US President Donald Trump said Sunday he was ordering new tariffs on all films made outside the United States, claiming Hollywood was being “devastated” by a trend of US filmmakers and studios working abroad.

On an uncharacteristically cool April evening, I stepped out of Banani’s blaring traffic and neon haze into a dimly lit room tucked within a commercial building and almost cinematically shifted from chaos to a melodical hush. A small audience leaned forward, captivated by the spell of an ensemble that included an esraj, a sarod, a jazz guitarist and a drummer, and a vocalist whose voice moved without language, just sound, rhythm, and improvisation. The music was neither entirely classical nor jazz nor fusion, but something looser, more exploratory, alive to the moment.

Jey Uso has finally conquered his greatest challenge. The beloved "Yeet" icon etched his name into history by becoming just the third WWE Superstar to defeat Gunther, earning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship with a submission victory in the opening match of WrestleMania 41, Night 1, held yesterday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

In response to growing audience demand, Star Cineplex continues to expand its network of multiplex cinemas across the country. As part of this initiative, a brand-new branch is set to be opened in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Eid day.

Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land”, has been injured and detained following a confrontation in the West Bank, according to a fellow filmmaker and an activist group.

Bangladeshi-origin fashion designer Tasmit Afiyat Arny has been named among four influential American-South Asian fashion designers by North America-based fashion and lifestyle platform Anokhi Media.

Pohela Baishakh will be celebrated across the country, in every district and sub-district. The ministry has doubled the budget allocation for this. Special attention is being given to areas with significant ethnic populations, ensuring their participation.

In response to the rising wave of violence against women and environmental destruction across Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement and BotTala are coming together to organize a cultural protest under the banner “Resist Violence Against Women and Nature.”

The summit was officially announced in Bangladesh at a launch event held at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka, today, alongside a discussion celebrating 111 years of Indian cinema. The event, organised by the High Commission of India in Dhaka, highlighted the objectives and potential global impact of WAVES. Ann Mary George, first secretary (Culture) at the High Commission of India, shared the vision for WAVES, stating, “We aim to make this an annual event, much like the World Economic Summit in Davos or the Raisina Dialogue for foreign policy. This will be a landmark platform for media and entertainment.”

During yesterday’s episode of WWE Raw, John Cena finally reached his breaking point with fans and did not hold back in expressing his feelings.

The Department of Theatre at Jagannath University staged a play titled “Jujuburi”, a narrative adapted from Badruzzaman Alamgir’s story “Aber Pankha Loiya”, as part of the postgraduate production for the 2021–22 academic session. Held at the department’s studio theatre today at 12pm, the performance was directed by Theatre Department’s Professor Kamal Uddin Kabir.

Singer and actress Parsha Mahjabeen Purnee narrowly escaped a life-threatening incident when her Uber car caught fire in the capital's Kurmitola at around 1 PM, today.

The judges for the audition round included Naeem Ashraf, Rahima Sultana, and winners from previous seasons. In the studio round, the judging panel will consist of Naeem Ashraf, Rahima Sultana, and actress Purnima. The show is hosted by Mousumi Mou and produced by Ajay Poddar.

Sontu, the beloved celebrity dog from Khulna, Bangladesh, passed away on Sunday night after battling health issues for several days. 

On Facebook, Lamia posted, “Is there no one with me? Just because my parents are gone, does that mean I have no one? No one, no one, no one.” At 4:10 pm, she made another post, stating, “They broke my leg. They are not even letting me go to the hospital. They threw bricks at my car and shattered it. I cannot walk.”

The cover art of “Chronicles of Allen Swapan” was designed by Asifur Rahman, with editing by Mehedi Haque and Sheikh Korashanee. The comic is rated ‘M’ (Mature) and is intended for adult readers.

Moore shared her dismay upon learning that her debut book, “Freckleface Strawberry”, had been banned in Department of Defense-run schools under the Trump administration. In a statement posted on Instagram, she conveyed her disappointment over the decision.

Quick probe finds rift between theatre artistes

A fire broke out at the home of content creator Nuruzzaman Kafi in Kalapara, Patuakhali. At the time of the incident, six members of his family, including his parents, were inside the house.

In an unprecedented event, Avro creator Mehdi hasan Khan has agreed to receive the coveted Ekushey Padak, on the condition that his teammates Rifat Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siyam, and Shabab Mustafa also be conferred with the award.