United News of Bangladesh

Dolly Parton’s deep connection to Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains helped transform her hometown and boost tourism across the region. Parton, who grew up in a two-room cabin without electricity or running water, became one of country music’s biggest stars after moving to Nashville. Yet she remained closely connected to Sevier County, where residents considered her a beloved local figure. Prince Harry, Meghan return to UK for fresh start after six years in US Mourners gathered at her bronze statue in Sevierville on Tuesday, leaving flowers, drawings and other tributes. At Dollywood, the theme park Parton co-owned from 1986, visitors lined up Wednesday for attractions celebrating her life. The park is now Tennessee’s most visited tourist attraction, generates about $1.8 billion annually and is the county’s largest employer. Parton also established the Dollywood Foundation in the early 1990s to reduce Sevier County’s high school dropout rate, which was about 30%. Its Buddy Program helped students with college costs, and the rate later fell to 6%. Her Imagination Library has distributed more than 330 million books in several countries. After the 2016 wildfire killed 14 people and caused about $2 billion in damage, Parton’s foundation supported displaced families and affected students. Her generosity and work also helped challenge negative stereotypes about Appalachian communities.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, marking a fresh start in Britain after spending more than six years in the United States, British media reported. Their return came less than a week after the couple surprised the public with plans to move back to Britain. The BBC and Daily Telegraph reported that Harry and Meghan arrived at Birmingham International Airport around noon. Flight-tracking websites showed a private charter flight from Van Nuys, California, landing at the airport at 11:56 a.m. Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, have already been enrolled in British schools and are expected to begin classes in September. The family plans to live at a private residence outside London. However, they have not disclosed the exact location. Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties and moved to California more than six years ago, where they pursued commercial deals, including major contracts with Netflix and Spotify. Their relationship with the royal family soon became strained. The couple accused palace staff of failing to properly support Meghan over her mental health and also alleged racism and media manipulation within the royal establishment. Harry has recently shown interest in repairing ties with his family so he can spend more time with his father, King Charles III, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. However, his relationship with his elder brother, Prince William, the heir to the British throne, remains strained.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has hit back at unsolicited comments about her appearance after a plastic surgeon offered her advice on Instagram. The 48-year-old prime minister said Monday that she had just returned home from Ukraine, where she heard air raid sirens amid the ongoing war, when she received a message from a plastic surgeon offering to “fix that little spot” on her nose. Frederiksen said she had received countless comments about her appearance over the years, including remarks about her teeth, thin hair and a mark on her nose, along with suggestions that she should get Botox. She shared a screenshot of the surgeon’s message on Instagram but did not reveal his identity. She also posted her response, saying she was happy with her body and did not need a male plastic surgeon to comment on it. Frederiksen, a Social Democrat and Denmark’s second female prime minister, has led the country since 2019 and is serving her third term. She has taken a firm position against US President Donald Trump’s ambitions for Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, and has continued to support Ukraine in its war with Russia. In her Instagram post, Frederiksen said she does not comment on other people’s looks and is comfortable with her body as she approaches 50. “If you’re going to write to me, I hope you’ll use your time to talk about something more meaningful. Not my nose,” she said. She added that such unsolicited beauty advice made her feel “indignant” and sent her support to people who deal with pressure over their appearance and the “perfect imperfections” everyone has.

Texas-based convenience store chain Buc-ee's is facing growing criticism in Ohio after suing a small mini mart in Beavercreek over its beaver logo. The lawsuit has sparked an online backlash, calls for a boycott and even support from comedian John Oliver, who highlighted Buc-ee's history of defending its trademark against businesses using animal-themed logos. Buc-ee's sued Beaver's Mini Mart in federal court in Ohio in late July, arguing that the shop's beaver logo is too similar to its well-known Buc-ee, or "Bucky," mascot. The company is seeking a jury trial. The dispute began about four months after Buc-ee's opened its first Ohio location near Dayton. The 74,000-square-foot store has more than 100 fuel pumps, 24 electric vehicle chargers and 700 parking spaces. Buc-ee's says it has a responsibility to protect its trademark. The company said it first became aware of Beaver's Mini Mart after owner Vic Boparai registered the business name in October. The store, originally known as Hanes Road Carryout, changed its name to Beaver's Mini Mart in January 2025. According to Buc-ee's, it repeatedly tried to contact Boparai about the alleged trademark conflict but was unable to reach him, leaving the company with no option but to file a lawsuit. Boparai thanked supporters but did not directly respond to Buc-ee's allegations. "We want to say thank you to the community and the entire country for supporting us and our business," he said. The dispute has attracted widespread support for the small business. Customers have criticized Buc-ee's for taking legal action against a much smaller store. "I love Buc-ee's, but I don't plan on going back until they start making better business decisions," said Austin Collins, a 32-year-old project manager from Fairborn, during a visit to Beaver's Mini Mart to protest the lawsuit. Beavercreek backs its beaverThe Beavercreek City Council joined the response by unanimously passing a resolution on Aug. 10 recognizing the beaver as an official and permanent part of the city's more than 200-year history. Social media users have also mocked the dispute, with one image showing Ohio State University's Brutus Buckeye mascot tackling Buc-ee's beaver. A GoFundMe campaign created to help Beaver's Mini Mart cover its legal costs had raised at least $69,000. Local businesses have also offered support by selling beaver-themed cookies and donating part of the proceeds toward the store's legal expenses. Several Dayton-area businesses, including a Lego store and a root beer shop, temporarily changed their logos to include beavers in solidarity with the mini mart. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who attended the opening of the Dayton-area Buc-ee's store in April, also criticized the lawsuit. "It is Beavercreek, for heaven's sake," DeWine told reporters, calling the legal action "absurd."

Chinese traditional culture, aesthetics and homegrown brands are gaining growing popularity among international visitors and consumers, with the trend known as “China-chic” increasingly making its way into overseas markets. The trend combines traditional Chinese cultural elements with modern design and creativity, ranging from Hanfu clothing and traditional handicrafts to cultural souvenirs, food and contemporary Chinese brands. Traditional-style Chinese clothing has emerged as one of the most visible expressions of China-chic. Many foreign visitors now try on Hanfu and take part in traditional-style photo sessions during trips to China, with some buying the outfits and other cultural products to take home. The popularity of Hanfu is also evident on social media. The hashtag #Hanfu has appeared in more than 350,000 posts on TikTok. China’s expanding exports are also helping homegrown products reach international consumers. Data from the General Administration of Customs showed that China’s goods trade rose 16.9% year on year to 25.47 trillion yuan (about $3.75 trillion) in the first half of 2026, with culturally themed, technology-based and branded consumer goods accounting for an increasing share of overseas sales.  

For children starting at a new school, the first day can bring many worries: Will they know anyone? Who will they sit with at lunch? Who will they play with during breaks? “I’m this much nervous,” said 5-year-old Iman Fair-Seldon, holding her hands about 10 centimetres apart. Iman will begin first grade next month at a new school in southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia. Despite feeling nervous, she is excited about making new friends. Starting at a new school or moving from elementary to middle school can be difficult for children. Parents often want to help but may not know the best way. Experts and students who have experienced such changes offer some simple advice. Arrange playdates and attend partiesParents have a strong influence on young children's social lives, experts say. Taking children to parks, playgrounds, birthday parties and other activities can give them chances to meet others. Parents can also decide when their children are ready for activities such as sleepovers. “Initially, parents have a huge impact when it comes to the friends that children have,” said Dr Asha Barber Sutton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and associate dean of academic affairs at National University in San Diego. Iman’s mother, Amira Fair, said she normally prefers to keep to herself but makes an effort to help her daughter build friendships. “I make it my business to exchange numbers and try to schedule monthly playdates,” she said. She also attended birthday parties at Iman’s previous school to meet other parents and families. Let children build their own friendshipsParents cannot choose or manage every friendship their children have. Instead, they can help children understand what makes a good friend, such as kindness, honesty and being able to feel comfortable around someone. Difficult experiences can also teach children how to deal with disagreements and what qualities they value in friends, Sutton said. Parents can ask questions such as: What do you like about your friends? Who makes you feel comfortable being yourself? Fourteen-year-old Jaiden Journet, who is starting at a new high school in North Carolina, suggested parents ask their children whether they have found anything in common with another student. Encourage children to get involvedJoining clubs, sports teams and other activities can help children meet classmates who share their interests. Parents can encourage shy or nervous children to try something new. Shia Watts, 16, said joining a theater production at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, helped her make new friends. “I’d never done that before, but I met so many amazing people,” she said. When Jamir Gonzalez transferred to Uncommon Camden Prep High School in New Jersey last year, he joined the baseball and debate teams. “If you have any hobbies, find out if they have that at your school, and if they do, talk to the people that are there,” said Jamir, now 16. Once children find an opportunity to connect, experts say they can start with a smile, a compliment or a simple question. Iman remembers meeting her best friend after complimenting her shirt. “I think I said, ‘I like your shirt,’ and then she said, ‘Thank you.’ And I said, ‘So what’s your name?’” she recalled. Encourage some screen-free timePhones, headphones and other devices can sometimes make it harder for students to start conversations. Parents can encourage children, especially teenagers, to put their devices away at certain times and interact with people around them. Some teachers and experts also suggest parents avoid constantly texting their children while they are at school. However, parents should avoid imposing overly strict technology rules on older children because this could make them feel socially isolated, Sutton said. Families should instead discuss reasonable limits on phones, social media and gaming and talk about who children interact with online. Technology can also help children maintain friendships when they move away. Video calls, for example, allow children to stay in touch with old friends. One good friendship can be enoughHaving a sense of belonging at school can make an important difference to a child’s well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students who feel supported by school staff and classmates are less likely to experience poor mental health, substance use or violence. They are also more likely to have better attendance and grades. But children do not need a large group of friends to feel connected. “Even if you only have one really strong friendship or one strong trusted adult, one strong sense of belonging, that can be enough to really positively affect your well-being and your trajectory through school and life,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit focused on preventing gun violence in schools. For children who are nervous about starting at a new school, Hockley said it may help to remember that other students are likely looking for friends, too. “There’s also someone else just like you in that same space who’s also saying, ‘I would like to meet someone. I’d like to make a friend,’” she said. Starting a conversation may feel difficult at first, but with practice, making new friends can become much easier.

For generations, the yellow school bus has been a familiar sight across the United States. Although early school buses came in different colors, the distinctive yellow shade eventually became the national standard because it was easy to see on the road. The color was not chosen by Congress. In 1939, transportation officials from all 48 US states selected the yellow shade, which has a slight orange tone, as an early safety measure. At their peak in the 1980s, yellow school buses carried more than 60% of US students to school. The school bus has its roots in rural America. In Georgia, car dealer Albert Luce designed a metal bus to transport cement workers. When his company rejected the idea, he began marketing the vehicle to schools. The timing was right. School districts were replacing small, one-room schools with larger schools located farther away, creating a growing need for school transportation. “I don’t think you could’ve had one without the other,” said Matt Anderson, head transportation curator at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan, which houses Luce’s 1927 bus. School buses later played an important role in desegregating US schools by carrying Black and white children across racial boundaries. However, the practice of using buses for desegregation has largely ended, and many US schools have since become more segregated. Carl Fisher spent 66 years driving school buses before retiring in 2012 at the age of 86. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized him as the longest-serving school bus driver. His first bus was a modified Dodge truck that carried about 20 children in Pleasant Hope, Missouri. A family friend converted the vehicle by adding benches, stools and windows. Over the years, features such as padded seats and folding stop signs became standard, along with other safety improvements. Brad Beauchamp of electric bus maker Blue Bird said school buses remain among the safest forms of road transportation per passenger and mile, even without seat belts. Today, however, driver shortages and other challenges mean many students no longer have access to a yellow school bus. This has put additional pressure on families to find other ways to get their children to school. Jim Oppegard, who drove school buses for more than two decades in Brooklyn Park, a Minneapolis suburb, retired at 94 as the oldest recorded school bus driver. He said the job was rewarding because it allowed him to help children and contribute to the wider community. “You’re helping the kids and helping the overall society,” Oppegard said. “You’re doing an important job.”

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are preparing to return to the United Kingdom from California within weeks, raising questions about whether Harry can repair his strained relationship with his elder brother, Prince William. The couple have already enrolled their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, in British schools for the autumn term. The unexpected decision has sparked debate over where the family will live, who will cover their security costs and whether Harry and Meghan could ever return to royal duties. The biggest challenge, however, may be Harry’s relationship with William, heir to the throne. Their ties have deteriorated following Harry and Meghan’s public criticism of the royal family, including allegations of mistreatment by palace staff, racism and problems within the monarchy. Royal experts also say there could be concerns about Harry and Meghan drawing attention away from William and his wife, Catherine, when they are again in Britain. Craig Prescott, an expert on the UK constitution and monarchy at Royal Holloway University of London, said the palace would have to consider how the couple’s return could affect the work of the royal family. Harry wants his children to grow up BritishHarry and Meghan are expected to live in a private home outside London and will not resume their royal duties, which they gave up after moving to California six years ago, British media reported. Their return comes as King Charles III, Harry’s 77-year-old father, continues cancer treatment. Harry has previously spoken about wanting his children to spend more time with their grandfather. Royal historian Ed Owens said several recent developments may have paved the way for the family’s return. Harry has spoken about reconciliation, while he, Meghan and their children reportedly had a positive meeting with Charles at his Highgrove estate in western England last month. Harry has also said he wants his children to grow up British. Owens noted that the UK may also appear safer to the family amid growing divisions in US society. Royal experts expect Charles to forgive HarryOwens said he expects Charles to forgive his younger son, partly because of his position as supreme governor of the Church of England and the Christian value placed on forgiveness. He said William may find it harder to forgive Harry, although he could eventually do so publicly. “Privately William never fully forgives his younger brother” may be possible, Owens told The Associated Press, but traditional Christian values could encourage a public reconciliation. Charles was informed about Harry and Meghan’s plans on Sunday. The issue was not discussed during their recent UK visit. Relations remain strainedHarry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family has been tense since they stepped down from royal duties and moved to California in 2020 to become financially independent. The rift grew after the couple gave a series of interviews and Harry published his memoir, “Spare.” They said they left Britain because of the pressures of royal life and accused palace officials of failing to support Meghan’s mental health. They also alleged that a member of the royal family had made a racist comment about their unborn child. Meghan has described herself as biracial. In a widely watched 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry said the reasons for leaving Britain were “lack of support and lack of understanding.” Security and legal disputes remainHarry’s tensions with the UK media have also added to the difficulties. He has been involved in a long-running legal battle with British tabloid publishers, accusing them of illegally accessing his phone and invading his privacy. Harry and other plaintiffs lost a lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail last month, leaving them facing potentially millions of pounds in legal costs. Associated Newspapers has said its costs were 34.5 million pounds ($47 million). Harry has also challenged a UK government decision not to provide him and his family with police protection whenever they visit Britain. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Thursday that the couple’s security arrangements were a private matter for Harry and Meghan. Harry lost his legal challenge over the security decision in May 2025. At the time, he said he hoped to reconcile with his family but remained critical of those in Britain whom he believed had mistreated him and Meghan. Royal historian Owens said the focus could now shift from the family’s disputes to efforts to rebuild their relationships. “Time is a great healer,” he said, suggesting that reconciliation between Harry and his father could eventually lead to a possible reconciliation between the two brothers.

At 9 a.m. on a scorching Saturday in June, nearly 100 people were already lined up outside Goldee’s BBQ, a small, wooden-shack restaurant. First in line was 30-year-old Thanh Huynh, who had been sitting in a lawn chair on the joint’s rustic porch since 6:30 a.m. “I have, like, a whole list, and I’m going to spend lots of money here. It’ll be worth it,” he said, laughing while rattling off a long order of meats and sides from his phone’s Notes app as a sweet, smoky scent from nearby pits hung in the air. Opened in 2020 by a group of his friends, the restaurant was named the No. 1 barbecue spot in the state by Texas Monthly a year later, and then won a Bib Gourmand award from the prestigious Michelin Guide, given for “great food at a great value.” The restaurant serves classic Texas barbecue like craft pork belly, sausage and ribs. But it also offers halal brisket, turkey and lamb — meat raised and butchered in accordance with Islamic guidelines. At a time when Republican leaders are increasingly targeting the state’s growing Muslim communities, halal barbecue joints like Goldee’s are thriving in Texas. Across the state, Muslim pitmasters are gaining recognition for putting their own spin on one of Texas’ most iconic culinary traditions. At least a dozen barbecue spots now serve halal meats, including Yearby’s Barbecue & Waterice, run by Black Muslim couple CJ and Sabrina Henley, soon-to-be in Plano, and Levant Mediterranean BBQ, a restaurant with locations in Houston and Frisco and whose all-beef menu includes a brisket shawarma sandwich. “Now there are so many options, and for us to have highly rated barbecue, it’s a blessing,” said Haris Ghaffar, who drove an hour from Celina and stood in 90-degree weather for nearly two hours with a friend for the halal options at Goldee’s. Growing up in the 1990s, Ghaffar said a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich was one of the few halal meals he could eat while dining out. Back then, halal food was seen as serving a small community. Today, it’s a multibillion-dollar industry that’s part of the American culinary mainstream, said James Beard Award‑winning food writer Farhan Mustafa, who wrote about the rise of American halal barbecue for Bon Appétit magazine in 2025. “Halal food is American food,” said Mustafa, who is based in Seattle. “It belongs on your plate. It belongs in the casual chat. It belongs in hip hop tracks. It’s the most American thing there is.” Mustafa said Muslims are part of a growing list of communities putting their stamp on Texas barbecue. “Whether they’re first, second or third-generation Muslims or Muslim Americans or just Americans, they’re bringing what they know and what excites them,” he said. Texas barbecue is typically defined by salt-and-pepper brisket and pork ribs, but this new crop of halal pitmasters are adding inventive twists, often based on their own family heritages. Zain Shafi, a pitmaster and co-owner of Goldee’s, previously ran Sabar Barbecue, a food truck that offered Pakistani-infused halal dishes, such as brisket with rub that included spices like bay leaf and coriander. He brought tandoori smoked turkey to Goldee’s menu. And sourcing halal cuts, he said, was a natural choice because they are “the highest quality” meats. Goldee’s chef and part owner Nupohn Inthanousay also blends his Laotian heritage, serving a smoked Lao “sai oua” sausage with sticky rice and a fiery, tangy dipping sauce. At Kafi BBQ in Irving, owner Salahodeen Abdul-Kafi brings halal Wagyu beef and Iraqi spices to classic Texas barbecue, challenging what he said is the “traditional old guard of Texas barbecue.” “My goal at Kafi BBQ is to make the best barbecue in Texas,” Abdul-Kafi said. “I have not been shy about that at all, and making the best barbecue in Texas does not necessarily have to include pork.” A former Silicon Valley tech worker, he moved to Texas six years ago in search of a Muslim community. On weekends in his backyard, he smoked brisket for friends. By 2024, he bought a smoker and opened Kafi BBQ. He said he spent months testing and perfecting recipes and finding local producers. Abdul-Kafi attributes his obsession with crafting a stand-out menu to the Islamic concept of “Ihsan”— an Arabic term meaning doing something with excellence for the sake of God. On a Sunday afternoon this summer, the restaurant’s red booths were packed with diners, drawn to menu items like the 13-spice Wagyu brisket, pomegranate-glazed beef belly burnt ends and Iraqi-inspired spicy beef sausage. “That sausage, I’d probably put it at the top sausage I’ve ever had, and we eat barbecue a lot. This place is unique,” said Jonathan Tate, a Fort Worth resident who came to Kafi BBQ with a friend after reading about it on a Facebook foodie group. “I don’t necessarily have to have it halal, but it’s nice to know they took good care of the food, the meat,” his friend Jon Sklar said, before going back in line to order oxtail. Although political rhetoric against Muslims in Texas has become increasingly hostile — some GOP lawmakers even discussed a ban on halal food at a conference this month — pitmasters like Abdul-Kafi see the rise of halal barbecue as an effective counterargument. “It’s an example of exactly the opposite of what the Islamophobes talk about, right?” he said. “They say, ‘oh, Muslims don’t integrate, they stay alone, they don’t help society and all this stuff.’ And it’s like, I’m sitting here contributing to the most well-known cuisine of Texas.” One of the diners at Kafi BBQ, Houston native Muhammad Sohail, 23, said the restaurant reflects who he is — a proud Texan and Muslim. “This place is super important because I can see halal within the culture of Texas, which is my culture at this point,” Sohail said. “We love the food. We love meat. We’re Muslims and we love barbecue.” After finishing a big lunch with 10 relatives, Areeba Ali, a Dallas native of Indian heritage, said the restaurant’s appeal cuts across communities, which she said is evidence that halal barbecue isn’t a niche but resonates broadly with Texans. “If you look around in the restaurant, you see everybody in there — it’s not just one demographic in there,” Ali said. For Mustafa, that success is ultimately a testament to the resilience of Muslim American communities. “No matter how much they try to erase us, our food is here to stay,” he said. “You will see the power of just good food and the fact that most people really seem to understand that this is just as American as anything else.”

Durga Bari Stuttgart, a vibrant cultural and social organisation of the Bengali community living in Stuttgart, Germany, will host its grand Durga Puja 2026 celebration from October 2026 16 to 20 at Martin-Luther-Str. The five-day festival will feature traditional Durga Puja rituals and customary ceremonies conducted in accordance with the Hindu Panjika (almanac), alongside a colourful lineup of cultural programs, authentic Bengali cuisine and Bengali street food, said a media release on Thursday. The popularity of Durga Puja celebration is no longer confined to Stuttgart or the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Today it is regarded as one of the foremost annual gatherings for the Bengali diaspora across Germany. “Dear members, guests and friends, we extend our warmest greetings to you all. Durga Bari Stuttgart is not merely an organization - it is a true home for our culture, heritage and community. Throughout the year, we organise various festivals and cultural programs that bring people together and encourage cross-cultural exchange,” said Bimal Agarwala, President, Durga Bari Stuttgart. “Engaging the next generation is also one of our special goals - we want young people to become familiar with their cultural roots and carry that heritage forward with new-found enthusiasm. This is how we build a living bridge between the past, present and future. I warmly invite you all to join our event and celebrate the diversity of our culture together with us.” Durga Bari Stuttgart is a vibrant organisation of the Bengali community living in Stuttgart, Germany, which nurtures the heritage and culture of Bengal through religious observances, cultural events and social gatherings, and continues its efforts to pass this legacy on to the next generation.