the afternoon, the actor went directly to Shah’s home, where the crowd gathered. A video circulating on social media shows Bachchan standing outside the building as a large group of fans surrounded him. Amid the commotion, a glass entrance gate reportedly shattered and collapsed. Some individuals suffered minor injuries during the incident. Police personnel were present at the scene to manage security and crowd control. The ISPL Season 3 officially kicks off on Friday at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium and will run for a month. The tournament features fast-paced tennis-ball T10 matches and celebrates India’s vibrant street-cricket culture, according to an official ISPL statement. Amitabh Bachchan proud as grandson Agastya Nanda debuts in Ikkis Earlier in the day, Bachchan was spotted at Kalina Airport in Mumbai, where he acknowledged photographers with a wave before departing. Work update Amitabh Bachchan was most recently seen in Vettaiyan, directed by T.J. Gnanavel. The film also featured Rajinikanth, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan, Rohini, Rao Ramesh, Abhirami, and Ramesh Thilak. Details about Bachchan’s upcoming projects have not yet been officially announced.

Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner has spoken about the emotional pain she went through after her separation from actor Ben Affleck, saying losing a true partnership and friendship was very hard for her. In an interview with Marie Claire, Garner said the most difficult part was the breakup of their family. She said the loss of trust, companionship and friendship was what hurt the most. Garner and Affleck got married in 2005 and separated in 2015. Their divorce was finalised in 2018. The couple now co-parent their three children, Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. Garner said she has reached a stage where they can raise their children together with peace and understanding. She said time helps people heal, forgive and move forward, and it also helps rebuild friendship in a new way. Garner also stressed the importance of close personal relationships in building emotional strength. She said spending time with loved ones gives her the resilience to face life’s challenges. On media gossip, Garner said she avoids reading stories about herself and her family as it does not help her or her children.   With inputs from NDTV

Netflix has announced its full slate of series and films for 2026, promising a packed year for viewers with the return of several popular shows and the launch of new titles. The streaming giant shared updates on its most awaited projects, including new seasons of Emily in Paris, Bridgerton and One Piece, along with the much-anticipated Peaky Blinders film. Season six of Emily in Paris will continue the story of Emily, a young marketing executive from Chicago, as she navigates life, work and love in Paris. Bridgerton season four will premiere on January 29, with part two arriving on February 26. The new season will focus on Benedict Bridgerton and his romantic journey after meeting a mysterious woman at a masquerade ball. Fans will also see the return of One Piece in March with its second season. The story follows Luffy and the Straw Hats as they sail into the dangerous and magical Grand Line in search of the world’s greatest treasure. Avatar: The Last Airbender season two will show Aang, Katara and Sokka seeking the help of the Earth King to fight Fire Lord Ozai. Netflix will also release Enola Holmes season three, which takes the young detective to Malta for a new and dangerous case. The British crime drama film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man will stream from March 20. It follows Tommy Shelby as he returns from exile to face his toughest challenge yet. Netflix said the 2026 lineup aims to offer action, drama, adventure and romance for viewers around the world.   With inputs from NDTV

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra Jonas will be one of the presenters at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, scheduled for Sunday, January 11, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The organisers released the full list of presenters on the official Golden Globes X account. Alongside Priyanka Chopra, the lineup features Hollywood stars Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, Orlando Bloom, Pamela Anderson, Macaulay Culkin, Melissa McCarthy, Snoop Dogg, and Queen Latifah, among others. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ from 8 pm to 11 pm ET. On the nominations front, One Battle After Another leads with nine nods, followed by Sentimental Value with eight, Sinners with seven, and Hamnet with six. In television, The White Lotus tops the list with six nominations. Priyanka Chopra is also starring in SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, set for release during Sankranti 2027, and will appear in The Bluff, releasing on Prime Video in February.   With inputs from NDTV

Hollywood stars Dwayne Johnson, George Clooney and Julia Roberts have missed out on the longlist for this year’s Bafta Film Awards. The longlist, often seen as an early indicator of Oscar success, was announced on Thursday. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, leads the list with 16 mentions. The final nominations for each category, including six actors per category, will be announced on January 27. Clooney, Johnson and Roberts are all nominated for Golden Globes this weekend for their films Jay Kelly, The Smashing Machine and After the Hunt, respectively. Despite missing the Bafta longlist, Johnson’s performance in The Smashing Machine received a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Clooney’s role in Jay Kelly has been widely praised, while Roberts is in the running for a Golden Globe for her role in After the Hunt. Several other films and actors have also made the Bafta longlist. Hamnet and Sinners received 14 mentions each, while Marty Supreme appeared 13 times. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Cillian Murphy, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are among the actors on the list. Some films and actors were excluded entirely. Daniel Day-Lewis’s comeback film Anemone and Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere did not make the longlist. The longlist also highlights British cinema. Films such as I Swear, The Ballad of Wallis Island, and Kate Winslet’s directorial debut Goodbye June received multiple mentions.   With inputs from BBC

The release of Vijay’s highly awaited film Jana Nayagan has been officially delayed in several overseas markets, including the UK, the US, Canada and Malaysia, following an ongoing dispute related to its censor certification. The postponement was confirmed on January 7 by the film’s international distributors, just two days before its scheduled theatrical release. Distributors confirm delay Read More: Leonardo DiCaprio on the importance of creating cinema over content at Palm Springs Film Festival Overseas distributors announced the decision through statements shared on X. The Malaysian distributor said the film’s planned January 9, 2026 release has been pushed back due to unexpected circumstances, adding that they are awaiting further direction from the production team. The distributor noted that a revised release date will be announced once it is finalised and urged fans to remain patient. Supporters were also asked not to circulate unverified or misleading information from unofficial sources, as several arrangements are still being worked out. Read More: Historic Ariana Cinema in Kabul demolished for shopping complex The statement concluded by appealing for calm and unity while awaiting a favourable resolution, thanking fans for their continued support. Source: NDTV

Lionsgate has announced a sequel to the box-office success The Housemaid, just weeks after the film’s release starring Sydney Sweeney. The studio said production on The Housemaid’s Secret will begin later this year. The sequel will be based on the second book in author Freida McFadden’s bestselling thriller trilogy. Released during the holiday season, The Housemaid has performed strongly at the box office, earning more than $75 million in North America and about $133 million worldwide within 17 days. Directed by Paul Feig, the psychological thriller was made on a budget of approximately $35 million. Lionsgate said the sequel is being developed with the intention of bringing back both Feig and Sweeney. Sweeney is also expected to return as an executive producer. Rebecca Sonnenshine, who wrote the screenplay for the first film, is working on the sequel script. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson said the film’s financial success and strong audience reaction on social media demonstrated clear demand for a follow-up and curiosity about the next chapter of the story. The Housemaid marked a significant commercial win for Sweeney after her boxing drama Christy, released in November, failed to gain traction at the box office. In the film, Sweeney plays a live-in housemaid hired by a wealthy couple portrayed by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar.

A clip from the 2019 television series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, featuring John Krasinski delivering a forceful speech on Venezuela’s geopolitical significance, has gone viral on social media following the recent US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In the widely shared scene from the show’s second season, Krasinski’s character, CIA analyst Jack Ryan, challenges fellow officers to rethink global threats, drawing attention to Venezuela’s vast oil and mineral reserves and its strategic importance. Social media users have described the moment as “prophetic” in light of the latest developments, according to international media reports. In the clip, Ryan questions why a country rich in natural resources is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, referring to Venezuela as a potential “failed state” and warning that instability so close to the United States could pose serious risks. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is a political action thriller based on characters created by author Tom Clancy and stars Krasinski in the lead role. The series first aired in 2018 and gained popularity for its storylines rooted in contemporary global politics.   With inputs from NDTV

Actor Varun Dhawan has responded to a question regarding the possible release of his upcoming film Border 2 in Pakistan, without confirming whether the film will be screened there. During an interaction on social media platform X, a Pakistani user congratulated Dhawan on the film and asked if it would be released in Pakistan. The user also expressed admiration for Sunny Deol’s character from the Gadar franchise. In his reply, Dhawan did not address the release status in Pakistan. He said Border 2 is based on the 1971 war and certain real-life events, and noted that Sunny Deol has fans in Pakistan as well. The filmmakers have not announced whether Border 2 will be released in Pakistan or face restrictions similar to those imposed on Dhurandhar. Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on January 23, ahead of India’s Republic Day.   With inputs from NDTV