United News of Bangladesh

A Parisian art enthusiast could hardly believe his luck after winning a Pablo Picasso painting worth about $1 million with a $117 raffle ticket. “How do I check that it’s not a hoax?” said Ari Hodara, 58, after organizers called him following the draw at Christie’s auction house in the French capital. Hodara, a sales engineer who describes himself as an art amateur fond of Picasso, said he bought the ticket over the weekend after learning about the charity raffle by chance during a restaurant meal. “First, I will tell the news to my wife, who has yet to return from work,” he said. “And at first, I think I’ll take advantage of it and keep it.” The prize was Picasso’s Head of a Woman, a 1941 gouache-on-paper portrait of his longtime muse and partner Dora Maar, featured in the third edition of the “1 Picasso for 100 euros” lottery. Organizers said all 120,000 tickets were sold worldwide, raising 12 million euros ($14 million). Of that, 1 million euros will go to the Opera Gallery, which owned the painting. Gallery founder Gilles Dyan said the work was offered at a preferential price, below its public valuation of 1.45 million euros. The charity raffle, run by the Alzheimer Research Foundation, supports Alzheimer’s research and is based in a major Paris hospital. It has become France’s leading private funder of Alzheimer-related medical research since its founding in 2004. Previous editions of the raffle have raised millions for cultural and humanitarian causes, including programs in Lebanon and Africa.

Fatou the gorilla, the world’s oldest gorilla living in captivity, marked her 69th birthday on Monday with a special feast at Berlin Zoo, enjoying cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks and lettuce. Zoo officials said no birthday cake was served as sugar is not considered healthy for the ageing primate. Fatou, a western lowland gorilla, was brought to then West Berlin in 1959 when she was believed to be around two years old, although her exact birth date remains unknown. April 13 has been designated as her official birthday. In the wild, gorillas typically live 35–40 years, while those in captivity can live significantly longer. She became the zoo’s oldest resident in 2024 following the death of Ingo the flamingo, who was believed to be at least 75 years old and had lived at the zoo since 1955. According to Guinness World Records, Fatou is believed to have been born in the wild in western Africa before being taken by a French sailor, who reportedly traded her in Marseille to settle a bar bill. She was later sold to the Berlin Zoo by a French animal trader. Now living in a separate enclosure, Fatou prefers to stay apart from the zoo’s other gorillas in her old age. She has lost her teeth and suffers from arthritis and hearing loss. However, Berlin Zoo primate supervisor Christian Aust said she remains friendly with keepers, though still somewhat stubborn. At 69, she continues to be well cared for as staff wished her a warm “Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Fatou.”

Ancient grains like quinoa and spelt are often promoted as healthier alternatives to modern grains, but scientists say the benefits may not be as clear as widely believed. Ancient grains refer to crops that have changed very little over hundreds or even thousands of years. Unlike modern grains such as wheat, which have been developed through selective breeding, these older varieties have largely kept their original genetic traits. Recently, they have gained popularity, with many claims suggesting they are richer in nutrients. However, experts say there is limited evidence to prove that ancient grains are significantly better for health than modern ones. Grains such as rice, wheat, oats and corn form a major part of diets worldwide, providing carbohydrates, fibre and some protein. Nutritionists recommend that at least half of the grains people consume should be wholegrains. These include all parts of the grain – bran, germ and endosperm – and are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Wholegrains have been linked to a lower risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. But researchers caution that these benefits may also be influenced by overall healthier lifestyles among people who eat more wholegrains. Ancient grains differ from modern ones mainly in how they have been cultivated. Modern crops have been bred over time for higher yields and better taste, while ancient grains remain closer to their original forms. Examples include spelt and emmer, which date back thousands of years. Despite their historical value, ancient grains are not widely grown today, as modern varieties are more productive and easier to farm. They are also more suitable for making foods like bread. One clear advantage of some ancient grains is that they are naturally gluten-free. For example, quinoa and millet can be suitable options for people with gluten intolerance. Some studies also suggest quinoa may help improve early signs of type 2 diabetes, such as lowering blood sugar levels. Even so, researchers say there is little proof that modern farming has reduced the overall nutritional quality of grains in a major way. Experts believe the growing popularity of ancient grains is partly driven by hype. While they can be beneficial in certain cases, especially for those avoiding gluten, their overall health advantages may not be significantly different from modern grains. Instead, nutritionists suggest that the key to a healthy diet is eating a variety of grains, particularly wholegrains, rather than focusing only on whether they are ancient or modern. “Variety is the best strategy,” experts say, noting that consuming different types of grains helps ensure a wide range of nutrients. With inputs from BBC

The Strait of Hormuz has been drawing global attention due to rising tensions that have disrupted shipping along one of the world’s most important oil routes. This narrow waterway carries a large share of global energy supplies, meaning any disruption quickly affects oil prices and international politics. But scientists say the existence of this critical passage is linked to an ocean that vanished millions of years ago, known as the Tethys Sea. Around 250 million years ago, Earth looked very different, with two massive landmasses, Laurasia in the north and Gondwana in the south, separated by the Tethys Sea. Over time, shifting tectonic plates reshaped the planet. The Arabian Plate gradually moved north and collided with the Eurasian Plate, causing parts of the Tethys Sea to shrink. This collision formed the Zagros Mountains in present-day Iran and squeezed the remaining water into a narrow channel, now known as the Strait of Hormuz. Today, the strait stands as a remnant of that ancient ocean, linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. The same ocean also played a key role in forming the Himalayas, located thousands of kilometres to the east. About 50 to 40 million years ago, the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate. Instead of one plate sliding beneath the other, both crumpled due to their thickness. Sediments from the floor of the Tethys Sea, including limestone and marine deposits, were pushed upward over time, creating the Himalayan mountain range. This is why marine fossils can still be found high in the Himalayas, including near the summit of Mount Everest, showing that these rocks were once part of an ocean floor. Experts say the Tethys Sea disappeared gradually over millions of years, but left behind very different features. In the west, it formed the narrow and strategically important Strait of Hormuz, while in the east, it gave rise to the world’s highest mountain range. Despite their distance, both the strait and the Himalayas share a common geological origin rooted in the same ancient ocean. With inputs from NDTV

The late Queen Elizabeth II believed the monarch had to be seen to be believed. And she made sure that was true even when Britain’s famously changeable weather intervened, pioneering the use of a clear plastic raincoat so that a stodgy black umbrella didn’t obscure her from public view. That raincoat is one of some 300 garments and other fashion artifacts that go on display Friday at the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace in an exhibit that celebrates the late queen’s life and reign as Britain prepares to mark the centenary of her birth. The most comprehensive exhibition of her style choices ever mounted, the show charts Elizabeth’s story, and her impact on British fashion. “I think she had a definite sense of what suited her,’’ exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut said. “She absolutely knew how she wanted to appear.” An Olympian moment Some of the items are easily recognizable since Elizabeth was one of the most photographed people ever. But the ball gowns, tweed suits and trademark headscarves are sometimes strange to see on museum mannequins instead of the queen herself. And then there are the items that are truly one-offs. Like the dress, complete with bloomers, that Elizabeth’s stunt double wore during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics, when the then-86-year-old queen appeared to parachute into the stadium alongside Daniel Craig in his James Bond persona. To complete the illusion, the queen soon emerged in the stands identically attired. Both dresses, designed by Elizabeth’s longtime dressmaker Angela Kelly, are displayed side by side, though the stunt double’s version has large zipper in back to accommodate the parachute. Fashion connection to the public The exhibition, drawn from some 4,000 items once owned by the queen, explores how fashion became one of her most powerful tools of communication as she evolved from a young princess into Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. That could often be seen in her choice of color and decorative detail, as in the green and white Norman Hartnell gown she chose to wear for the state banquet during her 1961 visit to Pakistan, honoring her hosts by donning their national colors. “The queen had an intimate understanding of how fashion could lend itself to diplomacy, a trait which, while its origins certainly lay in earlier reigns, the queen developed into nothing short of an art form,’’ de Guitaut said. “Color or embellishment communicated messages of respect to her host nation before she had even uttered a word in her speech.” Particularly as she got older, Elizabeth opted to wear bright or distinctive shades during large public events so she could be easily spotted, and visitors could say they had seen the queen. The exhibit also explores the queen’s off-duty wardrobe. The tweed suits she wore at Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s summer retreat in Scotland, are on display alongside clothes for riding, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. There’s a thick woolen coat Kelly designed during Elizabeth’s later years alongside items by Burberry and British designer Hardy Amies. Big occasions, big statement gowns Clothes worn during the many milestones of the queen's long life are also on display, from her christening robe, commissioned by Queen Victoria for the baptism of the future King Edward VII, to dresses she wore for her wedding and coronation. The exhibit also includes sketches and notes that show just how involved the queen was in designing her wardrobe. Naomi Pike, commissioning editor for Elle UK, said the collection finally recognizes Elizabeth’s status as a fashion icon, even though other royals, including her younger sister, the late Princess Margaret, and her daughter-in-law, the late Princess Diana, stole the spotlight during her lifetime. “I think we’re very quick in this day and age to afford people icon status. … It’s thrown around so easily,’’ Pike said. “But I think in the case of the queen, she was an icon and so much of that comes down to having a very strong sense of personal style.’’ On fairy wings While the gowns may be the exhibit’s biggest draw, the show also provides a few surprises. With the task of showing us ‘’what the monarch wore,’’ the curators conjured up a somewhat battered fairy outfit made from a tutu with wings on the back. The piece is a favorite of Cecilia Oliver, a textile conservator at the King’s Gallery, who described it as the “cutest thing in the world." “I think what I love most about it is that it was bought for Elizabeth as a child, and to think of her as this tiny little girl that then grew up into this magnificent woman with all this weight of responsibility on her shoulders, it just feels very, sort of sentimental,’’ Oliver said. Oliver grew almost wistful as she described the months of work on the exhibit and the privilege of handling so many things connected to a person familiar to so many but truly known by so few. “As a conservator, I have a really intimate knowledge of these pieces. I’ve been able to touch them. I’ve been able to smell them. I’ve been able to understand them,’’ she said. “And through that, I felt really close to her.” Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style runs until Oct. 18 at the King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace.  

A small town at the foot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji is facing unexpected challenges as tourists flock to see cherry blossoms and the mountain’s snow-capped peak. What began with a beautiful photo shared on social media has turned into a source of tension for locals. Visitors eager to capture the perfect shot of Mount Fuji rising behind a red pagoda quickly filled the peaceful streets of Fujiyoshida. Along with the crowds came complaints of traffic jams, litter, and some tourists entering private homes to use toilets or even relieving themselves in front yards. The situation became so severe that city officials canceled this year’s annual cherry blossom festival, originally created a decade ago to promote tourism. Masatoshi Hada, manager of Fujiyoshida’s Economics and Environment Department, said, “This area is primarily an ordinary residential neighborhood, where balancing tourism with the safety of residents’ daily life has become difficult. We decided not to promote a festival that would invite more visitors.” Even without the festival, tourists packed the town on sunny early-April days when cherry blossoms were at their peak. Narrow streets leading to Arakurayama Sengen Park were crowded as visitors lined up to film the world-famous views. In recent years, foreign tourists have exceeded 10,000 per day in the area, a number the city says has “threatened residents’ daily lives.” Overtourism is not unique to Fujiyoshida. Other popular destinations in Japan, such as Kyoto and Kamakura, have faced similar problems, including congested buses and crowded streets. Locals refer to the issue as “tourism pollution,” which has sparked wider debate as Japan seeks to balance economic growth through tourism with community well-being. The government has set a target to increase annual foreign visitors from 40 million to 60 million by 2030, even as some local communities struggle to cope. To manage crowds, Fujiyoshida increased security and restricted vehicle access to the scenic neighborhood, asking visitors to reach the park on foot. Security guard Hiroaki Nagayama said, “Some people buy food at stalls and leave litter behind. I think what’s happening here is a typical example of overtourism.” Residents also expressed mixed feelings. Ninety-three-year-old Hitoshi Mori said, “Having many visitors is good but annoying. It’s too crowded, so I can only shop once a week.” Tourists, meanwhile, continue to enjoy the views despite the crowds and strict rules. Lisa Goerdert from Paris said, “It was amazing. We had only a few minutes to take pictures, but it was worth it.” Overtourism has divided locals. Some have opened businesses like shops, food stalls, and toll parking, while others long for quiet. Masami Nakamura, a school uniform shop owner, said, “I hope tourists respect our rules and manners.” Meanwhile, hotel employee Kyoko Funakubo, who also sells Fuji-themed souvenirs, said the influx has brought new life to previously quiet streets.  

Tiny figurines peek over electrical boxes, float down drainage pipes, and hide in alley nooks, waiting for visitors willing to get on their hands and knees to discover them. Vicki Taylor carefully assembles these miniature scenes in the backroom of a theater she runs with her husband, Rick. In 2020, the couple opened the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum also called "Mississippi's Tiniest Museum"—to bring joy and draw people downtown during the COVID-19 shutdown. Today, the once gray, overlooked alley has become a lively community hub and a unique tourist attraction. "You may come feeling down, but you're going to leave excited," said Brianna Moore, a local who often brings her two sons to the free museum. "My boys love it." What began as a small window display behind Hattiesburg’s Saenger Theater has grown into a miniature wonderland. Visitors can now explore a tiny art gallery, a mini movie theater, colorful murals, a keychain and DVD exchange, a rainbow bridge for pets that have passed away, and even a motion-activated dance corner with music and disco lights. "It was just an average alley, like you see in any town," Taylor said. "It just took looking at it differently to see what it could become." Rick Taylor, executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, which operates the museum and theater, said the museum has drawn over 300,000 visitors since opening. According to Visit Hattiesburg CEO Marlo Dorsey, the museum has coincided with a more than 40% growth in the city’s tourism economy. Dorsey credited the rise to city efforts to promote culture, art, and recreation, including a project to paint 100 murals across Hattiesburg. Unique attractions like the Pocket Museum and the nearby Lucky Rabbit vintage store have also helped pull visitors downtown. Tony Lymon, a Hattiesburg resident since 1990 and owner of eYrthBeat Coffee Company near the museum, said he has seen a "monumental rebirth" in the downtown area over the past decade. He believes nearby attractions help bring customers to his shop. The museum has also become a platform for local artists. Gabby Smith, who painted several alley murals, said it gave her confidence to pursue art full-time. Now, she watches her children explore the alley, excitedly asking, "Mommy, did you paint that one too?" "This city believes in art and artists," said Shaw Ingram, who opened Wax Fantastic Records downtown last year. "There's nowhere else I would want to open this business." Back in her workshop, Vicki Taylor reflects on the museum’s unexpected popularity. She once feared it might fade after the pandemic, but now curates constantly changing exhibits. The effort, she said, is worth it to showcase the city she loves. "Hattiesburg is not a beach town, and it doesn't have mountains," she said. "There has to be something to make people stop off the highway."

Australia has launched its first clinical practice guidelines to better support and treat young people in mental health crisis, as hospitalizations for intentional self-harm continue to rise nationwide. The new advice will aid healthcare professionals to identify, assess and manage acute mental health symptoms in young patients aged up to 19 years, said a statement from Australia's Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) released Wednesday. Young people with lived experience of suicidal ideation or hospitalization were directly consulted in designing the document "in order to bridge the gap between evidence and real-world application," said MCRI researcher Sydney Stevens. "These guidelines offer a range of practical and responsive recommendations that can be disseminated and used to improve care," Stevens said. The new advice, developed by MCRI, the Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, includes risk assessments tailored to individual circumstances, support for responding to suicidal distress and self-harm in community settings, and guidance for consistent emergency care and medication prescribing. Experts said many young people had felt "failed and hurt" by a lack of tailored care. Stevens added that improving youth mental health would require collaboration among policymakers, clinicians and families to improve the whole system of care.  

Although there are faster ways to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 remains unmatched in terms of its historical and cultural appeal. Author John Steinbeck called it the “Mother Road,” which led poor farmers toward California during the Dust Bowl. For Native Americans, it created economic opportunities but also left lasting scars. During the era of racial segregation, it served as a relatively safe route for Black travelers, while for music lovers, it symbolized joy and freedom. Marking nearly 100 years, Route 66 continues to attract tourists from around the world. যদিও it lost its status as a major highway long ago, its neon lights, quirky motels, traditional food, and small-town stories still draw visitors. Stretching about 2,400 miles, the road runs from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Built in 1926 by linking old trade routes and dirt roads, its aim was to connect the Midwest to the Pacific coast. During the 1930s Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, it became a path of hope. In World War II, it was used to transport troops and equipment. In the 1940s and 195০s, it turned into a popular travel route as people set out on the open road in search of freedom. Along the way, diners, motels, and various attractions sprang up  including rattlesnake pits, trading posts, caves, and even modern architectural landmarks. Neon signs and billboards were everywhere, and food became a major highlight of the journey. However, Route 66 also has a divided history. Development along Native American lands boosted local economies but also caused cultural harm. During the Jim Crow era, Black travelers had to rely on special guides to travel safely. In 1985, with the rise of modern interstate highways, Route 66 was officially decommissioned, affecting many towns along the route. Later, local governments, historians, and entrepreneurs stepped in to preserve its legacy. Today, much of Route 66 is still drivable. The route features historic sites, artworks, and various tourist attractions, with more than 250 locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Experts say it is not just the road itself, but the unexpected experiences, human stories, and memories that continue to keep Route 66 alive.  

Those unusual planters with small openings on their sides often resembling tiny buildings with windows and balconies  are more than decorative pieces. While commonly used for growing strawberries, these pots can also be used creatively for a variety of plants. Usually made of terracotta, strawberry pots are tall and urn-shaped, though shorter and wider versions are also available. The side openings are designed to hold soil and plants, allowing strawberries to grow above the ground and reducing the risk of rotting. However, gardeners can use them for much more than fruit. These pots are ideal for creating attractive and practical displays. Succulents such as hens and chicks fit well in the side pockets, offering a striking look. In colder climates, the pots can be moved indoors during winter, as long as the plants receive enough sunlight and are not overwatered. They are also perfect for a compact herb garden. Smaller herbs like parsley, thyme and mint can be planted in the lower openings, while larger ones such as rosemary or basil can be placed at the top, creating a neat and functional display. Adding small flowering plants like marigolds can enhance the look. Trailing flowers and vines, including petunias and sweet potato vines, can spill out of the openings, creating a colourful effect. Plants like nasturtiums, verbena and ivy also work well, while shade-loving varieties like caladium and coleus are good options for low-light areas. Watering all plants evenly can be challenging, but placing a perforated PVC pipe in the centre of the pot helps distribute water and nutrients effectively. Although strawberry pots come in different materials, traditional clay versions can crack in freezing weather. In colder regions, it is best to bring them indoors during winter and care for them as houseplants. Jessica Damiano is a gardening writer for The Associated Press and publishes the Weekly Dirt Newsletter.