Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said authorities “must break the back of the seditionists” and blamed US President Donald Trump for “casualties” after the Islamic Republic’s bloody crackdown on a protest wave against the country’s clerical authorities.


Iran Unrest: Khamenei Accuses Trump of Backing Protests 

 Iran's supreme leader said Saturday (Jan 17) that authorities "must break the back of the seditionists", blaming US President Donald Trump for "casualties" after a deadly crackdown on protests against the country's clerical leadership. 

Iran's Leader Demands Crackdown on 'Seditionists' After Protests 

Protesters in Serbia have blamed the government for a deadly station collapse that killed at least 16 people, accusing authorities of negligence, corruption, and failure to enforce safety standards.

Serbia Protesters Blame Government For Deadly Station Collapse That Killed 16 

Tensions in West Asia are rising as the U.S. moves its military arsenal closer to the region, even as protests in Iran show signs of slowing. Questions swirl over whether former President Donald Trump could take military action against Iran. The region remains on edge, with global security concerns growing amid uncertainty over political and military decisions that could reshape the Middle East.

U.S. Moves War Arsenal Near West Asia: Protests in Iran Slows

Iran initiated a near-total internet blackout in response to anti-government protests that first began in December and have since rapidly grown nationwide, becoming the biggest threat to the Islamic Republic in years. Within a half-hour of the digital shutdown, internet traffic plummeted by 90 percent. In the following days, internet connectivity has since been close to zero percent. 

Iran Faces One of the Longest Internet Blackouts; Over 92 Million Without Internet |

Protests have erupted in Bulgaria as demonstrators demand fair elections and the restoration of machine voting to prevent manipulation. Citizens, opposition parties, and civil groups argue that paper-only ballots increase the risk of fraud and vote-buying, insisting that electronic machines are vital to safeguard transparent, credible polls.


Bulgaria Erupts: Protesters Demand Fair Polls, Machine Voting Now

Breaking: India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a travel advisory on January 5, 2026, urging nationals to avoid non-essential trips to Iran due to intensifying protests over economic woes and currency collapse.


Breaking: India Urges Citizens: Avoid Non-Essential Iran Travel 

Iran faces deadly unrest with rights groups reporting hundreds of civilian deaths from security forces' crackdown on protests since late December 2025, though Tehran provides no official toll confirmation.


Iran Unrest: Hundreds of Civilians Killed in Iran Unrest, No Official Confirmation on Toll 

Violence has continued across Bolivia following the government’s decision to end fuel subsidies. Protests and clashes have erupted amid rising fuel prices and public anger, raising concerns over economic stability and social unrest. Authorities are working to restore order as tensions remain high.


Bolivia protests: Fuel subsidy cuts spark nationwide anger

Chaos broke out at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar as police and protesters continued to clash amid growing unrest. The incident highlights escalating tensions in Iran, driven by economic pressures and public anger. Security forces remain on high alert as protests persist across key areas of the capital. Stay tuned for the latest updates from Iran.

BREAKING: Iran Detains Hundreds After Protests Turn Violent, Khamenei Vows No Retreat 

US businessman Elon Musk and SpaceX have activated Starlink satellite internet in Iran amid a nationwide blackout imposed by the regime during ongoing anti-government protests as of January 9, 2026, according to online reports.

Musk's Starlink Bypasses Iran Internet Ban Amid Nationwide Blackout

Chaos broke out at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar as police and protesters continued to clash amid growing unrest. The incident highlights escalating tensions in Iran, driven by economic pressures and public anger. Security forces remain on high alert as protests persist across key areas of the capital. Stay tuned for the latest updates from Iran.


Iran Protests: Protesters March to Tehran Despite Blackout, Chant Slogans

Iran is witnessing a wave of protests spreading across multiple cities, with at least 36 people reported dead according to right-wing groups monitoring the unrest. Citizens have taken to the streets demanding political reforms, while authorities reportedly respond with force.

Iran Protests: Iranian Leaders Distinguish Demonstrators From Rioters 

Iran will offer no leniency to “rioters”, though the public has a right to demonstrate, the head of the country’s judiciary said on Monday (January 5, 2026), following more than a week of sometimes-deadly protests.

Iran Warns No Leniency For Rioters Amid Protests | UN Urges Iran To Respect Peaceful Rioters

Iran protests claim 35 lives across 26 provinces as judiciary chief Mohseni slams "rioters," promising no mercy. Security forces intensify crackdown amid blackouts and economic fury.

Iran Protests: Death Toll in Protests Rise to 35: Reports 

#Gravitas As protests in Iran entered its ninth day, across the country, the demonstrations continue to grow with each passing hour. Amidst this background, Iran conducted unannounced large-scale missile drills and air defence exercises across various parts of the country. 

As Iran Protests Continue, US And Israel Escalate Strike Rhetoric

Deadly clashes between protesters and security forces flared across Iran over the weekend as demonstrations over rising living costs entered a second week, rights groups and local media said on Sunday.

At least 12 people, including security forces, have been killed since protests began with a shopkeepers' strike in Tehran on December 28, according to an AFP tally based on official reports.


Iran Protests: Trump Warns Iran With Very Hard Consequences If Protesters Die

At least four people were killed in western Iran on Saturday in clashes between protesters and security forces, two rights groups said, accusing Revolutionary Guards of opening fire on demonstrators.

Iran’s Security Forces Reportedly Used Live Ammunition on Protesters

Iran Unrest: Protesters Raise Slogans Against Islamic Republic, Khamenei Vows Strict Action

Protests across Iran have intensified as anger over rising prices, currency collapse and living costs spreads from traders to students and workers. Demonstrations that began over economic hardship are now widening into broader criticism of governance, making this the biggest protest wave since 2022.

Iran Protests Spread to 22 Out of 31 Provinces

With its deadline looming, Nepal’s Gen Z protest probe has yet to question prime minister KP Oli and home minister  Ramesh Lekhak. The commission now says summons are coming, as families demand accountability for 76 deaths and police defend their actions.

Nepal Gen Z Protests: Nepal Panel to Summon Ex-PM KP Sharma Oli, 77 People Killed in Protests

Protests in Iran have entered the sixth day, and tensions are rising. Crowds continue to swell, louder and more defiant. The violence has now claimed lives, including a 21-year-old from the Basij, a paramilitary force tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Will the Iranian government manage to quell these protests? Or is this the start of something more? 

Iran's Cost-Of-Living Crisis Deepens: Unrest Spills Into The New Year

Tensions in Iran escalated as a member of the Iranian security forces was killed during ongoing protests. The incident underscores the growing unrest in the country, as demonstrators continue to voice grievances over political and social issues. 


WION BREAKING: Iranian Security Forces Member Killed During Protests

The new center-right President Rodrigo Paz last week announced an end to the subsidies used by leftist governments to freeze fuel prices for 20 years. Miners in helmets took to the streets of the administrative capital La Paz on Wednesday, while riot police blocked them from entering the main city square.

Bolivia Crisis: Protesters Clash With Police in La Paz Over Fuel Subsidy Cuts

Iranian authorities say a government building was attacked in the southern city of Fasa amid a wave of protests driven by mounting economic pressure, while officials insist the unrest remains limited and under control.

Iran Appoints New Central Bank Governor | Provincial Governor's Office Vandalised

Iran Protests: Students Join In, As Provincial Governor's Office Vandalised

Following clashes in Bangladesh, Inqilab Moncho demands a speedy trial into the murder of Osman Hadi. Activists call for swift justice amid rising tensions and public outrage over the case.

Bangladesh Protests: Inqilab Moncho Vows to Carry Forward Sharif Osman Hadi's Legacy

The year 2025 witnessed a powerful resurgence of mass protests and popular movements across the globe as millions of people hit the streets to vent their anger over economic hardships, political instability, governance failures, social injustice, and breakdown of democratic rights. The protests marked a global pattern of civic unrest shaped by inflation, unemployment, and inequality.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-2025-the-year-of-wars-tariff-turmoil-and-climate-disasters-1766568207775">Yearender 2025: The year of wars, tariff turmoil, and climate disasters</a><h2>Why did protests intensify globally in 2025?&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;Several common factors fuelled protests worldwide, including economic pressure amid rising prices of food, fuel, and housing. Besides, political discontent amid declining trust in political institutions and leaders and mobilisation of youth also sparked demonstrations.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-yunus-govt-destroyed-bangladesh-giving-security-to-goons-terrorists-former-mp-1766665361993">‘Yunus govt destroyed Bangladesh, giving security to goons, terrorists’: Former MP</a>&nbsp;<h2>Gen Z-led protests in Nepal brought 1st female PM in power</h2>&nbsp;The protests in Nepal turned out to be the most significant, as tens of thousands of citizens, mostly Gen Z youths, fed up by political instability since the 2008 abolition of the monarchy, staged mass demonstrations demanding political reform, accountability, and economic justice. The simmering anger and public frustration reached a tipping point after a ban on social media, and protests erupted in Kathmandu and other major cities. The protests by students, workers, professionals, and civil society groups&nbsp;were largely peaceful but massive, demanding an end to corruption, electoral reforms, better employment opportunities, and accountability from political leaders.&nbsp;In less than 48 hours, protesters forced the overthrow of the government.&nbsp;Prime Minister KP Oli resigned on Sept. 9. Nepal got its first female prime minister in Sushila Karki, who was also the country’s first female chief justice. Her appointment came after online polls on the chat portal Discord saw thousands supporting her, citing her record of taking on the corrupt and elite.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-targeted-for-criticising-asim-munir-imran-khan-s-aide-assaulted-in-uk-nose-and-jaw-broken-1766661743804">‘Targeted for criticising Asim Munir’: Imran Khan’s aide assaulted in UK; nose and jaw broken</a>&nbsp;<h2>Mass anti-corruption protests forced Bulgaria PM to resign</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned after mass street protests over the government’s economic policies and failure to tackle corruption. Tens of thousands of Bulgarians had rallied in the capital, Sofia, and dozens of other towns and cities across the country in the latest in a series of rolling demonstrations giving vent to the public’s growing frustration.Protesters chanted “Resign” and held up “I’m fed up!” signs featuring caricatures of politicians.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Millions join mass ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A person dressed in a Statue of Liberty costume participates in a “No Kings” national day of protest in New York

&nbsp;&nbsp;‘No Kings’ protests took place across the US opposing President Donald Trump’s alleged one-man rule and accusations that the president is behaving more like a monarch than an elected official. Millions joined more than 2,500 demonstrations calling for limits to presidential power as protesters accused the Trump administration of authoritarian policies like immigration crackdowns and mass firings of federal workers, besides attacks on the media and judicial independence. Protesters carried signs that read, “No crowns, No kings.”&nbsp;The protesters decried immigration detentions carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and the Trump administration’s aggressive slashing of federal education resources and environmental protections, among other concerns.&nbsp;Republicans dismissed the protests as ‘Hate America’ rallies.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-pm-s-adviser-rejects-claims-of-pia-being-sold-at-less-value-says-new-owners-to-run-airline-from-april-1766588987477">Pakistan PM‘s adviser rejects claims of PIA being sold at less value, says new owners to run airline from April</a>&nbsp;<h2>‘Unite the Kingdom’ protesters flood London streets</h2>&nbsp;UK’s far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew a massive crowd, said to be in six figures, in his anti-immigrant ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally, marking the discontent against the government on the immigrants and asylum issues in the country. Tens of thousands of people marched, leading to sporadic clashes with police. The marchers came for what was called a “festival of free speech”, but the speeches at the event were largely racist conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim comments. Robinson told the crowd that migrants had more rights in court than the “British public, the people that built this nation.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-unveils-massive-statues-at-rashtra-prerna-sthal-in-lucknow-watch-1766669648209">PM Modi unveils 65-feet-high statues at Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow | Watch</a>&nbsp;Some speakers, including far-right politicians from Europe, also addressed the rally. French politician Eric Zemmour said, “We are both subject to the same process of the great replacement of our European people by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture, you and we are being colonised by our former colonies.”&nbsp;Elon Musk also joined by video and criticised the UK government. “What I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration,” he said.&nbsp;Participants in the march carried St George’s flags and the union jack and chanted, “We want our country back.” Some protesters held placards saying “stop the boats,” “send them home,” and “enough is enough, save our children.”Counter-protesters carried signs that read “Refugees welcome” and “Smash the far right,” while chanting “Stand up, fight back.”&nbsp;<h2>Peeved locals hit the streets against ‘overtourism’</h2>&nbsp;Thousands of citizens took to the streets of cities in southern Europe to demonstrate against ‘overtourism’, firing water pistols at shop windows and setting off smoke in Barcelona, where the main protest took place.“Your holidays, my misery,” protesters chanted in the streets of Barcelona while holding up banners emblazoned with slogans such as “mass tourism kills the city” and “their greed brings us ruin”.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Locals hold a banner reading, ‘Enough saturation, the city for those who live in it’ during protest against overtourism

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Protesters in Portugal and Italy also argued that uncontrolled tourism was sending housing prices soaring and forcing people out of their neighbourhoods.Barcelona, a city of 1.6 million, drew 26 million tourists last year.Around 600 people joined the demonstration, firing water pistols or setting off coloured smoke and putting stickers saying ‘Neighbourhood self-defence, tourist go home’ on shop windows and hotels.&nbsp;<h2>Farmers’ protests in India</h2>&nbsp;India, the world’s largest democracy, also witnessed some waves of protests, reflecting the diversity of its society.Farmers continued their protests demanding Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees and turned up in large numbers near Delhi borders and in agricultural states of Punjab and Haryana.Protests in India highlighted strong democratic participation and a vibrant society.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Protests over Gaza conflict</h2>&nbsp;Mass protests were held across the world against the Gaza War and the hardships faced by Palestinians amid a shortage of food, essentials and medicines, but ended after the ceasefire came into effect.&nbsp;<h2>How social media and technology changed protests</h2>&nbsp;Technology and social media played a major role in most mass protests across the globe. They helped in online mobilisation, livestreaming of demonstrations and citizen journalism as digital platforms reduced reliance on traditional leadership.

The protests in Nepal turned out to be the most significant, as tens of thousands of citizens, mostly Gen Z youths, fed up by political instability since the 2008 abolition of the monarchy, staged mass demonstrations demanding political reform, accountability, and economic justice.

The year 2025 witnessed a powerful resurgence of mass protests and popular movements across the globe as millions of people hit the streets to vent their anger over economic hardships, political instability, governance failures, social injustice, and breakdown of democratic rights. The protests marked a global pattern of civic unrest shaped by inflation, unemployment, and inequality. Also Read: Yearender 2025: The year of wars, tariff turmoil, and climate disasters Why did protests intensify globally in 2025? Several common factors fuelled protests worldwide, including economic pressure amid rising prices of food, fuel, and housing. Besides, political discontent amid declining trust in political institutions and leaders and mobilisation of youth also sparked demonstrations. Also Read: ‘Yunus govt destroyed Bangladesh, giving security to goons, terrorists’: Former MP Gen Z-led protests in Nepal brought 1st female PM in power The protests in Nepal turned out to be the most significant, as tens of thousands of citizens, mostly Gen Z youths, fed up by political instability since the 2008 abolition of the monarchy, staged mass demonstrations demanding political reform, accountability, and economic justice. The simmering anger and public frustration reached a tipping point after a ban on social media, and protests erupted in Kathmandu and other major cities. The protests by students, workers, professionals, and civil society groups were largely peaceful but massive, demanding an end to corruption, electoral reforms, better employment opportunities, and accountability from political leaders. In less than 48 hours, protesters forced the overthrow of the government. Prime Minister KP Oli resigned on Sept. 9. Nepal got its first female prime minister in Sushila Karki, who was also the country’s first female chief justice. Her appointment came after online polls on the chat portal Discord saw thousands supporting her, citing her record of taking on the corrupt and elite. Also Read: ‘Targeted for criticising Asim Munir’: Imran Khan’s aide assaulted in UK; nose and jaw broken Mass anti-corruption protests forced Bulgaria PM to resign Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned after mass street protests over the government’s economic policies and failure to tackle corruption. Tens of thousands of Bulgarians had rallied in the capital, Sofia, and dozens of other towns and cities across the country in the latest in a series of rolling demonstrations giving vent to the public’s growing frustration. Protesters chanted “Resign” and held up “I’m fed up!” signs featuring caricatures of politicians. Millions join mass ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests

The protests in Nepal turned out to be the most significant, as tens of thousands of citizens, mostly Gen Z youths, fed up by political instability since the 2008 abolition of the monarchy, staged mass demonstrations demanding political reform, accountability, and economic justice.

Yearender 2025: The year dissent and angst triggered mass protests worldwide

Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, has announced sweeping new laws tightening gun ownership and expanding police powers following security concerns. Under the proposed changes, individual firearms licences will be capped at four guns, while farmers will be allowed to own up to 10. Gun club membership will become mandatory for all firearms licence holders.

The legislation also grants police broader authority to restrict or ban protests for up to three months following a declared terror attack. State officials say the measures are aimed at improving public safety, while critics have raised concerns over civil liberties and the right to protest.

New South Wales Introduces Strict Gun Limits and Protest Restrictions 

Several thousand activists from across Serbia joined student protests in the country's southwest on Sunday, rallying against what they describe as government pressure on state universities.
The demonstration, part of a wider movement confronting political interference in higher education, was the first of its kind in Novi Pazar, a town with a majority Bosniak Muslim population.

Serbia Campus Row Deepens: Major Student Protest Held in Novi Pazar

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