United News of Bangladesh

Muslims around the world are preparing to observe Ramadan, the Islamic holy month marked by daily fasting from dawn until sunset. For the faithful, it is a period of intensified worship, spiritual reflection and charitable giving. It is also a socially significant time, as families and friends gather in the evenings to share meals that break the fast. Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam’s major holidays. Ramadan likely to begin around Feb. 18-19 Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which rotates through the seasons. Its beginning is traditionally determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. This year, Ramadan is expected to start on or about Feb. 18 or 19, although the exact date may vary from country to country. Differences arise because Islamic authorities worldwide may rely on moon sightings or distinct calculation methods to announce the start of the month. Notably, Ramadan this year is expected to commence around the same time as Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a solemn season of fasting and repentance for Catholics and many other Christians. Fasting as a core pillar of Islam Fasting during Ramadan is one of Islam’s Five Pillars, alongside the declaration of faith, daily prayers, almsgiving and pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims view fasting as both an act of devotion and a means of developing greater piety and self-discipline. Observers say it teaches patience, fosters gratitude and deepens empathy for those facing poverty and hunger. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from all food and drink — including water — between dawn and sunset. The fast is broken at sunset with a meal known as iftar. Before dawn, many eat a pre-fast meal called suhoor to prepare for the day ahead. Mosques typically see increased attendance, with worshippers engaging in congregational prayers, recitation of the Quran and extended periods of contemplation. Charitable acts are especially emphasized. Many people distribute food packages, sponsor iftar meals for those in need or take part in community dinners that offer free meals. Who is exempt from fasting Islam provides exemptions for individuals who are unable to fast due to valid reasons such as illness or travel. Those who miss fasts for temporary reasons are generally required to make up the missed days later. Cultural expressions and social traditions While fasting is a religious obligation, many customs associated with Ramadan are shaped by local culture. Traditions differ across regions, though communal gatherings after sunset are a common feature. Some families decorate their homes with Ramadan-themed ornaments and table settings, and markets and special bazaars often see increased activity. In Egypt, the month takes on a festive atmosphere. Colorful lanterns adorn homes and streets, and traditional songs welcome the arrival of Ramadan. A long-standing custom involves a “mesaharati” walking through neighborhoods before dawn, beating a drum and calling out to residents to wake them for suhoor. Television programming also plays a prominent role in some countries, with new drama series released during the month and advertisers competing for audiences. While some Muslims express concern that commercial activities and lavish iftar gatherings may overshadow the spiritual focus of Ramadan, others believe a balance can be maintained. In Indonesia, Ramadan practices reflect regional diversity. In Aceh province, for example, families observe Meugang by slaughtering livestock and sharing meat with relatives and the needy. In Tangerang, near Jakarta, residents gather at the Cisadane River for a symbolic cleansing ritual before the month begins. In parts of Sumatra, children and teenagers parade through the streets after evening prayers, carrying torches and singing Islamic songs. In the United States, where Muslims represent a diverse minority, many families attend iftar meals and prayers at mosques and Islamic centers to strengthen communal bonds. Interfaith iftar gatherings are also organized in some communities to promote understanding and solidarity. Across cultures and continents, Ramadan remains a time of devotion, generosity and shared experience for Muslims worldwide.  

As China prepares to welcome the Lunar New Year, it’s not only people gearing up for the festivities — robots are joining the celebration as well. On Friday, four small humanoid robots, each standing about 95 centimeters (3 feet) tall, rehearsed at a shopping mall in western Beijing, drawing the attention of curious shoppers. Dressed in bright lion dance costumes, the robots quickly began performing: bending their knees, shifting left and right, lifting up, shaking their masks, and repeating the sequence in rhythm. With the Lunar New Year approaching next week, venues across Beijing are busy preparing stages and decorations for a series of holiday fairs and events. For the second consecutive year, one fair will highlight technology, with robots once again playing a leading role. Visitors will be able to watch the robots dance, stack blocks into small towers, skewer syrup-coated hawthorn berries — a traditional sweet treat — and even play soccer. Qiu Feng, a member of the organizing committee, said the number of participating robots has grown significantly this year. They are set to showcase a range of performances, including dance, martial arts, Peking Opera, poetry recitals and soccer matches. While some activities were featured last year, Qiu noted that this year’s robots demonstrate smoother movements and a stronger high-tech feel. China has been intensifying efforts to develop more advanced robots capable of performing diverse tasks with the help of artificial intelligence and reduced human control. Despite their progress, the robots still rely on human assistance at times — such as for dressing them or repositioning them if they stop unexpectedly during a mini soccer game. Qiu added that as technology advances rapidly, the fair aims to keep pace and continue evolving alongside these innovations. The robots appearing at the mall were created by Chinese startups, including Booster Robotics. The company plans to present around 20 humanoid robots that will perform dances and play soccer. Ren Zixin, marketing director at Booster Robotics, explained that the robots operate in an AI-driven environment. Once a whistle signals the start, remote controls are set aside, and the robots independently handle their own decision-making and movement.  

More than 200 love letters exchanged by a couple during World War II have been digitally published by the Nashville Public Library, offering a deeply personal glimpse into love, uncertainty and hope during wartime. The letters, written by William Raymond “Ray” Whittaker and Jane Dean, were discovered in a Nashville home that once belonged to Jane and her siblings. The collection was donated to the Metro Nashville Archives in 2016. Ray, originally from New Rochelle, New York, came to Nashville to study at the historically Black Meharry Medical College, where he met Jane, also a student. They later lost contact when Ray left the city. In 1942, after being drafted into the Army and stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, Ray reached out to Jane, who was then working as a medical lab technician at Vanderbilt University. Although the archive does not have Ray’s first letter, it includes Jane’s reply dated July 30, 1942. Addressing him formally as “Dear Wm R.,” she wrote that hearing from him was both a “pleasant and sad surprise.” She said she was proud of his service but worried about the uncertainties of war. She ended the letter warmly, urging him to “Write, wire or call me real soon — Lovingly Jane.” China’s Lunar New Year travel rush begins, 9.5 billion trips expected According to metropolitan archivist Kelley Sirko, the letters provide an intimate look at two ordinary people navigating extraordinary times. “You really can’t help but smile,” Sirko said, noting how the correspondence reflects not just romance but also the realities of racial segregation, gender roles and military life. As the letters continued, their relationship grew stronger. Ray, later assigned to help organize the segregated 92nd Infantry Division in Alabama, hinted at marriage. In one letter, he joked that as an officer he would earn more money if married and needed someone to help him spend it. Jane initially questioned whether his feelings were genuine or driven by loneliness. But Ray soon wrote more seriously about wanting a future together. The couple married on Nov. 7, 1942, in Birmingham. In a letter two days later, Jane addressed Ray as “my darling husband,” expressing joy in their marriage despite being separated by war. The collection also includes photographs and Ray’s Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity patch. Archivists have not located any living relatives. Ray died in Nashville in 1989.

China’s annual Lunar New Year travel season has begun, with authorities expecting a record 9.5 billion trips during the 40-day period surrounding the country’s biggest festival. The mass migration, known as “chunyun,” is considered the largest yearly movement of people in the world. Millions are heading back to their hometowns ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 17. Among them is Liu Zhiquan, who works in construction in Beijing and was preparing for a train ride of more than 30 hours to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, about 2,000 kilometers away. He said economic conditions feel worse than last year. “The economy is bad and it’s getting harder to make money,” Liu said. To cut costs, he chose a slower train. A high-speed train would take about nine hours but costs more than twice as much. Despite the long journey, he said returning home for the holiday is important, as it is often the only time workers across the country can reunite with their families. According to the National Development and Reform Commission, around 540 million trips will be made by train and 95 million by air during the travel period. The majority of journeys will be by road. In China, where many employees work long hours, including weekends, and receive limited annual leave, the Lunar New Year holiday is especially valued. At Beijing railway stations, large crowds filled waiting halls, carrying heavy bags and suitcases. Many passengers ate instant noodles while waiting, taking advantage of free hot water provided at stations. Tian Duofu, who recently began working full-time in Beijing, said she is looking forward to the nine-day holiday starting Feb. 15. She said it has become harder for extended families to gather, and long holidays are rare. “After I started working, I realized such a long break is uncommon, and we meet in person less often, which makes the Spring Festival more meaningful,” she said. Tian Yunxia, originally from Henan province and now running a breakfast stall in Beijing, said she is eager to return home to see her children, grandchildren and husband. “The new year is the most important festival. If we don’t go back home, we cannot truly feel the festive atmosphere,” she said.

A long-delayed airport project in Peru’s Sacred Valley is fuelling fresh debate over tourism growth and heritage protection, as critics warn that the development could permanently alter the landscape surrounding the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. The Chinchero International Airport, under construction on the outskirts of the historic Andean town of Chinchero, is expected to significantly reduce travel time for visitors by allowing them to bypass Lima and Cusco. Designed to handle up to eight million passengers a year, the airport could boost visitor numbers to the region by as much as 200%, according to Peruvian authorities. Supporters argue the project will provide an economic boost to one of Peru’s less-developed regions. The Ministry of Transport and Communications says the airport, which has already cost an estimated 2.3 trillion Peruvian soles, has created more than 5,000 construction jobs and could benefit around one million people linked directly or indirectly to tourism. However, Indigenous groups, archaeologists, environmentalists and local tourism operators have raised concerns about cultural loss, environmental damage and unchecked development. The Sacred Valley, carved by the Urubamba River and surrounded by the Andes, was the spiritual and administrative heart of the Incan empire and still contains functioning pre-Incan and Incan infrastructure, including roads, irrigation systems and agricultural terraces. Opponents warn the airport threatens watersheds, wildlife habitats and archaeological sites. Local guide Luis Flores said agricultural land around Chinchero has already been sold off since the project was announced more than a decade ago, replacing traditional corn and potato fields with housing and commercial development. He fears intensified construction to support mass tourism will further reduce farmland. Tourism professionals acknowledge potential economic benefits but stress the need for proper planning. Machu Picchu guide Lizbeth Lopez Becerra said the region’s infrastructure is already under strain, citing traffic congestion, water shortages and inadequate waste management. A comprehensive heritage impact assessment, she noted, remains incomplete. The airport project, first proposed in 1978, has been repeatedly delayed by funding problems, construction setbacks and allegations of corruption. Officials now estimate it will be completed in late 2027, though some residents doubt it will ever open. Concerns have also been raised about overtourism. Unesco has warned that poor management and rising visitor numbers could threaten Machu Picchu’s World Heritage status. Peru’s Ministry of Culture currently caps daily visitors at between 4,500 and 5,600, depending on the season, but a sharp rise in arrivals could place further pressure on the fragile site. Veteran guide Efrain Valles Morales said the key issue is not visitor numbers alone, but how tourism is managed. He urged authorities to invest in guide training and diversify attractions to spread visitors beyond Machu Picchu, highlighting lesser-known nearby sites such as Chonta Canyon and ancient agricultural terraces at Surite. Hotel owner and philanthropist Petit Miribel said while Cusco’s existing airport is overcrowded and new infrastructure is needed, development must be carefully controlled. She warned that rapid, unplanned construction is already changing the character of towns like Urubamba, adding that long-term impacts on future generations must be considered. Although the airport has yet to open, residents say its effects are already being felt. “The damage is already there,” Miribel said, reflecting a growing concern that transformation of the Sacred Valley is underway even before the first plane lands.   With inputs from BBC

New medical research and innovative therapies are offering fresh hope to millions of people worldwide who suffer from migraine, a severe neurological condition that remains difficult to treat despite its widespread impact. Migraine affects more than one billion people globally and is one of the leading causes of disability. Patients experience intense headaches along with symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and, in some cases, visual disturbances known as aura. The condition varies greatly from person to person, making treatment complex and often unpredictable. In the United Kingdom, 35 year old solicitor Megan Daniels uses a small handheld neuromodulation device several times a day to reduce migraine attacks. The device sends mild electrical pulses to stimulate nerves in her neck and face. Daniels says the treatment feels calming and helps prevent attacks as well as reduce their severity. Neurologists say this type of nerve stimulation is part of a growing range of non drug therapies aimed at disrupting pain pathways in the brain. Such devices are especially useful for patients who do not respond well to medication or cannot take certain drugs due to pregnancy or side effects. For decades, migraine treatment relied mainly on painkillers and drugs originally developed for other conditions, including heart disease, depression and epilepsy. While these medicines help some patients, others experience little benefit or suffer strong side effects. Overuse of painkillers can also worsen migraine, turning occasional attacks into chronic ones. A major breakthrough came with the discovery of calcitonin gene related peptide, or CGRP, a small protein involved in pain signaling in the brain. Scientists found that CGRP levels rise during migraine attacks and that blocking this peptide can reduce symptoms. Several CGRP targeting drugs are now available and have significantly expanded treatment options. Studies show that many patients experience fewer attacks over time, and some see major improvements after long term use. However, experts caution that these drugs do not work for everyone and are not a complete cure. Daniels, who suffers from vestibular migraine that affects balance, initially responded well to CGRP blockers. But after several months, her symptoms returned. She described being unable to walk properly, drive or leave her home during severe attacks. Researchers are now exploring other peptides linked to migraine, including PACAP and orexins, which are involved in sleep and brain signaling. New drugs targeting these molecules are currently in clinical trials and may offer additional preventive options. Another effective treatment has come from an unexpected source. Botox, widely used for cosmetic purposes, has been shown to reduce migraine frequency when injected around the head and neck. Doctors later discovered that Botox works by blocking the release of CGRP in sensory nerves rather than relaxing muscles alone. Many chronic migraine patients see their attacks cut by half after regular treatment. In more severe cases, doctors are turning to mechanical therapies. These include wearable devices placed on the neck, forehead, arm or head that deliver electrical or magnetic pulses to calm overactive nerves. Experimental devices are also being developed that use gentle vibrations inside the nose to reduce inflammation linked to migraine pain. Experts stress that no single treatment works for all patients. Instead, migraine care increasingly combines medication, nerve stimulation, lifestyle changes and psychological support. Good sleep habits, diet, exercise, stress management and therapies such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy are now considered important parts of long term care. Neurologists say understanding migraine as a chronic brain condition rather than just a headache is key to improving quality of life. While a complete cure remains elusive, the expanding range of treatments means patients today have more options than ever before to manage this disabling condition.   With inputs from BBC

Japan’s decision to cancel a cherry blossom festival near Mount Fuji has drawn wide attention, highlighting the deep cultural significance of sakura in the country. Authorities scrapped the event, launched in 2016, citing overtourism and disruptive behaviour by visitors. Announcing the move, Fujiyoshida Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said the step was necessary to protect residents’ dignity and living environment. The cancellation struck a chord because cherry blossoms are far more than seasonal flowers in Japan. They are woven into the nation’s history, identity and collective memory, making the loss of any sakura celebration feel deeply symbolic. Although cherry blossoms bloom in many parts of the world, Japan’s long-standing traditions of sakura matsuri and hanami set it apart. References to Japan almost inevitably evoke images of cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Imports of Valentine’s Day flowers through Miami International Airport have increased this year despite higher costs caused by tariffs and rising wages, U.S. officials said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expects nearly 990 million flower stems to pass through the airport in the weeks ahead of February 14. About 90% of all fresh cut flowers sold for Valentine’s Day in the United States arrive through Miami, with the rest coming via Los Angeles. Most flowers, including roses, carnations and chrysanthemums, are flown in from Colombia and Ecuador. Avianca Cargo, Miami’s largest flower importer, is transporting around 19,000 tons of flowers on 320 special cargo flights for Valentine’s Day, more than double its normal operations. Avianca Cargo CEO Diogo Elias said red roses dominate shipments during this period, making up over half of the total imports. Consumers, however, are expected to pay more this year. Christine Boldt of the Association of Floral Importers of America said higher prices are mainly due to tariffs imposed last year on Colombian and Ecuadorian flowers, along with Colombia’s new minimum wage. Despite rising prices, flowers remain one of Miami airport’s biggest imports. Airport director Ralph Cutié said flower shipments rose 6% from last year, with more than a quarter arriving before Valentine’s Day. CBP agriculture specialists inspect each shipment to prevent pests and plant diseases from entering the country, officials said.

While snow covers the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden and the sky stays gray, a bright and colorful scene awaits visitors inside. The garden is set to open its 12th annual Orchid Show on Saturday, featuring more than 10,000 blooming orchids. Inside the greenhouses, warm air and bright lights welcome guests as staff make final preparations. This year’s show is themed “Feelin’ Groovy,”inspired by the 1970s. One of the main attractions is a yellow Volkswagen Beetle filled with orchids, adding a fun and cheerful touch to the display. “It’s a great escape from the winter cold,” said Jodi Zombolo, associate vice president of visitor events and programs. “People are looking for something joyful and playful during this time of year.” Orchids are one of the largest plant families, and some rare species are on display, said horticulturist Jason Toth. One highlight is ‘Darwin’s orchid’, known for its long flower shape that once helped Charles Darwin understand how pollinators adapt to plants. In another section, visitors can see Vanda orchids in shades of purple, pink and yellow, with large roots hanging freely. These orchids grow on trees rather than in soil. Jashore’s Gadkhali blooms with hope; flower business may cross Tk 400 crore  “Everyone is tired of winter,” Toth said. “A flower show like this is exactly what people want right now.” The Orchid Show is expected to attract around ‘85,000 visitors’this year.

A previously unknown sketch by Renaissance master Michelangelo, depicting a foot, has been sold at auction for $23 million (£16.9 million), more than ten times its initial estimate. Christie’s auction house said experts have identified the red chalk drawing as a study of the foot of the Libyan Sibyl, a figure later painted by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The work is believed to date back to around 1511–1512, when the artist was preparing the second phase of the iconic ceiling fresco. According to Christie’s, the discovery came after the artwork’s unsuspecting owner submitted a photograph of the drawing simply to obtain an auction estimate, only to learn of its extraordinary value. Andrew Fletcher, global head of Christie’s Old Masters Department, called the find “one of the most memorable moments” of his career. The anonymous seller, who lives on the west coast of the United States, told Christie’s that he inherited the drawing from his grandmother. He said the artwork had remained in his family in Europe since the late 18th century. The dark truth behind historic anatomical art Giada Damen, a specialist in Christie’s Old Master Drawings Department, carried out detailed analysis using infrared reflectography. The examination revealed additional sketches on the reverse side of the sheet, also consistent with Michelangelo’s style. Damen then compared the drawing with an authenticated Michelangelo work held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, concluding that the sketch was indeed an original. While multimillion-dollar art sales are not uncommon, the result places the sketch among notable recent auction highlights. In 2017, a 500-year-old painting of Christ attributed to Leonardo da Vinci sold in New York for a record $450 million. In November 2025, a portrait of Elisabeth Lederer by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt fetched $236.4 million, while a surrealist painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo sold for $54.7 million, setting a new auction record for an artwork by a woman. #With inputs from BBC