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.

A powerful earthquake struck southern Philippines on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake measured 6.7 on the Richter scale and occurred near the coastal region of Mindanao Island, about 27 kilometers east of Santiago city. The quake’s depth was recorded at approximately 58.5 kilometers below the surface. No tsunami warning was issued following the tremor.

Authorities reported that there were no immediate casualties or major damage from the earthquake. Local administration and emergency services are closely monitoring the situation to assess any potential aftereffects or structural impacts in the affected areas.

The absence of a tsunami alert and early reports of minimal damage suggest that the region may have avoided severe consequences, though monitoring continues to ensure public safety.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has warned that Bangladesh will head toward destruction if future elections are manipulated as in the past. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning in Dhaka after a meeting with representatives of the European Union at the political office of the Jamaat Ameer.

During the briefing, Taher said that discussions among 11 political parties regarding seat-sharing are nearing an agreement. He dismissed as imaginary the claim that the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) would receive 10 seats. The Jamaat leader also stated that if his party comes to power, it will form a government in coordination with all political parties.

The meeting with EU representatives and Taher’s comments reflect ongoing political negotiations and concerns over electoral integrity ahead of the next national polls.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela will supply between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality oil to the United States. He made the statement on Tuesday through his social media platform Truth Social, saying the oil would be sold at market price once brought to the U.S. Trump added that he would personally oversee the use of the proceeds to benefit both the Venezuelan and American people.

The announcement came a day after former Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president. Trump said he had instructed his Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, to implement the plan immediately and that the oil would be transported directly to the United States by ship. According to CBS, representatives of major U.S. petroleum companies plan to meet with the Trump administration later this week.

The move signals a new phase in U.S.-Venezuela energy relations following recent political changes in Caracas, though details of the agreement’s structure and timeline remain unclear.

Partial results from the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election show differing leads across key posts. Out of 39 centers, results from 11 have been announced. Chhatra Dal-supported VP candidate A.K.M. Rakib received 1,142 votes, leading Chhatra Shibir-backed Riazul Islam, who secured 1,031 votes, by 111 votes. The results were officially declared by the JAKSU Election Commission at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

In the General Secretary (GS) race, Chhatra Shibir’s Abdul Alim received 1,101 votes, while Chhatra Dal’s Khadijatul Kubra got 570 votes, giving Alim a lead of 531 votes. For the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) position, Chhatra Shibir’s Masud Rana earned 1,020 votes, ahead of Chhatra Dal’s Tanzil with 898 votes, a margin of 122 votes.

The results reflect a mixed trend, with Chhatra Dal leading in the VP race and Chhatra Shibir ahead in the GS and AGS contests. Further results from the remaining centers are yet to be announced.

The Bangladesh Army recovered a pistol, bullets, and homemade explosives from an abandoned toilet in Sadarpur upazila of Faridpur on Tuesday night. The recovery took place around 9 p.m. in the Hospital Mor area, behind an abandoned sub-registrar office. According to army and police sources, the items were found wrapped in cloth and tape inside a bundle, which contained a 7.5 mm pistol, one round of ammunition, and four cocktails inside a black bag. No arrests have been made in connection with the discovery.

An officer from the Faridpur Army Camp stated that the seized weapons were handed over to Sadarpur Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Abdul Al Mamun Shah confirmed that the army recovered the abandoned weapons and later transferred them to police custody. He added that legal procedures regarding the incident are currently underway.

Authorities have not yet identified who may have left the weapons at the site, and the investigation is ongoing.