Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss the current situation in Iran. During the call, Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of inciting violence in recent protests, which he said had turned from peaceful demonstrations into violent unrest. He emphasized that Iran’s domestic policies are people-centered and aimed at addressing citizens’ legitimate demands and challenges caused by sanctions. Pezeshkian also noted that large public gatherings across the country had thwarted what he described as rioters’ conspiracies.

Putin stated that Russia is closely monitoring developments in Iran and acknowledged that long-term sanctions have created economic and social difficulties there. According to a Kremlin statement, Pezeshkian briefed Putin on the government’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the situation and reduce tensions. Both leaders agreed that emerging issues in Iran and the wider Middle East should be resolved through political and diplomatic means.

The Kremlin added that Putin and Pezeshkian also agreed to further strengthen the strategic, mutually committed relationship between Russia and Iran across various sectors.

Syria has officially declared the Kurdish language as a national language through a decree issued by President Ahmed Al-Shara. The decree also recognizes the national rights of the Kurdish community and restores their citizenship, which had been revoked following the controversial 1962 census. Additionally, Damascus has declared Nowruz, the Kurdish New Year, as an official public holiday. The decree will take effect upon publication in the official gazette.

According to the decree, Kurdish citizens are described as an integral part of the Syrian people, and their cultural and linguistic identity is recognized as a vital component of Syria’s unified and diverse national identity. The government pledged to protect cultural and linguistic diversity and to ensure Kurdish citizens’ rights to preserve their heritage, arts, and language development within the framework of national sovereignty.

The decree further allows Kurdish to be taught in public and private schools in areas with significant Kurdish populations, either as an optional subject or as part of cultural and educational activities.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly thanked Iran for suspending the executions of detained protesters. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump said Tehran had halted the death sentences of hundreds of protesters who were scheduled to be executed on Thursday. He expressed gratitude to Iran’s leadership for the move.

Trump dismissed claims that Gulf countries or Israel had influenced him to refrain from attacking Iran, saying instead that Iran’s actions had shaped his decision not to strike. Speaking to reporters while leaving the White House for Florida over the weekend, he said no one persuaded him and that the cancellation of executions had a major impact. The White House confirmed on Thursday that Iranian authorities had suspended 800 planned executions and stated that the situation was being closely monitored.

Trump has repeatedly voiced support for Iranian protesters, urging them earlier in the week to continue demonstrations and seize state institutions, promising that help was on the way.

Four candidates from the Gaibandha-3 (Sadullapur-Palashbari) constituency have regained their eligibility to contest in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election after their appeals were accepted by the Election Commission. The appeals were heard on January 11, 12, and 15, 2026, at the Election Commission building, where the decisions were finalized. The reinstated candidates are Manjurul Haque of Janata Dal, Abdullah Adil Nannu of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, and independent candidates S.M. Khademul Islam Khudi and Azizur Rahman.

Their nomination papers had earlier been rejected by the Gaibandha returning officer due to alleged inconsistencies during the scrutiny process. Following their appeals, the Election Commission declared their nominations valid, bringing the total number of candidates in the constituency to ten. The approval list was signed by Arifur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary of the EC Secretariat’s Law-2 branch.

According to the election schedule, the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20, symbol allocation will take place on January 21, and voting is scheduled for February 12, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 145 polling centers with 506,185 registered voters.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that oppose American control over Greenland. Speaking at a rural healthcare event at the White House on Friday, Trump warned that he could take similar action to the tariffs previously imposed on the pharmaceutical industry. He stated that if allies do not support the United States in taking control of Greenland, tariffs could be applied against them, emphasizing that the island is essential for U.S. national security.

Trump reiterated that Greenland’s strategic location and vast mineral resources make it vital to U.S. interests. He did not rule out the possibility of using force to secure control of the island but mentioned tariffs for the first time in this context. The president also said he was discussing the issue with NATO, stressing that without Greenland, there would be a significant gap in U.S. national security.

The remarks mark an escalation in Trump’s rhetoric regarding Greenland, linking economic pressure with geopolitical objectives.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of independent candidate Dr. Gobinda Chandra Pramanik valid for the Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was made on Friday, January 16, during an appeal hearing held at the EC auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka. His nomination had earlier been canceled by the returning officer over allegations of forged supporter signatures submitted with his nomination papers.

Following the EC’s decision, Dr. Pramanik told journalists that the allegations against him were baseless and politically motivated. He said the returning officer’s decision to cancel his nomination was unjustified, and the appeal hearing proved the accusations false. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that truth had prevailed and reaffirmed his confidence in the Election Commission.

Dr. Pramanik also alleged that his rival candidate had influenced some government officials to create obstacles to his candidacy. He said he now plans to continue his campaign with full energy to fight for the people's rights in his constituency.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced several members of the new Gaza Peace Board, which will oversee the interim administration in the war-torn territory. The seven-member founding executive board includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Trump will chair the 15-member board himself, describing it as the most prestigious of its kind.

The board stems from Trump’s 20-point peace plan introduced in late 2025, which led to an initial ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and a prisoner exchange. The plan calls for an international “Board of Peace” to supervise a Palestinian technocratic body managing Gaza’s governance during the transition period. However, the White House has not yet detailed the board’s specific responsibilities.

Residents of Gaza have expressed skepticism about the recently announced second-phase ceasefire, citing unfulfilled promises from the first stage of the agreement.

Reports from multiple Indian outlets surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election show a consistent narrative portraying Jamaat-e-Islami as a destabilizing and extremist force. Publications such as Firstpost, Indian Express, Anandabazar Patrika, and Republic Bangla have framed Jamaat’s political resurgence as a security threat, while downplaying its student wing’s electoral victories. Analysts cited in the report argue that this coverage reflects a deliberate attempt to isolate Jamaat politically and influence Bangladesh’s internal dynamics.

Diplomatic observers note that following the fall of the Awami League, India is eager to rebuild influence in Dhaka by aligning with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). However, Delhi reportedly views Jamaat as a “red line” and seeks to pressure BNP to sever ties with it. Indian media’s portrayal of Jamaat as “Pakistan-leaning” and “anti-India” is seen as part of this strategy.

Experts warn that if such media campaigns continue, they could strain Bangladesh-India relations and fuel anti-India sentiment among the Bangladeshi public.

Interim government adviser for finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, described the upcoming February 12 election as highly critical. Speaking on Friday evening at a voter awareness event organized by the Sirajganj district administration, he said both domestic and foreign observers were watching the election’s transparency closely. The event was held at the Sirajganj Collectorate grounds as part of a campaign promoting the referendum and voter participation.

Dr. Ahmed emphasized the importance of spreading the achievements of the July Revolution and urged attendees to counter negative attitudes with positivity. He expressed hope that future administrations would not overturn previous initiatives and encouraged citizens to support the “yes” vote to strengthen both themselves and the next government.

The meeting was chaired by Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. A. N. M. Bazrul Rashid and attended by senior officials, including the Cabinet Secretary, district administrators, and ministry secretaries. Cultural performances preceded the speeches.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan stated that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia never practiced politics of vengeance. He made the remark on Saturday, January 17, at a memorial meeting held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized jointly by the World Human Rights Organization and the Lawyers’ Association to pray for Khaleda Zia’s departed soul. Dr. Moyeen Khan described her as a leader who rose above political definitions through her thoughts, work, competence, and love for people.

Recalling his time as a minister, Moyeen Khan said Khaleda Zia always allowed her ministers full independence and never interfered in their work. Other speakers, including BNP Advisory Council member Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, highlighted her leadership and maternal qualities, saying she would remain immortal in the nation’s history. Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Masum, chairman of the World Human Rights Organization Bangladesh, emphasized her uncompromising role and contributions to the country.

The event was presided over by Advocate Syed Mahbub Hossain, president of the Lawyers’ Association, and attended by several BNP leaders and advisors.

The ongoing photo card sharing campaign, part of the 2026 referendum publicity drive, has continued since January 11. According to Senior Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmed, the initiative aims to raise public awareness and encourage active citizen participation in the upcoming referendum. The campaign will continue until Sunday, January 18, as confirmed by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

The photo cards carry the message urging citizens to vote 'yes' in the referendum, described as a step toward accelerating national progress. Alongside this initiative, other advisers have been participating in various public events to promote the 'yes' vote. Government channels are also actively supporting the campaign.

Political leaders and candidates are simultaneously conducting campaigns for both the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum, indicating a broad mobilization effort across the country.

BNP leader and Ghuridah Union Parishad Chairman Selim Ahmed Tulip organized a large community feast in Saghata, Gaibandha, where around 10,000 people from various professions gathered to eat the traditional dish Pithali. The event took place on Friday at the Saghata Degree College field following a prayer ceremony seeking forgiveness for the late Begum Khaleda Zia’s soul. The field quickly filled as people arrived after Jumma prayers, and food was served for about one and a half hours.

Local residents described the event as highly organized and satisfying, noting that such a large gathering for the traditional meal had not been seen in over a decade. Participants from different areas, including Ghuridah, Bonarpara, and Holdia, praised the taste of the dish and the discipline maintained during the event.

The gathering was attended by Gaibandha district BNP leaders, including President Professor Dr. Moinul Hasan Sadiq, General Secretary Md. Mahamudunabi Titul, and BNP’s nominated candidate for Gaibandha-5 constituency Alhaj Md. Faruk Alam Sarkar, along with other party members.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is conducting the eighth day of appeal hearings related to the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliament election. The hearings began at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. According to the EC schedule, 100 appeals numbered 511 to 610 are being heard from morning to 5 p.m., with a one-hour break at noon.

On the previous day, Friday, the commission heard 43 appeals, approving 18 appeals against nomination rejections, rejecting 17, and keeping four pending for verdict. Additionally, four appeals challenging the acceptance of others’ nominations were dismissed. The EC stated that the final day of hearings will be held on Sunday, covering appeals numbered 611 to 645 and any remaining pending cases.

A total of 645 appeals were filed with the EC against returning officers’ decisions. On January 4, returning officers declared 1,842 of 2,568 nomination papers valid and 723 invalid across 300 constituencies.

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the ministries of Housing and Public Works, Industries, and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, addressed a public awareness meeting in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday, January 17, 2026, as part of the campaign for the upcoming 2026 referendum. Speaking as the chief guest at the Cox’s Bazar Institute and Public Library Hall, he declared that enforced disappearances, extrajudicial actions, and crossfire incidents would no longer be tolerated in Bangladesh. He urged citizens to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum to end years of irregularities in the voting process.

Khan said the July Charter had been signed to fulfill the dreams of 1,400 students, workers, and citizens who sacrificed their lives for change, and that all political parties supported the charter. The Cox’s Bazar district administration organized the event, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan, and detailed extensive promotional activities including banners, posters, films, and social media outreach across the district.

The adviser’s visit to Cox’s Bazar followed campaign stops in Chattogram and Bandarban. He and his team were scheduled to return to Dhaka on Saturday night after completing the day’s activities.

Ten leaders and activists of Islami Andolan Bangladesh from Ward 75 (Daserkandi) under Dhaka South have joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The group included Gazi Nasir Uddin, president of the ward unit, businessman Kazi Akter Hossain, and Kazi Khaled Hossain. They formally joined the party on Saturday morning at a ceremony held in the capital’s Daserkandi area.

The event was attended by Kabir Ahmad, Jamaat’s nominated candidate for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat and central vice-president of the Labour Welfare Federation, as the chief guest. The program was presided over by Maulana Mahmudur Rahman, amir of Khilgaon East Thana Jamaat. Party leaders welcomed the new members and highlighted the organization’s ideology, goals, and objectives.

The joining marks a local-level shift of Islami Andolan members toward Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka South, reflecting ongoing political realignments within Islamist groups in the area.