United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast live on Monday (November 17) the verdict in the case over crimes against humanity during last year’s July uprising, involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others. A three-member bench headed by International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder will deliver the judgment. The live verdict will be shown via giant screen at 10 spots of the Dhaka, said MH Tamim, a prosecutor of the ICT.   A foreign news agency has also sought permission for live coverage, the prosecutor said. The prosecution has claimed all five charges against Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun have been proven, seeking the maximum punishment, including the death penalty. In a press briefing on November 13, Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam said they have appealed to the court for the highest penalty. Initially, Sheikh Hasina was the sole accused in the case. On March 16 this year, the prosecution appealed to include former IGP Mamun as an accused alongside Sheikh Hasina and the tribunal approved it. After the Awami League government was toppled on August 5, 2024, the ICT was reconstituted. The first case in the reconstituted tribunal concerned alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising, with Sheikh Hasina as the accused. Tensions rise as ICT going to set verdict date in Hasina case The tribunal conducted its first hearing on October 17 last year, issuing an arrest warrant against Hasina that day. After extending the deadline several times, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its final probe report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on May 12 this year. On June 1, the prosecution formally filed charges against Sheikh Hasina and the two accused. The charges include: - Inciting violence in a press conference at Ganabhaban on 14 July 2024;- Ordering the elimination of protestors using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons;- The shooting death of student Abu Saeed at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur;- The killing of six protestors at Chankharpul, Dhaka;- The burning of six individuals in Ashulia. The tribunal formally framed these charges on July 10. Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain at large, while former IGP Mamun is the only arrested accused. On the day the charges were framed, Mamun admitted his involvement in crimes against humanity during the uprising and applied to testify as a state witness. Arguments in the case began on October 12 and concluded on October 23. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has sought the death penalty for Hasina and Asaduzzaman over the alleged crimes. On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain has sought acquittal for both Hasina and Khan, while Mamun’s lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad has also sought his acquittal. Read more: ICT sets Nov 17 to deliver verdict on Hasina case

Bangladesh Television (BTV) is bringing back its legendary children’s talent hunt show ‘Notun Kuri’, the state-run broadcaster announced on its official social media handles last night (Tuesday), sparking a wave of nostalgia and celebration among viewers. Once a cultural phenomenon in the country’s mono-channel era, Notun Kuri aired on BTV from 1976 until its final broadcast in 2006, discovering generations of young talents in singing, dancing, acting, recitation and other performing arts. The show was originally created by eminent artist Mustafa Monwar and became a launching pad for numerous prominent figures in the arts and entertainment industry. Following Tuesday’s announcement, many of the show's fans, former contestants, and cultural enthusiasts took to social media to share their excitement and fond memories of watching or participating in the programme. BTV has not yet disclosed details about the audition process, broadcast schedule or format changes for the revived season. Bigg Boss 19: Wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim may join Salman Khan’s reality show First aired in 1966 on Pakistan Television and relaunched on BTV after Bangladesh’s independence, ‘Notun Kuri’ became an enduring part of the country’s cultural heritage, known for nurturing young performers from across the nation. Over the decades, ‘Notun Kuri’ introduced audiences to a host of talented youngsters who went on to become household names. These include actors Tarana Halim, Rumana Rashid Ishita, Tarin Jahan, Meher Afroz Shaon, Nusrat Imroz Tisha, Zakia Bari Mamo, Tamalika Karmakar, Sabrin Saka Meem and Azad Rahman Shakil; singers such as Samina Chowdhury, Haimanti Rakshit Das and Mehbooba Mahnoor Chandni; and other cultural figures who went on to make their mark in film, television, theatre and music. For many, the show was not just a competition, but the first step towards lifelong artistic careers. ‘Notun Kuri’ ceased airing in 2006 due to changing media landscapes, financial constraints at BTV, and the emergence of private television channels offering diverse entertainment options. Over time, sustaining the nationwide auditions, live broadcasts, and judging processes became challenging amid shifting programming priorities and limited institutional support. It was previously reported that the show would make its long-awaited return in 2020; however, it did not happen due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite its long hiatus, ‘Notun Kuri’ remains a beloved symbol of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage, and enthusiastic audiences are rejoicing over the announcement of its much-anticipated return.

Mentioning BTV's founding anniversary as an important milestone in the nation's trajectory, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday reminded everyone that the state television channel produced many famous artists in Bangladesh. The minister said this while briefing reporters after paying tribute to the portrait of the Father of the Nation at the beginning of the programme marking the 58th anniversary of Bangladesh Television (BTV) in Rampura of the capital on Sunday afternoon. BTV, BTV World, Sangsad BTV and BTV Chittagong are now four channels under the state's umbrella. Initiatives have been taken to set up full-fledged BTV centres in six more divisional cities, added the minister. Read: No substitute for sports in developing flair: Info Minister He also recalled many BTV officials who gave their lives in the Great Liberation War. "BTV has played an important role in all aspects of the Bengali independence movement, development of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inaugurated the new building of BTV in Rampura. And on March 7, 1971, BTV officials refused to work because they were not allowed to broadcast Bangabandhu's speech," he mentioned. "Since 1964, the role of BTV in nurturing our tradition, in enriching our art-culture, in building the country is really undeniable," the Broadcasting Minister said. Humayun Kabir Khandakar, secretary of the information and broadcasting ministry, Director General of BTV Sohrab Hossain and senior officials were present at that time.  

State-run Bangladesh Television on Friday celebrated the 38th anniversary of its programme ‘Bonophul Theke Lok Lokaloye’, an initiative to preserve and develop the culture and heritage of the ethnic groups. The cultural organizers and artists of Khagrachhari district arranged a program in celebration of the popular show at the Khagrachhari Press Club. In this event, Bandarban artist and organizer Chathuipru Marma, Khagrachhari artist and organizer Amelie Dewan and Anchairi Marma, Painila Chowdhury Rangamati artist and organizer Trishna Tripura were honoured in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the development of the culture of small ethnic groups for 38 years. Read:Bangla Academy confers eminent personalities with Awards, Honorary Fellowship for 2021 The speakers expressed their gratitude to BTV and those associated with the program for preserving and developing the colourful culture, language, attire and heritage of the small ethnic groups of the country including Chittagong Hill Tracts through BTV's programme. Because of this program, the diverse culture and characteristics of the hill people have been protected. Besides, the artists, organizers urged for the continuation of the programme. Chowdhury Ataur Rahman, the organizer and presenter of ‘Bonophul Theke Lok Lokaloye’, educationist Dharmaraj Barua, eminent artist and organizer engineer Jeevan Royaja, former president of Khagrachhari Press Club Dilip Chowdhury, senior journalist Muhammad Abu Daud and joint-editor of Khagrachhari District Sports Association Azhar Hira spoke at the event.

Bangladesh Television will upgrade its centre in Khulna to a full-fledged station before the next national election, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said on Friday. He also announced that the state-run BTV will open centres in the country’s all divisions. This will lead to the development of culture, art, literature and discovery of new talents besides creating jobs. Hasan said this while distributing financial assistance among 75 journalists from Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust, established by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The journalists each received a cheque of Tk. 10,000 at the programme held at the district administration's conference room. Read: BTV transmission begins in India Describing Hasina as a media-friendly PM, the minister said that financial assistance is being given to all journalists irrespective of their ideologies from the welfare trust, first of its kind in the world. He said an amount of Tk 3,500 crore has so far been distributed among 3,000 journalists from this welfare trust, where the prime minister earlier donated Tk. 10 crore from her own fund.

Today marks the 67th birthday of noted thespian, director and artist Afzal Hossain.  Afzal, known for his versatile presence in the media sphere of Bangladesh, was born on July 19, 1954, in Parulia, Satkhira. One of the iconic names in the industry, Afzal Hossain is highly popular in television and film who began his acting career on stage. While studying Fine Arts, he started performing on stage through Dhaka Theater.  Read:Humayun Ahmed’s 9th death anniversary today He entered the world of television in the late seventies and soon became a heartthrob in television dramas during the eighties. His breakthrough was the drama titled 'Rokter Angurlata' aired in 1980 on BTV. Revered to his fans for his creative brilliance and personality, Afzal Hossain is vibrantly present as a well-respected name in the media arena. Several of his plays, television dramas and films are still admired by his audiences. Read:Cumilla lawyer files Tk50 crore defamation case against Mosharraf Karim The actor has recently showcased a critically acclaimed performance in Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's maiden web series 'Ladies & Gentlemen', produced by South Asian OTT giant ZEE5. A man of diverse talents, Afzal Hossain is simultaneously creative as his talents extend to direction, painting and poetry. Recently his paintings got exhibited outside the country. Read:Fakir Alamgir on life support Besides, he is expected to release his debut feature film and new theatre productions after the government lifts the lockdown. As a prolific creative advertisement maker, Afzal Hossain has revolutionized the advertisement industry of the country and is idolized by many successful creative directors in Bangladesh.

Acclaimed both locally and globally, the docudrama titled "Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale", will be rescreened on BTV and BTV World at 3:30 pm on her Homecoming Day on May 17.  Some private television channels will also screen the visual.  On this day in 1981, Sheikh Hasina, now the Prime Minister, at the end of six years of waiting following her father - Bangabandhu's assassination, landed on the country whose flag and freedom owe to the leadership of her father. Read: Hasina greets Freedom Fighters on Eid A phone call from the other end of the world transmitted the most nightmarish news to Sheikh Hasina, now the Prime Minister and Sheikh Rehana that their father, also the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his entire family was assassinated in Bangladesh. That changed the course of their lives and also the course of the history of her land.  The ordeals, the ups and downs, and the turnaround Sheikh Hasina, came across since that moment on August 15, 1975, was narrated in her voice in the docudrama titled "Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale"directed by Piplu Khan. Earlier, the film, produced by —Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Nasrul Hamid Bipu— two trustees of the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), was screened at Dhaka Lit Fest, Bangladesh Film Festival in Kolkata, and International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Read: Don’t let Covid to spike with unguarded Eid celebrations: PM Hasina

Actor Mohiuddin Bahar, best known for his comedic skits on popular magazine programme 'Ittyadi' passed away Monday morning at the age of 63.

Veteran Bangladeshi actor KS Firoz, known for portraying versatile characters in television, theatre and films, passed away on Wednesday at CMH at the age of 76

'Hasina, A Daughter's Tale', a docu-fiction, will be screened on Bangladesh Television and eight other private television channels on Friday marking the National Mourning Day.