New rallies in Iran as son of shah calls for city centres to be seizedPARIS, France, Jan 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Major Iranian cities were gripped overnight by new mass rallies denouncing the Islamic republic, as the son of the ousted shah urged protesters on Saturday to plan to seize city centres. - 'Big trouble' -Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran's ousted shah, hailed the "magnificent" turnout on Friday and urged Iranians to stage more targeted protests this Saturday and Sunday. The goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centres," Pahlavi said in a video message on social media. US President Donald Trump again refused on Friday to rule out new military action against Iran after Washington backed and joined Israel's 12-day war against the Islamic republic in June. Asked about his message to Iran's leaders, Trump said: "You better not start shooting because we'll start shooting too."

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

Jatiya Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary has said there is "no possibility" of the 13th parliamentary election being held fairly unless “mobs" are brought under control. Speaking during a media briefing at the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday following appeal hearings on party candidates' nominations, he urged the commission to take a "firm" stance during the election period, bdnews24.com reports. The Jatiya Party leader alleged that several returning officers were unable to rectify even minor, correctable errors on nomination papers because of these "mobs". Patwary confirmed that 25 Jatiya Party candidates had filed appeals against the cancellation of their nominations. During the briefing, he noted that the party's nominees for Chapainawabganj-2, Narayanganj-4, Narsingdi-1, and Shariatpur-1 have had their candidacies validated, while one appeal remains "pending".

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

Tarique Rahman has been appointed as the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)Dhaka (Bangladesh)Tarique Rahman has been appointed as the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), days after the demise of his mother and party chairperson Khaleda Zia following a prolonged illness. The Standing Committee of the BNP approved the appointment of Rahman as the Chairman of the party in a meeting on Friday. “Following the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister, national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, the position of party Chairman became vacant. Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years of self-exile in London, was appointed the chairman after the post of BNP chairman was left vacant following the death of party chairperson and his mother, Khaleda Zia. In 2018, when Zia was imprisoned, Rahman was appointed acting chairperson of the party.

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code

The Election Commission (EC) began hearing appeals against the decisions of returning officers over the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election on Saturday. Within the first three hours of the hearings, appeals filed by 36 candidates were disposed of. The EC disposed of the 36 appeals between 10am and 1pm. Of the 36 appeals settled, the Election Commission declared the nominations of 26 candidates to be valid, while the appeals of six candidates were rejected. Appeal hearings at the Election Commission began at 10am on Saturday (10 January 2026) and will continue until 18 January.

The Election Commission (EC) has restored the candidacy of Dr Tasnim Jara, who had resigned from the National Citizens Party (NCP). The matter was confirmed by Tasnim Jara herself through a post on her verified Facebook account. I will be contesting the upcoming election in the Dhaka-9 constituency as an independent candidate supported by the people.”Tasnim Jara is highly popular on social media. Following the political changes of 5 August, she joined the newly formed NCP and was appointed Senior Joint Member Secretary. Tasnim Jara will contest from the Dhaka-9 constituency, which comprises Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Mugda and Manda police station areas, covering wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 71, 72, 73, 74 and 75 of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said a new scope has opened before the nation to build a liberal democratic Bangladesh. “People are now hopeful as a scope has been created for building a liberal democratic Bangladesh,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a programme arranged by BNP for party chairman Tarique Rahman to exchange greetings with journalists. He said Tarique Rahman returned to the country from London at a time when the nation is going through a difficult period. In his inaugural speech, Fakhrul recalled the contributions of late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to democracy and the nation.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen has laid emphasis on enhancing the relations between Bangladesh and the United States. “I am thrilled to return to Bangladesh, a country I know so well," said Ambassador Christensen who is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on January 12. The ceremony was attended by Bangladesh Ambassador to US, Embassy officials, senior State Department and Military officials, former US ambassadors to Bangladesh and US business leaders. Ambassador Christensen said, “The U.S supports Bangladesh in its journey towards a bright democratic future. During his nomination hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Ambassador Christensen said the United States supports Bangladesh in its journey toward a bright and democratic future.

Police have arrested three people, including the main shooter, in connection with the killing of Azizur Rahman Musabbir, Joint Convener of the Dhaka North unit of the Swechhasebak Dal. Among those arrested are the shooter, identified as Jinat, and his associate Billal. He added that efforts are under way to uncover the motive behind the murder and the full details of the incident. On 7 January, Azizur Rahman Musabbir (45), former General Secretary of Swechhasebak Dal, Dhaka North, was shot dead by assailants in an alley behind Star Kabab in Tejgaon Industrial Area of the capital. Following the incident, his wife, Suraiya Begum, filed a murder case with Tejgaon Police Station.

On the very first day of the hearings, Dr Tasnim Jara, who resigned from the National Citizens Party (NCP), had her candidacy restored. The independent candidate, contesting from the Dhaka-9 constituency, has said she will apply to the Election Commission (EC) for the football symbol as her electoral symbol. Speaking after her candidacy was reinstated, Tasnim Jara said, “Our appeal to the Election Commission has been approved. I would also like to thank the Election Commission for listening to our arguments.”Tasnim Jara is widely popular on social media. Returning officers will publish the final list of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on 21 January.

You have permission to edit this article.

You have permission to edit this article.

Part of the yearning could be due to a belief which might not be true — seek within for clarity. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Duties could feel overwhelming, but your mindset will determine much of how things actually go. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Some emotion could be exiting a money matter which could open the door to clearer solutions. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Belief in yourself is enviable, and you either have a lot or look like you have a lot. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Ideas which appeal to both brain and spirit will be most satisfying.