United News of Bangladesh

Ekushey Padak-winning photographer Nasir Ali Mamun’s 65th solo exhibition 'Shotoborshe Sultan' opened on Friday at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi, marking the birth centenary of legendary artist SM Sultan. Organised by the Bengal Foundation in collaboration with HSBC Bangladesh, the exhibition was inaugurated by Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur.  Renowned artist Monirul Islam, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, and HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbub ur Rahman also attended the opening ceremony. The exhibition showcases 108 rare and powerful photographs of SM Sultan, captured by Mamun between 1977 and 1993. For the first time, exclusive items from Mamun's personal collection— including three of his teeth, handwritten letters, diary pages with writings and drawings, unpublished sketches, and original negatives— are on public display. Speaking at the inauguration, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said, “When we talk about Bangladesh’s modern artists, three names come to mind — Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan, and SM Sultan. I am deeply moved by the way SM Sultan immortalised the vitality of working people; his depiction of muscular men and women, his portrayal of rural life, hardworking people, and the beauty of nature is truly extraordinary. Cultural patronage is essential, and if more institutions like Bengal come forward, future Sultans and Zainuls will emerge.” Eminent artist and SM Sultan National and International Birth Centenary Celebration Committee Convener Monirul Islam called the event historic, saying, “I have known Mamun for 40 years; when he started photographing, resources were limited but passion was abundant. As a portrait photographer, Mamun is among the few globally significant names; and this body of work on Sultan will remain a milestone.” The star of the exhibition and Member Secretary of the SM Sultan National and International Birth Centenary Celebration Committee Nasir Ali Mamun said, “Sultan was a majestic artist, deeply rooted in soil and nature." "I silently followed him with my camera — it was not easy, but it was my inspired attempt to document the fusion of his art and life. Through these frames, I tried to uncover the mystery of his life and become one with him,” Nasir Ali Mamun reminisced about his beloved artist, SM Sultan. He also reiterated his call for establishing a photography museum in Bangladesh. “I have initiated an archive called 'Photoseum', but such initiative should have been done by the government. We must establish a photography museum with support from banks and financial institutions so that creative cultural projects like these are preserved for future generations,” Nasir Ali Mamun added. Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbub ur Rahman also spoke at the inaugural ceremony, which was also joined by Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair, and the event was hosted by Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General of Bengal Foundation. On the occasion of the exhibition, a special commemorative catalogue titled ‘Seeding the Soul’ was also unveiled at the event, shedding light on Sultan’s life and artistic philosophy. The exhibition will remain open to visitors every day (except Sundays) from 4 pm to 8 pm until September 27 at Bengal Shilpalay, House 42, Road 27, Dhanmondi.  

Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan on Friday unveiled the official poster of his upcoming film 'Prince: Once Upon A Time in Dhaka.' Sharing the poster on his verified Facebook page, Shakib wrote: “The beginning of a new chapter has been announced — the city will now recognize its true hero! Here comes the Myth in motion — #PRINCE: Once Upon A Time In Dhaka. A story where the city meets its legend.” Directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud and produced by Shirin Sultana under the banner of Creative Land, 'Prince' is slated for release on Eid-ul-Fitr, 2026. Shakib Khan slams piracy, praises audience support at special screening of ‘Taandob’  Director Abu Hayat Mahmud also expressed his excitement in another Facebook post, calling 'Prince' his debut directorial venture and “much like the first child.” “Creative Land proudly presents its first cinematic journey — PRINCE. Produced by Shirin Sultana, directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud and led by the one and only Megastar Shakib Khan,” Mahmud wrote. The poster shows Shakib Khan in a striking pose with his back to the audience, arms raised against a crimson-toned city backdrop. Surrounding him are raised hands wielding firearms, hinting at an intense urban saga. Described as a story where “the city meets its legend,” the film marks a new collaboration between Shakib Khan and director Abu Hayat Mahmud. Fans have already flooded social media with excitement, anticipating another blockbuster from the Dhallywood superstar.

Florida authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, whose passing last month was ruled a heart attack by the medical examiner. The Clearwater Police Department said Thursday that “the unique nature of this case has required us to interview multiple witnesses and obtain medical records from various providers, and our detectives continue to do so.” Hogan, born Terry Bollea, died on July 24 at age 71 after paramedics and police responded to a 911 call at his beachfront Clearwater home. Police body camera footage and details of the call have not been released, as the investigation is ongoing. The department noted that while there is no evidence of foul play, investigators are reviewing medical records and consulting with Hogan’s family, including his son Nick and daughter Brooke. “We plan to meet with the family, brief them on the case, and share the results before closing it and releasing it to the public,” the statement said. No timeline for public disclosure was provided. Hulk Hogan died of heart attack, says medical examiner Hogan, a WWE icon, headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985 and won at least six WWE championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, removed in 2015 over past racial remarks, and reinstated in 2018. A private funeral service was held on August 5 in Largo, Florida. His planned cremation was reportedly postponed, with his daughter Brooke offering to fund an autopsy amid questions about his death.   Source: Agency

Rapper Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, was arrested Thursday and briefly hospitalized for a suspected overdose after Los Angeles police said he charged at officers responding to a report of a naked man on a busy boulevard. Police found Lil Nas X on Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City area shortly before 6 a.m., said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Officer Charles Miller. After he rushed toward officers, they took him into custody but first transported him to a hospital due to concerns over a possible drug overdose. He was released from the hospital after a few hours and then booked on suspicion of misdemeanor obstruction, being held at Valley Jail in Van Nuys. Video obtained by TMZ reportedly showed the 26-year-old rapper wearing only underwear and boots on the street. Requests for comment from his representatives were not immediately returned. Lil Nas X sets new Billboard record for most weeks at No.1 Lil Nas X, from Atlanta, rose to fame with his 2018 hit “Old Town Road,” which blended country and hip-hop and spent a record 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Known for his genre-defying music and distinctive style, his first full-length studio album, 2021’s Montero, reached No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.   Source: Agency

WWE icon The Undertaker and former boxing world champion Mike Tyson may enter Salman Khan’s reality show Bigg Boss 19, according to media reports. The development has already heightened the excitement among fans of both Salman and WWE. The latest season of Bigg Boss is set to premiere on August 24, with speculation growing over the celebrity contestants. Reports on a WWE league server in Discord suggest The Undertaker is being considered as a wildcard entry, likely around November. Mike Tyson may also join the show, in what is being described as one of the “biggest collaborations of 2025.” The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, debuted in WWE in 1990 and became one of the most celebrated wrestlers in history. Famous for his “Deadman” persona, he retired in 2020 after a three-decade career that featured seven world titles and an extraordinary 25-2 record at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Salman Khan’s hosting fee for this season is reported to be between Rs 120-150 crores, with the actor earning Rs 8-10 crores per weekend for 15 weeks. Sources, however, indicated that the overall budget of Bigg Boss 19 is smaller compared to earlier seasons. Bigg Boss 19: Wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim may join Salman Khan’s reality show This season’s confirmed contestants include Gaurav Khanna, Ashnoor Kaur, Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar, Baseer Ali, Abhishek Bajaj, Hunar Hale, Shafaq Naaz, Siwet Tomar, Khank Waghnani, Payal Dhare, and Zeeshan Quadri. Bigg Boss 19 will stream on Jio Hotstar from August 24 before premiering on Colors TV. Source: NDTV

Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi adopted a daughter, the first child for the married couple, this summer, they announced Thursday. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy,” the couple wrote in a social media statement. No further details were released. Brown, 21, and Bongiovi, 23, were married in a private ceremony in May 2024. Representatives for Brown and Bongiovi did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment. Brown gained recognition for her starring role as Eleven in the Duffer brothers' sci-fi series “Stranger Things.” The fifth and final season will air this November and December, a culmination of nine years of the show's production. The British actor has pursued other acting and business ventures in that time, including the Netflix original “Enola Holmes” films and a “Godzilla” film. She even released a romance book in 2023. Bongiovi is the son of Jon Bon Jovi, founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi. Bongiovi debuted his own acting career as the star in “Rockbottom,” which released last year. Brown stressed the importance of family during the 2024 premiere of her Netflix film “Damsel,” where Bongiovi and his parents were in attendance. “I'm just so lucky that they're here tonight and it just means so much to me,” Brown told The Associated Press then. “Family is everything and just to have my second family here means everything.” The couple lives in Georgia. She recently told the AP she enjoys living on a farm, largely disconnected from social media, while promoting her 2025 Netflix film “The Electric State.”

The much-anticipated Coke Studio Bangla is set to return with its third season Saturday promising another round of musical fusions, vibrant performances and surprises. The digital-first platform, launched by The Coca-Cola Company, has already released three chart-topping tracks this season, the latest being a reimagined version of the Warfaze classic 'Obak Bhalobasha'. Audiences can look forward to six more songs in the coming months, featuring both celebrated and emerging artists who aim to push creative boundaries even further. “We are truly delighted to reconnect with our listeners once again,” said Ju-Un Naher, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh.  “From the beginning, Coke Studio Bangla has been committed to showcasing Bangladesh’s rich culture and musical heritage in the most beautiful and creative way. The remaining part of the season will bring several outstanding moments and surprises that we are eagerly waiting to share,” she said. Coke Studio Bangla curator Shayan Chowdhury Arnob echoed the same enthusiasm, saying, “This season has brought together immensely talented artists who have created something truly special. I am very hopeful that the emotions and joy we experienced during the creation of each song will also be felt by our listeners.” ‘Obak Bhalobasha’: legendary Warfaze track gets the Coke Studio Bangla treatment Fans can enjoy the performances on Spotify and the official Coke Studio Bangla YouTube channel (youtube.com/@CokeStudioBangla), where Bangladeshi music is once again expected to resonate beyond borders.

Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to swiftly reject Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to overturn a jury verdict or order a new trial following his conviction on two prostitution-related charges. Court filings submitted late Wednesday allege that Combs orchestrated complex sexual events for two ex-girlfriends from 2008 through last year, involving the hiring of male sex workers who were sometimes required to travel across state lines. In July, a jury cleared the Bad Boy Records founder of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, which could have carried a mandatory 15-year sentence up to life, but convicted him on two lesser Mann Act charges, which prohibit interstate travel for prostitution. Each Mann Act charge carries a potential 10-year sentence. Combs has been denied bail and is expected to serve multiple years in prison. He has been held in a federal jail in Brooklyn since his September arrest at a Manhattan hotel. Sentencing is set for Oct. 3. Prosecutors dismissed Combs’ lawyers’ claims that the Mann Act is vague and violates due process and First Amendment rights. “Evidence of the defendant’s guilt on the Mann Act counts was overwhelming,” they wrote, citing multiday, drug-fueled sexual events called “freak-offs” or “hotel nights” that Combs organized, often filming the encounters to coerce the women into continued participation. The filings said Combs “masterminded every aspect” of these encounters, paying escorts to travel and directing the sexual activity for his own gratification while sometimes joining in. To feel loved, Diddy’s ex claims she took part in ‘Cuckold’ sex marathons Testimony included R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who dated Combs from 2008 to 2018, describing weekly sexual meetups with male escorts that left her too exhausted to focus on her music. Another woman, identified as “Jane,” said she participated in similar multiday events while dating Combs from 2021 to last September. Both said Combs threatened to release videos of the encounters to control their behavior. Prosecutors noted that Combs exerted substantial control over Ventura and Jane’s lives, from career and appearance to financial support, including paying Jane’s $10,000 rent while threatening to withdraw it if she did not comply. Combs’ lawyers argued in their filing that the Mann Act convictions were unwarranted, claiming no commercial motive or coercion existed and that all participants were consenting adults. They maintained that Combs “at most, paid to engage in voyeurism as part of a ‘swingers’ lifestyle,” which, they said, does not legally constitute prostitution.   Source: Agency

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna, Austria’s public broadcaster ORF announced Wednesday. The contest follows Austrian singer JJ’s victory with “Wasted Love” at this year’s competition in Basel. Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle will host the event in May 2026. ORF said Vienna was chosen for its strong infrastructure, logistical capacity, and economic appeal, beating Innsbruck’s bid. This will mark Vienna’s third time hosting Eurovision, after 1967 and 2015. Mayor Michael Ludwig welcomed the selection and said the city will spend about €22.6 million ($26.3 million) on Eurovision, including free public events. Mass grave of Roman-era fighters uncovered in Vienna The semi-finals are scheduled for May 12 and 14, with the grand finale on May 16, 2026. JJ, whose winning song combined operatic and techno elements, is Austria’s third Eurovision winner, following Conchita Wurst (2014) and Udo Jürgens (1966). Last year’s contest drew 160 million viewers worldwide.   Source: Agency

Singer, actor and reality TV star Tamar Braxton said Tuesday that she “almost died” in a weekend accident that she doesn't remember. “I was found in a pool of blood from my friend with a face injury,” Braxton wrote in an Instagram post. “I fractured my nose, lost some teeth and mobility." She added, “I don't even know what happened to me.” Braxton, 48, earlier in the day had posted “Thank you God for waking me up today,” in an Instagram story. She said she was getting calls after and was struggling to talk so she shared what had happened to her. The post also said “the way I look at life now is totally different. As my health is on the mend my mental journey begins… pray for me for real.” An email to Braxton's manager seeking more details was not immediately answered. Braxton was part of a singing group with her sisters, including Toni Braxton, who went on to a major solo career. They and other family members appeared on the reality series “Braxton Family Values” starting in 2011, and Tamar Braxton has since appeared in spin-offs and other reality shows. As an actor, her recent credits include the TV series “Kingdom Business.” And she has spent much of the year on a solo singing tour.