Rabia Ali
21 January 2026•Update: 21 January 2026
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including US President Donald Trump declining to specify limits on his pursuit of Greenland, Syria announcing a four-day ceasefire with the terrorist group SDF, Israel ransacking a UN agency headquarters in East Jerusalem, and Turkish President Erdogan telling Trump that Türkiye is “closely” following the situation in Syria.
TOP STORIES
- Trump says 'you'll find out,' when asked how far he'll go to acquire Greenland
When pressed by reporters on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump declined to specify limits on his pursuit of Greenland.
"You'll find out," he said when asked how far Washington will go at a White House briefing commemorating his first year in office.
His remarks came amid heightened tensions between the US and Europe, as he renewed pressure to acquire Greenland and threatened new tariffs on European countries.
The US president announced 10% tariffs on goods from eight European nations until there is agreement for "the complete and total purchase of Greenland."
- Syrian Defense Ministry announces 4-day ceasefire with SDF
Syria’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday evening announced a four-day ceasefire with the SDF.
In a statement, the ministry said it would halt “all firing across all operational sectors of the Syrian Arab Army” as of 8 pm local time (1700GMT).
The ceasefire “will remain in effect for four days from its date,” in line with “the understandings announced by the Syrian state with the SDF” and “out of keenness to ensure the success of the national efforts being made,” the ministry said.
The ministry stressed that it “will remain the shield of the Syrian people.”
- Israel ransacks UN agency headquarters in East Jerusalem
Israeli forces and far-right National Security Minister Ben-Gvir on Tuesday stormed and ransacked the closed headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem, witnesses said.
They told Anadolu that Israeli teams, accompanied by at least one bulldozer, moved into the compound located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and demolished structures on the site.
The witnesses added that Israeli forces also raised the Israeli flag over the compound, replacing the UN flag.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned the move.
- Türkiye 'closely' following situation in Syria, President Erdogan tells Trump
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Trump held a phone call Tuesday to discuss bilateral ties and regional and global issues, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.
Erdogan told Trump that Türkiye is "closely" following developments in Syria and that Syria's unity, solidarity, and territorial integrity are important for Ankara, said a directorate statement.
The leaders also exchanged views on the fight against ISIS (Daesh) and the situation of ISIS members in Syrian prisons.
Erdogan said "a peaceful Syria, free from terrorism and developing in all aspects, would contribute to the stability of the region," the directorate stated.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- President Trump’s plane was forced to return to the US shortly after takeoff late Tuesday as it headed for Davos, Switzerland due to what the White House described as a “minor electrical issue.”
- The Syrian Army on Tuesday recaptured the Karakozak area, where the land of the Suleyman Shah Tomb is located, one hour before a ceasefire with the terrorist group YPG/SDF took effect, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday discussed the latest developments in Syria as well as the US-proposed Board of Peace for Gaza.
- Trump said the Syrian government is maintaining control over some of the world’s "worst" terrorist prisoners after it recaptured dozens of ISIS (Daesh) detainees released by the YPG/SDF group.
- The EU firmly backs Greenland and Denmark in defending their territorial integrity, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday, stressing that sovereignty cannot be treated as a bargaining chip.
- A civilian was shot dead by members of the terrorist group YPG/SDF in the Hasakah province of northeastern Syria on Tuesday.
- Britain on Tuesday stressed that it will "never compromise" on national security, pushing back on Trump criticizing its plan to hand over sovereignty of a small group of islands in the Indian Ocean to the East African country of Mauritius.
- Russia has received a draft charter from the US for the proposed Board of Peace on Gaza, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced.
- The Mexican government extradited 37 high-profile members of drug cartels to the US, a top security official said Tuesday.
- The number of confirmed deaths during nationwide protests in Iran has risen to 4,519, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said Tuesday.
- Russia and Ukraine offered positive assessments Tuesday following contacts with US and European representatives on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that the post‑war rules-based international order is fading and warned that middle powers like Canada must adapt to a world of growing rivalry and coercion.
- At the World Economic Forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Tuesday that his country and Armenia “closed the page on war.”
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US stocks close with losses amid Greenland dispute, tariffs
US stocks ended with losses Tuesday amid rising geopolitical risks due to the US-Europe dispute over Greenland.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.76%, or 870.74 points, to end at 48,488.59.
The Nasdaq sank 2.39%, or 561.06 points, to 22,954.32, and the S&P 500 lost 2.06%, or 143.15 points, to 6,796.86.
- Investment growth in 'frontier markets' halved in 2020s compared to 2010s: World Bank
The World Bank reported Tuesday that "frontier market" economies, largely composed of middle-income diversities, have largely failed to realize their potential in recent years, with per capita investment in the 2020s being less than half of what it was in the 2010s.
"Yet the experience of the top performers among frontier markets reveals lessons for the 56 economies currently in the cluster," the bank said in a statement.
The statement noted that these economies have made little progress in attracting investment since 2000, and that the rate of per capita investment growth has gradually slowed over the last 25 years, falling to just 2% in the 2020s.
