Widespread anti-government protests in Iran have turned violent, leaving hospitals across the country overwhelmed with casualties. Doctors from several hospitals told the BBC that they are struggling to treat the large number of wounded and dead, many suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. In Rasht, one hospital reportedly received 70 bodies in a single night, forcing staff to stack corpses due to lack of space. Most victims are young, aged between 20 and 25. Internet access has been largely cut off, making it difficult to verify information.

The protests began two weeks ago as peaceful demonstrations against Iran’s economic crisis, currency devaluation, and rising prices but have since spread to all provinces and turned violent. Security forces have used live ammunition and rubber bullets, with reports of protesters losing their eyesight from shotgun fire. The Iranian government accuses the United States of inciting unrest, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed not to back down.

The United States, European Union, and United Nations have condemned the violent crackdown and urged Iran to respect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

A pedestrian named Kabir Ali, aged 57, was killed after being struck by an Indian truck at the Sonamasjid land port area in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Sunday morning. The accident occurred in the Madhyabazar area of the port while Kabir Ali, a resident of Baliadighi village, was crossing the road. He was severely injured and died on the way to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex.

According to Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir, the Indian truck hit Kabir Ali from behind as he was crossing the road. Local residents rescued the injured man and took him for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries en route. Police later recovered the body and confirmed that locals had detained the truck involved in the incident.

Law enforcement authorities stated that legal action has been initiated regarding the accident.

A severe communal clash erupted in Unakoti district of India’s northeastern state of Tripura, reportedly triggered by a dispute over a donation demand for a local festival. The incident occurred in Kumarghat area under Fatikroy police station, where refusal to pay the donation allegedly led one community to set fire to several establishments, including a timber shop, and vandalize a place of worship. At least five to six people were injured, and several houses and shops were burned. Authorities imposed an internet shutdown and took strict measures to restore order.

Security forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Tripura State Rifles (TSR), were deployed across Kumarghat subdivision and nearby areas. Mobile internet services were suspended for 48 hours, and police used mild baton charges and drone surveillance to maintain control. Eight people were detained in connection with the violence, and special monitoring continues under Section 163 to prevent further unrest.

Officials said the situation is now calm and fully under control. The administration remains vigilant ahead of the upcoming Bhairab Mela to ensure communal peace and prevent renewed tensions.

The High Court has issued a rule asking why the nominations of Jatiya Party and National Democratic Front (NDF) candidates should not be declared illegal. The order was given on Sunday afternoon by a bench led by Justice Razik Al Jalil. The Election Commission has been directed to respond to the rule within two weeks.

The rule followed a writ petition filed by Abdullah Al Mahmud, an organizer of the political alliance July Oikya, represented by Barrister A S M Shahriar Kabir. Earlier, on 7 January, the High Court had postponed until 11 January the hearing of a petition seeking to bar Jatiya Party and NDF from participating in the election.

The court’s directive now requires the Election Commission to clarify its position on the legality of these candidates’ nominations, potentially influencing the upcoming electoral process depending on the response and subsequent judicial review.

At least six people, including a newlywed couple, were killed when a gas cylinder exploded during a wedding ceremony at a house in Islamabad, Pakistan. Ten others were injured in the blast, which caused the roof to collapse, trapping several people under the debris. The incident was confirmed by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yusuf, according to The Express Tribune.

The explosion also caused extensive damage to four nearby houses. Rescue teams recovered sixteen people from the rubble, six of whom later died. The injured were taken to a hospital for treatment. Officials stated that all trapped individuals have been rescued and that the operation has been completed.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion, while confirming that no one remains trapped under the debris.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that a Muslim man no longer needs his wife's consent to enter into a second marriage. The decision came in response to a petition concerning the Muslim Family Law, with the court clarifying that approval from the Arbitration Council, not the first wife, is the determining factor for a lawful second marriage.

Previously, it was widely practiced that a husband required his first wife's permission before remarrying. The court stated that no such direct obligation exists in the Muslim Family Law. The 24-page verdict explained that the authority to approve a second marriage lies with the Arbitration Council, making spousal consent non-mandatory. Historically, under Section 494 of the Penal Code of 1860, marrying again without spousal consent carried a seven-year prison term, later revised in 1961 to require council approval instead.

Petitioners have announced plans to appeal, arguing that the ruling could weaken regulations on polygamy. Sociologists warned that misuse of multiple marriages could increase inequality and family instability, urging final resolution by the Supreme Court.

A joint force operation in Munshiganj’s Tongibari upazila on the evening of January 10, 2026, led to the arrest of ten individuals with local weapons, drugs, and cash. The raid took place near Baligaon Bridge under Tongibari Police Station, conducted by a team from the Munshiganj Sadar Army Camp under the 99 Composite Brigade, based on intelligence information and with police cooperation. Authorities seized approximately 250 grams of cannabis, two yaba tablets, over 200 unidentified drugs, and Tk 494,505 in cash from the scene.

The detainees were identified as residents of Tongibari and nearby areas and described by law enforcement as known drug dealers. Following the operation, the arrested individuals and the recovered items were handed over to Tongibari Police Station for legal proceedings.

The army stated that it remains firm in maintaining law and order in Munshiganj and will continue anti-drug and anti-crime drives regularly to prevent violence and sabotage ahead of the upcoming national election.

Police in Mirzaganj, Patuakhali have arrested Mostafa Mridha, 53, a known drug dealer accused in the sensational Siyam murder case. He was detained on Saturday night from the Subidkhali area. According to police, Mostafa, son of Ketab Ali Mridha from Uttar Subidkhali village, faces six ongoing drug cases in court. Officer-in-Charge Md. Abdus Salam confirmed that Mostafa was sent to Patuakhali jail through the court on Wednesday.

The murder case stems from the death of 18-year-old Siyam, who had visited his aunt’s house in Mirzaganj on December 23. That afternoon, Siyam and his cousin Abdullah Al Mahmud went to the Subidkhali Government College area, where they argued with a local youth named Raiyan. Raiyan and his associates allegedly beat Siyam at a nearby sand field and later took him to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Siyam was the son of Abdul Baset Talukder from Ghopkhali village under Itbaria Union in Patuakhali Sadar Police Station.

Intense fighting erupted along the Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar as clashes between Myanmar’s Arakan Army (AA) and Rohingya rebels continued for four consecutive days. The exchange of gunfire, which lasted until 6 a.m. Sunday, shook the border area. The Arakan Army reportedly carried out several drone strikes targeting Rohingya rebels, forcing them to retreat. Pursuing them, AA fighters crossed into Bangladeshi territory and opened random fire, injuring a nine-year-old girl named Huzayfa Sultana Afnan, who was later hospitalized in critical condition.

According to the latest reports, 53 members of Myanmar’s rebel group were detained by Bangladeshi law enforcement while attempting to flee across the border, with three to four of them suffering gunshot wounds. Security personnel have been deployed at the scene, and the situation is currently calm. Local residents lifted a road blockade following army intervention.

Authorities have not reported further casualties, and the condition of the injured child remains under medical observation.

A report by Amar Desh alleges that Wikipedia, which presents itself as a free and neutral encyclopedia, has been used to distort history and promote communal hatred, particularly against Muslims, in its Bengali-language articles. According to several experienced contributors, since 2014 Hindu nationalist groups have systematically influenced Wikipedia’s content, inserting anti-Muslim narratives and exaggerated historical claims. Articles on events such as the Noakhali riots, Calcutta riots, and the Chuknagar massacre reportedly contain false or politically biased information portraying Muslims as aggressors and Hindus as victims.

The investigation claims that after Hindu nationalist groups gained political power in India in 2014, they began attempting to control Wikipedia’s editorial space. Contributors who try to correct or challenge these narratives allegedly face account suspensions or blocks, discouraging neutral editing. Some editors cited examples where historical figures like Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy were misrepresented, and verified historical data replaced with inflated or fabricated numbers.

The report further states that repeated complaints to Wikipedia administrators have gone unanswered, and that the platform’s Bengali administrators are accused of religious and political bias, violating Wikipedia’s neutrality policy.

Mass anti-government protests continued across Tehran on Saturday night despite an almost complete internet shutdown, according to AFP. The demonstrations, which began two weeks earlier over economic hardship, have evolved into calls for the overthrow of Iran’s religious leadership. Authorities have blamed the United States for inciting unrest, while human rights groups report dozens killed and warn of escalating violence. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed that connectivity in Iran has been nearly nonexistent since Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that his country is ready to support the movement, while reports indicate he has been briefed on possible military options against Iran. Former crown prince Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to organize and seize control of key urban centers. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused protesters of acting under Trump’s direction. Amnesty International and Iran Human Rights reported alarming use of lethal force, with at least 51 deaths confirmed.

The Iranian army vowed to act firmly against those disrupting order, as the EU and other world leaders called for restraint. Residents in Tehran described daily life paralyzed by the blackout, saying they are prepared to endure hardship until victory.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has declared Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state illegal and strongly condemned the move. The decision was announced during the 22nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held on Saturday at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah. The OIC described Israel’s action as a clear violation of the sovereignty, national unity, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Following Israel’s December 26 declaration, the OIC convened an emergency meeting to discuss the issue. In his opening address, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha warned that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland set a dangerous precedent, breached international law, and posed a direct threat to regional security and stability in Africa. The meeting also passed two resolutions—one condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and another opposing plans to displace Palestinians from their land.

The OIC reaffirmed its unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, emphasizing that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. It rejected any attempt to separate or recognize Somaliland, calling such actions interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and a direct affront to its sovereignty.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signaled a willingness to use force regarding Greenland, disregarding Denmark’s sovereignty over the autonomous Arctic island. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with oil industry executives, Trump said he preferred to reach an agreement on Greenland “the easy way,” but warned that if that failed, the United States would proceed “the hard way.” He described control of the resource-rich island as vital to U.S. national security, citing increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic.

Trump stated that the United States would not allow Russia or China to take over Greenland, asserting that if Washington did not act, those powers would. His remarks drew surprise from Denmark and other European allies. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioned that any aggression in Greenland would end “everything,” including NATO and the post–World War II security framework.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet next week with Denmark’s foreign minister and Greenlandic representatives to discuss the issue.

Thousands of people across the United States took to the streets on Saturday following the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer in Minneapolis. Demonstrators demanded the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, with protests spreading from Minneapolis to major cities including New York, Los Angeles, El Paso, Washington DC, Boston, and others.

In Minneapolis, about a thousand people gathered outside a hotel on Friday night, where some threw ice and stones at police officers, slightly injuring one officer. Several protesters were detained but later released. In Austin, Texas, demonstrators rallied outside a federal building carrying placards calling for an end to ICE and its alleged abuses. Similar protests were held outside the White House and in Philadelphia, where participants voiced fears that such incidents could recur and urged legislative reform of ICE.

The widespread demonstrations reflect growing public anger over immigration enforcement practices and calls for systemic change within the agency.

The United States Department of State on Saturday advised its citizens to leave Venezuela immediately, citing the presence of armed militias and the risk of roadside checkpoints targeting individuals suspected of supporting the US. The advisory stated that the security situation in Venezuela remains unstable and unpredictable. It was issued one week after the arrest of Maduro and follows the resumption of international flights, which the department said should be used by Americans to depart the country.

According to the State Department, armed groups have been stopping vehicles at checkpoints to search for US citizens, and routine consular services in Venezuela remain limited. The advisory urged Americans to exercise heightened caution for their personal safety. In contrast, Venezuelan authorities dismissed the warning, asserting that the country’s security situation is stable and calm.

Despite the official rejection, the presence of armed groups and checkpoint activity continues to raise concern about the overall safety environment for foreign nationals in Venezuela.