Historic World War II landing beaches in France, Greece’s iconic Mount Olympus, a centuries-old monastery in southern Thailand, the ancient capitals of Japan, and a vast wildlife migration sanctuary in South Sudan were officially inscribed onto UNESCO’s World Heritage List on Sunday during a United Nations committee session held in Busan, South Korea. Meeting through Wednesday to review global cultural and natural nominations, the UNESCO committee added France's Normandy D-Day landing beaches—covering Omaha, Utah, Sword, Gold, and Juno beaches alongside the Pointe du Hoc assault site—to the prestige list.  The site marks the June 6, 1944 amphibious invasion where over 150,000 Allied forces landed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Greece’s Mount Olympus. -Collected Photo According to the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which evaluates submissions for UNESCO, the French location encompasses extensive physical remnants including German fortifications, bomb craters, artificial harbor structures, and sunken vessels that represent an "event widely perceived as having enabled the return of freedom and heralded a lasting peace on the European continent."  ICOMOS simultaneously urged enhanced conservation monitoring against environmental threats, rising sea levels, tourism pressure, and nearby offshore wind farm developments. Read More Rome Celebrates 80 Years of Italy's Iconic Vespa Scooter Ahlem Gharbi, France’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, stressed that designating the landing grounds carries heightened significance during current global instability, while historian David Edgerton noted, "It’s probably the greatest amphibious landing there’s ever been. It ought to be remembered for that alone." In Greece, a 12-year campaign culminated in UNESCO designating Mount Olympus as a mixed cultural and natural heritage property. Soaring 2,918 meters (9,573 feet) above sea level, the peak served as the mythical residence of the 12 Olympian gods and the throne of Zeus while maintaining rich biological diversity.  Evangelos Geroliolios, mayor of Dion-Olympus, acknowledged that inclusion brings "greater obligations on our part to protect this environment" from tourism impacts, while Greek delegate Georgios Koumoutsakos added, "As Greek mythology wisely reminds us, it is always best to remain on good terms with gods." In Thailand, the Thai Foreign Ministry announced Sunday that Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat province became the country's ninth World Heritage site and its first in the southern peninsula.  Dating back to the 8th century, the monastery complex features grey stupas, a massive reclining Buddha, and gilded statues reflecting architectural influences from Brahmanism, Hinduism, Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism across India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.  A centuries-old monastery in southern Thailand. -Collected Photo Thai officials and monks marked the recognition on Saturday with chanting and gongs, with the government expecting the listing to boost tourism recovery following post-pandemic declines. The committee also granted World Heritage status to Japan’s ancient 6th- to 8th-century capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara in Nara prefecture.  Comprising 19 archaeological sites, the areas preserve buried royal palaces, government buildings, and tombs reflecting China and Korean Peninsula influences during the formation of Japan's first centralized state.  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed hope the designation would boost regional tourism, while archaeology professor Yoshiyuki Aihara noted that significant ruins sit buried just one meter beneath working rice paddies. Additionally, South Sudan secured its first-ever World Heritage designation with the inscription of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape.  The massive ecosystem of wetlands, floodplains, and savannas hosts one of the planet's largest land mammal migrations, where an estimated 6 million white-eared kob, tiang, and Mongalla gazelles move across the terrain alongside lions, elephants, and cheetahs while supporting local herding, farming, and fishing communities. With Inupts from Agencies

Thousands of Vespa riders took to Rome's streets to mark Vespa's 80th birthday. The wasp-waisted scooter became a symbol of Italy's rebirth after World War II. Thousands of riders from all over the world paraded through Rome on Saturday to celebrate Vespa's 80th birthday. "The history of the Vespa, which accompanies the birth and rise of Italy after the Second World War, is in a way an iconic symbol of our history, of our culture," said Roberto Gualtieri, the Italian capital's mayor. The first Vespa scooter was developed by engineer Corradino D'Ascanio. -Deutsche Welle Photo Designed to be an affordable means of transport, the Vespa, which means "wasp" in Italian, was launched in 1946 by ‌Piaggio, a major aircraft manufacturer. It was "the symbol of an Italy emerging from the war and getting back on its feet," Gualtieri said.  Vespa's Popularity in Movies "Telling the story of 80 years of the Vespa is, in part, telling the story of how Rome has managed to capture the world's imagination," especially through cinema, Gualtieri said. Read More Daily Black Coffee for 14 Days Can Boost Liver Health and Metabolism: Expert Vespas were featured in cinema classics like the 1953 romantic comedy "Roman Holiday" and the 1960 drama "La Dolce Vita." The iconic scooter also appeared in other movies, including "The Talented Mr. Ripley” and, more recently, the animated "Luca." Four-Day Vespa Celebrations in Rome The four-day festivities began on Thursday with the inauguration of a "Vespa Village" at the Foro Italico in northern Rome. The Eternal City became the meeting place for Vespa lovers from around the globe. -Deutsche Welle Photo It culminated on Saturday with thousands of drivers zipping through the streets of Rome. Vespa has ​been in continuous ‌production for 80 years and is now ⁠sold in ​about 100 countries. "Today, the Vespa has become a global phenomenon; we are on the verge of 20 million vehicles produced" since 1946, said Matteo Colaninno, executive chairman of the Piaggio group. 

Incorporating black coffee into a daily routine for just two weeks can yield significant improvements in liver health, metabolism, and mental focus, according to insights shared by renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi. Dr. Sethi, who received training at Harvard and Stanford, highlighted that regular consumption of black coffee acts as a protective measure for the liver.  The beverage has been shown to lower the risk of chronic conditions such as fatty liver, fibrosis, and cirrhosis by reducing the accumulation of harmful scar tissue. Beyond liver support, the specialist noted that coffee serves as a powerful metabolic enhancer. Compounds such as chlorogenic acid improve insulin sensitivity, while the caffeine content naturally increases metabolic rates and aids in fat burning.  Furthermore, coffee acts as a natural appetite suppressant, which can assist in managing overall calorie intake. The cognitive benefits are equally notable, with caffeine providing a marked boost to alertness, concentration, and general mental performance.  Read More Social Media Makes People Unhappy — World Happiness Report While Dr. Sethi emphasized that coffee is not a substitute for adequate sleep, it remains an effective tool for maintaining focus during demanding tasks. Digestive health also sees a boost from daily consumption, as coffee stimulates gut activity and bowel movements.  Data from the Cleveland Clinic suggests that nearly 29 percent of drinkers experience a digestive urge shortly after consumption, triggered by increased levels of the hormone gastrin. However, the expert urged certain groups to exercise caution. Individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may find that coffee triggers symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.  Dr. Sethi recommends a daily intake of one to three cups of black coffee, advising drinkers to avoid adding excess sugar or processed creamers. He also suggested limiting intake if symptoms such as anxiety, heart palpitations, or acid reflux occur. Source: NDTV 

The 2026 World Happiness Report found that life satisfaction among those under 25 in some English-speaking countries has fallen sharply over the past decade. Finland was once again the happiest country. Finland once again showed the world the path to happiness even as heavy social media usage eroded personal well-being among young people across the planet, the World Happiness Report 2026 said on Thursday. The report, produced by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the United Nations, found life satisfaction among under-25s in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand has fallen sharply over the past decade. The study is based on surveys of around 100,000 people across 140 countries. Some Young People Prefer if No One Used Social Media The report said that heavy social media use is linked to declining well-being among young people, particularly teenage girls in English-speaking and Western European countries. The findings come as governments increasingly consider restrictions on social media use by minors. Researchers said extensive social media use, especially more than seven hours per day, is associated with lower well-being, with algorithm-driven, image-focused platforms and influencer content cited as key factors. The report said most US college students wish social media platforms did not exist. "They use them because others are using them, but they would prefer it if no one did," the report said. Read More JBL Pro Audio Debuts in Bangladesh Under ACI Motors However, those who used social media for less than an hour a day were more likely to report higher well-being than those who did not use social media at all. Finland Tops Happiness Index World Happiness Report 2026 rankings: Top 10: Finland Iceland Denmark Costa Rica Sweden Norway Netherlands Israel Luxembourg Switzerland Notable entries: 17. Germany23. United States of America65. China97. Iran104. Pakistan106. Nigeria116. India The least happy countries in the world, according to the report: 147.  Afghanistan146. Sierra Leone145. Malawi144. Zimbabwe143. Botswana Finland ranked as the world's happiest country for a ninth consecutive year, with Nordic nations dominating the top rankings. The report attributed the Nordic dominance to wealth, equality, strong welfare systems and high life expectancy. Costa Rica rose to fourth place, attributed to strong social and family ties. Afghanistan remained the lowest-ranked country, along with Sierra Leone and Malawi.

ACI Motors has officially announced a new chapter for the local entertainment industry with the introduction of the world-renowned audio brand, JBL, to the Bangladeshi market, said a press release.  The initiative was celebrated during a Grand Iftar Meet held on last Friday, at the ACI Motors headquarters in Tejgaon, Dhaka, bringing together the country’s leading musicians, sound engineers, and industry professionals. The event, which served as a platform for fostering professional collaboration, was addressed by ACI Motors Limited Managing Director, Subrata Ranjan Das, and Bangladesh Musical Bands Association (BAMBA) President, Hamin Ahmed. In his keynote speech, Hamin Ahmed lauded the efforts of Subrata Ranjan Das, noting his instrumental role in developing the Yamaha Music initiative under ACI Motors.  He emphasized that the introduction of JBL—a global leader in professional audio technology for over 75 years—would significantly elevate the standards of professional audio and live music performances across Bangladesh. Reflecting on ACI Motors' commitment to the arts, Subrata Ranjan Das shared that the company’s Yamaha Music initiative has already trained approximately 1,200 students.  "We want to encourage our youth to immerse themselves in cultural and musical activities," he stated, noting that such engagement serves as a positive influence, steering younger generations away from negative behaviors. Read More World Valentine's Day: Celebrating Love Amidst the Colors of Spring Subrata further highlighted that by housing two internationally acclaimed brands, Yamaha and JBL, under the ACI Motors banner, the company is uniquely positioned to strengthen the country's music ecosystem.  He also announced that a major concert featuring both domestic and international artists is being planned to officially launch JBL’s full operations in Bangladesh, promising an experience powered by the brand's advanced sound systems. The event saw a distinguished turnout, including founding members of the bands Warfaze, Renaissance, and Souls, as well as several popular vocalists, music directors, and industry leaders such as Shamim Ahmed, General Secretary of the Sound Light and Laser Rental Business Association (SLLRB), and Mohon Raihan, Managing Director of SAAOL Heart Center. The evening, which began with an Iftar ceremony, concluded with discussions focused on advancing the technical and creative standards of the Bangladeshi audio and music industries.  Attendees expressed optimism that the integration of world-class technology like JBL will play a crucial role in creating a more vibrant and professional environment for musicians and audio technicians alike.