Sunil Karmakar-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 06, 2026 (BSS) - Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has expressed profound shock and sorrow at the demise of distinguished thinker and poet Sunil Karmakar, who also made a notable contribution in popularizing the songs of philosopher Jalal Uddin Khan. In a condolence message issued today, Farooki said philosophy and artistic practice in Bangladesh have long been intertwined, with the people of this land expressing their joys, sorrows, philosophical reflections and social concerns through songs. The adviser recalled his personal acquaintance with Sunil Karmakar many years ago, saying that Jalal Khan's songs in Karmakar's voice had deeply inspired him. In addition to his singing, Karmakar was skilled in playing several musical instruments including the violin and dotra. Farooki said that upon receiving news of the artist's illness, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs immediately extended support.

MUSCAT, Oman, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Talks between Iran and the United States opened Friday in Oman, according to Iranian state television, with Tehran saying it was ready to defend itself and US President Donald Trump refusing to rule out military action. The talks are the first since the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities last June during a 12-day war with Israel that ended a previous round of discussions. The Iranian delegation is being led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while US envoy Steve Witkoff is representing the United States.

According to state data, in the 2023-2024 school year, the commonwealth’s 26 vocational technical high schools received 20,335 applications for 10,305 first-year seats. And now, that fact has trickled down to the Wall Street Journal. And it profiled Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford as one of three schools in the state experiencing rising enrollment. The WSJ article focuses on two Nashoba Tech students on differing career pathways. Bringing new residents here means more foot traffic, more support for local businesses and a more dynamic, livable Main Street.

Reading time: about 6 minutesOver 100 students and community members gathered in front of Willard Straight Hall on Wednesday evening to condemn federal immigration agencies and urge the University to sever institutional ties with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. The protesters marched to and from Day Hall, presenting speeches and holding signs against federal immigration agencies at both locations. Protesters repeatedly called on University administrators to end cooperation with ICE and CBP, particularly in recruitment and campus access. Samantha Miculinich Students march together down College Avenue in protest of ICE, Feb. 4, 2026. But an easy check is someone’s lifeline.”Samantha Miculinich A line of students march in protest of ICE outside of A.D. White House, Feb. 4, 2026.

Reading time: about 3 minutesThe coldest air of the winter so far is on the way for the weekend, with the potential for record low maximum temperatures, subzero overnight lows and feel-like temperatures as cold as negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold air will rush in behind the front, and temperatures will bottom out below zero degrees overnight. Subzero overnight low temperatures are forecasted for the next two nights as well. Arctic high pressure moves into the Great Lakes region on Saturday, resulting in persistent northwesterly flow into Ithaca through the weekend. The month of February began with some moderation, with high temperatures in the 20s as opposed to teens for most of the first week of the month.

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