AMST 2001: “The First American University,” ranked No. According to Earle, the course centers around Cornell’s history, which is a valuable tool to assess current institutional challenges. Elizabeth Chow Seating for AMST 2001: "The First American University" spills into aisles and staircases due to its popularity. The class takes its name from educational historian Frederick Rudolph’s description of Cornell as the “first American university.” Rudolph emphasized Cornell's diversity of programs and students. Earle highlighted that the “first American university” also echoes Cornell’s motto, “Any person, any study,” which he said captures the versatility of Cornell’s curriculum.

Across cities, towns, and villages, voters of all ages and backgrounds are undoubtedly approaching this election with cautious optimism. This election is not merely about selecting a governing body for the next term. It is also, through the referendum component, a direct expression of public opinion on the future direction of reforms. Ultimately, elections are not only about power, but also about trust: Trust that votes will be counted honestly, that institutions will function impartially, and that leaders will remember the promises they have made in pursuit of the position. This is an opportunity to reaffirm that the election is truly an ethical and fair process that determines the country’s course.

We are fighting for a place in the new global economy," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told industry chiefs Wednesday. Macron also renewed a call for joint EU debt -- a divisive idea among European capitals -- as the "only way" to compete with China and the United States. The European Commission president will be promoting a host of solutions at Thursday's talks -- including a French-backed "Buy European" push, "simplifying" EU rules and striking more deals to diversify trading partners. Draghi's report will not be the only report leaders will be leaning on. Von der Leyen backed the call for public buyers to favour European firms, and said the EU executive would propose a law on European preference this month.

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No ideology should be imposedBring down corruption, cronyism and nepotism-Towheed Feroze is a former journalist! Well, the eyes of the world are on Bangladesh, with almost all international news bulletins containing at least one reference to the forthcoming elections.Most people feel that at this moment, the key task for the authority is to ensure national election, referred to as landmark-polls, is held free of manipulation, violence and underhand tactics.The elections held under the previous regime were not without controversy, and the general feeling is back to back contentious elections, without credibility, was one of the grievances fuelling the July-Aug movement.Interestingly, during the 2009 elections, which was held in a non-contentious atmosphere, I was with the bdnews24.com and vividly remember the poll time euphoria followed by an overwhelming feeling of optimism.How that invigorated sentiment gradually turned into bitterness is known to us all so won’t get into that.However, with the youth emerging as a major driving social force in Bangladesh, the days ahead will definitely be shaped by the aspirations and visions of the young.It may sound odd but at 54, Bangladesh is now looking to the future with the eyes of the young.Party allegiance aside, most young voters harbour the desire to see some key changes which will not ensure a Eutopia but will put the country on the trajectory of democratic principles.Speaking to several young voters, got an idea about what they want to see in the coming days.Unsurprisingly, the most important thing mentioned was the right to disagree and openly express one’s opinion.With demons of a totalitarian government still lurking, each and every young person has stressed the need to have an environment where a doctrine is not injected into the national psyche.“In the past, we saw a concerted campaign to erase most ideologies in favour of one particular one,” said Angshuman Chowdhury, adding: “such indoctrination is usually counter productive as we saw during the 2024 July Aug uprising. Historical figures who would have retained the general veneration came tumbling down because of the relentless cult of personality campaign.”Abdullah Al Bake, a journalist, agrees with Angshuman, saying that instead of the deification of a person, more emphasis should be given to replicating the work of that individual in real life.“The mistake most parties in power have made is that instead of choosing a set of illustrious people to set as examples, they decided to lionise only one, resulting in entrenched resentment among the masses.”No leader will be forgotten if that person had done something significant, observes, Asha Islam, a university student.Respect cannot be imposed and foisting a cult has never had a favourable ending, she warns.Arpita, a DU business faculty student feels that instead of trying to present a saint like persona of someone, any leader needs to be accepted as a human being, with virtues and, definitely, some vices.In our country, the tendency is to make someone a prophet – something which will never be welcomed by us, adds Arpita.“We will happily look up to someone who is human and not a demi god.”Among most young, the issue of corruption in all spheres of life is a scourge which needs to be tackled with a realistic approach.Saying we will eradicate corrupt practices is easy, platitudes do no cost much, but let’s be realistic, making public services free of venal culture should be the goal, maintains, Ikhtishar Ahmed, a sportsman.When we talk about corruption, we usually mean illicit or underhand financial dealings, but the word corruption also involves moral degradation involving nepotism, cronyism and favouritism, Ikhtishar feels.Agreeing with him, Abdulla Al Bake, a journalist, says: “in the days ahead, we need to see a country where favouritism and nepotism are sidelined to give chance to skilled people.”Beyond all the lofty rhetoric in the past, we saw, party or political allegiance becoming the only criterion for selecting person (s) for public service posts, deplored Bake, saying: “this means without a political label, skills become futile and meaningless.”Echoing Bake’s sentiment, Shahnoor Karim, a former journalist, feels that in the days ahead, the government in place needs to set an example by selecting people for responsible posts based on talent, skills and capability.“All over the world, ‘jobs for the boys’ culture will remain and we cannot change that, but what we can do is to start the process of including merit-based recruitment in all sectors.It’s the demand for the recognition of merit rather than providing jobs based on quota which triggered the seismic events in 2024, recalls Fahmida Akhter, a social worker.“We all know there will be appointments based on party allegiance but if the new government wants to show they mean to act on their pledges of reform then for the first time they need to set aside some key posts where people will be chosen

Talking to reporters after visiting the Arambagh High School and College polling centre in the morning, Nasiruddin said the situation remained peaceful. 09:50amBNP Chairman Tarique Rahman cast his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka during the 13th national parliamentary election on Thursday morning. 09:00amBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman cast his vote in the 13th National Parliament Election and the referendum on Thursday morning. 07:40amBNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir casts his vote at Thakurgaon Government Girls’ High School on Thursday morning at 7:40am. Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates from today’s national election.

Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh, Ivars Ijabs, on Thursday said it is really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy as they began observing the country’s twin elections —national election and referendum—across the country. "I think this really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy," he told reporters at Siddheswari Girls' College at New Bailey Road after observing the opening of the vote casting. They deployed 90 short-term observers (STOs) to observe the election day proceedings in all 64 administrative districts of the country. The short-term observers will observe opening of polling centres, voting, closing, as well as counting of the ballots and the tabulation of results. “The short-term observers will be present in cities, towns and villages in almost every constituency.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam casts his vote at AKM Rahmatullah University College. He addressed the media after casting his vote at 8:05am on Thursday. Nahid said he had cast his first-ever vote at the same centre, then known as Rahmatullah Degree College. Now we have the chance to establish democracy through our voting rights, to advance the reform process by voting ‘Yes’ in the referendum, and to take Bangladesh forward by supporting the 11-party alliance,” he added. Voting in the 13th National Parliament Election began at 7:30am on Thursday, with polling underway across 299 constituencies amid tight security and high public anticipation.

09:50amBNP Chairman Tarique Rahman cast his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka during the 13th national parliamentary election on Thursday morning. 09:25amBNP Standing Committee member and sheaf of paddy candidate Salahuddin Ahmed cast his vote in the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum at a polling centre in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday morning. 09:00amBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman cast his vote in the 13th National Parliament Election and the referendum on Thursday morning. 07:40amBNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir casts his vote at Thakurgaon Government Girls’ High School on Thursday morning at 7:40am. Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates from today’s national election.

You’ve got to host galentines, you need to do this kind of Valentine’s experience, don’t forget to get them flowers and chocolate! The rapid rise and continued popularity of social media has brought a number of problems for us cognitively. In 2025, I deleted the two social media platforms I used the most: TikTok and Instagram. How does this relate to Valentine’s Day? This Valentine’s Day, know that the measure of love is not a dollar sign.

A total of 1,191 striking teams of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) have been deployed across the country to perform field-level duties during the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum, said a press release. Two Ansar Battalion striking teams have been deployed in each upazila and one in each district, with their activities being monitored round the clock from district, range and headquarters control rooms. To strengthen election security, a modern digital framework has been introduced. Under this system, one member from each striking team is serving as a responder on the 'Election Security App' to ensure rapid response and effective coordination. According to the press release, the Ansar Battalion striking teams will remain active during the pre-election, election day and post-election phases until February 14 and will remain prepared to prevent any untoward incidents.

We hope everyone will play a responsible role," Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and central publicity and media chief Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair told reporters this evening after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) at the Election Commission building in the capital's Agargaon. Zubair said maintaining a free and credible election was a shared responsibility of the government, the Election Commission, political parties and the media. We want to assure the nation through you that ensuring a fair election is the duty of all," he added. The Jamaat leader further alleged that in some constituencies, body-worn cameras were distributed in disproportionate numbers and called for cross-checking to ensure neutrality. Referring to incidents in Moulvibazar and Sirajganj, Zubair alleged attacks on leaders of the electoral alliance and said the matters had been formally communicated to the Election Commission.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Feb 11, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 18,624 law enforcement personnel have been deployed in all six constituencies in the district to ensure free, fair and peaceful 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum tomorrow. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer A S M Zamshed Khondaker today disclosed the information to journalists. The Election Commission has released the numerical breakdown of law enforcement personnel deployed across the six parliamentary constituencies in Khulna district for the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum. According to the official data, the deployed forces in the district include 1,250 members of the Bangladesh Army, 954 members of the Bangladesh Navy, 300 personnel of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and 355 members of the Coast Guard. Besides, 98 members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), 2,431 personnel of Metropolitan Police, 2,124 members of District Police, and 11,112 members of Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) have been assigned to election duties, Zamshed Khondaker added.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered several cocktails and petrol bombs from Jhargharia area of Badalgachhi upazila in Naogaon district on Wednesday. According to RAB sources, they conducted a drive in Jhargharia village and recovered the explosive items near a grocery shop in an abandoned condition. RAB officials recovered six cocktails, four petrol bombs and about 400 grams of bomb-making chemicals from a plastic sack containing a paper carton from the spot. RAB officials confirmed the incident and said that the recovered items were later destroyed in an open field with assistance from a bomb disposal unit. After destruction of the explosives, a general diary (GD) was filed with Badalgachhi Police Station, added RAB officials.

Three crude bombs explosions occurred at polling centres in Gopalganj ahead of the national election. On Wednesday, incidents took place at Nilar Maidan, Shahid Mahbub and Raghunathpur South Government Primary School centres in Gopalganj municipality, and at Guadana Bindubasini High School centre in Tungipara Upazila. On Wednesday evening, one crude bomb exploded on the roof of Raghunathpur South Government Primary School, while two others went off in front of the other two centres, shaking the surrounding areas with loud blasts. Gopalganj Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Sarwar Hossain confirmed the incidents, saying they were intended to create fear. Earlier, on Tuesday evening, a cocktail explosion occurred on the road in front of the deputy commissioner’s office.