United News of Bangladesh

Rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards with nine nods for his latest album GNX, organizers announced Friday. His album is part of a strong showing for hip-hop at this year’s Grammys, alongside Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator and Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, Pusha T and Malice. Other top nominees include Lady Gaga, producer Jack Antonoff and singer Sabrina Carpenter. The 2026 Grammy Awards will be held on February 1 in Los Angeles. In the album of the year category, nominees include Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny, Swag by Justin Bieber, Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter, Mayhem by Lady Gaga, Mutt by Leon Thomas, and Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator. Lamar’s collaboration “luther” with SZA earned a nomination for record of the year, while Billie Eilish, Rosé, and Bruno Mars were also among the contenders in key categories. The nominations reflect a diverse mix of pop, hip-hop, and Latin music stars, marking another competitive year for the Grammy stage.   Source: NDTV

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has filed a new lawsuit against his ex-wife Angelina Jolie over the sale of their shared French winery, Château Miraval. According to People magazine, Pitt’s legal team recently submitted fresh documents in court, presenting communications between Jolie’s representatives regarding her 2021 sale of her stake in the winery, which the former couple co-owned. The filings included an email from November 2023 in which Jolie’s lawyers responded to Pitt’s claims for $35 million in damages. They argued that Pitt “created his own burdens” by initiating the lawsuit and must now bear the cost of producing documents that may or may not support his damage claims. Jolie’s team also alleged that Pitt was seeking ongoing compensation for harm to Miraval’s business operations and continued to withhold documents explaining the need for a four-year non-disclosure agreement covering alleged personal misconduct. Pitt first sued Jolie in 2022, claiming she violated their agreement by selling her share without his consent. The legal battle has since dragged on, with both sides accusing each other of withholding information. The next court hearing is scheduled for December 17. Pitt and Jolie, who share six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox — separated in 2016 after 12 years together. They finalized their divorce in December 2024.   Source: NDTV

The first teaser for Michael, the much-awaited biopic about pop legend Michael Jackson, has finally arrived. Released on Thursday, November 6, the preview offers audiences their first look at Jaafar Jackson portraying his iconic uncle. The film is slated for release in April 2026. Since the teaser’s debut, fans have been asking—who is the actor playing Michael Jackson? Why does he look so much like the King of Pop? And what’s the story behind his famous last name? Here’s everything to know about Jaafar Jackson. Who is Jaafar Jackson? The striking resemblance seen in the teaser is no accident. Jaafar Jackson is the late superstar’s nephew—the 29-year-old son of Michael’s older brother, Jermaine Jackson. Born in July 1996 in Los Angeles to Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, Jaafar didn’t initially plan to follow the family’s musical legacy. As a teen, he pursued golf before realizing his true passion lay in music. He began singing and dancing at 12 and later showcased his talent as a pianist. In 2019, he released his debut single, Got Me Singing. He also appeared in the reality series The Jacksons: Next Generation and has performed covers of classic artists such as Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. Music Runs in the Family Jaafar hails from one of music’s most celebrated families. His father Jermaine and uncles Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Michael, and Randy were members of the legendary R&B group The Jackson 5. His aunts—Janet, La Toya, and Rebbie Jackson—are also renowned musicians. A Close Bond with His Uncle Jaafar shared a close connection with his uncle Michael. “I recall being at Neverland, playing hide and seek, going on rides, watching movies, and just having a great time,” he told the South China Morning Post. Although he wasn’t pursuing music during his uncle’s career peak, he often wonders about the conversations they might have had about the craft. “I would have asked him many questions about the career I have chosen for myself,” he said. Losing his uncle was heartbreaking. “It was very tough. I can’t even put my mind back to how it felt that day,” Jaafar told Get Balanced. What to Expect from Michael The biopic promises to offer a deeply personal look at Michael Jackson’s life—his rise to global fame, his struggles, and the legacy he left behind. Jaafar’s casting was personally endorsed by Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, who said Jaafar “embodies” her son. The film also features Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy, Miles Teller as Jackson’s attorney, and Kat Graham as Diana Ross. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan (Gladiator, Skyfall), Michael will chronicle the artist’s journey from his beginnings with The Jackson 5 to his reign as one of the most influential entertainers in history. According to the filmmakers, the movie will give audiences “a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before.” Source: Times of India

Hollywood star and UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has made a surprise visit to Ukraine’s southern frontline city of Kherson, days after Russian drone strikes hit the war-torn region, Ukrainian media reported Thursday. This marks Jolie’s second visit to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. During her trip, she visited children’s hospitals and maternity wards, where she was seen wearing a bulletproof vest with Ukrainian insignia and interacting with young patients. Local media reported that Jolie arrived in Kherson wearing full protective gear, including a helmet, amid continuing Russian bombardment. Her visit drew wide attention both locally and internationally. According to reports circulating online, Jolie’s bodyguard was briefly drafted into the Ukrainian army during the trip, prompting her to contact authorities for his release before continuing her humanitarian mission. Kherson lies across the Dnipro River from Russian-occupied territory and remains a frequent target of airstrikes and shelling. Jolie, who served as a UN special envoy for refugees from 2012 to 2022, first visited Ukraine shortly after the invasion to meet displaced families in the western city of Lviv. On the work front, the Oscar-winning actress was last seen in Couture, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and is currently filming Anxious People.   Source: NDTV

Celebrated filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has revealed that she turned to YouTube content creation after her decade-long break from directing films — partly because of family expenses and partly for fun. Farah, who last directed Happy New Year in 2014, launched her YouTube channel in April 2024, starting with casual cooking vlogs featuring her and her longtime cook, Dilip. The series quickly went viral, earning her nearly 3 million subscribers on YouTube and 4.5 million followers on Instagram. Speaking on the latest episode of Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, the 60-year-old filmmaker explained how she embraced YouTube when film projects weren’t materializing. “Even when my movie was not happening, I said, ‘chal (come on), let me do YouTube,’ because I could see where things were going. Also, I have three kids who go to university next year — and that’s bloody expensive,” she said, referring to her 17-year-old triplets Czar, Anya, and Diva, whom she shares with filmmaker-husband Shirish Kunder. Salman Khan faces legal notice over “misleading” pan masala ads Known for directing blockbusters like Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om and Tees Maar Khan, Farah said she finds joy and purpose in continuing to work. “Your life can’t revolve around another person. Happiness has to come from within and from your work. Work gives me a lot of pleasure,” she said, adding that she hopes to work well into her 80s. The new episode of Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, featuring actor Ananya Panday alongside Farah Khan, premieres Thursday midnight on Prime Video. Source: NDTV

On November 4, 1979, 66 Americans were taken hostage at the US Embassy in Tehran during the Iran hostage crisis. Forty-six years later, their daring escape remains one of the most remarkable rescue operations in history. Six Americans avoided capture with the help of CIA officer Tony Mendez. He created a plan, known as the “Canadian Caper,” that disguised the diplomats as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a science-fiction movie named Argo. After hiding in Canadian officials’ homes, the six diplomats followed Mendez’s plan to leave Iran safely in January 1980. The operation involved careful planning, fake documents, and a convincing cover story developed with Hollywood experts. The story inspired the 2012 Hollywood film Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, who played Mendez. The film also featured actors portraying the six Americans, Canadian Ambassador Kenneth Taylor, and the CIA and Hollywood team who helped make the escape successful. The rescue combined intelligence, courage, and creativity, showing how art and real-life espionage intersected to save lives during a critical moment in history.   Source: NDTV

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been issued a legal notice by the Kota Consumer Court following a complaint alleging that advertisements for Rajshree Pan Masala, endorsed by him, are “misleading.” The complaint was filed by senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey, who requested a ban on such ads and questioned claims that the product contains “saffron-infused cardamom” and “saffron-infused pan masala.” Honey argued that saffron, priced at nearly Rs 4 lakh per kilogram, could not realistically be an ingredient in a product costing just Rs 5. Shah Rukh, Priyanka were first considered for 2 States: Chetan Bhagat The petitioner also raised concerns about the influence of these ads on young people, noting the link between pan masala consumption and rising cancer cases. “Salman Khan is a role model for many. Celebrities should not promote products that encourage youth to consume pan masala, a leading cause of mouth cancer,” Honey told ANI. The Kota Consumer Court has taken cognisance of the matter and scheduled a hearing for November 27, 2025, while responses from the actor and the company are still awaited.

An exclusive solo exhibition of acclaimed Irish artist Oona Hyland titled "An Duanaire: Visual Poems of the Dispossessed," was inaugurated on Tuesday - the first of its kind by an Irish artist in Bangladesh. "Oona Hyland is spending three weeks in Dhaka for an artistic cultural exchange - the first Irish qartist to do it. She is a visual artist with over 25 years experience working as a professional artist," Ambassador of Ireland to Bangladesh Kevin Kelly, who is based out of New Delhi, said at the inauguration at the Garden Gallery in Baridhara. Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh Masud Khan hosted the event. The residency, jointly organized by Gallery Cosmos and the Embassy of Ireland as part of the Ireland-Bangladesh Art Exchange Programme, serves as a dynamic platform for cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration between the two nations. Thanking Masud Khan and his team for supporting, Ambassador Kelly said this initiative aims to foster artistic collaboration and deepen cultural ties between Bangladesh and Ireland, through the medium of printmaking. He said "Though we have no embassy in Bangladesh, we have a long history of partnership with Bangladesh, development co-operation and business and hope to grow the relationship." "During her time in Dhaka, Oona will explore how art connects memory, healing, and collective reflection. Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's vision of creativity as a moral and spiritual force, her work will focus on Bangladesh's history and artistic resilience," he commented. He also hoped that the success of this residency fosters deeper artistic collaboration between Ireland and Bangladesh not only have Irish artists come to Bangladesh but also Bangladeshi artists travel to Ireland. Welcoming all guests from home and abroad, Masud Khan, also Deputy Managing Director of the Cosmos Group, said: "You know, I was a little bit worried at first — whether we’d have enough time, and how everything would turn out. But thanks to all our efforts, and especially to Oona, who worked tirelessly every single day — very hard — it all came together beautifully." Mentioning the Irish artist as incredibly dedicated, hardworking, and "pleasant of personality", he said everyone has been saying so many nice things about her, and he truly hoped that she would come back here again. "We also had a wonderful exchange at Dhaka University — meeting the faculty and students there was really great. After today, you’ll finally have some free time, and we have a few more outings planned for you. Maybe you can visit some more galleries and explore the city a bit," he added.    

Popular actor Allu Arjun wins ‘Most Versatile Actor’ at Dadasaheb Phalke Awards 2025has added another accolade to his illustrious career, winning the Most Versatile Actor of the Year award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2025, one of India’s most prestigious celebrations of cinema. The announcement was made through the festival’s official social media channels, which hailed the actor’s achievement, stating, “Congratulations to Allu Arjun for this prestigious recognition, celebrating his exceptional range and cinematic impact!” The grand award ceremony took place on October 30 at the NSCI Dome, SVP Stadium in Mumbai, bringing together leading names from Indian cinema to honour excellence in film, art, culture, and heritage. Expressing his gratitude after receiving the honour, Allu Arjun wrote on social media:“Thanks to the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Awards for this incredible honour. Truly humbled. My warm congratulations to all the winners across categories this year. A sincere thank you to my audience for your continued love and support... I humbly dedicate this award to my fans.” The recognition follows a string of successes for the acclaimed actor. Earlier this year, Allu Arjun won the Best Actor title at both the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2025 and the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards for his powerful performance in Sukumar’s “Pushpa 2: The Rule.” Released in 2024, Pushpa 2: The Rule — the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise — became a major box-office success, featuring an ensemble cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, and Rao Ramesh. Allu Arjun is now set to headline an upcoming untitled sci-fi action film directed by Atlee, currently referred to as Project AA22 x A6, alongside Deepika Padukone. Further details about the project are yet to be announced.   Source: NDTV

As the clock struck midnight in Mumbai, the streets outside Shah Rukh Khan’s residence, Mannat, were filled with fans celebrating the superstar’s 60th birthday on Sunday. Devoted fans from across India gathered to wish the “King of Bollywood” and catch a glimpse of him on his balcony. Crowds held banners and posters reading “We love you SRK” and “Happy Birthday King Khan,” while chanting his name. Many traveled long distances to join the celebrations. Among them was Prince Singh, a devoted fan from Kolkata and member of the “SRK Warriors.” He told ANI, “We undertook a 33-hour train journey just to catch a glimpse of SRK. We hope to see him today or tomorrow. It was difficult to reach here because thousands want to come, but the police are controlling the crowd.” Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from a young soldier in the TV series Fauji to one of the world’s biggest movie stars has inspired fans across generations. Born and raised in Delhi, he first appeared as Abhimanyu Rai in Fauji in 1989, quickly winning hearts. He later acted in Circus and other television shows before making his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana, earning the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. From ‘Stranger Things’ to ‘All’s Fair’: 10 must-watch TV shows this November His breakthrough came with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in 1995, where he played Raj, a charming NRI in love, earning the title of the ultimate “King of Romance.” Over the years, he has delivered memorable performances in films such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Swades, Devdas, and My Name Is Khan, strengthening his bond with audiences. Even at 60, Shah Rukh Khan continues to dominate both the box office and the hearts of millions of fans, who eagerly await his next project, King. Source: NDTV