United News of Bangladesh

McDonald’s announced on Monday that it plans to hire up to 375,000 restaurant workers across the U.S. this summer — marking its largest seasonal hiring effort in years. The fast-food giant, based in Chicago, says the increase in job openings is partially driven by its ongoing U.S. expansion. With over 13,500 U.S. locations currently, McDonald’s aims to open 900 additional restaurants by 2027. To make the announcement, U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer joined McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger at a location near Columbus, Ohio. “McDonald’s is creating economic momentum for its workers, communities, and the broader economy,” said Chavez-DeRemer. “By growing its workforce, the company is encouraging investment and serving as a model for industry-wide growth—whether it's a stepping stone to another career or a path to advancement within the company.” McDonald’s Quarter Pounder back on the menu after testing rules out beef patties as E. coli source McDonald’s emphasized that the roles are intended to be permanent, though its overall workforce likely won’t exceed 1.1 million employees due to regular staff turnover. The company last undertook a major summer hiring campaign in 2020, when it planned to recruit 260,000 employees as it reopened locations closed early in the pandemic. This year’s hiring push reflects optimism that customer traffic at U.S. restaurants will pick up as 2025 progresses. However, in the first quarter of this year, McDonald’s U.S. same-store sales fell by 3.6% — the steepest drop since early 2020 — as inflation-weary lower- and middle-income customers spent less on fast food. Despite the dip, McDonald’s isn’t alone in its positive outlook. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurants and bars in the U.S. added over 46,000 jobs in March and April. Chipotle also announced earlier this year its plans to hire 20,000 workers. Overall job growth remains steady, with 177,000 jobs added in April across the U.S., even amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Monday’s announcement also highlighted the 10th anniversary of McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity initiative. The program has provided educational support — including tuition assistance, English language training, and career services — to over 90,000 employees. So far, the program has awarded $240 million in tuition assistance. Anamaria Monterroso, who has worked at McDonald’s for eight years, said the program is helping her become the first in her family to earn a college degree. She’s currently pursuing a degree in human resources at Colorado Technical University. “Working in fast food doesn’t mean your aspirations have to stop,” Monterroso said.

A six-day group art exhibition titled ‘Pahar O Paharer Jibon’ (Mountains and Mountain Life) began on Sunday at Safiuddin Shilpalay in the capital’s Dhanmondi area, marking the occasion of Mother’s Day. Now in its ninth edition, the exhibition has been organised by women’s art collective Jolkonna and features the works of 12 women artists. It will remain open to visitors every day until May 16, from 11am to 8pm. Jolkonna is a unique platform for women artists, especially those without formal academic training, who explore and express their creativity through visual storytelling—primarily using watercolour and mixed media. The name combines the Bengali words for ‘water’ (jol) and ‘colour’ (rong), reflecting the collective’s artistic identity and medium. This year’s edition features 33 pieces rendered in watercolour, ink, and other media, highlighting themes of nature, motherhood, and the everyday lives of mountain communities. Art exhibition geared towards children at Alliance Française wins acclaim The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by Professor Farida Zaman, head of the Printmaking Department at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, and noted actress and filmmaker Chitralekha Guho. Both praised the participating artists for their resilience and dedication, particularly those balancing their creative journeys with motherhood. “I became a mother early in life. Balancing my creative career with motherhood hasn’t been easy. At times, I had to carry my child on set and work went on regardless. But no one truly understands that part of our struggle,” said Chitralekha. Prof Farida shared, “As a mother, I’ve had to move forward from very difficult places. My dream of becoming an artist was nurtured through challenges. I built my studio from scratch while holding my children in my arms.” The opening ceremony also featured poetry recitations by Mahi Farhana and Nishat Jesmin, musical performances by Swapna Barnadette Francis and Mahbuba Sultana, and traditional hill songs sung by Elina Chakma, adding a vibrant cultural layer to the event. Maine's hidden 'Sistine Chapel' inspires artists with 70-year-old frescoes Curated with the assistance of artist Ashok Karmakar, the exhibition is sponsored by City Bank PLC. Participating artists include Suporna Alice Gomes, Azadi Parvin, Sabina Nasrin, Elina Chakma, Tereza Isha Gomes, Flora Urmila, Jacqueline Ria Rozario, Maleka Sultana Nupur, Shama Sultana, Mahi Farhana, Aparna Torpador Mou and Sharifa Mehosa.

Eminent musicologist, writer, and researcher Mustafa Zaman Abbasi was laid to rest at Azimpur Graveyard in the capital on Saturday, as tributes poured in from across the country mourning the loss of a towering figure in the arena of Bangladeshi music and culture. Abbasi, 88, passed away early Saturday morning at a hospital in the capital after suffering from respiratory complications. He had been battling age-related ailments for some time, according to family sources. Following his Janaza after Zuhr prayers at Gulshan Azad Mosque, Abbasi was buried beside his father, the legendary folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed, and his mother Lutfunnesa Abbasi at Azimpur Graveyard. Born on December 8, 1936 in Balrampur village of Cooch Behar, India, Abbasi spent his early years in Kolkata before moving to Dhaka. He completed his BA and MA from Dhaka University and pursued another degree in Marketing. Abbasi, a former director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, was revered for his research on Bengali folk music, especially Bhawaiya, Murshidi, and the songs of Bhati Bangla. His writings and television works brought little-known rural musicians and lyricists to national attention. Following the news of Abbasi's death, eminent writer and his lifelong friend Hasnat Abdul Hye shared a deeply personal tribute on Facebook on Saturday, recalling: “I had planned to visit my college and university friend Tulu (Mustafa Zaman Abbasi) this morning. As I was getting out of bed, our childhood friend Din Mohammad informed me that he had passed away the night before." "We shared a long friendship and countless memories. Today will remain steeped in nostalgia and sorrow," Hye penned, remembering his lifelong friend. Last tributes paid to Sanjida Khatun at Chhayanaut One of Abbasi's family members and granddaughter, singer Armeen Musa, shared her grief in a tribute post, writing: “My choto nana Mustafa Zaman Abbasi's music has touched many hearts, and his passing will be a grave loss for his audience and his family whom he always showered with love.” “He introduced us to immensely talented folk artists from remote corners of the country. Despite his urban upbringing, he sang with the soul of rural Bengal,” Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, wrote on Facebook. “Though his death, we lost a giant in music, arts, and culture.” Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman also expressed his condolences, praising Abbasi's contributions to Bengali cultural heritage. In a Facebook post on Saturday, he described Abbasi as a member of a traditional cultural family and highlighted his significant impact on the development of healthy cultural practices in Bangladesh, and prayed for Abbasi's soul and offered his deepest sympathies to his family and admirers. Bangla Academy, where Abbasi was a Fellow, issued a statement noting his unmatched contributions to the preservation of Bengali folk culture and his deep involvement with the institution’s folklore initiatives. “A multifaceted writer and scholar, Abbasi played a vital role in upholding the traditions of folk music and cultural heritage,” stated Mohammad Azam, Director General of the Academy. Besides, the Chief Adviser's office issued an obituary yesterday, many other music artists, literateurs, cultural personalities, organisations and institutions, including his former workplace Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, also shared heartfelt tribute to Mustafa Zaman Abbasi. People pay tributes to poet Helal Hafiz at Bangla Academy Abbasi’s long-running column “Godhulir Chhayapothe” in the daily Prothom Alo was revered by the readers for its blend of memory, insight, and musical history. Besides, he has hosted numerous television programmes and well regarded for his majestic songs and ghazals. He is survived by a celebrated family of music artists including sister Ferdousi Rahman, niece Nashid Kamal, and granddaughter Armeen Musa. His late wife Asma Abbasi was a distinguished educator and author.

The Pentagon will immediately begin moving as many as 1,000 openly identifying transgender service members out of the military and give others 30 days to self-identify under a new directive issued Thursday. Buoyed by Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender individuals in the military, the Defense Department will begin going through medical records to identify others who haven’t come forward. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who issued the latest memo, made his views clear after the court’s decision. “No More Trans @ DoD,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X. Earlier in the day, before the court acted, Hegseth said that his department is leaving wokeness and weakness behind. “No more pronouns,” he told a special operations forces conference in Tampa. “No more dudes in dresses. We’re done with that s---.” Department officials have said it’s difficult to determine exactly how many transgender service members there are, but medical records will show those who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, who show symptoms or are being treated. Those troops would then be involuntarily forced out of the service. And no one with that diagnosis will be allowed to enlist. Gender dysphoria occurs when a person’s biological sex does not match up with their gender identity. Tagore's 164th birth anniv celebrated at DU Officials have said that as of Dec. 9, 2024, there were 4,240 troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the active duty, National Guard and Reserve. But they acknowledge the number may be higher. There are about 2.1 million total troops serving. The memo released Thursday mirrors one sent out in February, but any action was stalled at that point by several lawsuits. The Supreme Court ruled that the administration could enforce the ban on transgender people in the military, while other legal challenges proceed. The court’s three liberal justices said they would have kept the policy on hold. Neither the justices in the majority or dissent explained their votes, which is not uncommon in emergency appeals. When the initial Pentagon directive came out earlier this year, it gave service members 30 days to self-identify. Since then, about 1,000 have done so. In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the 1,000 troops who already self-identified “will begin the voluntary separation process” from the military. Under the new guidelines, active duty troops will have until June 6 to voluntarily identify themselves to the department, and troops in the National Guard and Reserve will have until July 7. While it may be difficult to see which troops have changed their gender identity in their military records, it will be easier to determine who has gotten a gender dysphoria diagnosis because that will be part of their medical record, as will any medication they are taking. Between 2015 and 2024, the total cost for psychotherapy, gender-affirming hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery and other treatment for service members is about $52 million, according to a defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues. Pentagon officials in an earlier memo defended the ban, saying that “the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service.”  

The 164th birth anniversary of iconic poet Rabindranath Tagore was celebrated at Dhaka University on Thursday. To mark the Rabindra jayanti a discussion meeting followed by a cultural programme was held at the auditorium of the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, presided over the event while Pro-VC (Admin) Prof. Dr. Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro-VC (Education) Prof. Dr. Mamun Ahmed, and Treasurer Prof. Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury spoke at the event as honored guests. Chairperson of the department of Bengali, Prof. Dr. Serajul Islam (Seraj Salekeen), delivered a commemorative lecture titled “Rabindranath and Bangladesh.” In addition, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof. Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Taiabur Rahman participated in the discussion. Prof. Niaz said that the study of Rabindranath is relevant for all times. The more we discuss the thoughts, philosophy, and literary works of the World Poet, the more his relevance will shine. He expressed hope that through such discussions, the new generation will be able to learn about Rabindranath’s life philosophy, thoughts, and literary works. Tagore’s 164th birth anniversary on Thursday

Quokkas, adorable and, most notably, remarkably photogenic animals, roam across the southwestern corner of Australia. With its perpetual grin and friendly demeanour, this small marsupial, about the size of a domestic cat, has turned an island into a hotspot for wildlife lovers and selfie seekers. A large number of quokkas are found on Rottnest Island, nestled off the coast of Perth, a sun-soaked sanctuary. This quokka haven is now popular for selfies. Let’s unravel how the quokka’s smile shaped Rottnest Island into a popular tourist hotspot. Naming of Rottnest Island The name of this island has an unusual origin, tracing back to a 17th-century Dutch explorer, Willem de Vlamingh. When he arrived on the coast, he was struck by the strange, furry animals hopping through the underbrush. Mistaking the quokkas for giant rats, he dubbed the place 't Eylandt 't Rottnest, Dutch for ‘rat’s nest island.’ But despite the unflattering name, de Vlamingh saw something more. In his journal, he described the landscape as nothing short of ‘paradise on Earth.’ Read more: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bangladesh The Global Rise of the Quokka Selfie In the age of social media, few animals have captured global attention like quokkas. Native to southwestern Australia, this tiny marsupial became a sensation not through conservation efforts, but through its smile. The viral trend began when tourists visiting Rottnest Island began snapping photos of the cheerful-looking creatures. In 2013, the Huffington Post dubbed the quokka ‘the world’s happiest animal’, sparking worldwide interest. With their naturally upturned mouths, quokkas became the perfect subject for selfies. High-profile celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Roger Federer helped solidify their fame. The result was a surge in visitors here, the Paradise on Earth. What was once a quiet retreat transformed into one of Australia’s most photographed destinations. Tourists flock there not only for the beaches but for the chance to share a moment with a quokka. Read more: City Guide to Bangkok, Thailand for Bangladeshis

Federal officials are investigating after a young seal was repeatedly stabbed on an Oregon beach in March. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the juvenile elephant seal survived the attack, which took place in a cove near the coastal town of Neskowin. NOAA’s marine response team later relocated the animal to a quieter beach in Washington, where it has been recovering well. It has since grown to around 300 pounds, and officials say the injuries aren’t expected to cause lasting harm. NOAA’s law enforcement division is leading the investigation and searching for a “person of interest” who was seen by a witness. They are also trying to identify the owner of a vehicle spotted in a nearby parking lot behind a condo complex around the time of the incident. Livestream of moose migration that captivated millions concludes Authorities are urging anyone with information about the individual, the vehicle, or the incident to contact NOAA’s enforcement hotline. According to Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, juvenile elephant seals commonly haul out on Oregon beaches in spring and summer to molt. Adults are rarely seen in the area. The injured seal had likely just become independent from its mother and was beginning to learn how to survive on its own, said NOAA spokesperson Michael Milstein. In time, it would have likely traveled back to the Channel Islands off Southern California, a typical breeding ground. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is illegal to harass, injure, kill, or feed elephant seals and other marine mammals. Violators can face fines up to $100,000 and a year in prison. In the spring and summer, juvenile elephant seals will often drag themselves onto Oregon's beaches to spend weeks shedding their hair and skin, according to Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute. Adult elephant seals are rarely seen in the state. The seal that was stabbed likely left its mother very recently and was on its own to learn to hunt, Milstein said. Once it had grown a bit more, it would have likely made its way back to breeding areas around the Channel Islands off Southern California The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassing, harming, killing or feeding wild elephant seals and other marine mammals. Violators can face criminal penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and up to 1 year in jail.

The 164th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore will be observed across the country with various programs organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. This year’s theme is "Rabindranath and Bangladesh". The main three-day celebration will begin  at Rabindra Kuthibari in Shilaidaha, Kushtia, on Monday and continue until May 10(25–27 Boishakh 1432). The event is jointly arranged by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and Kushtia district administration. Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki will attend the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, while Secretary Md Mofidul Rahman will chair the event. Additional Secretary Md Farhad Siddique will deliver the welcome speech, and Professor Mansur Musa will give the commemorative address. Dr Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah, Vice Chancellor of Islamic University, will attend as special guest. The cultural segment will feature a group dance performance of "Akash bhora surjo tara" by the academy's dancers. Kumar Bishwajit to return to stage after long hiatus Suma Rani Roy and Bulbul Islam will perform a series of Tagore songs including "Ami Kothay Pabo Tare", "Ghorete Bhromor Elo", and "Tumi Kemon Kore Gaan Koro," to name a few of the performances. A separate cultural event titled "Anandojogge amar nimantron" will be held on May 9 at 6:30 pm at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. The program will be chaired by Mohammad Wares Hossain, Secretary and Acting Director General of the Academy, with a welcome speech from Mehjabeen Rahman, Director of the Academy’s Music, Dance, and Recitation department. The event includes performances by dance group Bhavna and renditions of Tagore songs by both senior and emerging artists. The evening will conclude with group dances and songs such as "Aj Dokhin Duar Khola", "O Re O Re Amar", and "Oi Moha Manob Ashe." In addition to Dhaka and Kushtia, celebratory events will be held in all seven divisions. All programs are open to the public.

Sotheby’s on Wednesday postponed an auction of jewels associated with Buddha’s remains after the Indian government opposed the sale and demanded it be halted. The gems for auction were found buried together in reliquaries with the corporeal relics of the historical Buddha and discovered in northern India in 1898, the auction house said. They dated back to around 240-200 BC, it said, AP reports. But India's Ministry of Culture said in a Facebook post on Tuesday it had issued a legal notice to Sotheby’s Hong Kong to demand the immediate halt of the sale, accusing the auction of violating “Indian laws, international norms and UN conventions.” In its letter to Sotheby's Hong Kong dated Monday, posted on Facebook, it said the auction involves sacred Buddhist relics that constitute the inalienable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. It demanded the repatriation of the relics to the Indian government and a public apology from the auction house and Chris Peppé. Peppé is a great-grandson of British William Peppé, who excavated the relics. Livestream of moose migration that captivated millions concludes The Indian government warned in the letter that failure to comply would result in legal actions and public advocacy campaigns highlighting the auction house's role “in perpetuating colonial injustice and becoming a party to unethical sale of religious relics.” Sotheby's announced the postponement in a statement on Wednesday, acknowledging the matters raised by the Indian government and saying it was done with the agreement of the consignors. “This will allow for discussions between the parties, and we look forward to sharing any updates as appropriate,” it said. Some of Sotheby's webpages about the auction were no longer available on Wednesday. The Indian Ministry of Culture said on Facebook on Wednesday it was “pleased to inform” that the auction was postponed after its intervention.

Nearly 80 years after the end of World War II, Germany is still working to locate and lay to rest its fallen soldiers. In a forest near Berlin, the remains of 107 Wehrmacht soldiers were recently reburied with full honors. High school students placed flowers on small black coffins, and German soldiers conducted a formal ceremony as a military band played solemn music. Villagers and relatives, many tearful, observed as these men — who fought in one of the war’s final battles — were finally given a proper burial. This emotional ceremony reflects an ongoing, complex, and sometimes controversial mission to recover German war dead, a task still far from over. The work is carried out by the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (German War Graves Commission), a nonprofit organization that has been exhuming and reburying remains from across Europe for decades. Despite the passage of time, bones continue to be discovered in forests, fields, and beneath farmland. This week, as the world marks the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion, the continued recovery efforts serve as a reminder that the war’s impact lingers not only in memory and history, but in physical remains still scattered across the continent. Martina Seiger, 57, whose grandfather Werner Novak was found and reburied a few years ago, regularly attends burial ceremonies like the one in Halbe. Novak was only 21 when he was killed in the war’s final weeks, with plans for marriage and a family tragically cut short. Many of the remains are hard to identify or locate, having been hastily buried in chaotic wartime conditions, often without markers or proper documentation. Some are buried under modern infrastructure or in inaccessible areas, including active war zones like parts of eastern Ukraine. Still, the Volksbund presses on, tracking clues from old maps, local accounts, and missing persons lists. When remains are recovered, they are transferred to cemeteries reserved for German soldiers who died abroad. The organization emphasizes its humanitarian aim — to ensure all who died, regardless of their role, receive dignified burials. It avoids glorifying the past, especially given the atrocities committed by the Nazi military. At the recent burial, 83-year-old Wolfgang Bartsch watched solemnly. He has never been able to bury his father, who was killed on the Russian front in 1942. Raised by his grandmother after his mother also died in an air raid, Bartsch continues to mourn the lack of closure. According to the Volksbund, over 2 million German soldiers remain missing. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, it has recovered over a million bodies. However, its work is not without criticism — some worry that honoring fallen Wehrmacht soldiers risks whitewashing the crimes of the Nazi regime. Yet leaders like Volksbund Secretary General Dirk Backen insist the organization’s goal is about human dignity. “Every person has a story,” he said. Standing before the grave of a young 18-year-old soldier, it’s impossible not to wonder what dreams that person had before the war took their life. In Poland, where deep wounds from the war remain, archaeologist Łukasz Karol helped exhume German soldiers’ remains with care. Despite initial hesitation due to Poland’s tragic wartime experience, he believes the work holds moral and scientific value: “They were also human beings. They deserve to be buried.” Today, few families actively search for missing relatives — time has dulled the emotional urgency. But for people like Bartsch, the need for closure hasn’t faded. “I still find no peace knowing so many are buried in unmarked graves,” he said. “If I could just bury my father, my heart would finally be at ease.”