Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call on January 16, 2026, to discuss the situation in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran. According to the Kremlin, Putin offered Russia’s help to mediate issues related to Iran and emphasized the need to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to promote stability and security in the region. The leaders exchanged views on regional tensions, with Russia expressing willingness to support dialogue and diplomatic engagement. The call underscores Moscow’s interest in playing a constructive role amidst ongoing Middle East challenges. (PC: AFP)

UK Conservative MP Bob Blackman raised concerns in Parliament over reported violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He urged the Labour government to press the interim administration led by Mohammad Yunus to protect minorities and ensure fair elections due on February 12. Blackman said polls would be held amid concerns over the ban on the Awami League and rising extremist influence. He asked the UK government to clarify its response. India has also flagged recurring attacks on minorities and called for swift action by Bangladeshi authorities.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during a White House meeting. Machado said the gesture recognised Trump’s support for Venezuela’s freedom struggle. Trump thanked her publicly and called the meeting an honour. The Nobel Committee later reiterated that a prize cannot be transferred, though a medal may change hands. Trump did not endorse Machado as Venezuela’s new leader and continues to engage with acting authorities in Caracas. Machado said dialogue with Washington would continue and described the meeting as historic for Venezuelans. (PC: BBC)

European troops began arriving in Greenland as Denmark increased its military presence amid tensions with the United States over the Arctic island’s future. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands sent or pledged small troop deployments to show support for Denmark. Germany said it would deploy a 13-member reconnaissance team. Danish officials said the move aimed to strengthen security cooperation with allies. U.S. officials described talks on Greenland as technical discussions on a possible acquisition, while Denmark and Greenland rejected any transfer of sovereignty. Greenland’s leaders said dialogue would continue, stressing the island is not for sale. (PC: X)

Iran halted 800 planned executions of protesters after direct warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House confirmed, as Tehran faces international outrage over its deadly crackdown on nationwide anti-government demonstrations. The halt in executions came after Trump communicated to Iranian authorities that “grave consequences” would follow if killings continued, adding that all options remain on the table, including possible military action. The protests, triggered by economic hardship and political repression, have led to a severe internet blackout and thousands of deaths according to rights groups. Iran denies plans for executions despite conflicting reports on trials and repression. (PC: India Today)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented U.S. President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a White House meeting, calling it a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect” and recognizing his support for Venezuelan freedom. Trump publicly thanked Machado for the symbolic gift, though the Norwegian Nobel Institute stressed that the award cannot be officially transferred and Trump is not a Nobel laureate. Machado, who won the 2025 Peace Prize for promoting democracy in Venezuela, made the gesture amid ongoing political uncertainty and Trump’s mixed stance toward her leadership prospects. (PC: NDTV)

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman mounted a last-minute diplomatic effort to prevent US military strikes on Iran, a senior Saudi official told Agence France-Presse Thursday. The Gulf trio led what was described as "a long, frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort" urging President Donald Trump to give Tehran time to de-escalate amid tensions over protest crackdowns. The Saudi official warned an attack would trigger "grave blowbacks" and create "an uncontrollable situation in the region." Iran's envoy to Pakistan claimed Trump conveyed he didn't intend to attack and urged restraint. Trump later stated he received assurances from "very important sources" that Iran wouldn't execute demonstrators, reducing immediate tensions. Officials called it "a sleepless night to defuse more bombs." (PC: X)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney praised warming China relations during his four-day Beijing visit, the first by a Canadian PM since 2017 hailing President Xi Jinping's leadership and declaring nations are charting new cooperation amid global division. Carney signed a trade and economic roadmap Thursday covering energy, agriculture, and investments, with both countries committing to maintaining open communication channels. The visit follows months of re-engagement after ties soured under Justin Trudeau, fueled by Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods and suggestions Canada become America's 51st state. Tensions over Canada's 2024 electric vehicle tariffs remain unresolved, prompting Chinese retaliatory tariffs on $2.6 billion in Canadian agricultural products. Energy cooperation discussions include oil, gas development, and natural uranium trade. (PC: AP)

The United States imposed fresh sanctions Thursday on senior Iranian security officials over violent protest crackdowns, targeting Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for National Security, as the central figure coordinating state security responses. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions at President Trump's direction, supporting Iranian people's freedom demands. Sanctions include senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders and law enforcement officials accused of firing live ammunition at protesters. The Treasury also targeted shadow banking networks laundering petroleum revenue through sanctioned institutions like Bank Melli and Shahr Bank. Rights groups report 3,400 killed in crackdowns since December protests over economic hardship. Trump threatened military responses if detained protesters face execution, though diplomatic efforts by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman eased tensions. (PC: Reuters)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer mocked the Conservative Party during Wednesday's parliamentary debate, saying they had "more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra," while defending his government's decision to drop mandatory digital ID cards for workers. Starmer emphasized Labour remains committed to cracking down on illegal employment through digital, mandatory checks, though the specific ID form remains flexible. He highlighted Conservative instability, noting they had five prime ministers, six chancellors, eight home secretaries, and sixteen housing ministers over fourteen years, leaving the country "screwed." The digital ID proposal, introduced September 2024, faced widespread opposition over privacy concerns. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called it "rubbish policy," while Reform UK's Nigel Farage celebrated it as a "victory for individual liberty."