United News of Bangladesh

The 11th Ayurveda Day was observed at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Dhaka on Wednesday under the theme ‘Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow’, bringing together practitioners, academics, students and cultural figures. The programme featured an interactive workshop on Ayurveda and preventive healthcare conducted by Dr Mohammad Mamun Mia, Principal of Nur-Majid Ayurvedic College; Prof Dr Babul Akter of Hamdard University; and Dr Md Jakir Hossain of Nur-Majid Ayurvedic College. High Commissioner of India Dinesh Trivedi highlighted Ayurveda as part of the shared knowledge traditions of India and Bangladesh and underscored the scope for greater cooperation in traditional medicine, research and knowledge exchange. The programme also featured the unveiling of a wool tapestry depicting Lord Ganesha by Bangladeshi artist Shahin Sobhana Surovi. Noted vocalist Ranjan Chandra Sarker presented a classical musical performance, adding a cultural dimension to the programme that brought together themes of health, heritage and culture. Students from leading universities and research institutes working in Ayurveda and traditional medicine participated enthusiastically in the event.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is marking its 10th anniversary with celebrations, even as it faces pressure from the administration of President Donald Trump over how American history is presented in federally supported museums. The museum, which opened on Sept. 24, 2016, plans a weekend of events at its National Mall location and The Wharf along the Washington Channel. The celebrations will begin Thursday with activities throughout the museum and include a discussion titled “Understanding America,” featuring Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, the museum's founding director. The anniversary will also have a family-style feel, including a performance of Stevie Wonder's “Happy Birthday.” “Our anniversary is really founded through this theme of ‘Welcome Home. Our Legacy Continues,’” said Shanita Brackett, the museum's acting director. “It means we are planning our next 10, frankly 20 years of exhibitions right now.” The museum, often affectionately called the “Blacksonian” by visitors and supporters, has come under scrutiny from the Trump administration. Trump signed an executive order last year seeking changes at a number of federally supported museums and landmarks. The Interior Department has also removed dozens of displays from national monuments that focused on social activists, people of color, women and LGBTQ people, among others. The order directed federal officials to work with Congress to prevent the Smithsonian from using federal funds for exhibits that allegedly “degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with federal law.” However, museum officials say their work has continued without interference. “We have not changed any exhibitions. We haven't changed our language. We know that what we do is steeped in scholarship,” Brackett said. ‘No changes’ to museum's missionThe Smithsonian receives funding from both the federal government and private sources. Its funding structure and governance, which includes lawmakers from both parties, private donors and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, have made it more difficult for the administration to directly control its exhibits. Still, supporters of the museum have expressed concern about possible changes to its exhibitions over the past two years. Trump's administration has also announced measures aimed at the Smithsonian. Trump ordered signs to be placed outside some Smithsonian buildings warning visitors that they could encounter exhibits presenting what the administration considers an inaccurate portrayal of American history. Brackett said the museum remains committed to its original mission of presenting “the unvarnished truth of African American history and culture.” “We know that Black history is a part of American history, and it's our job to ensure that everyone who comes to this museum, who engages in our programming, who visits us online, understands exactly how all of this evolved,” she said. She said the museum also seeks to show how African Americans' contributions have helped advance the United States. “There are no changes to exhibits other than rotating objects that need conservation,” Brackett said. Some visitors had feared that displays such as the casket of Emmett Till and a Greensboro lunch counter at the nearby National Museum of American History might have been changed to address concerns from the administration. Brackett said there had been no such changes. “Nothing has changed,” she said. More than a century of advocacyThe idea of creating a major landmark on the National Mall to recognize African American contributions dates back more than 100 years. In 1915, Black Civil War veterans urged lawmakers to establish a memorial honoring their contributions to the war, during which many had fought for their own freedom. The proposal moved forward slowly over the following decades. Later, efforts to honor the legacy of the civil rights movement gained support among lawmakers. Congress approved the museum in 2003, and it opened its doors on Sept. 24, 2016. At the opening ceremony, then-President Barack Obama described African American history as an important part of the broader American story. “It is a glorious story, the one that's told here. It is complicated, and it is messy, and it is full of contradictions, as all great stories are,” Obama said. Over the past decade, the museum has welcomed nearly 14 million visitors from 200 countries and more than 26,000 school groups, according to the Smithsonian. The 10-story museum has five floors above ground that focus on African American art and cultural achievements, while five underground floors explore the community's deeper history. Its exhibitions present both the difficult and triumphant chapters of African American history and their place in the wider history of the United States. Visitors eager to experience the museumA day before the anniversary, Shallary Duncan of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, visited the museum for the first time. “With all of the changes in our country, it made me yearn to be here. I don't want to see any changes that would mitigate the reality of this experience,” said Duncan, a psychologist and self-described history enthusiast. She said it was important for African Americans to have a voice in preserving their history. “We know that African Americans have been in this country for as long as the country has been here, so it's important for us that we are a part of a voice that says this is real, our history is real and we don't want it to change,” she said. More than a dozen students from a group of historically Black colleges and universities also visited the museum Wednesday to learn from its exhibitions. Some said they had been visiting since childhood. For Jaina Dotson, a student at Tuskegee University studying architecture, the visit was especially meaningful. She had visited the museum as a child while growing up in Maryland and wanted to see how her perspective had changed. The visit also connected with her studies, as she had researched the museum's design for an architecture project. “Looking at the outside facade, the corona, and the intention of the design behind that, as well as the layout of the museum itself, was an integral part of my research,” Dotson said. “The layout of the museum, its architecture, is really important for the experience. So it'll be fun to actually experience that as a patron.”

Two concerts featuring Pakistani artists have been postponed at the last minute due to security concerns, with organisers saying they could not obtain the necessary security clearance. One of the organisers of the ‘mAhx Republic’ concert, speaking on condition of anonymity, said all preparations had been completed and advance payments had been made to the artists. “Everything was ready, including the advance payments to the artists. But we have to postpone the concert as we did not receive permission at the last moment. Details will be announced at a press conference on Thursday (Sep 24),” the organiser said. The ‘mAhx Republic’ concert, presented by the REDMI Note 17 Series, was scheduled for Sep 25 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal. The lineup included Pakistani musicians Ali Azmat of Junoon, Jal The Band and Mustafa Zahid featuring Roxen, along with Bangladeshi acts Nagarbaul, Nemesis, Level Five and Shironamhin. The concert was organised as part of activities surrounding the launch of Xiaomi’s REDMI Note 17 series. Meanwhile, Pakistani band Kaavish’s ‘Wave Fest: Enjoy the Full Moon’, organised by PrimeWave Communication, has also been postponed for the same reason, according to the organisers. Kaavish was scheduled to perform in Dhaka on Sep 26 with Bangladeshi bands Shironamhin and Meghdol. The concert had already been postponed once previously over security-related permission issues and was rescheduled after nearly 10 months. Organisers of the two concerts are expected to announce new dates soon. Sources also said three other concerts featuring foreign artists have been postponed, although details of those events were not immediately available.

Kazi Sabyasachi elevated recitation into a modern and aesthetic art form and played a pioneering role in popularising Nazrul's poetry through his voice, speakers said at a seminar organised by Bangla Academy on Wednesday to mark Nazrul Year. The seminar titled ‘Kazi Sabyasachi: The Pioneer of Modern Nazrul Recitation’ was held at the Kobi Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room of Bangla Academy at 4 pm. Bangla Academy Secretary Dr Md Selim Reza delivered the welcome address, while recitation artiste and lawyer Nasim Ahmed presented the keynote paper. Musician and organiser Khilkhil Kazi and recitation researcher and vocal artiste Nimai Mondal took part in the discussion. Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam chaired the programme, moderated by Deputy Director Kazi Rumana Ahmed Soma. Selim Reza said Nazrul's poetry embodies rebellion, equality, humanity, love, secularism and the aspiration for freedom, while its rhythm, sound and word arrangement make it particularly suitable for recitation. Presenting his paper, Nasim Ahmed said Kazi Sabyasachi, despite his relatively short life, elevated recitation and pronunciation into a modern and aesthetic art form. He described Sabyasachi's voice as deep, masculine, resonant and melodious, and said he remains an exemplary figure in modern recitation. "Not only his recitations of Nazrul's poetry, but also his renditions of poems by other poets were undoubtedly unmatched," Nasim said. He also said Sabyasachi took recitation beyond conventional circles and brought it to middle-class homes and ordinary people, helping establish it as a widely accessible art form. Khilkhil Kazi recalled memories of her grandfather Kazi Nazrul Islam and father Kazi Sabyasachi, saying Sabyasachi's popularity demonstrated how deeply a person could connect with people through a love for recitation. She said Sabyasachi had shown that recitation could be pursued as a profession and that he won people's hearts through the art. Bangla Academy Director General Professor Azam said Sabyasachi had internalised Nazrul's poetry from childhood and developed a creative connection between the poet's distinctive style and his own recitation. The speakers said Sabyasachi's work had a lasting influence on recitation of artistes in Bangladesh.

A book published Tuesday by the brother of the late Princess Diana has made headlines around the world with its damning allegations about Diana's ex-husband, now King Charles III, and reopened decades-old wounds within Britain's royal family. In "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," Charles Spencer alleges that he argued with the then-Prince Charles over palace plans for Prince William and Prince Harry, then 15 and 12, to walk behind their mother's coffin during her 1997 funeral procession. Spencer says he told Charles that Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36, would not have wanted her boys to undergo the ordeal. He claims the prince "went ballistic" during the argument, and told him: "Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough." Spencer also accuses Charles of having "contempt" for his ex-wife and of sounding "elated" after her death. After excerpts of the book were published last week, Buckingham Palace responded with a strongly worded statement that's rare by the measured standards of the royal household. "His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss," it said. Spencer has stood by his claims, insisting to the BBC that he is telling the truth. On the royal rebuttal, he asked: "Is he furious or is he embarrassed?" War of words draws renewed attention to Charles and Diana's stormy history Charles, then 32, married 20-year-old Lady Diana Spencer in a lavish ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in 1981. The couple divorced in 1996, and a decade later Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, now Queen Camilla. Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, has long clashed with the royals over their treatment of his older sister. Tensions between the palace and the Spencer family following her death were dramatized in the film "The Queen" and the Netflix series "The Crown." In a searing eulogy at his sister's funeral, Spencer vowed that her "blood family" would carry on her "imaginative and loving" legacy in raising her two sons. The speech was widely considered a swipe at the royals. At the time, many in Britain and beyond felt Queen Elizabeth II and her kin were too slow to acknowledge the global outpouring of grief over Diana's death and that the monarchy was deeply out of touch with the public mood. Diana tried to break off engagement to Charles and back out of wedding After days of news stories that pitted one Charles against another, the book landed in shops with a new offering of salacious allegations. Spencer says his sister tried to break off her engagement after discovering Prince Charles had bought a bracelet for Camilla. She also tried to back out of the wedding, telling her father it was clear Charles didn't love her. "My father was appalled and said it was impossible to pull out of such an enormous commitment at that point," Spencer wrote. Diana had suicidal thoughts and more than once drove to the famous chalk cliffs at Beachy Head on the south coast of England and considered "ending it all," her brother said. Spencer, like his nephew Prince Harry, holds the press responsible for the car crash that killed Diana, saying the paparazzi were the "leading cause of her death." 'Swan Song' is in ample supply and offered at half price The book was prominently displayed in windows and stacked on tables in London bookshops. The 28-pound ($37.43) hardback was offered Tuesday at half price in some shops and early sales were not brisk. Mary Scheible, a retired pharmacist visiting from Atlanta, said she couldn't wait to get back to her hotel to start reading it. Scheible was married the same year as Diana and Charles and has always been fascinated with the princess's story. "I wanted to see her brother's side of the story and what he had to say," Scheible said. "I'd really like to read the book in its entirety and see if what's being said is really what he's trying to convey in the book or not." The Telegraph gave the book a two-star review (out of five) and called it a "monument" to Spencer's ego and not a book about his sister. The Times of London said it went beyond defending Diana to launch a "Shakespearean blood feud between two aristocratic houses — a Montague-versus-Capulet drama played out in Barbour jackets and tweed where an 'ancient grudge' becomes 'new mutiny.'" After broadcaster Piers Morgan threatened to sue over allegations of what he called "examples of brazen falsity," Spencer apologized for getting at least one of his facts wrong. But he reiterated that Morgan was surly when Spencer told him he was not welcome at his sister's funeral. Morgan said he still planned to sue to have the "lies" removed from the book. Charles Spencer says press treatment of Harry echoes that of his mother The royals have spent decades putting that period of crisis behind them. The warmer, more personable approach of William and Harry — and, in recent years, the king — is a legacy of that time. In his book, Spencer also criticized the royals for what he described as a "lack of obvious care" for the then 12-year-old Harry. He recounted how "tiny, and slight, and bereft" his nephew looked after the funeral. "He needed Diana's hugs, of course, and they would forever be denied him," he wrote. "But instead of calm and nurture, he was allowed to spin out of control." Some critics have questioned why Spencer felt the need to revisit the pain and trauma 30 years on. The aristocrat said he wanted to write down his own thoughts and memories about Diana, "once and for all, rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others, many of which are based on untruths." Asked if the relationship between the press and Harry and his wife, Meghan, mirrors the way the media treated his sister, Spencer told the BBC: "(Diana) was really brought low by all that criticism. I suppose it's a pity when I see echoes of that now." Penguin Press said the book will be published globally and translated into 12 languages.

Artist Suborno Chakraborty Tonmoy’s first solo painting exhibition, ‘Splendor of Green’, opened at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka on Tuesday, showcasing artworks inspired by leaves, flowers and grass. Curated by Sumon Wahed, the exhibition explores the varied forms, structures, colours and subtle rhythms of the natural world through Tonmoy’s paintings. Eminent artist Jamal Ahmed, Honorary Professor of the Department of Drawing & Painting at the Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University, and Professor Sheikh Afzal Hossain of the same department attended the opening ceremony as distinguished guests.  

Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, has been practiced for more than 500 years and continues to attract both traditionalists and newcomers seeking creativity, mindfulness and a sense of calm. Ikebana can resemble solving a puzzle, but unlike a conventional puzzle, it has no single correct solution. Since every flower and every person is different, there can be many ways to create an arrangement. "There's a 'detox' purifying factor, and a healing," said Hiroyuki Okada, 40, who began studying ikebana about seven years ago and now teaches Ikenobo, the oldest of the three major ikebana schools. Okada also teaches backflips to those interested. He normally wears silver chains and jeans, but puts on a formal kimono when demonstrating his flower arrangements. He sees himself as representative of many people who are drawn to ikebana today — those searching for joy, purpose or relief from the pressures and difficulties of modern life. "In arranging (flowers), you are dealing with the life that is there, the beauty, of course, but you find what's in your heart," Okada said. "You come face to face with yourself." The Kyoto-based Ikenobo school has roots in Buddhism and now has chapters in various parts of the world. Okada previously worked for a nonprofit organization, where he interacted with people from different countries and came to appreciate both their differences and similarities. After moving to his current job at a flower shop, he decided to pursue an activity that would allow him to explore something distinctly Japanese and that he could continue doing on his own for many years. Observing nature is part of ikebana Ikebana involves an interaction with nature, although usually on a small scale, often centered around a small vase. "It is about the relationship of the creator with the flowers," said Senko Ikenobo, the headmaster-designate of the Ikenobo school. Her family has maintained a connection to the art for generations, dating back to its origins. Her father is the current headmaster. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, a professor of social psychology at Rutgers University, said studies have found that flowers and even their scents can promote happiness. "We suggested a coevolutionary theory for this in which flowers became the 'pets' of the plant world," she said. For Okada, the experience involves more than a flower's appearance and fragrance. The texture of petals and leaves is also important, much like touching or petting a kitten or puppy.

Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif has faced criticism on social media over her postpartum weight, even as her business venture Kay Beauty has recorded strong growth. Kaif and her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal, were recently photographed by paparazzi during a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Mumbai. Soon after, social media users began commenting on the actor’s appearance, with many focusing on her weight rather than her outfit or overall look. Some users compared recent photographs of Kaif with older images and questioned changes in her appearance. One X user shared before-and-after pictures and wrote, “I wonder what happened to the Katrina we used to see before marriage and after marriage.” Another user shared a video from the celebration and criticised the actor’s appearance, referring to alleged cosmetic procedures. The criticism has also drawn support for Kaif from many women and fans online. One fan said Kaif is a new mother whose body should not be judged and urged people to allow women time to recover after childbirth without body-shaming. Kaif gave birth to her son, Vihaan, on Nov 7, 2025. He has not yet turned one, but some social media users have already questioned whether the actor’s career has been affected by her postpartum weight. Kaif recently turned 43 and became a mother in her 40s. Meanwhile, her business career continues to show strong growth. According to an Indian Express report, Kay Beauty’s sales increased from Rs 240 crore in fiscal 2025 to Rs 350 crore in fiscal 2026, a 46% rise. The beauty brand has also expanded beyond India, launching in the UK and growing its presence in the Middle East. Kaif began her acting career with “Boom” in 2003. According to The Times of India, she has a net worth of more than Rs 220 crore, while GQ India reported in 2024 that she charges more than Rs 10 crore per project. She owns a house in London estimated at Rs 7.2 crore and a Rs 17-crore property investment in Mumbai. She also owns a luxury vanity van and several high-end cars, including a Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz and two Audis. While social media users continue to comment on her appearance, Kaif appears focused on her family and business. With her son’s first birthday approaching, she is expected to celebrate his milestones while continuing to expand her business ventures. Source: NDTV

The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati has paid tribute to late Assamese singer-songwriter Zubeen Garg on the first anniversary of his death, recalling his memorable performance at Bangladesh’s National Day celebration in Guwahati in 2022. In a post on its verified Facebook page on Saturday, the Assistant High Commission described Garg as an extraordinary artiste whose music and voice transcended borders and touched millions of hearts. Garg died in Singapore on September 19, 2025, at the age of 52. A Singapore state coroner later ruled that his death was an accidental drowning, with no evidence of foul play. Recalling his connection with Bangladesh, the Assistant High Commission said Garg gave a memorable performance at the National Day celebration organised by the mission at ITA Machkhowa in Guwahati in 2022. “His powerful voice and captivating presence made that evening truly unforgettable,” it said in its tribute. The mission said Garg’s music reflected the shared cultural bonds between India and Bangladesh, demonstrating how art and music can transcend borders and bring people closer. “His voice may have fallen silent, but his music will live forever in the hearts of countless admirers,” it said. Garg’s first death anniversary was marked across Assam with tributes from fans, family members and artistes, while a three-day programme was held at his memorial in Kamarkuchi near Guwahati. The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission concluded its tribute by remembering Garg as an artiste who would remain “forever in our hearts.”

Munich's 191st Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival, opened Saturday as Mayor Dominik Krause tapped the first keg in two strokes with the traditional shout, "O'zapft is" ("It's been tapped"). Through October 4, around six million local and global visitors- women in dirndls and men in lederhosen- are expected over 16 days at the Theresienwiese fairground to enjoy brass music, beer, pretzels, pork roast, and sausages. German authorities tightened security following last year's temporary closure due to overcrowding. Media reported that AI cameras, entry checks, and 600 police officers-alongside riot police, pickpocket investigators, and task forces from eight countries-are on duty. Bans on knives, drones, large bags, and marijuana are also in effect. Undeterred by precautions, visitors celebrated enthusiastically. Ava Laboncher from the U.S. called the atmosphere "amazing," while Ben Dawson from New Zealand pledged to drink plenty of beer and return Sunday.