United News of Bangladesh

Taylor Swift has officially announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. The surprise announcement came via Swift’s website just after a countdown ended at 12:12 a.m. on Tuesday. While no exact release date was given, her site noted that vinyl versions of the album are expected to ship before October 13. Speculation about Swift’s next album had been building for weeks. On Monday, her marketing team, Taylor Nation, posted a TikTok slideshow featuring 12 images of Swift dressed in orange, captioned with the phrase, “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’” A limited-edition vinyl of the album, described as “Portofino orange glitter,” is available for pre-order, along with a special cassette version. Adding to the buzz, fans connected a cryptic post from the New Heights podcast — hosted by Swift’s boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce — which shared an orange image featuring a mysterious silhouette. Many fans guessed it hinted at Swift’s appearance. Early Tuesday, the podcast confirmed Swift would be a guest on an upcoming episode, releasing a teaser that showed her revealing the new album from a briefcase. The artwork for the album remains blurred, both on the podcast and her website. The Life of a Showgirl is Swift’s follow-up to The Tortured Poets Department, which she announced at the 2024 Grammys and released during her history-making Eras Tour — a global run that grossed more than $2.2 billion, becoming the highest-earning tour ever. This marks Swift’s first album release since she fully regained ownership of her music catalog. In May, she announced that she had purchased the rights to her early recordings, which were originally under Big Machine Records but later sold to Shamrock Capital. She did not reveal the purchase price. Over the past few years, Swift has been re-recording her first six albums as part of her mission to reclaim control over her work. The project began after Scooter Braun's controversial acquisition of her original masters. Each re-recorded release — dubbed "Taylor’s Version" — has included new songs “from the vault,” hidden clues, and fresh visuals. So far, four re-recordings have been released: Fearless and Red in 2021, followed by Speak Now and 1989 in 2023. Each debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and Swift now holds the record for the most No. 1 albums by a female artist.

Bollywood actor-producer John Abraham says his decision to keep his marriage with banker Priya Runchal away from the spotlight has helped them maintain a “scandal-free” life. The couple, who wed in 2014, make only occasional public appearances and social media posts together. Speaking to India Today, John said their low profile is intentional. “That is a very conscious decision, because my films have nothing to do with my personal life,” he noted. In over two decades in the industry, he has never hired a publicist or agent, preferring to avoid manufactured publicity. “Once my films are over, I go into my shell and only come out when I have something relevant to say,” said the actor, whose film Tehran premieres on ZEE5 on August 15, 2025. Bigg Boss 19: Wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim may join Salman Khan’s reality show John also said it was easy to avoid the party circuit, as he was never fond of Bollywood gatherings. “I never went to parties even before marriage. The music is too loud, I don’t drink, and I sleep early — waking up by 4–4:30 am to read and follow world news,” he shared. He credited Priya for adding “maturity” to their relationship and for choosing to stay out of the limelight. Source: NDTV 

Paramount will become the exclusive broadcaster for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events across the United States starting next year, following a seven-year agreement announced Monday with TKO Group. Under the deal, Paramount will stream all 13 major UFC numbered events and 30 “Fight Nights” annually on its platform Paramount+. Selected marquee events will also air simultaneously on CBS. The new arrangement marks a shift from UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model, aiming to reach a broader audience nationwide. “Paramount’s strength lies in the vast reach of our linear and streaming platforms,” said David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount. “Live sports remain a core part of our strategy to boost engagement, subscriber growth, and loyalty. Adding UFC’s year-round events is a major win for us.” Trump attends UFC Championship in New Jersey, pausing Musk feud for night of fights Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, said the deal will deepen fan engagement and provide UFC athletes with “a compelling new stage.” Currently, UFC events air on ESPN, which offers tiered pricing across its TV network and streaming service ESPN+. That partnership runs through the end of 2025. The seven-year contract between Paramount and TKO is valued at an average of $1.1 billion annually — nearly double the estimated $550 million ESPN pays yearly for UFC coverage. Paramount’s unified streaming approach will simplify access for fans, offering all UFC content on Paramount+ with a monthly subscription fee, eliminating separate pay-per-view charges. Paramount also plans to explore UFC broadcasting rights outside the U.S. as they become available. The announcement follows Paramount’s recent acquisition by Skydance after a lengthy ownership transition. New Paramount CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has emphasized expanding technology and direct-to-consumer streaming. Shares of TKO — which also owns WWE — rose more than 5.4% in Monday trading following the news. Source: Agency

It’s August, and horror and humor came to play. In a month that’s long been known to let edgier movies thrive, Zach Cregger’s highly anticipated horror film “Weapons” did not disappoint, topping the box office during its debut weekend with $42.5 million domestically from 3,202 theaters. It made $70 million internationally. The film’s success also handed its distributor, Warner Bros. Pictures, the seventh No. 1 opening of the year, and became the studio’s sixth film in a row to debut with over $40 million domestically. “Freakier Friday,” Disney’s chaotic sequel to the 2003 classic, “Freaky Friday,” took the second spot during its premiere weekend, earning $29 million in 3,975 North American theaters. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return, this time for a double body-swapping between the mother-daughter duo and Lohan’s teen daughter and soon-to-be stepdaughter. Viral marketing tactics, coupled with strong social media word-of-mouth, boded well for both films’ success, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the data firm Comscore. “The top two films could not be more different, and that’s what makes this weekend so appealing for moviegoers,” Dergarabedian said. “Both are perfectly tailored for their audiences to react in real time over the weekend to these films and then post on social media.” “Weapons” transports audiences to the small town of Maybrook, where 17 kids up and leave their homes at 2:17 a.m., leaving bewildered parents in their wake. The town is left to navigate the lingering effects of trauma through horror, paranoia and a touch of existential humor. The film is Cregger’s follow-up to his solo directorial debut with the 2022 genre-bending horror, “Barbarian.” That critically-acclaimed film had a slower start and smaller budget, but still topped the charts during its premiere with $10 million domestically and made a splash in the genre. “Weapons” generated a lot of buzz for its strong reviews (95% on Rotten Tomatoes). “The Internet’s exploding right now between Friday and today. You just see that people are having a great time with it,” said Jeffrey Goldstein, president of Global Distribution for Warner Bros. “It starts with an exceptional movie, an exceptional marketing campaign, and the date was exceptional too.” The success of the comedy-horror double premiere meant “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” surrendered its two-week run in the top spot and landed in the third position, bringing in $15.5 million domestically. The superhero movie enjoyed a strong $118 million debut, but stumbled in its second weekend. “The Bad Guys 2,” which got a healthy start at the No. 2 spot during its premiere weekend, came in fourth place, earning $10.4 million domestically. “The Naked Gun” had a similar fate, reaching the fifth position with $8.4 million in North American theaters. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which came in seventh this week, is expected to hit $800 million globally by Monday, according to NBC Universal, following a successful run in theaters. Warner Bros. started off slow this year, but made a comeback with the box-office hit, “A Minecraft Movie,” which opened with $157 million domestically. Since then, movies like “Sinners,” “Superman” and now, “Weapons,” have found success. The studio set “a blueprint to how to create a perfect summer lineup,” Dergarabedian said. “Weapons ”also joins a stream of successful horror movies this year, its opening numbers coming in just behind “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “Sinners.” Top 10 movies by domestic box officeWith final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1. “Weapons,” $42.5 million. 2. “Freakier Friday,” $29 million. 3. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $15.5 million. 4. “The Bad Guys 2,” $10.4 million. 5. “The Naked Gun,” $8.4 million. 6. “Superman,” $7.8 million. 7. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $4.7 million. 8. “F1: The Movie,” $2.9 million. 9. “Together,” $2.6 million. 10. “Sketch,” $2.5 million.

The Russian House in Dhaka has recently held a special screening of the 10th International Folk Song Festival "Dobrovidenie," dedicated to the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The event introduced Bangladeshi youth to the rich traditions of Russian folk music, cultural values and spiritual heritage.  

Rumours about a romantic relationship between Asha Bhosle’s granddaughter Zanai Bhosle and Indian cricketer Mohammed Siraj sparked after a photo from Zanai’s 23rd birthday went viral on social media. What happened?On Raksha Bandhan, Zanai and Siraj put the speculation to rest. Zanai posted a video on Instagram showing her tying a Rakhi on Siraj’s wrist. Her caption read, “Happy Rakhi. Ek hazaron mein... Couldn’t have asked for better.” Social media reactionsUsers responded with humour, posting comments like, “We thought she was sister-in-law, but she’s sister,” and “This went out of syllabus.” Due to the growing attention, Zanai and Siraj disabled comments on the post. BackgroundThe viral birthday photo showed Zanai in a black sequined dress and Siraj in black casual wear, which triggered assumptions of a dating relationship. Taran Adarsh on Saiyaara’s potential to cross ₹500 crore in India Zanai is gearing up for her Bollywood debut in the upcoming film The Pride Of Bharat - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, playing Rani Sai Bhonsale, wife of the Maratha king. Besides acting, she is trained in singing and dancing. She comes from a celebrated musical lineage as the granddaughter of legendary singer Asha Bhosle. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj has been making headlines for his cricket achievements, notably during India’s Test series win in England, where his nine wickets at the Oval boosted him to a career-best 15th in the ICC Test rankings. Former great Wasim Akram praised him as now leading India’s bowling attack. Earlier, in November 2024, Siraj was linked romantically to Bigg Boss star Mahira Sharma, sparking rumours after he liked her Instagram posts. Reports suggested a budding relationship, though neither confirmed it publicly. Source: NDTV 

The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), under the aegis of the High Commission of India in Dhaka, organised a special Rabindra Sangeet evening on Thursday titled 'Rabindra Sandhya' to commemorate the 84th death anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Held at the Indian Cultural Centre in the capital’s Gulshan, the event featured performances by noted Tagore artistes Tanjina Toma and Debolina Sur, who presented several of Tagore’s most cherished songs, reflecting the spiritual depth and emotive richness of his work. Director of IGCC, Ann Mary George, paid tribute to the Bard of Bengal, calling the evening “a celebration of the life and legacy of a visionary whose words and melodies continue to echo across generations and borders.” “Tagore was not only a literary genius but also a profound thinker, educator, and cultural reformer. In many ways, he remains a living bridge between our two nations,” she said, referring to Tagore's compositions ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’, the national anthems of Bangladesh and India respectively.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised a commemorative discussion and cultural programme titled ‘Austachole Rabi’ (The Sun Sets with Rabi) on Thursday evening, marking the 84th death anniversary of the polymath, Nobel Laureate and Bard of Bengal – Rabindranath Tagore. The event took place at the National Art Gallery Auditorium of BSA at 7 pm, arranged by the academy’s Music, Dance and Recitation Department. Mohammad Wares Hossain, Secretary and Acting Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, presided over the programme, while Mehjabeen Rahman, Director of the department, delivered the welcome speech. Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Wares Hossain said, “Rabi Thakur – Rabindranath Tagore – was a man of many talents; his genius spanned literature, music, visual art and more. We remember his contributions with deep reverence." "A significant portion of his work is deeply rooted in Bangladesh – its nature, its people, and its culture. These connections helped elevate his work to unparalleled popularity," he added.

Bangladesh’s first-ever manga Kinsa Khyong has celebrated its 9th anniversary with an important legal milestone as the Bangladesh Copyright Office recognised it as the country’s first manga and its creators Shantona Shantuma as the first manga artists of the country. Originally published in the October 2016 issue of Kishore Alo, the country’s most widely circulated juvenile magazine, Kinsa Khyong is based on a Marma legend centering the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, said a press release. Its adaptation into manga form received widespread acclamation from readers and was also praised by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh for its cultural significance. Shantona Shantuma have gone on to pioneer a new art form—Bangladeshi manga—by fusing traditional Bengali stories with the aesthetics of Japanese manga. Their notable works include the Agnijoddha series published by Panjeree Publications Ltd and several other acclaimed titles like Locker er Chithi, Tanaporen, Bashap, Protik, Shikar, Bohurupee, and Augustbabur Diary. This copyright win is seen as a significant step forward for intellectual property protection in Bangladesh’s creative sectors, said the press release. To mark both the legal victory and the 9th anniversary of Kinsa Khyong, Shantona Shantuma have planned to organise commemorative events aimed at engaging both longtime fans and new readers of Bangladeshi manga.

Pooja Sengupta, artistic director of the Turongomi Repertory Dance Theatre, has been invited as a visiting fellow at ‘Singapore Raffles Music College’ (SRMC) to conduct a Dance Theatre Masterclass, from August 12 to 13, 2025 in Singapore. Pooja will lead a masterclass on the fundamentals of her innovative approach to dance theatre production, combining both theoretical insights and practical application. “This opportunity is a testament to the growing global interest in South Asian and Bangladeshi dance traditions,” she said, adding, “I am honoured to represent Turongomi and Bangladesh on this platform, and I look forward to a meaningful exchange with the students and faculty in Singapore.” Pooja is a dedicated researcher focusing on original and community-based dance forms of Bangladesh. Her pioneering work includes documentation and analysis of traditional dances such as those practiced by tea garden workers in Sreemangal, Aroti or Dhunochi dance practiced in both rural and urban areas of Bangladesh during festivals, highlighting cultural narratives that are often overlooked. She has previously led masterclasses, professional workshops, performance, research work, and talk at Bangkok University, Beijing Dance Academy, Capital Normal University- Beijing, Northwest Normal University, China, Dance Xchange Philippines, Herzen State University, St Petersburg, Russia and at various international festivals in Indonesia, Philippines, India, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam. Turongomi continues to support and promote original dance theatre from Bangladesh on the international stage through collaborations, performances, and academic initiatives. Turongomi is a leading dance theatre repertory and training institution based in Dhaka. Founded by Pooja Sengupta, it is dedicated to creating original, socially conscious dance works rooted in South Asian traditions while engaging global audiences through education, research, and performance, said a media release. Since its establishment in 2014, Turongomi has been working toward developing a distinct dance style in Bangladesh and promoting professionalism in dance.