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Friday, 16 January 2026 5:46 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 16 January 2026 5:46 PM ]

Terrorist attacks in Iran

Presidents of Iran and Russia discuss recent foreign-backed terrorist attacks in Iran, and plans to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries. President Masoud Pezeshkian said the United States and Israel played a direct role in the recent acts of terror inside Iran. He told President Putin that nationwide public demonstrations in support of the government have effectively ended the acts of terrorism. President Putin praised the turnout at Iran’s anti-terrorism rallies, saying the participation of millions of Iranians clearly shows the real situation in the country. He also emphasized that Russia consistently welcomes stronger ties with Iran. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their strategic partnership and moving forward with joint economic projects in multiple sectors.

Mahdieh Esfandiari's court

The French public prosecutor is seeking a 4-year sentence for Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian national held in French detention since February last year. The sentence includes three years of suspension and one year to be served, which would mean her deportation from the country. The prosecutor is also requesting a permanent ban on Esfandiari from French territory. Mahdieh Esfandiari is an academic critical of the genocidal war on Gaza. She has expressed solidarity with Palestinians in her social media posts. Months ago, a French court ordered her release from pre-trial detention as part of a deal for the release of two French nationals in Iran, and she has been staying at the Iranian embassy in Paris ever since.

US anti-ICE protests

Two children have been hospitalized in the US city of Minneapolis after federal agents used tear gas against people protesting the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. A 6-month-old baby suffered breathing difficulties after tear gas entered a vehicle during Wednesday night’s protests. Another child was also hospitalized for evaluation. The protests took place outside a federal building that houses ICE agents. Protests continued overnight, with federal agents using tear gas and projectiles against demonstrators. President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to end the protests. Minnesota and Oregon have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, challenging the unconstitutional deployment of ICE agents in the two states. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old protester, Kaden Rummler, was reportedly struck in the face by a projectile fired at close range, completely losing sight in one eye.

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