U.S. President Donald Trump said that Cuba will soon collapse, citing the loss of economic and energy assistance from Venezuela. Speaking to reporters in Iowa on Tuesday, Trump described Cuba as a nation on the brink of failure, noting that it no longer receives oil supplies from Venezuela. His remarks were reported by the Anadolu news agency.

The comments came shortly after a U.S. military operation removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power on January 3. Following the operation, interim leader Rodríguez took charge in Venezuela. Trump warned that if Rodríguez’s government fails to meet Washington’s conditions, it could face the same fate as Maduro’s administration. Among those conditions is granting the United States access to Venezuela’s vast oil resources.

Trump’s statement links Cuba’s potential collapse to the disruption of oil supplies from Caracas, highlighting the geopolitical consequences of recent U.S. actions in Venezuela.

Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), inaugurated two new Border Observation Posts (BOPs) in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf and Saint Martin on Tuesday. The Saint Martin BOP and the newly built Sea Beach BOP in Teknaf’s Lengurbil were opened at separate times. Both facilities are equipped with modern amenities aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, morale, and operational capacity of BGB personnel.

According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman, commander of BGB-2 in Teknaf, the Saint Martin BOP includes modern soldier accommodations and is expected to enhance the island’s overall security management. The island, located about 16 kilometers south of Teknaf, was previously under Bangladesh Rifles until 1997, then handed to the Coast Guard, and BGB was redeployed there in April 2019.

The inauguration marks the full operational launch of the Saint Martin BOP, while the new Sea Beach BOP is expected to strengthen border security and support stationed personnel in the Teknaf area.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Syria, efforts surrounding the Gaza Peace Board, and a range of regional and global issues, according to TRT World. The two leaders also talked about advancing bilateral relations between their countries.

Erdoğan stated that Turkey would continue taking steps to strengthen cooperation with the United States in all areas for their mutual benefit. He emphasized the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire and unification agreement in neighboring Syria and said Ankara was closely monitoring the process in coordination with the U.S. and Syrian authorities. Erdoğan also expressed hope that the Gaza Peace Board would achieve its objectives, ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and paving the way for lasting peace through reconstruction.

Trump had announced the establishment of the Gaza Peace Board on January 15 as part of his broader plan for the region.

Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin was arrested by Vadodara police in Gujarat for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a road accident. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning in the Akota area of Vadodara. According to police, around 2:30 a.m., Martin lost control of his MG Hector vehicle near the Puneet Nagar Society and hit several parked cars, causing severe damage. Police suspect the 53-year-old was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Authorities said Martin was arrested under charges of drunk driving and rash driving, and his vehicle was seized. Police believe he had consumed alcohol with a friend before driving that night. The report did not mention any injuries resulting from the collision.

Jacob Martin represented India in 10 One Day Internationals between 1999 and 2001. He also captained the Baroda Ranji Trophy team and was known as a prominent domestic batsman during his playing career.

The United States has started releasing Venezuelan funds that were frozen under sanctions, according to interim president Delcy Rodríguez. Speaking on state television from Caracas, Rodríguez said the assets owned by the Venezuelan people are being gradually freed and will be used to purchase medical equipment for hospitals from the United States and other countries. She did not specify the total amount being released.

Venezuela has been under strict US sanctions since 2019, following the disputed 2018 re-election of former president Nicolás Maduro. During Donald Trump’s first term, Washington froze large sums of Venezuelan assets abroad, which Maduro in 2022 claimed totaled about 30 billion dollars. After Maduro was ousted in a US military operation on January 3, Rodríguez’s interim government reached several agreements with Washington. Rodríguez said a framework of mutual respect and courtesy has been established with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

As another sign of improving ties, the US announced that former diplomat Laura F. Dogu will serve as chargé d’affaires in Venezuela, marking a step toward restoring full diplomatic relations severed in 2019.

Iran has announced the closure of its airspace over the Strait of Hormuz to conduct live-fire military exercises amid escalating regional tensions. According to a notice published on Tuesday, the drills will take place from January 27 to 29 within a circular area of five nautical miles in radius. The notice also stated that airspace up to 25,000 feet above ground level in the designated area will be restricted and considered hazardous during the exercise period.

The United States has said that all options, including military action, remain on the table in dealing with Tehran. In response, Iranian officials warned that any U.S. attack would be met with a “swift and extensive” reaction. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway through which a significant portion of the world’s energy supply passes.

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander further cautioned that if neighboring countries allow their territory, airspace, or waters to be used for attacks against Iran, they will be regarded as enemies.

An Oxford University study published in the British journal Nature Sustainability warns that nearly half of the world’s population could suffer from extreme heat by 2050 if fossil fuel use continues at the current rate. The research, based on a projected two-degree Celsius rise in global temperature from pre-industrial levels, found that 41 percent of people—about 3.79 billion—would be exposed to dangerous heat, up from 23 percent in 2010.

The study, led by Dr. Jesus Lizana of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science, highlights a sharp contrast between national temperature averages and actual living conditions. It identifies India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines as particularly vulnerable to severe heat exposure. The findings also show that regions with high population density will experience over 3,000 cooling degree days, indicating a growing demand for air conditioning and other cooling systems.

Researchers noted that extreme cold conditions will decline globally, with the share of “severely cold” populations dropping from 14 percent to 7 percent. This shift will increase cooling needs in tropical countries while reducing heating requirements in northern nations such as Canada and Russia.

Iran has issued a warning to neighboring countries following the arrival of a US aircraft carrier in Middle Eastern waters. On Tuesday, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander stated that if any neighboring nation allows its territory, airspace, or waters to be used for attacks against Iran, Tehran will consider that country an enemy. The statement was reported by TRT World.

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the IRGC Navy’s deputy for political affairs, emphasized that while neighboring states are considered friends, any cooperation in hostile actions would change that status. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced that another naval fleet is moving toward Iran and expressed hope that Tehran would agree to a deal with Washington.

The increased US military activity in the Gulf region and Trump’s remarks have heightened concerns about potential escalation between Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any attack on their country would be met with a strong response and urged neighboring states not to allow their territories to be used for military operations against Iran.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that the people will not allow any form of vote rigging in the upcoming February 12 election. He made the statement on Tuesday night at an election rally in Bhawal Rajbari field, Gazipur, while returning from Mymensingh to Dhaka. Rahman called on voters to reach polling centers early, perform morning prayers there, and remain alert to prevent any pre-poll manipulation. He emphasized that citizens must protect their voting rights, which he said had been violated over the past 15 to 16 years.

Highlighting Gazipur’s role in the 2024 movement, Rahman praised the city’s contribution to the struggle for democracy and independence. He recalled his childhood memories in Gazipur and urged residents to support the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. During the rally, he introduced BNP candidates for Gazipur’s five constituencies and sought votes for them.

Rahman also outlined development plans for Gazipur if BNP candidates win, including new industries, affordable housing for workers, family cards for women, daycare centers, flyover construction, canal excavation, and farmer cards. He concluded the day with another rally in Uttara, promising local infrastructure improvements.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen stated that the United States does not support any particular political party but stands with the people of Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Wednesday after meeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka. Christensen said the US is ready to work with whichever government is elected and expressed keen interest in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12.

The ambassador emphasized that only the people of Bangladesh have the exclusive right to determine the outcome of their election. Referring to his meeting with the Chief Adviser last week, Christensen said he was assured that the election would be festive and that citizens would be able to exercise their voting rights freely. He expressed hope for a joyful and participatory election.

Christensen also appreciated the Election Commission’s preparations, describing them as commendable, and reaffirmed that Washington is committed to working with representatives who receive the people’s mandate.

Rajshahi University has published the admission test results for the 2025–26 academic year’s B unit of its undergraduate (honours) first-year program. The results were released at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, according to Professor Dr. Md. Saiful Islam, Director of the university’s ICT Center. Students can check their results on the university’s official website.

This year, a total of 30,886 candidates applied for the B unit admission test, with 25,961 appearing for the exam. Among them, 9,356 out of 16,368 candidates from the commerce group passed, representing a 57.16 percent pass rate. In the non-commerce group, 5,900 out of 9,593 candidates passed, marking a 61.50 percent success rate. The B unit has 564 available seats, including 375 for commerce, 158 for science, and 31 for humanities.

The publication of results marks the completion of a key stage in Rajshahi University’s undergraduate admission process for the 2025–26 session.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the NCP’s southern region, stated that Mirza Abbas used to attend court wearing a burqa about one and a half years ago. He made this remark on the night of January 27 during an NCP yard meeting held at Gunai Ghar Shaktala in Debidwar, Comilla, where he was the chief guest.

During his speech, Abdullah also criticized those who, according to him, had remained silent despite sacrifices made by activists such as Abu Bakr and July martyr Mainuddin. He said that the reasons behind their struggles and the fight against fascism are no longer being discussed.

The remarks came during a protest meeting organized in response to an attack on NCP candidate Nasir Uddin Patowary in the Dhaka-8 constituency, highlighting ongoing political tensions surrounding the election campaign.

India’s Rajya Sabha has expressed condolences over the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A condolence motion was introduced in the Indian Parliament on Wednesday to honor her long political career and contributions to South Asian politics.

According to parliamentary sources, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will pay tribute to Khaleda Zia, with members observing a brief moment of silence in recognition of her influence as a prominent Bangladeshi political leader. Khaleda Zia served multiple terms as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and played a significant role in shaping the country’s political structure over several decades.

The tribute in the Indian Parliament is described as part of a constitutional and cultural tradition of honoring influential leaders from neighboring countries whose political lives have had a meaningful impact on regional politics.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday morning in a plane crash while traveling from Mumbai to Baramati. The small aircraft carrying him went down near Baramati airport as it attempted to land, resulting in the deaths of five people, including Pawar. Preliminary reports suggest that the victims may include the pilot and members of his security team. The crash occurred around an hour after the plane took off from Mumbai at approximately 8 a.m.

Images and videos from the site showed wreckage scattered across the area, with fire and smoke visible as ambulances and rescue teams arrived quickly. Injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether mechanical failure or weather conditions contributed to the crash.

Pawar had been en route to attend four major public meetings in Baramati ahead of local government elections. His sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over Maharashtra’s political community, with leaders and organizations expressing deep condolences.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has declared that the kingdom will not permit the use of its airspace or territory for any military operation against Iran. The statement came during a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as reported by Saudi state news agency SPA on Tuesday, January 28, 2026. The crown prince emphasized that Saudi Arabia supports dialogue-based solutions to regional disputes and prioritizes diplomacy over conflict.

According to Iranian media, President Pezeshkian told the Saudi crown prince that Tehran welcomes any process under international law that helps avoid war. The United Arab Emirates had earlier announced a similar stance, refusing to allow its airspace or waters to be used for military actions against Iran. The developments come amid heightened regional tension following U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that a military armada was moving toward Iran, though he expressed hope it would not be used.

Human rights groups have alleged that thousands were killed in Iran’s recent protest crackdowns, calling it the worst since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, claims denied by Iranian authorities.