Nashville, Aug 29 (AP/UNB) — Chris Stapleton topped the list of finalists Tuesday with five nominations for the 52nd annual Country Music Association Awards.

Stapleton is vying for entertainer of the year, male vocalist of the year, single of the year for "Broken Halos," album of the year for "From A Room: Volume 2" and song of the year for "Broken Halos." It was his third nomination for entertainer of the year and fourth consecutive for male vocalist.

Producer and musician Dann Huff received four nominations, including musician of the year, single of the year for "Drinkin' Problem," album of the year for "Graffiti U," and album of the year for "Life Changes." Huff has won musician of the year three other times.

Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, Midland, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban each received three nominations. This is Urban's 14th nomination for male vocalist of the year.

The year's biggest country song, "Meant To Be," by pop-country crossover artist Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line was nominated for single of the year. Other nominees in that category were Stapleton's "Broken Halos," ''Drinkin' Problem" by Midland, Aldean's "Drowns the Whiskey" featuring Miranda Lambert, and D + Shay's "Tequila."

Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs, Chris Janson, Midland and Brett Young were nominated for new artist.

The nominations were announced from entertainer Luke Bryan's restaurant and bar in Nashville on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"Anytime you're nominated for entertainer of the year, it's so rewarding," Bryan said. "You get to share it with your fans."

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the show on Nov. 14.

Dhaka, July 26 (UNB) - A three-day performance art, an important part of New Media art practice, titled ‘Shilper Shohor’ began in the city on Thursday.

Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) Liaquat Ali Lucky inaugurated the art event in the morning.

A total of 16 artistes from Bangladesh are performing in different places of the city.

‘Shilper Shohor’ is shedding light on the city of Dhaka and its 400-year glorious history together with the prominent culture of Bangladesh.

The initiative planned by Liaquat Ali is taking place to revisit the glorious heritage of Dhaka, and to stir up the artistic conscience among the megacity dwellers.

Different activities, including renditions by Baul singers and cultural performances by child artistes, are being held at various places in the capital.

The event is going to be the main theme of the upcoming 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh (AABB) scheduled to be held in September in Dhaka for the very first time.
 

Dhaka, July 11 (UNB) - UN human rights experts on Wednesday expressed “grave concern” after a court in Myanmar officially charged two Reuters journalists under the 1923 Official Secrets Act in connection with their investigations into a massacre at Inn Din village, Rakhine State.

“We strongly reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and that all charges be dropped,” said special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee and special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye. 

They said the prosecution criminalises investigative journalism reporting on human rights violations in the Rakhine State, issues of the highest public interest, according to a statement received from Geneva. 

The two reporters, who were arrested last December, were charged on Monday with obtaining secret state documents. The Official Secrets Act carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

The special rapporteurs previously have urged greater press freedom after the journalists’ detention and called on the Government of Myanmar to drop the prosecution charges.

“We are also deeply troubled that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are held in deplorable conditions - incommunicado at the outset of their detention, and now lack access to medical treatment and sleep deprivation.”

The UN experts urged Myanmar to respect press freedom and the public’s right to know, so that journalists can carry out their duties freely and safely. 

They also called for the review and ultimate revision of the Official Secrets Act in line with Myanmar’s obligations under international law. 

The special rapporteurs will continue to be in contact with the Myanmar authorities concerning the case, reads the statement.