Jordan Intercepts Iranian Missiles Following Joint U.S. and Saudi Strikes in Iraq
Jordanian air defenses shot down five Iranian ballistic missiles following joint U.S. and Saudi air operations against militia positions in Iraq. The renewed clashes disrupt a short-lived pause in hostilities, putting global energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea at further risk.
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LIVEStudy finds microplastics in 3 out of 4 toothpaste samples
Reports of Tk 120cr VAT evasion by Transcom unsubstantiated
Chattogram's listed 'top criminal' David Emon arrested in Jashore
Bengal's forgotten slave trade: Portuguese, Arakanese and Dutch trafficking networks
National & Politics
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Citizens have already answered the ‘amendment or reform’ question
In his column published on July 24, titled “July charter implementation: Growing distance between BNP and the opposition is worrisome,” The Daily Star’s Editor Mahfuz Anam voiced a concern every democrat shares: that the hard-won consensus of our post-uprising transition is fraying. He is right to worry. But his prescription—for the opposition to join the government’s special committee on constitutional amendment and hold its objections in reserve—rests on a premise I must respectfully contest: that the choice between “amendment” and “reform” remains open for negotiation. It does not. The people closed that question on February 12, 2026.
Women built the RMG might. Now they are losing ground
When Nasima got a text from her employer during the Eid holidays, she expected another routine message. Instead, it told her she had been fired.
SC stays HC orders barring shown arrests without specific allegations
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today stayed the High Court orders that directed the authorities not to show detained persons arrested or harass them without any specific allegations.
Gas crisis strikes paracetamol API, other industries
A worsening gas crisis has significantly slashed domestic production of paracetamol API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) while also severely disrupting production at factories across Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector.
Capital markets gain momentum following the central bank's updated monetary policy guidelines and targeted export incentives.
Business & Economy
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Iran says no current negotiations with US
3 months ago
Citizens have already answered the ‘amendment or reform’ question
3 months ago
Gazipur Agricultural University wins patent for jackfruit seed nutrition technology
3 months ago
Jordan Intercepts Iranian Missiles Following Joint U.S. and Saudi Strikes in Iraq
3 months ago
Lifestyle & Perspective
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3 months ago
Gas crisis strikes paracetamol API, other industries
A worsening gas crisis has significantly slashed domestic production of paracetamol API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) while also severely disrupting production at factories across Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector.
3 months ago
A trillion-dollar ambition needs a stronger investment climate
The other day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034. While the ambition is welcome, there is a policy puzzle that needs to be encountered: how will the economy double in size when domestic private investment has weakened, foreign direct investment remains modest, and many existing businesses are reluctant to expand? Private investment fell to 22.03 percent of GDP in FY2024-25, its lowest level in 11 years. Net FDI recovered to $1.77 billion in 2025, but this was less than 0.4 percent of an economy estimated at around $510 billion. Even the recovery deserves to be viewed with caution, since it was driven mainly by reinvested earnings and intra-company loans, while new equity investment increased only marginally.
3 months ago
Red Sea shipping slows after Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia, data shows
Ship traffic through Bab el-Mandeb fell on Sunday after Yemeni Houthis attacked Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast, while transit through the Strait of Hormuz stayed low over the weekend, shipping data from Kpler showed on Monday.
Education & Career
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3 months ago
THE UNPUBLISHED INQUIRY
President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in the early hours of May 30, 1981, in Chattogram’s Circuit House, during an attempted military coup.
3 months ago
Why are we still struggling to make health insurance work?
Bangladesh has committed itself to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), ensuring that everyone can access necessary health services without suffering financial hardship. Yet, out-of-pocket payments continue to finance most healthcare, forcing families to borrow money, sell assets, or forego treatment altogether. Recognising this challenge, the government’s Health Care Financing Strategy identified health insurance as a key instrument to reduce out-of-pocket spending and accelerate progress towards UHC. More than a decade later, however, the country remains at the pilot stage.
3 months ago
Reports of Tk 120cr VAT evasion by Transcom unsubstantiated
Reports claiming Transcom Group evaded Tk 120 crore in VAT remain unverified as NBR continues its regulatory review without issuing any official demand notice.
3 months ago
Technology cannot compensate for the missing trust in land offices
Ask anyone in Dhaka who has tried to transfer a plot of inherited land what the hardest part was, and the answer will be: the paperwork. A family sells a parcel, signs the deed, pays the registration fee, and then discovers the real ordeal is still ahead: getting the khatian (record of rights) updated to reflect the new owner. This second step, called mutation, is where months disappear, where “processing fees” gradually turn into bribes, and where a legitimate transaction can stall for reasons no one will put in writing.
Tech & Innovation
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3 months ago
Tottenham vs Sydney FC: How to Watch, Kick-off Time, and Streaming Details
Tottenham Hotspur wrap up their pre-season trip in Australia with a clash against A-League side Sydney FC. Here’s everything you need to know about where to stream the action, kick-off times, and key team updates ahead of the game.
Presidential election: EC to meet acting Speaker tomorrow
SC stays HC orders barring shown arrests without specific allegations
We need stronger digital systems to seize the China-plus-one opportunity
Our digital evidence framework must evolve with AI
The strange grief of seeing our parents age
Culture & Entertainment
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Why are we still struggling to make health insurance work?
Iran says no current negotiations with US
25th The Daily Star Prime Bank O&A Level Awards 2026
A trillion-dollar ambition needs a stronger investment climate
Health & Wellbeing
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Why are we still struggling to make health insurance work?
Bangladesh has committed itself to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), ensuring that everyone can access necessary health services without suffering financial hardship. Yet, out-of-pocket payments continue to finance most healthcare, forcing families to borrow money, sell assets, or forego treatment altogether. Recognising this challenge, the government’s Health Care Financing Strategy identified health insurance as a key instrument to reduce out-of-pocket spending and accelerate progress towards UHC. More than a decade later, however, the country remains at the pilot stage.
Chattogram port’s empty-container problem needs more than quick fixes
A recent dispute over empty containers at Chattogram port has brought to renewed focus a deeper problem in Bangladesh’s trade logistics system: when legitimate interests collide, there is no neutral, technically competent authority to resolve the situation.
BGMEA, BKMEA seek uninterrupted CNG supply for garment factories
Garment exporters have demanded an uninterrupted supply of gas from CNG (compressed natural gas) filling stations to help address the energy crisis.