United News of Bangladesh

A wave of donations from K-pop artists has been announced to assist victims of the Hong Kong residential tower fire, which killed at least 128 people, one of the city’s worst fire disasters. Girl group aespa said on their official Weibo page that they will give 500,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $64,000) to the Hong Kong Red Cross, expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy. Stray Kids pledged 1 million Hong Kong dollars (about $129,000) through World Vision Hong Kong to help provide temporary housing and other aid for affected families and children, saying they were heartbroken by the news. Entertainment giants SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment announced a combined donation of 3 million Hong Kong dollars (about $385,000) to support emergency relief and recovery efforts. Other K-pop groups—including Riize, EXO-CBX, and KickFlip—each donated 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $12,900) via World Vision Hong Kong. Meanwhile, organizers of the MAMA Awards, taking place Friday and Saturday in Hong Kong, faced online backlash in South Korea for not canceling the event after the disaster. CJ E&M, the company behind the awards, canceled the red carpet events but will still hold the main ceremony. In a statement, CJ E&M extended condolences to the victims and said the ceremony will include a mourning segment and a “Support Hong Kong” message. Organizers also promised to donate 20 million Hong Kong dollars (about $2.6 million) to a government-established relief fund. “We believe in the healing and unifying power of music,” the company said.

In response to widespread public criticism over high airfares on the Sylhet-Dhaka route, authorities have announced a revised fare structure, officials said on Friday. According to a statement from the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s media cell, the revision aims to improve passenger services while reflecting current market conditions, based on information provided by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Under the new fare structure: Minimum fare: 2,024 BDT; with taxes, the total comes to 3,199 BDT. Maximum fare: 7,024 BDT; with taxes, the total comes to 8,199 BDT. The announcement follows growing public anger over soaring ticket prices on the Sylhet-Dhaka route. Protesters in Sylhet have claimed that unscrupulous syndicates are taking advantage of poor road conditions on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway to artificially inflate airfares.

As the holiday rush began, Jordan Gullotta chose to spend part of her week in a place that brings her calm. At The Gentle Barn — a Tennessee animal sanctuary known for its therapeutic programs — she can groom a cow, stroke a sheep or simply soak in the peaceful atmosphere. But on this visit, she held something new: a blind turkey. Within moments, the brown-feathered bird named Smudge relaxed in her arms, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. “Oh my goodness, you’re so snuggly,” Gullotta whispered. While turkeys usually take center stage on Thanksgiving dinner tables, The Gentle Barn founder Ellie Laks says they can also make surprisingly affectionate therapy companions. “People already know that dogs, cats and horses offer emotional support,” Laks said. “At The Gentle Barn, we ask, ‘Why not turkeys?’” The idea came years ago when one particularly vocal turkey shadowed Laks around the farm. When she knelt down and invited the bird closer, it became clear the hen simply wanted to be held. The Tennessee sanctuary is home to about 60 animals rescued from abuse or neglect, many of them older or living with injuries. One turkey receives acupuncture for hip pain, and a goat who lost its back hooves to frostbite now moves with the help of a custom wheelchair. “We rehabilitate them, give them a safe home, and when they’re ready, we partner with them to help people heal from similar experiences,” Laks explained. “They help people connect to the love and magic animals can offer.” Can’t take hormone therapy for menopause? Doctors say effective alternatives exist Though often dismissed as unintelligent or aloof, turkeys are deeply perceptive and loving, she said — something visitors like Gullotta quickly discover. The Middle Tennessee State University student had come before to visit the cows, her favorites, but hadn’t expected turkey cuddling to be on her agenda. “The turkeys love in their own way — it’s different, but really special,” she said. Turkey therapy sessions are offered all year, and The Gentle Barn — which also operates a location in California — hosts a special Thanksgiving event where visitors can feed and pet turkeys as an alternative way to celebrate. Guests can also sponsor rescued turkeys to help support their care. Source: AP

Whenever I feel overwhelmed — or not nearly enough — I bake a pie. Pie is how I mark milestones: meeting someone new, returning from an inspiring trip, solving a tough problem, or simply trying to create a sense of home. That habit eventually led to my cookbook “50 Pies, 50 States,” a culinary project shaped around learning about America through pies inspired by each state’s people and regional ingredients. When it came to pumpkin pie, the choice was obvious: Illinois. Nearly 85% of the canned pumpkin used nationwide comes from the state, and pumpkin pie is officially its state dessert. But I wanted something more creative than a traditional version. Then the idea landed: blend classic pumpkin pie with Chicago’s iconic deep-dish pizza — a tall, fork-and-knife affair baked in a skillet. The result is a towering deep-dish pumpkin pie that feels as ambitious as a Chicago skyscraper. The crust is the trickiest part. I always brush mine with an egg wash — one whole egg, one extra yolk, and two tablespoons of milk or water whisked or blended smooth — for a golden finish. Don’t rush the dough; keeping it chilled is key. And here’s a pro tip: prepare the filling a day ahead so the custard sets more firmly. Deep-Dish Pumpkin PieMakes one 9-inch pieTotal time: 6 hours (1 hour active) IngredientsCrust Enough all-butter pie dough for a double-crustEgg washPumpkin Filling 1 cup granulated sugar1 cup packed brown sugar2 tbsp cornstarchSpices: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves1 tsp kosher salt¼ tsp black pepperTwo 15-oz cans pumpkin purée2½ cups heavy cream6 beaten eggsEquipment 9-in. springform pan (minimum 2½ in. deep)Parchment paperDirectionsMake the filling: Mix all dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine pumpkin, cream, and eggs, then blend in the dry mixture. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Blind-bake the crust: Heat oven to 425°F. Roll out dough with a 1-inch overhang and press it into a greased, parchment-lined springform pan. Freeze 1 hour. Prick with a fork, line with foil, and fill with pie weights. Bake 30 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely with weights in place. Fill and bake: Reduce oven to 400°F. Remove weights, brush with egg wash, and fill with chilled pumpkin mixture. Bake 45–50 minutes, rotating every 15 minutes, until mostly set with a slight wobble in the center. Tent edges with foil if browning too quickly. Cool at least 4 hours before unmolding. Serve with whipped cream — ideally while watching The Last Dance about Michael Jordan and the 1997 Chicago Bulls. Source: AP

Malaysia plans to prohibit people under 16 from having social media accounts starting in 2026, aligning itself with Australia and other countries adopting stricter age rules to protect minors online. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Sunday that the Cabinet approved the measure as part of a wider effort to protect children from digital risks such as cyberbullying, online scams, and sexual exploitation. He noted that the government is reviewing age-verification models used in Australia and elsewhere, including possible electronic checks using ID cards or passports. He did not specify the exact date the restriction will begin. He said that with cooperation from the government, regulators, and parents, Malaysia can ensure the internet remains fast, accessible, and affordable—while above all staying safe for children and families. Since January, major social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million Malaysian users must obtain a licence, a step tied to increased government oversight of digital services. Licensed platforms are required to use age-verification tools, enforce content-safety standards, and follow transparency rules in line with Malaysia’s drive toward a safer online environment. Australia recently became the first country to legally bar children under 16 from social media, with the ban taking effect Dec. 10. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and the streaming site Kick could face penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) if they fail to prevent underage users from opening accounts. Other nations are monitoring Australia’s policy as concerns grow about the effects of social media on young children. Denmark announced plans earlier this month to block social media access for users younger than 15, though enforcement details have yet to be finalized. Norway is also advancing legislation that would set a minimum age of 15 for accessing social platforms.

Sanae Takaichi made history in October when she became Japan’s first woman to serve as prime minister. Now she faces another potential milestone: whether to challenge the long-standing prohibition that bars women from entering the sacred sumo ring. At the close of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, the winner will receive the Prime Minister’s Cup. Several past male prime ministers, including Junichiro Koizumi, have stepped into the ring to hand over the prize. Takaichi — a conservative who champions traditional, male-centered social values — may choose not to break the taboo. In any case, she will not need to decide this time, as she returns from the G20 summit in South Africa a day after the tournament ends. Her next decision point will come during the New Year’s tournament in Tokyo. Still, the broader debate over whether women should be allowed in the ring is likely to intensify now that a woman leads the country. Critics argue that bans in sumo and in certain religious settings do not reflect the evolving role of women in Japanese society. Women remain barred from some religious sites and eventsThe sumo ring is just one example. For centuries, women in Japan have been excluded from specific sacred mountains, religious training rituals, temples, shrines, and festivals. Similar prohibitions exist in some other cultures, but Japan’s traditional restrictions stem from beliefs about female “impurity” connected to menstruation and childbirth, as well as certain misogynistic interpretations of Buddhism, says Naoko Kobayashi, a professor at Aichi Gakuin University. While many of these bans — including those on Mount Fuji — have been abolished, they persist at some shrines and festivals. Kobayashi notes that many of these taboos date only to the Meiji era in the late 19th century, and have endured partly because women were long prevented from participating in religious and political decision-making. Sumo is ancient, but the exclusion of women is notSumo’s origins lie in rituals tied to the Shinto religion, involving prayers for good harvests and performances at shrines. The wrestling area, or dohyo, is made of special clay and encircled with rice straw, symbolizing a sacred space separated from impurities — and, in professional sumo, off limits to women. Some scholars say the ban reflects Shinto notions of impurity, but the Japan Sumo Association denies that the rule comes from religious doctrine. In 2018, association chief Nobuyoshi Hakkaku insisted the ban had no sexist intent, saying the dohyo is a “serious battleground for men,” and that keeping it male-only preserves tradition. Historical documents, however, show that women once took part in sumo-style wrestling. A 7th-century text describes female court members performing sumo at an emperor’s request, and records from the 16th century mention women wrestlers. Sumo became more prestigious after Emperor Meiji attended matches in 1884, and it became recognized as a national sport with the building of Tokyo’s Ryogoku Arena in 1909. The ban has drawn criticism for decadesIn 1978, labor ministry official Mayumi Moriyama protested when the sumo association barred a girl who won a regional competition from competing in the finals because they were held in a real dohyo. In 1990, as government spokesperson, Moriyama herself asked to enter the ring to present the Prime Minister’s Cup but was denied. A more dramatic incident occurred in 2018 when the mayor of Maizuru collapsed while speaking in a sumo ring. Female medical workers rushed to begin treatment while male officials looked on. Announcers repeatedly ordered the women to leave the ring, and officials purified the area with salt afterward. Shortly after, the association refused to allow Tomoko Nakagawa — then the mayor of Takarazuka — to step onto the dohyo to give a speech, forcing her to speak from the side. She later said she felt humiliated. The sumo association apologized for mishandling the medical emergency and for causing discomfort, and convened a panel of experts to study the ban. Seven years later, no decision has been reached. “Excluding women under the guise of tradition is no longer justifiable,” said Professor Kobayashi. Takaichi’s stance aligns with traditional gender normsTakaichi is not viewed as a feminist figure. She supports conservative family structures, male-only succession to Japan’s imperial throne, and opposes reforming a 19th-century law that would allow married couples to keep separate surnames. She is currently working to win back right-wing voters who have shifted toward newer populist movements. Entering the sumo ring could be seen as defying tradition and risk alienating those supporters. Though she has not publicly commented on the trophy issue, her chief government spokesperson said she has no intention of entering the ring. “Prime Minister Takaichi intends to respect the traditions of sumo culture,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.

Rabih Alameddine’s novel blending family humor with wartime tragedy, The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), has won the National Book Award for fiction. The nonfiction prize went to Omar El Akkad for One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, while poet Patricia Smith received the award for her collection The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems. In other categories, Daniel Nayeri’s The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story was recognized in young people’s literature, and Gabriela Cabezón Cámara’s We Are Green and Trembling, translated from Spanish by Robin Myers, won in translated literature. Hundreds of writers, editors, publishers, and industry professionals gathered at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan for the 76th annual awards ceremony, which also honored fiction writer George Saunders and author-publisher-mentor Roxane Gay with special recognition. Reconnecting with old friends: Why it matters The evening featured music from Corinne Rae Bailey, who performed a relaxed rendition of “Put Your Records On,” and Emmy-winning actor Jeff Heller served as host, humorously acknowledging the “glitterati of the literati.” Heller poked fun at a typo in his recent book A Certain Actress, joking that readers had mistakenly seen it as A Cetain Actress. “Imagine if Madeleine L’Engle discovered her book was printed as A Wrinkle in Tim,” he quipped. The National Book Awards are presented by the nonprofit National Book Foundation and are widely regarded as the “Oscars of book publishing.” Winners in each category are chosen by panels composed of writers, booksellers, and critics, who select top works from hundreds of submissions provided by publishers. Source: AP

At a New York auction Tuesday, a Gustav Klimt portrait set a record by selling for $236 million, while a fully functional, solid gold toilet created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan—satirizing the ultra-wealthy—sold for $12.1 million. The toilet, titled “America,” weighs 101 kilograms (223 pounds) and is made of 18-karat gold. It went on the block at Sotheby’s with a starting bid around $10 million. Known for his provocative works, including taping a banana to a wall, Cattelan has described the piece as a commentary on superwealth: “Whatever you eat, a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise.” Sotheby’s calls it an “incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value.” Earlier in the evening, Klimt’s “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” sold after a 20-minute bidding war, becoming the most expensive artwork ever sold by Sotheby’s. The painting survived World War II intact and depicts the daughter of one of Klimt’s patrons. It was part of the collection of billionaire Leonard A. Lauder, heir to The Estée Lauder Companies, who passed away earlier this year. Solid gold toilet set for auction with $10 million starting price Cattelan made two versions of the toilet in 2016. One was displayed at New York’s Guggenheim Museum and was infamously offered to President Donald Trump when he requested a Van Gogh. That piece was later stolen in England from Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill. Two men were convicted in the theft, but the whereabouts of the toilet remain unknown, with investigators suspecting it may have been melted down. The auctioned toilet “America” was displayed at Sotheby’s New York in the weeks leading up to the sale. Source: AP 

FlyDubai has made a major strategic shift by ordering 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking the first time the budget carrier will expand its fleet beyond Boeing. The memorandum of understanding, announced Tuesday at the Dubai Airshow, is valued at about USD 24 billion at list prices and includes purchase rights for another 100 jets. The order represents a significant expansion for FlyDubai, which currently operates 95 aircraft exclusively from Boeing’s 737 family. The A321neo, a single-aisle mid-range jet, directly competes with Boeing’s 737 models and will give the carrier new flexibility as it grows its regional and medium-haul network. FlyDubai and Airbus shared few details about the agreement, but officials described it as central to the airline’s long-term fleet diversification strategy. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of FlyDubai and Emirates, said the addition of Airbus aircraft would strengthen future expansion as Dubai prepares to build a massive five-runway airport at Dubai World Central. Airbus executives praised FlyDubai for balancing low-cost operations with an increasingly strong premium offering. The order follows FlyDubai’s 2023 purchase of 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which will introduce wide-body capability to its fleet for the first time. Also at the airshow, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways confirmed an order for 16 Airbus aircraft, including A330-900s, A350-1000s and A350 freighters, supporting the airline’s financial rebound after posting a record USD 476 million profit in 2024. On Monday, Emirates ordered 65 Boeing 777-9 jets worth USD 38 billion despite ongoing program delays. Emirates President Tim Clark acknowledged the uncertainties but said the scale of the purchase could accelerate Boeing’s delivery timeline. Both Emirates and FlyDubai are preparing for rapid growth as Dubai advances a USD 35 billion plan to transform Al Maktoum International Airport into one of the world’s largest aviation hubs.

Childhood friends Jennifer Austin and Molly lost touch after Austin’s family moved to Germany, only to reconnect decades later. “Strong friendships really do stay for the long haul,” Austin, 51, said. “Even if there are pauses, they don’t completely dissolve. They linger like a little light in the back.” Psychologist Marisa Franco notes that adult responsibilities and technology can make staying connected difficult, but most people appreciate efforts to rekindle old bonds. She recommends referencing a shared memory or suggesting a phone call or meetup. Can’t take hormone therapy for menopause? Doctors say effective alternatives exist For Heather Robb and Laine DiPasquantonio, a decades-long gap ended when Robb visited Denver for work. Their reunion brought them closer, with Robb calling it “a missing piece.” Similarly, Reyna Dominguez, 18, reconnected with a childhood friend after months apart, encouraging others to “just do it.” Long-distance friendships also thrive with regular calls or visits, as Andrew Snyder, 50, notes. While some connections fade, like Kim Ventresca’s college friendship, experts say reaching out carries little risk and can restore meaningful bonds. Austin and Molly’s renewed friendship shows the value of effort and timing in keeping lifelong connections alive. Source: AP