United News of Bangladesh

Baijiu, China’s centuries-old high-proof liquor known for its fiery flavor and strong presence at business banquets, is undergoing a transformation as distillers target younger, health-conscious consumers. Distilled mainly from sorghum and containing up to 60% alcohol, baijiu is central to Chinese drinking culture and social rituals like the customary gan bei (bottoms up) toast. Yet as modern drinkers shift away from heavy drinking and lavish feasting, baijiu’s producers are innovating to stay relevant. “If you like spirits and haven’t tried baijiu, it’s like eating noodles but never trying spaghetti,” said Canadian wine expert Jim Boyce, founder of World Baijiu Day. The annual event promotes awareness of the spirit outside China, where it’s less known than whiskey or vodka. The most famous variety, Moutai from Guizhou province, was famously praised by U.S. diplomat Henry Kissinger during a 1974 banquet with Deng Xiaoping. But despite its prestige, baijiu sales have slumped in recent years. According to the China Alcoholic Drinks Association, Feitian Moutai’s price has dropped 36% this year, and overall baijiu production is expected to decline for an eighth consecutive year in 2025. Letting children grow: Tips for instilling a love of gardening Crackdowns on official extravagance and workplace drinking, coupled with an economic slowdown, have weakened demand. In May, the Communist Party banned alcohol during work meals as part of its anti-corruption efforts. In response, baijiu makers are adapting. Some, like Kweichou Moutai, launched innovations like Moutai-flavored lattes with Luckin’ Coffee, reportedly selling 5 million cups daily. Others are infusing baijiu with fruit, bottling it in sleek designs, and lowering alcohol content to under 10% to attract Gen Z consumers. Brands like Jiangxiaobai use poetic packaging and lifestyle-oriented marketing. Bartenders are also embracing baijiu in cocktails to appeal to younger palates. “Baijiu is quietly making its way into our lives,” said Shirley Huang, 27, sipping a baijiu-based cocktail in Beijing. “It may not appear as itself, but it reemerges in new forms.” Source: Agency 

A six-day public exhibition titled ‘Bidrupe Bidroho’ (The Power of Satire) got underway at the Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) on Thursday evening, attracting a large and enthusiastic crowd on its opening day. Organized by the renowned satire platform Earki, the exhibition commemorates the first anniversary of the 36-day mass uprising of July 2024, exploring satire as a powerful tool of political resistance. Scheduled from July 31 to August 5, the exhibition revisits the creative expressions that shaped the 2024 movement, where citizens demanding justice and democracy turned to humor and wit as forms of defiance. From cartoons, memes, and graffiti to protest songs, poetry, and video installations, satire became a bold medium for voicing dissent against political oppression.

Encouraging children to develop a love for nature and gardening can not only teach them patience and responsibility but also help them form healthy habits that last a lifetime. Experts say the best way to inspire children is to start young and give them ownership of their gardening experience. Let them choose their plants Taking children to a plant nursery and letting them select what they want to grow can spark early interest. While picking annuals or perennials, it’s important to consider safety and the garden’s conditions—such as sunlight or drainage. Some plants, like tomatoes, potatoes, and rhubarb, have toxic leaves and stems, so parents should supervise closely. For edible gardening, let kids choose vegetables they enjoy eating. Experts say they are more likely to care for what they plant and feel proud when their produce becomes part of a family meal. This can also positively influence their food choices over time. Child-sized gardening tools—rakes, hoes, spades, and gloves—can be bought new or sourced from garage sales and online marketplaces. Even regular kitchen spoons can serve as makeshift tools. Thailand provides safe shelters for pets left behind amid border clashes Make it their own At home, children can measure out a small 3-square-foot plot to serve as their personal garden space. Those without access to outdoor space can use containers with proper drainage. Encouraging children to name their garden areas—such as “Ayaan’s Garden” or “Maya’s Marigolds”—helps build a sense of ownership. They can even name each plant, adding a personal touch that deepens their connection to the garden. Teach, but let them learn by doing Children should be taught that gardens need food and water, just like they do. Parents can show the signs of under- or over-watering, but it’s best to let kids observe and decide when care is needed. Observing the sun’s path together can help them understand plant needs. While guidance is important, experts advise against expecting perfection. Kids should be allowed to get dirty, make mistakes, and learn—such as discovering that an unripe tomato doesn’t taste as good as a ripe one. A calendar—placed somewhere visible like the fridge or a bedroom wall—can help children take responsibility for watering and weeding. Checking off tasks adds a sense of achievement. Gardening offers more than just flowers or food—it provides valuable life lessons, encourages healthy habits, and creates lasting memories between parents and children. And for many families, that may be the most rewarding harvest of all.

When faced with overwhelming bureaucracy in Poland, Magdalena Kujawińska and her Colombian fiancé Heinner Valenzuela turned to Denmark for a simpler solution — and tied the knot in a 10-minute ceremony at Copenhagen’s historic City Hall. “We realized that it’s not that easy to get married in Poland,” said Kujawińska. The couple, who reside in Krakow, struggled with document delays, especially the certificate of non-marriage from Colombia, which expires in three months and couldn’t arrive in time. Instead, they turned to an online wedding planner who helped them secure approval to wed in Denmark within just four days. Copenhagen has become a magnet for international couples — mixed-nationality and same-sex alike — earning the nickname “Las Vegas of Europe” for its streamlined wedding procedures. According to Anita Okkels Birk Thomsen, head of the marriage office at Copenhagen City Hall, the capital hosted around 8,000 weddings last year, 5,400 of which involved couples with no Danish residency — nearly double the number from five years ago. But the popularity comes with a downside. Local couples are finding it harder to secure ceremony slots. Tea-loving Nepal is developing a taste for coffee “The significant rise in foreign couples getting married in the capital poses challenges for Copenhagen-based couples,” said Mia Nyegaard, the city official in charge of culture and leisure. Starting late October, City Hall will reserve 40% of wedding slots for residents. However, ceremonies via private registrars will not be affected. City lawmakers will also explore additional measures to relieve pressure on wedding services after the summer break. Denmark’s appeal lies in its liberal marriage laws. It was the first country in the world to recognize same-sex civil unions in 1989 and legalized same-sex marriage in 2012. The requirements are simple: no birth certificate or proof of single status is needed in most cases. Applications cost 2,100 kroner (about $326) and, if approved, couples receive a certificate within five working days. All that's typically required is a valid passport — and a visa, if necessary. “We get that thing like, ‘Are you sure we do not need a birth certificate?’ And we go, ‘Yes,’” said Rasmus Clarck Sørensen, director of Getting Married in Denmark, an online wedding planning company. His firm helped over 2,600 couples last year through its €875 ($1,014) “Complete Service” package. For Kujawińska and Valenzuela, Denmark offered more than convenience — it fulfilled a long-delayed dream. “It means a lot for us because we’ve been waiting a lot for this,” said Kujawińska. “We’re really happy.” Source: Agency 

Online booking systems have turned once-complicated air flight arrangements into seamless digital experiences. All Bangladeshi airlines now operate official websites for ticketing convenience. A major leap forward has been the rise of flight search engines that integrate nearly all airlines under one virtual platform. Let’s explore some renowned international flight booking sites leading the country’s air travel revolution. Some Popular Sites for Booking International Air Flights from Bangladesh Here are some renowned websites where people can book air flights depending on their schedule, requirements, and budget plans.  Biman Bangladesh Airlines Link: https://www.biman-airlines.com/ The state-owned airline introduced its online seat booking system in 2010. Through its official website, passengers can effortlessly complete the entire ticketing process from home. This includes selecting the destination, date, and class and providing detailed traveller information such as email address and mobile number. Payment can be made through digital banking or any preferred mobile payment platform. Upon successful payment, an e-ticket is sent directly to the passenger's email. For added convenience, Biman Bangladesh Airlines also offers a mobile application, Biman App, available for any smartphone users. Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.BimanAirlines.Biman&hl=en&gl=US Apple App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/biman/id6444130555 Read more: Online Ticket Booking in Bangladesh: Websites for Buying Train, Bus, Launch, Air Tickets Shohoz Link: https://www.shohoz.com/ A reliable platform for e-tickets across international and domestic transport, Shohoz has built a strong presence. Since its inception in 2014, it has brought buses, trains, launches, and flights under a single digital platform. On the Shohoz website, users can specify departure date, destinations, and travel dates separately for each transport mode. After completing payment via mobile wallet or bank card, users receive a link to download their ticket, either via email or SMS. The entire process is mobile-friendly, allowing seamless booking directly from a smartphone. Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shohoz.rides Apple App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shohoz-app/id1354321445?ls=1 ShareTrip Link: https://sharetrip.net/ What began as a small Facebook page named Travel Booking BD in 2013, with a focus on selling plane tickets, evolved into ShareTrip the following year. ShareTrip became the country’s first platform to offer online ticketing for both domestic and international flights through a unified system. In addition to its website, ShareTrip provides dedicated apps for Android and iPhone users. All platforms feature real-time fare listings for available flights. Customers typically receive their e-ticket via email within one to two days after completing payment. It depends on the working day, weekend, or public holidays.  Booking requires account registration, and the account can later be used to manage cancellations or rescheduling requests. Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sharetrip&hl=en  IOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sharetrip-flight-shop-voucher/id1469335892 GoZayaan Link: https://gozayaan.com/ Among Bangladesh’s foremost online travel agencies (OTAs), GoZayaan has been facilitating domestic and international air ticketing since 2017. Beyond e-ticketing, the platform also offers services related to hotel bookings, tour packages, and visa assistance. To place a booking, users must first create an account, which grants access to flight updates and ticket management. The website features both flight search and fare comparison tools across multiple airlines. With support for nearly all major mobile wallets and banking systems, the platform is easily accessible to a wide range of users. In addition, dedicated mobile apps are available for both iOS and Android users. IOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gozayaan/id1635126688 Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gozayaan.app&hl=en Read more: Air ticket syndicate back in Bangladesh as fares rise defying govt order Wego Link: https://www.wego.com.bd/ Founded in 2005, Wego is a dynamic multinational travel platform representing over 30 nationalities. Along with domestic routes, the company offers international flights with great deals on preferred airlines. A standout feature is Wego’s direct airline comparison tool, which lets users evaluate multiple carriers in real time. In addition, the platform integrates Airalo, its exclusive eSIM service, for effortless mobile connectivity abroad, as well as e-visa solutions for select destinations. Beyond flights, Wego is a proud partner of Airbnb. They operate ShopCash, a rewards platform for shoppers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With the advantage of multiple payment methods, customers conveniently afford this world-class service.  Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wego.android&hl=en IOS App: https://apps.apple.com/sg/app/wego-flights-hotels-booking/id751096907 US-Bangla Airlines Link: https://usbair.com/ With its inaugural flight launched on the Dhaka-Jashore route, US-Bangla Airlines began operations on July 17, 2014. It has since expanded its reach to major cities across Asia and the Middle East. The airline offers its frequent flyers the Sky Star Program, allowing passengers to accumulate Sky Star Miles. These can later be redeemed for flight tickets or other exclusive rewards. The website is known for its visually engaging interface and clear navigation. The platform also supports a wide range of payment options, making the entire booking experience accessible. Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stsbd.fahim.usbangla&hl=bn&gl=US iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/us-bangla-airlines/id1519327703 Amy Link: https://www.amybd.com/ Since its establishment in 2015, Amy has earned a reputation as a trusted all-in-one travel platform. They streamline everything from flight bookings to hotel reservations and Umrah packages. Amy’s real-time booking system ensures instant confirmation via SMS and email, giving travelers peace of mind. With its advanced flight search, schedule updates, and price comparison features, users stay fully informed at every stage. The platform accepts a wide range of local and international banking cards and supports the most popular mobile financial services. They also offer a suite of smart tools, including the Amy Flight Tracker, live airport flight screens, and Amy Chat. Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amybd.amy IOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amy-bd/id1482481770 Read more: Why Are We Asked to Put Our Phones on Airplane Mode During Flights? Buy Tickets Link: https://buytickets.com.bd/ On August 19, 2018, Buy Tickets, an initiative of Airspan Ltd., began its domestic and international air ticketing operations. Today, it holds a notable position in Bangladesh’s growing travel sector. Like other leading OTAs, Buy Tickets offers a user-friendly interface for effortless flight booking. Customers receive their e-tickets via SMS or email after completing payment. The platform currently supports Android users through its dedicated mobile app. Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.buytickets.bd&hl=en Firsttrip Link: https://firsttrip.com/ As an initiative of US-Bangla Airlines, Firsttrip has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s leading OTAs. It fuses travel and technology to streamline flight bookings and adapt to evolving traveller expectations. Functioning as a comprehensive flight search engine, it allows users to reserve tickets on the most prominent and trusted carriers. Each carrier covers both international and domestic routes. Their standout features are Open Flight Tracker, an intuitive interface, and flexible payment choices across mobile wallets and banking platforms. Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.firsttrip.user IOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/firsttrip/id6462388200 Final Words These popular international flight booking sites of Bangladesh reshape the experience of travelling abroad with ease, speed, and reliability. Biman Bangladesh and US-Bangla Airlines reflect the country’s aviation pride. Wego, Shohoz, ShareTrip, and Amy have emerged as trailblazers in the country’s flight search engine space. The latest OTAs, GoZayaan, Buy Tickets, and Firsttrip, blend modern travel tech with user-centric features. Altogether, these platforms reflect the evolving travel industry, where digital innovation meets global connectivity.

A big bowl of steamed clams and juicy-crisp corn is summer eating at its finest. The combination is fresh, sweet and briny, almost like a chowder made for eating with your fingers. In this recipe from our cookbook “ Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year,” we finish the clams and corn with a small measure of crème fraîche (or whole-milk yogurt); the briny-sweet liquid released by the clams becomes a subtly creamy broth that’s as delicious as the clams themselves. Fennel perfumes the broth with anise-like notes. Scrub the clams well before cooking and be sure to dispose of any with cracked or damaged shells. Give any clams with open shells a gentle tap and toss if they do not close within a few seconds. If you can, use corn kernels cut from freshly shucked ears (you’ll need two good-size ears to get the 2 cups kernels called for in the recipe), but frozen corn works in the off-season. When buying corn, look for bright green husks and supple silk, and avoid ears small brown holes in the husk. To easily remove kernels from the cob, place the ear flat on the cutting board and slice, rotating as needed. Avoid these 5 common mistakes for a perfect fruit salad Serve with oyster crackers, or with crusty bread for mopping up the broth. Steamed Clams with Corn, Fennel and Crème Fraîche Start to finish: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium fennel bulb, halved, cored and thinly sliced 1 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced 2 teaspoons fennel seeds Kosher salt and ground black pepper 2 cups corn kernels 2 pounds hard-shell clams (about 1½ inches diameter), such as littleneck or Manila, scrubbed ¼ cup crème fraîche OR plain whole-milk yogurt Directions: In a Dutch oven, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the fennel, onion, fennel seeds and a pinch of salt, then cook, stirring, until the vegetables are lightly browned. Stir in the corn and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and add the clams. Cover and cook over medium, stirring once or twice, until the clams have opened. Stir once more, then remove and discard any clams that haven’t opened. Off heat, stir in the crème fraîche and ½ teaspoon pepper. Season with salt. Optional garnish: Hot sauce OR chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley OR lemon wedges OR a combination.

As escalating border violence between Thailand and Cambodia forced residents to evacuate, many attempted to bring their animals along. For those who couldn’t, Thai authorities stepped in to care for the pets left behind. Thailand’s Livestock Department instructed local branches to create safe zones for animals whose owners were displaced. Several provinces along the border, including Surin, responded by setting up temporary shelters. In Surin, the Livestock Breeding and Research Center transformed its front area into a makeshift pet shelter, placing cages under cover to house animals. As of Sunday, five dogs and two cats were staying there, though the center can accommodate up to 20 animals. Center director Sornchai Kongsook said pet owners can leave their animals at no cost, but they must visit daily to care for them. “We’ve opened this space for cats and dogs that people couldn’t bring to evacuation centers,” he explained. “Some owners have moved to hotels that don’t allow pets.” Though the shelter has yet to receive any livestock, Sornchai said farm animals are welcome. Authorities are also distributing food to cattle and buffalo left in evacuated zones. Many rural residents in the northeast are farmers and often own livestock, which now roam mostly empty fields. The cross-border clashes that began last week have claimed dozens of lives and forced thousands to flee. Among the evacuees was schoolteacher Wilawan Duangvao, who had to leave her dogs—Khawtom and Khaitun—at the Surin shelter after being ordered to evacuate from Prasat district. She returned the next day to check on them. As she approached their cage, the dogs barked and wagged their tails in excitement. Wilawan tearfully cuddled Khawtom, a 2-year-old shih tzu-poodle mix, while Khaitun, a mix of American bully and Thai street dog, stood eagerly on his hind legs. Leaving them behind was a painful choice, Wilawan said, but staying at home was no longer safe. “Our house has no water or electricity. I was afraid they’d be traumatized if left alone,” she said. Now, she’s helping take care of evacuees at her school, which has been turned into a temporary shelter that doesn’t permit pets. She expressed deep gratitude to the officials who stepped in. “I’m incredibly thankful,” Wilawan said. “Everyone has been so kind. They welcomed my dogs and asked for nothing in return. I’m truly relieved.”  

New York Zendo Shobo-ji was quiet on a Saturday morning in late June, far removed from the muted hum and chatter that lingers in Lenox Hill, in Upper Manhattan, even on rainy summer days. Inside, a small group of young adults sat zazen as an ordained member of the Triratna order led them through a mindfulness meditation. “Be aware of the sounds around you, the quality of the air,” the practice leader said. As if on cue, a bird began cooing in the temple’s garden. The fact that everyone in attendance was on the younger side was by design: The practice is part of the Young Buddhist Initiative, a program designed to help those age 35 and underexplore Buddhist teachings and meditation — no experience needed. Previous sessions have covered topics such as mindfulness, the three poisons (greed, hatred and delusion, the root mental states that Buddhists say cause human suffering) and the meaning of enlightenment. The initiative is run by the Triratna Buddhist Community of New York and New Jersey, part of the international Triratna Buddhist Community founded in 1967 by Sangharakshita, the British spiritual teacher born as Dennis Lingwood. “Triratna” refers to the Three Jewels or Three Refuges of Buddhism: the Buddha, Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings) and Sangha (the Buddhist community). The fellowship describes itself as bringing Buddhist traditions into the modern world in a way that suits contemporary lives. In the United Kingdom, young people’s retreats can attract more than 100 attendees; in the United States, it’s just getting started. While the New York-area branch doesn’t have a permanent headquarters, it runs regular Zoom events as well as in-person meetings and retreats at various locations, such as New York Zendo Shobo-ji. Ananta, who goes by a single name and is CEO of the nonprofit Karuna USA, led the recent day’s practice, guiding the meditation from awareness of one’s breath, body and surroundings to a reflection and discussion on recent actions that participants felt either proud of or guilty about — not to be deemed morally good or bad but to reflect on and let go. Blood sugar monitoring devices gain fans, experts advise caution “Experiences are preceded by mind, led by mind, and produced by mind,” he read from the Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha’s sayings. “If one speaks or acts with an impure mind, suffering follows even as the cart wheel follows the hoof of the ox … If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows like a shadow that never departs.” The Young Buddhist Initiative began out of a desire to create a nurturing space where young people could support each other in their spiritual practice. Ananta came across Buddhism at age 18 through a meditation group at his university in London and knows the value of having a cohort of like-minded peers. “There are people like you who also have spiritual aspirations andare interested in leading a particular lifestyle. That can be very supportive.” Tamojyoti, an ordained member of the Triratna community who goes by a single name, agreed. “We just have a different consciousness than young people. And I think maybe why those young people groups work so well is because that consciousness can flourish,” she said. One of the attendees at the session, Kizzy Joseph, a 28-year-old therapist from Brooklyn, was seeking to have conversations about spirituality with people in her age group and had been looking for Buddhist spaces across the city. Most groups she found took a too-intellectual approach to Buddhism, skewed older or were predominantly white. Headed to her first meeting with the Young Buddhist Initiative, Joseph feared she would be the only Black person in the room. “To my happy surprise, there were three other women of color and another person of color — I think they identify as nonbinary. I was really surprised by how diverse the space was.” According to the 2023 PRRI Census of American Religion, the average age of a U.S. Buddhist is 52, but survey numbers come with the caveat that gathering statistics about Buddhists is difficult, as many people, like Joseph, engage in Buddhist beliefs and practices without formally identifying as Buddhist. Protestant by birth, Joseph became unhappy with the rigid religious structure she was raised in and began exploring different approaches to spirituality in her teens. She feels a “gentle calling”toward Buddhism and finds it less forceful than the faith of her childhood, but doesn’t defineherself as a Buddhist. In her personal life, she also practices ancestor veneration and Reiki. Still, the Young Buddhist Initiative provides something that she hadn’t found in other spaces: a feeling of connectedness and emotional safety. “It’s first and foremost about creating an environment where people of all ages, including younger people, feel comfortable and welcome. One of the things I’m noticing is that we have a number of transgender people that are young, and so I think it feels almost like the environment is open and welcoming for everyone,” said Michael King, a 58-year-old New Yorker who has been attending Triratna meetings and practices for four years. (Despite its name, New York’s Triratna practice attendee ages typically range from 40 to 60, hewing closely to PRRIs national average.) The group tries its best to cultivate that environment. Those in attendance at the late June session spoke quietly but frankly about fights in personal relationships or embarrassing moments at work, receiving acceptance, not judgement, in return. A break for tea and cookies in the temple’s kitchen made room for casual conversation. When it was time to discuss karma and hypothetical moral situations, we were reminded that it’s not about a strict binary of “good” or “bad,” but “skilled” or “unskilled”: that is, aligned with Buddhist precepts and leading to either happy or unhappy results. The five precepts of Buddhism — abstaining from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication — were also interpreted through a modern lens. Alcohol, for example, was considered not to be bad if used moderately; on the other hand, mindlessly scrolling through social media could become a form of intoxication. The group discussed white lies, supporting friends and power dynamics, never landing on an answer that was considered universally correct. Tea-loving Nepal is developing a taste for coffee For Tamojyoti, Buddhism can provide a way to transform the anxiety that many young people feel in response to the state of the world into action. “Young people want to stand for something, and Buddhism is all about your truth, your values, interconnection, compassion.” “If we’re going to change the way this world is operating, it’s going to happen through young people,” King said, expressing a desire for young people to come to the Dharma and make an impact. “I think a lot of people in my generation have wanted to live more of a Dharmic life, meaning that we’re pulling away from those structures. But those structures can’t change unless we’re in there changing them.”

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), small devices that track blood sugar levels around the clock, are becoming increasingly popular beyond their traditional use by people with diabetes. However, experts warn that healthy individuals may not benefit much from monitoring their blood glucose continuously. The devices, about the size of two stacked quarters, are worn on the upper arm or stomach and measure glucose in the fluid under the skin. They send readings every few minutes to an app or display, helping users track how food and activity impact blood sugar. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently praised CGMs as tools to help Americans take control of their health by making informed decisions about diet and lifestyle. Cardiologist reveals 6 morning habits that keep heart strong CGMs have proven lifesaving for the more than 38 million Americans with diabetes—a condition where blood sugar remains high due to insufficient insulin or resistance. For people without diabetes, blood sugar typically rises and falls normally after meals, and fluctuations are not cause for concern. Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, cautions that CGMs can be “notoriously inaccurate” and may cause users to misinterpret normal blood sugar changes, potentially creating unnecessary anxiety. The devices became available over the counter in the US last year and cost about $100 per month. They have gained traction among consumers curious about their health, driven by marketing from health influencers and apps like Noom. Experts say CGMs are most useful for people with diabetes or risk factors such as obesity, prediabetes, or a family history of the disease. For healthy individuals, the benefits are unclear, and interpretation of the data is not standardized. Before using a CGM, experts advise considering the purpose and expected outcome of the monitoring.

A heartwarming showcase of creative expression by the children of Peace Home, a shelter operated by the NGO LEEDO (Local Education and Economic Development Organisation), was held on Saturday morning at the Liberation War Museum, highlighting a powerful fusion of art and literature, imagination, and social engagement. Organised jointly by the Liberation War Museum and LEEDO, the event featured artworks developed during a series of creative workshops led by young artist and curator Rupakalpa Chowdhury, drawing inspiration from Begum Rokeya's iconic feminist utopian story Sultana’s Dream. The programme featured the screening of the award-winning documentary Where the Kids Have No Name by Dutch filmmaker Jamillah van der Hulst, which offers an unflinching portrayal of the lives of Dhaka’s street children. The event began at 10:30 am at the museum’s lounge and main auditorium, opening with a moment of silence and a special condolence message from Peace Home’s children in remembrance of the victims of the recent Milestone School tragedy. Tropa Majumdar moderated the event, which included remarks from LEEDO’s Executive Director Forhad Hossain, who emphasised the importance of nurturing creativity and self-expression among marginalised children. LEEDO Peace Home Manager Sohel Rana and member Jasmin Akhter presented an overview of its activities and creative initiatives through a PowerPoint presentation.