A devastating fire in Ramganj municipality’s Ward 7 of Narimpur village in Lakshmipur killed a four-month-old child named Ayat Hossain on Tuesday around 5 p.m. The blaze began in the home of Dulal Mikar, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, and quickly spread to nearby houses. Before fire service units could arrive, three residential houses were completely burned down. The deceased child was the son of Dulal Mikar and Poran Begum. According to local sources, Dulal’s wife had gone outside to collect clothes drying in the sun when the fire broke out. A gas cylinder explosion inside the house intensified the flames, spreading them to the homes of Md. Shahid Ullah, Siraj Mia, and Sabuj, which were all destroyed. Ramganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farashid Bin Enam visited the site and provided Tk 10,000 in immediate assistance. Officials from the local police and several political parties also inspected the scene. Fire Station Leader Md. Rezaul Karim stated that the fire likely originated from an electrical short circuit, and the extent of the damage is being assessed.

Thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Caracas to show support for President Nicolás Maduro following his reported abduction along with his wife by the United States. Protesters waved national flags, sang patriotic songs, and chanted anti-American slogans. The demonstration was joined by Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, according to TRT World. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez asserted that no foreign power governs Venezuela, rejecting earlier remarks by US President Donald Trump claiming the United States would run the country until a change occurs. Rodríguez emphasized that the Venezuelan government remains in control and declared seven days of mourning for 24 Venezuelan soldiers killed in a US military operation. Cuba also reported the deaths of 32 of its military members. The Trump administration has not yet clarified its plans for Venezuela since Maduro’s detention, leaving uncertainty about Washington’s next steps in the crisis.

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he may use direct military force to take control of autonomous Greenland, according to an AFP report from Washington on Tuesday. The White House described the move as a national security priority, saying military measures could be taken if necessary. The statement is expected to heighten tensions between the United States and Denmark, a NATO ally. Following military intervention in Venezuela, Trump has turned his attention to the Arctic territory, citing its rare minerals and strategic importance as melting ice opens new sea routes. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said controlling Greenland is vital to counter rivals such as Russia and China, and that the president keeps all military options open. Greenland and Denmark have called for urgent talks to ease tensions, while European nations including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain have voiced support for Denmark’s sovereignty. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reaffirmed that the island is not for sale and that only its people can decide their future.

The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition carried out what it described as limited preemptive strikes in Yemen to prevent further escalation of conflict involving UAE-backed separatists. The coalition announced the operation in a statement on Wednesday, saying it acted after recent territorial advances by separatist forces in Hadhramaut province near the Saudi border. Those forces had previously expelled Saudi-backed government troops but were forced to retreat following coalition air and ground operations last week. According to the coalition, the new strikes were launched as fighting under separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi risked spreading into Al-Dhale governorate. The statement said the coalition was coordinating with the Yemeni government and local authorities to strengthen security and maintain order. Al-Zubaidi was expected to attend talks in Riyadh on Tuesday but reportedly missed his flight, and the coalition claimed he has since fled to an unknown location, creating uncertainty within the separatist ranks. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have long supported rival factions within Yemen’s southern-based government while jointly fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who seized much of northern Yemen in 2014.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to embark on a four-day visit to northern Bangladesh, beginning on January 11, 2026. According to the party, the trip is primarily focused on religious and social events. The BNP stated that the tour will fully comply with the code of conduct issued by the Bangladesh Election Commission. The party has submitted applications to the Election Commission, as well as to the relevant district commissioners and election officers, to ensure adherence to the regulations. The tentative itinerary shows that Rahman will travel from Dhaka through Tangail and Sirajganj to Bogura on the first day, then proceed to Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon over the following days, before returning to Dhaka on January 14. During the trip, he will visit the graves of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Shaheed Abu Sayeed, and Tayeba Mojumdar, among others, and attend prayer gatherings. He is also scheduled to meet injured freedom fighters and families of martyrs from the democratic movements. The BNP emphasized that the visit is non-political in nature and intended to honor historical and social figures while maintaining compliance with electoral guidelines.

At least 22 migrants were killed and 65 others injured when a truck overturned in Ethiopia’s northern Afar region, local authorities said on Tuesday. The accident occurred near Semera, several hundred kilometers west of neighboring Djibouti. According to officials, the victims had fallen prey to traffickers and were unaware of the dangers of the route. The injured were taken to Dubti Referral Hospital for full medical treatment, and the regional government expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Ethiopia is one of the main transit routes for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking work in Gulf countries. Thousands of migrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti travel this route, often moving from Djibouti to Yemen and then to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. However, the route used by traffickers to move Ethiopian migrants toward Djibouti is considered extremely dangerous. According to the International Organization for Migration, 890 people died on this route between January and February 2025, making it one of the world’s most perilous migration paths.

Suspected Colombian guerrilla commanders are fleeing Venezuela following a U.S. military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power, according to a Colombian security source cited by AFP on Tuesday. The report said the situation emerged after Washington’s weekend assault in Caracas, which led to Maduro’s ouster. Colombia has long suspected that leaders of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and remnants of the disbanded FARC group had taken refuge in Venezuela, controlling cocaine trafficking routes along the border. Security analysts noted that several ELN bases operated inside Venezuela under conditions tolerated by the Maduro government, though Caracas consistently denied such allegations. A Colombian military officer told AFP that guerrilla leaders are now attempting to cross back into Colombia. In response, Bogotá’s defense ministry warned that their presence near the border could pose a serious national security threat. Thousands of troops have been deployed along the more than 2,200-kilometer frontier to prevent potential attacks. AFP journalists reported visible Colombian army patrols in the border city of Cúcuta on Tuesday.

A United States-made fourth-generation F-16 fighter jet crashed off Taiwan’s eastern coast during a routine training mission, according to a statement from the Taiwanese Air Force on Wednesday. The single-seat aircraft took off from Hualien Air Base at 6:17 p.m. local time on Tuesday and went down at 7:29 p.m., about 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township in Hualien County. Authorities believe the pilot ejected safely, and search operations were launched immediately after the crash. Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Li said that Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai called on Taiwan’s Coast Guard and nearby fishing vessels to assist in the search and rescue efforts. The Air Force has not yet provided further details about the cause of the crash or the pilot’s condition. Taiwan maintains close defense ties with the United States amid tensions with China. The island recently ordered 66 new F-16V jets from the U.S. and began upgrading 141 older F-16A/B aircraft to the V standard in 2023.

Iran has executed a man named Ali Ardestani after convicting him of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad. The execution was carried out following approval from the country’s Supreme Court and completion of legal procedures, according to Mizan, the media outlet of Iran’s judiciary, which reported the event on Wednesday. Mizan stated that Ardestani had provided sensitive national information to Mossad. The report noted that Iran has executed several individuals over the years for alleged links to Israel’s intelligence network. The number of such executions has risen notably this year, particularly after Israeli and U.S. forces attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in June, leading to direct confrontations between the two nations. Observers view Iran’s latest execution as a reflection of the continuing hostility and security tensions between Iran and Israel, two long-time regional adversaries.

A Reuters poll has found that one-third of Americans support the recent US military strike in Venezuela, while 72 percent are concerned about deeper US involvement in the South American nation. The two-day survey, concluded on Monday, showed sharp political divisions, with 65 percent of Republicans backing President Donald Trump’s military action, compared to only 11 percent of Democrats and 23 percent of general voters. The poll followed a US military operation early Saturday in Caracas, where American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The United States has long accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking. Analysts noted that Trump, who had previously criticized other presidents for foreign wars, has now taken direct military action abroad. In a post-operation press conference, Trump declared that the US would take control of Venezuela, sparking widespread international debate. Political analysts described the move as a major strategic decision for the Trump administration, especially ahead of the midterm elections that will determine congressional control for the final two years of his term.

Reports from India indicate a growing number of attacks on Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal, particularly in BJP-ruled states such as Odisha and Chhattisgarh. On January 4, 2026, a worker from Murshidabad named Ejaz Ali was allegedly assaulted in Sambalpur, Odisha, after being accused of being Bangladeshi. His left arm was broken, and he returned home without receiving medical treatment. Similar incidents have been reported in other regions, forcing many workers to leave their jobs and return to their home state out of fear. According to the report, these assaults often involve groups identifying Muslim workers by their names on identity cards and labeling them as foreigners. Victims have reported losing their earnings and belongings during the attacks. In Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur, three workers from Murshidabad were also beaten and nearly set on fire by attackers. The victims were unable to file complaints. The repeated incidents have left many migrant laborers unemployed and fearful, highlighting rising communal tensions and insecurity among Muslim workers in BJP-governed areas.

All flights at Aleppo International Airport in Syria have been temporarily suspended following clashes between government security forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday. The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that the decision was made to ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and airport operations. According to the authority’s statement, all scheduled flights will be redirected to Damascus International Airport until technical and security assessments are completed in coordination with relevant agencies. The suspension has been described as a precautionary and temporary measure, with updates to be provided once the review period ends or if new developments occur. Authorities have advised passengers to contact their airlines for updated flight information. The SDF, led by the YPG group, has been blamed for a terrorist attack in Aleppo that killed one soldier and four civilians and injured several others.

More than one hundred leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party (GM Quader faction) in Singair, Manikganj, have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The formal joining took place on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m., when they presented flowers to Engineer Moinul Islam Khan Shanto, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Manikganj-2 constituency. Among those who joined were Pirzada Mohammad Ali, vice-president of the upazila Jatiya Party, member Mozzaffar Hossain, former organizing secretary Mojibur Rahman, municipal organizing secretary Shahanur Rahman, religious affairs secretary Mufti Akkas Ali, and upazila women’s Jatiya Party president Munni Akter, along with numerous supporters. Pirzada Mohammad Ali and Shahanur Rahman said they were inspired by the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. BNP candidate Engineer Moinul Islam Khan Shanto welcomed the new members, noting their long involvement with Jatiya Party politics. He urged everyone to work together to ensure victory for the BNP’s electoral symbol and to develop Singair and southern Manikganj into a modern region.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has rejected reports that his party would allocate 10 parliamentary seats to the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP). Speaking at a briefing after a meeting with European Union representatives at the Jamaat Ameer’s political office in Dhaka on Wednesday morning, he said the claim was imaginary and that an agreement among 11 allied parties over seat distribution would be finalized soon. Dr. Taher warned that Bangladesh would face destruction if elections were manipulated as in the past. He also stated that if Jamaat came to power, it would form a government in coordination with all political parties. The statement followed media reports published on Tuesday claiming Jamaat would not give NCP more than ten seats, which sparked renewed political discussion.

The Anti-Aggression Movement, known as a symbol of public resistance against political aggression, dominance, and oppression, is holding its first anniversary event titled the 'July Hero Honor' ceremony on Wednesday. The program began at 9 a.m. at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka. Families of July martyrs, injured participants, and July fighters from various districts including Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Noakhali gathered in the capital early in the morning. According to the organizers, the event will honor those who were martyred, injured, or persecuted during the July Movement. National-level political leaders, social figures, journalists, and citizen representatives are attending the ceremony. The Anti-Aggression Movement stated in a notice on Tuesday that the initiative continues the movement launched on January 7, 2025, at Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial, opposing political prescription and hegemonic aggression. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to work uncompromisingly for national interests, sovereignty, and people’s rights. The event is being supported by JAM Sangstha, an organization active in education, health, and social development.