Life & Living

Life & Living

#Perspective / Feeling older than you are? Welcome to real adulthood!

Adulthood hits hard in your late 20s — time shrinks, responsibilities pile up, and youthful passions fade. This reflective guide explores the emotional, financial, and existential struggles of growing up, resonating with young adults.

15h ago

#Perspective / Palestinian architect Sara Khasib on using architecture and planning to resist displacement

Palestinian architect Sara Khasib highlights how architecture in Palestine symbolises resilience and identity amid land fragmentation, demolition, and occupation, urging global solidarity and architectural engagement as acts of resistance and preservation.

15h ago

Ratargul and rain: A monsoon tale in motion

Experience serene monsoon travel in Sunamganj and Sylhet with a peaceful Tanguar Haor boat stay, breathtaking Niladri Lake, and the mystical Ratargul swamp forest. Reconnect with nature and escape urban chaos in Bangladesh.

2d ago

#Perspective / How art and satire fought back during the July Movement

During Bangladesh’s July Movement, meme artists and political illustrators used digital satire and visual storytelling as powerful tools of resistance, transforming protest into art that exposed truth, challenged authority, and preserved uncensored history online.

2d ago

#Perspective / Streets of fire, skies of smoke: Witnessing a revolution through my window

A Rampura resident recounts the July Revolution from their 11th-floor window, witnessing Dhaka's transformation into a warzone as student-led protests erupted, culminating in regime collapse and the birth of a new, uncertain Bangladesh.

4d ago

Breaking stereotypes: Female basketball stars rise at Uttara tournament

Deshi Ballers is a pioneer. It has been seven years of constant efforts to dismantle gender stereotypes and create a supportive space where female basketball lovers can dream bigger, transforming from rookies into confident future professionals.

4d ago

#Architecture / Madaripur’s Bait‑ur‑Rayaan Mosque wins global DNA Paris Award 2025

Bait-ur-Rayaan Mosque in Madaripur wins the DNA Paris Award 2025 for its minimalist Islamic architecture, human-centred design, and spiritual ambiance, showcasing Bangladesh’s global impact in contemporary mosque design and sustainable public architecture.

5d ago

Sustainable Bangladeshi fusion wear steals the spotlight in 2025

Bangladeshi designers are blending heritage handloom weaves with modern silhouettes to create sustainable, everyday fusion wear that celebrates tradition while empowering contemporary women with comfort, elegance, and distinctly local style.

5d ago
Arts & Entertainment

Arts & Entertainment

Swadhinata Concert temporarily suspended

The concert was set to feature performances from Bangladeshi artists

3m ago

Ed Sheeran showcases debut collection of Jackson Pollock-esque art

British pop star Ed Sheeran has swapped the microphone for paintbrushes, and the fruits of his artistic endeavours will go on display later this week, the London gallery exhibiting his work confirmed on Wednesday.

1w ago

International Jazz Day Special / A jazz sanctuary amidst Dhaka’s familiar chaos

On an uncharacteristically cool April evening, I stepped out of Banani’s blaring traffic and neon haze into a dimly lit room tucked within a commercial building and almost cinematically shifted from chaos to a melodical hush. A small audience leaned forward, captivated by the spell of an ensemble that included an esraj, a sarod, a jazz guitarist and a drummer, and a vocalist whose voice moved without language, just sound, rhythm, and improvisation. The music was neither entirely classical nor jazz nor fusion, but something looser, more exploratory, alive to the moment.

2m ago

JU observes Selim Al Deen’s death anniv

The drama and dramatics department at Jahangirnagar University yesterday organised a daylong programme at their campus, marking the 17th death anniversary of renowned thespian and former teacher Selim Al Deen.

6m ago

‘Bangladesh first concert’: Artistes vow to stay united for country

The capital’s Manik Mia Avenue was teeming with people from all walks of life since yesterday afternoon, as they waited to catch a glimpse of their favourite artistes.

7m ago

The rise and fall of Chattogram’s single-screen cinema halls

Eid holidays in Chattogram city were once synonymous with a cherished tradition: families and friends gathering to enjoy movies in single-screen cinema halls scattered across the city. However, the golden days of cinema halls are long gone.

3m ago

Metallica to hold virtual concert in Fortnite

Metallica, the world-renowned rock band, is set to hold a virtual concert in the popular video game Fortnite. Named 'Metallica: Fuel Fire Fury', Fortnite players can tune in to the virtual concert on two set dates: June 22 at 2 pm, 5 pm, and 11 pm ET, and June 23 at 10 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm ET.

1y ago

BTS’ RM sets new record with his latest No. 1 single

BTS’ leader RM returns to the US charts, only weeks after releasing his latest solo album. The global star made a comeback as a featured artiste on Megan Thee Stallion's new single "Neva Play," which has quickly become a success for both artistes.

9m ago
Showbiz

Showbiz

Level Five levels up

The indie rock band has steadily broken free from its ‘niche’ label, surging in popularity during the pandemic. Their riveting lyrics, dynamic vocals, punchy guitar riffs, and tight rhythm section struck a chord with audiences, particularly through their breakout hit, “60’s Love”.

1w ago

Puja cruises to fame

After securing a spot in the top 10 of “Lux Superstar” in 2018, Puja Agnes Cruze chose patience over haste when it came to making her silver screen debut. Now, years later, her moment finally arrived with “Esha Murder”, where she plays the titular role, a role that not only marks her cinematic breakthrough but also fulfills a dream she has cherished since childhood.

2w ago

Only the beginning for Naovi

You might know him as Sameer from Bongo’s “BnG”, or perhaps you recognise him as Jaya Ahsan’s younger brother in “Taandob”—either way, Saad Salmi Naovi is fast becoming a name to remember.

4w ago

Sabila debuts, ‘Taandob’ ensues

Once a sweetheart of television, Sabila Nur has hit the bullseye with her silver-screen debut with a leading role opposite Shakib Khan in “Taandob”. The film will go down in Bangladesh’s cinematic history for being rife with action, twists, and cameos.

1m ago

Bangladeshi ‘Ken’ in Dhaka

The Bangladeshi 'Ken', known for his appearances in major Hollywood productions like “Barbie”, “Wicked”, and “Aladdin”, continues to make the country proud as he juggles acting, dancing, and interviewing some of Hollywood's biggest names.

1m ago

Sublime Sarika

Since childhood, Sarika Sabah has immersed herself in the world of art, taking classical dance lessons and specialising in Kathak. Over time, her dedication to dance grew, yet a deeper desire began to burn within her—a dream to one day find her place among the stars. She began her journey in the entertainment industry with TVCs in 2019, while she was a second-year CSE student at North South University, and quickly rose to prominence, winning hearts with her portrayal of Jhumur in Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Raz’s popular mega serial “Family Crisis”.

1m ago

Jaya and Sharmin take over

As Jaya Ahsan and Mohsina Akhter, the two leads of the film, take sips of black coffee and rong cha respectively at The Daily Star’s studio, the excitement levels vary among the illustrious mega-star and respected theatre practitioner.

2m ago

Dola does it again

Some songs don’t just trend—they take over. One such track is “Chand Mama”, from the film ”Borbaad”, which didn’t just climb the YouTube Music trending list once, but soared to the top twice and is still continuing to evoke emotions even after a month.

2m ago
Star Health

Star Health

Dengue cases cross 15,000 mark

At least two dengue patients died while 330 patients were hospitalised in the last 24 hours till yesterday morning.

4d ago

One dies of dengue, 420 hospitalised in 24 hours

One dengue patient died while 420 others were hospitalised in the last 24 hours till this morning.

6d ago

Emergency vaccines slash deaths by 60%: study

A similar number of infections are also believed to have been prevented, while billions of euros have been generated in estimated economic benefit

1w ago

One dies of dengue, 391 new cases in 24hrs

Of the 391 new infections, 128 patients were hospitalised in Barishal division

1w ago

Admission halt at Pabna Mental Hospital causes inhuman suffering for patients

Families forced to return home with patients untreated as contractor change stalls services

1w ago

2 more die of dengue, 337 get hospitalised

At least two dengue patients died while 337 were hospitalised in the 24 hours until yesterday morning.

1w ago

Covid-19: One death, 8 new cases reported in 24hrs

Since January this year, the virus has claimed 25 lives and infected 651 people in the country

1w ago
Satireday

Satireday

Satire / Let's MoPE!

"Dhaka has become one big group project, where everyone's angry"

1m ago

Satire / Justice for Sale: Case Files Found at Tk 16 per Kg

Who knew justice could be 'that' quick, or cheap?

6m ago

Satire / BBA student gets married, calls it the best networking experience of his life

Nothing is impossible – if you believe in your ability to make the right connections, that is.

9m ago

Satire / iPhone 16 users claim biggest feature is a scam

The iPhone 16 series launched a couple of weeks ago, coinciding with a sudden rise in online ads by people selling human kidneys.

9m ago

Government losing ‘Aandar’ control trying to bring it under control

In an unprecedented twist, the government keeps losing Aandar control while attempting to bring it under control. Aanda, or egg -- whatever people choose to call it doesn’t matter anymore as they are having breakfast without eggs.

9m ago

Holy League unveils new leftist wing

“We represent the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the majority of Bangladesh. Our policies, philosophies and ideals are all BLESSED. You must understand this,” he yelled at the crowd.

9m ago

A tale from the future: Ordinary students celebrate lynching 100th person

The year is 2028. Ordinary students have done something extraordinary yet again. Yesterday, they organised “Lunch for Lynching” to celebrate beating a hundred people to death since the “lucky seventh independence”.

10m ago

Satire / ‘Natok Kom Koro Pio’

“Natok kom koro Pio,” the man said, his white beard shaking with fury.

10m ago
TOGGLE

TOGGLE

Traveller’s notebook: in the Land of the Blue Dragon

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is not the first destination that comes to an average Bangladeshi traveller’s mind when thinking of getting out on exploring a new place.

7y ago

Traveller’s notebook: Kuala Lumpur

We’re a generation of wanderers and we have long been a species of wanderers. What ties us to our 9–5 routine is not natural. We want to explore, even if we don’t realise it, each one of us, to our very core, are explorers.

7y ago

The iPhone 15 Pro's camera can be a true game changer

The recent launch of Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max has set the tech world abuzz, and for good reason. While the device is teeming with top-tier features, it is the camera that truly commands attention. Offering a set of functionalities that can rival some professional cameras, Apple's latest offering is not just an incremental upgrade; it's a significant leap forward from its predecessors, particularly the iPhone 14 Pro.

1y ago

Editor's Note / Embracing the inevitable

And thus, we invite our readers to embark on the next exhilarating journey with Tech & Startup!

1y ago

So long, goodbye

The sun may set, but the journey never truly ends. Stay tuned for our next adventure!

1y ago

Bytes / Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: The ultimate ultra

Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, takes centre stage as a powerful contender in the smartphone market. While some might argue that the design changes are subtle and the price tag is on the higher side, there's no denying that this device excels in certain key areas, especially when it comes to photography.

1y ago

Cover Story / Every end marks a new beginning

To our readers, thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty. We invite you to join us in embracing this new beginning and be a part of the exciting journey that lies ahead. Together, let us explore the endless possibilities that technology and startups offer, celebrating the innovative spirit that drives us all.

1y ago

Huawei completes 25 years in Bangladesh

Huawei, the multinational technology corporation, has recently completed 25 years in Bangladesh. The organisation held a celebration event on 20 July, where they thanked their partners and stakeholders for years of support. 

1y ago
In Focus

In Focus

13th death anniversary of Muzharul Islam / Muzharul Islam and Chetana Movement

“If properly planned, even now, Dhaka can be transformed into a very decent, liveable city. We can take advantage of the river, the khals, the lowlands, and the richness of the soil for the growth of trees and plants.

5d ago

The Terrible Splendour of Not Knowing

“O my body, make of me always a man who questions!” — Frantz Fanon had thundered, as if pleading with flesh and sinew to refuse silence, to resist obedience.

2w ago

The Maverick Pundit

The poet and playwright Michael Madhusudan Dutta (1824–73) made no effort to conceal his disapproval of traditional Brahmin pundits.

2w ago

Reviving Bain: Chakma Fashion Reimagined

In the late afternoon, the sun seemed to drift hastily towards the Phuromon hill in the west. The krishnachura leaves whispered softly in the breeze while the birds’ chirping spread a melodic resonance.

3w ago

Why is Sandwip missing from the Bay of Bengal’s history?

Chittagong’s neighbour Sandwip is absent from Bay of Bengal history because its nature is hard to define.

1m ago

Writing the Padma

The first experience of the great river Padma is nothing less than overwhelming, and slightly terrifying. I first came to face the mighty river as a young lad in my teens sometime in April of the momentous year of 1971. My first sighting came with two terrors. My father was fleeing Dhaka with the family with the hope of crossing the river to escape the brutal onslaught of the Pakistan army. Arriving at the banks, there was the Padda (Padma) before us with its glorious panorama. It seemed like an oceanic river, with no sight of the other side, and the frightening prospect of crossing it.

1m ago

49th death anniversary / Art and decolonisation, with Zainul Abedin

When Zainul Abedin left Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1947, as India and Pakistan negotiated a partition-ridden freedom from the British Empire, he was one of the city’s most acclaimed artists.

1m ago

Forgotten Currents / Bengal’s Ties to the Straits World

Medieval Bengal’s links to the Straits world, a narrow stretch of water connecting to Southeast Asia and beyond, are overlooked. This world saw not only ocean-going vessels, but also coastal and localised traffic which, like riverine transport, has gone largely unrecorded.

2m ago
Star Youth

Star Youth

When a child is their parents’ second chance

Do your parents see you as individuals with your own choices, or do they see you as extensions of themselves?

1w ago

The growing chasm of BookTok

Are the glory days of BookTok coming to an end?

1w ago

My father as a person

When I observe my father as a person who is a husband to my mother, I have to see him from a different light.

1w ago

Beating brainrot in Dhaka

Brainrot essentially describes the withering of mental faculties from overexposure to low-value digital content.

1w ago

Opinion / My em dashes are showing – Am I AI?

My em dashes are showing – Am I AI?

2w ago

Ways to overcome physical distance in your friendships

Long-distance friendships thrive on effort, updates, and honest connection.

3w ago

Mountaineer Shakil reflects on his “Sea to Summit” expedition

Mountaineer Shakil reflects on his “Sea to Summit” expedition

3w ago

Why we should keep our hobbies alive

Sacrificing the joy of hobbies in exchange for productivity should never feel like an emotionally fulfilling trade-off.

3w ago
Shift

Shift

Made in Bangladesh Mitsubishi Xpander launched

Rancon Auto Industries has officially launched the Bangladeshi-manufactured Mitsubishi Xpander, a seven-seater family SUV powered by a 1.5L MIVEC engine.

2w ago

Tesla launches robotaxi service in Texas: report

Tesla has begun offering paid self-driving taxi rides in Austin, Texas, marking its first commercial robotaxi service, according to a recent Reuters report. 

3w ago

Press Release / Honda launches City e:HEV in Bangladesh

DHS Motors Limited, the official distributor of Honda in Bangladesh, has recently launched the Honda City e:HEV at the Honda Showroom in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

3w ago

AAB's Motorsport Academy for aspiring professional racers

Automobile Association of Bangladesh (AAB) has recently launched the Motorsport Academy, offering structured training programmes designed to develop professional racing talent. The academy currently runs three sequential courses – beginner, intermediate and advanced – each requiring successful completion of exams to progress.

1m ago

Curated Cars: The Dhaka Car Show that finally got it right

May 1 and 2 gave us something rare. A proper show. Curated Cars wasn’t just another excuse to hang out and say, “Bro, my car faster.” This was for the real enthusiasts—the ones who actually know what a Jaguar S-Type is and don’t think a McLaren is just a footballer. So what did they do differently?

2m ago

Mercedes EQS 680 Night Series: Maybach's take on silent luxury

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 marks its entrance into the electric luxury SUV segment with the new special edition 'Night Series', designed to combine exclusivity with a modern, electric edge.

2m ago

Dhaka Motor Show returns, but not for the gearheads

The Dhaka Motor Show came back to its old home at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) from May 1 to 3, reclaiming all four halls after a brief relocation to the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre. The venue was packed with cars, bikes, trucks, scooters, lubricants, helmets, tool vendors, accessory peddlers, and food stalls—but not much in the way of actual enthusiasm for driving.

2m ago

Press Release / Mitsubishi unveils locally assembled Xpander at Dhaka Motor Show 2025

Mitsubishi Bangladesh has officially unveiled the locally assembled Mitsubishi Xpander at the Dhaka Motor Show 2025. The company unveiled four variants of the Xpander lineup, which includes Xpander Classic, Xpander Premium, Xpander Eco, and the special edition Xpander Sport.

2m ago
Books & Literature

Books & Literature

EVENT REPORT / EWU hosts ‘7th Nahreen Khan Memorial Lecture’ with Dr Niaz Zaman

She discussed the increasing recognition of translated literature, as evidenced by prestigious awards such as the International Booker Prize and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize

2d ago

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / From the margins, a voice remembered

In The Last Bench, Adhir Biswas returns to the landscapes of his childhood with the tenderness of a son and the precision of a chronicler. This deeply moving memoir, translated masterfully by V. Ramaswamy, is at once an act of remembrance and resistance, a testimony to growing up Dalit, poor, and displaced in post-Partition India.

2d ago

BOOK REVIEW: FICTION / Painted in friendship, framed by grief

“Art is empathy,” Fredrik Backman writes. So is friendship—the kind that stays with you long after the summer ends.The kind you find when you’re 14 and everything is breaking and beginning at once. The kind of friendship that becomes a map back to yourself, years later, when you’re lost in grief, guilt, or even just the quiet ache of growing up. Fredrik Backman’s My Friends is a love letter to those friendships.

2d ago

WHAT WE AREREADING THIS WEEK / Freedom, Politics, and Humanity: Hannah Arendt and Isaiah Berlin

I must admit I have never read the philosopher Isaiah Berlin, nor am I familiar with his life and writings.  Kei Haruta’s study of the two thinkers—Hannah Arendt and Isaiah Berlin—drew me in primarily because I have remained an ardent reader of Arendt’s work, having been deeply benefitted from and influenced by her thoughts on totalitarianism, the essential crises of the human condition, the concept of political violence, and what she terms as the ‘banality of evil’.

2d ago

CREATIVE NONFICTION / The pond remembers: On visiting Lojithan Ram’s ‘Arra Kulamum, Kottiyum, Āmpalum’

In a time where spectacle often overshadows sincerity, where art sometimes forgets its heart, Lojithan Ram offers a whisper. A blue whisper. And in that whisper, you may just hear your own name

1w ago

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / Imagining Africa in Bengali fiction and verse

Mowtushi Mahruba’s Africa in the Bengali Imagination: from Calcutta to Kampala, 1928-73 is a distinctive and pioneering work on the way the continent led to creative writing in English as well as Bengali over the decades

1w ago

BOOK REVIEW: POETRY / When silence speaks louder than words

'On the Other Side of Silence' is a thoughtful volume of poetry, not just because it summarises every existential crisis that visits contemporary life but also because it engages, unlike a postmodern cynic, with the issues that plague the world

1w ago

NEWS REPORT / HarperCollins India publishes English edition of Mohammad Nazimuddin’s acclaimed thriller

Nazimuddin is widely known in Bangladesh for his fast-paced crime and psychological novels

1w ago
Star Holiday

Star Holiday

Sri Lanka: A story of resilience & beauty

Not long ago, the country was on the brink of collapse. Now, it has turned around

2w ago

The Kingdom of Magyars

Once the heart of a vast empire and now a crossroads between East and West, Hungary stands as a testament to Europe’s layered history. At the centre of it lies Budapest — a city where Gothic grandeur meets post-imperial nostalgia, and the echoes of Roman legions, Ottoman rule, Habsburg royalty, and Soviet tanks still whisper through cobblestone streets.

4w ago

ALASKA a sanctuary of the soul

Would you go somewhere today, far, far away? A place so remote and isolated, so vast that the only thing left to focus on is the wilderness and its untouched beauty. A place where time feels irrelevant, and the horizon stretches forever. That place, for us, is Alaska.

1m ago

Nordic summer bliss

The Nordic summer stretches time -- golden evenings linger, and under the glow of the Midnight Sun, every moment feels both eternal and fleeting.

2m ago

Himba village: An oasis of peace in Kalahari

However, one of the most unforgettable experiences of this journey was our visit to a Himba village in northern Namibia, where time seemed to slow down.

3m ago

Madhya Pradesh: A journey into ancient India

Nestled in the very heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is a treasure trove of history, spirituality, and nature. With its rich heritage, the state offers a unique window into ancient India. It hosts three Unesco World Heritage sites, 11 natural parks, 24 wildlife sanctuaries and six tiger reserves. However, the state, with all its archaeological sites, turned out to be a treasure trove to me, a traveller drawn to history.

7m ago

The Pamir Highway: A road trip to remember

Our journey began with the dream of exploring Central Asia in a motorhome, but time constraints and border challenges reshaped our plans.

9m ago

Visiting four African nations in 12 days

Time is the one thing we all want but can never get enough of. No matter how hard we try to hold onto it, it always slips away.

9m ago
Weekend Read

Weekend Read

TEOTA ZAMINDAR BARI / Ruins that whisper love and legacy

At first glance, a sigh escapes almost involuntarily.

19h ago

Shinduria: A hidden haven of biodiversity near Dhaka

Shinduria is more than just a scenic village -- it is a thriving ecosystem shaped by water, tradition, and time

1w ago

Lotus silk: the fabric of the future

Imagine if the next global fashion sensation did not emerge from Paris or Milan but quietly bloomed in a lotus pond in the wetlands of Bangladesh.

2w ago

Kirtipasha Zamindar Palace / Fading away in silence

Around five kilometres away from Jhalakathi district town, past the buzzing Kirtipasha bazaar and post office to the outskirts where the urban cacophony begins to fade, a colossal relic of Bengal’s feudal history rises like a spectre through the foliage- the Kirtipasha Zamindar Palace.

3w ago

Mangoes, memories and the magic of Rajshahi

When you grow old, you slow down your pace and seek calm. You want to be away from the hubbub of city life and live for yourself; toying with this realisation, I am in search of a quiet place to drop my anchor. I am twiddling between Rajshahi, Faridpur, and Barishal.

4w ago

Where birds still find refuge

The sky hung low over Dhaka, wrapped in winter smog that blurred the sun and muffled the city's sounds. A heavy silence lingered as we made our way through the chaos of Sadarghat, boarding an overnight ferry bound for the coast. We were escaping the choking haze in search of open skies and tidal

1m ago

Rajshahi University: A haven for biodiversity amid urban sprawl

Spread across 753 acres, the campus teems with lush greenery, tranquil water bodies, and a surprising richness of wildlife.

1m ago

Where Nazrul’s flute still echoes

In the quiet corners of Trishal, Mymensingh, the spirit of Kazi Nazrul Islam lingers -- not just in memory, but in rhythm of rustling leaves, in the dust-laden paths of Namapara and Kazir Shimla, and in the whispers of an old banyan tree beneath which a young boy once played his flute.

1m ago