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Dhaka set to soar as developers have their way

Bowing to persistent demands from real estate developers, the government has decided to raise the limit on how much floor space can be built on a piece of land -- known as the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) -- in most parts of the capital.

The National Consensus Commission yesterday sent the final draft of the July National Charter to political parties, without specifying a deadline for implementing the proposed reforms, a shift from its earlier stance.

Before the sun rises over Dhaka’s Korail slum, many mothers set out early for a long day of work, carrying the unspoken worry of who will care for their children while they are away.

A tug of war over ‘plough’ symbol

The two factions of the Jatiya Party -- one led by GM Quader after the lifting of injunctions against him, and the other by Anisul Islam Mahmud following the party’s council -- are locked in a dispute over control of the party.

US stops visitor visas for people from Gaza

The department said "a small number" of temporary medical-humanitarian visas had been issued in recent days but did not provide a figure.

Beyond the plate: Rethinking the balanced diet for body, budget, and belonging

Raisa Mehzabeen .In an age where food trends go viral before facts are verified, the concept of a “balanced diet” remains both fundamental and misunderstood. For decades, we have been told to “eat right” — yet our understanding of what that means has become increasingly complicated..

Water gone, wounds remain

Floodwaters along the Teesta and Dudhkumar river basins have receded, but families in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Rangpur are still grappling with severe hardships.

Why are our major rivers no longer within humanity’s safe limits?

Globally, Bangladesh is known as the land of rivers and flooding.

Israeli military prepares to relocate residents to southern Gaza, spokesperson says

A spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed concern over Israel's plans to relocate people to southern Gaza saying it would only increase suffering.

Erin strengthens to a Category 5 hurricane, NHC says

The NHC had previously said it expected Erin to strengthen into next week.

That rickshaw-puller sent to jail in July uprising case

A Dhaka court yesterday sent to jail a rickshaw-puller, who was taken into police custody after being assaulted by a mob for trying to pay tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Friday, in connection with an attempted murder case linked to the July uprising.

Lionel Messi returned from injury as a reserve and scored in the 84th minute to spark Inter Miami over the defending MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 on Saturday.

‘People's will, not mine’

Yunus tells Malaysia's Bernama why he stepped into Bangladesh's political hot seat

People deserve an alternative, no seat compromises with BNP or others: Hasnat

Merely announcing an election date will not do, rather, the entire rules of the political game have to be changed, he says

Farooki falls ill in Cox's Bazar, airlifted to Dhaka

Airport authorities confirmed to The Daily Star that the adviser was flown to Dhaka by helicopter at 10:32pm

Trump, not Putin, budges

Donald Trump wanted to go bold -- a high-pomp, high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin to test whether the Russian leader would compromise on the Ukraine war.

Opinion

Opinion

July Declaration and the challenge of historical reckoning

As it transpires, the national election will precede the “promised” constitutional reform, thereby deferring to the wisdom of an elected parliament.

Can monetary policy rescue the economy?

The question remains whether this policy can rescue the economy from the doldrums and place it firmly on the path of vibrancy.

Business

Business

Govt moves to clear Rooppur dues to Russia after US waiver

The government is preparing to clear its overdue payments to Russia for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant following a temporary waiver from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

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Sports

Sports

SAARC signings spark nostalgia, concerns for local talent

For those who experienced the golden era of Bangladeshi football in the 1980s and ’90s, names like Ganesh Thapa and Raju Sakya of Nepal, or Sri Lanka’s Pakeer Ali and Prem Lal, evoke a strong sense of nostalgia.

Champions Barcelona ease to opening win at Mallorca

Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca in their opening LaLiga game of the season on Saturday as England forward Marcus Rashford made his debut off the bench.

Women's Asian Cup: Bangladesh’s group and tough road ahead

In Star Explains, we break down Bangladesh’s group, their challenges, and their prospects in the upcoming Asian Cup.

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News

News

BNP committed to protecting the long tradition of religious harmony: Tarique

In a message on the occasion of Janmashtami, he said religious tolerance is an integral part of Bangladesh's culture

Nationwide typhoid vaccination campaign rescheduled to Oct 12

"We were not fully prepared to begin on the earlier date. Therefore, the new launch date for the campaign has been set for October 12," said Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Manager Dr Abul Fazal Md Shahabuddin Khan

Yunus urges vigilance to uphold communal harmony in Bangladesh

Interim govt committed to keeping the bond of harmony unbroken, he says in Janmashtami message

Entertainment

Entertainment

Exhibition / ‘Opulence of Stone’: Maynul Islam’s mastery in stone carving

Since the Stone Age, stones have been the bearer of culture and the earliest civilisations. Over time, aside from making weapons, humans began to incorporate stones into building shelters. Later on, they became the first medium for written language through the art of carving, and even today, despite being replaced by papyrus and the printing press, this form of art lives on.

The behind-the-scenes wizards of showbiz

In the glittering world of showbiz, the spotlight often falls on the faces we see on screen, while those working tirelessly behind the scenes remain in the shadows. Blender’s Choice The-Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards shines that long-overdue light on these unsung heroes, honouring their skill, passion, and relentless dedication. This celebration is not just about recognition—it’s about applauding the creativity and hard work that elevate every project for the audience they serve.

Zahid Hasan’s comeback proves why he’s one of the greats: Chanchal Chowdhury

Renowned Bangladeshi actor Chanchal Chowdhury has built a career in which almost every film he has worked on has been met with a warm audience reception. His latest project, “Utshob”, has continued that streak of success.

Life & Living

Life & Living

How to help kids resist real-life and online peer pressure

Children face intense peer pressure both offline and online, often risking self-worth to fit in. Parents can help by listening, fostering open communication, teaching resilience, instilling family values, and building confidence, ensuring children navigate challenges with strength and self-assurance.

Save smart without skipping life’s simple joys today

A mindful budget balances saving money with enjoying life’s pleasures. By setting aside funds for hobbies, loved ones, and meaningful experiences while cutting wasteful expenses, you protect finances, avoid burnout, and invest in lasting happiness and well-being.

#Perspective / Has AI erased human voices? Dead Internet Theory explained

The "Dead Internet Theory" suggests that AI has overtaken human-generated content online since 2016-2017, leading to bot-driven posts, AI spam, and manipulated engagement. This shift raises concerns about misinformation and AI's growing influence on social media.

Youth

Youth

RU students still face poor food, housing woes

Following the July uprising, Rajshahi University (RU) authorities had promised sweeping reforms in hall management, particularly in dining services and seat allocation.

Apply: Chevening Scholarships for Bangladeshi students to study in the UK

Applications for the 2026–27 Chevening Scholarships were opened on August 5, 2025.

No more visa stickers: UK switches to e-visas for int’l students

The UK is replacing physical immigration documents with e-visas.

Tech & Startup

Tech & Startup

Robo Life becomes champion at Startup World Cup Bangladesh 2025

Robo Life Technology has won the Bangladesh regional final of the Startup World Cup 2025, receiving a BDT 50,000 in investment funding and securing a place to represent Bangladesh at the Global Startup World Cup competition to be held in San Francisco, USA to compete for a USD 1 million investment prize.

You can now have private chats with Google Gemini

Google has introduced a new Temporary Chat feature to its Gemini app, allowing users to have private conversations that won’t be saved or used to personalise future responses. These chats will not appear in recent chats or Gemini Apps Activity, and Google says they also won’t be used to train its AI models.

Star Multimedia

Star Multimedia

News Analysis / Governed by Facebook posts, ruled by confusion

It was just about 7:00am on Monday. A mother sat with her daughter at a bus counter in Dinajpur, set for a two-hour commute to Rangpur for the daughter’s HSC exam three hours later.

Watch / Plenty of promises, but where’s the action?

This episode of The Daily Star podcast "Pitch Perfect" seeks answers to these pressing questions.

Who, how, and under what rules gets a firearm license?

A gun magazine was found in Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan's bag during a recent search at the airport.

WATCH / 25 years since Test status: How far have Bangladesh come?

On June 26, 2000, Bangladesh became the 10th nation to gain Test status from the ICC -- a historic milestone that sparked hope and pride across the country.

Environment

Environment

Floodwaters recede, but suffering of northern people persists

Strong currents left deep pits in homesteads and yards, while poultry, goats and cattle were washed away in several areas

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Teesta road bridge embankment partially collapses; 1,000 families at risk

Water levels of Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers start to drop

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Waltzing in the wetlands

A pheasant-tailed jacana, known as ‘jol moyur’ in Bangla, soars over a tranquil wetland in Chuadanga.

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Looted stones being restored at Sada Pathor

The district administration, during a joint operation in Bholaganj of Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila and parts of Sylhet city, has recovered over 35,000 cubic feet of stones previously looted from the Sada Pathor tourist spot.

2d ago

Drive underway in Demra to recover Sada Pathor looted from Bholaganj

Rab claims to have found Bholaganj’s white stone stored in seven warehouses

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Contractual workers of BPC companies stage protest in Ctg

Contractual workers of oil companies under the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) staged a protest in Chattogram today to press home their five-point demand..The demonstration took place from 11:00am to 2:00pm in front of the BPC head office in the Saltgola area..Over a hundred w

2d ago

Climate change made Nordic heatwave 2C hotter: study

The heatwave was intensified by the burning of fossil fuels, which release planet-heating carbon emissions, they said.

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Sada Pathor stripped bare

Bholaganj’s Sada Pathor, a broad, shallow stretch of the Dholai River where smooth white stones once lay against the backdrop of Meghalaya’s hills, has long been one of Sylhet’s top tourist attractions.

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