Zarif Faiaz

On a March day in 1602, the Dutch Republic tried to solve a problem of commerce with a piece of statecraft. Rival merchant groups were bidding up the cost of spices in Asia, squeezing profits at home, while the war for independence from Spain made overseas trade inseparable from national security.

For decades, the promise of work was a simple bargain. Pick a lane, get qualified, climb steadily, and retire with something like security. That story is fraying fast.

Being the last person to leave the office was a badge of honour in the old world

The idea of taking a break from work may feel radical. Yet strategic pauses, whether they are micro-breaks during the workday or complete disconnection on holiday, are increasingly recognised not as indulgences, but as essential investments in productivity, creativity, and well-being.

An alarming trend has emerged across nations of the Global South, where increasing state surveillance and draconian legislation are systematically eroding democratic values.

Study reveals how gendered abuse, misinformation and disinformation on Facebook threaten democratic participation in Bangladesh, especially for women and gender-diverse individuals.

The marketing world is undergoing a seismic transformation. As generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) matures from a technical novelty into a strategic necessity, marketing professionals are being forced to adapt at a pace unprecedented in recent memory. No longer confined to the realms of data science or IT, AI has become central to the everyday operations of marketing departments, not just enhancing productivity, but fundamentally reshaping the structure, skills, and strategy of marketing teams worldwide.

How Bangladesh and the Global South remain trapped in digital dependence