Over the past 50 years, Iran has been shaken by a series of protests. Millions nationwide protested over the next months, becoming known as the “Green Movement.” A brutal security force crackdown saw dozens killed and thousands arrested. A monthslong security crackdown killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. Protests began soon after. Iran shut down the internet and telephone networks to the outside world after demonstrators heeded a call for nighttime rallies Thursday.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on Friday met BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office. They discussed issues of mutual interest, including strengthening South Asian regional cooperation, trade and business, and bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said. BNP central leaders welcomed the high commissioner at the office at around 4:15pm. Earlier, the high commissioner expressed shock over the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. On December 30, 2025, he had visited the Gulshan office and signed the condolence book.

Khamenei said US President Donald Trump’s hands “are stained with the blood of more than a thousand Iranians,” in apparent reference to Israel’s June war against the Islamic republic which the US supported and joined with strikes of its own. He predicted the “arrogant” US leader would be “overthrown” like the imperial dynasty that ruled Iran up to the 1979 revolution. The crowd could be heard chanting “death to the dictator” in reference to Khamenei, 86, who has ruled the Islamic republic since 1989. Several videos showed protesters setting fire to the entrance to the regional branch of state television in the central city of Isfahan. Flames were also seen in the governor’s building in Shazand, the capital of Markazi province in central Iran, after protesters gathered outside, other videos showed.

Nazrul Islam Khan, member of BNP’s Standing Committee and chairman of the party’s election management committee, said Friday that those contesting the 13th national parliamentary election outside the party’s decision have been urged to withdraw their candidacy. He warned that if they fail to do so within the stipulated timeframe, the party will take strict organizational measures against them. “In a large party like BNP, there are many qualified candidates. Tarique Rahman has stated that he will continue from where his mother left off. Election manifesto and student council pollsKhan said the BNP’s election manifesto drafting committee is currently at work and that the manifesto will be published soon.

They are International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh Ansar, International Master Abu Sufian Shakil of Bangladesh Police Chess Club, International Master Md. In the day's sixth round matches, IM Manon Reja Neer defeated IM Abu Sufian Shakil, FM Sakline Mostafa Sajid beat FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman drew with IM Md. Minhaz Uddin, FM Subrota Biswas split point with FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahma, WFM Warsia Khusbu drew with FM Mohammad Javed, CM Md Abu Hanid defeated Md Moniruzzaman Masud, CM Mahtabuddin Ahmed defeated Mahfuzur Rahman Shahin, CM Zoar Haque Prodhan defeated Md. Rabiul Hossain, Muhtady Tajwar Nasheed beat Tanvir Alam, WFM Noshin Anjum defeated Abrar Rezaul Ahnaf Mohammad, Mohammad Shakil defeated Md. Asadujjaman, Afzal Hossain Sacchu outclassed Din Mohammad and WCM Nusrat Jahan Alo split point with Rayan Rashid Mugdho.

RABAT, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Africa Cup of Nations reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend with a series of mouthwatering ties between the continent's heavyweights. AFP Sport picks out five stars enjoying their first AFCON to look out for in the last eight:Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid/Morocco)Moroccans were perhaps pinning their hopes of Cup of Nations glory on home soil on skipper Achraf Hakimi. Diaz, 26, has scored in every game including the crucial strike to beat Tanzania in the last 16. Born in Malaga, Diaz was capped by Spain at full international level in 2021 but later switched allegiance to Morocco, from where his father hails. Again appearing from the bench, Mbaye scored the third goal in the 3-1 win over Sudan in the last 16.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and FIFA President Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino. In a condolence message sent to BFF president Tabith Awal, reads that Begum Khaleda Zia was an important and pioneering figure in the political history of Bangladesh. As the country's first female Prime Minister, she has left a lasting legacy for future generations. The BFF also expressed its gratitude to the FIFA President and the international football community for this message of condolence, the message concluded. It can be mentionable that Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 last while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital.

6 held for primary teacher recruitment test fraud in RajshahiPolice arrested six people for primary teacher recruitment test fraud in Rajshahi. Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS) - Police arrested six people on charges of fraudulence for allegedly assuring the supply of question papers for government primary school teacher recruitment tests in Rajshahi last night. The arrestees were identified as Al Mamun, 42; Mahbub Alam, 46; Anjuara Khatun, 25; Zulfiker Ali, 40; Noyan Ali, 27; and Raihan Kabir, 30. Acting on tip-off, police conducted raids in various areas and arrested the suspects from Upashahar and Malopara under Boalia Police Station. A case has been filed with Boalia Police Station in connection with the incident.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS) - Forest guards arrested two fishermen for illegally catching crabs in the Nilbariya forest canal in the eastern Sundarbans, seizing three dinghy boats and more than 50 crab traps. A two-month ban on crab catching is currently in effect in the Sundarbans. Forest Department sources said a patrol team, led by Officer-in-Charge of the Dubla Forest Patrol Outpost, Forest Ranger Milton Roy, conducted a routine patrol on Thursday evening. During the operation, the team caught the fishermen red-handed in the Balir Khal area of the Nilbariya forest. Forest Ranger Milton Roy said the fishermen were apprehended for violating the crab-catching ban.

Photo : BSSSATKHIRA, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today seized Indian sarees and medicines at different points along the Satkhira border during a special anti-smuggling operation. The recoveries took place in border areas under Madra and Hijaldi Border Out Posts (BOPs) in Kalaroa upazila. According to BGB sources, acting on intelligence, a team from Madra BOP recovered Indian sarees from Chanda Math, while another team from Hijaldi BOP seized Indian medicines from Ambagan, both in the same upazila. Confirming the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Ashikur Rahman, Commanding Officer of Satkhira 33 BGB Battalion, said the goods have been handed over to Satkhira Customs. He added that BGB will continue such drives to curb revenue evasion and promote local industry development.

Photo : BSSBAGERHAT, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS) - Forest Department personnel today recovered and destroyed a 500-metre-long garland trap, locally known as "Mala Fad", used by poachers to hunt deer in the Sundarbans of Bagerhat district. During the operation, a live deer caught in the snare was rescued and released safely back into the forest. He said the forest officials also recovered and removed 67 more "Sitka traps" from different locations of the forest under the Ghagramari range during the same operation. The DFO said Forest Department staff are carrying out regular and risky foot patrols across their jurisdictions to curb deer poaching in the Sundarbans. Using the "parallel line searching" method, the teams are continuing systematic drives to locate, recover and remove illegal deer traps, he added.

KHULNA, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion-6 personnel arrested a drug dealer with 734 Tapentadol tablets from the Nilganj Tatipara area under Kotwali Model Police Station in Jashore on Wednesday. The arrestee was identified as Abdul Majid, 45, a resident of Nilganj (Tatipara) in the district. RAB sources said the arrest was made during a special drive by RAB-6, CPC-3, Jashore Camp, at around 2:30 pm. The tablets were recovered from his possession. A case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act with Kotwali Model Police Station, and the accused was handed over to the police for further legal action.

LOCALTake a photo tour of the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm ShowJan. 9, 2026, 7:41 a.m. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordI giant carved eagle at the Pennsylvania Hardwoods display at the 2026 PA Farm Show. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordAbout 1,500 apples are on display at the PA Apple Growers Apple Wall at the 2026 PA Farm Show. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordHog judging at the 2026 PA Farm Show. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordA ride is prepared for the 2026 PA Farm Show.

ETThe 2025 York Daily Record/Hanover Evening Sun Christmas Emergency Fund drive raised over $23,721 to help York County police officers get the wellness counseling they need to help them cope with with the stress and trauma of their jobs. The nonprofit York County Safety Collab created the Officer Wellness Fund to raise money for the counseling services that officers sometimes need. The York Daily Record and Evening Sun asked readers to consider donating to this important effort to help these everyday heroes via the Christmas Emergency Fund. Each holiday season, the York Daily Record and the Hanover Evening Sun offer readers the opportunity to help our community via the Christmas Emergency Fund. In 2025 year, that "emergency" was providing for the mental wellness of emergency responders − police officers − who run toward danger.

BERLIN, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Germany's foreign minister plans to visit Washington and meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, a ministry spokeswoman said in Berlin. "The main topics of the trip are our bilateral relations with the US, continued support for Ukraine in light of Russia's war of aggression, and transatlantic security and defence policy," the foreign ministry spokeswoman said on Friday. Before reaching Washington, Wadephul plans to make a stopover in Reykjavik to meet Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir on Sunday evening. The ministry spokeswoman did not directly address whether the German foreign minister would discuss Greenland's status with Rubio, but said that "relevant foreign and security policy issues will also be on the agenda". German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil also plans to be in Washington on Monday for a US-hosted gathering to discuss access to critical raw materials.