United News of Bangladesh

Modern life often encourages people to believe that having more choices leads to better decisions whether it is buying clothes, choosing entertainment or finding the right partner. But psychologists say too many options can have the opposite effect, making people feel overwhelmed, anxious and less satisfied with their decisions. Barry Schwartz, emeritus professor of psychology at Swarthmore University and author of The Paradox of Choice, said research over the years has consistently shown that too many choices can create mental stress rather than freedom. "There have been hundreds of studies showing that there can be too much of a good thing," Schwartz said. He advised people to reduce the number of decisions they make every day, saying it helps lower mental pressure and makes decision-making easier. Too many options can discourage decisions Schwartz cited several studies showing that people often avoid making decisions when faced with too many choices. For example, people were less likely to select a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in US states offering more plan options. A similar pattern was found with 401(k) retirement savings plans, where employees were less likely to join when employers offered too many investment choices—even when matching contributions were available. The same trend appears in everyday life. One well-known study found that shoppers bought more jars of jam when offered six flavours than when they had 24 choices. Another study showed students were more likely to complete an extra-credit assignment when they could choose from six topics instead of 30. According to Schwartz, too many options can leave people feeling stuck. "Instead of being liberated by all this choice, you're paralyzed," he said. He added that people may also become less satisfied with their final decision because they keep wondering whether another option would have been better. This is especially true for people psychologists describe as "maximizers"—those who always want the absolute best choice. However, Schwartz noted that not everyone reacts the same way. People with a strong interest in a particular subject, such as car enthusiasts, often enjoy comparing many options before making a purchase. Brain prefers familiar decisions Daniel Willingham, a psychology professor and neuroscience researcher at the University of Virginia, said the human brain naturally tries to avoid unnecessary thinking because problem-solving requires more energy than relying on habits or memory. He explained that when people face a task, the brain first searches for familiar solutions before using deeper thinking. "Another way to put it is that if you're thinking, things are not going well," he said. This is why many people follow the same daily routines, such as taking the same route to work, even though they have other options. Schwartz added that social media has made the problem worse by encouraging constant comparisons with other people's choices, increasing expectations that every decision should be perfect. Aim for "good enough" Author David Epstein said researching his book Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better changed the way he makes decisions. Instead of endlessly comparing products, he now limits his choices—for example, buying several of the same T-shirt in different colours once he finds one that fits well. His approach follows the idea of "satisficing," introduced by Nobel Prize-winning economist and psychologist Herbert Simon. The concept encourages people to choose an option that meets their needs instead of searching endlessly for the perfect one. Epstein said he now sets simple rules before shopping online. Once he finds a product that meets his main purpose, he buys it instead of continuing to compare endless features and reviews. Both Willingham and Schwartz also recommend relying on trusted advice for some decisions. Instead of researching every available phone, for example, people can simply buy a model recommended by a satisfied friend. For more important decisions, such as financial planning, Willingham said seeking professional advice often leads to better outcomes than trying to figure everything out alone. Schwartz acknowledged that changing decision-making habits can be difficult, but said the benefits are significant. Over time, he said, people become more confident in their decisions, feel happier with their choices and save valuable time each day.

The United States is once again considering ending its twice-yearly clock changes, as lawmakers debate legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent despite a failed attempt in the 1970s. The House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly approved a bill to keep clocks one hour ahead year-round. The proposal now faces uncertainty in the Senate, where several Republicans oppose the measure. President Donald Trump has expressed support for the legislation. Americans currently move clocks forward in spring and back in autumn. However, an AP-NORC poll last year found only 12 percent of adults supported the biannual time changes, while nearly half opposed them. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have backed adopting a single year-round time system. The US previously experimented with permanent daylight saving time between January and October 1974 before repealing it amid public opposition, largely over concerns that children were travelling to school before sunrise. Experts say any renewed effort should also consider adjusting US time zones, as sunrise varies widely across large regions. Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Mike Rounds warned that permanent daylight saving time could leave some areas in darkness well into the morning, with sunrise in parts of South Dakota occurring after 9:30 a.m. during winter.

Frequent texting, scrolling and prolonged smartphone use can strain the hands and thumbs, causing pain, stiffness and discomfort that may develop into more serious conditions if left unaddressed, according to medical experts. Often referred to as "texting thumb," the condition includes symptoms such as aching joints, stiffness, pain near the base of the thumb and clicking sensations during movement. Repetitive use of smartphones can also increase the risk of conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb arthritis, trigger thumb and De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Experts say modern smartphones are larger and heavier than earlier devices, while people now spend significantly more time using them—not only for calls and messages but also for social media, online banking, streaming videos and other daily activities. Dr. Maureen O'Shaughnessy of the University of Kentucky HealthCare Hand Center said smartphones are now an integral part of everyday life, making it more practical to adopt healthier usage habits rather than avoiding devices altogether. She advised users to avoid maintaining the same hand, wrist and elbow position for extended periods, as this can strain tendons and joints. Alternating hands while texting, using different fingers instead of relying solely on the thumbs, and changing posture regularly can help reduce stress on the hands. Experts also recommend making use of smartphone accessibility features such as voice-to-text and increasing font size to lessen thumb movement and reduce the need to hold the phone close to the face. Grip accessories, including ring or loop attachments on the back of phones, can improve comfort by distributing the device's weight more evenly across the hand. These accessories can also serve as stands when watching videos. Daily stretching exercises may also provide relief. Doctors suggest gently flexing the wrists, stretching the fingers and moving the thumbs in small circles. For pain at the base of the thumb, placing the hand flat on a surface and gently pulling the thumb away from the fingers for about 30 seconds may help ease discomfort. Medical experts advise seeking professional treatment if pain, numbness or tingling continues despite reducing screen time and using home remedies such as ice packs or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Dr. Eugene Tsai of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine noted that human hands were not designed for prolonged smartphone use and emphasized the importance of taking regular breaks and using devices in ways that reduce strain on the joints and tendons.

Scorching temperatures around the clock, frequent power cuts and sleepless nights have become part of daily life for residents of Banda, a town in northern India that has repeatedly ranked among the hottest places on Earth. Climate change, driven largely by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, is making heatwaves across India more frequent and severe, according to experts. Banda, in Uttar Pradesh state, has been among the worst-hit areas. In May, the town recorded a temperature of 48.2 degrees Celsius (118.8 degrees Fahrenheit), one of several occasions this year when it was India's hottest location. Climatologist and weather historian Maximiliano Herrera said Banda also ranked as the hottest place on Earth on seven different days this year, most of them in April. Although temperatures have eased slightly since then, high humidity brought by the monsoon has kept conditions uncomfortable. An Associated Press team visited Banda in June to see how residents cope with the extreme heat. Before sunrise, 70-year-old Munni Devi and her four sons begin unloading vegetables at the local market while temperatures are already around 30 degrees Celsius. Despite the exhausting conditions, Devi said missing work is not an option. "Everyone feels the heat, but because of our circumstances, we have to bear it," she said. She said the heat has become more intense every year, while unreliable electricity leaves many families without even ceiling fans for hours at a time. To keep cool, her grandchildren are often sprayed with water using a hose. As temperatures climb during the afternoon, many people remain indoors if possible. But street vendors and auto-rickshaw drivers continue working outside to earn a living. Meanwhile, 70-year-old animal lover Shobharam Kashyap spends his afternoons building wooden birdhouses to help birds survive the extreme weather. He and other volunteers have installed more than 15,000 birdhouses across Banda, many painted green because he believes birds prefer that colour. He has also placed clay bowls filled with water around his home for birds to drink and cool off. Kashyap said caring for birds reflects a long-standing cultural tradition in India, where people often leave food for birds at temples. The rising temperatures are also putting pressure on Banda's healthcare system. Doctors at the town's main hospital say patient numbers increase every summer, with many suffering from dehydration, heat exhaustion, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Hospital superintendent Dr Abhishek Pranayami said admissions continue to rise every year, placing growing pressure on doctors and medical staff. Even after sunset, temperatures remain high, forcing many residents to spend the night outdoors. At Banda railway station, families gather on open platforms hoping for cooler air. Some sleep on blankets spread across the platform, while others rest on benches or near the station entrance. Labourers whose homes remain unbearably hot often sleep on nearby pavements or even on gravel despite traffic and noise. Parents with young children sometimes stay awake through the night, waiting at the station where the open space offers some relief from the heat. Climate and health expert Abhiyant Tiwari of NRDC India said Banda has always experienced hot summers, but climate change is making heatwaves more intense, longer-lasting and more dangerous. He warned that persistently high night-time temperatures are especially harmful because they prevent the human body from recovering after prolonged daytime heat exposure. District Magistrate Amit Aasery said local authorities have opened cooling centres, distributed hundreds of thousands of oral rehydration solution (ORS) kits and strengthened hospital preparedness during heat alerts. Officials are also monitoring groundwater levels, soil moisture and vegetation while working to improve water supplies and raise public awareness about heat risks. However, Aasery acknowledged that local efforts alone cannot solve the problem. "What is happening here is a global phenomenon. It is because of climate change. We are the recipient of this," he said.

A new exhibition in Hungary is giving visitors a rare chance to meet the people of ancient Rome through lifelike facial reconstructions based on DNA analysis and forensic science. The exhibition, titled "Once We Were Like You," is being held at the Aquincum Museum in Budapest until Oct. 31. It features highly detailed reconstructions of more than a dozen people whose skulls were unearthed in Aquincum, a thriving Roman settlement on the Danube frontier nearly 2,000 years ago. The reconstructed faces include a blacksmith, a stable boy, a soldier and a slave, offering a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people who once lived in the Roman city. "Our main goal was to bring some of these individuals closer to people today," said Loránt Vass, an archaeologist and co-curator of the exhibition. According to the museum, the exhibition seeks to answer questions about everyday people in ancient times—what they looked like, who they were and how they lived. Experts used DNA extracted from the bones to identify features such as skin, hair and eye colour, and even whether a person likely had freckles. The skulls also provided clues about facial structure, age, injuries and diseases. Using these findings, curators created names, occupations and life stories for each reconstructed individual, based on historical evidence and scientific analysis. "We don't know their real names, unfortunately, but we tried to include everything anthropology and genetic studies could tell us about their lives," said co-curator Péter Vámos. One reconstructed figure, named Respectus, is portrayed as a construction worker who earned a living plastering walls and cutting stone. According to the exhibit, years of hard labour left visible marks on his bones. It also suggests he broke his nose and lost a tooth during a tavern fight after drinking wine. Vass said Respectus reflects the lives of many people who lived in Aquincum. Analysis showed that most of the skeletons had signs of inflammation, indicating years of physically demanding work. "They regularly performed hard labour, and many also experienced periods of hunger," Vass said. "This suggests that most belonged to the lower middle class, a group that is rarely remembered in Roman history." Among the 16 reconstructions, six are life-size silicone models that have been carefully painted and fitted with realistic hair, clothing and jewellery. Artist Emese Gábor, who created the silicone models, said artificial intelligence can generate digital images of ancient faces, but physical reconstructions provide a more meaningful museum experience. "They can be viewed from every angle and are life-size," she said. "I rely on scientific methods and combine traditional and modern techniques in this work." DNA analysis also revealed the ethnic diversity of Aquincum's population. The findings showed that, alongside Roman citizens from what is now Italy, the city was home to people whose ancestors came from present-day Scotland and Syria, as well as members of the nomadic Sarmatian tribes. The region's earlier Celtic inhabitants were also represented. Vass said archaeological discoveries often end up as stored artifacts, with little attention paid to the people behind them. "The bodies have no weight, no life, no soul," he said. By recreating the faces of Aquincum's former residents, the museum hopes visitors will see them as people much like themselves. "The title of the exhibition reminds us that they were like we are today," Vass said. "They had jobs, faced challenges and lived ordinary lives. Their circumstances may have been different, but people are still people. I don't think that has changed much throughout history."

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan. The former actor, who married Britain's Prince Harry in 2018, was nominated on Tuesday in the Outstanding Lifestyle Program category. Her show will compete with A Different Breed, George to the Rescue, The Motherhood and The Wizard of Paws. The winners of the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be announced on Oct. 30 at the Hollywood Palladium. With Love, Meghan features cooking, entertaining and gardening segments, along with appearances by celebrities including Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling. Prince Harry also made a guest appearance. The series ran for two seasons in 2025 and also released a holiday special. Before joining the British royal family, Meghan—then known as Meghan Markle—played Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits from 2011 to 2018. She left the show before marrying Prince Harry. CBS led all networks with 48 Daytime Emmy nominations. The nominees for Daytime Drama Series are Beyond the Gates, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless. The nominees for Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series are Stacy Haiduk (Days of Our Lives), Karla Mosley (Beyond the Gates), Michelle Stafford (The Young and the Restless), Heather Tom (The Bold and the Beautiful) and Tamara Tunie (Beyond the Gates). For Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series, the nominees are Eric Braeden (The Young and the Restless), Steve Burton (General Hospital), Scott Clifton (The Bold and the Beautiful), Thorsten Kaye (The Bold and the Beautiful) and Christian Jules Le Blanc (The Young and the Restless). The nominees for Daytime Talk Series are 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, TODAY with Jenna & Friends and The View. Kelly Clarkson was also nominated for Daytime Talk Series Host. Other nominees include Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro of The View, along with Tamron Hall, Jennifer Hudson and Sherri Shepherd. Clarkson is set to end her seven-season run this fall, while Sherri was canceled in May after four seasons. Meanwhile, ABC's The View is facing renewed scrutiny from federal regulators, who want to revisit whether the program should be subject to equal-time broadcasting rules.

A dog owner has thanked a volunteer mountain rescue team after her Labrador was carried down Britain's highest mountain when it apparently became ill after ingesting cannabis during a hike. Christina Bluhme was climbing Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands with her 5-year-old black Labrador, Tokyo, and another dog on July 5 when Tokyo suddenly began staggering, appearing disoriented before losing the ability to walk. "It was a very frightening experience," Bluhme said on Monday. "She had a very bad reaction." Bluhme, who has worked as a dog trainer for 25 years, said she had no idea at the time that cannabis might have caused the dog's condition. The incident comes as cases of cannabis poisoning in pets continue to rise in the UK. The problem is even more common in the United States, where marijuana is legal for recreational use in many states and available for medical purposes in others. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) added marijuana and other drugs to its list of the top 10 pet toxins for the first time in 2023. Its poison control centre reported a 10% increase in calls related to suspected marijuana ingestion compared with the previous year and nearly a threefold rise over the past five years. When Tokyo collapsed, Bluhme, her son Magnus and the two dogs had been climbing for more than three hours and were close to the 1,345-metre (4,413-foot) summit of Ben Nevis. By then, the weather had deteriorated, with rain setting in and temperatures dropping to around 5 degrees Celsius. Realising something was seriously wrong, Bluhme abandoned plans to reach the summit. "I told my son we had to turn back and get her down because something was clearly wrong," she said. Her son called for emergency assistance, but police initially said they were unsure whether a rescue team could be sent. Fortunately, members of the volunteer Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team were already descending the mountain after helping with the helicopter evacuation of an injured hiker. The rescuers placed the 25-kilogram Labrador on a stretcher and carried her quickly down the steep, slippery trail, reaching the base in about an hour. "They were almost running," Bluhme recalled. "I was holding onto the stretcher while they moved so quickly. It was amazing." Police alerted Crown Vets in nearby Fort William, where a veterinarian was waiting when the group arrived. Vets first suspected a spinal problem, but a senior veterinarian later concluded Tokyo had likely been exposed to a neurotoxin after she repeatedly drifted in and out of consciousness. Following consultation with a poison control centre, they determined her symptoms were consistent with cannabis intoxication. Tokyo was treated with activated charcoal and made a full recovery overnight. Although the veterinary treatment cost about 1,000 pounds (around $1,335), Bluhme said she was simply grateful her dog survived. "By the next day, it was as if nothing had happened," she said. "She recovered very quickly, and I'm probably the one who's still recovering from the experience."

Chinese blue-and-white porcelain has long served as a bridge between civilizations, influencing art across continents and continuing to inspire cultural exchanges today. Italian Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini highlighted three pieces of blue-and-white porcelain in his final masterpiece, The Feast of the Gods. Chinese historian Yan Chongnian said a vessel in the painting closely resembles porcelain unearthed at the imperial kiln site in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. Weng Yanjun, head of the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute, said the porcelain not only decorates the mythical feast scene but also reflects historical exchanges between civilizations. As porcelain imports to Europe increased and still-life painting became popular, blue-and-white porcelain frequently appeared in Western oil paintings, demonstrating its lasting influence on European society. Known as China's porcelain capital, Jingdezhen has produced ceramics for more than 1,700 years. Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), its porcelain has been exported to Central Asia, West Asia, Europe and Africa. Ge Chengyong, a professor at the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, said Chinese porcelain preserves the memory of civilizations, promotes mutual learning and contributes to global culture. The exchange also influenced Chinese ceramics. Jiangxi Provincial Academy of Culture and Tourism researcher Li Shiqi said mythological themes became common on export porcelain in the mid-18th century, creating new artistic possibilities and strengthening cultural understanding. Today, artists continue to combine oil painting with ceramic art. Jingdezhen-based ceramic artist Wang Yantian said the fusion enriches artistic expression, supports cultural inheritance and boosts industry development. The city also attracts international artists. Australian artist David Reid, who moved to Jingdezhen in 2018, said the city inspires him to blend Chinese elements with Western modernism. French ceramic artist Camille Kami, impressed by Jingdezhen's centuries-old craftsmanship, chose to settle there after studying ceramics across Europe. Chen Kelong, Jingdezhen Party chief, said the city will continue promoting creativity and innovation while strengthening international cultural exchanges. He said Jingdezhen has established partnerships with more than 180 cities in over 70 countries and attracts artists and ceramists from more than 50 countries and regions.

Paris Haute Couture Week concluded on Thursday with designers blending bold creativity, fantasy and advanced technology, as major fashion houses sought to revive the luxury industry after a two-year slowdown. The week's most anticipated event was Pierpaolo Piccioli's debut couture collection for Balenciaga, attended by celebrities including Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo and Gigi Hadid. Piccioli showcased dramatic balloon-shaped gowns and feathered designs before closing the show with Hadid in a striking rooster-feather creation. He received a standing ovation alongside his atelier. Across four days, 30 fashion houses, including five first-time participants, explored themes of body transformation, fantasy and innovation. Designers experimented with revealing, concealing and reshaping the human figure while incorporating new materials and technologies, even as they stressed the enduring value of handcrafted couture. Major labels including Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel and Armani Privé introduced collections under new creative directors, hoping to boost demand in the recovering luxury market. Technology also featured prominently. Balenciaga used 3D body scans and lab-grown silk, while Iris van Herpen incorporated thousands of hand-blown glass beads and experimental techniques. Schiaparelli combined handcrafted silicone and unusual materials to create sculptural designs. Despite embracing technological innovation, designers consistently emphasised that haute couture remains rooted in craftsmanship, with handmade artistry continuing to define fashion's most exclusive creations.

Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71 hosted the 11th session of its artist talk series, Cosmos Art Echo, on Saturday, featuring the artistic transformation of distinguished Bangladeshi artist, art educator, curator and researcher Bishwajit Goswami. The session, titled "Metamorphosis," was held at the Cosmos Atelier71 Studio at Cosmos Centre in Malibagh, bringing together artists, students, art educators and cultural enthusiasts for an in-depth discussion on transformation in artistic practice, cultural identity and contemporary visual language. Through his multidisciplinary and research-based practice, Bishwajit reflected on his lifelong artistic evolution, saying nothing had been able to stand in the way of his journey of transformation. Bishwajit Goswami’s practice centers on six foundational elements—Ma, Mati, Manush, Bhasha, Swadesh and Prokriti—representing mother, soil, people, language, motherland, and nature. Through multidisciplinary approaches, he investigates how these interconnected elements shape collective identity.  His practice emphasizes collaboration, site-responsive methodologies, and sustained dialogue with artisans and communities across local and international contexts. Both his artistic and curatorial works advocate shared authorship, repositioning traditional forms within contemporary frameworks through processes of exchange. Goswami said his creative practice is deeply rooted in nature, drawing inspiration from natural phenomena such as the tides, the roar of the sea and the first light of day entering his studio. Reflecting on his role as an educator at the Faculty of Fine Arts, he described teaching as a continuous learning process, saying the enthusiasm and energy of young students, including watching them paint on large canvases, remain one of his greatest sources of inspiration. He stressed that art should communicate with everyone- from rickshaw pullers to schoolchildren- and said he was proud that his wall-paintings were protected following the July movement because ordinary people felt connected to them. Speaking about his curatorial works, Bishwajit said he focused on presenting the richness and strength of Bangladeshi culture to international audiences, citing his work with the Victoria and Albert Museum as an example.