United News of Bangladesh

After two days of competition featuring about 2,500 dogs from more than 200 breeds, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has narrowed the field to just seven finalists competing for the most prestigious prize in U.S. dog shows. The winner will take home a trophy, ribbons and bragging rights, along with the distinction of being crowned best in show at the landmark 150th annual Westminster event. Among the finalists are Zaida the Afghan hound, JJ the Lhasa apso, Cookie the Maltese and Graham the Old English sheepdog. Also still in contention are Cota, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, and Penny, a Doberman pinscher. One final competitor was due to be selected Tuesday night before all seven meet at Madison Square Garden for the best in show title. While only a handful advance to the final round, many dogs captured the crowd’s attention during the semifinals with memorable and lighthearted moments. Spectators cheered enthusiastically for Calaco, a hairless Xoloitzcuintli that moved confidently around the ring, while Beamer the vizsla amused fans by hopping into a box meant for his handler’s tools. Why ‘exercise snacking’ could be an easy alternative to the gym Storm the Newfoundland drew laughter by leaping up on his handler, nearly matching her height, and cheers for Oliver the golden retriever were so loud they drowned out the arena announcer. Chants also echoed for Lumpy the Pekingese as he strutted before a judge. One standout semifinalist was Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog that made history by competing at Westminster for the first time after the breed became eligible this year. Millie outperformed about 10 other farmdogs to reach the evening round. “It’s been a very exciting journey” to establish the breed in the United States, said Brita Lemmon of Seal Beach, California, who competed with her own farmdog, Coyote. Lemmon said she first discovered the breed in an encyclopedia and imported her first dog from Denmark in 2000. Although Westminster titles often go to dogs handled by seasoned professionals or owners with generations of experience, simply qualifying for the champions-only show is a major achievement. That is especially true for newcomers such as Joseph Carrero and his Neapolitan mastiff, Dezi. Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, said he had wanted a Neapolitan mastiff since his teens and finally got one at age 35. He began showing the dog at the breeder’s request and now both breeds and handles his dogs himself while working full time. “It’s really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it, and he enjoys it,” he said as visitors gathered to meet the 190-pound mastiff. Short bursts of daily activity can significantly boost health Another first-time competitor was Natalee Ridenhour of Royse City, Texas, who entered the show with a Boerboel named Invictus. The powerful South African breed played a major role in her personal life, including how she met her late husband and her move from city life to a farm. Invictus did not advance past the opening round, but Ridenhour said the experience was still a victory. As visitors eagerly petted the dog, she remarked, “Honestly, the big win is: You’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him.”

For people who dislike the gym or struggle to find time for structured workouts, short bursts of physical activity woven into daily life may offer a practical path to better health, according to researchers. The approach, often referred to as “exercise snacking,” focuses on adding brief moments of higher-effort movement into everyday routines rather than relying on long gym sessions. Researchers say even small amounts of intense activity can deliver meaningful health benefits. Jo Blodgett, a senior research fellow at University College London’s Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, said high-intensity exercise that raises the heart rate and breathing is important, but it does not need to happen in a gym or during long workouts. Instead, she promotes what researchers call “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity,” or VILPA, which involves briefly increasing effort during routine tasks. Blodgett said simple actions such as climbing a few flights of stairs before taking a lift, walking briskly for part of a commute, or speeding up for short stretches during a regular walk can help improve heart health. For people who are mostly inactive, just three or four short bursts of intense movement lasting one or two minutes a day can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and improve life expectancy, she said. She also warned against relying solely on occasional gym visits. Even people who exercise once or twice a week can still face health risks if they spend most of the day sitting. Blodgett described many such individuals as “active couch potatoes.” “Thirty minutes of exercise is only a small part of the day,” she said, stressing that long periods of sitting can undermine the benefits of workouts. To counter this, she recommends standing up regularly during work, taking short walks during breaks and holding walking meetings where possible. Research suggests breaking up sitting time every 15 to 30 minutes is better for overall health. Blodgett also encouraged people to focus less on meeting strict exercise targets and more on reducing total time spent inactive. Some countries, including Canada and Australia, now advise that at least half of waking hours should involve some form of movement. Everyday activities such as household chores, carrying groceries or gardening also count, she said, helping to improve strength, balance and overall fitness. While higher-intensity exercise still provides the greatest health gains, Blodgett said the key message is simple: move more, sit less and look for small opportunities throughout the day to be active.   With inputs from BBC

Brief, high-intensity bursts of everyday activity, such as running up stairs, power walking around the house, or playing actively with children and pets, can deliver substantial health benefits and may even extend lifespan, according to recent research. Known as vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) or “exercise snacking,” this approach is gaining attention as an accessible alternative to conventional exercise routines. Experts say it allows people to achieve health gains without spending hours at the gym or meeting the traditional 10,000-steps-a-day target. Mark Hamer, professor of sport and exercise medicine at University College London, explained that VILPA was inspired by studies tracking people who did not perform structured exercise but still accumulated significant movement in short bursts during daily life. “Much of this movement was accrued in very short chunks,” Hamer said, noting the term “microbursts” to describe such activity. Research involving over 25,000 participants in the UK revealed that just three to four one-minute VILPA sessions per day can lower the risk of premature death by 40% and cardiovascular-related death by nearly 50%, compared with sedentary individuals. Even four minutes of daily microbursts can offset some risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Matthew Ahmadi, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Sydney, emphasized that VILPA not only improves heart health but also helps prevent frailty in older adults. Amanda Daley, professor of behavioural medicine at Loughborough University, highlighted the approach’s accessibility, noting it requires only a few minutes multiple times a day, making it suitable for busy adults. Simple examples of VILPA include carrying shopping bags with added effort, briskly climbing stairs, or performing household chores with more energy. Research indicates that even small daily bursts of activity can reduce cancer risk by 17–18% and stimulate beneficial physiological processes affecting metabolism and cardiovascular health. Experts stress that VILPA aligns with a broader public health message: any movement is better than none. While global inactivity remains a concern, microbursts of activity provide a practical way for individuals to improve fitness and reduce chronic disease risk, even if they cannot commit to structured exercise sessions. Hamer added that promoting short, frequent bursts of activity could help people gradually build towards the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, reinforcing a culture of daily movement. In practice, VILPA encourages simple lifestyle adjustments: taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking faster while running errands, or engaging in high-energy play with children or pets, all of which can contribute to a healthier, longer life.   With inputs from BBC

Balancing on a single leg may seem simple, but it can be surprisingly difficult as we age. Practicing this exercise, however, can improve strength, enhance memory, and support brain health. While flamingos might do it naturally, most people spend little time poised on one leg. Balance is usually effortless in childhood, with abilities maturing around ages nine to 10, peaking in the late 30s, and gradually declining after that. For those over 50, being able to balance on one leg for more than a few seconds can reveal much about overall health and aging. There are several reasons to practice standing on one leg. It can reduce fall risk, build leg and hip strength, and improve memory. "If you find that it's not easy, it's time to start training your balance," says Tracy Espiritu McKay, a rehabilitation medicine specialist for the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Read More: 5 simple lifestyle changes that may help slow biological ageing: Experts Why balance matters Doctors often use single-leg balance tests as indicators of health because they are linked to age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia. Muscle mass declines by up to 8% per decade after age 30, and research suggests that by their 80s, up to half of older adults may experience clinical sarcopenia. This affects blood sugar control, immunity, and muscle strength, all of which are reflected in balance ability. Regular one-legged exercises help maintain leg and hip muscles, reducing vulnerability to sarcopenia later in life. "The ability to stand on one leg diminishes [with age]," says Kenton Kaufman, director of the motion analysis laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "People are over 50 or 60 when they start to experience it and then it increases quite a bit with each decade of life after that." Balance is not only a physical measure but also a sign of brain health. Standing on one leg requires the brain to integrate information from the eyes, the vestibular system in the inner ear, and the somatosensory system, which senses body position and ground contact. "All of these systems degrade with age at different rates," says Kaufman. Read More: 80% of strokes preventable through lifestyle modification: Experts Espiritu McKay adds that balance ability can reveal the state of key brain regions, including those involved in reaction speed, daily task performance, and sensory integration. Brain atrophy occurs naturally with age, but rapid decline can limit independence and increase fall risk. CDC data shows that unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury among Americans over 65. Practicing single-leg exercises can reduce this risk. "These single leg training exercises really improve the balance control and actually change how the brain is structured," says Espiritu McKay. According to Kaufman, falls often result from slower reaction times rather than a lack of strength. "Imagine you're walking along, and you trip over a crack in the sidewalk. Most often, whether you fall or not isn't a strength issue, but it's whether you can move your leg fast enough, and get it to where it needs to be, to arrest your fall." Single-leg balance can even reflect short-term mortality risk. A 2022 study found people unable to maintain a single-leg stance for 10 seconds in mid-later life were 84% more likely to die within seven years. Another study of 2,760 adults in their 50s showed that the single-leg stance test was the most informative predictor of disease risk: participants who could balance for two seconds or less were three times more likely to die over 13 years than those who could maintain 10 seconds or more. "In Alzheimer's patients, researchers are actually finding that if they're unable to stand on one leg for five seconds, it usually predicts a faster cognitive decline," says Espiritu McKay. Training your balance Read More: Homeowners embrace no-mow lifestyle year-round Fortunately, research shows age-related decline can be slowed by practising single-leg exercises. These workouts strengthen the core, hips, and legs, while also benefiting brain health. "Our brains aren't fixed," says Espiritu McKay. "They're pretty malleable. These single leg training exercises really improve the balance control and actually change how the brain is structured, especially in regions that are involved in sensory motor integration and your spatial awareness." Balancing on one leg also activates the prefrontal cortex, improving cognitive performance during tasks and boosting working memory in healthy adults. Espiritu McKay recommends people over 65 practise single-leg exercises at least three times a week to enhance mobility and reduce fall risk, ideally incorporating them into daily routines. Starting earlier may offer greater benefits. Claudio Gil Araújo, an exercise medicine researcher at Clinimex in Rio de Janeiro, suggests those over 50 self-assess by standing on one leg for 10 seconds. "This can be easily incorporated into your daily activities," he says, suggesting exercises barefoot and with shoes. Daily activities like brushing teeth or standing at the sink can be used to train balance for just 10 minutes a day. Smooth hip strengthening exercises with gentle resistance, known as isokinetic exercise, can also improve one-legged stability. Source: BBC

The young woman breaks into a broad smile as she gets ready to mount the horse for her weekly ride. She laughs as the animal takes its first steps. “She was happy the first time she rode a horse,” Hector Chen said, recalling their initial visit. His daughter, Chen You-ching, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy more than 16 years ago. He has since been bringing the now 18 year old to horse therapy sessions. At the Therapeutic Riding Center of Taiwan in Taoyuan, a city in the island’s north, children with cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD and other conditions receive companionship and therapy by riding and interacting with horses. Animal-assisted therapy is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, whether for children with intellectual disabilities or veterans coping with trauma. Abigail Liu said her five year old daughter has benefited greatly from the therapy. Her daughter, Ayah, has Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental delays. She said her daughter “has become less afraid of unfamiliar things and is more willing to try new things. All of this began after she started riding horses here.” Read More: ‘Paush Sankranti’ horse race keeps rural tradition alive in Narail The horses require special training to handle a child’s movements and to remain calm when surrounded by several people, said Chan Shu-ya, a horse therapist. At times, children simply want to hug a horse for an extended period or listen to its heartbeat, and the animals will stand quietly with them. “They feel very relaxed, because the horse doesn’t show irritation even if they keep talking to it,” said Alain Chang, a horse riding coach at the Fang Hsing-Chung Social Welfare Foundation for Horses in Education and Health. “For them to come here to touch, observe or even hug the horses is a very special experience.” “Many of the students I work with look forward to coming here every week, rain or shine,” he said.

Iraqi calligrapher Ali Zaman has completed an extraordinary handwritten copy of the Holy Quran after six years of tireless work, marking the end of a deeply personal artistic journey. Standing beside his creation at a mosque in Istanbul, the 54-year-old artist said finishing the manuscript filled him with pride and gratitude. “Whenever I think about this Quran, I feel very happy. God gave me the life and strength to complete it, and that makes me proud,” he told The Associated Press. The manuscript is monumental in size and scope. It is made up of 302 double-sided scrolls, each about four metres (13 feet) long and 1.5 metres wide. The sheets, similar to thick parchment, were specially produced using traditional materials such as eggs, corn starch and alum. Islamic calligraphy is one of the most respected art forms in the Muslim world. For centuries, it has been used not only to preserve the Quran but also to decorate mosques, palaces and manuscripts. In Turkey, the art flourished during the Ottoman period with strong state support, leading to the development of unique styles. Today, Istanbul remains a major centre for calligraphy, known locally as hat. Art expert Umit Coskunsu said calligraphy became especially important in Islamic culture because of restrictions on depicting human figures. He described hat as more than just art. “It is seen as a form of worship, a way of getting closer to God,” he said. Zaman was born in Ranya, in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region, and developed an interest in calligraphy at the age of 12. “I was drawn to it immediately. I felt I could find my soul in this art,” he recalled. In 2017, he moved with his family to Istanbul to focus on the Quran project and improve his skills, saying calligraphy is more appreciated in Turkey than in his home country. For six years, he worked from dawn until dusk in a small room at the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, carefully handwriting every sheet. Although the manuscript is being described as the world’s largest handwritten Quran, it has not been officially recognised. Guinness World Records lists the largest printed Quran, produced in Mecca in 2025. Zaman’s son, Rekar, remembers how rarely he saw his father during those years. “We mostly saw him when we brought food or when he came home to sleep,” he said. “Now, thankfully, we see him more.” Read More: Three-flippered sea turtle Pyari released in Florida, now tracked by satellite The scrolls are now safely stored and covered at the mosque. Zaman hopes the Quran will one day be displayed publicly in a museum or special cultural space where people can truly appreciate it.

A loggerhead sea turtle with only three flippers swam back into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after months of rehabilitation in Florida, drawing cheers from a bundled-up crowd and now carrying a satellite tracker to monitor her movements. The turtle, named Pyari—a Hindi word meaning “beloved”—had been recovering at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach following a likely shark attack. The predator left her with severe injuries to her neck, shell, and front flippers, resulting in the amputation of most of her left forelimb. Japan's last pair of pandas have arrived back in China To prepare Pyari for her release, staff maintained her tank water at around 80 F (27 C) to help her acclimate. Beachgoers captured photos as she made her way down the sand, the long antenna of her satellite tracker waving behind her, before disappearing into the waves. Heather Barron, chief science officer and veterinarian at the Marinelife Center, noted that while the beach air was chilly, ranging in the 40s Fahrenheit (4–9 C), the Atlantic remained at a comfortable 77 F (25 C), ideal for her return. Pyari arrived at the center in November from the nearby Inwater Research Group, where staff began her care after the injuries left her in critical condition. The satellite tracker will now allow scientists to study how she adapts to swimming and surviving in the wild with just three flippers. 

Nestled in Japan’s Hakone region, Owakudani is a steaming volcanic valley famous for its black eggs, known locally as kuro-tamago. Boiled in sulphur-rich hot springs, the eggs turn jet black, and local legend promises that eating one adds seven years to a person’s life. The story dates back over a thousand years to Kobo Daishi, a revered Buddhist monk and scholar, who encouraged locals to consume eggs boiled in the valley’s hot springs to promote health and vitality. Over time, this belief evolved into the enduring legend of the seven-year lifespan boost. Owakudani, about 90 km from Tokyo, attracts visitors with its dramatic landscape of hissing vents, steaming fissures, and rocky terrain. The valley’s geothermal activity, formed by a volcanic eruption roughly 3,000 years ago, not only shapes the scenery but also gives the eggs their unique black shells. Inside, the eggs are regular hard-boiled eggs with only a faint sulphur taste. Visitors usually take a train to Odawara, followed by local transport and the Hakone Ropeway, which glides over the volcanic valley. At Owakudani Station, the kuro-tamago are sold fresh, typically in packs of four, and meant to be eaten on-site, reports NDTV. Read More: Why weight often comes back after quitting intermittent fasting, says Harvard doctor While scientific evidence does not support the claim of added longevity, the eggs are a ritualistic experience for many Japanese and a fascinating cultural curiosity for international travellers. Authorities advise visitors to follow safety rules strictly, as the area remains volcanically active with occasional restrictions due to gas emissions or seismic activity.

A crumbling 19th-century house on one of Belgrade’s busiest streets is defying time and urban development by thriving as a small, intimate theatre. Built in 1894 by a prominent family, the mansion at 17 Takovska Street is a protected heritage site that now hosts Takovska17, a theatre staging early 20th-century plays for audiences of just a few dozen people. Though traffic roars past outside, stepping inside feels like entering another era, with period furniture, faded walls and wooden floors worn by more than a century of use. Several local theatre troupes perform in the space, embracing its historic atmosphere. Actress Isidora Ristic said the house itself has become part of the performances, calling it “a character in our plays.” Architect and performer Tamara Masic said the artists feel honored to breathe new life into the old building, describing it as “like a museum.” The unique setting has drawn strong interest, with frequent waiting lists for tickets. As many similar houses in Belgrade have been demolished to make way for modern buildings, Takovska17 stands out as a rare survivor, preserving the city’s past while creating new stories on stage.  

People who stay active late at night, often called night owls, may have a higher risk of heart problems, a new study suggests. Researchers say the mismatch between the body’s internal clock and daily routines can affect heart health, but lifestyle changes can reduce the risk. The study, led by Sina Kianersi of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, tracked over 300,000 adults in the UK Biobank for 14 years. About 8% identified as night owls, while a quarter were early birds and the rest had typical sleep patterns. Night owls were found to have a 16% higher risk of a first heart attack or stroke compared to the average population. Women night owls showed especially poorer cardiovascular health. Experts link the risk to behaviors like smoking, poor diet, insufficient sleep, and less physical activity. “Night owls are not doomed. The challenge is living in a morning person’s world,” Kianersi said. The misalignment can affect metabolism, blood pressure, and other heart-related functions. The American Heart Association recommends eight key habits for heart health: regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco, getting enough sleep, healthy diet, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight. Researchers say night owls can follow these steps to protect their hearts, even if they prefer late-night schedules. Experts also suggest sticking to consistent sleep and wake times and focusing on quitting smoking as a priority. “Focus on the basics, not perfection,” Kianersi said. The study highlights the importance of aligning daily habits with the body’s natural rhythm while maintaining heart-healthy behaviors.