Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “confused clown” in response to Zelensky’s claim that Iran’s government kills civilians to stay in power. The remarks were made in a post on social media platform X, according to NDTV, on January 25, 2026.

Araghchi accused Zelensky of using U.S. and European taxpayers’ money to enrich himself and corrupt generals in his army. He wrote that Iranians know how to defend themselves and do not need to beg foreigners for help. Araghchi further alleged that Zelensky was exploiting the “illegal aggression” against Ukraine as an excuse to misuse Western funds while simultaneously calling for U.S. military attacks on Iran, which he said would violate the same UN Charter.

Addressing Zelensky directly, Araghchi said the world is tired of “confused clowns” like him and contrasted Iran’s self-reliance with what he described as Ukraine’s foreign-backed forces.

A new study has revealed that Bangladesh has around 8.2 million drug users, with the majority being young people. The findings were presented on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at an event held at the Super Specialized Hospital in Shahbagh, Dhaka. The research, funded by the Department of Narcotics Control, identified cannabis as the most commonly used drug, followed by yaba, heroin, phensedyl, and codeine-based cough syrups. Alarmingly, 60 percent of users begin drug use before the age of 18, while only a small fraction receive treatment or rehabilitation.

The study, conducted by a team from Bangladesh Medical University, collected data from 5,280 participants across 13 districts and 26 upazilas in eight divisions. It found that drug use is higher in urban areas but spreading rapidly in rural regions, with Dhaka division showing the highest prevalence and Barishal the lowest. Injection-based drug use is also rising, posing serious public health risks.

Experts at the event emphasized that drug abuse is not only a law enforcement issue but also a major public health concern. They called for stronger prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness programs targeting youth.

A commentary published on January 25, 2026, in Amader Desh Online criticizes U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Gaza Peace Board,” describing it as an empty and unethical initiative that turns peace into a financial transaction. The article states that draft charters were quietly distributed to about 60 countries, seeking up to one billion dollars in membership fees. It argues that the proposal shifts from moral peacebuilding to a long-term management project over a devastated Gaza, without addressing justice or Palestinian self-determination.

According to the analysis, the board’s structure is financially driven, with membership determined by payment and authority concentrated in the chairman’s hands. Palestinians are excluded from decision-making, and the plan omits references to international law, the Geneva Conventions, or UN resolutions. The piece warns that the initiative bypasses the UN system to avoid accountability, creating a parallel governance model that privileges control and profit over transparency.

The article concludes that true peace in Gaza requires an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, accountability for crimes, and Palestinian-led reconstruction under international law, not externally imposed financial schemes.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that the people of Bangladesh want political rights and change. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at a large public rally held at the Polo Ground in Chattogram, organized ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Rahman emphasized that criticism alone would not benefit the people and outlined several development commitments if his party came to power.

He said the BNP aims to bring healthcare services to people’s doorsteps and to develop Chattogram as the country’s commercial capital. Rahman also pledged that a BNP government would establish 100,000 healthcare centers and resume canal excavation projects. He further vowed to take strict action against corruption under any circumstances.

The rally formed part of the BNP’s broader campaign activities for the upcoming national election, highlighting the party’s focus on governance reform, infrastructure development, and anti-corruption measures.

A total of 125 metric tons of explosives were imported from India through the Benapole land port in Jashore on Saturday evening. The shipment, classified as highly dangerous, arrived in eight Indian trucks and was placed in the port’s 31st transshipment yard. Authorities have issued special security alerts across the port area due to the hazardous nature of the materials.

According to port sources, the explosives were imported for use in the Madhyapara Granite Mining Project in Dinajpur. The importer is Madhyapara Granite Mining Company Limited, while the exporter is India’s Super Shiv Shakti Chemical Private Limited. Local residents, workers, and traders have expressed concern about storing such a large quantity of explosives in a populated area, though port officials assured that maximum safety measures are in place.

Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain said customs, port security, police, BGB, and fire service units have been placed on alert. He added that steps are being taken to transport the explosives quickly to their destination following international safety standards, with law enforcement maintaining oversight at every stage.

Iran’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Company chief Behzad Akbari announced that internet services across the country will be restored “today or tomorrow.” The Fars news agency reported the statement on Saturday, citing domestic media. According to AFP, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council approved the reconnection late Friday and informed the Ministry of Communications. Akbari said the issue would be resolved soon, though technical complications may delay full restoration.

Fars noted that international internet access briefly returned for about 30 minutes before being cut off again, a development also recorded by monitoring group NetBlocks. Officials from the communications ministry said technical issues were hindering complete reconnection. Iran had severed its digital links with the world on January 8 following widespread protests, during which authorities launched a harsh crackdown. Human rights groups reported thousands of deaths, while the government claimed 3,117 fatalities, including 2,427 labeled as “martyrs.”

Yusuf Pezeshkian, presidential adviser and son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, urged the government to restore internet access, warning that prolonged shutdowns would deepen public dissatisfaction and widen the gap between citizens and the state.

A massive crowd gathered at the Kajla Bridge area in Jatrabari on Sunday for an election rally organized by the 10-party alliance in support of its parliamentary candidates for Dhaka-4 and Dhaka-5 constituencies. The rally venue was filled to capacity even before the event began at 11 a.m. The event was chaired by Abdus Sabur Fakir, with speeches delivered by alliance-nominated candidates Mohammad Kamal Hossain for Dhaka-5 and Syed Zainul Abedin for Dhaka-4, along with several central and local leaders.

Speakers at the rally declared their opposition to foreign dominance in Bangladesh and called for boycotting what they described as agents of India and extortionists. They also urged the public to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman was present on stage and was scheduled to address the gathering shortly.

The rally reflected the 10-party alliance’s efforts to mobilize public support ahead of the election, with participation from both central and grassroots leaders.

Venezuela has announced a plan to increase its oil production by 18 percent in 2026. The state oil company PDVSA’s Chief Executive Officer Hector Obregon said the country has launched a reform program to fully open the energy sector to private investors in order to achieve this target. He noted that the previous law was not aligned with current industry needs, and Venezuela’s current oil output stands at around one million barrels per day.

Analysts said the new legislation is part of President Delcy Rodríguez’s commitment and that pressure from the United States played a key role in its initial approval. The pressure reportedly intensified after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was detained during a U.S. special forces operation. U.S. President Donald Trump has also expressed interest in Venezuela’s oil sector.

If the law is finally passed, it will ease decades of state control over Venezuela’s oil industry, a system that was further tightened in the mid-2000s under the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman called on young people to move beyond blame-based politics and contribute ideas for national development. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the 'Youth Policy Talk with Tarique Rahman' held at the Radisson Blu Bay View Hotel in Chattogram. Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh currently has a strong youth workforce that will remain an advantage for the next 15 to 20 years, and he sought input from the next generation on how they envision leading the country.

During his address, Rahman outlined several policy ideas, including a student loan program to assist Bangladeshi students studying abroad who face financial difficulties. He also announced a plan to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals nationwide to reduce waterlogging and increase groundwater reserves if his party comes to power. He stressed that political promises must be backed by implementation to earn public trust.

Rahman further stated that strengthening law enforcement and curbing corruption are essential for any development plan to succeed, adding that a government’s zero-tolerance stance against corruption could significantly reduce related crimes.

A decorated freedom fighter, Harunur Rashid of Dakchai village in Ishania Union under Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur, formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The joining took place during a courtyard meeting in his village, attended by AKM Afzalul Anam, Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Dinajpur-2 constituency and a district working committee member.

During the event, Harunur Rashid stated that he had not been affiliated with any political party before and decided to join Jamaat-e-Islami in the later stage of his life, expressing his belief that the party respects freedom fighters. He pledged to follow the party’s rules and principles.

Bochaganj upazila Jamaat secretary Mahbub Alam welcomed Rashid’s decision, noting that several other freedom fighters had previously joined the party out of respect. Local leaders including Aminul Haque and Abdul Baten were also present at the event.

After a two-day meeting in Abu Dhabi, Russia and Ukraine agreed on Saturday to hold a second round of direct peace talks next week, scheduled for February 1 under U.S. mediation. A U.S. official described bringing all parties to the same table as a major step forward, noting significant progress in identifying key issues for a final decision. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the discussions constructive and important.

The talks mark the first direct participation of both nations in discussions under U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end nearly four years of war. Their previous meeting in Istanbul last summer had been limited to a prisoner exchange agreement. However, tensions flared again on the second day of the Abu Dhabi meeting when Russia launched extensive drone and missile attacks, leaving millions without power in freezing conditions.

Kyiv authorities labeled the assault a “night of Russian terror,” accusing Moscow of trying to undermine the peace process. Despite the ongoing conflict, ordinary residents of Kyiv remain uncertain about a swift resolution.

Hamas leaders held a meeting with Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin in Istanbul to discuss the next phase following the Gaza ceasefire. The delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, focused on coordination to ease the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people and manage Gaza through a national committee.

Both sides emphasized the importance of opening the Rafah crossing for aid delivery and reaffirmed strong policies to support Palestinians in the occupied territories. During the meeting, the Hamas delegation expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his mediation and guarantor role in efforts to ensure peace in Gaza.

The delegation also thanked Ankara for its increasingly significant role in the second phase of the post-ceasefire plan, highlighting Turkey’s continued involvement in regional stabilization efforts.

Iraq’s dominant Shia coalition, known as the Coordination Framework, has endorsed former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for the country’s next prime minister. The announcement was made in a statement on Saturday, according to AFP reports from Baghdad. The coalition, which maintains close ties with Iran, said the decision was unanimous and that al-Maliki was chosen as the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc due to its majority position.

The statement highlighted al-Maliki’s extensive political experience, administrative skills, and leadership capacity. Aged 75, al-Maliki previously served two consecutive terms as Iraq’s prime minister from 2006 to 2014, following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ended Saddam Hussein’s rule. Under Iraq’s political convention, the prime minister is typically selected from the Shia community, while the parliamentary speaker and president come from the Sunni and Kurdish communities respectively.

Following last November’s general election, the Coordination Framework was formed by al-Maliki’s party and other Shia groups. With a new parliamentary speaker already chosen, the next session will elect a president, who is expected to appoint al-Maliki to replace current prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The United States Department of Defense has announced a major shift in its strategic priorities under the 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS), released on Friday. According to the document, China will no longer be considered the top defense priority for the U.S. military. The Pentagon plans to focus more on defending U.S. territory and the Indo-Pacific region while reducing the scope of military cooperation with allies in Europe and other regions. Partner nations are expected to take primary responsibility for their own defense, with the U.S. providing limited but strategically important support.

The 34-page report marks a significant departure from the 2018 NDS, which identified China as the primary long-term challenge and Russia as a severe threat. The new strategy describes Russia’s security risk as “steady but manageable” and emphasizes building a “respectful relationship” with Beijing based on strength rather than confrontation. Notably, the report omits any mention of Taiwan. It also highlights border security as a national priority, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

The revised strategy signals a more inward-looking U.S. defense posture, emphasizing domestic security and selective global engagement.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced plans to introduce student loans and simplify Bangladesh’s complex bank lending process during a youth policy event in Chattogram. Speaking on Sunday at the 'Youth Policy Talk with Tarique Rahman' held at Hotel Radisson, he outlined the initiative before 340 students from 50 universities. Rahman said many young Bangladeshis wish to study abroad but cannot afford visa and related expenses, and the proposed student loan program aims to address that challenge.

He also criticized previous governments for prioritizing so-called development at the cost of environmental damage. The BNP’s future plans include nationwide canal excavation to reduce waterlogging and planting 500 million trees within five years. Responding to a student’s question on extortion, Rahman said the BNP distinguishes between professional and seasonal criminals, adding that firm government messaging against crime and corruption could reduce such incidents by 30 percent. He pledged that a BNP government would ensure safety for both men and women.

Senior BNP leaders, young students, and entrepreneurs attended the event, which focused on youth engagement and policy priorities.