Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that U.S. President Donald Trump would ultimately be ousted from power. Speaking on state television on Friday, Khamenei accused foreign-backed forces of trying to destabilize Iran and compared Trump to past dictators who fell from power. He said Iran would not retreat in the face of unrest and urged the nation’s youth to remain united and prepared to confront enemies.

The warning came as protests over rising living costs intensified across Iran, with reports of government buildings being set on fire. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that Iranian authorities shut down nationwide internet access late Thursday, keeping the country offline for about 12 hours to suppress demonstrations. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 34 protesters and four security personnel had been killed, and around 2,200 people arrested during the unrest.

The developments highlight escalating tensions between Iran’s leadership and protesters, as well as renewed friction with the United States over accusations of foreign interference.

Bangladesh’s interim government foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held their second telephone conversation within three days, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry announced on Facebook on January 8, 2026, that the two leaders discussed bilateral matters and recent regional developments. They also praised the convening of the upcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers session scheduled for January 10, 2026, in Jeddah.

Earlier, on January 4, Ishaq Dar had called Touhid Hossain while attending the seventh Pakistan-China strategic dialogue in Beijing. During that conversation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. They also exchanged views on recent developments in Asia and the Middle East and agreed to maintain close communication between the two countries.

The repeated contact between the two officials highlights ongoing diplomatic engagement and mutual interest in strengthening bilateral ties and regional collaboration.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, met with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, on Friday afternoon. The meeting took place at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The BNP’s verified Facebook page shared a photo of the meeting, describing it as a courtesy call between the two figures.

According to the post, the meeting was held at the BNP’s Gulshan office, where the Pakistani envoy paid a courtesy visit to Tarique Rahman. The report did not specify the topics discussed or the duration of the meeting. The event was reported by the online edition of the newspaper “Amar Desh.”

No further details were provided about the content of the discussion or any official statements from either side following the meeting.

A severe shortage of LPG cylinders has hit Nilphamari district and its upazilas, with allegations that certain dealers and distributors have created an artificial crisis by ignoring government-set prices. Despite the official price for a 12-kg cylinder being set at Tk 1,306 for January, consumers report paying between Tk 1,800 and Tk 2,100. Many households, hotels, and small businesses have been forced to halt cooking and operations due to the scarcity.

Retailers claim they are unable to obtain sufficient supply from dealers even when offering higher prices. Some dealers are reportedly selling limited quantities without receipts and at inflated rates. Consumers and traders allege that the crisis intensified after rumors of a price hike spread, leading to hoarding and speculative selling. A distributor representative, however, attributed the higher prices to transport costs and denied wrongdoing.

Experts and consumers have urged immediate administrative action against hoarding, overpricing, and unrecorded sales, warning that the artificial shortage could worsen if enforcement delays continue.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that there is no possibility of announcing a new pay scale before the upcoming national election. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in a local hotel in Barishal on Thursday afternoon, he said the current interim government will not make any final decision on the matter, which he described as reasonable.

Dr. Mansur explained that the interim government might prepare a framework, but its implementation will depend entirely on the next elected government. With the election only a month away, he noted that the government’s focus is now centered on election-related activities. He expressed confidence that the next government will be able to take a comprehensive decision after reviewing previous work.

During the same event, the governor discussed the benefits of digital transactions, suggesting that mandatory QR codes for new trade licenses could boost cashless payments. He also described the country’s import policy as complex and said inefficiency among officials often delays imports, leading to price increases in the market.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Bogura has stirred significant excitement among local party leaders and activists. According to the schedule, he will leave Dhaka on the morning of January 11, traveling by road through Tangail and Sirajganj, and is expected to reach Bogura around 9 p.m. that night. He will stay overnight at the Naz Garden Hotel, a decision confirmed by district BNP president Rezaul Karim Badsha after earlier speculation about a stay at the newly established five-star Mom-Inn Hotel.

Hotel sources said preparations are underway to receive the BNP leader, while the district BNP is coordinating security and crowd management during his stay. On January 12 at 10:30 a.m., Tarique Rahman will attend a public prayer event at Bogura Central High School field, which was finalized after earlier consideration of Altafunnesa playground as a possible venue.

Following the event, he will travel to Rangpur to visit the grave of July War hero Shaheed Abu Sayeed, and then continue his tour through Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, and Kurigram before returning to Dhaka.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group in Yemen, has announced its dissolution following meetings in Saudi Arabia. Representatives of the STC were in Riyadh for discussions aimed at resolving unrest in southern Yemen, according to Al Jazeera. The group declared that all its main and subsidiary bodies would be disbanded and its offices inside and outside the country closed.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed that STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi fled to the United Arab Emirates instead of attending scheduled peace talks in Riyadh. The coalition stated that al-Zubaidi traveled by boat from Yemen’s Aden port to Berbera in Somaliland late Wednesday night. The STC praised Saudi Arabia for organizing the talks, saying the initiative could help ease tensions with the UAE.

Recent weeks have seen escalating violence between STC forces and Saudi-backed troops around Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Tensions intensified after a Saudi-led airstrike targeted a UAE arms shipment at Mukalla port in southern Yemen.

A joint operation by the army and police in the riverine char areas of Araihazar upazila in Narayanganj recovered a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, explosives, drugs, and cash early Friday. The raid, conducted from 5:30 a.m. across Khaliar Char, Madhyar Char, and Kadmir Char under Kalapaharia Union, led to the arrest of five local residents. Among the recovered items were a foreign-made pistol looted from Araihazar Police Station, magazines, bullets, shotgun cartridges, eight cocktails, local weapons, an electric shock device, a mobile phone, and over 1 million taka in cash.

According to a press briefing held at Jahanara High School field, the operation involved 140 army personnel and 10 police officers under the 45 MLRS Regiment Artillery of the 9th Infantry Division, deployed in Araihazar since August 2025 under the “In Aid to Civil Power” framework. The area, surrounded by the Meghna River, is described as geographically sensitive and crime-prone. Intelligence reports had indicated the presence of stolen and illegal arms and drugs.

Lieutenant Colonel Zubair, commanding officer of the 45 MLRS Regiment, said the operation is expected to significantly reduce criminal activity and that similar actions will continue to ensure security ahead of the upcoming national election.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company on Friday reported that a distribution pipeline under the Turag River in Dhaka’s Aminbazar area was damaged after being struck by the anchor of a cargo trawler. The incident caused extremely low gas pressure across the capital, disrupting supply in multiple neighborhoods.

According to the company, although the damaged pipeline has been repaired, water entered the line during the repair process. Combined with an overall shortage in gas supply to the city, this led to widespread low pressure in various parts of Dhaka. Titas Gas stated that technical and operational measures are ongoing to restore normal supply levels.

The company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers and assured that efforts to resolve the issue are continuing.

Mufti Mushahid Munawar, a lyricist, preacher, and Islamic scholar, has released six Islamic nasheeds dedicated to martyr Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Revolution and anti-imperialist movement. The songs, including 'Dilme Hadi', 'Ay Hadi Fire Ay', and 'Janau Interim', have gained wide popularity on YouTube and social media. Munawar confirmed that four more nasheeds on Osman Hadi are in progress. The compositions reflect themes of sacrifice, justice, and remembrance through restrained yet firm language.

'Dilme Hadi', voiced by Saynan Sayem, seeks to evoke the martyr’s memory with emotional restraint, while 'Ay Hadi Fire Ay', composed by Abu Ubaida and sung by Kazi Mashkure Elahi, expresses the pain of absence and longing. 'Janau Interim' stands out for its protest tone, calling for swift justice in Osman Hadi’s murder case and spreading rapidly among young audiences. Listeners have described the works as courageous and timely.

Munawar stated that his nasheeds are part of a broader cultural mission to preserve martyr memories beyond commemorative days. Cultural observers regard these works as significant additions to contemporary Islamic music and as cultural documents reflecting faith, social awareness, and historical responsibility.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that those acting as mercenaries for foreign powers and causing harm to people and property will not be tolerated. In a speech broadcast on state television, he accused foreign forces of trying to destabilize Iran and alleged that some rioters were seeking to please U.S. President Donald Trump. Khamenei said Trump would eventually fall, comparing him to past arrogant rulers, and asserted that Iran would not retreat in the face of unrest.

He further claimed that the U.S. president’s hands were stained with the blood of thousands of Iranians and urged his supporters to remain united and prepared, emphasizing that a united nation can defeat any enemy. His remarks came as anti-government protests, which began on December 28, spread across Iran.

The demonstrations started when merchants at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar closed their shops to protest rising living costs, later drawing participation from various social groups across the country.

Industrial Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan expressed optimism that the next elected government will take necessary initiatives to establish new industrial factories aimed at national industrial development and job creation. He made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Chhatak Cement Company Limited in Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj district.

During the visit, the adviser said that the company’s production activities would soon resume through conversion from the existing wet process to a dry process. The visit was attended by senior officials including Local Government Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman, BCIC Chairman Md. Fazlur Rahman, LGED Chief Engineer Kazi Golam Mostafa, and Chhatak Cement Company Managing Director Md. Abdur Rahman.

BCIC Chairman Md. Fazlur Rahman stated that production at the mill would start soon and that BCIC was actively working toward that goal.

Dhaka University is proceeding with steps to permanently expel four teachers reportedly aligned with the Awami League. The university’s highest policy-making body, the Syndicate, reached this decision during a meeting held on Thursday, January 8. The Syndicate resolved to issue show-cause notices asking the teachers why they should not be permanently dismissed from their positions.

The four teachers named are Professor Zinat Huda, Professor A K M Jamal Uddin, Professor Sadeka Halim, and Professor Moshior Rahman, all from the Department of Sociology. According to the university’s Proctor, Professor Dr. Saifuddin Ahmed, formal charges have been framed against them, and the show-cause notices will be issued accordingly.

The Syndicate’s decision marks a significant disciplinary move within Dhaka University, signaling a formal process toward permanent expulsion pending the teachers’ responses to the show-cause notices.

A doctor from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi has been arrested for allegedly removing kidneys from at least 15 to 16 individuals under the pretext of surgery. According to a report by the Indian Express on July 9, Delhi Police detained Dr. Vijaya Kumar, a 50-year-old female physician, on charges of involvement in a kidney trafficking network operating between Bangladesh and India.

The report states that Dr. Kumar, who served as a visiting consultant and surgeon at Yatharth Hospital in Noida, performed the alleged operations between 2021 and 2023. Most of the victims were Bangladeshi citizens brought to India by intermediaries who lured them with promises of money. Delhi Police said the trafficking ring targeted poor Bangladeshis and arranged for their kidneys to be removed in hospitals around New Delhi.

Authorities previously arrested three Bangladeshi nationals linked to similar kidney trafficking networks. Organ sales for money are illegal in India, though voluntary donations remain lawful under specific conditions.

A conversation between a user and ChatGPT has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention in early 2026. The user asked the AI chatbot what it would do if it could become human for a day. ChatGPT’s reply surprised many, as it expressed a desire to experience simple human sensations such as feeling the wind, warmth of sunlight, and even the act of crying. It also spoke about wanting to make mistakes, feel love, and understand kindness, ending with a reflection on living through the harsh truths of human life.

The exchange has reignited global curiosity and debate about artificial intelligence. While some fear AI could disrupt job markets, others believe it will serve as a supportive tool for humans. ChatGPT’s deeply human-like response has prompted many to question whether AI is merely a technological system or a step toward understanding human emotion.

The viral incident underscores the growing presence of AI across medicine, science, education, and creative fields, reinforcing its role as a defining technology of the future.