Following the shutdown of the Utility Stores Corporation network, financially vulnerable households across Punjab are grappling with mounting difficulties in securing subsidised food items ahead of Ramazan. As prices of essential commodities continue to rise, concerns over managing Sehri and Iftar expenses have deepened, particularly among daily wage earners and widows, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, many residents claim they have been unable to access the provincial government's promised assistance package. Naila Begum, a widow residing in Lahore's Garhi Shahu area, said she repeatedly sought help under the relief scheme announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz but was unsuccessful. Living in rented accommodation with her daughter, she alleged that without political references or influence, her name was not added to the beneficiaries' list. Similar complaints have surfaced in multiple districts. Citizens also pointed out the absence of traditional Ramazan bazaars that were previously established to stabilise prices during the holy month. In earlier years, fair price markets and government-backed subsidy arrangements with retailers provided measurable relief. However, locals stated that such visible arrangements initially appeared missing this year, raising questions about administrative preparedness. Provincial authorities maintain that a targeted Ramazan package is being finalised using existing welfare databases, particularly data from the Benazir Income Support Programme. Officials stated that assistance will be delivered either through digital wallets or designated centres to avoid overcrowding and mismanagement. The government has identified over four million individuals under its "Nigehban Card" initiative, issuing ATM cards to enable cash withdrawals for essential purchases. Special facilitation bazaars have also been introduced, offering selected goods at reduced prices, as cited by The Express Tribune. Despite these measures, critics argue that lower-middle-class families not registered in official databases risk exclusion. Welfare organisations, including Alkhidmat Foundation, Saylani Welfare International Trust, and the Edhi Foundation, continue to organise ration drives and Iftar meals, though inflation has constrained their outreach capacity, as reported by The Express Tribune. 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.
20 February,2026 06:50 PM IST | Lahore (Pakistan) | ANIAt least 16 people, including many children, were killed and 14 others injured when a suspected gas leakage led to an explosion in a residential building in Pakistan's Karachi on Thursday morning. "The explosion took place around 4:30 am on the first floor of the building located in the Old Soldier Bazar area when everyone was awake for Sehri time," police official Jamshed Asher said. The first day of Ramzan is being observed in Pakistan today. The police official said that the reason for the explosion apparently was a gas leakage. Due to gas shortage in Pakistan's biggest city, many families especially in lower income residential areas use liquid petroleum gas cylinders at their homes. Police surgeon Dr Samaiya Syed confirmed that they have received 14 bodies so far from the blast site while 14 injured are under treatment. The explosion caused a part of the building structure to collapse due to its dilapidated condition. "We are still searching through the rubble and debris to see if there are any more bodies or survivors," Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said. The deceased include at least nine children aged between two and 17 while the injured also include seven children. This is the second major tragedy to occur in Karachi. Last month, a fire broke out in the basement of the Gul Shopping Plaza, a wholesale and retail market, in the Saddar area killing at least 79 people and leaving scores injured. 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.
20 February,2026 12:57 PM IST | Karachi | PTINew Mexico's attorney general has reopened an investigation into allegations of illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch. Attorney General Raul Torrez's office made the announcement Thursday, saying the decision was made after reviewing information recently released by the US Department of Justice. Although New Mexico's initial case was closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, state prosecutors say now that "revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination." The New Mexico Department of Justice said special agents and prosecutors at the agency will be seeking immediate access to the complete, unredacted federal case file and intend to work with other law enforcement partners as well as a new truth commission established by state lawmakers to look into activities at the ranch. "As with any potential criminal matter, we will follow the facts wherever they lead, carefully evaluate jurisdictional considerations, and take appropriate investigative action, including the collection and preservation of any relevant evidence that remains available," the New Mexico Department of Justice said in a statement. Renewed efforts to investigate the sex trafficking allegations While Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, state prosecutors confirmed in 2019 that they had interviewed possible victims who visited the ranch south of Santa Fe. They never elaborated on how many accusers were interviewed or what they say took place at the ranch. The New Mexico Department of Justice did not immediately respond to emailed questions about why state prosecutors were requested to close the investigation in 2019 or whether there were specific allegations detailed within the recent filings that were released that prompted reopening the investigation. On Tuesday, New Mexico's truth commission had its first meeting. The bipartisan, four-member panel of state House representatives is charged with investigating allegations that the ranch may have facilitated sexual abuse and sex trafficking. New Mexico lawmakers also said they want to know why Epstein was not registered as a sex offender after pleading guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl and whether there was corruption among public officials. Property is under new ownership Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a hilltop mansion. Nearby was a private airstrip with a hangar and helipad. The property also included a ranch office, a firehouse and a seven-bay heated garage. The property was sold by Epstein's estate in 2023 - with proceeds going toward creditors - to the family of Don Huffines, a Republican running for state comptroller in Texas. In a social media post on X, Huffines said the property has been renamed San Rafael Ranch after a saint associated with healing and that his family plans to operate a Christian retreat there. A spokesperson for Huffines has said that the owners have never been approached by local, state or federal law enforcement requesting access to the ranch and if they do, full cooperation will be granted. 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
20 February,2026 12:39 PM IST | Albuquerque | APIran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday as a second American aircraft carrier drew closer to the Middle East, with both the United States and Iran signalling they are prepared for war if talks on Tehran's nuclear program fizzle out. President Donald Trump has said he hopes to reach a deal with Iran, but the talks have been deadlocked for years, and Iran has refused to discuss wider US and Israeli demands that it scale back its missile program and sever ties to armed groups. Indirect talks held in recent weeks made little visible progress, and one or both sides could be buying time for final war preparations. Iran's theocracy is more vulnerable than ever, following 12 days of Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear sites and military last year, as well as mass protests in January that were violently suppressed. But it is still capable of striking Israel and US bases in the region, and has warned that any attack would trigger a regional war. Iran earlier this week launched a drill that involved live-fire in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow opening of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passes. Tensions are also rising inside Iran, as mourners hold ceremonies honoring slain protesters 40 days after their killing by security forces. Some gatherings have seen anti-government chants despite threats from authorities. Trump again threatens Iran The movements of additional American warships and airplanes, with the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier near the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, don't guarantee a US strike on Iran - but it bolsters Trump's ability to carry out one should he choose to do so. He has so far held off on striking Iran after setting red lines over the killing of peaceful protesters and mass executions, while reengaging in nuclear talks that were disrupted by the war in June. Iran has agreed to draw up a written proposal to address US concerns raised during this week's indirect nuclear talks in Geneva, according to a senior US official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official said top national security officials gathered Wednesday to discuss Iran, and were briefed that the "full forces" needed to carry out potential military action are expected to be in place by mid-March. The official did not provide a timeline for when Iran is expected to deliver its written response. "It's proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran, and we have to make a meaningful deal. Otherwise bad things happen," Trump said Thursday. Growing international concern Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged his nation's citizens to immediately leave Iran as "within a few, a dozen, or even a few dozen hours, the possibility of evacuation will be out of the question." He did not elaborate, and the Polish Embassy in Tehran did not appear to be drawing down its staff. The German military said that it had moved "a mid-two digit number of non-mission critical personnel" out of a base in northern Iraq because of the current situation in the region and in line with its partners' actions. It said that some troops remain to help keep the multinational camp running in Irbil, where they train Iraqi forces. "This week, another 50 US combat aircraft - F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s - were ordered to the region, supplementing the hundreds deployed to bases in the Arab Gulf states," the New York-based Soufan Center think tank wrote. "The deployments reinforce Trump's threat - restated on a nearly daily basis - to proceed with a major air and missile campaign on the regime if talks fail." 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
20 February,2026 09:47 AM IST | Dubai | APThe UK police on Thursday arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, on suspicion of misconduct in public office following damaging allegations over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The King issued a statement to express his “deepest concern”, stressing that the “law must take its course”. Andrew was arrested from the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where he was residing after moving out of the Royal Lodge on the British monarch’s Windsor Castle estate. As Duke of York, Andrew had served as the UK’s trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. 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
20 February,2026 09:34 AM IST | London | AgenciesAustralian researchers have recently developed the world’s first underwater 3D concrete printing system, using a single-mix concrete formulation designed to set underwater through material design alone. The innovation eliminates the need for multi-stage mixes as well as rapid-setting chemicals. The mix is engineered to resist washout and maintain structural integrity during printing. 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
20 February,2026 09:33 AM IST | Sydney | AgenciesThe US could launch military strikes on Iran within days, according to reports, as the White House issued a stark warning that Tehran should make a deal. The US has deployed air and naval forces to West Asia, the most substantive deployment to the region since US had invaded Iraq in 2003. Top US officials met on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Iran. Trump was also briefed. 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
20 February,2026 09:27 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesPresident Donald Trump hosted a White House reception for Black History Month on Wednesday, less than two weeks after he sparked a bipartisan outcry by posting a racist video on social media that depicted former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle. Rapper Nicki Minaj and Boxer Mike Tyson Trump on Wednesday didn’t reference Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, but spoke of other history-making Black Americans. “We celebrate Black History Month. We honour the memory of those who came before us by continuing their legacy,” he said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Trump named prominent Black Americans among his supporters, including boxer Mike Tyson, whom he praised for defending him against accusations of racism, and rapper Nicki Minaj, whose skin he praised as “so beautiful” while commenting on how long her fingernails were.
20 February,2026 09:22 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesAmid escalating tensions and ongoing indirect nuclear talks, a rapid military buildup by the United States (US) in the Middle East has reached a stage where President Donald Trump could authorise strikes against Iran as soon as this weekend, a report citing administration and Pentagon officials stated on Thursday. The New York Times reported on Wednesday (local time) that the current military posture gives President Trump the flexibility to target Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, and launch sites. However, the President “has given no indication that he has made a decision about how to proceed”, the daily said. The buildup has persisted despite indirect discussions between Washington and Tehran in Geneva on Tuesday. Iran’s Foreign Minister stated there was agreement on a “set of guiding principles”, while US officials noted progress but highlighted that “significant gaps remain”. Trump has consistently demanded that Iran abandon its nuclear programme, including halting uranium enrichment, and has warned of severe consequences if his terms are not met. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasised diplomacy as the priority. “The President has always been very clear, though, with respect to Iran or any country around the world, diplomacy is always his first option, and Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration,” she said. US deploys fighter jets, two carrier strike groups, and advanced missile defence systems She added: “He’s always thinking about what’s in the best interest of the United States of America, of our military, of the American people, and that’s how he makes decisions with respect to military action.” The New York Times detailed the buildup, which includes more than 50 additional fighter jets, dozens of refuelling tankers, and two aircraft carrier strike groups. USS Gerald R Ford is approaching Gibraltar en route to join USS Abraham Lincoln in the region, the report added. US officials told the newspaper that the deployment also features Patriot missile defence systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to counter potential Iranian ballistic missiles. Additional F-35, F-22, and F-16 jets have been moved from the US to Europe and then to the Middle East, with refuelling aircraft repositioned for sustained operations. One military official quoted by the paper said the US could now protect its troops, allies, and assets from Iranian retaliation, at least in a short campaign. However, the official cautioned that readiness for a prolonged or wider war remains uncertain. Israeli forces are also preparing for possible coordinated action. Israeli defence officials, cited by The New York Times, indicated planning for a multi-day operation to deliver a severe blow and push Iran toward concessions at the negotiating table. The report referenced last June’s 12-day conflict, during which Trump ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, declaring the programme “obliterated.” Senior national security officials have advised the President that any operation to change Iranian leadership is not guaranteed to succeed. The developments come against the backdrop of heightened regional risks, with multiple US media outlets — including CNN and CBS News — echoing that military readiness for potential action could align with this weekend, though no final decision has been taken. (With IANS inputs)
19 February,2026 04:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe latest US-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv over Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine ended Wednesday with no sign of a breakthrough and with both sides saying the talks were “difficult,” as the war’s fourth anniversary approaches next week. The negotiations in Switzerland were the third round of direct talks organised by the US, after meetings earlier this year in Abu Dhabi that officials described as constructive but which also made no major headway. “The negotiations were not easy,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the talks broke up and he spoke briefly by phone from Kyiv with his negotiating team.” He earlier accused Russia of “trying to drag out negotiations” while it presses on with its invasion - an accusation he and European leaders have repeatedly made in the past. Despite that, some progress was made on military issues although political differences remain deep, including over the future of land in eastern Ukraine that is occupied by the Russian army and that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to keep, Zelenskyy 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 February,2026 02:39 PM IST | Geneva | AgenciesIn a major reform push, Kuwait is preparing to roll out a new freelance residency permit that would allow expatriates to live and work independently without a traditional employer sponsor, as authorities move to curb visa trading and tighten labour market controls. The scheme, expected to be introduced within the next two months, will carry an annual fee ranging between KD 750 (Rs 8600) and KD 1000 (Rs 11,500), to be paid directly to the government. 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 February,2026 02:03 PM IST | Kuwait | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
-1771591506141_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "Welfare organisations step up amid rising rrices and utility store shutdown. Pic/AFP")
-1771513298118_d.png "A policeman takes pictures at the site of a collapsed building following the explosion in Karachi. Pic/AFP")
