UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In a statement released through his spokesperson, Guterres warned that the operation could have alarming consequences for the entire region. He emphasized that the action in Venezuela set a dangerous precedent and called for full respect for the UN Charter and international law.

The Secretary-General voiced particular concern that international law had not been respected in this case. He urged Venezuela to engage in dialogue while upholding human rights and the rule of law. The statement came as Colombia, backed by Russia and China, called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council scheduled for Monday.

According to reports, the aircraft carrying Maduro landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City, on Saturday evening. He was later transported by helicopter to Manhattan for initial legal processing at the US Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters before being moved to a Brooklyn prison.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration will work with an interim arrangement to manage Venezuela’s affairs until a safe, fair, and legitimate transfer of power is completed. He expressed support for Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume responsibility in this transitional framework. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is maintaining regular contact with Rodríguez, who appears willing to cooperate in line with U.S. expectations.

According to reports from BBC and Reuters, Rodríguez was a long-time close ally of recently ousted President Nicolás Maduro and served as his vice president. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, currently leads Venezuela’s National Assembly. The Rodríguez siblings have long been influential figures within Maduro’s government. Following a recent U.S. military operation, Venezuela’s political landscape has shifted rapidly, prompting Rodríguez to move toward cooperation with the Trump administration.

Trump’s administration stated that the interim arrangement aims to restore political stability in Venezuela and ensure an internationally recognized transfer of power, with Rodríguez expected to play a central role in the process.

New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has sharply criticized the United States for detaining Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and bringing him to New York. According to Mamdani, the US operation in Venezuela amounts to an act of war and violates both international and federal law. The statement was reported by CNN.

Mamdani said he had been informed about the operation and Maduro’s detention. He described the unilateral action against a sovereign nation as a clear attempt at regime change that affects not only people abroad but also New Yorkers, including thousands of Venezuelan immigrants who consider the city their home. He emphasized that his administration’s main priority is ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers, including members of the Venezuelan community.

The mayor added that his administration will closely monitor the situation and provide necessary guidance. The report noted that the number of Venezuelan immigrants in New York City has significantly increased over the past three years, with many settling permanently in the city.

The government has issued a gazette prohibiting the extraction of groundwater for irrigation in the Barind region, covering 4,911 mouzas across Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and Natore districts. The order allows groundwater use only for drinking purposes. Farmers in the area, who depend heavily on groundwater for crop cultivation, have expressed deep concern, warning that the sudden ban without alternative irrigation systems or subsidies could reduce crop production by about 2.7 million tons this season and leave 2.54 million hectares of land uncultivated.

Experts and local farmers argue that the decision disregards the agricultural realities of the drought-prone Barind area, where the government itself had promoted deep tube-well irrigation since the 1980s through the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority. They say the ban shifts responsibility for groundwater depletion onto farmers while ignoring the state’s institutional role in creating the system. Officials and researchers have urged phased implementation, farmer consultation, and interim support to prevent economic and social crises.

The Barind region’s future agricultural stability remains uncertain as stakeholders call for reconsideration of the gazette and development of sustainable water management alternatives.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, naming Liton Das as captain and Saif Hasan as vice-captain. The announcement was made on Sunday through an official press release. The squad includes regular players who have been part of the T20 setup in recent months, with no major surprises in selection.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Ripon Mondol, who had been in discussion for their recent performances, were not included in the final squad. Lower middle-order batter Zakir Ali Anik was also left out due to poor form. The team includes Nurul Hasan Sohan and Mohammad Saifuddin among others. Bangladesh will begin their World Cup campaign against the West Indies on February 7, followed by matches against Italy, England, and Nepal.

The first three group-stage matches are scheduled to be held in Kolkata and the final one in Mumbai. However, the BCB plans to send a letter to the ICC requesting that the matches not be held in India due to the current political situation.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on all nations to abide by international law following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces had conducted a large-scale operation to detain Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Speaking from London, Starmer described the situation as rapidly evolving and clarified that the United Kingdom had no involvement in the operation. He urged patience until the full facts of the incident are verified.

The report noted that the UK has not yet recognized the results of Venezuela’s disputed 2024 election, in which Maduro secured a third term. London has consistently supported a peaceful and negotiated transfer of power in the country, maintaining its stance on democratic processes and stability in Venezuela.

Starmer’s remarks reflect the UK’s cautious diplomatic approach as global attention turns to the unfolding developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for international relations.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrived in the United States on Saturday, landing at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City. According to reports, the plane carrying Maduro landed around 5 p.m. Eastern Time. After landing, he was transported by helicopter to Manhattan’s West Side Heliport and then to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters for initial legal processing. Authorities plan to transfer him to a detention facility in Brooklyn following the court procedures.

U.S. media footage showed FBI officers positioned near the aircraft door as Maduro, wearing a blue jacket and partially covering his face, was escorted down the stairs by American officials. He was surrounded by members of the FBI and DEA. Reports indicate that preparations are underway to present him before a federal court in Manhattan on charges related to drug and arms trafficking.

The Brooklyn detention center where Maduro is expected to be held is known for housing high-profile inmates, including R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed responsibility for Maduro’s capture in Venezuela and released a photo of him in custody.

Spain has offered to mediate between the United States and Venezuela after tensions escalated following a US attack in Caracas and the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was taken out of the country. According to an AFP report, Spain’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday urging restraint and expressing readiness to help ease the situation.

The ministry said Spain did not recognize the results of Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election, in which the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner despite opposition rejection. Opposition candidate González Urrutia fled to Madrid after the election. Spain also noted that it has already granted asylum to thousands of Venezuelans forced to leave for political reasons and will continue to do so.

The statement emphasized Spain’s willingness to support a democratic, negotiated, and peaceful resolution for Venezuela, highlighting its ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic engagement with Venezuelan political developments.

Owners of lighter cargo vessels transporting goods through Bangladesh’s waterways have accused a syndicate linked to senior Awami League figures of monopolizing the sector and withholding large payments. Despite arrests of several members after August 5, 2024, others remain active. The owners claim they must pay the group to operate at Chittagong’s outer anchorage and across the country. They have issued a 10-point demand to the government, including enforcement of the 2024 transport policy, payment of overdue demurrage, and dissolution of the syndicate, warning of a nationwide vessel shutdown if ignored.

The dispute centers on control of the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC). Owners allege that Awami-linked businessman Haji Shafiq Ahmed unlawfully declared himself convener to misappropriate about Tk 500 crore owed to them. They also accuse agents of using vessels as floating warehouses to create artificial market shortages. Government officials acknowledge unresolved corruption and policy violations but deny aiding the syndicate.

The standoff has left many vessel owners in debt, with hundreds forced to scrap ships. The government faces pressure to enforce maritime policy and resolve payment disputes to restore order in the inland shipping sector.

The Ministry of Shipping has initiated a move to amend the existing port law to create two new positions on the Chattogram Port Authority board. The proposed amendment, to be titled the Port Act 2025, aims to add one member from the Shipping Ministry and another from the Finance Ministry. These new members would serve as board members but operate from their respective ministries in Dhaka. The initiative has triggered tension between the ministry and the port authority, as current board members and employees fear bureaucratic complications that could slow operational decisions.

According to port sources, the Chattogram Port currently operates under the Port Act 2022 with a chairman and four board members overseeing administration, finance, harbor and marine, and engineering. Two members come from the navy and two from the civil administration. Port officials argue that adding members based in Dhaka would reduce accountability and delay decision-making. A six-member committee has been formed to review the proposed amendment, with instructions to submit a report within one month.

Former port official Jafar Alam and other stakeholders warned that expanding the board with ministry officials could create a top-heavy administration and harm the port’s efficiency.

India’s cricket board (BCCI) has expelled Bangladesh’s only player in the current IPL season, Mustafizur Rahman, following what it described as recent events linked to alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. The decision came just two days after Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar visited Dhaka to pay respects to Khaleda Zia and delivered a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoting bilateral ties. Officials and analysts in Dhaka said the expulsion shows India’s hostile stance toward Bangladesh remains unchanged.

According to the report, BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Mustafizur from their squad, a move that followed pressure from extremist Hindu groups and political figures across India. Several leaders from the BJP, Congress, and Shiv Sena publicly demanded his removal, while actor Shah Rukh Khan, KKR’s owner, faced threats for including a Bangladeshi player. The All India Imam Organization also criticized Khan, echoing claims of minority persecution in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi diplomats and analysts described the decision as evidence of India’s deep-seated antagonism toward a Muslim-majority neighbor. They argued that despite official rhetoric of friendship, Delhi’s actions reveal enduring mistrust and political manipulation in bilateral relations.

Students blocked the Farmgate intersection in Dhaka on Sunday morning, demanding justice for the killing of Tejgaon College student Sakibul Hasan Rana and the immediate arrest of those responsible. The blockade began around 10 a.m., halting traffic on one of the city’s key roads and causing severe congestion. Police were deployed in large numbers to control the situation and urged the students to withdraw, but the protesters did not respond initially.

The protest followed the death of 18-year-old Sakibul Hasan Rana, a second-year higher secondary student at Tejgaon College, who was injured during a clash between two groups in the college dormitory on December 6 of the previous year. He died four days later, on December 10, while receiving treatment. The incident has sparked anger among students demanding swift justice.

After about three hours, the students withdrew their blockade, allowing traffic to resume in the Farmgate area.

The United States military has conducted a direct intervention in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to the US. The operation took place early Saturday in Caracas, and US President Donald Trump announced the action on his social media platform Truth Social. This marks the first direct US military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, effectively removing an anti-American leader from power in the region.

Nicolás Maduro, born in 1962 in Caracas, rose from a working-class background to become president after the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013. His rule was marked by severe economic crises, allegations of electoral fraud, and accusations of authoritarianism. Despite widespread protests following his disputed 2024 re-election, Maduro maintained power amid US sanctions and international criticism.

The US justified its military action by accusing Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking through Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang. The operation signals a major escalation in US-Venezuela tensions and raises questions about the future political landscape of the country.

Authorities in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh have issued demolition notices for 22 houses and shops near the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, alleging illegal construction on land recorded as a cemetery. The district administration has identified the land as government property and served notices to 48 residents, mostly Muslims and small traders, instructing them to respond within 15 days or face bulldozer action. The move followed a recent land survey that officials said revealed unauthorized structures on the cemetery plot.

The notices have sparked fear and anger among local Muslim residents, who claim their families have lived there for decades and accuse the administration of acting hastily. Residents said the threat of bulldozers has created panic, especially among women and children. Local leaders have demanded transparency and restraint, saying they respect the law but seek fairness and time to present their documents.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court declined to halt the land survey, allowing residents to raise objections before revenue officials. The situation remains tense as community members prepare legal responses amid growing unease.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that there is no scope for rushing the trial of Osman Hadi’s murder case. He said authorities are not yet fully certain about the whereabouts of the killers but assured that efforts are underway to bring them to justice as soon as possible. He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after a meeting with district officials at the Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi.

Touhid Hossain added that Bangladesh seeks to maintain good relations with all countries and that the government aims to hand over responsibilities to the elected administration promptly after the February 12 election. He emphasized that there is no external pressure regarding the election process.

Earlier, the adviser, accompanied by members of martyr families, paid tribute at the July Martyrs Memorial in Munshiganj, visited the graves of July Movement martyrs in Uttar Islampur, and met with their families to inquire about their well-being.