Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday for the second leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali received PM Modi at the Addis Ababa International Airport. In a unique gesture, he personally drove the Indian Prime Minister to the hotel. On the way, he took the initiative of visiting the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which were not part of the official itinerary, news agency PTI reported. During informal talks, PM Ali shared details about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee with his Indian counterpart. Sources said the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s gestures reflected remarkable respect for PM Modi. “Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media. “Ethiopia is a key partner for India in the Global South and a fellow BRICS Member,” he added. During the visit, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with his Ethiopian counterpart on all aspects of India–Ethiopia bilateral ties. PM Modi to address Ethiopian Parliament “As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said before his departure from India. In his first visit to Ethiopia, PM Modi will address a Joint Session of Parliament, sharing his thoughts on India’s journey as the “Mother of Democracy” and highlighting the value of the India-Ethiopia partnership for the Global South, PTI reported. He will also meet the Indian diaspora during the two-day visit. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union, which in 2023 was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s G20 Presidency. PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday, followed by delegation-level talks. India and Jordan also signed MoUs in culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure, and a twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at boosting bilateral ties, PTI reported. From Ethiopia, PM Modi will visit Oman, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour. (With PTI inputs)
16 December,2025 08:39 PM IST | Addis Ababa | mid-day online correspondentIn a special gesture, Crown Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II drove Prime Minister Narendra Modi to The Jordan Museum on Tuesday. The Crown Prince is the 42nd generation direct descendant of Prophet Mohammad. Sharing the photos in a post on X, PM Modi said, "On the way to The Jordan Museum with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II." The Jordan Museum aims to preserve and present the country’s rich cultural heritage. The museum is a learning centre that shares knowledge in many engaging ways. This knowledge is kept up-to-date through ongoing research for every section the museum offers, from gallery exhibitions to conservational and educational programs, according to the museum's official website. The museum tells the story of innovation that spans 1.5 million years of Jordanian history and archaeology. Earlier in the day, PM Modi shared the outcomes of his Jordan visit and said that these mark a "meaningful expansion" of the partnership between the two nations. The Prime Minister on Monday met with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Al Husseiniya Palace, and proposed that both countries should aim to enhance bilateral trade to USD 5 billion. PM Modi also called for collaboration between Jordan's digital payment system and India's United Payments Interface(UPI). On the occasion of the visit, the two sides finalised Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "These outcomes mark a meaningful expansion of the India-Jordan partnership. Our cooperation in new and renewable energy reflects a shared commitment to clean growth, energy security and climate responsibility." He further said that the collaboration in water resources management and development will help both nations to share best practices in conservation, efficiency and technology, ensuring long-term water security. The Prime Minister also mentioned that the Twinning Agreement between Petra and Ellora will open new avenues for heritage conservation, tourism and academic exchanges. "The renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (2025-2029) will deepen people-to-people ties. Sharing our digital innovations will support Jordan's digital transformation and promote inclusive governance," PM Modi added. These agreements would give a major boost to India-Jordan bilateral ties and friendship. Additionally, during their meeting, both leaders shared perspectives on the developments in the region and on other global issues. They reiterated the importance of restoring peace and stability in the region. PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for efforts being made to achieve a durable peace in the region. PM Modi arrived in Amman Monday afternoon as he kicked off his three-nation tour, which will also include visits to Ethiopia and Oman - all countries with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations. In a special gesture, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the airport as he arrived in the country on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This is PM Modi's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan - he had earlier transited through Jordan in February 2018 while on his way to the State of Palestine. 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
16 December,2025 04:58 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and some 30 other countries are expected to formally approve plans on Tuesday to create a compensation body to pay for damages to Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion, but questions remain about where the money will come from. The expected approval at a ceremony in the Dutch city of The Hague follows peace talks in Berlin with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelenskyy voiced readiness to drop his country's bid to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees, but rejected the US push for ceding territory to Russia. "These security guarantees are an opportunity to prevent another wave of Russian aggression", he said, in response to journalists' questions, "And this is already a compromise on our part". The Council of Europe, the continent's preeminent human rights organisation, has facilitated the International Claims Commission, which will allow Ukrainians to seek compensation for "damage, loss or injury" caused by the Russian Federation since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The commission will assess claims made to the already up-and-running register of damages, which was launched during a Council of Europe summit in Iceland in 2023. "There will be no reliable peace without justice", Zelenskyy told leaders at the summit by video address from Kyiv. Some 80,000 claims have already been filed with the register, which is based in The Hague. Questions remain about where the claims commission will get its funding. The Council of Europe is adamant that Russia must foot the bill, but there is no clear pathway for forcing Moscow to pay up. One proposal is to use some of the tens of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets held in Europe. Twenty-five countries must sign on for the commission to launch, but more than 30 are expected to join, an unprecedented number for the start of a Council of Europe treaty. The majority will come from Europe, and the European Union has indicated it will join as well, but Mexico, Japan and Canada have also sent delegations to the signing. Many of the same countries have also backed a new international court, also under the umbrella of the Council of Europe, to prosecute senior Russian officials for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy is also scheduled to address the Dutch parliament and to meet with the country's king, Willem-Alexander. 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.
16 December,2025 04:55 PM IST | The Hague | APThree Indian students were among 40 people injured in the terrorist attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia, according to a media report on Tuesday. Two out of these three students are believed to be receiving treatment in the hospital, The Australia Today news portal reported. The names of the Indian students injured during Sunday's attack have not been disclosed yet. The Indian students sustained injuries during the shooting, and their exact condition has not been formally confirmed yet, it said. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50, opened fire on a gathering during the Jewish festival Hanukkah by the Sea celebration. At least 15 people were killed in the attack, including a 10-year-old child. Five of the injured remain in critical condition, while two injured police officers are in serious but stable condition, it added. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the investigation is expanding as new information emerges, including international travel by the alleged attackers and the discovery of extremist material, the report 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.
16 December,2025 04:48 PM IST | Melbourne | PTIA mass shooting in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State,” Australia’s federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said on Tuesday. The suspects, a father and son aged 50 and 24, were identified by authorities. The older man was shot dead, while his son was being treated in hospital on Tuesday. Tuesday’s news conference by political and law enforcement leaders was the first time officials publicly confirmed their assessment of the suspects’ ideologies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the remarks were based on evidence collected, including “the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized”. There are 25 people still receiving treatment in hospitals following Sunday’s massacre, including 10 in critical condition. Three of them are admitted to a children’s hospital. Among the injured is a man who was captured on video tackling and disarming one assailant, before pointing the man’s weapon at him and then setting it on the ground, news agency AP reported. Australia mass shooting updates: Suspects had visited Philippines last month, say cops The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years and were attending a Hanukkah event at Australia’s most famous beach when gunshots rang out. Albanese, along with state leaders, has pledged to tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws, which would mark the most sweeping reforms since a shooter killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania, in 1996. Mass shootings in Australia have been rare since then. Officials released more details as public questions and anger grew on the third day after the attack, focusing on how the suspects planned and executed the attack, and whether Australian Jews had been adequately protected amid rising antisemitism. Albanese announced plans to further restrict access to firearms, noting that the older suspect had legally amassed a cache of six weapons. “The suspected murderers, callous in how they allegedly coordinated their attack, appeared to have no regard for the age or ableness of their victims,” Barrett said, adding, “It appears the alleged killers were interested only in a quest for a death tally.” The suspects travelled to the Philippines last month, said Mal Lanyon, Police Commissioner for New South Wales. Their reasons for the trip and the locations visited in the Philippines will be investigated. Lanyon also confirmed that a vehicle removed from the scene, registered to the younger suspect, contained improvised explosive devices. “I also confirm that it contained two homemade ISIS flags,” Lanyon added. (With AP inputs)
16 December,2025 03:39 PM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentThailand authorities on Tuesday deported Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Goa nightclub where 25 people were killed in a fire earlier this month, to India amid an ongoing probe into the tragedy. They have boarded a flight for Delhi and will be handed over to Indian authorities on arrival, sources said. The duo will be produced before a Delhi court for further legal proceedings, they said. A case of culpable homicide and negligence has been registered against them in connection with the fire. Videos circulating online showed Gaurav, 44, and Saurav, 40, being escorted by Thai police at Bangkok airport ahead of their departure for India. The deportation comes days after the two were detained in Phuket on December 11 following the intervention of the Indian mission, which was in close touch with the Thai government in the case. The Luthra brothers, co-owners of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Arpora in North Goa, had left for Thailand shortly after the December 6 fire. They were reportedly attending a wedding in Delhi at the time of the incident. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued against the duo. The blaze had sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions over alleged safety violations and lapses by the nightclub management. The Indian government, after cancelling the passports of the two brothers, had submitted a dossier to Thai authorities alleging their involvement in the deaths of 25 people and formally sought their deportation. India and Thailand signed an Extradition Treaty in 2013, which came into force in June 2015. The Goa Police have so far arrested five managers and staff members of the nightclub in connection with the case. Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation, observing that "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy. 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.
16 December,2025 11:38 AM IST | Bangkok [Thailand] | PTIUS President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit seeking USD 10 billion in damages from the BBC, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices. The 33-page lawsuit, filed on Monday, accuses the BBC of broadcasting a "false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction of President Trump", calling it 'a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence' the 2024 US presidential election. It accused the BBC of "splicing together two entirely separate parts of President Trump's speech on January 6, 2021" in order to "intentionally misrepresent the meaning of what President Trump said". The BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. The broadcaster had apologised last month to Trump over the edit of the Jan 6 speech. But the publicly funded broadcaster rejected claims it had defamed him, after Trump threatened legal action. BBC chairman Samir Shah had called it an "error of judgment", which triggered the resignations of the BBC's top executive and its head of news. The speech took place before some of Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol as Congress was poised to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election that Trump falsely alleged was stolen from him. The BBC had broadcast the hourlong documentary titled Trump: A Second Chance? days before the 2024 US presidential election. It spliced together three quotes from two sections of the 2021 speech, delivered almost an hour apart, into what appeared to be one quote in which Trump urged supporters to march with him and "fight like hell". Among the parts cut out was a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. Trump said earlier Monday that he was suing the BBC "for putting words in my mouth". "They actually put terrible words in my mouth having to do with Jan 6 that I didn't say, and they're beautiful words, that I said, right?" the president said unprompted during an appearance in the Oval Office. "They're beautiful words, talking about patriotism and all of the good things that I said. They didn't say that, but they put terrible words". The president's lawsuit was filed in Florida. Deadlines to bring the case in British courts expired more than a year ago. Legal experts have brought up potential challenges to a case in the US given that the documentary was not shown in the country. The 103-year-old BBC is a national institution funded through an annual license fee of 174.50 pounds ($230) paid by every household that watches live TV or BBC content. Bound by the terms of its charter to be impartial, it typically faces especially intense scrutiny and criticism from both conservatives and liberals. 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.
16 December,2025 11:24 AM IST | Washington | APPrime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali during the second leg of his three-nation tour, as he undertakes a State Visit to Ethiopia from Tuesday, reported news agency IANS. The visit is being held at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and marks PM Modi’s first-ever visit to Ethiopia, underscoring the growing strategic importance of India–Ethiopia relations. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali covering all aspects of bilateral ties, including political engagement, development cooperation, trade, investment, and people-to-people relations. As partners in the Global South, both leaders are expected to reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening friendship and expanding cooperation for mutual benefit, reported IANS. Ahead of the visit, Addis Ababa has been decked up with welcome hoardings, posters, and Indian flags, reflecting the warm reception awaiting the Indian Prime Minister. The city is witnessing heightened enthusiasm as Ethiopia prepares to host the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 2011. PM Modi on three-nation tour PM Modi, who began his three-nation tour on Monday, is scheduled to arrive in Ethiopia on Tuesday. Following the Ethiopia visit, he will travel to Oman for the final leg of his tour, reported IANS. Ethiopia is considered an important and trusted partner for India in Africa and the Global South, and the visit is expected to further elevate bilateral engagement. In his departure statement on Monday, PM Modi highlighted the significance of Addis Ababa as the headquarters of the African Union, noting that during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20. He said he looks forward to detailed discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, meeting members of the Indian diaspora, and addressing a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament, reported IANS. “I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on India’s journey as the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and the value that the India–Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South,” the Prime Minister said, reported IANS. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been a prominent participant in previous editions of the Voice of Global South summit. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit reflects India’s continued commitment to deepening South-South cooperation and strengthening its partnership with Africa. (With inputs from IANS)
16 December,2025 10:31 AM IST | Addis Ababa | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that he had shared an eight-point vision on trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation and other vital sectors to further the ties with the country of Jordan during his "productive discussions" with King Abdullah II in Amman. Taking to the social media platform X, the Prime Minister acknowledged King Abdullah II's personal commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, calling it "noteworthy", especially as India and Jordan mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year. "Held productive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment towards vibrant India-Jordan relations is noteworthy. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations. This milestone will continue to inspire us to move forward with renewed energy in the times ahead," his post read. Held productive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment towards vibrant India-Jordan relations is noteworthy. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations. This milestone will continue to inspire… pic.twitter.com/371jjHdtTx — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2025 PM Modi also outlined an eight-point vision aimed at further deepening cooperation between the two countries, with a key focus on vital areas of cooperation, including trade and economy, fertilisers and agriculture, information technology, healthcare, infrastructure, critical and strategic minerals, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people ties. PM Modi on three-nation tour The Prime Minister is currently in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan as part of the first leg of his three-nation tour. Following his arrival in Amman, he was received by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan at the airport, where he was accorded a formal welcome. PM Modi was warmly received by King Abdullah II at the Al Husseiniya Palace, where the two leaders held detailed discussions on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the leaders agreed to further deepen the India-Jordan partnership, particularly in the fields of trade and investment; defence and security; counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation; fertiliser and agriculture; infrastructure; renewable energy; and tourism and heritage, adding that both leaders reiterated their collective stand against terrorism. "Both leaders reaffirmed their united stand against terrorism," the MEA said in its post. Following the talks, King Abdullah II hosted a banquet dinner in honour of the Prime Minister, underscoring the warmth of the bilateral relationship. From Jordan, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first official visit to the African nation. In the concluding phase of the tour, the Prime Minister will visit Oman. (With inputs from Agencies)
16 December,2025 10:23 AM IST | Amman | mid-day online correspondentUS President Donald Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, as he called the synthetic opioid a grave national security threat and vowed intensified action against trafficking networks fueling the crisis. “With this historic executive order, I will sign today, we’re formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction,” Trump said. “No bomb does what this is doing,” reported IANS. Trump said fentanyl deaths far exceeded commonly reported figures. “Two hundred to three hundred thousand people die every year that we know of,” he said, describing the impact on American families as devastating. The President linked fentanyl trafficking to hostile actors targeting the United States. “America’s adversaries are trafficking fentanyl into the United States in part because they want to kill Americans,” he said, reported IANS. Trump cited major drug seizures as evidence of progress. “In May, we executed the largest fentanyl bust in the history of the US, seizing three million fentanyl pills all at one time,” he said, adding that another 1.7 million pills were seized last month in Colorado, reported IANS. He said fentanyl shipments entering the country had dropped significantly. “We’ve also achieved a 50 per cent drop in the amount of fentanyl coming across the border,” Trump said, adding that China was “working with us very closely” to curb the flow, reported IANS. Trump stressed that while fentanyl has legitimate medical uses, illicit production and mixing had turned it into a lethal weapon. “When you mix it with certain things, it becomes bad,” he said. “That’s what’s taking place in Mexico.” US fentanyl crisis The fentanyl order was announced alongside broader border and security measures, with Trump arguing that drug cartels represented a direct military threat to the United States. The US fentanyl crisis has emerged as one of the deadliest public health emergencies in modern American history, with synthetic opioids driving a sharp rise in overdose deaths over the past decade. Successive administrations have struggled to stem trafficking routes spanning Latin America, China, and global supply chains. India has closely followed international efforts to regulate precursor chemicals and combat transnational narcotics networks, cooperating with the US and other partners on drug enforcement while balancing pharmaceutical and public health considerations. (With inputs from IANS)
16 December,2025 10:11 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondentA small plane crashed in central Mexico while trying to make an emergency landing Monday, killing at least seven people, Mexico State Civil Protection Coordinator Adrian Hernandez said. The accident took place in San Mateo Atenco, an industrial area three miles (5 kilometres) from the Toluca airport, about 31 miles (50 kilometres) west of Mexico City. The plane had taken off from Acapulco, along Mexico's Pacific coast. Hernandez said the private jet had registered eight passengers and two crew, but hours after the crash only seven bodies had been recovered. He said the plane had apparently tried to land on a soccer field but hit the metal roof of a nearby business, starting a large fire. The crash is under investigation. San Mateo Atenco Mayor Ana Muniz told Milenio Television that the fire forced the evacuation of some 130 people in the area. 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
16 December,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mexico City | APADVERTISEMENT
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