The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has declared Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state illegal and strongly condemned the move. The decision was announced during the 22nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held on Saturday at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah. The OIC described Israel’s action as a clear violation of the sovereignty, national unity, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Following Israel’s December 26 declaration, the OIC convened an emergency meeting to discuss the issue. In his opening address, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha warned that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland set a dangerous precedent, breached international law, and posed a direct threat to regional security and stability in Africa. The meeting also passed two resolutions—one condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and another opposing plans to displace Palestinians from their land.

The OIC reaffirmed its unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, emphasizing that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. It rejected any attempt to separate or recognize Somaliland, calling such actions interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and a direct affront to its sovereignty.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signaled a willingness to use force regarding Greenland, disregarding Denmark’s sovereignty over the autonomous Arctic island. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with oil industry executives, Trump said he preferred to reach an agreement on Greenland “the easy way,” but warned that if that failed, the United States would proceed “the hard way.” He described control of the resource-rich island as vital to U.S. national security, citing increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic.

Trump stated that the United States would not allow Russia or China to take over Greenland, asserting that if Washington did not act, those powers would. His remarks drew surprise from Denmark and other European allies. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioned that any aggression in Greenland would end “everything,” including NATO and the post–World War II security framework.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet next week with Denmark’s foreign minister and Greenlandic representatives to discuss the issue.

Thousands of people across the United States took to the streets on Saturday following the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer in Minneapolis. Demonstrators demanded the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, with protests spreading from Minneapolis to major cities including New York, Los Angeles, El Paso, Washington DC, Boston, and others.

In Minneapolis, about a thousand people gathered outside a hotel on Friday night, where some threw ice and stones at police officers, slightly injuring one officer. Several protesters were detained but later released. In Austin, Texas, demonstrators rallied outside a federal building carrying placards calling for an end to ICE and its alleged abuses. Similar protests were held outside the White House and in Philadelphia, where participants voiced fears that such incidents could recur and urged legislative reform of ICE.

The widespread demonstrations reflect growing public anger over immigration enforcement practices and calls for systemic change within the agency.

The United States Department of State on Saturday advised its citizens to leave Venezuela immediately, citing the presence of armed militias and the risk of roadside checkpoints targeting individuals suspected of supporting the US. The advisory stated that the security situation in Venezuela remains unstable and unpredictable. It was issued one week after the arrest of Maduro and follows the resumption of international flights, which the department said should be used by Americans to depart the country.

According to the State Department, armed groups have been stopping vehicles at checkpoints to search for US citizens, and routine consular services in Venezuela remain limited. The advisory urged Americans to exercise heightened caution for their personal safety. In contrast, Venezuelan authorities dismissed the warning, asserting that the country’s security situation is stable and calm.

Despite the official rejection, the presence of armed groups and checkpoint activity continues to raise concern about the overall safety environment for foreign nationals in Venezuela.

A microbus driver named Mahbub Alam was stabbed to death early Sunday in the Kolabagan area of Hathazari municipality, Chattogram. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. when three to four assailants engaged in an altercation with him and then attacked him with a knife. Locals rushed to rescue Mahbub, but he died on the way to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Police from Hathazari Model Station visited the scene, prepared an inquest report, and sent the body to the hospital morgue.

Following the news of the killing, members of the microbus drivers’ association and local residents blocked the Chattogram-Rangamati highway at Kolatal for about 20 minutes. They demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible. Police later arrived at the spot and restored normal traffic movement.

Hathazari Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidur Rahman confirmed the incident and said police were working to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A devastating fire broke out early Sunday morning, January 11, 2026, at Kaich Maldha village in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj, destroying six residential houses and causing an estimated loss of about 3 million taka. The fire started around 5:15 a.m. and was first noticed by Maulana Abul Kalam, the imam of Kaich Maldha Jame Mosque, who alerted residents through the mosque’s loudspeaker. Locals rushed to the scene and tried to extinguish the flames before notifying the Tongibari Fire Service.

A unit from Tongibari Fire Service responded but later sought assistance from Sirajdikhan Fire Service due to the intensity of the blaze. After about two and a half hours of joint efforts, the fire was brought under control around 7:45 a.m. The houses of six families—Ali Hossain, Jamal Hawlader, Shah Alam Hawlader, Shahan Shah Hawlader, Kaiyum Hawlader, and Aman Hossain—were completely burned down. No casualties were reported.

Police visited the site, but the cause of the fire remains unknown. Fire officials said the exact cause and final damage assessment will be determined after investigation.

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al-Alimi announced on Saturday that all military and security forces in southern Yemen will now operate under the direct command of the Saudi-led coalition. The decision follows a failed offensive by UAE-backed separatist forces. Al-Alimi said in a televised address that a Supreme Military Committee will be formed under the coalition’s command to oversee the training, arming, and management of all southern forces and armed groups.

The announcement comes after Saudi-backed Yemeni troops regained control of large southern areas from the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council (STC), which had seized two key provinces in December. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have long been allies in the coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who still control much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. However, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi now back different factions within the internationally recognized Presidential Council, complicating Yemen’s southern political and military landscape.

The STC’s future remains uncertain after reports of its leader’s departure and conflicting claims over its dissolution. Thousands rallied in Aden in support of the STC despite a ban on gatherings, demanding independence for southern Yemen.

Syrian Kurdish fighters have agreed to withdraw from Aleppo city under a ceasefire following several days of fighting with government forces, according to an AFP report on Sunday. The Syrian military said it had completed operations in the Sheikh Maqsoud district, while state television reported that surrendering Kurdish fighters were being transported by bus to northeastern Syria. The government also announced control over the Ashrafiyah neighborhood, previously held by Kurdish forces.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed that an agreement had been reached to implement a ceasefire and evacuate wounded fighters, civilians, and others from the affected districts. However, the SDF initially claimed that its fighters had not been relocated and accused the government of forcibly displacing civilians. The ceasefire was reportedly mediated by international parties to halt attacks on Aleppo’s population.

The clashes, which erupted after talks on Kurdish integration into the new government stalled, have been the most intense since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. At least 21 civilians were killed, and about 155,000 people fled their homes, according to Aleppo’s governor.

A child named Huzaifa Sultana Afnan was killed early Sunday, January 10, 2026, after being struck by gunfire that crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar during heavy fighting between two rebel groups. The incident occurred in the Hwaikyang Techchibridge area of Teknaf upazila, Cox’s Bazar. The child died on the way to the hospital. Following the incident, angry locals blocked the Teknaf–Cox’s Bazar highway and vandalized vehicles in protest.

According to local sources, intense gunfire had been ongoing for three days in Myanmar’s Totardwip area near the border. Earlier, a Bangladeshi fisherman was also injured by stray bullets. Hwaikyang police outpost in-charge Khokon Kanti Nath confirmed that the child was killed by bullets fired amid the ongoing conflict across the border. Security forces including the army, RAB, navy, and police were deployed to restore order.

Leaders from various political parties, including the district BNP president and Jamaat-e-Islami’s district amir, visited the scene. Authorities reported that 37 members of Myanmar’s rebel groups had been taken into custody by the Border Guard Bangladesh and police.

Police in Sherpur upazila of Bogura recovered the body of a rice trader named Hamidul Mondal, aged 38, early Sunday morning. Locals discovered the body around 6:30 a.m. in a paddy field at Jamalpur village under Bhabanipur Union and informed the police. The deceased was identified as the son of Montaz Mondal from the same village. Witnesses reported blood marks on his nose and parts of his body, but the cause of death remains uncertain.

According to local sources, Hamidul had left home on Saturday afternoon for a financial transaction and did not return that night. His blood-stained body was found the next morning in the field, creating tension in the area. Sherpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ibrahim Ali stated that the body was sent to the hospital for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The incident is currently under investigation.

Authorities expect the post-mortem report to clarify the circumstances surrounding Hamidul Mondal’s death.

A lake built at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in memory of Rudra Sen, the first student killed in the July Movement, is facing controversy after reports that part of it will be filled to construct a garage. The lake, built at a cost of Tk 7.5 crore, was inaugurated six months ago but still lacks any memorial plaque honoring Rudra Sen. Experts warn that filling parts of the lake could harm its natural beauty and ecological balance.

Visitors and students have expressed disappointment that the site does not visibly commemorate Rudra Sen. Activists from the university’s anti-discrimination student movement said they had repeatedly demanded a memorial monument and plaque, but the administration failed to act despite assurances. Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Sajedul Karim stated that plans and architectural designs to honor Rudra Sen have been submitted and will be implemented soon.

Environmental specialists caution that the proposed garage could pollute the lake through wastewater and vehicle residues, potentially damaging the ecosystem.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to safeguard funds from Venezuelan oil sales held in U.S. Treasury accounts following the ouster of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. The White House said the order, signed on Friday, declares a national emergency to prevent the oil revenues from being seized by courts or creditors, describing the move as necessary to advance U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.

The decision followed a meeting in Washington where Trump urged top oil executives to invest in Venezuela. However, executives responded cautiously, with ExxonMobil’s chief calling the country “uninvestable without major reforms.” ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips had previously withdrawn from Venezuela in 2007 after refusing nationalization demands by then-president Hugo Chávez and are still pursuing legal claims against the country. Chevron remains the only U.S. company licensed to operate there.

According to the White House, the protection of Venezuelan oil revenues aims to prevent disruptions to U.S. efforts supporting Venezuela’s economic and political stability. The order came a week after U.S. forces reportedly captured Maduro in a nighttime raid in Caracas that left several Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel dead.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is reportedly in good condition while being held in a New York prison, according to his son Nicolás Maduro Guerra. Guerra said in a video message released on Saturday that his father had personally conveyed that he and his wife, Cilia Flores, were doing well and described themselves as fighters. The message was shared by Venezuela’s ruling PSUV party. Flores is currently awaiting trial.

According to the report, the United States conducted a special military operation in Venezuela on January 3, detaining Maduro and his wife. They were taken to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters for legal processing before being transferred to a detention facility in Brooklyn, New York. Both face charges related to drug and arms trafficking, allegations that Maduro has consistently denied.

The report did not specify when court proceedings might begin or provide further details about the conditions of their detention.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Davao Occidental in the southern Philippines late Saturday night, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The quake occurred at 10:58 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located about 315 kilometers southeast of Balut Island in Sarangani municipality, at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the surface. Authorities confirmed that despite the strength of the tremor, there was no tsunami threat to the Philippine archipelago.

Tremors were felt across several southern provinces, including Malungon and Kiamba in Sarangani, Tupi and Koronadal in South Cotabato, and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat. Disaster officials are monitoring the affected areas for potential aftershocks and minor damage.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to the movement of tectonic plates.

North Korea has demanded a detailed explanation from South Korea over an alleged drone intrusion into its territory. According to North Korean state media cited by AFP, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said a drone launched from South Korea’s Ganghwa County entered the North’s Kaesong city earlier in January. Pyongyang claimed it shot down the drone and released photos of the wreckage.

Seoul has rejected the allegation, with its Defense Ministry stating that the drone described by North Korea does not match any model used by its military. The South Korean military said its investigation found no record of operating any unmanned aircraft at the time in question. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a joint military and police probe to ensure a swift and impartial investigation, warning that if a civilian was responsible, it would be a serious crime threatening peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

The dispute comes as former president Yoon Suk Yeol faces trial over allegations of ordering illegal drone operations to provoke Pyongyang and justify emergency military measures.