Denmark hails 'very constructive' meeting with US over Greenland
Denmark hails 'very constructive' meeting with US over GreenlandBRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Denmark's foreign minister said Thursday he was "more optimistic" after technical talks kicked off with the United States over Greenland. "We have had the very first meeting at senior official level in Washington yesterday regarding the Greenlandic issue," Lars Lokke Rasmussen told journalists at an EU meeting in Brussels. Trump's threats over Greenland plunged the transtatlantic alliance into its deepest crisis in years. But few concrete details appear to have been agreed -- with authorities in Denmark and Greenland refusing to discuss handing over any sovereignty. As part of the compromise with Washington NATO is expected to bolster its activities in the Arctic, while Denmark and Greenland could renegotiate a 1951 treaty on US troop deployments.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 09:19 UTC
Commonwealth, EU to deploy large observer missions for upcoming polls
DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Commonwealth and the European Union (EU) are among the leading international organizations set to deploy large teams of election observers for Bangladesh's upcoming general election and the referendum, scheduled for February 12. Former President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo will lead the 14-member Commonwealth Observer Group, Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. The Observer Group will be supported by a secretariat team led by Linford Andrews, Head and Adviser of the Electoral Support Section. The EU EOM will be led by Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs, a Member of the European Parliament from Latvia. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, who is supporting the coordination of election observer visits on behalf of the interim government, said confirmations from international organizations and countries were increasing daily.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 29, 2026 09:13 UTC
BNP calls Sherpur killing ‘unwarranted,’ demands quick probe
BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Thursday called the clash between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Sherpur, which left one person dead, "unwarranted" and called for a quick and impartial investigation. Replying to journalists’ questions at a press conference at the BNP Election Office in Gulshan, Mahdi also said it should be examined whether the clash could have been avoided. The BNP spokesperson said many questions have naturally arisen about how the Sherpur incident began, who was behind it, and why the administration and law enforcement agencies failed to keep the situation under control. He also said more than 40 BNP leaders and activists were injured, several of them critically. Calling for stronger action from the administration and law enforcement agencies, the BNP spokesperson urged them to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 08:29 UTC
What’s Happening at the Library
Every day is an opportunity to discover something new, especially if, like me, you’re a librarian (or at least know where your local library is). Every day when I come into the library starts off as a good day because there’s always the potential of finding a new read. This is in spite of the fact that librarians don’t just read books all day. I have sadly never read this one, but it is soon to be on my To Be Read pile (one of the downsides of being a librarian, sadly, is having a To Be Read pile that is at least a couple of stories tall). The library has many books to discover and many voices to hear, so stop by and feel the joy of discovering an author.
Source:Daily Sun
January 29, 2026 08:04 UTC
EC orders printing presses not to print election posters
The Election Commission has directed printing presses across the country not to print any posters for the 13th parliamentary election. The directive was sent to returning officers on Wednesday by Election Commission Deputy Secretary Monir Hossain. Under the election code of conduct, the use of posters in campaign activities is prohibited. Under the circumstances, the relevant authorities have been instructed to ensure that no candidate uses posters. The Election Commission has also asked for administrative measures to be taken to issue necessary instructions to printing presses to stop printing election posters.
Source:bd News24
January 29, 2026 07:33 UTC
‘Something Close to a Miracle’: How Donations and Community Efforts Saved the Museum of the Earth
In Ithaca, PRI is more well-known through its public-facing counterpart, the Museum of the Earth, which showcases its vast fossil collections and brings earth science exhibits to the public. An Outpouring of Community SupportAllmon credits individuals in Ithaca, as well as across New York State, nationally and internationally, for helping save PRI and the Museum of the Earth. Beyond exhibits, PRI remains deeply embedded in the Ithaca community. “I think that museums play an important role in improving science literacy in a community,” Ross said. Cornell students also play an ongoing role in PRI’s work through volunteering, work-study positions and individual research projects, Ross told The Sun.
Source:Daily Sun
January 29, 2026 07:03 UTC
Cornell Appoints Prof. Thorsten Joachims As New Vice Provost for Artificial Intelligence Strategy Position
Reading time: about 3 minutesProf. Thorsten Joachims, computer science and information science, was appointed to the new position of vice provost for artificial intelligence strategy on Jan. 1, according to a University press release sent on Tuesday. The Cornell AI Initiative, which Joachims currently directs, will be expanded under the position, Provost Kavita Bala told The Cornell Chronicle. The vice provost for artificial intelligence strategy will coordinate AI efforts across the university, from furthering research to strategizing classroom use. Created alongside the new position was the AI Strategy Council, consisting of Natalie Bazarova, associate vice provost for research; Steve Jackson, vice provost for academic innovation; Ben Maddox, chief information officer; Vinay Varughese, Weill Cornell chief information officer; and Fei Wang, Weill Cornell associate dean for AI and data science. This council will collaborate with Joachims on AI research and work in tandem with the Cornell AI Initiative, launched in 2021, which researches and evaluates the ethical, educational, health and labor effects of new generative technology, according to its website.
Source:Daily Sun
January 29, 2026 07:01 UTC
Air quality worsens as Dhaka tops global pollution ranking
At 9:20am, Dhaka recorded an air quality index (AQI) score of 257 and classified it as ‘very unhealthy’ as reported by IQAir. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 06:28 UTC
23 Bangladeshis rescued from lorry smuggling attempt from UK to France
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has rescued 23 Bangladeshi nationals who were being smuggled from London to France inside a lorry, exposing a large organised human trafficking network based in east London’s Tower Hamlets. According to a report by the BBC on Wednesday, the rescue took place during a special NCA operation near the Port of Dover. During the operation, officers searched a lorry and found the Bangladeshis concealed inside. NCA officials said that 22 of the rescued individuals were legally residing in the UK but attempted the dangerous journey to bypass France’s strict entry requirements. The operation led to the arrest of a 43-year-old man from New Cross, believed to be the ringleader of the trafficking network.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 06:28 UTC
CA: Rohingya crisis not receiving due attention, repatriation only solution
“The problem began in Myanmar, and the solution must also come from there. Prof Yunus said the repatriation of more than one million Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar’s Rakhine State remains the only viable and sustainable solution to the crisis. The meeting also covered the Rohingya situation in Bhasan Char, the upcoming general elections and referendum, and the country’s democratic transition. Ivo Freijsen said that Barham Salih, the newly appointed UNHCR chief, has expressed keen interest in visiting Bangladesh in the near future and is expected to travel to the Rohingya camps. Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary to the government, was also present at the meeting.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 06:28 UTC
Ensuring a free press is essential
We are deeply concerned about the warning signs of a shrinking media freedom in Bangladesh. A free press is the lifeline of a functioning democracy, and targeted attacks on this institution, like the recent cases we have witnessed, should evoke more outrage. Protecting media freedom requires commitment at all levels. A democracy cannot mature if its commentators are silenced, and ensuring media freedom means safeguarding the public’s right to know and the nation’s right to self-reflection. In this crucial juncture of rapid change for Bangladesh, the freedom to report, question, and critique is indispensable.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 06:28 UTC
US Ambassador pays courtesy call on Jamaat ameer
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at his Bashundhara office in the capital on Thursday morning. The two sides exchanged views on various issues, including Bangladesh’s prevailing political and economic situation, industry and trade, the national election, state reforms and the Rohingya issue, according to a social media post of the political party. Both sides also expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States in the future. Jamaat assistant secretary general and central publicity and media department chief Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, central executive council member Md Mobarak Hossain and the Ameer’s foreign affairs adviser Professor Dr Mahmudul Hasan were also present at the meeting.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 06:28 UTC
Mourinho's Benfica stun Real Madrid in 4-2 thriller
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic stoppage-time header to secure a 4-2 Champions League win over Real Madrid, keeping Jose Mourinho’s side alive in Europe. The victory also allowed Benfica to snatch a play-off spot at the expense of Marseille. Mourinho praised the goal, calling it “fantastic, historic and well deserved” and said beating Real Madrid, his former club, brought “incredible prestige” to Benfica. Trubin’s late heroics overturned that narrative, with European football analyst Julien Laurens calling the result “incredible,” highlighting the drama of Mourinho’s victory against his former club and former protégé, Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Looking ahead, Benfica could face either Real Madrid or Inter Milan in the play-off round.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 05:19 UTC
Real, PSG drop into playoffs as Liverpool, Barca, City sweep through
Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona booked last-16 places in the Champions League on Wednesday, as holders Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid missed out on the top eight. But holders PSG will have to go through the knockout play-off round, as they did en route to glory last season, after a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle. Man City, Champions League winners in 2023, saw off Galatasaray 2-0 at the Etihad to grab eighth place with goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. - Real face play-offs after 'keeper drama -Real Madrid took the lead against Benfica when Kylian Mbappe headed home his 12th Champions League goal of the season. Atletico, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge and Galatasaray are the other sides into the play-off round.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2026 05:19 UTC