President Donald Trump said on Friday that Thai and Cambodian leaders have agreed to renew a truce after days of deadly clashes had threatened to undo a ceasefire the US administration had helped broker earlier this year. Trump announced the agreement to restart the ceasefire in a social media posting following calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. "They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim," Trump said in his Truth Social posting. Thai and Cambodian officials offered no immediate comment following Trump's announcement. Anutin, after speaking with Trump but before the US president's social media posting, said he reiterated to Trump that Thailand's position was to keep fighting until Cambodia no longer poses a threat to its sovereignty. Trump, a Republican, said that Ibrahim played an important role in helping him push Thailand and Cambodia to once again agree to stop fighting. "It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries!" Trump added. The original ceasefire in July was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed. It was formalised in more detail in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia that Trump attended. Despite the deal, the two countries carried on a bitter propaganda war and minor cross-border violence continued. The roots of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict lie in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims. These claims largely stem from a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand maintains is inaccurate. Tensions were exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais. Thailand has deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets. Cambodia has deployed BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40 kilometres. According to data collected by public broadcaster ThaiPBS, at least six of the Thai soldiers who were killed were hit by rocket shrapnel. The Thai army's northeastern regional command said Thursday that some residential areas and homes near the border were damaged by BM-21 rocket launchers from Cambodian forces. The Thai army also said it destroyed a tall crane atop a hill held by Cambodia where the centuries-old Preah Vihear temple is located, because it allegedly held electronic and optical devices used for military command and control purposes. Trump has repeatedly made the exaggerated claim that he has helped solve eight conflicts, including the one between Thailand and Cambodia, since returning to office in January, as evidence of his negotiating prowess. And he is not been shy about his desire to be recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize. In an exchange with reporters later Friday, Trump credited his administration with doing a "a very good job" with its push to stem the renewed fighting. "And we got it, I think, straightened out today," Trump said as he hosted members of the 1980 US men's hockey team in the Oval Office. "So Thailand and Cambodia is in good shape." Another ceasefire that Trump takes credit for working out, between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, is also under strain, just after the leaders of the African nations travelled to Washington to sign a peace deal. A joint statement released by the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes expressed "profound concern" over the situation in Congo's South Kivu region, where new deadly violence blamed on the Rwandan-backed M23 militia group has exploded in recent days. The Great Lakes contact group -- which includes Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and the European Union -- has urged all sides "to uphold their commitments" under the deal signed last week and "immediately de-escalate the situation." And Trump's internationally endorsed plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is still not finalised and in limbo, with sporadic fighting continuing while a critical second phase remains a work in progress. 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
13 December,2025 10:13 AM IST | Washington | APA Washington-based nonprofit organisation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration's construction of a large new ballroom connected to the White House's east wing, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, the legal challenge--filed on Friday--targets one of US President Donald Trump's major renovation projects, a proposed 90,000-square-foot expansion to the White House complex. Preservationists have long criticised the project, saying it alters the historic character of the building and that the administration failed to follow proper review procedures. However, this marks the first formal legal effort to halt the construction. Calling the White House "one of the most significant symbols of American ideals," National Trust President Carol Quillen said the organisation felt obligated to intervene. "As the group responsible for safeguarding places where our history unfolded, the National Trust was compelled to file this case," she said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations, including the administration's failure to submit construction plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, lack of an environmental assessment, and failure to obtain congressional approval for construction within a federal park. It further argues that the administration's actions violate the US Constitution's property clause, which grants Congress authority over federal property, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Trust had previously called for a pause in construction in letters to the National Capital Planning Commission, the National Park Service, and the Commission of Fine Arts. While the Trump administration has not responded to the lawsuit, officials have maintained that the project complies with the law, Al Jazeera reported. In October, Trump aide and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the National Trust as "run by a bunch of loser Democrats and liberal donors playing political games." President Trump--who has a background in real estate--is a strong proponent of the ballroom project. Demolition work on part of the east wing began in October. The new ballroom is expected to seat nearly 1,000 guests, up from the previously announced 650. The estimated cost has risen from USD 200 million to USD 300 million, with the administration claiming that private donors are funding the project, as reported by Al Jazeera. If completed, the ballroom would represent the most significant physical change to the White House during Trump's tenure and would dramatically exceed the building's current 55,000-square-foot footprint. Critics argue the expansion would overwhelm the current east and west wings, whose proportions have remained largely unchanged since the early 19th century. 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
13 December,2025 10:11 AM IST | Washington | ANIIsrael's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel signed a ten-year strategic space agreement with NASA. The signing took place as part of an official working visit to NASA headquarters in Washington, where the minister met with the top leadership of the American agency and discussed with them the promotion of launching the first Israeli woman into space, and joint projects on the moon and deep space, including: the Artemis joint flagship projects, the MARE experiment, the launch of the ULTRASAT satellite, experiments on the International Space Station, and collaborations in education. "NASA is our largest strategic partner in space, and the signing of the decade-long agreement reflects confidence in our scientific ability to jointly lead scientific and technological innovation from the Moon to space station research," said Gamliel. "We are now committed to the next national goal: training the first Israeli female astronaut." 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
13 December,2025 10:08 AM IST | Tel Aviv | ANIThe joint exercise between the Israeli Navy and the US Fifth Fleet, "Intrinsic Defender" has been completed. The exercise was conducted over five days in the Mediterranean Sea, Haifa Bay, Nahariya and the Red Sea regions. The exercise was designed to strengthen and maintain the long-standing cooperation between the navies, expand and improve the response to maritime threat scenarios and conduct mutual operational learning, said the IDF (Israel Defence Forces). During the exercise, operational capabilities were integrated and new technological capabilities were established, intended to expand the IDF's methods of operation. As part of the cooperation between the Israeli Navy and the US Fifth Fleet, a variety of scenarios were practised: sabotage and mine clearance, dealing with infiltration of threats in the maritime environment, diving and search, takeover scenarios and medical training. In addition, the US P-8 aircraft and the Saar 5 missile ship practised building a joint air-sea picture. In recent years, the Israeli Navy and the Fifth Fleet have conducted dozens of joint exercises and numerous patrols in the Red Sea theatre area, the Red Sea, and in areas south of it. The cooperation between the IDF and CENTCOM (US Central Command) emphasises the strategic alliance and close relationship between the militaries and constitutes a fundamental anchor for ensuring maritime security and stability in the region. 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
13 December,2025 10:06 AM IST | Tel Aviv | ANIAustralian accident investigators on Thursday released images of a skydiver’s parachute becoming entangled on an airplane’s tail, leaving him dangling 15,000 feet. The skydiver, Adrian Ferguson, used a hook knife to cut himself free and sustained minor leg injuries during the incident on September 20 that began at Tully Airport in Queensland state. The pilot and 16 other parachutists on board the Cessna Caravan that day were not hurt. The plane reached the desired altitude where the skydivers were planning to execute a 16-way formation jump. A 17th parachutist was at an open door waiting to capture videos. Ferguson was leaving the plane when the ripcord of his reserve chute became snagged on a wing flap. His legs then struck the trail’s horizontal stabiliser before the chute tangled around it and left him dangling. Ferguson used a knife to cut 11 lines that enabled him to fall from the plane with part of the torn chute. He released his main chute, which fully inflated despite becoming entangled with remnants of the reserve chute, and he landed safely. 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
13 December,2025 10:02 AM IST | Sydney | AgenciesGlobal online forum Reddit on Friday filed a court challenge to Australia’s world-first law that bans Australian children younger than 16 from holding accounts on the world’s most popular social media platforms. California-based Reddit Inc’s suit filed in the High Court follows a case filed last month by Sydney-based rights group Digital Freedom Project. Both suits claim the law is unconstitutional because it infringes on Australia’s implied freedom of political communication. 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
13 December,2025 10:00 AM IST | Melbourne | AgenciesThe 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the release of hundreds of immigrants detained during a Chicago area immigration crackdown in a decision on Thursday that also allows extension of a consent decree outlining how federal immigration agents can make warrantless arrests. The consent decree has been in the spotlight amid the Trump administration’s Chicago-area immigration crackdown that’s led to more than 4000 arrests. Last month, a judge had ordered the release of more than 600 immigrants on bond, which the appeals court paused. Around 450 remain in custody. 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
13 December,2025 09:56 AM IST | Chicago | AgenciesThe European Union is expected on Friday to lock up Russia’s assets held in Europe until it gives up its war in Ukraine and compensates its neighbor for the heavy damage that it has inflicted for almost four years. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in Europe — accused the European Commission, which prepared the decision, “of systematically raping European law”. A total of 210 billion euros ($247 billion) in Russian assets are frozen in Europe. The vast majority of the funds — around 193 billion euros ($225 billion) at the end of September — are held in Euroclear, a Belgian financial clearing house. The money was frozen under sanctions that the EU imposed on Russia over the war it launched on Feb. 24, 2022, but these sanctions must be renewed every six months, and all 27 member countries must approve them for that to happen. Hungary and Slovakia oppose providing more support to Ukraine. Russia’s central bank on Friday described the European Union’s decision to freeze its assets as “illegal actions” and threatened to file lawsuits to recover damages. The Bank of Russia said intends to recover damages caused to the Russian regulator from the Belgian depository Euroclear and will file a corresponding lawsuit in the Moscow Arbitration Court. Meanwhile, Ukraine on Thursday claimed that its long-range drones had struck a major offshore oil platform in the Caspian Sea earlier this week, as part of an undisclosed mission. 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
13 December,2025 09:53 AM IST | Brussels | AgenciesAustrian lawmakers on Thursday voted by a large majority in favour of a law banning headscarves in schools for girls under 14, a move rights groups and experts say is discriminatory and could deepen societal division. Austria's conservative-led government -- under pressure with anti-immigration sentiment is running high -- proposed the ban earlier this year, arguing it is aimed at protecting girls "from oppression". In 2019 the country introduced a ban on headscarves in primary schools, but the constitutional court struck it down. This time the government insists that its law is constitutional, though experts have suggested it could be seen as discriminating against one religion -- Islam -- and putting children in an uncomfortable position. The law prevents girls younger than 14 from wearing headscarves that "cover the head in accordance with Islamic traditions" in all schools. After a debate Thursday, only the opposition Green party voted against the ban. Ahead of the vote, lawmaker Yannick Shetty of the liberal NEOS said the headscarf "is not just an item of clothing" but "sexualises girls". "When a girl... is told that she must hide her body... to protect herself from the gaze of men, it's not a religious ritual, but oppression," Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm said when presenting the bill. The ban, which applies to "all forms" of the Islamic veil including hijabs and burqas, would take full effect with the start of the new school year in September, Plakolm said. From February, an initial period would be launched during which the new rules would be explained to educators, parents and children with no penalties for breaking them. But for repeated non-compliance, parents would face fines ranging from 150 to 800 euros ($175-930). The government said that about 12,000 girls would be affected by the new law. 'Stigmatised' Rights groups and activists have long argued that banning headscarves still amounts to telling a woman what to wear, instead of allowing her the freedom to decide on her own. Organisations including Amnesty International Austria have criticised the bill. Amnesty said it "constitutes blatant discrimination against Muslim girls" and described it as an "expression of anti-Muslim racism". Such measures risk "fuelling existing prejudices and stereotypes against Muslims", the group warned. The draft law has also drawn criticism from the IGGOe, the body officially recognised as representing the country's Muslim communities. 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.
12 December,2025 02:12 PM IST | Austria | AFPThe US Embassy in India has issued a strong advisory to B-1/B-2 visa applicants, signalling a stricter enforcement approach toward what it identifies as “birth tourism.” In a post on X, the embassy warned that tourist visa applications will be denied immediately if consular officers suspect that an applicant’s primary purpose for travelling to the United States is to give birth. “US consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to obtain US citizenship for the child. This is not permitted,” the US Embassy in India stated, reaffirming a 2020 regulation that empowers officers to reject visitor visa requests when childbirth for citizenship appears to be the applicant’s main intent. U.S. consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child. This is not permitted. pic.twitter.com/Xyq4lkK6V8 — U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 11, 2025 US expands online presence checks for H-1B visa applicants Meanwhile, the United States has expanded its review of social media and online presence to cover all H-1B speciality occupation workers and their H-4 dependents, the US Embassy in India said on Wednesday. The move comes as several applicants in India received emails informing them that their visa appointments had been rescheduled. In a statement, a US Embassy spokesperson explained that the Department of State already conducts online presence checks for student and exchange visitor visa categories such as F, M, and J. Starting December 15, this review will also include H-1B and H-4 applicants. This came after the Trump administration's recent move to make social media screening mandatory for all H-1B and H-4 applicants. This decision has added fresh uncertainty for thousands of workers and families. "The Department of State conducts thorough vetting of all visa applicants, including an online presence review of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications. Beginning December 15, we are expanding the online presence review to all speciality occupation temporary worker (H-1B) visa applicants and their dependents in the H-4 visa classification," the spokesperson said. The embassy noted that each case undergoes a detailed security review. "In every visa case, we will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States and that he or she has credibly established his or her eligibility for the visa sought, including that the applicant intends to engage in activities consistent with the terms of admission," the statement added. The spokesperson further said that the Department of State "regularly shifts appointments as needed to match resource availability" and directly informs affected applicants of any changes. The clarification followed a public advisory issued by Mission India on X on Tuesday, warning applicants not to attend their earlier appointment dates. "ATTENTION VISA APPLICANTS - If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate," the mission posted. Earlier this month, the State Department announced it would begin social media screening for all H-1B applicants and their dependent family members. Officials described the online review as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to detect misuse of foreign-worker visas. In September, the US also introduced a USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B filings. "As of December 15, the Department will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public'," the State Department had said earlier. "Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission," the announcement added. (With inputs from Agencies)
12 December,2025 11:21 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJapan on Friday issued a tsunami advisory after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook the country's northeast, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake occurred off the east coast of Aomori prefecture, in the north of Honshu, the main Japanese island, at a depth of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) at 11:44 a.m. local time, JMA said. The Pacific coast of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures could see a tsunami of up to 1 meter (3.2 feet), the agency added. Damage and injuries weren't immediately clear. An advisory is a lower level of caution than a warning. Friday's quake followed a 7.5 magnitude earthquake earlier this week in the north that caused injuries, light damage and a tsunami in Pacific coastal communities. At least 34 people were injured in that quake on Monday off the coast of Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan's main Honshu island. A tsunami more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) above tide levels was measured in Kuji port in Iwate prefecture before all tsunami advisories were lifted. Power was knocked out for hundreds of homes but was mostly restored Tuesday morning. Authorities had warned of possible aftershocks. Officials said after Monday's quake there was also a slight increase in risk of a magnitude 8-level quake and possible tsunami occurring along Japan's northeastern coast from Chiba, just east of Tokyo, to Hokkaido. The agency urged residents in 182 municipalities in the area to monitor their emergency preparedness in the coming week, reminding them that the caution is not a prediction of a big one. The quakes occurred in the coastal region, where a magnitude 9.0 quake and tsunami in 2011 killed nearly 20,000 people and destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. 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.
12 December,2025 10:50 AM IST | Tokyo [Japan] | APADVERTISEMENT
