United News of Bangladesh

While some food trends flare briefly and fade, Dubai chocolate appears to have taken root, spreading rapidly and evolving beyond its original bar format. The rich, indulgent flavors and thick texture that made Dubai chocolate bars a social media sensation are now appearing in a variety of confections worldwide. The original Dubai chocolate bar, created by Fix Chocolatier in the UAE in 2021, gained viral popularity by 2023. Known for its thick milk chocolate shell encasing a creamy pistachio (and often tahini) filling with crispy, shredded, phyllo-like pastry called kadayif, the bar has become a template for new creations. Global brands and small bakers are now experimenting with Dubai chocolate in croissants, milkshakes, parfaits, and more, with fillings ranging from peanut butter and jelly to s’mores and matcha. “This isn’t just a trend anymore — it’s a whole new category,” said Din Allall of The Nuts Factory, which operates about 150 U.S. stores featuring nuts, dried fruits, and candies. The popularity of Dubai chocolate has even contributed to a pistachio shortage this year, according to Iranian producer Keinia, which attributed the scarcity to “the explosive surge in demand fueled by the viral ’Dubai chocolate’ TikTok trend, compounded by underlying supply constraints.” Global interest in Dubai chocolate has surged. Google searches spiked early this year, peaking in March, and have remained high since. The Nuts Factory now offers 12 flavors of Dubai chocolate bars, as well as chocolate- and pistachio-coated Dubai dates, Dubai-coated roasted nuts, layered chocolate-pistachio strawberry parfaits, and a luxury Dubai Golden Chocolate bar infused with edible 24-karat gold priced at $79.99, while regular 6.5-ounce bars sell for $18.99. Allall emphasized that the appeal lies not only in the flavors but also in the bar’s structure: “Huge, thick, with lots of filling.” Retailers and restaurants embrace the craze Major retailers and restaurants are capitalizing on the trend. Trader Joe’s sells a Dubai chocolate bar by Patislove, IHOP offered a limited-time Dubai pancake stack in August, and Baskin-Robbins features Dubai-inspired ice creams. Costco, Walmart, and QVC have introduced a variety of Dubai chocolate confections, including cakes. Swiss chocolate giant Lindt launched a limited Dubai chocolate bar in Europe last fall, drawing large crowds. For many consumers, the texture is key. “The chocolate is soft and melty, the filling is creamy, and the kadayif adds a satisfying crunch,” said Erica Lefkowits, a Dublin shopper. Beyond taste, Dubai chocolate evokes luxury and exoticism through ingredients like pistachios, rose, saffron, and cardamom. Although still niche in the U.S., Dubai chocolate sales are growing rapidly. Pistachio-filled chocolate retail sales totaled $822,900 in the year ending June 28, compared with $16.27 billion for all chocolates. Unit sales of pistachio-filled chocolates jumped 1,234% year-on-year, while overall chocolate sales dipped slightly. Stew Leonard, Jr., CEO of New York-area grocery chain Stew Leonard’s, said, “I’ve never seen a single item sell like this in my 50 years of retailing.” The chain introduced the BeeMax Dubai chocolate bar in March, followed by its own house-branded version. They also launched a Dubai chocolate gift box for the holidays, including mini ice cream cones, pralines, and bars. Other widely available U.S. brands offering Dubai chocolate include Moda, Magno, and Leonessa, with variations appearing as candies, coffee syrups, and more, signaling that Dubai chocolate is evolving into a global indulgence far beyond its original bar.  

Showmanship returned to Chanel on Monday. At Paris Fashion Week, its new designer Matthieu Blazy opened the season’s most anticipated debut beneath colossal celestial bodies — Saturn with its rings, a full solar system suspended above a jet-black and a mirror-bright runway — staking a claim for theater from the first second. Reflections mirrored the cosmos beneath the runway, while a front row constellation — Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Tilda Swinton, joined by Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos — gazed upward. By night’s end, the room rose in a standing ovation. As Vogue's doyenne Anna Wintour has said, “fashion needs its showmen.” Chanel had one again. Heritage house Founded in 1910, Chanel reshaped women’s wardrobes by replacing corseted silhouettes with ease — jersey, trousers — and later codified a global idea of Parisian chic through the little black dress, pearls and the tweed suit. Under Karl Lagerfeld in the 1980s, it became the model for how a heritage house can be both historic and relentlessly modern, its runway spectacles influencing the industry far beyond Paris. That legacy made Blazy’s debut more than a change of designer, but a test of how a century-old, multi-billion dollar institution continues to speak to the world. The show capped a season dense with debuts: Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga, Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez at Loewe and Dario Vitale at Versace. Yet Chanel’s moment felt singular for stakes and scale. By dialing down glitter, dialing up line, restoring theater and keeping the codes legible, Blazy positioned Chanel not as a museum of symbols but as a platform for them. Opening statement of androgyny The opener functioned as a manifesto: an androgynous, slouchy pantsuit featuring low-slung trousers and an asymmetric jacket with structured shoulders. The looks split from the playbook of subdued designer Virginie Viard who parted ways with Chanel last year. They also shifted from late-period Karl Lagerfeld — one step closer to Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. The styles were not a reinvention of tweed, but rather menswear rethought through the founder’s origin story, when Coco wore the clothes of her lover the “Boy” Capel. A hand anchored in a pocket made the point explicit: the freedom Chanel once placed in women’s hands — giving them trousers and pockets on them — restated. The spring 2026 collection, months in the making, read as an imagined conversation between Blazy and Chanel herself: thoughtfulness braided with showmanship. Codes, humor and the Lagerfeld lens Ribbons — rumored to be a sticking point between designer and atelier — were largely gone. Sparkle was sparse, a calculated risk in markets that prize high shine. In their place came silhouette-first solutions and masses of feathers, with the camellia held as steady leitmotif. However far the line moved, the codes stayed legible — each look unmistakably Chanel. Tweed arrived interconnected rather than narrowly Parisienne — multicultural in palette and weave, intercontinental if not interplanetary. Then came the fun wigs — what one critic termed the “funny little hats” — feathered, sly and intentionally light. They channeled Lagerfeld’s provocation about how he revitalized the once-dusty heritage house when he joined the helm in 1983. “Chanel is an institution, and you have to treat an institution like a (prostitute) — and then you get something out of her," he said. While Viard’s Chanel was often faulted for sobriety and restraint; Blazy, like Lagerfeld, deals in irony. At Bottega Veneta he staged frogs on heels, bunny-lapel coats and trompe-l’œil leather jeans. Here, plumage, proportion and wigs delivered the wink without tipping into theatrical costume. Accessories set a new tempo: big hats, metallic bags, tiers of pearls, chunky gold chains and statement earrings — bold on paper, disciplined on the body. Handbags — the other reason Blazy was chosen — spanned crisp chain-strap updates and playful clutches, including a notable ovoid shaped like an egg. The finale carried the argument in motion: a silky short-sleeve shirt paired with a multicolored feathered skirt with a long train. Color moved across the plumage and the black floor threw back its reflection. “It was such a surprise. ... It’s exciting to be here for a new era," filmmaker Sofia Coppola told The Associated Press. “There are things you recognize from the house codes, and a fresh new look at it.”

As Israel commemorates the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks, the country remains deeply divided, with the war in Gaza still raging and dozens of hostages still held captive. The central memorial event, set for Tuesday, is being led not by the government, but by grieving families—highlighting widespread public frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, particularly his inability to secure a ceasefire that could bring home the remaining captives. Ongoing Conflict in Gaza In Gaza, Israel’s ongoing military campaign has resulted in widespread devastation. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of people killed. As Israeli forces launch a renewed push into Gaza City, many civilians are once again trying to flee south—though many lack the means or safe routes to escape. The Attack That Changed Everything On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants launched a surprise assault on southern Israel, overwhelming military outposts, attacking civilian communities, and targeting an outdoor music festival. The attackers killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. They also kidnapped 251 people. While most have since been released through ceasefires and negotiations, 48 remain in Gaza. Israel believes around 20 of them are still alive. Hamas has demanded a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal in exchange for their release. Netanyahu has rejected this, vowing to continue the war until all hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled. A Regional Conflict Expands The attack triggered wider regional tensions, with Israel clashing with Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. A 12-day war in June saw the U.S. and Israel jointly target Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. In the months since, Israel has reportedly eliminated several top militants, Iranian generals, and nuclear scientists, while also gaining control of much of Gaza and parts of Lebanon and Syria. Still, Netanyahu’s failure to secure the hostages' return has led to mass weekly protests and left Israel more internationally isolated than it has been in decades. Remembering the Nova Festival Massacre One of the deadliest sites of the October 7 attacks was the Nova music festival near Reim, where nearly 400 people were killed and dozens abducted. The area has since become a national symbol of grief, with memorials and photos of the victims displayed on Israeli flags. Families plan to build a sukkah—a traditional structure for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot—on the site to honor the anniversary. Due to the holiday, no official memorial will take place at the Nova site. Instead, the main ceremony will be held in Tel Aviv, featuring speeches and musical performances. It is being organized by Yonatan Shamriz, whose brother Alon was mistakenly killed by Israeli forces after escaping captivity earlier in the war. Peace Talks and International Pressure As the war drags on, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed Monday in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, focusing on a U.S.-backed peace proposal introduced by President Donald Trump. Talks were expected to continue Tuesday. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, does not separate civilian and combatant deaths, but says women and children account for roughly half the fatalities. Independent organizations generally consider its figures credible. Israel’s offensive has forced about 90% of Gaza’s population—roughly 2 million people—to flee their homes, many multiple times. Severe restrictions on aid have caused widespread hunger, with experts warning that famine conditions now exist in parts of Gaza, including Gaza City. International human rights groups and legal experts have accused Israel of committing genocide, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is pursuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, citing the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Israel strongly denies the accusations, insisting its military operations are lawful acts of self-defense. It says it takes significant steps to avoid civilian casualties and blames Hamas for embedding its fighters and weapons in civilian areas. The Broader Impact Hamas has framed the October 7 assault as retaliation for decades of Israeli occupation, settlement expansion, and military control of Palestinian territories. But the attack and its aftermath have led to massive suffering in Gaza, pushing the hope of an independent Palestinian state further out of reach.

Chemena Kamali brought a poetic burst of florals to the Paris Fashion Week runway on Sunday, presenting a Chloé collection that celebrated focus, femininity, and flow — true to the house’s storied spirit. In her third tenure at Chloé, Kamali drew from the label’s rich legacy, blending romantic silhouettes with structured ease. Founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, Chloé revolutionized Parisian ready-to-wear with its free, feminine style — an ethos Kamali continues to nurture. Stella Jean returns to Milan runway with Bhutanese artisans, urges preservation of craftsmanship The show opened with soft prints and widened into pearlized yellows, layered coats, and knotted skirts. Pastel drapes, ruched gowns, and ’80s-inspired shoulders defined confidence and movement, while dropped hems and fluid tailoring evoked Karl Lagerfeld’s 1970s designs. Balancing nostalgia with modern clarity, Kamali’s Chloé radiated “romance with discipline” — clothes that evolve naturally, made by women, for women. Source: AP

In Tony Scott’s backyard sits a pumpkin nearly the size of a small car. For months, the upstate New York semiconductor engineer has carefully nurtured it — feeding fertilizer, monitoring its growth with measuring tape, and covering it with a blanket at night to maintain a steady temperature. “I’ve never seen anything grow this fast,” said Scott, whose pumpkin weighed in at 1,931 pounds (876 kilograms) — enough to take third place in this year’s regional competition. Across the United States, growers like Scott push the limits of plant growth each fall, cultivating colossal pumpkins that can exceed 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms). While other gourds such as squashes, cucumbers, and watermelons can also grow to impressive sizes, the pumpkin remains the undisputed giant of the patch — a seasonal star at autumn fairs and Halloween festivals. How to grow a pumpkin that breaks recordsThe quest for a record-breaking pumpkin begins with the seed. Most growers rely on Atlantic Giant seeds, a variety known for producing enormous fruits with the right care and growing conditions. From there, it’s all about balance — water, nutrients, and consistent attention. Giant pumpkins can absorb hundreds of gallons of water each day and, thanks to a highly efficient vascular system, rapidly transport nutrients throughout the plant. As vines spread, growers typically remove smaller pumpkins so that all available energy is directed into a single fruit. “That helps make it extra big in a way that you might not see in the wild,” explained Aleca Borsuk, a plant scientist at the New York Botanical Garden. Foraging revival: Wild food enthusiasts rediscover nature Gravity also plays a role in their unusual shape. Giant pumpkins tend to sprawl outward rather than upward, taking on a wide, flattened form that often looks like a lumpy orange pancake. Scott covers his pumpkin with a tarp to prevent sunlight from hardening its skin too quickly, and waters it using an overhead sprinkler system. Can pumpkins just keep growing?“The answer is no,” said Borsuk. No matter how large they get, pumpkins eventually reach maturity and stop growing. Scott, who has been cultivating giants for eight years, said it still amazes him to see how rapidly they expand — sometimes gaining 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kilograms) a day. He even sets up reflective panels and a fake wolf cutout to scare off deer and other animals tempted by the massive orange fruit. Woodchucks have been known to nibble the vines, but Scott remains undeterred. After the weigh-off season ends, he displays his pumpkin at local events and hauls it around on a trailer — often drawing curious onlookers. “The first question they ask is, ‘Is it real?’” he said with a laugh. “Where would you buy a fake pumpkin this big?” Source: AP 

From rooftops overlooking the Parthenon to neighborhood balconies, urban beekeeping is buzzing in Athens as residents tend hives to support local ecosystems and produce distinctive city-flavored honey. Nikos Chatzilias, 37, has become a professional beekeeper after taking classes in 2020, driven by a desire for high-quality honey. This summer, he managed 30 hives across seven rooftops, with roughly 1.2 million bees producing 500 kilograms of honey, each batch named for its neighborhood. The taste varies depending on local flora, from eucalyptus and acacia to bitter orange and pine. Chatzilias said the practice brings joy and reconnects people with nature. “Even with a chaotic urban environment, nature — or whatever remains of it in the city — still responds and can give life,” he said. Foraging revival: Wild food enthusiasts rediscover nature University graduate Aggelina Chatzistavrou, a new recruit, said rooftop hives could positively impact the environment. Yet challenges remain, including neighbors’ fears of stings and allergies, and the logistical difficulty of moving hives seasonally. Urban beekeeping in Athens continues a decades-old tradition but now emphasizes environmental awareness, reflecting a growing societal interest in sustainability and local food production. Source: AP 

Online platforms are giving secondhand fashion a modern twist, with livestream shopping, AI-powered search, and other digital tools making thrifting faster, more fun, and accessible. While buying pre-owned clothing is generally more sustainable than purchasing new items, experts caution that it is not a free pass for overconsumption. Buying more than needed still drives textile waste, and online shopping adds emissions from packaging, delivery, and server energy. Industry insiders and fashion enthusiasts offer tips for shopping secondhand responsibly while curating a wardrobe that is both stylish and long-lasting. The boom of online resale Platforms like eBay, ThredUp, The RealReal, and live-auction apps such as Whatnot have seen record growth this year. eBay reports that secondhand items now account for 40% of its fashion sales, with livestream runway events allowing shoppers to buy designer pieces in real time. But experts warn that secondhand shopping can still fuel waste. “People who buy secondhand often purchase more clothes than others and discard them sooner,” said Meital Peleg Mizrachi, a Yale University researcher. Only about 20% of donated clothing gets resold in charity stores, with the rest downcycled, exported, or discarded. Choosing quality Sustainable shopping starts with selecting durable items. Look for natural fabrics like cotton, silk, or bamboo, lined garments, and strong stitching, experts say. Older items, especially those made before the mid-1990s, may offer better craftsmanship. Being specific in searches helps locate unique and high-quality pieces. Caring for your wardrobe Proper maintenance extends the life of secondhand clothing. Use garment bags, store in muslin bags with lavender to deter moths, spot-clean when possible, air-dry, and repair minor damages such as missing buttons to keep pieces in circulation. Closing the loop Sustainable secondhand shopping also involves responsible resale and donation. Give clothes to small community stores or shelters, and explore brand take-back programs. eBay, for example, partners with Marks & Spencer for in-store returns to resell online. Ultimately, experts say the key to truly sustainable fashion is buying less and resisting fast-fashion trends. “We cannot purchase our way out of the climate crisis,” Mizrachi said. “Making overconsumption unprofitable is the only way to change the fashion industry.” Source: AP

Chunk, a massive 1,200-pound brown bear with a broken jaw, has won Alaska’s popular Fat Bear Week contest after years of near misses, organizers announced Tuesday. The annual online competition, held in Katmai National Park and Preserve, draws global attention as viewers watch 12 bears via live webcams and vote in a bracket-style tournament. Known officially as Bear 32, Chunk triumphed over Bear 856 — an older rival without a nickname — in this year’s final. Despite his jaw injury, believed to have come from a fight, Chunk remains “one of the biggest, baddest bears at Brooks River,” said Mike Fitz, a naturalist with Explore.org. Contest organizers estimated his weight at about 1,200 pounds using laser-based LIDAR scans from earlier years. The 2024 event proved to be the most popular yet, attracting more than 1.5 million votes. The bears feasted on an unprecedented run of salmon, with Katmai officials estimating some 200,000 fish surged up Brooks River — the largest in recent memory. “That abundance decreased conflict in the river since salmon were readily available,” Katmai Conservancy spokesperson Naomi Boak noted. In leaner years, fierce battles often break out at Brooks Falls, where salmon leap upstream in tight channels. But this year, fishing spots were so plentiful that even humans were seen casting lines alongside brown bears. Fat Bear Week, launched in 2014, was designed to educate the public about the lives of brown bears, the coastal cousins of grizzlies. The bears spend summers gorging on salmon to prepare for long, harsh Alaskan winters. While Chunk has long been a fan favorite, his story also carries controversy. Last year, live cameras captured him attacking and fatally injuring a cub of bear 128 Grazer. Fans later voted Grazer to victory over Chunk, underscoring how personality and backstory can sway voters as much as size. This year, however, Chunk finally claimed the crown — cementing his place as the 2024 Fat Bear Week champion. Source:Agency

Models descended an emergency escape staircase to reach the Francesca Liberatore runway at Milan Fashion Week on Sunday, a symbolic gesture urging the world to find a way out of the deepening human suffering across the globe. Known for her artistic approach to fashion, Liberatore said the ongoing turmoil made her reluctant to present a lighthearted Spring-Summer 2026 collection. Instead, she staged her show as a reflection of global uncertainty, accompanied by Italian singer Elisa’s renditions of Tears for Fears’ classics “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Mad World.” Tailoring in turbulent times Liberatore said she wanted to contribute to the global conversation through precise fashion codes and a clear design language. The outcome was youthful, wearable looks marked by refinement and subtle symbolism. “Everyone living in their golden world needs to open their eyes. We need to stop and pay attention to this situation,” she told reporters backstage. The show opened with sharply tailored white jackets in textured fabrics before transitioning into softer silhouettes — protective bodices flowing into long A-line skirts, relaxed tunics over skirts, and wide sundresses edged with brocade. Headphones designed in collaboration with Sony completed the looks, targeting a younger audience. Floral tribute In the finale, models carried black roses and placed them at the foot of the photographers’ podium, leaving the audience to interpret the gesture. Liberatore said it represented both her distress over ongoing wars and the fashion industry’s struggle to engage younger generations. The roses also served as a tribute to the late Giorgio Armani, the designer who placed Milan on the global fashion map. Liberatore and Armani traditionally closed Milan Fashion Week, and on Sunday evening a gala show was set at the Brera Art Gallery to celebrate Armani’s 50-year career, held just weeks after his passing at the age of 91.  

Sustainable weight loss does not come from quick fixes or short-term diets, but from consistent lifestyle changes — a lesson fitness influencer Christina Lewis has embodied through her three-and-a-half-year journey to shed 38 kilograms. Christina, who recently shared her story on Instagram to inspire others ahead of 2026, emphasized that transformation happens through discipline, consistency, and effort, even on days when motivation runs low. Her approach was not about crash diets or extreme routines, but about building simple, repeatable habits that improved both physical fitness and mental well-being. She outlined 10 lifestyle changes that played a crucial role in her journey: ·         Start the day with a 6 am walk. ·         Drink a glass of water before anything else. ·         Opt for a protein-rich breakfast to stay full longer. ·         Avoid caffeine after 2 pm to improve sleep quality. ·         Get groceries delivered to reduce junk food temptation. ·         Track every calorie, including sauces and dressings. ·         Take weekly progress photos for motivation. ·         Set non-scale fitness goals, such as stamina or strength. ·         Reassess and optimize daily routines to align with goals. ·         Practice gratitude by writing down three positive things each day. Her message is straightforward: there is no “perfect time” to begin. Start small, stay consistent, and focus on building habits for lasting results. Source: Agency