Cakes seem to bring everyone together. As I grew up, I realised it wasn't just the taste I enjoyed, it was the art that cakes are. It might sound funny or even dramatic to someone who doesn't understand the art that it is and the beauty it holds.

What if we met not in this decade but in one where love would be a mechanical process? Would it be different then? Or is it what it is? What if we met at an age when engineers created love like they create machines now?

I’ll walk past the sea shore,

I have travelled so far In the hope for an escape

Living alone eight thousand and thirty-two miles away from home is already tough, but in the middle of a pandemic, the homesickness kicks in a bit harder. As an immigrant in a new place, you go through an emotional transition. Things you always thought you hated about your home country become the things that you miss the most.

July 15, 2020, was one of the most memorable days in my professional life. Being a young journalist, I had the opportunity to engage with several talented individuals from around the world at Future News Worldwide Conference 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was held online, instead of London. Among 3000 applications from across the world, 100 of the world’s most promising student journalists were selected to attend this intensive media training programme.

Bhumijo is a social enterprise that focuses on environmentally and economically viable innovations, and is known for incorporating architectural design and urban planning in their project that ensures gender sensitive sanitation services around Dhaka.

ForUs is a social welfare organisation that works for the basic rights of transgender individuals. Founded by Sabrina Mojib, a student of Daffodil International University (DIU), the organisation strives to combat the social barriers that isolate this community.

Like every other sector, COVID-19 has disrupted the very fabric of international relations. Now, Bangladesh must reform the way it deals with the world to prevail in the post-COVID world. Youth Policy Forum (YPF) launched its landmark "Road to Reforms” series on 18th July 2020 with a focus on the foreign policy reforms required for Bangladesh. The inaugural webinar was titled “Bangladesh’s foreign policy priorities in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic” and was organized in partnership with Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and The Daily Star.

‘Bookstagram’ is an online community that started out as an Instagram hashtag. It comprises readers who interact with each other, discover new books and share their own ideas on what they read. The bookstagram community of Bangladesh is no different, as images, reviews, and discussions of books create followers and friends out of strangers tied together by a love of reading. Recently, Star Book Talk 2, moderated by Sarah Anjum Bari, In-charge, Daily Star Books, welcomed Bangladeshi bookstagrammers, Samira Ahmed, Shafrin Islam, Silony Islam, Musharrat Abir Zahin and Rameesa Jameel.

Four years ago, the journey of a 29-year-old Tajul Islam Likhon and his Dream Van became the talk of the town. Likhon started his van with an investment of only BDT 30,000.

After reeling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many youth-led relief initiatives have taken over the past quarter of this year.

The Daily Star hosted the Youth Skills Summit 2020 on July 15, marking World Youth Skills Day, to explore ways to harness Bangladesh’s young demographic.

Youth Policy Forum (YPF) recently launched its flagship series "Road to Reforms" with a focus on preparing a youth-led reform matrix for a paradigm shift in Bangladesh. This year-long programme was initiated with YPF’'s ambitious dialogue on foreign policy reform in Bangladesh.

You're so annoying sometimes. Sorry, we do not use negativity towards ourselves. I'm sorry, I did not mean that. You're a wonderful person. Please grab a rag. We need to meditate.

One of the major turning points leading to social media reaching the heights it has today was the creation of Facebook. However, the platform that we had such high hopes for has unfortunately let us (its users) down.

In a world where living virtually has become more of a necessity due to the ongoing pandemic, the value of online entertainment has escalated manifold. In The Daily Star’s Youth Skills Summit 2020, the ever-changing dynamics of the online audience was discussed in the session, titled ‘Creating Content for a Dynamic Internet Audience.’ Held in association with SBK Tech Ventures, Shah Cement and Mountain Dew, the session was moderated by Md Sohan Haidear, CEO, Smartifier Academy. Star Youth, 10 Minute School, Preneur Lab and Youth Opportunities are the youth engagement partners of the summit.

The Daily Star is hosting the Youth Skills Summit 2020 today, marking World Youth Skills Day, to explore ways to harness Bangladesh's young demographic. More than 60 speakers, comprising industry leaders, entrepreneurs and young aspirants representing different fields are participating in the daylong virtual event. The summit features 14 panel discussions, where experts are talking about different industries, starting from technology and business to arts and culture. They are guiding the young attendees about the job market in this difficult time, and the different skillsets needed to remain employable in the post-pandemic world. The event, emceed by Zunaed Rabbani, CEO, The Right Kind and AIRN, is in association with SBK Tech Ventures, Shah Cement and Mountain Dew. Star Youth, 10 Minute School, Preneur Lab and Youth Opportunities are the youth engagement partners of the summit.

The Daily Star is hosting the Youth Skills Summit 2020 today, marking World Youth Skills Day, to explore ways to harness Bangladesh's young demographic. More than 60 speakers, comprising industry leaders, entrepreneurs and young aspirants representing different fields are participating in the daylong virtual event. The summit features 14 panel discussions, where experts are talking about different industries, starting from technology and business to arts and culture. They are guiding the young attendees about the job market in this difficult time, and the different skillsets needed to remain employable in the post-pandemic world. The event, emceed by Zunaed Rabbani, CEO, The Right Kind and AIRN, is in association with SBK Tech Ventures, Shah Cement and Mountain Dew. Star Youth, 10 Minute School, Preneur Lab and Youth Opportunities are the youth engagement partners of the summit.

Evolution 360 hosted an online competition, ‘Talent Transition 2020’, where youths from across the country participated to showcase their talents. Co-hosted by Canadian University of Bangladesh, the official closing ceremony of the competition was held on July 12.