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 The decree also recognizes the national rights of the Kurdish community and restores their citizenship, which had been revoked following the controversial 1962 census.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.

A nearly 900-year-old madrasa has been discovered in the central Turkish city of Kayseri during ongoing urban renewal work. The structure was found south of the city’s historic Grand Mosque, near the tomb of Malik Muhammad Ghazi. The finding was reported on Thursday by the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Kayseri Mayor Memduh Büyükkılıç said the city holds traces of various civilizations and has a significant place in the history of Islam in Anatolia.

According to the mayor, the discovery was made while carefully clearing the area, revealing traces of a religious educational structure built in the traditional style. Malik Muhammad Ghazi, a ruler from the Danishmend dynasty, is regarded as the founder of Kayseri and an important figure in early Turkish Islamic history in Anatolia.

Mayor Büyükkılıç added that the search and excavation work will continue and that the municipality plans to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for restoration efforts.

The United Nations has reported that more than 60 million tons of debris now cover the Gaza Strip after over two years of Israeli military aggression. UN Under-Secretary and Executive Director of the Office for Project Services Jorge Moreira da Silva stated on Thursday that clearing the rubble could take more than seven years. He described the humanitarian situation as dire, with residents exhausted, fearful, and under immense pressure amid cold weather and heavy rain.

Despite a ceasefire declared on October 10, Israeli forces have continued attacks across Gaza. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 12 people were killed and 18 injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll since the ceasefire to 463. Overall, more than 71,000 people have been killed and over 171,000 injured during the two-year conflict.

Meanwhile, the United States has announced the second phase of its Gaza peace plan. President Donald Trump said a “Board of Peace” had been selected to oversee postwar governance under a Palestinian technocratic committee and reiterated his demand for Hamas to disarm immediately.

Turkey has declared its opposition to any form of military intervention in Iran as tensions rise between Tehran and Washington. Speaking in Istanbul on Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Iran should resolve its internal issues independently and that avoiding instability in Iran is a priority for Ankara. His remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran, while Tehran warned of strong resistance if attacked.

Fidan emphasized that the current economic crisis in Iran stems from existing policies and sanctions, which have created deep social and economic challenges. He described Iran as a diverse and dynamic society and cautioned that external interference would only worsen the situation. He added that Turkey views Iran as an important neighbor and that resolving Tehran’s problems would benefit Ankara.

Meanwhile, protests in Iran entered their 20th day on Friday, with reports of thousands arrested and internet access still restricted. Iranian authorities claimed the situation was stabilizing, and state media reported large funeral gatherings for those killed in recent unrest.

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.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance, visited the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, on Friday, January 16, 2026. During the inspection, he reviewed the final preparations for nuclear fuel loading and assessed the overall progress of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project. He toured the training center, main control room, electrical and water systems, and cooling tower, and discussed safety and technical matters with engineers and officials.

The Managing Director of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), Dr. Zahedul Hasan, briefed the adviser on the project’s safety systems, construction progress, and readiness for fuel loading. Senior government officials, including secretaries from the Cabinet Division, Finance Division, Economic Relations Division, and Science and Technology Ministry, were present during the visit.

Project authorities stated that construction is in its final phase, with testing activities ongoing. They expressed optimism that nuclear fuel loading will begin soon, marking a major step toward enhancing Bangladesh’s energy security and supporting sustainable development goals.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has allegedly collected around Tk 400 crore in bills from customers in Shibaloy and surrounding areas of Manikganj over the past 16 years without providing regular gas supply. Residents claim they were forced to pay monthly bills despite receiving little or no gas since 2010. Protests demanding uninterrupted supply reportedly faced police action in 2014, injuring journalists and locals.

Regional manager Md. Alamgir Hossain said daily demand in the area is 22.6 MMCFD, but supply stands at only 11.8 MMCFD, creating a shortfall of about 11 MMCFD. He added that bill payment is mandatory for active connections, though disconnection requests are being processed. Locals estimate that residential users alone paid Tk 285 crore, with industrial and CNG users bringing the total to about Tk 400 crore.

District officials acknowledged the issue as a consumer rights violation and said legal action is underway against companies overcharging for cylinder gas. Consumers have demanded either regular gas supply or installation of meters to ensure fair billing.

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.

The Under-19 Cricket World Cup has officially begun, with India and the United States playing the opening match on Thursday. Bangladesh will start their campaign today against India at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. India began the tournament with a dominant win over the United States. The competition, jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, features age-level teams from around the world.

India holds the record for the most titles in the tournament’s history, having won five of the previous fifteen editions, including the latest in 2022. Bangladesh, on the other hand, claimed their only title in 2020 by defeating India in the final. This year, Bangladesh competes in Group A alongside India, the United States, and New Zealand. The team, led by captain Azizul Hakim Tamim, will face New Zealand on January 20 and the United States on January 23.

All of Bangladesh’s matches will be played in Zimbabwe. Fans in Bangladesh can watch the games live via Rabbithole streaming and on Star Sports, which will also broadcast matches in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, according to the ICC.

A full day of live sports broadcasts has been announced for January 17, 2026, featuring the ICC Under-19 World Cup match between Bangladesh and India starting at 1:30 p.m. Other cricket fixtures include Japan versus Sri Lanka at the same time, Bangladesh Premier League matches between Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders at 2 p.m., and Chattogram Royals versus Rajshahi Warriors at 7 p.m. Big Bash League, SA T20, and several football leagues will also be aired across multiple channels.

Football fans can watch English Premier League matches such as Manchester United versus Manchester City at 6:30 p.m., followed by Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal fixtures later in the evening. La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Africa Cup of Nations, and Saudi Pro League matches are also scheduled for live telecast through various international networks.

The broadcast lineup highlights a packed weekend for global sports audiences, offering simultaneous coverage of cricket and football tournaments across different continents on channels including Star Sports, T Sports, and FanCode.