United News of Bangladesh

Nexus Television has arranged a six-day special programme to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, featuring performances by popular artists in a music show titled ‘Ganer Opare’ Hosted by Dr. Jakia Sultana and produced by M Hasan, the show will bring together noted singers and musicians each day of Eid. On Eid day, Dithi Anwar, Rokeya Ashab and Lispa Laila will perform and take part in conversations.

A US federal judge on Tuesday directed the Trump administration to reinstate operations of Voice of America, which had been largely shut down a year ago, clearing the way for hundreds of employees on administrative leave to resume work. US District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth instructed the U.S. Agency for Global Media to submit a plan within a week to bring VOA back on air. The broadcaster has been running with minimal staff since President Donald Trump issued an executive order to close it. Earlier, Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake, Trump’s pick to head the agency, lacked the legal authority for her actions involving VOA. In Tuesday’s decision, he criticised the measures taken in response to Trump’s directive, which sidelined 1,042 of the organisation’s 1,147 employees, saying no sound justification had been provided. There was no immediate response from the agency. Lake had earlier opposed the court’s March 7 ruling and indicated plans to appeal. Meanwhile, Trump has nominated Sarah Rogers, currently undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, to lead USAGM, subject to Senate approval. Patsy Widakuswara, VOA’s White House bureau chief and one of the plaintiffs, welcomed the ruling, expressing hope of rebuilding the organisation and restoring trust among its global audience. Founded during World War II, VOA has long provided news to countries with limited press freedom. Before the shutdown order, it broadcast in 49 languages, reaching an estimated 362 million people worldwide.

Popular TV dramas such as Bridgerton are helping many of England’s stately homes survive by providing much needed income, attracting visitors and funding conservation work, heritage groups say. With new episodes of Bridgerton released on Netflix, historic houses across England are again in focus. Filming has become a key source of revenue for many estates that struggle with high maintenance costs. The charity English Heritage, which manages about 400 historic properties, says many of its sites are used regularly for film and TV productions. One example is Ranger’s House in Greenwich, which appears as the Bridgerton family home. Christina Pascoe, commercial development lead at English Heritage, said money from TV productions helps pay for basic but costly work. This includes replacing curtains and carpets, repairing stonework and cleaning windows, all of which require specialist skills. English Heritage said its most popular filming location is Wrest Park near Silsoe in Bedfordshire. The site has appeared in The Crown and Downton Abbey and was recently closed to visitors for a film shoot. Pascoe said its rooms look similar to those in Buckingham Palace and are mostly unfurnished, making filming easier. Tony Wood, a supervising location manager who has worked on Bridgerton, said filming at historic homes is far from glamorous. He said large crews, trucks and cables are hidden from view. Wood added that properties within 30 miles of London are most attractive as they reduce hotel costs. He said studios cannot fully replace real stately homes. Building several connected and highly detailed rooms would cost far more than filming on location, and studios cannot recreate views of open countryside. The National Trust, which looks after more than 500 properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said filming fees usually start at around £6,000 a day. Senior filming officer Harvey Edgington said costs rise if a property must close to the public, especially during peak summer months. Edgington said estates farther from London are becoming more popular as new studios open across the UK. He said filming the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie at Calke Abbey helped pay for improvements such as a new visitor car park. Appearing in major productions can also boost visitor numbers. Edgington said Antony House in Cornwall saw visitor numbers quadruple after featuring in the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland. Stowe House near Buckingham, a Grade I listed estate, has appeared in Bridgerton and older films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Because it is also a school, filming is limited to holidays. Even when a planned shoot for director Ridley Scott’s Napoleon was cancelled, producers still paid the agreed fee. Susy Pullen, who manages commercial activity at Stowe House, said income from filming is essential as all work in historic buildings is expensive. In some cases, film crews have even paid to restore damaged features they noticed. Ashridge House near Tring in Hertfordshire has also benefited from filming. Parts of the Harry Potter films used moulds taken from the house to create Hogwarts sets. Managing director David Evans said filming provides a significant share of the estate’s income and helped fund repairs such as replacing 200 year old gutters. Evans said appearing on screen also helps attract younger visitors. He said films and TV shows introduce historic houses to people who might not otherwise visit them, helping to secure their future for generations to come.   With inputs from BBC

TV adventurer Bear Grylls is set to help families mend broken relationships in a new BBC reality show filmed in the rugged Welsh wilderness. The BBC One series, Wild Reckoning, will see families, couples and siblings leave behind their daily comforts to take part in a range of physical and emotional challenges aimed at repairing deep personal conflicts. Grylls said working on the show had been one of the most meaningful experiences of his career, as it deals with “real lives” and “real emotions.” He believes the wild landscape of north Wales provides a powerful setting for people to face their issues directly, as “there’s nowhere to hide” in the outdoors. In the programme, Grylls travels from his private island, St Tudwal’s West, located just off the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, to the mainland. He is joined by a team of mediators, psychologists and survival experts who guide participants through the process. Harry Styles recalls feeling alone after One Direction split The 16-part series focuses on conflicts rooted in grief, trust issues, sibling rivalry and feelings of abandonment. Grylls said the wilderness removes everyday distractions such as phones and the option to simply walk away, forcing people to confront their emotions and listen to each other. He acknowledged that complex problems, including childhood trauma, cannot be fully resolved in just a few days. However, he hopes the experience will help participants begin their healing journey and open honest conversations about redefining their relationships. According to Grylls, sometimes the hardest step is simply sitting together calmly, listening without arguing, and expressing a desire to rebuild the bond.   With inputs from BBC

February 2026 brings a mix of returning favourites and new releases in TV entertainment, from comedies and thrillers to historical dramas and biographical series. Among the highlights is the revival of the popular hospital sitcom Scrubs, with Zach Braff returning as JD and Donald Faison as Turk. The series picks up 16 years after the original finale, blending nostalgia with new storylines. It premieres February 25 on ABC and February 26 on Hulu in the US. Thrillers like Vanished, starring Kaley Cuoco and Sam Claflin, follow a couple whose romantic trip turns dangerous after one mysteriously disappears. The series premieres February 1 on MGM+ in the US and February 27 on Prime Video in the UK. Another suspense-filled release, 56 Days, based on Catherine Ryan Howard’s novel, explores an erotic relationship entwined with murder and suspense, premiering February 18 on Prime Video globally. Fans of dark crime dramas can follow Dark Winds season four, set among the Navajo Tribal Police, which continues to combine 1970s Americana, Native traditions, and suspenseful investigation. It premieres February 15 on AMC and AMC+ in the US. Other notable series include the comic thriller How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (February 12, Netflix), the political thriller Paradise starring Sterling K. Brown (February 23, Hulu), and the historical drama The Gray House, set during the US Civil War (February 26, Prime Video). Biographical miniseries Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette premieres February 12 on FX and Hulu in the US, with Disney+ release in the UK on February 13. Comedy fans can enjoy The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe, which combines mockumentary style with odd-couple humour. It premieres February 23 on NBC and February 24 on Peacock in the US. This February’s slate of TV shows offers something for every audience, from nostalgic revivals to high-stakes thrillers and historical storytelling, marking a diverse month in entertainment.   With inputs from BBC

Prime Video has released the first trailer of its upcoming series Young Sherlock, offering a fresh and action-packed look at the early life of legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. The series stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin in the lead role, portraying a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes during his student days at Oxford in the 1870s. Unlike the calm and methodical detective audiences know, this younger version is shown as impulsive, rebellious and sharp-minded. The trailer suggests that Sherlock’s first major case begins after he crosses paths with James Moriarty, a meeting that sparks a rivalry shaping his future. According to the official synopsis, Sherlock is drawn into a murder investigation that threatens his freedom and leads him into a globe-spanning conspiracy. The story builds toward a dramatic confrontation that changes his life forever. Set in Victorian England and across international locations, the series explores the early adventures of the anarchic teenager before he becomes the famed resident of Baker Street. The eight-episode series is directed and executive produced by Guy Ritchie, who also directs the first two episodes. It is described as a fast-paced mystery tracing the origin story of the world’s most famous detective. Young Sherlock will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on March 4, 2026, in more than 240 countries and territories. The ensemble cast includes Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons and Colin Firth. The series is created for television by showrunner Matthew Parkhill, with multiple executive producers attached.   With inputs from NDTV

HBO’s banking drama Industry has returned for its fourth season with a darker tone and a star-studded cast. The show follows young bankers navigating London’s high-finance world. Season four features new actors including Max Minghella and Charlie Heaton. Critics say the series has become more intense, exploring toxic workplace culture, mental health crises, and shocking events. The storyline now shows former victims becoming perpetrators, with central characters Harper Stern and Yasmin facing extreme challenges in their careers and personal lives. Experts note the series depicts the corrupting influence of power and ambition in high finance. Industry first aired in 2020 with little attention but has grown popular over four seasons, gaining high ratings and a prime Sunday night slot on HBO. The series is praised for blending finance, politics, media, and social power struggles into a gripping drama. Season four is available weekly on HBO and HBO Max in the US and on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK.   With inputs from BBC

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in Stranger Things, missed co-star Finn Wolfhard’s Saturday Night Live episode on January 17. Schnapp was in Italy attending Milan Fashion Week and could not join the show, according to PEOPLE. He was seen a day earlier at the Ralph Lauren Men’s Fall/Winter 2026 fashion show in Milan. During the SNL monologue, Wolfhard was joined on stage by Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo. The actors shared a light moment, celebrating their growth from child stars. Other cast members, including Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, and Joe Keery, attended the afterparty. The fifth and final season of Stranger Things was released in three parts: Volume 1 on November 26, Volume 2 on December 25, and the final episode on December 31.   With inputs from NDTV

HBO’s new Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has been praised for its humour, action, and engaging storytelling, offering a fresh take on Westeros. The six-episode series follows Ser Duncan, an inexperienced knight, and his clever squire, Egg, as they journey to a tournament at Ashford Meadow. The story focuses on their adventures and relationship, blending light-hearted comedy with thrilling battles. Unlike previous shows, the prequel features a single narrative thread, less CGI, and short episodes averaging 35 minutes. It also highlights the lives of common people rather than the nobility. Critics have praised the chemistry between the leads, Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, calling it “extraordinary.” The show mixes physical comedy, dry humour, and dramatic fight sequences, making it accessible even to viewers unfamiliar with the Game of Thrones universe. The series debuts on HBO and HBO Max in the U.S. on Jan 18, and on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Jan 19, with weekly episodes. Season 2 is already in production.   With inputs from BBC

A clip from the 2019 television series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, featuring John Krasinski delivering a forceful speech on Venezuela’s geopolitical significance, has gone viral on social media following the recent US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In the widely shared scene from the show’s second season, Krasinski’s character, CIA analyst Jack Ryan, challenges fellow officers to rethink global threats, drawing attention to Venezuela’s vast oil and mineral reserves and its strategic importance. Social media users have described the moment as “prophetic” in light of the latest developments, according to international media reports. In the clip, Ryan questions why a country rich in natural resources is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, referring to Venezuela as a potential “failed state” and warning that instability so close to the United States could pose serious risks. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is a political action thriller based on characters created by author Tom Clancy and stars Krasinski in the lead role. The series first aired in 2018 and gained popularity for its storylines rooted in contemporary global politics.   With inputs from NDTV