Woman holds solo protest at DU after harassment on bus
A woman has staged a solo protest at the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University after being harassed on a bus, calling such incidents a “social disease” and seeking to raise awareness. Sidratul Muntaha Rahman Tibro held the protest at the base of the sculpture around on Tuesday, with several like-minded individuals joining in solidarity. Tibro told Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday that she was harassed on Monday while traveling to Shahbagh on a Ramjan Paribahan bus. She filed a complaint at Dhanmondi Model Police Station, and the alleged perpetrator was handed over to authorities. Explaining her protest, Tibro said: “These kinds of sexual harassment incidents happen constantly, and we’re not seeing any resolution.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:57 UTC
HAN | Campus Dialectic
Reading time: about 2 minutesIn May 1941, Kurt Vonnegut was an opinion columnist for The Sun. My new column, Campus Dialectic, will not teach you how to find the “real news” in the news. I thank Elf for showing me that valuable work can be done in the opinion department, where Campus Dialectic will call home. Eric Han Eric Han is a member of the Class of 2026 in the College of Arts and Sciences. His monthly column, Campus Dialectic, reviews recent Sun op-eds to speculate on cultural and political issues.
Source:Daily Sun
January 21, 2026 12:54 UTC
Federal Judge Rules Financial Aid Lawsuit Against Cornell Must Proceed
The lawsuit alleges that the schools conspired to reduce financial aid and favor wealthy students. Specifically, the plaintiffs argue that Cornell and other universities worked together to ensure that financial aid pricing was similar between institutions. The section was an exemption to the Sherman Antitrust Act that allowed need-blind institutions to collaborate on financial aid principles to ensure financial aid was similar among universities. Many universities, including Yale, Duke and Columbia, have already agreed to settlements over allegations of financial aid misconduct, with total amounts currently reaching nearly $320 million. That suit instead alleged coordination of financial aid practices through the College Board’s College Service Scholarship Program.
Source:Daily Sun
January 21, 2026 12:50 UTC
Mancha 24 raises concerns over election amid impunity, insecurity
Mancha 24 has expressed concern over the fairness of the upcoming national election, citing a persistent culture of impunity. Mancha 24 convener Fahim Faruqi made the remarks at a press conference in front of Madhur Canteen at Dhaka University on Wednesday. He called loan defaulters “thieves” and warned that no defaulter would be allowed into parliament, adding that resistance would be formed with bamboo sticks if necessary. Faruqi also alleged a Chhatra League leader threatened a Mancha 24 organizer and criticized arrests of government critics while real perpetrators remain free. Mancha 24 organizer Lt Col (retd) Hasinur Rahman called elections involving dual citizens and foreign nationals “shameful,” while Major Rabbi Shahin warned the election could turn violent due to lack of preparation against thuggery.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:43 UTC
Daily Horoscope for January 21, 2026
General Daily Insight for January 21, 2026 A lot of noise may obscure today’s details, but we’re capable of piercing through it. The vibrant Sun meets clever Mercury, inviting you to reach beyond your usual scripts and explore fresh ideas. Cancer June 21 – July 22 Peace and communication need one another even more than usual. Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Afternoon chats can bring surprising bright turns. The spirited Sun meets talkative Mercury in your friendly sign, providing a lift anywhere you might need it.
Source:Daily Sun
January 21, 2026 12:30 UTC
Govt to procure 30,000 MTs fertilizer, 2.71cr liters of soybean oil
Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) – The government today approved separate proposals for procuring some 30,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer and more than 2.71 crore liters of soybean oil to meet the growing demand for the country. Per liter soybean oil will cost Taka 131.49. Under the consignment, per ton fertilizer would cost $405.25. Apart from these, procurement proposal for purchase of two large high-speed boats for Bangladesh Coast Guard under the revenue budget with around Taka 89.50 crore was approved in the day’s purchase committee meeting. In addition, three separate procurement proposals on the “Bangladesh Road Safety” were also approved in the day’s meeting.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 21, 2026 12:25 UTC
Tarique Rahman receives ‘sheaf of paddy’ for Dhaka-17
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has received the “sheaf of paddy” (dhaner shish) symbol as the member of parliament candidate for the Dhaka-17 constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking to reporters after receiving the symbol, Monirul said the Dhaka divisional commissioner had allocated the “sheaf of paddy” symbol in favor of Tarique Rahman and instructed all candidates to abide by the electoral code of conduct. He added that voters of all classes, starting from the youth, are inclined to vote for Tarique Rahman. After receiving their symbols, candidates will start formal election campaigning from Thursday. Alongside the parliamentary election, a referendum will also be held on the same day using a separate ballot.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:21 UTC
Justice Farah Mahbub becomes Judicial Service Commission chairman
The President on Wednesday appointed Justice Farah Mahbub of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court as the chairman of Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission (BJSC). A Law and Justice Division gazette, signed by its secretary Liaquet Ali Molla, said the President made the appointment as per Rule 3(2) (Ka) of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission Rules, 2007. The appointment will come into effect immediately, it added.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:21 UTC
With monitors and lawsuits, Pakistanis fight for clean air
With pollution in Pakistan hitting record highs in recent years, citizens clutching air monitors and legal papers are taking the fight for clean air into their own hands. Using one of their air monitors, Paqi demonstrated that “the air quality was hazardous inside the courtroom,” Omar said. “They got alarmed and shut down some stations when the air pollution went up,” Omar said. Worried about their community in Islamabad, academics Umair Shahid and Taha Ali established the Curious Friends of Clean Air organization. “We need accessible public transport... we need to go towards sustainable development,” said Imran, who moved from Lahore to Islamabad in search of better air quality.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:19 UTC
Legal notice demands separate police commissioners for DNCC, DSCC
A legal notice has been served on the government demanding the appointment of two separate police commissioners for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The notice was sent to the secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, with a copy forwarded to the inspector general of police. Citing existing laws, principles of administrative justice, and norms of good governance, the notice said each city corporation should have its own police commissioner. It called for the immediate appointment of one police commissioner for DNCC and another for DSCC through necessary legal and administrative measures. The notice warned that legal action would be initiated if effective steps are not taken within 15 days of receipt.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:19 UTC
NCP to launch election campaign with visits to shrines of three leaders, Hadi’s grave
The National Citizens Party (NCP) will formally begin its election campaign on Thursday by paying respects at the shrines of three national leaders—Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Khwaja Nazimuddin and Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq—in the Dhaka University area, as well as at the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi. The program is scheduled to start at 10am and will be attended by party Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Joint Conveners Ariful and Javed Rasin, Joint Member Secretary Monira Sharmin, and leaders Dilshana Parul and Nabila Tasnid, among others. According to party sources, following the visits, the party leaders will proceed towards the Press Club.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:19 UTC
CA Yunus: February 12 final, preparations begin Wednesday
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said preparations for the 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July National Charter have entered the final phase, with February 12 set as the decisive day. “Our step-by-step preparations have begun starting from Wednesday with February 12 as the final target. Chaired by Professor Yunus, the meeting reviewed overall security and logistical preparations ahead of the polls. Stressing the government’s role, the chief adviser said supporting the Election Commission was a core responsibility. The chief adviser further noted that candidates were maintaining a positive and cooperative attitude and expressed hope that this would continue.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:19 UTC
Suspected jihadist attack kills 31 civilians in Niger
An armed attack has killed at least 31 civilians in a village in western Niger near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali in a region rife with jihadist groups, local sources said Tuesday. The assailants struck on Sunday in a village lying in the Tillaberi region, located in the so-called tri-border area -- a flashpoint zone where the frontiers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali converge. Jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have made the region a fiefdom, carrying out deadly attacks for nearly a decade. “On Sunday, armed individuals killed 31 of our residents in Bosiye; 30 died on the spot, and one of the five wounded succumbed at a health center,” a resident told AFP. The Tillaberi region became the “deadliest region across central Sahel” in 2025, according to Acled, an NGO that monitors conflicts.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 21, 2026 12:19 UTC
Four illegal brick kilns demolished in Jhenaidah, fined Tk 20 lakh
Muntasir Rahman, Assistant Director of the Jhenaidah Department of Environment, said the brick kiln operators were violating the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment Control Act-2013 by using firewood and running the kilns without legal authorization. The demolition targeted Shah Bricks and Milan Bricks in Dudhsar village, as well as M/S Molla Bricks and M/S. Each kiln was fined Taka 5 lakh, totaling Taka 20 lakh in fines. Muntasir Rahman added that during the operation, the owners signed bonds promising not to run brick kilns illegally in the future. He also stated that the Department's campaign against unauthorized brick kilns will continue across the district.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 21, 2026 12:16 UTC
Prince Harry takes the stand in his phone hacking lawsuit against Daily Mail
LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry entered the witness box Wednesday for his testimony against the publisher of the Daily Mail in the final round of his battle against the British tabloids. Defense lawyer Antony White immediately began cross-examining Harry on his written evidence. The company has vehemently denied the allegations and says witnesses from the newspapers will name names of sources when they testify in the nine-week trial. Harry was dressed in a dark suit as he stepped up to the witness box. He held a small Bible in his right hand as he swore on “almighty God that the evidence I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”The Duke of Sussex said he preferred to be addressed simply as Prince Harry.
Source:Daily Sun
January 21, 2026 12:05 UTC