United News of Bangladesh

Zhang Tong, 36, oversees his family farm along the Yellow River in Shandong Province, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology. Unlike past generations of farmers, Zhang relies on drones, smart machines, and precision irrigation to manage his 300-hectare wheat fields. A sleek silver drone maps the plots, plans spraying routes, and checks for water stress, while snake-like pipes deliver water and fertilizer directly to plant roots, reducing water use by nearly 30 percent. “The pipes work like the fine blood vessels of the human body,” Zhang explained. Since starting his farming career in 2019, Zhang has embraced automation. Intelligent seeders planted his entire farm in a month, while a fertilizer blender adjusts nutrients based on soil tests. Driverless harvesters and unmanned scout vehicles monitor crops and control pests. These innovations have pushed his annual wheat yield to 3,000 tonnes. Across China, agriculture is undergoing a similar transformation. In the south, rice seedlings grow in climate-controlled facilities, while winter wheat in the north thrives under drone-guided care. The centuries-old image of farmers with oxen and hoes is giving way to high-tech operations powered by AI, robotics, and data-driven planning. Zhang is also experimenting with soybean-corn intercropping and custom seeders to optimize harvest timing. Researchers like Feng Lingyang of Peking University support farmers by using computer vision, machine learning, and gene editing to improve crop yields and create new revenue streams. China produced a record 715 million tonnes of grain last year. Under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), the country aims to increase production to 725 million tonnes, focusing on stabilizing rice and wheat while expanding corn and soybean output. Experts say technology will be key to achieving these goals. On a neighboring farm, over 500 sensors track soil moisture, temperature, and wind across 660 hectares. Yu Long, general manager of Jinan Chengfa Agricultural Technology Co., said the goal is to cut grain loss by 5 percent, raise yields by 15 percent, and reduce fertilizer and pesticide use. “We are installing water-saving sprinklers and larger harvesters to further minimize losses,” he added. The fields along the Yellow River reflect a new era of Chinese farming, where science and machinery are transforming how the nation feeds its 1.4 billion people.

Vast peach orchards in northern Greece have turned bright pink as thousands of visitors gather to witness the region’s annual blossom season, creating a scenic spring attraction. Every year, blooming peach trees spread like a pink blanket across the plains around Veria, drawing tourists mainly from across Greece and increasingly from other European countries. “It’s something people should see at least once in their lives because the area is so large,” said Gianna Pilitsidou, president of the Veria Tourism Club. She noted that the plains, covering about 170 square kilometres, become entirely pink during peak bloom. To celebrate the season, the tourism club has been organising activities such as photography tours, cycling events and exhibitions of local farm products. Over two recent weekends, thousands of visitors walked through the flowering orchards near Veria, located about 72 kilometres west of Thessaloniki. Visitors from abroad also joined the celebrations. Dutch travel blogger Wesley van Eijk said he wanted more people to discover lesser-known destinations like Veria, while German tourist Andrea Lachnit described the blossoms as “stunning and heavenly.” Local farmers say the event helps promote their produce and supports the region’s economy. Hotel operators also reported a noticeable rise in visitor numbers. Peach blossoms in the Veria region typically appear between mid-March and mid-April, marking one of Greece’s most colourful spring attractions.

A lush, beautiful garden is a common dream, but experts say the secret to achieving it starts below the surface with healthy soil. While many gardeners focus mainly on plants, a garden depends on a strong foundation. Soil is not just dirt; it is a living system filled with nutrients, organic matter and countless organisms such as bacteria, fungi, insects and worms. A 2023 study published in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ says soil may contain about 59% of all life on Earth, making it the most biodiverse habitat. These organisms play a vital role by controlling harmful pests, turning organic material into natural fertilizer and improving air flow and drainage in the soil. Maintaining soil health is therefore essential for a successful garden. Before planting, experts advise checking soil structure. Sandy soil drains water too quickly, while clay soil holds too much moisture both can harm plant growth. To improve soil quality, add 3–4 inches of compost, leaf mold or well-rotted manure and mix it gently into the top 6–12 inches. However, avoid over-tilling, as it can damage beneficial organisms, increase erosion and bring weed seeds to the surface. In later seasons, simply spread organic matter on top and let it break down naturally. Testing soil pH is also important, as different plants grow best within specific pH ranges. Gardeners can use simple home test kits and adjust levels with lime or sulfur if needed. It is also useful to check key nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to guide fertilizer use. Experts stress that building healthy soil takes time. Slow-release fertilizers and organic materials are better long-term choices than quick chemical fixes, which should be used only in urgent cases. Gardeners are also advised not to walk on planting areas, as compacted soil limits air and water flow and restricts root growth. Leaving soil bare can lead to erosion, nutrient loss and weed growth. Instead, plant ground cover or apply organic mulch such as bark, straw or dry leaves. A 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps retain moisture, regulate temperature and reduce weeds, but it should be kept away from plant stems to prevent rotting. Jessica Damiano, a gardening writer for The Associated Press, shares regular tips in her award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.

A sleep method known as cognitive shuffling is gaining attention for helping people, especially anxious over-thinkers, fall asleep by occupying the mind with random, neutral imagery. The technique, developed over 15 years ago by Luc P Beaudoin, an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada, involves visualising objects starting with the letters of a random word, such as “cake.” Users move through each letter, imagining items like “car,” “carrot,” or “cottage,” effectively distracting the mind from intrusive thoughts. Beaudoin’s method, also called serial diverse imagining, is designed to mimic the natural mental patterns that occur at the boundary between wakefulness and sleep, known as hypnagogic mentation. Researchers say the approach can reduce the impact of anxiety-inducing thoughts and help the brain feel “safe” enough to sleep. A 2016 study involving 154 university students showed that using an app to guide cognitive shuffling improved sleep quality as effectively as traditional journaling methods, while allowing participants to practice it while lying in bed. Sleep experts have described cognitive shuffling as “super somnolent,” combining a push-and-pull effect on the brain that encourages sleep while quieting worries. Experts advise users to stick to emotionally neutral words and avoid topics like politics or work, which could stimulate the mind. Although the technique is not a universal solution, it has become popular on social media, with hundreds of videos demonstrating the method. Researchers hope further studies will clarify its effectiveness for occasional sleepers and those with clinical insomnia. Sleep specialists emphasize that while cognitive shuffling can be a helpful tool, chronic sleep problems may require medical consultation and a combination of strategies, including mindfulness and cognitive refocusing.   With inputs from BBC

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have accused royal author Tom Bower of promoting “deranged conspiracy and melodrama” in his new biography. In excerpts published by ‘The Times’ on Friday, Bower claims Queen Camilla told a friend that Meghan had “brainwashed” Prince Harry. The author also described Meghan as a “divisive agent” and suggested that Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, viewed her as a threat. Responding on Saturday, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said Bower had “long crossed the line from criticism into fixation” and accused him of building “elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met.” The statement added: “Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him.” The book, titled ‘Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family’, explores tensions between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Harry and Meghan’s business and charitable activities since stepping down as senior royals in 2020, including deals with Netflix and Spotify. Bower claims friction between the siblings escalated before Harry and Meghan left the UK. He suggests William and Catherine were “alarmed” by Meghan and worried she resented Harry’s limited chances of becoming king, just as she regretted not being queen. He also writes that Harry fears losing royal titles and being effectively exiled from Britain. A section on the Invictus Games refers to media coverage of Harry and Meghan at the veteran-focused sporting event as the “Meghan Games.” Bower previously authored ‘Revenge: Meghan, Harry, And the War Between the Windsors’, published in 2022. With inputs from BBC

Dozens of birdwatchers gathered before dawn at a reservoir in Pennsylvania to witness a striking natural spectacle as thousands of migrating snow geese suddenly took flight during their annual journey north. About an hour after sunrise, the birds which had been honking and grooming on the water — burst into the air in a dramatic swirl. They circled briefly before heading toward nearby farm fields to feed on leftover grains as they continued their long spring migration toward breeding grounds in the Arctic, passing through New York and Quebec. The reservoir, created about 50 years ago to attract waterfowl, has gradually become a major stopover for migrating birds. Payton Miller, an environmental education specialist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, described the moment when the flock lifts off the water as a loud “bird tornado.” “It only takes one beautiful morning with a big flight to remind you how incredible it is to see so many of these birds together,” Miller said, adding that the sight never gets old. Among the spectators was Adrian Binns, a safari guide from Paoli, Pennsylvania, who visited the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to experience something unique. Snow geese have been arriving at the 6,300-acre Middle Creek site in increasing numbers since the late 1990s. Before reaching the area, many spend the winter along the Atlantic coast, from New Jersey to the Carolinas, with large groups staying on the Delmarva Peninsula near the Chesapeake Bay. Although the geese stay at Middle Creek only briefly, the site attracts around 150,000 visitors each year, including about 1,000 hunters. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, about 100,000 snow geese gathered there on the busiest day last year, though the single-day record remains around 200,000 birds recorded on Feb. 21, 2018. Snow goose populations have grown sharply over the past century. A 2017 study published by Springer Nature found that greater snow geese increased from about 3,000 in the early 1900s to roughly 700,000 by the 1990s. Today, their population is estimated at around one million, while the smaller lesser snow geese may number about 10 million. The number of migrating tundra swans visiting Middle Creek has also risen, from only about a dozen in the mid-1970s to more than 5,000 in recent years. Birdwatchers have identified over 280 bird species at the site, including bald eagles, northern harriers, ospreys and owls. However, the rapid growth of snow goose populations has created environmental concerns. Wildlife officials in the United States and Canada have been adjusting hunting rules while also addressing crop damage, migration changes and habitat destruction in the Arctic caused by the birds’ feeding habits. David M. Bird, a wildlife biology professor at McGill University, said the growing population may be one of the biggest conservation challenges facing wildlife experts in North America. Snow geese often pull plants out by the roots while feeding, damaging fragile habitats used by other wildlife. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported that avian influenza, present in the state since 2022, continues to circulate among wild birds. Authorities recently removed around 2,000 bird carcasses mostly snow geese  from a quarry north of Bethlehem during December and January. Bird noted that while nature lovers admire snow geese, farmers often see them as pests, hunters value them as food and animal rights advocates want them protected — making wildlife management a complex task.  

Japan on Wednesday marked the 15th anniversary of the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster that struck its northeastern coast, as the government pushes for increased use of atomic energy. The magnitude 9.0 quake and resulting tsunami on March 11, 2011, killed more than 22,000 people and forced nearly 500,000 to flee their homes, mostly due to flooding. In Fukushima, around 160,000 residents evacuated after radiation leaked from the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, with about 26,000 still living elsewhere due to lingering radiation fears or restrictions in their hometowns. At 2:46 p.m., the country observed a moment of silence, marking the exact time the quake struck. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaking at a ceremony in Fukushima, vowed to accelerate the region’s recovery over the next five years and to continue sharing “the valuable lessons learned from the disaster.” She has also pushed for faster restarts of nuclear reactors, supporting nuclear power as a stable energy source following a policy reversal in 2022 that ended a decade-long phase-out. Early Wednesday, some residents of the tsunami-hit areas visited the coast to pray for missing loved ones. Over one million homes, schools, and offices in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, and other coastal regions were destroyed or damaged. While infrastructure has largely been rebuilt, community and economic recovery has been slow, with many residents relocating permanently. At Fukushima Daiichi, meltdowns occurred in three of six reactors, with at least 880 tons of melted fuel still inside. Radiation levels prevent full inspection, and large-scale removal is not expected until 2037 or later. Decontamination efforts produced massive amounts of slightly radioactive soil—enough to fill 11 baseball stadiums which the government plans to move, including for public works, but faces local resistance.  

Long before alarm clocks became common household items, people across the world relied on a wide range of creative methods — from candle clocks and water timers to human “alarm callers” — to wake up on time. Historians say the need for reliable wake-up systems grew significantly during the Industrial Revolution in Britain, when factory work demanded strict schedules. Even a few minutes’ delay by workers could disrupt production lines, yet early alarm clocks were expensive and beyond the reach of most labourers. As a result, a unique profession emerged in many industrial towns: the “knocker upper.” These individuals would walk through streets early in the morning, tapping on windows with long sticks or shooting dried peas through pipes to wake their clients. Historian Arunima Datta said these human alarm clocks would remain outside until they received confirmation that the person inside had woken up. Similar practices existed in other parts of the world as well. In some Muslim communities during Ramadan, people traditionally woke others before dawn so they could pray and eat the pre-fast meal. Before such organised wake-up services, people often relied on natural signals to start their day. According to sleep researcher Fatima Yaqoot, daylight was one of the strongest cues guiding sleep and waking patterns in many pre-industrial societies. Animals also played a role. The crowing of roosters at dawn served as a natural alarm for many communities, while the morning “dawn chorus” of birds signalled the start of the day. Timekeeping devices were also used centuries before modern alarm clocks. Historian Sasha Handley notes that people used various technologies to help regulate their daily schedules, especially for work or religious practices. In medieval Europe, church bells rang regularly to mark the hours and guide daily activities. In households, servants were often responsible for waking their employers at the appropriate time. Elsewhere, people developed ingenious mechanical solutions. In ancient China, candle clocks marked time with metal pins embedded in the wax. As the candle burned down, the pins dropped into a tray, creating a sound that could wake a sleeping person. Incense clocks used a similar principle, sometimes releasing small metal balls that struck a tray when burning threads snapped. Meanwhile, water clocks — known as clepsydras in ancient Greece — could trigger sounds when rising water pressure forced air through a tube. The philosopher Plato is often credited with adapting a water clock into an early alarm system in the 5th century BC. Mechanical clocks later improved timekeeping from the late 13th century onward, eventually leading to the development of domestic clocks with alarms. However, these devices remained costly and uncommon for ordinary people for centuries. During the 19th century, the knocker-upper profession flourished in industrial cities such as Leeds, Manchester and London. These workers often began their rounds as early as 3am, ensuring factory workers woke in time for their shifts. The profession gradually disappeared by the 1920s as alarm clocks became cheaper and more reliable. Researchers say studying historical sleep habits offers useful lessons even today. Exposure to morning daylight and maintaining regular sleep schedules — practices common in earlier societies — are still considered important for healthy sleep patterns.   With inputs from BBC

A new travelling exhibition in San Francisco is paying tribute to second-generation Japanese Americans who fought for the United States in World War II while their families were held in government-run internment camps. Titled “I Am an American: The Nisei Soldier Experience,” the 1,500-square-foot exhibit highlights the courage and sacrifice of these soldiers, known as Nisei. The name comes from a sign placed on a Japanese American store in Oakland the day after the Pearl Harbor attack, declaring loyalty to the US. After Pearl Harbor, about 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry two-thirds of them US citizens were forced into remote camps. Despite this, around 33,000 Japanese Americans joined the US military. Many served in the highly decorated but segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion, while others worked as linguists in military intelligence. Nearly 800 were killed in action. The exhibit displays personal items, photos and stories shared by families. Among them is a travel bag belonging to Sgt. Gary Uchida, decorated with drawings of Hawaii, and an Army ID card where George S. Hara wrote his nationality as “American.” One moving item is a handmade note holder crafted in an Arkansas camp by Rihachi Mayewaki, featuring an American eagle and stars for his three sons who served in the Army. The exhibition also honors Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda, who was killed in France in 1944 after bravely attacking enemy positions. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor. His medal and high school class ring  found in France in 2021 and returned to his family  are on display. The five-year exhibit runs in San Francisco through August before touring 10 other US cities.

Dubai’s iconic sail-shaped hotel, the Burj Al Arab, briefly made headlines after a minor fire broke out on its exterior due to debris from an intercepted drone amid Iran-US tensions. The attack, part of Iran’s retaliatory measures, caused no injuries but slightly damaged the hotel’s facade. Often called the world’s only “7-star hotel,” Burj Al Arab’s legendary status actually began in 1999 when a British journalist, impressed by its luxury, described it as “more than anything she had ever seen” and labeled it a 7-star hotel. While the management never officially adopted the term, it stuck and became a symbol of Dubai’s unmatched opulence. The hotel’s history dates back to the early 1990s when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum envisioned a landmark that would define Dubai, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Sydney Opera House. Architect Tom Wright of Atkins designed the building to resemble a traditional Arabian dhow, symbolizing Dubai’s seafaring heritage and ambitious future. Since its opening in 1999, the Burj Al Arab has been a defining feature of Dubai’s skyline. Built on a man-made island 280 metres offshore, the hotel is connected to the mainland by a private bridge. Its steel exoskeleton is designed to withstand extreme desert temperatures. All 199–202 suites are duplexes, featuring the world’s largest atrium, a rooftop helipad, Statuario marble interiors, and extensive 24-carat gold leaf detailing. Guests enjoy personalized butler service, luxury toiletries, and high-end tech, while the Royal Suite includes a private elevator, rotating canopy bed, cinema, and library. The hotel offers nine signature restaurants and bars, including Al Muntaha, perched 200 metres above the sea, and an underwater-themed restaurant with a 990,000-litre aquarium. Leisure facilities include saltwater and freshwater infinity pools, a private beach, a luxury spa, and access to Wild Wadi Waterpark. A night in the Royal Suite costs around 8,100 AED (Rs 2,00,876), offering panoramic views, Rolls-Royce transfers, and exclusive perks. Constructed at an estimated $1 billion USD, the Burj Al Arab remains a symbol of ultimate luxury and Dubai’s architectural ambition. With inputs from NDTV