A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck several regions of Pakistan on Friday, January 9, 2026, with tremors felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Swat, Shangla, and Buner. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre under the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the quake originated 159 kilometers deep near the China-Tajikistan border. Buildings reportedly shook, prompting residents to rush outdoors, but no casualties or major damage were reported. The report noted that Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan frequently experience seismic activity due to their location at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. In October of the previous year, a 5.3-magnitude quake hit Islamabad and surrounding areas, while a 5.6-magnitude tremor was recorded just days earlier. The region also witnessed a devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan last September that killed over 2,200 people. Authorities have not issued any immediate warnings, but the frequent tremors highlight the region’s ongoing vulnerability to seismic hazards.

Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez declared that no one in her country had surrendered following the U.S. military attack on January 3. Speaking at a memorial event on Thursday for those killed in the assault, she emphasized that Venezuela remains independent and that its people fought for their homeland during the attack. Her remarks came after former U.S. president Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that the United States would run Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro. In a recent interview with NBC, Trump said he was currently in charge of the country and suggested that direct U.S. control over Venezuela could last for years. When asked by The New York Times how long the U.S. would remain there, Trump avoided a direct answer, implying that American dominance would depend on time. Rejecting Trump’s assertions, Rodríguez reaffirmed that Venezuela is not under foreign rule and that its government alone governs the nation.

Families of those killed and injured in the 2021 anti-Modi protests in Brahmanbaria continue to seek justice, four years after security forces opened fire on demonstrators. Seventeen worshippers were killed and more than 500 others were injured when police and ruling party activists allegedly attacked protesters opposing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh. Despite numerous cases filed, no one directly linked to the killings has been brought to trial. Following the incident, police filed 54 cases accusing over 10,000 religious individuals and clerics, leading to widespread dismissals and arrests of imams and madrasa teachers. Victims’ families claim they faced harassment instead of justice. After the July Revolution and the formation of an interim government, investigations began but progress remains slow. Recently, a genocide case was filed in the International Crimes Tribunal naming several former officials and political leaders, including a former MP. Prosecutors confirmed that investigations into the Brahmanbaria massacre are underway and one accused has been formally arrested in connection with the case.

US President Donald Trump is holding a meeting on Friday with top executives from major American oil companies to secure their backing for his plan to control Venezuela’s oil resources. The meeting follows the January 3 military operation in which US forces detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump has stated that the move’s main goal is to establish control over Venezuela’s oil sector. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said Washington currently holds maximum influence over Venezuela’s interim authorities, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright declared that the US intends to maintain control of the country’s oil industry indefinitely. However, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, asserted that her government remains in power and that the state oil company is only negotiating oil sales with the United States. According to NBC News, executives from ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are attending the meeting. Chevron is currently the only US company licensed to operate in Venezuela, while ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips withdrew in 2007 after refusing to transfer majority ownership of their local operations to the Venezuelan government.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has rejected the notion that powerful nations can act as they please. Speaking to Swedish Radio News, she said Sweden opposes a world order where major powers operate without restraint. Her remarks came in response to the U.S. president’s new threat to acquire Greenland and the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela. According to the report, the operation involved the abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro late Saturday night. Stenergard criticized Washington’s statements about acquiring Greenland, calling them concerning and emphasizing that the island is not for sale. She noted that Greenland is an autonomous region within Denmark. She also stated that Sweden believes the recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela are inconsistent with international law. Referring to a United Nations Security Council meeting, Stenergard mentioned that Denmark described the U.S. actions as a dangerous precedent, underscoring growing European unease over unilateral military interventions.

The UK Met Office has issued a nationwide red alert warning for extreme weather conditions, citing the risk of severe storms, heavy rainfall, and widespread snowfall. The alert, effective from Wednesday afternoon, warns that the situation poses a serious threat to public safety. Forecasts indicate wind speeds could reach 90 to 100 miles per hour, with up to one foot of snow expected in hilly and elevated areas. The most affected regions are expected to include southwest England, Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England. Coastal areas face the possibility of storm surges and large waves, while strong winds could cause trees to fall and damage power lines and roofs, leading to potential power outages. Heavy rain may trigger flash floods and waterlogging, and icy roads could severely disrupt rail, bus, and air transport. Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, urging coastal communities to remain alert for tidal surges and to take extra care of the elderly and children.

Israeli forces carried out multiple airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday despite an ongoing ceasefire, killing at least 14 Palestinians, including five children, according to a Friday report by Al Jazeera. The attacks targeted several areas, including Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, where four displaced Palestinians living in tents were killed. Four more deaths were reported in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, while additional strikes in Bureij and Nuseirat in central Gaza killed four others. In northern Gaza’s Jabalia area, an 11-year-old boy named Hamsa Hausu was shot dead. The ceasefire agreement has been in effect since October 10, but Israeli military operations have continued. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) condemned Thursday’s attacks on displaced Palestinians, calling them war crimes. The group accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and pursuing a plan to displace and eliminate Palestinians under false security pretexts. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since October 11 have killed at least 425 Palestinians and injured 1,206 others.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has decided to suspend voting activities in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies due to boundary complications. The decision was confirmed on Friday morning by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, who stated that the court instructed the commission not to proceed with any voting activities in these two constituencies. As a result, all electoral processes there have been temporarily halted. According to the announced schedule, Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election is set for February 12, 2026. On the same day, a referendum on the implementation of the July Charter will also take place. This marks the first time in the country’s history that a national election and a referendum will be held simultaneously. The national election ballots will be white, while the referendum ballots will be pink. The nomination appeal process is ongoing until January 11, with appeal resolutions scheduled between January 12 and 18. Candidates may withdraw by January 20, and the final candidate list and symbol allocation will be published on January 21. Campaigning will run from January 22 until the morning of February 10.

US President Donald Trump has proposed a $1.5 trillion military budget for the 2027 fiscal year, marking a 66 percent increase from the $901 billion approved for 2026, according to Sama TV. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on January 7, Trump said the decision followed extensive discussions with top officials. He described the plan as part of his vision to build a “dream military” capable of ensuring US security during crises. The proposed budget requires congressional approval. Although Republicans hold a narrow majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, budget analysts believe securing approval for such a large expenditure will be difficult. Trump stated that revenue from tariffs imposed on other countries would cover the additional spending, but neutral think tanks estimate that current tariff income could fund only half, potentially increasing national debt by several trillion dollars. In the same announcement, Trump criticized major defense companies for slow weapons production and said they would be barred from paying dividends or conducting share buybacks until output improves. Following the news, shares of Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics rose significantly after market close.

Heavy clashes between the Syrian Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have intensified in Aleppo, prompting thousands of residents to flee. To control the situation, local authorities have imposed a curfew across several neighborhoods, including Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, Bani Zeid, Al-Sirian, Al-Hulok, and Al-Midan, effective until further notice, according to Al Jazeera. The Aleppo Internal Security Command stated that the curfew aims to ensure public safety, maintain order, and prevent further casualties. During the curfew, all civilian movement is prohibited. The city’s media department reported that since fighting began earlier in the week, large numbers of people have fled from Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud. The Syrian Army accused the SDF of shelling civilian areas with artillery and mortars, resulting in at least 22 deaths and 173 injuries this week. The SDF denied the allegations, claiming that casualties were caused by attacks from groups linked to the Damascus government.

A report submitted on 4 January 2026 by the Commission on Enforced Disappearances to the Chief Adviser revealed that an internal Bangladesh Army board investigating the alleged disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali was mysteriously dissolved without reaching any conclusion. The board, led by Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan and formed in early September 2024, had interviewed around 60 officers and soldiers and recorded testimonies through audio, video, and written statements. However, the commission found no trace of the board’s final report or collected evidence. According to the commission, the board ceased operations under “superior orders,” and all related materials later became unavailable. The commission noted that only the Army Chief could have issued such an order. Witnesses told investigators they had described incidents of enforced disappearance and torture, including one soldier who claimed direct involvement in the operation during which Ilias Ali was abducted. The commission concluded that the unexplained termination of the inquiry and disappearance of evidence demonstrated institutional resistance to accountability and undermined confidence in internal military investigations.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he does not need to follow international law, emphasizing that his foreign policy decisions are guided solely by his own moral judgment. He made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump said his actions would be controlled only by his personal ethics and that adherence to international law depends on his own definition. According to the report, the United States launched a military attack on Venezuela early Saturday, with explosions reported in Caracas and several military bases. During the operation, U.S. forces captured and removed President Maduro from the country. Critics described the move as a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state. After the assault, Trump announced that the United States would manage Venezuela and exploit its vast oil resources. The White House, however, stated it would cooperate with interim President Delcy Rodríguez while maintaining influence over the country’s policymaking. Trump warned that a second round of military strikes could occur if U.S. directives were not followed.

An article by Zakaria Al Hossain, published on January 9, 2026, in *Amar Desh*, explores the life and ideals of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, portraying him as a symbol of moral courage and Islamic cultural consciousness in Bangladesh. The piece describes Hadi as a man who viewed his life as a moral duty to uphold truth, justice, and faith, rather than a personal pursuit. His martyrdom is presented as a living interpretation of Islamic values rooted in justice, sacrifice, and human dignity. The author argues that Islamic culture cannot be confined to rituals, music, or literature alone but represents a complete moral and social system guided by divine principles. Hadi’s life is cited as an example of resistance against injustice and moral decay, embodying the ethical backbone of Islamic culture. The article also warns against modern cultural and mental colonialism that threatens to marginalize Islamic ethics and identity. It concludes by urging Bangladesh, as a Muslim-majority nation, to transform Islamic values into a living cultural force and to honor Hadi’s legacy by embedding moral courage and justice into national life.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he will meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado next week. He made the statement during an interview with Sean Hannity broadcast on Fox News on Thursday night. Trump said he expects Machado to arrive sometime next week and expressed his anticipation to meet and greet her. Maria Corina Machado is described as one of the leading figures in Venezuela’s opposition movement. According to the report, she had gone into hiding during the period when Nicolás Maduro’s government was ousted from power. The interview marks a public confirmation of the planned meeting between the U.S. president and the Venezuelan opposition leader. The upcoming meeting could signal renewed engagement between the United States and Venezuela’s opposition leadership, though no further details about the agenda or location were disclosed in the report.

Mobile phone services across Iran have been severely disrupted following the country’s recent internet shutdown. According to Turkey-based TRT World, many regions have been without mobile network access since Friday, January 9. International media reports indicate that the mobile service disruptions began soon after the internet was cut off, though the Iranian government has not issued any official statement on the matter. The disruptions come amid widespread anti-government protests that began on December 28 over rising living costs. The demonstrations started when traders at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar closed their shops in protest and were later joined by people from various professions. The protests, ongoing for 12 days, intensified on Thursday night as thousands took to the streets in Tehran and other cities. Human rights organizations report that at least 38 people have been killed during the unrest. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that if the Iranian government continues killing protesters, the United States may intervene directly with strong military action.