The United States wants countries to pay $1 billion to remain permanent members of the Gaza “Board of Peace”, reports said. The board is backed by US President Donald Trump and will oversee Gaza’s transition after the war. It will be chaired by Trump. Around 60 countries have been invited. Israel said the board’s structure was not coordinated with it. Israeli leaders objected to Turkey’s role. The board includes global leaders, UN officials and diplomats. An international force will handle security and aid delivery. The plan is part of Trump’s Gaza peace roadmap. (PC: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

The European Union has warned that US President Donald Trump’s move on Greenland could weaken NATO unity. EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said divisions among allies will help Russia and China. Trump imposed a 10% tariff on eight European nations, including Denmark, after they opposed US control of Greenland. The EU called the move a “dangerous spiral” and said Greenland’s security should be discussed within NATO. EU ambassadors will meet to decide the next steps. (PC: AFP)

An Iranian official said authorities have verified at least 5,000 deaths in nationwide protests that erupted on December 28, 2025, initially over economic hardship and quickly turning into broad anti‑government demonstrations. The figure includes around 500 security personnel, with some of the deadliest clashes in Kurdish‑majority northwest regions, the official told Reuters, blaming “terrorists and armed rioters” for targeting innocent civilians. The government has accused foreign forces and armed groups of fuelling the unrest. Human rights groups have reported thousands more deaths and over 24,000 arrests, while tensions remain high despite a heavy security crackdown and limited internet access. (PC: India Today)

Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said tariffs “do not serve anyone” as criticism grew in Europe over trade threats linked to Greenland. US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff from February 1 on goods from several European countries, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the move a mistake. Protests have been reported in Greenland and Denmark, where demonstrators opposed any pressure on Greenland’s status. (PC: BBC)

Iranian authorities on Sunday said at least 5,000 people, including about 500 security personnel, were killed during protests across Iran. A senior Iranian official said the deaths were verified and claimed terrorists and armed rioters targeted civilians. Protests began on December 28 over economic hardship and later expanded into nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to clerical rule. The unrest is described as the deadliest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed foreign enemies, accusing United States and Israel of fuelling the violence. US President Donald Trump warned of possible intervention. (PC: India Today)

About 1,500 active-duty US Army soldiers have been placed on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, according to a defence official. The troops are based in Alaska and could be deployed if President Donald Trump authorises their use. The alert comes as demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue in the city following the death of a legal observer earlier this month. State officials have urged protesters to remain peaceful. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has placed the National Guard on alert. A federal judge has also limited crowd-control actions by ICE against peaceful demonstrators. (PC: BBC)

At least eight skiers have died in a series of avalanches across Austria’s Alps, officials confirmed after heavy snowfall and unstable snow conditions triggered multiple deadly slides on Saturday, 17 January 2026. Three Czech ski tourers were buried and killed in the Murtal district of Styria, while five others died in the Salzburg Pongau region, where two avalanches struck off-piste areas, including the Gastein Valley and Bad Hofgastein. Rescue teams, including helicopters, mountain rescue units and dog squads, responded amid repeated avalanche warnings issued by authorities, who stressed the severity of current conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. (PC: AP)

A report citing doctors working inside Iran has claimed that at least 16,500 protesters were killed and about 330,000 injured during the recent crackdown on demonstrations. The protests began over economic issues and later expanded into calls for political change. The report says many victims suffered gunshot and shrapnel wounds to the head, neck, and chest. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has acknowledged “several thousand” deaths but rejected higher figures. In contrast, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has verified just over 3,000 deaths so far. Independent verification of higher numbers remains difficult due to internet restrictions. (PC: HT)

Iranian protesters say former US President Donald Trump “fooled and deceived” them after hopes of American support during the unrest failed to materialise. Many demonstrators believed Trump’s public warnings to Iran and social media posts showed the US was ready to act. Some said his comment that the US was “locked and loaded” pushed people back onto the streets. Iranian authorities later shut down internet services and used force to crush protests. When Trump later said Iran’s leaders had assured him killings would stop, he ruled out military action. Protesters say the sudden shift left them exposed and led to the collapse of the movement. (PC: X)

The European Parliament has suspended ratification of a trade deal with the United States after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on some European countries. The move followed Trump’s decision to impose extra duties on nations that sent troops to Greenland. EU lawmakers said a zero-tariff pact cannot move forward under such pressure. Leaders warned that countermeasures may be considered under EU anti-coercion rules. The trade deal, agreed last year to ease tensions, aimed to stabilise tariffs and improve transatlantic trade ties. (PC: India Today)