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.

A high-speed train operated by Irio derailed and collided with an oncoming train in Adamuz, Andalusia, on Sunday night, killing 40 people and injuring more than 120. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced three days of national mourning following what has become the country’s deadliest rail disaster since 2013.

Regional leader Juan Manuel Moreno said rescue operations were still underway and that it could take 24 to 48 hours to confirm the final death toll. Heavy machinery was deployed to remove damaged carriages. Irio stated that the train had been inspected three days earlier and was nearly new, while Renfe president Álvaro Fernández Heredia suggested the cause was likely a mechanical or track fault rather than human error or excessive speed.

Survivors described the crash as a terrifying experience, and local residents rushed to assist with water, blankets, and rescue tools. Pope Leo XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

A massive pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 in Michigan on Monday morning, January 19, amid a severe snowstorm and whiteout conditions. The crash took place near Ottawa County, about 24 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, prompting authorities to close a 10-mile stretch of the highway between Hudsonville and Zeeland for several hours. According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, at least 10 people were injured, though none critically, and around two dozen semitrucks were involved. No deaths were reported.

Michigan officials said the region experienced heavy snowfall, strong winds, and poor road conditions throughout the day. The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids had earlier warned residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the Arctic cold front affecting the Great Lakes area. By 6 p.m., the sheriff’s office confirmed that the highway had been cleared and reopened to traffic.

Experts noted that subfreezing temperatures cause ice buildup on roads, significantly increasing accident risks, as even four-wheel-drive vehicles struggle to stop on slippery surfaces.

Iran and Bolivia have withdrawn visa-free travel privileges for Indian passport holders, even as India’s position in the Henley Passport Index 2026 improved from 85th to 80th place. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that Iran made visas mandatory from November 22, 2025, after reports that criminal groups exploited visa exemptions to lure Indians with false job offers and later kidnapped them for ransom. Indian travelers must now apply for a visa before visiting or transiting through Iran, and authorities have urged caution against agents offering visa-free transit.

Bolivia has also revised its visa policy for Indians, replacing its previous visa-on-arrival system with a mandatory electronic visa. Applicants must complete the process online by submitting documents and paying the required fee, with the e-visa issued digitally for travel use. In 2025, Bolivia had introduced visa-on-arrival for Indians, allowing entry without prior approval, which effectively functioned as a visa-free arrangement.

These policy changes come as India’s global travel access improves overall, but with new restrictions from two countries affecting Indian travelers’ mobility.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join the ‘Board of Peace,’ a new initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to oversee global conflict resolution and Gaza’s governance and reconstruction. The invitation was reported on January 19 by Al Jazeera. The move comes as uncertainty deepens over the end of the Ukraine war, which continues despite Trump’s earlier pledge to halt it within 24 hours of taking office.

According to White House sources, the board will be chaired by Trump and include influential leaders and figures from around the world. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin received the invitation and said Moscow is discussing the proposal’s details with Washington, though he did not comment on whether Putin intends to participate. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has also reportedly been invited.

The ‘Board of Peace’ is part of Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending Israel’s war in Gaza and establishing a post-war governance structure. Analysts have criticized the initiative for allegedly giving top roles to controversial figures like Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, while limiting Palestinians to lower-level administrative positions.

At least seven people were killed and more than twenty others injured in a powerful explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, according to the country’s Interior Ministry. The blast occurred on Monday, January 19, in the Shahr-e-Naw area, which is known for housing foreign residents and is considered one of the city’s relatively secure zones. Taliban officials confirmed the incident through news agencies AFP and Reuters, stating that further details would be released later.

The Italian NGO Emergency, which operates a hospital in Kabul, reported that the explosion took place near its facility. The organization said twenty victims were brought to its surgical center, seven of whom were already dead upon arrival. The cause of the explosion has not yet been disclosed.

Since the Taliban took power following the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. forces, the frequency of explosions in Kabul has decreased. However, Islamic State–linked militant groups remain active in Afghanistan and have continued to carry out sporadic attacks, including several suicide bombings in 2025.