US President Donald Trump described the United Nations as a 'useless' organization during a press briefing at the White House on Tuesday. He said a newly proposed 'Peace Board', created to end the war in Gaza and oversee the region’s reconstruction, could serve as an alternative to the UN. When asked if the board would replace the UN, Trump replied that it might, adding that the UN is not very effective.

Trump announced that the 'Peace Board' would be composed of world leaders and that he would serve as its chairman indefinitely, even beyond his presidential term. The board will grant permanent membership to countries contributing one billion dollars. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have already confirmed their participation. Trump is also inviting leaders of major powers, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, to join.

The initiative aims to manage Gaza’s governance and rebuilding efforts following the conflict, positioning the board as a new global platform for peace oversight.

Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on all Indian-registered aircraft for another month, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) announced. The restriction, which applies to both civilian and military aircraft, will now remain in effect until February 24. According to the PCAA, the ban covers all aircraft owned, operated, or leased by Indian airlines, as well as Indian military planes.

The measure was originally imposed amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Although a ceasefire was later brokered through U.S. mediation, Islamabad has not lifted the airspace restriction. The PCAA had previously extended the ban until January 23, maintaining it despite ongoing diplomatic contacts between the two countries.

The continued closure of Pakistani airspace has caused significant financial and operational strain on Indian airlines. Flights to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States are being forced to take longer routes, increasing fuel consumption and extending travel times by nearly three hours.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his firm position on bringing Greenland under American control, declaring on social media that the territory is extremely important and that there is no room for retreat. During a White House press conference, when asked how far he was willing to go in acquiring Greenland, Trump replied that the world would know in due time. His remarks have sparked renewed international concern, according to BBC reports.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the world is gradually moving toward a ruleless order, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the old global system is not returning. Trump is expected to arrive in Davos on Wednesday for several key meetings on the Greenland issue, assuring that everything will ultimately work out in America’s favor.

Greenland’s Minister for Industry and Natural Resources, Naja Nathanielsen, said that the people of Greenland were shocked by Trump’s comments and emphasized their desire to determine their own future. Analysts believe Trump’s tough stance is creating new diplomatic tension between the United States and its allies.

About 200 Islamic State (IS) detainees escaped from a prison in Syria’s eastern Hasakah province on Monday amid confusion during a control handover between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government. The incident occurred at the Al-Shaddadi prison, and both U.S. officials and regional sources confirmed the escape.

The escape followed a unification agreement signed on Sunday under which the SDF agreed to withdraw from two Arab-majority provinces it had long controlled. As part of the deal, responsibility for prisons holding IS detainees was to be transferred from the SDF to the Syrian government. Damascus accused the SDF of deliberately delaying the handover, while Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara voiced dissatisfaction with Kurdish autonomy and hinted at dissolving the SDF leadership.

According to U.S. officials, Washington had been working with the SDF to relocate the most dangerous foreign IS prisoners to more secure facilities before the ceasefire. Following the escape, Syrian forces imposed a curfew in Al-Shaddadi and launched a large-scale operation to capture the fugitives.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced a four-day ceasefire with the Syrian government after the army consolidated its positions in the country’s northeast. According to the Syrian army, the truce took effect on Tuesday at 8 p.m. local time. The army also requested that the SDF nominate a candidate to serve as an assistant defense minister in Damascus as part of efforts to integrate Kurdish forces into the state structure.

The SDF confirmed its agreement to the ceasefire, stating it would refrain from military action unless attacked again. In a statement, the group expressed readiness to implement the agreement and resolve disputes through political dialogue. However, shortly after the ceasefire took effect, the SDF accused government-backed groups of launching heavy-weapon attacks near Tal Baroud village south of Hasakah and shelling the city of Zarkan.

In recent days, the Syrian army has reportedly advanced rapidly, taking control of areas previously held by the SDF, signaling a volatile situation despite the declared truce.

A commuter train derailed in Barcelona on Tuesday evening, killing the driver and injuring 37 passengers, five of them seriously. The train reportedly struck a wall beside the tracks before crashing to the ground. Local officials confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated, and one person trapped inside was later rescued. The injured were taken to various hospitals for treatment.

The incident occurred just three days after another major train accident in southern Spain that left at least 40 people dead. Authorities have attributed the latest derailment to severe weather conditions affecting several regions of the country. Around the same time, another commuter train in Barcelona also derailed after hitting stones on the track during a storm, though no casualties were reported.

Despite high alerts issued for coastal and northeastern areas due to adverse weather, Spain has faced two serious train accidents within a short span, raising concerns about rail safety under extreme conditions.

The United Nations has reported that nearly 4,000 shelters across the Gaza Strip were damaged by a recent storm, affecting at least 80 displacement areas. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a press conference that despite daily obstacles and restrictions, humanitarian operations continue with the support of partner agencies. Over 660 families have already received emergency supplies, including food, tents, and tarpaulins.

Haq emphasized the urgent need for sustainable shelter solutions in Gaza, including repairing damaged homes, clearing debris, and restoring water and sanitation systems. He also noted that the Israeli military distributed leaflets in Bani Suheila and eastern Khan Younis, instructing residents to evacuate, while about 400 families remain in those areas.

The UN reiterated its call to ensure the protection of civilians under all circumstances, allow safe movement of people, and guarantee their right to return once conditions stabilize.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Ankara will continue to work in coordination with the United States to establish peace in Gaza. He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for inviting Turkey to join the newly formed 'peace board' for Gaza, according to TRT World.

Earlier, Trump stated that he had a 'very important' phone conversation with Erdogan and expressed his admiration for the Turkish leader. Last Friday, the White House announced the creation of a 'peace board' to help permanently end Israel’s killings in Gaza and to implement Trump’s 20-point plan for rebuilding the war-torn enclave.

As part of the broader plan to resolve the Gaza conflict, a national committee has also been established to oversee governance in Gaza. Trump invited Erdogan and other heads of state and government to join the peace board.

Thirty-six Bangladeshi nationals who spent between Tk 40 lakh and Tk 80 lakh each to reach the United States were deported and returned home empty-handed. They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday at noon aboard a special US military flight as part of Washington’s anti-illegal immigration drive. The group included one woman, and their return was confirmed by a BRAC Migration Program press release.

According to BRAC, most of the deportees had initially traveled legally to Brazil with clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) before attempting to enter the US illegally through Mexico. Their asylum applications were later rejected after lengthy legal proceedings. BRAC’s Migration and Youth Platform Associate Director Shariful Hasan said the organization provided emergency support and transportation assistance upon their arrival.

Hasan questioned whether the government’s approval for sending workers to Brazil was being misused as a transit route to the US. He urged accountability for the agencies involved and called for greater caution before issuing new approvals, noting that 1,320 Bangladeshis went to Brazil in 2025, including 951 from Noakhali.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has expressed profound grief and sorrow over a devastating high-speed train accident near Adamuz, close to the city of Córdoba in southern Spain. In a condolence message sent to Spanish President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, Yunus conveyed sympathy on behalf of the people and government of Bangladesh, as well as personally, to the families of the victims and those affected by the tragedy. The message was released by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Tuesday.

Yunus stated that the news of the tragic loss of lives and injuries deeply saddened the people of Bangladesh. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Spain during this time of mourning. He prayed for peace for the departed souls and strength for their families to endure the irreparable loss.

The Chief Adviser also wished a speedy and full recovery for all those injured in the accident, reaffirming Bangladesh’s solidarity with Spain in this moment of grief.

U.S. President Donald Trump has shared on social media screenshots of messages purportedly sent by French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. According to Reuters, a source close to Macron confirmed the authenticity of Macron’s message. In the message, Macron questioned Trump’s activities in Greenland and proposed holding a G7 meeting after the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Macron also suggested inviting Russia to the proposed G7 meeting, noting that the country had been expelled from the G8 in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea. Trump additionally posted another screenshot showing a message from NATO chief Mark Rutte, who thanked Trump for his work in Syria and expressed commitment to finding a way forward in Greenland.

The posts have drawn attention due to their references to Greenland and the potential inclusion of Russia in future G7 discussions, though no further official responses were mentioned in the report.

China has confirmed receiving an invitation from the United States to join President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Peace Board’. The announcement was made in Beijing on Tuesday by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing. Guo stated that China had received the invitation but did not clarify whether Beijing would accept it.

The board was initially conceived to oversee the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza region. However, its charter does not specify whether its activities will be limited to Palestinian-controlled areas. According to available information, Washington has invited leaders from several countries to join the initiative. Under the proposed structure, President Donald Trump would serve as the board’s chair, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney among its members.

Guo Jiakun also commented on China–U.S. relations, noting that despite fluctuations over the past year, ties have remained relatively stable. He emphasized that cooperation benefits both nations, while conflict harms both sides.

Nine people have been confirmed dead following an explosion at a steel plant in China’s northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred over the weekend at the Baogang United Steel plant, where a water and steam tank with a capacity of 650 cubic meters reportedly exploded. At least 84 people were hospitalized after the blast, and one person remains missing as rescue teams continue search operations.

Videos circulating on social media showed the plant’s collapsed roof, debris, and thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Firefighting vehicles were deployed to the site, and footage captured a large object being hurled into the air during the explosion. Residents living several kilometers away said the blast shook their homes and shattered windows.

The report noted that China has experienced several major industrial accidents in the past, including a fireworks factory explosion in Hunan Province last June that killed nine people and a 2015 chemical warehouse blast in Tianjin that claimed more than 170 lives.

The US Embassy in Dhaka announced on Tuesday that Bangladeshi students studying in the United States under F or M visas are exempt from the newly introduced visa bond requirement. According to the embassy’s statement, the bond applies only to business or tourism (B1/B2) visa applicants in specific cases.

The clarification follows an earlier embassy notice issued on Monday, which stated that from January 21, Bangladeshi citizens approved for business or tourism visas must deposit up to 15,000 US dollars as a visa bond to prevent overstaying. The embassy also noted that those holding valid B1/B2 visas issued before January 21 are not subject to this condition. Applicants were cautioned not to pay the bond before their interview, as early payment does not guarantee visa approval and may expose them to fraudulent third-party websites.

The embassy further stated that the bond amount would be refunded if visa conditions are properly followed. The US Department of State had earlier listed Bangladesh among 38 countries whose citizens may be required to post such a bond when applying for entry to the United States.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has issued a new directive prohibiting landlords from increasing house rents more than once every two years. The announcement was made at the DNCC headquarters in Gulshan-2, where Administrator Mohammad Ejaz stated that the common practice of raising rents in January must end. Under the new policy, rent adjustments will only be allowed during the fiscal year’s June–July period.

The directive outlines responsibilities for both landlords and tenants. Landlords must ensure houses remain habitable, provide essential utilities such as gas, electricity, and water, and manage household waste regularly. They may also allow rooftop or open-space greenery. Tenants must pay rent by the 10th of each month and collect written receipts. Any changes or security measures by landlords must be communicated to tenants.

The guideline further specifies that rent increases cannot exceed 15 percent of the prevailing market rate in the area. Written agreements are mandatory, advance rent may cover one to three months, and local landlord-tenant associations will handle disputes with DNCC providing ward-level support.