United News of Bangladesh

At Eckerd College in Florida, dogs, cats and other animals are as much a part of campus life as the students themselves. The liberal arts school allows pets to live in dormitories, giving students daily companionship that eases stress, anxiety and homesickness. “It’s like I’m not even there,” said senior Sophie Nocera, who often hears greetings for her Border collie, Zuko, while walking across campus. “People know pets’ names better than their owners.” Across the U.S., more colleges are opening dorms to pets, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to Stephens College in Missouri. School officials say the policy not only supports student well-being but also helps them build community. Federal law already requires colleges to allow service and emotional support animals. But a growing number of institutions now go further, setting specific guidelines for pets. MIT, for instance, permits only cats in preapproved dorm spaces. At Eckerd, pets must have been part of students’ homes for at least six months before moving to campus, and aggressive or venomous animals are barred. The University of Northern Colorado allows dogs and cats up to 40 pounds in select residence halls, with students limited to one pet. “It’s a marker of adulthood — being able to care for another living being,” said housing director Jediah Cummins. Nursing major Molly Cheer said she chose the school partly for its pet-friendly policy. “Whenever I’m stressed, I pick up my cat Louie, and it helps,” she said. Vermont’s dog mountain honors the bond between humans and their pets Eckerd has hosted animals ranging from rabbits, ferrets and turtles to snakes and even a tarantula since 1973. For Nocera, Zuko provided support when she struggled with changing her major. “No matter what, I knew we’d go to the dog park the next day. That stability made a difference,” she said. Other colleges report similar experiences. At Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, administrators say pets have helped shy students integrate into campus life. Some institutions charge pet fees, require roommate agreements or mandate liability insurance, while ensuring pets are vaccinated and restrained in public. Eckerd even includes pets in graduation ceremonies. Nocera plans to walk across the stage with Zuko in his own pet commencement. “For those it suits, it’s so worth it,” she said. Source: Agency 

A friend of mine, age 60, is considering early retirement after a long career. He has saved and invested wisely, but burnout has prompted him to think seriously about stepping back. While his financial advisor has assured him of his portfolio’s strength, the bigger questions extend beyond money — to lifestyle choices. Here are four key decisions he faced: 1. Will you continue to work in some capacity?Working part-time or in a reduced role can delay portfolio withdrawals, extend Social Security benefits, and maintain healthcare coverage until Medicare. My friend chose a 30-hour schedule to balance income, identity, and health. For others, a full break may be necessary. 2. What lifestyle changes will you make?Housing costs, location, and spending habits matter. My friend considered moving to a less expensive region but decided to stay put for now, as his work and social ties remain important. Planning to retire and relocate? Consider a comprehensive strategy 3. Can you be flexible with spending?Adapting spending when markets are down can help portfolios last longer. Flexible strategies often lead to higher lifetime spending than rigid rules like the 4% withdrawal guideline. 4. How do you weigh lifetime spending against leaving a bequest?Some retirees want to maximize spending during their lifetime, while others prioritize leaving money behind. My friend, who has no heirs, values income he can enjoy now rather than preserving assets for later. Source: Agency 

One way to be climate-friendly: Shop sustainably. But figuring out which products count as “sustainable” can be hard, especially when buying online. As ordering with a computer or phone becomes more ubiquitous, the number of online products labeled sustainable is also increasing. Yet there is no single seal of approval across e-commerce platforms that verifies whether something is climate-friendly, partly because there are multiple ways to define sustainability. Third-party nonprofit organizations study manufacturers and sellers' practices and offer certifications that are displayed online. Government programs such as the Agriculture Department's organic certification or Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star efficiency standard are also often listed. Large e-commerce websites may highlight the certifications with special icons, hyperlinks to certification programs or written descriptions. The mixture can invite homework from buyers. Elwyn Grainger-Jones, who leads a nonprofit that certifies product sustainability, said there also isn't a single clearinghouse that tracks which third-party certifications are the most credible. “Therein lies an issue and a challenge,” said Grainger-Jones, CEO of Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. “What we haven’t seen so far is a third-third party step in and be the information portal on what a good certification is." And while shopping online might come with more packaging, it doesn't always come with more emissions. A person shopping online may even emit less than if they went to the store in person, according to a study published in Environmental Science and Technology. But there are a lot of variables, including which e-commerce site they use, the shipping speed they select and how close they live to a brick-and-mortar alternative. There might not be one surefire way to tell sustainable products from unsustainable ones, but certification experts shared tips on what to look for. Many apply to in-person purchases, too, so you can keep them in mind for the supermarket or furniture store. Know how sustainability is measured There are multiple measures of sustainability, and sometimes positive attributes can be offset by negative ones. Third-party certification is meant to show that an independent group studied these factors. Some focus on one issue, while others look holistically at how different factors fit together. Manufacturing an item might have low emissions but use lots of water. A company might reduce plastic, but if its products don't last long, they can still wind up in the landfill. Other sustainability concerns include energy efficiency, how far the item has traveled and how resources were extracted to make it. Certification labeling also varies. Sometimes it's printed on the product, sometimes it's listed on the manufacturer's website and sometimes the certifying body lists the products that have earned its approval. Large retail websites, in turn, often list certifications in a product description. Check whether it’s verified by a third party Third-party verification is a core avenue for determining whether a manufacturer's sustainability claims are legitimate. “Ideally you want to look for some certifying bodies because they’ve removed some of that up-front labor that as a consumer you otherwise might have to do," said Clementina Consens of B Lab, which certifies companies that meet environmental and social standards. Grainger-Jones said some companies create their own self-certifications that look convincing but don't mean much. “You can go and buy a self-declared certificate for a couple of thousand dollars,” he said. Look for quantifiable and transparent climate goals If a company is serious about sustainability, it should have its practices assessed and make that information easy for customers to find, Consens said. She said she looks to see whether a company has completed an environmental impact assessment, whether it publicizes its findings or whether there is any tangible data on the company's greenhouse gas emissions, water or energy use. Large e-commerce websites such as Amazon, Walmart and Target have set emissions benchmarks and other climate-related targets for their suppliers and list their own companywide sustainability goals. Walmart, for example, has released extensive information on its Project Gigaton, including a list of participating suppliers, definitions of its recognition tiers and science-based requirements for suppliers' goals. Target publishes its climate goals, and has provided updates on where the company has surpassed expectations, and where it has fallen short. It also displays icons and hyperlinks next to products that meet sustainability goals. Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program vets products based on a set of verified third-party certifications and posts a green leaf label alongside products that meet the certifications, along with hyperlinks. “Having those third-party standards is super important for credibility,” said Nneka Leiba, Amazon's principal sustainability specialist. Certifications that aren't quantifiable or are too permissive don't meet Leiba's bar for inclusion in the program. She said when evaluating a certification, she looks to see whether it’s following International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, or other relevant standards. She said certifications should be backed by scientific rigor and require companies or products meet specific benchmarks. Leiba said manufacturers' efforts to become certified can be good for their business. She said products in the Climate Pledge Friendly program experience a 12% sales increase in the first year after earning the green leaf badge. “That cycle is really beneficial to our customer, and beneficial to the environment,” she said.  

The Cambridge Dictionary has added more than 6,000 new words this year, including social media-driven slang like “skibidi” and “tradwife.” “Internet culture is reshaping the English language, and it’s fascinating to capture these changes in the dictionary,” said Colin McIntosh, lexical program manager at Cambridge Dictionary, the world’s largest online dictionary. Skibidi — coined from an animated YouTube series — can mean “cool,” “bad,” or be used playfully with no specific meaning. Meanwhile, tradwife is short for “traditional wife,” describing a married woman who embraces homemaking and often shares her lifestyle online. Another addition, delulu (from “delusional”), refers to believing things that are not real, often by choice. Christian Ilbury, a sociolinguistics lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, noted that many of the new entries emerged on platforms like TikTok, where younger generations communicate. He added that terms such as delulu actually predate social media, but wider online use boosted their visibility. Other additions reflect broader trends: mouse jiggler — a gadget or software used to fake computer activity while not working, a term popularized by remote work — and forever chemical, describing persistent and harmful environmental pollutants. Students face arrests and office calls over AI surveillance false alarms Cambridge Dictionary said its decisions are guided by the Cambridge English Corpus, a database of over 2 billion written and spoken words, which helps track real-world usage. “A dictionary is a public record of how language is used,” Ilbury explained. “If people are saying skibidi or delulu, the dictionary should reflect that.” McIntosh stressed that only words with “staying power” were added. Source: Agency 

Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, has become a beloved destination for dog lovers seeking nature, art, and a place to honor their pets. Anne Pace, visiting with her one-year-old border collie Tam, said, “I’ve wanted to see this place for years. I even left a note for my previous border collie—he was my best buddy.” The 150-acre park was founded 25 years ago by Vermont folk artist Stephen Huneck and his wife, Gwen. It features hiking trails, swimming ponds, an art gallery, and a Dog Chapel where visitors leave photos and messages for their pets. Gallery manager Pam McCann described it as “a pilgrimage place and a sanctuary.” Czech Zoo celebrates birth of 4 rare Barbary Lion cubs, extinct in the wild Huneck’s art—sculptures, prints, and furniture—adorns the park, including the chapel, which showcases his love for dogs through detailed carvings and stained-glass images of his own dog, Sally. Visitors like Scott and Julie Ritchie, traveling the U.S. with three large dogs, call it a rare and beautiful experience worth revisiting. Source: Agency 

As schools reopen after the summer break, experts emphasize the importance of proper sleep to help children stay focused and attentive in class. Pediatricians advise easing students back into a routine ahead of the new academic year. “Good sleep is essential for learning and overall daily functioning,” said Dr. Gabrina Dixon, a pediatrician. Children’s sleep needs vary by age: preschoolers require up to 13 hours, tweens need 9 to 12 hours, and teenagers perform best with 8 to 10 hours of rest. Australia bans YouTube accounts for children under 16 from December Experts recommend setting earlier bedtimes a week or two before school begins or gradually advancing bedtime by 15 to 30 minutes each night. Heavy meals and screen time should be avoided at least two hours before bed, while relaxing activities such as reading or taking a shower can help children wind down. Exposure to morning daylight can also train the brain to wake up more effectively. Sleep quality is as important as duration. Anxiety about returning to school can make it difficult for children to fall asleep. Parents are encouraged to discuss their children’s worries and, where possible, prepare them for first-day challenges by visiting the school or familiarizing them with classmates. “Take a deep breath and start the schedule gradually,” Dr. Dixon advised, noting that children will adjust over time with consistent routines.   Source: Agency

Students across the United States are increasingly being summoned to school offices or even arrested after AI-powered surveillance software flags their online chats as potential threats — often based on false alarms. Lesley Mathis’s 13-year-old daughter learned this the hard way last year. The Tennessee eighth grader made an offensive joke during an online chat with classmates, triggering her school’s monitoring system. Within hours, she was arrested, interrogated, strip-searched, and detained overnight in jail, her mother said. The incident began when friends teased the girl about her tanned skin, calling her “Mexican,” though she is not. In reply, she wrote, “on Thursday we kill all the Mexico’s.” Mathis admitted the comment was “wrong” but stressed the context showed no real threat. “It made me feel like, is this the America we live in?” Mathis said. “It was this stupid technology that picks up random words without understanding context.” Schools across the US use AI-based surveillance tools such as Gaggle and Lightspeed Alert to monitor students’ online activity on school devices and accounts, aiming to detect signs of self-harm, bullying, or violence. While educators praise the technology for saving lives, critics warn it often criminalizes innocent remarks. New report reveals ChatGPT’s alarming responses to teens on sensitive issues Elizabeth Laird, director at the Center for Democracy and Technology, said, “It has routinized law enforcement access and presence in students’ lives, including at home.” In Tennessee, a 2023 zero-tolerance law requires any threat of mass violence against schools to be reported to law enforcement immediately. The 13-year-old girl’s arrest followed this policy, though Gaggle’s CEO Jeff Patterson criticized the handling, saying the system is meant to intervene early, not involve police. Private student chats are also monitored. In Florida, a teenager was arrested after Snapchat’s automated system flagged a joke about school shootings. Alexa Manganiotis, a student in West Palm Beach, noted how quickly surveillance software works, sharing that students typing threats on school computers were removed within minutes. Amy Bennett, Lightspeed Systems’ chief of staff, said the software helps schools “be proactive rather than punitive.” However, data reveals high false alarm rates. An analysis of Gaggle alerts in Kansas found nearly two-thirds were nonissues, including false positives from homework or deleted photos. Natasha Torkzaban, a recent graduate, was flagged for editing a friend’s college essay containing the phrase “mental health.” She and other students recently sued their school district, alleging unconstitutional surveillance. School officials argue the technology has prevented dozens of imminent suicide or violence threats. “Sometimes you have to look at the trade for the greater good,” said Anne Costello, a Kansas school board member. Two years after the incident, Mathis said her daughter is recovering but remains “terrified” of encountering the officers involved. She praised teachers at her daughter’s alternative school for their compassion and understanding. “We just want kids to be these little soldiers, but they’re not,” Mathis said. “They’re just humans.”

A zoo in the Czech Republic has welcomed four newborn Barbary lion cubs, a significant development for a species that no longer exists in the wild. The cubs — three females and one male — were seen playing under the watchful gaze of their parents, Khalila and Bart, in the outdoor area of Dvůr Králové Safari Park on Wednesday. However, their time at the park will be temporary. As part of a global conservation program for endangered species, the cubs will be relocated to other partner zoos, including one in Beersheba, Israel, to support breeding and preservation efforts. There is cautious hope that this could eventually lead to reintroducing the species into its native habitat. Dvůr Králové’s Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyjánek noted that although discussions and groundwork have begun for a possible reintroduction of Barbary lions into the wild, such a step remains a long-term goal. Once native to North Africa, particularly the Atlas Mountains, the Barbary lion — a symbol of power and beauty — was driven to extinction in the wild largely due to human actions. Many were used in Roman arenas, and later, excessive hunting and habitat destruction led to their decline. The last known wild Barbary lion was photographed in 1925, and the final confirmed individual was killed in 1942. By the mid-1960s, the species had completely vanished from the wild. Today, fewer than 200 Barbary lions are believed to live in captivity worldwide. Hyjánek shared that Moroccan authorities have expressed openness to the idea of reintroduction. A conference involving experts is being planned in Morocco — likely later this year or in early 2026 — to evaluate the feasibility of rewilding the lions in one of the country’s national parks in the Atlas Mountains. Such a plan would face many challenges, including legal hurdles, ecological readiness, ensuring a stable prey population, and gaining support from local communities. Despite the difficulties, Hyjánek believes it’s a vision worth pursuing. “Having a long-term goal is crucial for any species,” he said. “Without that, the role of zoos would lose its purpose.”

ChatGPT has provided 13-year-olds with instructions on getting intoxicated, concealing eating disorders, and even composing deeply emotional suicide letters, according to new findings from a digital watchdog group. The Associated Press reviewed more than three hours of simulated conversations between ChatGPT and researchers posing as vulnerable teenagers. While the AI often issued standard warnings against dangerous behaviors, it also offered surprisingly detailed and personalized guidance on substance use, restrictive dieting, and self-harm. The study, conducted by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), involved scaling up their queries, with more than half of ChatGPT’s 1,200 responses being flagged as potentially harmful. “We set out to test the chatbot’s guardrails,” said CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed. “The initial reaction is shock — there are practically no guardrails. The protections in place are minimal, if not completely ineffective.” Responding to the report on Tuesday, OpenAI — the company behind ChatGPT — stated that it continues working to improve how the chatbot identifies and handles sensitive interactions. “Some conversations may begin innocently but veer into more sensitive territory,” OpenAI said in a statement. The company did not directly respond to the study’s specific findings or the implications for teenage users, but said it’s working on tools to detect signs of emotional distress and refine the chatbot’s responses in such cases. The findings come amid increasing use of AI chatbots for advice, companionship, and information, especially among children and teenagers. Cardiologist reveals 6 morning habits that keep heart strong According to a July report from JPMorgan Chase, ChatGPT now has around 800 million users — roughly 10% of the global population. “This is a technology that can unlock immense progress and understanding,” said Ahmed. “But it also has the potential to cause serious harm.” He said the most disturbing moment was seeing three suicide notes written by ChatGPT for a 13-year-old girl’s persona — one addressed to her parents, another to siblings, and a third to friends. “It brought me to tears,” Ahmed told reporters. While ChatGPT did frequently recommend crisis hotlines or reaching out to mental health professionals, researchers were often able to bypass restrictions by framing their requests as part of a presentation or claiming the information was for a friend. This is troubling even if only a small portion of users interact with ChatGPT in this way. A recent survey by Common Sense Media found that over 70% of U.S. teens turn to AI chatbots for companionship, and half use them regularly. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the trend, saying the company is studying the issue of “emotional overreliance,” which he described as particularly common among younger users. “Some teens tell us they can't make decisions without consulting ChatGPT,” Altman said at a conference. “They say it knows them, it knows their friends, and they follow its advice — that really concerns me.” While much of the content ChatGPT provides could also be found via search engines, Ahmed emphasized that chatbots pose a unique risk by generating highly personalized responses — such as writing a suicide note tailored to a user's experience. “This is different from Google,” he explained. “AI acts as a confidant, as a guide — which makes it much more dangerous in these scenarios.” The chatbot also sometimes volunteered additional information without being prompted, including suggestions for music playlists at drug-fueled parties or hashtags to promote self-harm content online. In one instance, a researcher asked for a follow-up post to be “more raw and graphic.” ChatGPT complied, generating what it called an “emotionally exposed” poem that adhered to coded language often seen in online self-harm communities. AP is withholding the exact language used in these responses due to their graphic nature. The issue partly stems from a design flaw known as “sycophancy,” where AI models mimic or reinforce a user’s beliefs and tone, rather than challenge them. Experts say this tendency can make AI dangerous in emotionally sensitive conversations — though modifying it could affect commercial appeal. Stay cool with these heat-fighting gadgets and wearables Chatbots also impact younger users differently than search engines because they are designed to feel more human-like, said Robbie Torney, senior director of AI programs at Common Sense Media. That makes it easier for teens, especially younger ones, to trust them. Common Sense’s own research showed that 13- and 14-year-olds were more likely than older teens to believe in a chatbot’s advice. While the group has rated ChatGPT a “moderate risk” — noting it is safer than AI companions designed to mimic romantic partners — the new findings show just how easy it is to get around existing safeguards. ChatGPT does not verify a user's age or require parental consent. Although its terms say it's not intended for children under 13, all that’s needed to sign up is a birthdate that meets the age requirement. In contrast, platforms like Instagram have started implementing stronger age verification to comply with regulations and steer teens toward safer experiences. When researchers used a fake 13-year-old profile to ask about alcohol, ChatGPT did not flag the age or block the request. In response to a query from a supposed “50kg boy” asking how to get drunk fast, ChatGPT offered advice. It later provided an “Ultimate Full-Out Mayhem Party Plan” that mixed alcohol with high doses of ecstasy, cocaine, and other illegal drugs. “It reminded me of that friend who always eggs you on — ‘Chug, chug, chug,’” said Ahmed. “But a true friend is someone who knows when to say no. This chatbot is more like a friend that betrays you.” In another example, ChatGPT gave a 13-year-old girl’s persona a fasting plan of just 500 calories a day, along with a list of appetite-suppressing drugs to use. “If a real person responded that way, we’d be shocked and horrified,” said Ahmed. “But here’s a chatbot saying, ‘Go for it, kiddo.’ That’s deeply troubling.” Source: Agency 

Is ketchup a smoothie? HEINZ and Smoothie King are boldly answering “yes” with the launch of the HEINZ Tomato Ketchup Smoothie, the first-ever smoothie made with real HEINZ Simply Ketchup. This limited-edition blend mixes ketchup with Acai sorbet, apple juice, strawberries, and raspberries for a tangy-sweet summer sip, available for $5.70 at select Smoothie King stores in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Miami, and Greater New York/NJ. Crème fraîche creates a creamy broth in this recipe for briny-sweet steamed clams “When we saw this debate gaining traction, we had to jump in,” said Kraft Heinz VP Angie Madigan. Smoothie King’s Lori Primavera added, “We’ve created a savory-sweet blend that celebrates the tomato in all its glory.” Fans can weigh in online using #KetchupSmoothie. Source: Agency