After soaring for nearly two years, cocoa prices dropped sharply in 2025. However, chocolate, in demand ahead of the festive holiday season, has seen prices rise. AFP examines the reasons for the divergence and the current state of the cocoa market. – West Africa at heart – Ivory Coast and Ghana are the world’s biggest suppliers of pods — the ...

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) extends its warm congratulations to Dr Asif Nazrul on becoming the Adviser to the Ministry of Youth & Sports. Dr Nazrul has long been recognised as someone with a genuine interest in sports and the BCB believes that his new responsibilities will allow him to channel that commitment toward meaningful progress across all disciplines. BCB ...

No force in the world can thwart the February 12 parliamentary election, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday. While speaking to reporters in Shariatpur, he said, ”The people of the country are eagerly awaiting for the elections. Those who try to take the law into their hands and try to create anarchy, will be strictly suppressed.” ”Besides, ...

The revised list of re-demarcated boundaries for all 300 parliamentary constituencies has been published by theElection Commission (EC)ahead of the upcoming national election and the referendum. A gazette in this regard, signed by EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, was published on Thursday night. It said, previously published order on constituency demarcation has been partially amended following the judgment on ...

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan has announced that he will contest the upcoming national election as an independent candidate from Dhaka-10. He made the declaration in a Facebook post on Friday morning. In a video message, Asif said, ”The opportunity to determine the future of Bangladesh has come after 17 long years. Building a new Bangladesh is difficult but not impossible. ...

Bangladesh will hold its long-awaited national election along with a referendum on the July (Reform) Charter on February 12, 2026, marking the first time in the country’s history that a general election and a referendum will take place simultaneously. The polls will be held under a non-political administration for the first time in 18 years, according to the schedule announced ...

Trench coats and overcoats continue to be timeless winter staples, beloved for their elegance, comfort, and versatility. As the cool breeze settles in, these outerwear pieces become more than just a shield against the cold – they transform into style statements that redefine winter fashion for both men and women. Their sleek silhouettes, structured cuts, and refined appeal make them ...

Bangladesh and Australia have identified new avenues for cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, skills partnership and technology sharing, blue economy, artificial intelligence, cyber security and anti-money laundering initiatives. The issues were discussed at the 6th round of Senior Officials’ Talks (SOT) between Bangladesh and Australia held in Dhaka on Wednesday. Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral-East and West), ...

The Embassy of Algeria in Bangladesh on Thursday commemorated the historic December 11, 1960 demonstrations, a pivotal moment in Algeria’s struggle for independence from French colonial rule. The observance began with the hoisting of the Algerian national flag at the embassy premises, symbolising the nation’s hard-won sovereignty. A minute of silence was then held in memory of the martyrs whose ...

The best way for people with depression to stop taking antidepressants once their condition improves is to slowly taper off the medication while also receiving psychological support, new research suggested Thursday. More than five percent of the global population is estimated to suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization, and a range of drugs to treat the condition ...