United News of Bangladesh

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.

Actor Arjun Bijlani opened up about the heartbreak he felt after the death of his colleague and neighbour, Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14, 2020. Speaking to TV host Siddharth Kannan, Arjun described Sushant as “a remarkable artist, a wonderful friend, and incredibly committed to his craft.” He shared a personal memory of swapping T-shirts with Sushant and said he still keeps the orange tank top Sushant wore. Arjun also revealed the last message he sent to Sushant on Instagram, expressing concern and wishing him happiness. On Sushant’s first death anniversary in 2021, Arjun posted a throwback picture, writing, “You will always be alive in millions of hearts, my friend. I’m sure you’re happy in your happy place.”   Source: NDTV

Stars from various sectors of showbiz including Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan Have extended their heartfelt wishes to legendary Bangladeshi singer Sabina Yasmin on her  71st birthday. Sharing an emotional tribute from his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the actor praised her timeless voice and enduring impact on generations of listeners. Shakib wrote, “There is a strange magic in her voice that touches the morning light as well as the silence of the night. Sometimes through songs of old films, sometimes behind the radio, or in the echoes of our lives, yet her name remains immaculate in our hearts — Sabina Yasmin.” He added, “Generations have changed, times have shifted, technology has brought a new era. Yet, the charm of her voice remains equally popular and relevant.” “Listening to any song she sang 50 years ago still touches the heart and soothes the soul today. On the birthday of this legendary singer, I offer my heartfelt greetings and love. Wishing you good health and a long life,” Shakib concluded. Born Dilshad Yasmin on September 4, 1954, Sabina Yasmin made her first playback debut in the 1967 film 'Agun Niye Khela', produced by Zahir Raihan with music by Altaf Mahmud. She had earlier sung as a child artist in the film 'Notun Sur'. Sabina Yasmin returns home from hospital Over her illustrious career, Sabina Yasmin has recorded thousands of songs and won countless admirers. Her accolades include the Independence Award, Ekushey Padak, and 14 National Film Awards. Celebrating 71 years today, she continues to mesmerize listeners with her music. Age has not dimmed her voice, which still shines as brightly as it did on her very first day.

After a seven-year break, iconic British rock band Radiohead is set to return to live performances, following a summer marked by the Oasis reunion. The band — Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood, and Phil Selway — will play 20 shows across five European cities this November and December: Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin, performing four nights in each city. Ticket registration opens Friday on Radiohead.com, with general sales starting Sept. 15. Radiohead last toured in 2018 supporting their 2016 album, A Moon Shaped Pool. While no new studio album has been announced, the band will release a live album, Hail to the Thief — Live Recordings 2003-2009, on Oct. 31. Selway said rehearsing together last year reignited their musical connection and inspired the upcoming shows. In the meantime, members have pursued solo projects: Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with The Smile, Colin Greenwood with Nick Cave’s band, O’Brien with his solo debut Earth (2020), and Selway with Strange Dance (2023).