US President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking to establish an international organization called the 'Board of Peace' as an alternative to the United Nations, according to a Bloomberg report. The draft charter obtained by Bloomberg states that Trump would serve as the first chairman with full veto power over membership selection and removal. Countries would be required to pay one billion dollars to become permanent members, while general membership would last three years.

The draft charter argues that existing international structures have failed to maintain peace and calls for a more flexible and effective global peace body. Analysts believe this initiative signals Trump’s intent to create a parallel framework to the UN. The Board of Peace is described as an organization aimed at ensuring stability, lawful governance, and sustainable peace in conflict-prone regions.

According to the report, several countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada, have been invited to join the board to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and interim governance. Egypt is still considering the invitation, while Canada has expressed interest.

At least 5,000 people have been killed in ongoing anti-government protests and violence across Iran, according to the country's authorities. Among the dead are about 500 members of the security forces, a government official told Reuters. The official, who requested anonymity, blamed the deaths of 'innocent' Iranians on 'terrorists and armed rioters.' The most severe clashes and highest casualties reportedly occurred in the Kurdish-populated northwestern regions, where separatist groups are active.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) earlier reported a lower confirmed death toll of 3,308, with an additional 4,382 deaths still under verification. HRANA also stated that more than 24,000 people have been arrested during the unrest. The differing figures highlight the difficulty of obtaining accurate casualty data amid widespread violence and restricted information flow.

The situation remains tense, particularly in Kurdish areas, which have historically experienced intense unrest during periods of political instability.

Russia has issued a sharp warning to European countries following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on eight European nations amid tensions over Greenland. On Saturday, Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s special envoy and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said Europe should not “provoke their father.” His comments came after Trump declared a 10 percent tariff on imports from the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, citing national security concerns linked to Greenland.

According to Dmitriev, the tariffs were imposed in response to European military involvement in Greenland, claiming that roughly one percent duty was applied per soldier sent. Trump stated that the tariffs would take effect on February 1 and rise to 25 percent on June 1, remaining in place until a full agreement is reached over the “complete purchase” of Greenland. He argued that U.S. control of the Arctic territory is essential for national security.

The dispute underscores renewed geopolitical friction over Greenland’s strategic importance, drawing in both European and Russian commentary following Washington’s tariff escalation.

The United States has withdrawn its forces from the strategically important Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq, transferring full control to the Iraqi army. Iraq’s Ministry of Defense confirmed on Saturday that the withdrawal of foreign troops stationed at the base has been completed and Iraqi forces have formally assumed responsibility. An Iraqi army colonel also verified the departure, noting that a small number of US troops remain due to logistical issues, though no further details were disclosed for security reasons.

The withdrawal follows a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad to gradually reduce the presence of the US-led coalition in Iraq. The deal outlines a phased drawdown and aims to strengthen future bilateral security cooperation between the two countries. Ain al-Asad had long served as a key military hub for US and allied forces and was frequently targeted by Iran-backed groups during periods of regional tension.

The exact start date of the withdrawal process remains unclear, though earlier plans projected completion by the end of 2026.

Authorities in Indonesia have recovered the wreckage of a missing fisheries surveillance aircraft in the mountainous and fog-covered region of South Sulawesi province. The plane, owned by Indonesia Air Transport Group, lost contact with air traffic control around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, while flying over the Maros area. It was carrying eight crew members and three passengers, all linked to a ministry mission monitoring fisheries, and was en route from Yogyakarta province to Makassar, the provincial capital.

On Sunday morning, January 18, local rescue teams identified the wreckage near Mount Bulusaraung after a helicopter crew spotted a broken window fragment. Rescue chief Muhammad Arif Anwar said operations have been intensified, with up to 1,200 personnel ready for deployment. The search for the missing 11 remains the top priority, and there is still hope that some may be alive.

Dense fog, rugged terrain, and strong winds have hampered rescue efforts. Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee will investigate the cause of the crash, which experts suggest may involve multiple contributing factors.

At least five people were killed in a massive fire that broke out late Saturday night at Gul Plaza shopping mall on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan. Officials said the blaze burned for more than ten hours before being partially brought under control. By Sunday morning, part of the building had collapsed due to intense heat, and firefighters were still unable to enter the structure, severely disrupting rescue and search operations.

The Chief Fire Officer said the building’s enclosed design and poor ventilation made firefighting extremely difficult. Karachi South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khosa told Geo News that the fire had reignited in the rear section of the first floor and that people might still be trapped between the first and second floors. He added that the lack of emergency exits was under investigation and that the building’s fire safety compliance would be reviewed. Rescue 1122 officials reported that 20 fire tenders and four snorkels were deployed from three directions, but large amounts of flammable materials inside hindered progress.

Authorities confirmed that 25 people had been rescued alive, though an unknown number remained trapped as parts of the building continued to collapse.

Israel has raised objections to the composition of a panel formed under the 'Board of Peace' announced by U.S. President Donald Trump to oversee postwar governance in Gaza. On Saturday, Israel stated that the White House did not consult or coordinate with it regarding the selection of members for the Gaza Executive Board. Tel Aviv argued that the initiative contradicts Israeli policy, particularly criticizing the inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and a Qatari official.

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the formation of the Gaza Executive Board under the Board of Peace was uncoordinated with Israel and inconsistent with its national policy. The Israeli foreign minister has been instructed to contact the U.S. secretary of state on the matter. Meanwhile, the formation of the Board of Peace began Saturday, with invitations extended to leaders from Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada.

Donald Trump has declared himself chairman of the board and presented an economic reconstruction plan for Gaza that has already sparked debate. The board also includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and senior advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European countries opposing the U.S. attempt to acquire Greenland. In a message posted on social media platform X on Saturday, Macron described Trump’s position as unjustified and unacceptable, saying that such a threat has no legitimacy in the current context.

Macron warned that if the tariff threat is implemented, European nations will respond in a united and coordinated manner. He emphasized that all necessary measures will be taken to protect Europe’s sovereignty and confirmed that he will continue discussions with European partners on this stance.

Earlier, Trump had announced plans to impose a 10 percent tariff on goods from several European countries starting in February, which could rise to 25 percent by June 1. He also warned that the tariffs would remain in place until the Greenland acquisition effort is completed.

Bloomberg reported on January 9, 2026, that Turkey is planning to join a defense agreement originally signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025. The move comes only weeks after the Trump administration’s return to the White House, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern security politics. Analysts view Turkey’s participation as a direct challenge to the U.S. exchange-based foreign policy and a sign of Ankara’s growing independence in defense and diplomacy.

The agreement, still in its formative stage, reflects a broader transformation in how regional security is structured—no longer under a single umbrella but as a multilayered portfolio driven by trade, logistics, and industrial capacity. Saudi Arabia seeks strategic alternatives to U.S. dependence, Pakistan aims to monetize its defense assets, and Turkey wants to expand its influence without leaving NATO. The pact’s success will depend on whether it evolves beyond symbolic cooperation into a functional defense framework.

For businesses in the Gulf and Mediterranean regions, the emerging security architecture could reshape insurance costs, credit terms, and risk premiums, as financial models begin to incorporate geopolitical volatility into long-term planning.

The Gambia’s case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against its Rohingya Muslim minority opened this week at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Attorney General Dawda A Jallow told judges that the Rohingya were “targeted for destruction” by Myanmar’s military, nearly a decade after an offensive forced about 750,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. The hearing marks the first time the ICJ is considering a genocide case brought by one country on behalf of another group. Rohingya refugees attended the opening session and are expected to testify in closed hearings, though no date has been set for a final ruling.

The Gambia filed the case in 2019 under the 1948 Genocide Convention, acting on behalf of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation. The initiative was led by then–Attorney General Abubacarr Tambadou and has since gained support from seven countries, including Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The case follows UN findings that Myanmar’s 2016–2017 military campaign showed “genocidal intent,” killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands. Myanmar denies the allegations, claiming it targeted armed groups. The ICJ’s decision could influence other genocide cases pending before the court.

The Gambia’s pursuit of justice is partly rooted in its own experience confronting past human rights abuses under former dictator Yahya Jammeh, according to former officials. The government’s engagement reflects a broader commitment to universal human rights and accountability.

An Israeli military Yasur (Black Hawk) helicopter crashed in the occupied West Bank on Friday, January 16, 2026. According to the Israeli army, no casualties were reported in the incident. The helicopter had earlier made an emergency landing in an open area of the Etzion Brigade zone in the southern West Bank due to adverse weather conditions. It lost control and crashed while being removed from the site.

Israeli Air Force chief Tomer Bar has ordered the formation of a military investigation committee to determine the exact cause of the crash. The incident occurred as tensions in the West Bank have intensified since the start of the Gaza war. Local sources reported that since October 2023, more than 1,080 Palestinians have been killed, around 11,000 injured, and over 20,000 arrested during Israeli operations in the area.

The crash adds to the ongoing instability in the region, where military operations and humanitarian conditions have sharply deteriorated since the escalation of conflict in Gaza.

United States President Donald Trump has invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to join his proposed “board of peace” to oversee Gaza’s post-war transition. The invitations were confirmed by authorities in Ankara and Cairo, with Erdogan receiving his on Friday and Egypt’s foreign minister saying Cairo was reviewing a similar offer. The board, part of Trump’s plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza, is expected to supervise temporary governance in the territory.

The White House announced that Trump will chair a “founding executive board” including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Additional members include World Bank President Ajay Banga and UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov, who will serve as high representative for Gaza. A UN Security Council resolution in November authorised the board and an international stabilisation force under US command.

Reactions have been mixed. Rights experts criticised the plan as resembling a colonial structure, while Palestinians in Gaza voiced concern that the board’s members could prioritise control over justice and reconstruction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed the board’s composition, saying it was not coordinated with Israel.

Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 26, triggered immediate condemnation from Somalia and across Africa and the Middle East. Yemen’s Houthi movement warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target. The tensions deepened when Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland this month, including the strategic port city of Berbera, and discussed security cooperation. Somaliland officials signalled openness to hosting Israeli military assets, placing Israel directly across the Gulf of Aden from Houthi-controlled areas.

Analysts say Israel’s move reflects a strategic shift toward engaging non-traditional partners amid growing threats from Iran-backed groups. Experts cited Somaliland’s location as a potential intelligence and operational base against the Houthis, who have targeted Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea. Somaliland, facing diplomatic isolation and internal pressure from Somalia, views Israel’s recognition as a crucial breakthrough. Somalia’s government, however, urged renewed dialogue, warning that recognition could only come through negotiations with Mogadishu.

Both Israel and Somaliland appear to be testing the new partnership’s limits, with analysts noting that the relationship remains nascent and its long-term trajectory uncertain.

More than 3,000 people have been killed in nationwide protests across Iran, according to the US-based human rights group HANA, which confirmed 3,090 deaths, including 2,885 protesters. The demonstrations began on December 28 over economic hardship and quickly spread across the country. After eight days of a near-total internet blackout, online activity has shown a slight increase, with connectivity reaching only about 2 percent of normal levels.

Residents reported that the crackdown has largely halted protests, and state media continues to report new arrests. In Tehran, the capital, the situation has remained relatively calm for four consecutive days, with drones observed flying over the city but no major demonstrations on Thursday or Friday. A resident from a northern Caspian Sea city also described local streets as quiet.

NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, said connectivity began to recover slightly on Saturday morning after roughly 200 hours of shutdown. Some Iranians living abroad reported being able to send messages to users inside Iran for the first time since the blackout began.

Israel has reportedly violated the Gaza ceasefire nearly 1,200 times since it was declared on October 10 last year. According to Gaza’s government media office, between October 10 and January 9, Israel breached the truce at least 1,193 times, with hundreds killed in the attacks. Out of 97 days of ceasefire up to January 14, Israel carried out assaults on 82 days, leaving only 15 days without reports of violence, deaths, or injuries. Despite the continued attacks, the United States maintains that the ceasefire remains in effect.

Meanwhile, discussions on the Gaza peace plan are moving into a second phase even though the first stage has not been fully implemented. U.S. President Donald Trump announced several members of the new Gaza Peace Board on Friday. The board will oversee interim governance in the war-torn territory. The seven-member founding executive board includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga, with Trump himself serving as chair. The board will eventually have 15 members.