United News of Bangladesh

A new social media trend dubbed “becoming Chinese” is gaining global attention, with young people increasingly embracing elements of Chinese lifestyle and culture. In recent months, many users in their 20s have been posting videos showing how they are adopting habits seen as typically Chinese. These include drinking hot water with goji berries, eating dumplings, wearing slippers indoors, or visiting China and praising its modern cities. The trend, often referred to as “Chinamaxxing,” has attracted millions of views online. China has long tried to boost its global influence through cultural diplomacy, but this viral trend appears to be achieving what official efforts could not. Even Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng recently mentioned the phenomenon while promoting a visa-free transit policy and encouraging Americans to visit China. The trend reflects a broader rise in the global popularity of Chinese culture, products and everyday practices. Experts say this growing appeal shows how China is gaining “soft power” — influence through culture and lifestyle rather than politics or military strength. Shaoyu Yuan, a professor at New York University, said Chinese culture is becoming more familiar and widely accepted worldwide through entertainment, consumer products and daily habits. China’s influence is supported by its strong position in industries such as manufacturing, social media and consumer goods. Its tech platforms, including the algorithms behind TikTok, and competitive local brands are helping spread Chinese culture globally. However, the trend has also sparked debate, particularly among Chinese communities in the West. Some say the sudden popularity of Chinese culture does not erase past discrimination. Elise Zeng, a Chinese American from New York, said many people still remember facing racism, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when Asians were targeted over the virus. She said such experiences cannot be overlooked simply because Chinese culture is now considered trendy. Others see the trend more positively. Sherry Zhu, a social media user whose videos helped popularize the meme, said cultural exchange can help reduce misunderstandings and build greater appreciation over time. The growing interest in Chinese culture is also linked to the success of its entertainment and consumer industries. Products like Labubu dolls, music by Chinese artists and major releases such as the animated film “Ne Zha 2” and the video game “Black Myth: Wukong” have gained international popularity. Digital tools like Chinese map apps are also attracting attention for their advanced features, further boosting the country’s cultural reach. While China’s government has long promoted its global image through initiatives like the Belt and Road project and Confucius Institutes, these efforts have faced criticism in some countries. Experts say cultural influence is more effective when it spreads naturally rather than through official promotion. “Cultural influence travels further when people choose it themselves,” Yuan said.

A Parisian art enthusiast could hardly believe his luck after winning a Pablo Picasso painting worth about $1 million with a $117 raffle ticket. “How do I check that it’s not a hoax?” said Ari Hodara, 58, after organizers called him following the draw at Christie’s auction house in the French capital. Hodara, a sales engineer who describes himself as an art amateur fond of Picasso, said he bought the ticket over the weekend after learning about the charity raffle by chance during a restaurant meal. “First, I will tell the news to my wife, who has yet to return from work,” he said. “And at first, I think I’ll take advantage of it and keep it.” The prize was Picasso’s Head of a Woman, a 1941 gouache-on-paper portrait of his longtime muse and partner Dora Maar, featured in the third edition of the “1 Picasso for 100 euros” lottery. Organizers said all 120,000 tickets were sold worldwide, raising 12 million euros ($14 million). Of that, 1 million euros will go to the Opera Gallery, which owned the painting. Gallery founder Gilles Dyan said the work was offered at a preferential price, below its public valuation of 1.45 million euros. The charity raffle, run by the Alzheimer Research Foundation, supports Alzheimer’s research and is based in a major Paris hospital. It has become France’s leading private funder of Alzheimer-related medical research since its founding in 2004. Previous editions of the raffle have raised millions for cultural and humanitarian causes, including programs in Lebanon and Africa.

Although there are faster ways to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 remains unmatched in terms of its historical and cultural appeal. Author John Steinbeck called it the “Mother Road,” which led poor farmers toward California during the Dust Bowl. For Native Americans, it created economic opportunities but also left lasting scars. During the era of racial segregation, it served as a relatively safe route for Black travelers, while for music lovers, it symbolized joy and freedom. Marking nearly 100 years, Route 66 continues to attract tourists from around the world. যদিও it lost its status as a major highway long ago, its neon lights, quirky motels, traditional food, and small-town stories still draw visitors. Stretching about 2,400 miles, the road runs from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Built in 1926 by linking old trade routes and dirt roads, its aim was to connect the Midwest to the Pacific coast. During the 1930s Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, it became a path of hope. In World War II, it was used to transport troops and equipment. In the 1940s and 195০s, it turned into a popular travel route as people set out on the open road in search of freedom. Along the way, diners, motels, and various attractions sprang up  including rattlesnake pits, trading posts, caves, and even modern architectural landmarks. Neon signs and billboards were everywhere, and food became a major highlight of the journey. However, Route 66 also has a divided history. Development along Native American lands boosted local economies but also caused cultural harm. During the Jim Crow era, Black travelers had to rely on special guides to travel safely. In 1985, with the rise of modern interstate highways, Route 66 was officially decommissioned, affecting many towns along the route. Later, local governments, historians, and entrepreneurs stepped in to preserve its legacy. Today, much of Route 66 is still drivable. The route features historic sites, artworks, and various tourist attractions, with more than 250 locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Experts say it is not just the road itself, but the unexpected experiences, human stories, and memories that continue to keep Route 66 alive.  

Thieves made off with three paintings by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse worth millions of euros (dollars) from a museum near the city of Parma in northern Italy, police said on Monday. The heist took place on the night of March 22-23, with thieves forcing open the entrance door, police said. The three stolen paintings are “Fish” by Auguste Renoir, “Still Life with Cherries” by Paul Cézanne, and “Odalisque on the Terrace” by Henri Matisse. The Magnani Rocca Foundation, a private museum, lies in the heart of the countryside 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Parma. Local media reported that the thieves were able to nab the paintings in less than three minutes and escape across the museum gardens. Established in 1977, the foundation hosts the collection of the art historian Luigi Magnani and also includes works by Dürer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya and Monet. The museum believes a structured and organized gang was responsible for the theft, which was interrupted by the alarm, local media reported. The museum didn't post any statement about the theft on its website and wasn't reachable for a comment, as it is closed on Monday. The crime in Parma comes after a series of high-profile heists at major European museums, including a major incident in October where thieves stole jewels and other items worth 88 million euros ($101 million) from the Louvre in Paris.

Dhaka University Mime Action (DUMA), one of Bangladesh's most celebrated cultural organizations, is set to make history with its first-ever performance in Europe. Ubaidullah Ridwan, President of DUMA, has been invited by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Warsaw to perform mime at the National Day Reception on March 26, 2026, commemorating Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. The event will take place at 18:00 hrs at the Ratuszowa Hall, Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw. In its official invitation the embassy highlighted that distinguished performances like DUMA’s would strengthen artistic and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Poland. This milestone underscores DUMA’s role in advancing mime as a medium of artistic expression in Bangladesh. Over the years, the troupe has staged performances addressing human rights, social justice, and awareness campaigns, earning recognition both domestically and internationally. The performance will showcase the richness of Bangladeshi artistic heritage on the international stage and celebrate 55 years of Bangladesh’s nationhood, DUMA said in a statement. Through this landmark cultural presentation, DUMA aims to carry the pride of Bangladesh’s independence and its cultural legacy to Europe, marking a notable achievement for Bangladeshi performing arts.

The reported unmasking of elusive street artist Banksy has sparked renewed debate over whether anonymity is essential to his artistic and commercial appeal. For decades, Banksy’s identity has remained one of the art world’s most enduring mysteries, adding to the intrigue of his politically charged works seen across major cities and conflict zones. A recent report by Reuters has reignited speculation, prompting mixed reactions among fans and experts. Many admirers expressed disappointment, arguing that revealing the artist’s identity diminishes the mystique surrounding his work. Some compared it to exposing a magic trick, saying the secrecy was part of the experience. Banksy, widely believed to be Bristol-born Robin Gunningham, emerged from a tradition of street artists who used anonymity as a form of resistance. His works often address themes such as inequality, war and state power. However, art dealers and analysts say the value of his work is unlikely to decline. They argue that collectors are drawn more to the message and cultural impact of the art than to the identity of the artist. Experts also note that Banksy’s identity has long been an open secret in art circles, with previous media reports and investigations pointing to similar conclusions. Despite the controversy, his work continues to resonate globally, from public murals to high-profile auction pieces. As debate continues, many believe Banksy’s legacy will ultimately rest not on who he is, but on what his art represents.

Japan has officially marked the start of its cherry blossom season, with the first blooms confirmed in three cities, government observers said Monday. Officials from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) verified the flowering of the Somei Yoshino variety at designated benchmark trees in Kochi in the southwest, and Gifu and Yamanashi in central Japan, after at least five blossoms were observed on each tree — the threshold for declaring the season open. Kochi recorded the earliest bloom for the third consecutive year, arriving six days ahead of the average, while Gifu and Yamanashi saw blossoms nine days earlier than usual, according to the JMA. Shinobu Imoto of the Kochi Meteorological Agency attributed the early flowering to lower winter rainfall and extended sunshine hours. Cherry blossoms, known as “sakura,” typically peak between late March and early April, coinciding with the beginning of Japan’s academic and business year. During this period, people gather under the blooming trees for walks and picnics. However, in recent years, popular viewing spots have faced issues such as littering and noise due to overtourism. Sakura have remained a central symbol in Japanese culture for centuries.

Italy has purchased a rare painting by 16th-17th century Baroque master Caravaggio for €30 million (£25.9 million), marking one of the highest amounts the state has ever spent on an artwork. Italy’s culture minister said the painting, a portrait of cleric Monsignor Maffeo Barberini who later became Pope Urban VIII, holds exceptional historical and artistic value. The acquisition is part of a broader effort to ensure significant artworks remain accessible to the public instead of being sold to private collectors. The portrait had been part of a private collection in Florence and was first displayed publicly in Rome in 2024. Caravaggio, known for his dramatic use of lighting that made subjects appear vividly lifelike, has around 65 surviving works worldwide. Only three of them are known to be portraits. The newly acquired painting has been added to the permanent collection of the Palazzo Barberini in Rome, the historic residence of the Barberini family. It will now be displayed alongside other works by the renowned artist. Created around 1598, the portrait depicts Barberini as a bearded cleric extending his right hand as if giving instructions. How people woke up before alarm clocks Barberini was elected pope in 1623 and led the Catholic Church until his death in 1644. He was widely recognized as an influential patron of the arts. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said the purchase forms part of a wider initiative by the Ministry of Culture to strengthen Italy’s national heritage and ensure that important masterpieces remain available to scholars and the public rather than entering the private art market. Caravaggio, whose real name was Michelangelo Merisi, died in 1610 at the age of 38. He was famous for his use of chiaroscuro, a technique that employs strong contrasts of light and shadow to create dramatic and psychologically powerful scenes. #From BBC

By 23, Emma MacTaggart noticed her free time was rare and mostly spent on screens. Working long hours in investment banking, she often turned to her phone after logging off. Seeking a break, she and her roommates took up needlepoint, a childhood craft she hadn’t practiced in years. “It was a therapeutic way to distract yourself from work or stress while doing something with your hands instead of doomscrolling,” she said. MacTaggart is among many young people embracing analog hobbies to escape technology and reconnect with creativity. Knitting, gardening, and needlepoint-sometimes called “grandma hobbies” have gained popularity among Gen-Z and millennials. Other crafts, including pottery, origami, and blacksmithing, are also seeing renewed interest. Six morning habits can improve mental health, says US psychiatrist Now 26, MacTaggart has turned her passion into a business, What’s the Stitch, selling needlepoint canvases, accessories, and digital designs online, often adding humor and occasional profanity. Experts highlight the mental health benefits. Jaime Kurtz, psychology professor at James Madison University, said hobbies reduce stress and offer accomplishment. Clara Sherman, co-founder of So Bam Fun, said playing mahjong creates a “zen state” with friends. Some use technology to enhance their hobbies. Isaiah Scott, 22, compares birdwatching to “a video game, but in real life,” using eBird to log sightings and support conservation. He founded the nonprofit Rookery and Roots Conservancy and bought land in Georgia to protect habitats. Other hobbyists, like blacksmith Anna Weare and poet Kristie Landing, have leveraged social media to reach global audiences and create communities. Many say these crafts are not a trend but a deliberate embrace of analog life. MacTaggart, for instance, welcomed the “grandma hobbies” label. “I’ve been a grandma my whole life, so it’s fitting this is now my career,” she said.

From the coast of Perth, a striking blue rise appears on the horizon, sometimes vivid, sometimes obscured by mist or ships at sea. To Glen Stasiuk, a lecturer at Murdoch University and director of the documentary Wadjemup: Black Prison — White Playground, the island feels alive. “Sometimes it wants to be seen, sometimes it wants to hide,” he says. “It has a heartbeat.” That island is Rottnest Island, known to the Noongar people as Wadjemup, located about 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle. Today, more than 800,000 visitors flock there each year for its white beaches, turquoise waters and quokkas, the small marsupials that have become global social media stars. For the Noongar people, however, Wadjemup is a deeply spiritual place. Len Collard, emeritus professor at the University of Western Australia, explains that in Noongar belief, spirits travel west to the islands after death. “It was always a place of spirits,” he says, “but it became even more so after colonisation, when it turned into a site of immense suffering.” A prison island Wadjemup became a prison for Aboriginal boys and men in 1838. Britain had claimed Australia in the late 18th century, and violent clashes between colonisers and Indigenous peoples followed. Aboriginal prisoners were transported to the island, often in chains, accused mainly of stealing livestock or food rations. Many inmates came from far-flung regions such as the Kimberley, more than 2,000 kilometres away. Some had never seen the ocean before arriving. They were forced into hard labour, quarrying limestone and constructing much of the island’s infrastructure, including jetties, cottages and government buildings. ‘Fabled knights of old’: the real story behind Japan’s samurai Conditions were brutal. Cells were overcrowded, disease was widespread, and punishment was severe. One superintendent, Henry Vincent, was notorious for his cruelty, yet was never convicted. By the time the prison closed in 1902, nearly 4,000 Indigenous men and boys had been incarcerated there. At least 373 died, most of them buried in unmarked graves. From prison to playground After the prison shut down, Wadjemup was quickly reimagined as a leisure destination. In 1911, the main cell block was converted into holiday accommodation, stripping away much of its historical fabric. Even more disturbing, the burial ground of deceased prisoners was turned into a campground known as Tentland. For nearly 90 years, holidaymakers unknowingly slept just metres above one of Australia’s largest Indigenous burial sites. Although human remains were discovered in 1970, the campground was not closed until 2007. The former prison itself continued operating as tourist lodging until 2018. Reckoning with the past For Noongar communities, the island remains both painful and powerful. Collard describes Wadjemup as a sentinel or lighthouse, signalling a truth that must not be ignored. In 2020, the Rottnest Island Authority launched the Wadjemup Project to formally acknowledge the island’s history of Aboriginal incarceration and deaths in custody. The initiative focuses on truth-telling, memorialisation and healing. As part of this effort, the Wadjemup Wirin Bidi or Spirit Trail was held in 2024, bringing together around 200 Aboriginal people from across Australia to honour those buried on the island and help lay their spirits to rest. Today, visitors can also take Aboriginal cultural tours that explore both the beauty of the island and its traumatic history. Local Noongar guide Casey Kickett, who runs Koordas Crew, works with children through art and nature-based activities to introduce them gently to Wadjemup’s cultural significance before confronting its darker chapters later in life. Road to Heaven: Gujarat’s surreal highway flanked by water and salt pans Despite everything, Collard says he still loves visiting the island. “My people are buried there,” he says. “I go over and say hello to them.” Kickett offers visitors a simple gesture of respect: when stepping off the jetty, throw a handful of sand into the water and introduce yourself to the land and its ancestors. It is a small act, she says, but one that acknowledges the deep, complex history beneath this island paradise.