A man shot two prominent hardline judges—Mohammad Mogheiseh and Ali Razini—in Iran’s capital Tehran on Saturday, state media reported. “According to initial investigations, the person in question did not have a case in the Supreme Court, the news agency said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2025 07:47 AM IST | Dubai | AgenciesSouth Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday argued for his release before a Seoul judge as the court reviewed whether to grant a law enforcement request for his formal arrest. Yoon, who has been in detention since he was apprehended on Wednesday in a massive law enforcement operation at his residence, faces potential rebellion charges linked to his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and the military, requested the Seoul Western District Court to grant a warrant for Yoon’s formal arrest. Yoon’s lawyers said he spoke for about 40 minutes to the judge during the nearly five-hour closed-door hearing. His legal team and anti-corruption agencies presented opposing arguments about whether he should be held in custody. Nine people, including Yoon’s defence minister, police chief, and several top military commanders, have already been arrested and indicted for their roles in the enforcement of martial law. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2025 07:46 AM IST | Seoul | AgenciesOn Saturday, Israel’s cabinet approved the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would release dozens of hostages and pause the 15-month war with Hamas, bringing the sides a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever. In a post on X, Qatar’s foreign minister Majid al-Ansari said the ceasefire will start at 8.30am on Sunday. He advised people to exercise caution when the agreement goes into effect and wait for directions from officials. Despite the ceasefire news, sirens sounded across central Israel on Saturday, with the army saying it intercepted projectiles launched from Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthis have stepped up their missile attacks in recent weeks. The group says the attacks are part of their campaign aimed at pressuring Israel and the West over the war in Gaza. Displaced Palestinians will return to their homes in Gaza. Pic/PTI Under the first phase of the ceasefire, 33 hostages are set to be released over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remainder, including male soldiers, are to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first. Hamas has said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. Key questions remain about the ceasefire, however—the second achieved during the war—including the names of the 33 hostages who are to be released and who among them is still alive. Hamas has agreed to free three female hostages on Day 1 of the deal, four on Day 7 and the remaining 26 over the following five weeks. Qatar’s foreign minister Majid al-Ansari Palestinian detainees are to be released as well. Israel’s justice ministry published a list of more than 700 who are to be freed in the deal’s first phase. All people on the list are younger or female. With most of Gaza’s population driven into massive, squalid tent camps, Palestinians are desperate to get back to their homes, even though many were destroyed or heavily damaged by Israel’s campaign. The largely devastated territory should also see a surge in humanitarian aid. Trucks carrying aid lined up on Friday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. On Saturday, two Egyptian government ministers arrived in the northern Sinai Peninsula to oversee the preparations for the delivery of aid and to receive the evacuation of wounded patients, the health ministry said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2025 07:45 AM IST | Cairo | AgenciesFor over five thousand years, tattoos have served as markers of identity, status and spirituality. A ground-breaking study has unveiled intricate tattoos on mummies for Peru’s Chancay culture, dating back to 1250 A.D. The researchers examined around 100 mummies from the civilisation that flourished before the Inca Empire and the arrival of Europeans. Researchers reveal fine details in tattoos dating to around 1250 AD that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Pics/AP Using advanced laser techniques that turn the preserved skin of the mummies into a light bulb, researchers have uncovered geometric patterns such as triangles and diamonds etched on hands and forearms—details, however, invisible to the naked eye. This non-invasive approach preserves fragile archaeological materials while shedding light on the artistic sophistication of pre-Inca civilisations. It wasn’t clear exactly how the tattoos were created, but it is certain to the researchers that they are of a quality that stands up against the really good electric tattooing of today. Tattoos, once considered fleeting, now stand as enduring symbols of personal and cultural narratives. From the Neolithic Alps to ancient Egypt and Peru, these permanent marks echo humanity’s timeless connection to body art as a form of expression, ritual and identity. This study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, underscores the potential of modern technology to unlock the hidden stories of our ancestors. Darth Vader of the deep seas Giant isopods are reserved as a delicacy in Vietnam (right) B. varderi, resembles Star Wars character Darth Vader’s helmet. PICS/NY POST A new sea bug species, Bathynomus vaderi, also known as B. varderi, has surfaced from the depths near Vietnam. This 12.8-inch, 1kg isopod—resembling Star Wars character Darth Vader’s helmet—was identified by researchers after being purchased at a seafood market. Dwelling in the South China Sea, this supergiant carnivore feeds on crustaceans, fish, and even whale carcasses. Revered as a delicacy in Vietnam, giant isopods like B. vaderi are sold for steep prices at fish markets and restaurants. Researchers believe that their commercial value could either threaten the specie. Timothee’s “costly” eco-ride PIC/GETTY IMAGES Timothee Chalamet turned heads at the London premiere of A Complete Unknown by arriving on a Lime e-bike instead of a chauffeured car. “There was a traffic jam,” said Chalamet—his reason for choosing to take an ‘ecological’ bike instead of a chauffeured car. However, his attempt to go green earned him a R5.7k fine for parking in a restricted area at BFI Southbank. Waterproof workwear PIC/NY POST David Lloyd Clubs unveiled an innovative waterproof suit collection, allowing wearers to move seamlessly from desk to pool and back. Made from hydrophobic fabric, the “Swim Suit” aims to help hybrid workers prioritise fitness. A spokesperson highlighted the rising trend of wellness breaks at work, emphasising how the suits could bridge fitness and productivity. Pierced and stuck An Indonesian woman’s fresh nose piercing got caught in her office chair’s mesh. When colleagues failed to get her out of her misery, firefighters came to the rescue and wheeled her to their station where they finally freed her after an excruciating 10 minutes. The bear farmers Frustrated by relentless monkey invasions, farmers in Uttar Pradesh have taken a creative approach: dressing up as bears to protect their crops. Villagers pooled funds for the costume, which farmers wear in shifts to patrol mustard, wheat, and sugarcane fields. The Pitt scam Believing she was in a long-distance relationship with Brad Pitt, a French interior decorator was duped into paying over R7.3 crore. The scammer, using AI-generated photos, preyed on her. Only after seeing Pitt in a public relationship did she realise the cruel hoax.
19 January,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentOutgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken told The Associated Press that he hopes the incoming Trump administration will press forward with key points in President Joe Biden's foreign policy, including on the Middle East and Ukraine. But in an wide-ranging interview Friday on his last workday as America's top diplomat, he expressed concern that the Trump team might abandon all or some of those policies. Blinken said 'if past is prologue,' there is reason to be concerned that the new administration might not follow through on initiatives that Biden's national security team put into place to end the war in Gaza, keep Ukraine free of Russian interference and maintain strengthened alliances with key partners. 'I don't know, can't know, how they approach things,' he said. 'I do think that there is, there could and I believe should, be some real continuity in a couple of places.' 'The best laid plans. There's, of course, no guarantee that our successors will look to them, rely on them,' Blinken said. 'But at least there's that option. At least they can decide whether this is a good basis for proceeding and make changes.' He lamented that the Biden administration has been diverted from its central foreign policy priorities by world developments, including the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Gaza crisis, all of which took time and energy away from pursuing core objectives, notably in the Indo-Pacific region. These are 'not what we came in wanting or expecting to have to be focused on,' he said. That said, he stressed that even as the administration dealt with those crises, it had still been determined to look at the rest of world, and had succeeded, in his estimation, at rebuilding frayed alliances and partnerships around the world. 'Rest of world: can't lose sight of it,' he said. 'Got to keep the focus on in the places where it really matters for America's security and for America's future.' The interview, conducted in Blinken's office on the seventh floor of the State Department, followed his farewell remarks to the agency's staffers. He urged career personnel to carry on in their mission amid uncertainty about how the incoming administration will handle relationships and rivalries abroad or treat career American diplomats. In that address to employees, Blinken paid tribute to their work over the past four years despite multiple challenges, ranging from Afghanistan and Ukraine to the Middle East. 'Without you in the picture, this world, our country would look so much different,' Blinken told a cheering crowd of several hundred staffers gathered at the department's main Washington entrance, decorated with the flags of all countries with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations. 'With you in the picture, both are so much better," he said. "You're working every day to make things just a little bit better, a little bit more peaceful, a little bit more full of hope, of opportunity. That's your mission, and you do it so well.' President-elect Donald Trump has been publicly skeptical of the State Department and its traditional role in crafting administration foreign policy. Trump once referred to the agency as the 'Deep State Department,' and he and his associates have made no secret of their desire to purge career officials who do not show sufficient loyalty to the president. His choice to be Blinken's successor, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, has said he respects the foreign service, but he has not yet detailed any plans for how the department will be managed. Blinken called for staffers to remain resilient. 'This is a time of transition, and when we talk about transition, sometimes we talk about passing the baton. That's what I'll be doing,' he said. 'But that's not what most of you will be doing. Most of you come Monday, you will keep running, and what gives me more confidence than anything else is to know that that's exactly what you'll do.' He called them 'the custodians of the power and the promise of American diplomacy' and finished his brief remarks with the exhortation to 'carry on.' This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 06:34 AM IST | Washington | APIsrael's Cabinet approved a deal early Saturday for a ceasefire in Gaza that would release dozens of hostages held there and pause the 15-month war with Hamas, bringing the sides a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever. Mediators Qatar and the US announced the ceasefire Wednesday, but the deal was in limbo for more than a day as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute complications that he blamed on the Hamas militant group. The ceasefire ' just the second achieved during the war ' will go into effect Sunday, though key questions remain, including the names of the 33 hostages to be released during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire and who among them is still alive. The Cabinet met well past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath, in a reflection of the moment's importance. In line with Jewish law, the Israeli government usually halts all business for the Sabbath except in emergency cases of life or death. Netanyahu instructed a special task force to prepare to receive the hostages returning from Gaza and said that their families were informed a deal had been reached. Hundreds of Palestinian detainees are to be released as well, and the largely devastated Gaza should see a surge in humanitarian aid. Israel's justice ministry published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in the deal's first phase and said the release will not begin before 4 pm local time Sunday. All people on the list are younger or female. Israel's Prison Services said it will transport the prisoners instead of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which handled transportation during the first ceasefire, to avoid 'public expressions of joy.' The prisoners have been accused of crimes like incitement, vandalism, supporting terror, terror activities, attempted murder or throwing stones or Molotov cocktails. Trucks carrying aid lined up Friday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. An Egyptian official said an Israeli delegation from the military and Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency arrived Friday in Cairo to discuss the reopening of the crossing. An Israeli official confirmed a delegation was going to Cairo. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private negotiations. Israeli forces will also pull back from many areas in Gaza during the first phase of the ceasefire and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians will be able to return to what's left of their homes. Israel's military said that as its forces gradually withdraw from specific locations and routes in Gaza, residents will not be allowed to return to areas where troops are present or near the Israel-Gaza border and any threat to Israeli forces 'will be met with a forceful response.' Hamas triggered the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack into Israel that killed some 1,200 people and left some 250 others captive. Nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza. Israel responded with a devastating offensive that has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and militants but say women and children make up more than half the dead. Fighting continued into Friday, and Gaza's Health Ministry said 88 bodies had arrived at hospitals in the past 24 hours. In previous conflicts, both sides stepped up military operations in the final hours before ceasefires as a way to project strength. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 06:33 AM IST | Jerusalem | APVisiting French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Friday France's commitment to supporting the Lebanese army, announcing plans to establish a new training centre for Lebanese soldiers. "France will establish a new centre to train 500 Lebanese soldiers," Macron said during a joint press conference at Baabda Palace with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Macron highlighted France's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and its leadership's efforts to ensure the country's full control over its territory. He expressed France's aspiration for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and for all weapons to be under the exclusive control of the Lebanese army, Xinhua news agency reported. "We will work to mobilize the international community to assist Lebanon across various sectors," Macron added. For his part, Aoun said, "The world's confidence in Lebanon must also be fully restored because the true and authentic Lebanon has returned." Macron arrived in Beirut on Friday for an official visit. Upon his arrival, Macron also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss potential support initiatives for Lebanon. Mikati said that Macron expressed his willingness to support Lebanon through a trust fund that the Lebanese government plans to establish in collaboration with the World Bank to aid in the reconstruction of southern Lebanon. Last November, France had backed the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. French foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said that the Court is a "guarantee of international stability" and its orders must be exercised "in all situations." "The fight against impunity is our priority," Lemoine told reporters, adding that France will continue to support the action of the ICC. He also said that France, the host country of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is extremely concerned about the cultural heritages in Gaza and Lebanon which have been destroyed during the wars by Israel. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 06:32 AM IST | Beirut | IANSIsrael's restricted security cabinet voted on Friday in favour of the Gaza ceasefire-for-hostage agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced in a statement. The office noted that the full cabinet is expected to convene later Friday for final approval of the agreement, which Qatar first announced on Wednesday. Israel's acceptance of the agreement would become official only after the full cabinet vote. Ministers of the security cabinet voted in favor of the deal "after examining all the political, security, and humanitarian aspects, and understanding that the proposed deal supports achieving the objectives of the war," according to the statement. The ministers were originally scheduled to vote on the deal on Thursday, but the meeting was delayed, with Netanyahu blaming Hamas for raising last-minute obstacles about the terms of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the names of the Palestinian prisoners who would be released. Hamas said in a statement on Friday that disputes have been resolved, a day after the group affirmed in a statement its commitment to the full terms of the accord. The vote came amid concerns that the implementation of the deal would be postponed following objections by far-right partners in Netanyahu's coalition government. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two far-right ministers, voted against the agreement in the security cabinet, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported. The two ministers demanded a government commitment to resume fighting in Gaza once the first phase of the deal, in which Hamas would release 33 Israeli hostages, is completed. On Thursday, they announced their intention to quit the coalition unless their demands were met, which would leave Netanyahu without a parliamentary majority. According to the mediators, which include Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the agreement consists of three phases towards a "permanent ceasefire between the parties." The ceasefire is expected to go into effect on Sunday, marking the start of the first phase. Fighting will be halted for six weeks, during which Hamas will release 33 hostages, including all women, children, and men over the age of 50. Israel will withdraw its forces from populated areas in Gaza, and more aid will follow into the enclave. In return, Israel will release between 990 and 1,650 Palestinians detained in its jails, including all Palestinian women and children under 19, by the end of the first phase, Xinhua news agency reported. According to a separate statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's office, Hamas is expected to release three Israeli women on Sunday. The Israeli military continued airstrikes in Gaza despite the announcement of the deal. According to the Civil Defense Authority in Gaza, at least 103 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks after the Gaza ceasefire announcement. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 06:32 AM IST | Jerusalem | IANSA Pakistani court on Friday sentenced jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, after finding them guilty of corruption in the 190 million pounds al-Qadir Trust case. The verdict was announced in a makeshift court set up in Adila jail where Khan is currently lodged. Khan is facing dozens of cases after he lost a trust vote in Parliament in 2022. Khan has been convicted for “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while his wife has been convicted for “involvement in illegal activities”. Khan, who has been jailed since August 2023, was also fined 1 million Pakistani rupees and Bibi half a million Pakistani rupees. Failure to pay the fine will entail an additional six months of imprisonment for Khan and three months for Bibi. The court also ordered the confiscation of the land of Al-Qadir University set up by them. Bibi was arrested from the court after the sentencing. Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party protested outside the Parliament House, held placards, and chanted slogans, demanding his release. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 05:19 AM IST | Islamabad | AgenciesSpaceX’s Starship launch system lifted off on its seventh uncrewed test flight on Thursday, with an upgraded version of the megarocket embarking on the program’s most ambitious flight to date, CNN reported. SpaceX was able to duplicate its prior feat of catching a booster that returned to Earth. But 8.5 minutes into flight, the Starship spacecraft itself was lost. “Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability,” SpaceX posted on X. Starship had already climbed 146 km in altitude and was traveling at 21,317 kmph when it exploded. SpaceX founder Elon Musk shared an image of debris in a post on X and said, “entertainment is guaranteed! …improved versions of the ship (and) booster are already waiting for launch.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 05:19 AM IST | Texas | AgenciesAmid the background of the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on Friday said, “Prime Minister Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed that the Security Cabinet be convened on Friday. the Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for the negotiating team and all those who assisted. The government will be convened later approve the deal.” “The Prime Minister has also directed the coordinator for the hostages and the missing to coordinate the preparations to receive the hostages upon their return to Israel,” it said. Israel’s Cabinet has postponed a key vote on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal until Saturday, with a smaller Security Cabinet vote scheduled for Friday.Agencies French President Macron visits Lebanon French President Emmanuel Macron began a visit to Lebanon on Friday, where he will meet the crisis-hit country’s newly-elected leaders. Macron is scheduled to meet Salam and President Joseph Aoun. Aoun and the prime minister-designate have promised to work on getting Lebanon out of its economic crisis and to impose state authority over parts of the country long controlled by Hezbollah. Macron last visited Lebanon in August 2020. Weapons, tunnel shaft found near UN base Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon discovered weapons depots in several civilian buildings near a United Nations base, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Thursday. Israeli troops found numerous weapons along with a tunnel shaft during an operation to clear an area in western Lebanon of Hezbollah terror infrastructure. The IDF said all of the equipment was destroyed. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 05:19 AM IST | Jerusalem | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
