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Agent banking drives rural remittance boom

Bangladesh’s agent banking network is continuing to play a transformative role in the country’s financial system, especially through the channelling of remittances through agent outlets.

The US and Russian presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are to meet at a US air base in Alaska on Friday for talks on the Ukraine war.

Following demands from several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the National Consensus Commission is considering a proposal to make the July National Charter a legally binding document.

Youthless Bangladesh, brainless future

Arif left for Australia, declaring he would “be a manager within months”. True enough, he now proudly manages the dishwashing section at a bustling café. He even has a team: two other part-timers and an industrial sink. Back home, his family tells neighbours he is in hospitality management, and technically, no one can say they are lying!

50 years on, Sheikh Mujib’s killing deserves a nuanced reading

He was a leader both loved and disliked during his lifetime.

Over one lakh stranded in north as rivers swell

Over 100,000 people have been stranded as the Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers swelled above danger level, flooding vast areas of cropland, homes and low-lying regions in northern Bangladesh.

BB autonomy / Without political will, reforms may stay on paper

Economists have welcomed the interim government’s initiative to grant full autonomy to the Bangladesh Bank (BB) but say the reforms will remain on paper unless political parties commit to endorsing and continuing them once in power.

AL govt’s secret surveillance state

From snooping devices carried in backpacks to locate people through their phones to a massive infrastructure that can intercept even end-to-end encryption from a central command centre, the Awami League government had been on an increasingly aggressive trajectory towards building a powerful surveillance state. 

Joint forces target ‘Bunia Sohel’ hideout in Geneva Camp; Tk 1.13cr, explosives seized

The one-hour operation by the army and police, started around 3:00am today

Four of a family found dead in Rajshahi’s Paba upazila

Quoting locals, police said the family had been struggling with debt in recent months

Crores spent, but Ctg roads still crumble

Commuters in Chattogram are enduring severe hardships due to the appalling condition of major roads, a crisis worsened by the apparent indifference of the authorities.

Malaysia and Bangladesh have agreed to work towards establishing a more transparent recruitment process for Bangladeshi workers, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus told Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama in an interview published yesterday.

Trump vows not to be intimidated ahead of Putin summit

Putin flies to Alaska on Friday at the invitation of Trump in his first visit to a Western country since he ordered the 2022 invasion of Ukraine that has killed tens of thousands of people.

50 years since Bangabandhu’s assassination

Today marks 50 years since the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Drive underway in Demra to recover Sada Pathor looted from Bholaganj

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

Telecom reforms revolve around efficiency, price cuts

Over the past year, the interim government has pushed reforms in the telecom sector to improve service, remove unnecessary layers, and lower costs for consumers.

Opinion

Opinion

A tragedy that shaped the course of our history

August 15 set a precedent for future political violence and assassinations

Graduation or deferral: Is Bangladesh ready for the post-LDC era?

It now needs to be decided whether Bangladesh should actively pursue a deferral of LDC graduation.

Business

Business

Non-civil service specialists can now serve as Bida exec member

In a first for state-run entities, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) can now have people outside the civil service as executive members, as the government aims to draw specialists from the private sector, academia, and international organisations.

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Sports

Sports

Dominant Duplantis has 'high expectations' in Tokyo world c'ships

The US-born Swede has been in electric form, setting a 13th world record, of 6.29 metres, in Budapest on Tuesday to further seal his claim as one of the best track and field athletes in history.

Mushfiqur’s exit wish exposes Rajshahi rift

BCB tournament committee chairman Akram Khan acknowledged the dispute but was optimistic of a resolution

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.

TDS bangla banner TDS bangla banner
News

News

Mannan’s orchard of global delights

In the hills of Akbarpur, a green revolution is taking root -- not driven by large corporations, but by the vision and hard work of one man.

Bardia High School in Narail / School building on the verge of collapse

The main building of Bardia Bahumukhi High School in Lohagara upazila of Narail has become so dilapidated that it could collapse at any time, putting more than 600 students and 25 teachers in danger.

Rabeya Akhter passes away

Rabeya Akhter, wife of the late Md Ismail Mia, former Inspector of Kalia Chapra Sugar Mills and noted social worker, passed away on Wednesday night at her residence in Batrish, Kishoreganj.

Bid to end Ukraine conflict / Putin praises ‘sincere efforts’ by the US

Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that the United States was making “sincere efforts” to halt the war in Ukraine and suggested Moscow and Washington could agree a nuclear arms deal as part of a wider effort to strengthen peace.

Pakistan to create military force to supervise missiles

Pakistan will create a new force in the military to supervise missile combat capabilities in a conventional conflict, apparently a move to match neighbouring arch-rival India.

Entertainment

Entertainment

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.

Prachyanat to stage ‘Agunjatra’ this Saturday at Shilpakala

First staged in 2022, "Agunjatra" is the Bangla adaptation of Indian playwright Mahesh Dattani’s “Seven Steps Around the Fire”, translated by Shahidul Mamun and adapted and directed by Azad Abul Kalam. The play takes audiences deep into the lives of hijra and transgender communities, confronting prejudice, politics, and the fight for dignity.

Taylor Swift unveils first-look posters for upcoming album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has revealed the first-look posters for her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl”, offering fans a glimpse into what she describes as one of the most vibrant periods of her life. The album is scheduled for release on October 3.

Life & Living

Life & Living

#Women Empowerment / How Dhaka’s female fitness instructors are redefining wellness

Female fitness instructors in Dhaka are transforming wellness by challenging norms, empowering women through strength training, and promoting accessible, holistic health. Their rise signals a growing, inclusive fitness culture reshaping the city's perception of health.

Feeling sad after a trip? You’re not alone

Travel depression is the emotional low that follows a trip, marked by sadness, fatigue, and lack of motivation. Caused by high expectations and routine shock, it’s eased through self-care, routine, reflection, and goal-setting.

Floral sarees: A tribute to mothers, memories, and style

Floral sarees blend timeless elegance with cultural heritage, evoking nostalgic memories and romantic charm. Crafted in chiffon, georgette, cotton, and muslin, these versatile drapes suit every occasion, from summer lunches to festive gatherings, effortlessly enhancing feminine grace and style.

Youth

Youth

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

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

Pirate flag from One Piece anime is Indonesia’s newest protest symbol

Students and activists in Indonesia have put up the One Piece pirate sign as a symbol of protest against several government policies.

In our algorithm-centric lives, we must extend our empathy

Sometimes we simply must observe and keep up, even if it's uncomfortable.

Tech & Startup

Tech & Startup

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.

Threads hits 400 million monthly users

Meta’s microblogging app Threads now has more than 400 million monthly active users, Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced on Tuesday. The figure is up from over 350 million in late April, when Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg last shared user numbers.

Press Release / Asus launches Vivobook S14 in Bangladesh

Asus has recently introduced the Vivobook S14 in Bangladesh.

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

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.

12h ago

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

19h 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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Heavy rain, cautionary signals issued as low pressure forms over Bay

All fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to shore and proceed with caution until further notice

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Teesta, Brahmaputra, other rivers swell, threatening floods in northern districts

Chars, riverside villages in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Nilphamari inundated

2d ago

Experts urge Bangladesh to harness untapped marine resources

They were speaking at the launch of Ocean Centres Bangladesh, part of a global initiative hosted by the United Nations Global Compact and supported by the UK-based Lloyd's Register Foundation

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