A senior Iranian security official has warned former U.S. President Donald Trump not to interfere in Iran’s ongoing protests. Speaking to local media on Friday, the official said any U.S. involvement in Iran’s internal affairs would destabilize the entire region and would be met with a strong response. The warning followed Trump’s post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he stated that the United States was ready to act if Iranian authorities violently suppressed peaceful demonstrators. The protests, now in their fifth consecutive day, have spread to more than a dozen cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Hamadan, and Fars. Local sources reported at least seven deaths in clashes between protesters and security forces. Demonstrators have been calling for the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and an end to the current political system. The exchange of warnings between Washington and Tehran underscores rising tensions amid expanding unrest across Iran, with both sides signaling readiness for escalation if violence intensifies.

A mobile court in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj conducted an operation against the sale of LPG gas cylinders at inflated prices. The drive took place on Friday afternoon at Kamranirchar Bazar, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mostafizur Rahman Imon. During the inspection, the court fined Satata Enterprise 10,000 taka for selling LPG cylinders above the government-fixed price. Executive Magistrate Mostafizur Rahman stated that selling any product beyond the government-approved rate is a punishable offense under the law. He emphasized that such monitoring and enforcement drives will continue regularly to maintain discipline in the market and protect consumer interests. The operation reflects ongoing efforts by local administration in Narayanganj to ensure price compliance and safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices.

Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for the Cox’s Bazar-2 (Maheshkhali–Kutubdia) parliamentary constituency, has had his nomination paper canceled due to complications related to ongoing legal cases. The decision followed a review process on Friday, during which his nomination was initially suspended and later rejected. Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan confirmed that the cancellation was made in accordance with Election Commission regulations after case details surfaced during scrutiny. According to the Returning Officer’s office, the decision was based on unresolved legal issues from cases filed during the Awami League’s tenure. Dr. Azad currently serves as Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and has a long history in student and party politics, having joined Islami Chhatra Shibir in 1977 and Jamaat-e-Islami in 1995. He was previously elected as a Member of Parliament from the same constituency in the 2008 national election. Dr. Azad stated that a document related to a “false case” was not submitted with his nomination papers, leading to the cancellation. He plans to appeal the decision by submitting the necessary documents, expressing hope of regaining his candidacy.

The nomination paper scrutiny for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in Shariatpur-2 (Naria-Sakhipur) constituency has been completed. Out of ten candidates, four were declared valid while six were disqualified due to inconsistencies in information and failure to comply with election rules. The decision was confirmed on Friday morning by District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum at her office. The disqualified candidates include Imran Hossain of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Akteruzzaman Samrat of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Parvez Mosharraf of Jonotar Dal, and three independent candidates—Farhana Kadir Rahman, Md. Alamgir Hossain, and Md. Nasir. The returning officer stated that they have until January 9 to appeal the decision. Imran Hossain, the Islami Andolan candidate, told Amader Desh that his nomination was rejected because he failed to mention the opening date of his bank account in the submitted form. He said he intends to appeal the decision.

Bangladesh’s government has confirmed that no illegal or cloned mobile phones will be deactivated within the next 90 days following the official launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on January 1. The clarification came from Faez Ahmad Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, who addressed public confusion over multiple phone registrations under single national IDs. Tayyeb explained that the NEIR system, which links all mobile devices’ IMEI numbers to a national database, received over three billion data sets from operators, including historical records. This caused some users’ national IDs to show an unusually high number of active devices. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and mobile operators are jointly working to archive old data and display only currently active handsets. He also noted that the system had been initially developed in 2021 and recently upgraded with additional features. According to the government, the NEIR will help identify stolen and illegal phones, raise public awareness, and allow citizens to monitor SIM and device usage linked to their national IDs, enhancing transparency and security in mobile communications.

Defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club started the new year with a disappointing goalless draw against Brothers Union in the ongoing football league. The match, held on Friday at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, ended without goals despite several close chances from both sides. With this result, both teams shared the points. Mohammedan’s struggle to regain form continued as they remained winless in their last few outings. After nine matches, the team has collected only 10 points, placing them sixth on the league table with two wins, four draws, and three losses. Coach Alfaz Ahmed’s side began the match aggressively but failed to convert opportunities, including a missed chance by Hafizur Rahman and a disallowed goal by Samuel Boateng for offside. Brothers Union also had a goal from Anjan Bista ruled out for offside. The league continues today with four scheduled matches: Abahani vs Arambagh, Bangladesh Police vs Rahmatganj, Fakirerpool vs Bashundhara Kings, and Fortis vs PWD, all kicking off at 2:30 p.m.

Gabon’s government has imposed an indefinite ban on its national football team following a disappointing performance in the Africa Cup of Nations. The team lost all its group-stage matches in Group F, which included Mozambique, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon. In response, Sports Minister Simplice-Désiré Mamboula announced the dismissal of all coaching staff and the suspension of players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele from the national squad. The minister described the team’s showing as shameful and said the technical staff had been dissolved. The decision reflects the government’s frustration with the team’s failure to advance beyond the group stage. However, the move has raised concerns about political interference in sports, which is generally frowned upon by international governing bodies. The report notes that Gabon could face further complications if FIFA views the government’s actions as undue interference in football affairs. Observers are now waiting to see what steps FIFA might take in response to the situation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he will hold a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on January 5 to discuss the Gaza crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Erdogan made the statement on January 2 in Istanbul after Friday prayers, according to a report by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News. Erdogan also said that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a high-level meeting in France next week with the coalition of Kyiv’s allies known as the “coalition of the willing.” Before that, on January 3, a meeting of security advisers from allied countries will take place in Ukraine. Erdogan noted that he maintains regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Trump, and European leaders, with discussions covering both the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in Palestine. The upcoming call underscores Turkey’s continued diplomatic engagement with major global actors amid overlapping crises in Gaza and Ukraine.

On Friday, prayer gatherings were held across Bangladesh seeking forgiveness for the soul of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The events took place in mosques and community venues in districts including Chattogram, Dhaka, Bagerhat, Madaripur, Pirojpur, Bogura, Natore, and Lakshmipur. Devotees, party leaders, and local residents participated in Quran recitations, milad, and special prayers following Jumma prayers, praying for her eternal peace. Local BNP units, affiliated organizations, and civic groups organized the programs as part of broader mourning activities. Reports from various districts described an atmosphere of grief, with participants recalling Khaleda Zia’s political life and leadership. In several places, journalists, social leaders, and members of different political parties joined the gatherings, offering prayers and distributing food among attendees. The coordinated observances reflected a unified expression of respect and remembrance for the late leader, with prayers continuing in multiple mosques and BNP offices nationwide.

A female police officer named Razia Sultana Mim, aged 28, was found dead in a rented apartment in the Koshaibari area of Dakshinkhan, Dhaka. The incident occurred late Thursday night, when she was discovered unconscious and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Her father claimed that she had taken her own life. According to her father, Mohammad Nasir Uddin Bachchu, Razia worked in the police force, as did her husband, Rajib Mia. The couple lived together with their daughter in the rented apartment. He alleged that a family dispute led Razia to hang herself from a ceiling fan using a scarf around 10 p.m. Her husband later found her unconscious and took her to the hospital. Inspector Mohammad Faruk, in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed that the body was kept in the hospital morgue and that the local police station had been informed of the matter.

Manch-24 has demanded that the Jatiya Party be declared ineligible to contest the upcoming national election within 48 hours. The demand was made on Friday, January 2, 2026, during a press conference held at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen, where the group’s convener, Fahim Faruqi, also protested the party’s submission of nomination papers for 224 constituencies. In a written statement, Faruqi alleged that the Awami League, along with the Jatiya Party and other allies in the 14-party coalition, had maintained an authoritarian regime over the past 16 years. He claimed that both parties share responsibility for human rights violations and that the interim government’s ban on Awami League activities should also apply to its main ally, the Jatiya Party. Faruqi further argued that no fascist or autocratic political force should be allowed to operate in post-July Bangladesh. Manch-24 stated that two legal notices had already been sent to the government demanding action against parties accused of aiding alleged atrocities. The group warned that if the Election Commission fails to act within 72 hours, it will call for a protest to surround the commission.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, visited the graves of her grandparents, late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, on Friday morning at the Zia Udyan in Dhaka. She offered floral tributes and prayed for their souls during the visit. Family members, including Begum Khaleda Zia’s sister Selina Islam and younger daughter-in-law Sharmila Rahman, were also present at the site. The relatives were seen in tears as they offered prayers and paid their respects together. The visit marked a moment of remembrance for the family at the resting place of two prominent figures in Bangladesh’s political history, as reported by Amar Desh Online.

Hasnat Abdullah, the National Citizen Party candidate for Comilla-04 (Debidwar) constituency, has accused the local administration of losing neutrality and leaning toward the BNP. Speaking to journalists on Friday in front of the Comilla District Commissioner and Returning Officer’s office after the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Abdullah alleged that the administration’s partial behavior has raised doubts about the fairness of the upcoming polls. He claimed that despite submitting written evidence against a candidate for concealing information in the election affidavit, the administration still approved that candidate’s nomination. Abdullah criticized what he described as administrative inaction over recent violent incidents, including the killing of a person named Hadi, and said such failures have undermined public confidence. He further alleged that some political parties have obstructed administrative reforms by exerting their influence. Abdullah, who is contesting under the ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami, urged Debidwar voters to exercise their voting rights on January 12. The district returning officer declared his nomination valid while rejecting 16 others in Comilla constituencies.

The historic Nalchity launch terminal in Jhalakathi has been renamed after martyr Sharif Osman Hadi by Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The renaming plaque was unveiled on Friday afternoon at a ceremony in Nalchity, where the adviser paid tribute to Hadi’s memory and described him as a fearless fighter and symbol of patriotic youth. During the event, the adviser said the government is prioritizing the development of water transport infrastructure to connect remote and island communities with the national development mainstream. He emphasized that naming the terminal after Hadi would inspire future generations with patriotism, courage, and responsibility. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has already completed renovation and modernization work on the newly named terminal. Local residents expressed gratitude for the decision. Earlier, the adviser had handed over a water ambulance named after Hadi to Monpura Upazila in Bhola and inaugurated a new launch terminal in Durgapasha, Bakerganj, aimed at improving local transport and trade connectivity.

Bangladesh Bank has reported that the country's foreign currency reserves stand at 33.18 billion US dollars. The figure was released on Friday, February 2, based on the central bank’s latest data. The information provides an updated view of the nation’s reserve position at the beginning of 2026. According to the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) standard, Bangladesh’s reserves currently amount to 28.51 billion US dollars. The difference between the two figures reflects the variation in calculation methods used by the central bank and the IMF. The report highlights the ongoing monitoring of Bangladesh’s reserve levels by both domestic and international institutions, underscoring the importance of transparency in financial reporting.