Without the portrait of the elephant, there is no Bengali celebration on the first Baishakh. Elephants are an integral part of Bengali folk culture. In the south-east regions of the country, elephants are referred to as “uncles”. Occupancy of elephant habitat, deforestation, and destruction of gardens and croplands are some of the major reasons why the lives of this gentle giant is in a crisis today.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Evercare Hospital Dhaka again from November 13 due to various health complications including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney issues. BNP demands, with hunger strikes and processions, that the 76-year-old former prime minister should be allowed to leave the country for medical treatment. On the other hand, the government is saying that since Khaleda Zia is a convicted individual, going abroad is not an option legally.

A student of Begum Badrunnesa Government Women's College was threatened with rape by a bus driver's helper when she wanted to pay half fare.

Residential halls of Chittagong University and other food stalls beside them prepare foods without maintaining proper hygiene. Besides, these halls are unable to ensure nutritious food for the students. As a result, a lot of students are falling sick by consuming such unhygienic foods.

Sky lanterns were released at Rangamati’s Rajban Bihar. According to Buddhist belief, a ritual is performed with Buddha Keshdhatu and Dantodhatu. And every year this ritual is celebrated with the lighting of sky lanterns.

The UN has adopted a resolution on the Rohingyas by consensus for the first time. Member states and the organisation -- lauding Bangladesh on its action on Rohingya refugees, especially the humanitarian aid and vaccination programme -- have agreed on the issue of repatriation of the Rohingyas as a permanent solution.

Investigations recently revealed how illegal firearms that slip through the border get circulated among criminals. A number of approved firearms traders are involved in this business and built an illegal firearms syndicate.

Students of Dhaka Science College protested today, demanding half fare on buses, at Farmgate intersection.

The E-commerce industry has grown exponentially in the last few years. But in the last few months, information of irregularities in the industry has come to light. Allegedly, e-commerce companies have funneled several crores from customers with alluring advertisements and massive discounts.

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have established a number of businesses overseas. Six more companies will be granted licenses to start new businesses. In 2014, the Bangladesh Bank began enabling local businesses to invest offshore.

The South Indian Tamil film Jay Bhim has recently received a huge response from audiences of South Asia and other parts of the world.

A South Korean consortium has started its investment assessment study for constructing a circular railway around the capital, under a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative. The assessment began in October is set to finish within nine months.

Many countries around the world are trying to step away from coal as a source of energy while Bangladesh is still leaning towards fossil fuel for electricity production.

Students of Dhaka college protested today, demanding half fare for students on buses. They blocked Mirpur Road in front of the college, during the demo.

The Garo community in Sreemangal has celebrated their biggest annual festival -- offering prayers, music and dance to the God of grains, Misi Saljong.

The Daily Star editor of Toggle Shahriar Rahman discusses possible solutions to the complications in e-commerce behind stagnating deliveries with Saifur Rahman, Senior IT Specialist, Australian Public Service, in Star Connects.

Due to the ferry crisis, transportation on the Paturia-Daulatdia route is being disrupted. Everyday, hundreds of passengers and lorries are stuck at the dock for several hours. People who use this route have been suffering for the last 22 days.

Everything from fish, meat, clothing, medicine, car, flat is available on various E-commerce websites, social media groups and pages. The E-commerce business is crossing the Tk 1,000 crore threshold. But many of these businesses are scamming people by offering unrealistic profit margins.

Maulana Abdul Hamin Khan Bhashani dedicated his whole life for the common man, and has fought for the liberation of the oppressed and exploited. He established 17 institutions, including an educational institute in Santosh of Tangail. But most of them are in decay. On the other hand, since the establishment of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, there have been land disputes between the university and the other institutions established by Maulana Bhashani.

Bhairab river, running through Khulna, has now lost its vitality because of severe pollution and blatant illegal land grabbing. Apparently, the accusation falls on authority’s inaction to stop the locally powerful perpetrators.