CID arrests cyber fraudster for blackmailing Bangladeshi woman in USDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly blackmailing a Bangladeshi woman living in the United States into a fake marriage and extorting crores of taka by threatening to leak her private videos online. He was arrested on January 20, 2026, by the Cyber Intelligence and Risk Management Team of the Cyber Police Center (CPC) while hiding in Lohagara area of Chittagong. According to the case statement, Salauddin first contacted the victim through a Facebook marriage platform named "BCCB Matrimonial: Heavenly Match." To gain the victim's trust, he even arranged video calls where two accomplices posed as his mother and sister. Police records also reveal that he was previously accused in a similar case with Mohammadpur Police Station (Case No.

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

Photo: BSSKUSHTIA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Symbols have been officially allocated tocandidates contesting in four parliamentary constituencies here ahead of the13th National Parliamentary Elections 2026. District Returning Officer (DRO) and Deputy Commissioner Md. Iqbal Hossainhanded over the symbols to a total of 25 candidates at a ceremony held in theconference room of the District Returning Officer at 11 am today. Speaking on the occasion, DRO Iqbal Hossain emphasized the importance ofadhering to the election code of conduct and urged all candidates to conducttheir campaigns fairly and responsibly. Senior officials from the District Election Office and local administrationwere present during the event.

Christopher Walker is a member of the Class of 2026 in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is the games editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. He can be reached at games@cornellsun.com.

With the beckoning of a new semester, it feels an appropriate time to reflect on the fall semester’s funding frenzy from which academics are still recovering. Grants are crucial to research institutions for funding research materials, staff, graduate student costs, as well as the university. A whopping 64% indirect cost rate (on the Ithaca campus) is applied to any research grant that Cornell receives which supports administrative staff and maintenance. When the most reliable funding sources to support graduate students are no longer available and TA slots are becoming more competitive than ever, the pressure on graduate students is insurmountable. Other methods of reducing inefficiencies in the research process might include streamlining the grant process and making grant calls more specific to a research group’s subject of expertise.

"The formal election campaign begins tomorrow (Thursday). He urged party leaders and activists to reach out to voters at the grassroots level, inform them about the program and encourage their participation. He also called for discipline during the event, saying that attendees should listen attentively and quietly while party leaders deliver their speeches. Addressing voters, Salam cautioned against vote-buying and corrupt practices. He further called on party leaders and activists to maintain strict party discipline and conduct all election activities peacefully and in an orderly manner.

Sylhet put Rajshahi in to bat first in BPL Qualifier-2DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Sylhet Titans skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz won thetoss and sent Rajshahi Warriors into bat first in the crucial BangladeshPremier League (BPL) Qualifier-2 game at Sher-e-Bangla National CricketStadium today. Sylhet moved to the Qualifier-2 by sealing a thrilling three-wicket victoryover Rangpur Riders, courtesy of a sensational last-ball six from ChrisWoakes. Rajshahi, which topped the group phase, lost the Qualifier-1 to Chattogram tosquander the chance to move to the final in first attempt. The two sides met twice in the group phase with Rajshahi winning both of thematches convincingly. As per the previous result Rajshahi should be favourite but Sylhet are nowhigh on confidence following their sensational victory against Rangpur.

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain visited the historic Bibichini Shahi Mosque at Betagi in Borguna on Tuesday. Touhid Hossain has said the government is sincere about preserving the country’s ancient historical and religious establishments during a visit to heritage sites in Barguna. “I am truly impressed by the ancient architectural style and design of the Bibichini Shahi Mosque. Local residents said the nearly 350-year-old Bibichini Shahi Mosque is not only a place of worship but also a significant symbol of Barguna’s history and heritage.

Photo : BSSBARISHAL, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - In a festive atmosphere, symbols wereallocated today to the candidates contesting the six parliamentaryconstituencies of Barishal for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentaryelections. The allocation ceremony took place at 12:30 pm in the meeting room of theDeputy Commissioner's Office, with candidates and their supporters present. Following the allocation, the candidates and their supporters expressedexcitement and optimism about their prospects in the elections. A total of 36 candidates from various political parties, including BNP,Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, National Citizen Party (NCP), andindependence will compete for the six parliamentary seats in Barishal. Prior to the allocation, he alsodiscussed the election code of conduct with the candidates and theirsupporters to ensure compliance throughout the campaign period.

With election symbols allocated and final candidates confirmed, 13th national parliamentary election campaign formally begins Thursday , marking the start of full-scale political activity ahead of the February 12 polls. The Election Commission (EC) allotted election symbols to candidates on Wednesday, clearing the way for official campaigning across the country. From Thursday , candidates and political parties are permitted to seek votes openly under the election code of conduct. Strict code of conductWhile campaigning officially begins Thursday , candidates must comply with a stringent election code of conduct. Permitted campaign activitiesCandidates may campaign door to door from 12:01am and continue until 7:30am on February 10.

Long-standing allegations of political pressure on Bangladesh’s business community during election seasons have resurfaced, following public claims that parliamentary candidates are demanding large sums of money from business leaders -- renewing debate over opaque political financing practices ahead of the national polls. Speaking on a televised talk show, Russell said such demands are placing unsustainable pressure on businesses already struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty. Russell argued that while political fundraising is often rationalized by unemployment or grassroots mobilization, demands made by parliamentary candidates cannot be justified on social or political grounds. “Political party leadership must give clear instructions. He acknowledged that some businesses are being compelled to contribute, noting that while one major political party finances its campaigns largely through institutional means, others depend heavily on business donations.

BNP leaders said the symbolic start underlines the party’s effort to reconnect with voters as the election race officially opens. After offering prayers at the shrine, Tarique Rahman visited the grave of General MAG Osmani, commander-in-chief of 1971 Liberation War, located within the shrine complex. After visiting the shrines, Tarique Rahman was scheduled to visit his in-laws’ home in Biraimpur village of South Surma upazila, where he would pay respects at family graves. Thursday, the first day of the official campaign, Tarique Rahman is set to exchange views with young voters in the morning before addressing BNP’s inaugural election rally at the Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground around 11am. BNP leaders said the Sylhet program marks the party’s full-scale entry into the election campaign as nationwide canvassing begins.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today ordered the freezing of 21 bank accounts belonging to Md Mohibul Haque, former senior secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and his wife Syeda Afroza Begum, former additional secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, over graft allegations. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the orders, allowing two separate pleas filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The inquiry found that Mohibul Haque owns 1.72 acres of land in Bagerhat and Gazipur districts, while his daughter Moshreka Moumita Haque owns 0.1243 acre of land in Bagerhat. It also revealed that his wife Syeda Afroza Begum owns a 2,700-square-foot flat in Dhaka's Mohakhali DOHS area. Records further showed transactions involving crores of Taka in 21 accounts held by Mohibul Haque and his wife with eight banks and the National Savings Directorate.

The process of allocating election symbols to candidates contesting the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections in Rajshahi has been completed. The Election Commission stated that candidates will be able to officially begin their election campaigns from Thursday in compliance with the electoral code of conduct. The symbol allocation process began at 10:30 am on Wednesday at the office of the Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer. In the presence of all candidates and their representatives, the District Returning Officer Afia Akhter formally allocated the symbols. In addition, three independent candidates from two constituencies were allotted their preferred symbols.