United News of Bangladesh

Coke Studio Bangla has released its fifth track of Season 3 titled 'Long Distance Love', premiered on Wednesday night across YouTube and all of its social platforms. The song has been performed by rising stars Ankan Kumar and Sheikh Mumtahina Mehzabin Afrin. Music for the track was composed by Shuvendu Das Shuvo, and the lyrics were jointly penned by Ankan and Canada-based Bangladeshi singer-songwriter Pragata Naoha. On its official YouTube channel, Coke Studio Bangla described the song as: “In a world where voices cross oceans in seconds and connection is only a click away, #LongDistanceLove still finds a way to test the heart. Silence lingers, words remain unsaid, and miles exist without measure." "This song captures that quiet void, the echo of waiting, the ache of being near yet apart. From the soulful composition of Shuvendu Das Shuvo and the heartfelt words of Ankan, it drifts through the spaces technology cannot fill, like unsent letters carried by the wind. It’s a reminder of the #RealMagic that survives beyond closeness and absence, the kind of love that lingers in whispers, memories, and stars too far to hold, yet too close to forget,” it stated. The music video, directed by Adnan Al Rajeev and produced by Runout Productions, was shot inside an abandoned gallery where contemporary dancers depict the struggles and resilience of love across distance. Season 3 of Coke Studio Bangla began on April 13, 2024, featuring 180 musicians and artistes. After releasing its third track 'Obak Bhalobasha' on May 25, the platform went on a yearlong break before returning on August 23 with 'Baaji', composed, directed and performed by noted musician Emon Chowdhury alongside singer-songwriter Hashim Mahmud, the original creator of the song. Launched in 2022, Coke Studio Bangla has already gifted audiences a number of widely appreciated songs before the start of its third season.

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) has inaugurated the exhibition 'A Drawing Room' by emerging artist Hridita Anisha on Tuesday at its La Galerie, Dhanmondi in the capital. The exhibition offers visitors a whimsical and emotive journey into drawings and illustrations infused with nostalgia and imagination. Through this showcase, Anisha evokes the landscapes of her childhood — where cats, fishes, and fantastical creatures roamed freely — transforming the gallery into a living, breathing space of creativity. What sets 'A Drawing Room' apart is its participatory nature. Throughout the exhibition, Anisha will be present daily, drawing directly onto the gallery walls while inviting both children and adults to contribute their own lines and symbols.  Visitors are encouraged to join in by sketching simple elements such as the sun, birds, huts, cats or fishes, making the exhibition an evolving and collaborative display.

A special musical evening featuring a guitar orchestra (Orchestra Kithara) along with instrumental and vocal performances was held on Monday at the auditorium of the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh in the capital’s Dhanmondi. Organised in collaboration with the Spanish Guitar (Afternoon) Center of the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA), Waizghat, Dhaka, the event was supported by the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh. The 70-minute programme was conducted by Ashraf Mahmud Uzzal, who led a repertoire blending Western and South Asian traditions. A total of 28 guitarists performed celebrated local and international pieces, captivating the audience with their artistry. Founded in 1955, BAFA is one of the country’s leading fine arts institutions, offering instruction and research in music, dance, painting and other art forms. Over the decades, the academy has nurtured generations of singers, musicians and dancers, while also representing Bangladesh abroad through cultural delegations. The institution continues to play a vital role in major national and cultural events, including Martyrs' Day, Independence Day, Pahela Baishakh and the birth anniversaries of eminent figures, inspiring future generations to embrace both South Asian and Western artistic traditions.

Rick Davies, co-founder, singer and songwriter of the British rock band Supertramp, has died at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer, the band announced Monday. Davies, who co-wrote many of the band’s biggest hits with Roger Hodgson, died Saturday from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer he had fought for more than a decade. Supertramp, founded in 1969, produced classics including “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “Give a Little Bit.” Their 1979 album “Breakfast in America” sold over 18 million copies, topped charts in the US and Canada, and won two Grammys. The band described Davies as the “voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs” whose soulful vocals and signature Wurlitzer sound shaped their music. Born in Swindon, England in 1944, Davies revived Supertramp in 1996 after it disbanded in 1988, with the group performing for the last time in Madrid in 2012.

Arijit Singh once again captivated audiences with his soulful performance, but his recent concert in London ended unexpectedly when venue authorities cut the power mid-performance due to a curfew violation. A touching rendition of Saiyaara — originally sung by Faheem Abdullah — was interrupted, sparking a buzz online. Videos circulating on social media show Arijit emotionally singing Saiyaara while fans sang along, creating a heartfelt moment. However, once the clock passed the 10:30 PM curfew, the stadium staff allegedly shut off the power, preventing Arijit from finishing the performance or saying goodbye to his audience. An Instagram post by @thewhatup shared the viral video, stating, “London stadium allegedly cut power at Arijit Singh's show without letting him say goodbye or finish the song due to curfew time of 10:30 PM. Meanwhile, the video of him singing Saiyaara at the concert is trending.” The incident sparked mixed reactions online. While many fans expressed disappointment over the abrupt ending, others supported the move, citing the UK’s strict enforcement of noise regulations. This dramatic end comes on the heels of Arijit Singh’s recent global milestones. In July, he surpassed Taylor Swift to become the most-followed artist on Spotify. Just a month earlier, he collaborated with Ed Sheeran on the hit song Sapphire, which also featured a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan and quickly went viral. Source: NDTV      

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), honoured legendary singer Sabina Yasmin with a special recognition on Sunday evening at the National Theatre Hall of the Academy, followed by her solo musical performance. Anchored by noted actor Afzal Hossain, the programme, titled 'Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy', began with a one-minute silence in memory of recently deceased writer and researcher Badruddin Umar. A documentary featuring reflections on Yasmin from Syed Abdul Hadi, Naquib Khan, Richard Kishore, Partha Barua, Chandan Dutta, Maksud Jamil Mintu, Habib Wahid, Asifur Rahman Agun, Zahid Nirob, Foad Nasser Babu and Sunil Chandra, was then screened; followed by a dance performance by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy artistes on the song 'Gitimoy Sei Din Chirodin Bujhi Ar Elo Na'. Welcoming the audience, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “If anyone wants to dominate, they first deny your history and then your culture - that is always the first step of an invasion; but in today’s Bangladesh, we want to address both. Tonight, we celebrate one of our greatest cultural treasures, Sabina Yasmin — not only through her music, but also with recognition from the state.” Farooki added, “This honour was planned from the Cultural Affairs Ministry; but yesterday evening, when I asked our Chief Adviser if this recognition could be given from his office, he immediately said he would be humbled to do that.” On behalf of the government, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud handed over the honour to Yasmin, saying, “She is truly our pride and legend. I still remember, as a young university student in the late 1960s, Sabina Yasmin was already a source of glory for us at the dawn of Bangla cinema and music.” Among the distinguished guests were Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and BSA Secretary and acting Director General Mohammad Wares Hossain. Tributes followed as singers and artistes reminisced about Sabina Yasmin. Veteran singer Khurshid Alam said, “Sabina Apa’s songs enriched Bangla music immensely. Thanks to her musically inclined family, we got such a treasure." "I thank the Ministry and Shilpakala Academy for honouring her in her lifetime, though I regret they didn’t even have my address when inviting me, which is unfortunate,” Khurshid Alam said at the event.

Netflix’s Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 premiered this week, bringing more mystery, darker visuals, and intense drama at Nevermore Academy. Amid the suspense, a fan-made crossover edit of Wednesday and the 2007 Bollywood hit Om Shanti Om went viral. The mashup pairs the dark Dastaan-E-Om Shanti song with Wednesday’s moody atmosphere. In the video, Wednesday Addams walks through the academy, evoking Shantipriya’s haunting presence. Bianca Barclay is then held hostage by Barry Dort, only for Ajax Petropolus to use his gorgon powers to turn Dort to stone. A chandelier crashes onto the statue, echoing the villain’s fate in Om Shanti Om. Fans loved the crossover. One wrote, “Even the jhoomar was so accurate,” while another said, “I swear I was thinking the same while watching this!” Others praised Wednesday’s resemblance to Shantipriya in her black dress. Wednesday Season 2 is split into two parts, each with four episodes. Part 1 premiered on August 6, 2025, and Part 2 on September 3. The series follows Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) at Nevermore Academy as she solves supernatural mysteries, struggles with her psychic powers, and faces new family and academy challenges, including Enid Sinclair’s werewolf transformation and Lady Gaga’s ghostly Professor Rosaline Rotwood.   Source: NDTV

The 31-year-old popstar has surprised fans with his second new album of 2025, Swag II, following July’s Swag. Both albums appeared after cryptic billboards teased their arrival in major cities. This eighth album mirrors its predecessor in sound, theme, and energy, offering a 23-track collection for diehard fans—or 44 tracks if played alongside Swag, totaling two hours and 11 minutes. Swag II continues Bieber’s return to his soulful, alternative R&B-pop roots first explored on Swag. Collaborators Mk.gee and Dijon return, along with Lil B and Eddie Benjamin, while new voices include Tems, Hurricane Chris, and Bakar. The album balances romantic odes to his wife Hailey Bieber with religious reflections, most notably in the nearly eight-minute coda, Story of God. Sonically, the dreamy production of Swag carries over. Some tracks feel raw or unfinished, like Dotted Line, while others shine, including Love Song, Petting Zoo, and Michael Jackson-inspired tracks Eye Candy and Don’t Wanna featuring Bakar. Fans will find both experimental moments and heartfelt love songs throughout. Three stars out of five.On repeat: Love SongSkip it: Dotted LineFor fans of: Swag, the Rhode skincare brand, the 2011 film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Sydney Sweeney drew a rousing reception at the Toronto International Film Festival for her performance in Christy, David Michôd’s biopic of trailblazing boxer Christy Salters Martin. The 27-year-old Emmy-nominated actor transforms into the “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” portraying Martin’s rise in boxing alongside her years of abuse by trainer-husband Jim Martin, who later tried to kill her. Ben Foster co-stars as Jim. Sweeney, who trained intensively for the role, called it the experience of her life. Martin, praising the performance, said Sweeney captured both her rugged boxing persona and her private struggles. The screening sparked immediate Oscar buzz, with critics hailing it as Sweeney’s strongest and grittiest performance yet. Christy, co-produced by Sweeney and Black Bear, opens in theaters November 7.

The 82nd Venice Film Festival concludes Saturday with the announcement of its top prizes, including the Golden Lion for best film. This year’s lineup featured several Oscar contenders. Kathryn Bigelow drew attention with her nuclear thriller A House of Dynamite, while Guillermo del Toro presented his gothic Frankenstein starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Park Chan-wook impressed with the satire No Other Choice, and Dwayne Johnson surprised with a dramatic turn in The Smashing Machine. Other highlights included Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, George Clooney’s Hollywood reflection Jay Kelly, and Jude Law as Vladimir Putin in The Wizard of the Kremlin. Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania made waves late in the festival with The Voice of Hind Rajab, a searing Gaza war drama that received a 22-minute standing ovation. Alexander Payne headed the main jury, which also included filmmakers and actors from Brazil, Iran, France, Italy, China and Romania. Past Venice winners such as Lanthimos and del Toro went on to triumph at the Oscars, cementing the festival’s reputation as a launchpad for award season.