The United States (US) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with the Department of Agriculture (USDA), has released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, marking what officials describe as the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades. Announcing the new guidelines, HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the policy places “real, whole foods at the centre of health”, moving away from highly processed diets that have contributed to a growing public health crisis in the country. “These Guidelines return us to the basics,” Secretary Kennedy said, adding, “American households must prioritise whole, nutrient-dense foods—protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains—and dramatically reduce highly processed foods. This is how we Make America Healthy Again.” As per data on the HHS website, nearly 90 per cent of healthcare spending in the US is directed towards treating chronic diseases, many of which are linked to poor diet and lifestyle choices. More than 70 per cent of American adults are overweight or obese, while nearly one in three adolescents has prediabetes, the data further revealed. Diet-related illnesses have also begun to affect military readiness, with many young Americans failing to meet enlistment health standards, the government website stated. Rollins said the revised guidelines align the country’s food system with public health goals and support American farmers and ranchers. “We are realigning our food system to put families and children first and ensure more real food on American dinner tables,” she said. The 2025–2030 guidelines aim to re-establish food, rather than pharmaceuticals, as the foundation of good health and bring back the food pyramid as an educational tool. A press release by the HHS stated that the recommendations are rooted in modern nutrition science while remaining simple and flexible. Key recommendations Prioritising protein at every meal Consuming full-fat dairy without added sugars Eating whole vegetables and fruits throughout the day Including healthy fats from foods such as eggs, seafood, nuts, seeds, olives and avocados Choosing whole grains while limiting refined carbohydrates Reducing highly processed foods, added sugars and artificial additives Drinking water and unsweetened beverages Limiting alcohol consumption. The guidelines also provide tailored advice for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, older adults, individuals with chronic diseases, and those following vegetarian or vegan diets. According to the HHS website, the revised guidelines are intended to restore scientific integrity and common sense to federal health guidance, while addressing the growing burden of diet-related disease across the US.
09 January,2026 01:30 PM IST | MumbaiSyria's Defence Ministry announced a ceasefire on Friday after three days of clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters in the northern city of Aleppo that displaced tens of thousands of people. The statement said the ceasefire was effective at 3 am in the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid and gave armed groups six hours to leave the area. It said departing militants would be allowed to carry their "personal light weapons" and would be provided with an escort to the country's northeast, which is controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib toured the contested neighbourhoods with an escort of security forces overnight. There was no immediate public response from the SDF, and it was not clear if Kurdish forces in Aleppo had agreed to the deal. US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack welcomed the announcement in a statement on X and extended "profound gratitude to all parties" the Syrian government, the Syrian Democratic Forces, local authorities, and community leaders "for the restraint and goodwill that made this vital pause possible". Barrack said the US was working with the parties to extend the ceasefire beyond the six-hour deadline. Some 142,000 people have been displaced by the fighting, which broke out Tuesday with exchanges of shelling and drone strikes. Each side has accused the other of starting the violence and of deliberately targeting civilian neighbourhoods and infrastructure, including ambulance crews and hospitals. Kurdish forces said at least 12 civilians were killed in the Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods, while government officials reported at least nine civilians were killed in the surrounding government-controlled areas in the fighting. Dozens more on both sides have been wounded. It was not clear how many fighters were killed on each side. The clashes come amid an impasse in political negotiations between the central state and the SDF. The leadership in Damascus under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa had signed a deal in March last year with the SDF, which controls much of the northeast, for it to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025. There have been disagreements on how it would happen. Some of the factions that make up the new Syrian army, formed after the fall of former President Bashar Assad in a rebel offensive in December 2024, were previously Turkiye-backed insurgent groups that have a long history of clashing with Kurdish forces. The SDF has for years been the main US partner in Syria in fighting against the Islamic State group, but Turkiye considers the SDF a terrorist organisation because of its association with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has waged a long-running insurgency in Turkiye. A peace process is now underway. Despite the long-running US support for the SDF, the Trump administration in the US has also developed close ties with al-Sharaa's government and has pushed the Kurds to implement the March deal. 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.
09 January,2026 01:25 PM IST | Aleppo | APFrench President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (local time) said that he would pay a visit to India next month, with New Delhi set to host the AI Impact Summit. He made the remarks while addressing the Diplomatic Corps, according to France 24. President Macron, while speaking about the successes of French diplomacy in 2025, spoke about the world coming together for the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris and the progress made on the front. "Let's finally look at what we have managed to achieve together, the successes of French diplomacy last year- the Artificial Intelligence summit. The whole world came to Paris. We made progress on this and we co-chaired it with Prime Minister Modi and next month, I'll be in India to follow up." The India-AI Impact Summit 2026, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit and is scheduled for February 19-20 in New Delhi, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South, as noted by the official website. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, earlier during a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot had also mentioned that India would be expecting President Macron soon. Speaking about how the two countries are active in the international arena, they are committed to multipolarity and their working together is important not only for the bilateral relationship but also for stabilising global politics. "Apart from our bilateral ties, we are both very active in the international arena. This year we chaired the BRICS, you chaired the G7. We are both members of the G20. We are also otherwise active in a number of international organisations. So as two nations committed to multi-polarity, I believe that working together is important for ourselves, also for stabilising the global politics at this stage," EAM Jaishankar said. He added, "Let me conclude that by adding that we are expecting President Macron in India very soon. So part of what we would be devoting ourselves is to prepare for that." 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
09 January,2026 08:37 AM IST | Paris (France) | ANIExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday (local time) met French President Emmanuel Macron and conveyed Prime Minister Modi's warm wishes. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also addressed the Ambassadors' Conference of France and underlined contemporary global shifts driven by factors like trade and energy. Sharing the details in a series of posts on X, EAM appreciated the French President's perspectives on contemporary global developments and the positive sentiments for India-France Strategic Partnership. "Delighted to call on President Emmanuel Macron of France today and convey warm wishes of PM Narendra Modi. Deeply appreciate his perspectives on contemporary global developments and positive sentiments for our Strategic Partnership." Delighted to call on President @EmmanuelMacron of France today and convey warm wishes of PM @narendramodi.Deeply appreciate his perspectives on contemporary global developments and positive sentiments for our Strategic Partnership. 🇮🇳 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/hFKoafAtlD — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 8, 2026 In another post on X, he shared the details from the Ambassador's Conference in France, where he highlighted the significance of India-France partnership in promoting multi-polarity and strategic autonomy. "An honour to address the Ambassadors' Conference of France in Paris today. Underlined contemporary global shifts driven by trade, finance, technology, energy, resources and connectivity. Changes in mindset have been the crucial factor. As well as the significance of India-France partnership in promoting multi-polarity and strategic autonomy." An honour to address the Ambassadors’ Conference of France in Paris today.Underlined contemporary global shifts driven by trade, finance, technology, energy, resources and connectivity. Changes in mindset have been the crucial factor.As well as the significance of India… pic.twitter.com/RwEQqZtGFQ — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 8, 2026 Earlier on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that he would pay a visit to India next month, as New Delhi is set to host the AI Impact Summit. He made the remarks while addressing the Diplomatic Corps, according to France 24. On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his French counterpart, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The two leaders discussed advancing bilateral cooperation and elevating India-EU engagement, while also sharing perspectives on contemporary global developments. EAM had called France amongst India's oldest strategic partners and underlined how the two countries are active in the international arena, they are committed to multipolarity and their working together is important not only for the bilateral relationship but also for stabilising global politics. 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
09 January,2026 08:29 AM IST | Paris (France) | ANIUS President Donald Trump has said on social media that he is directing the federal government to buy USD 200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are worried about home prices. Trump and the White House have been trying to show they are responding to voter concerns about affordability ahead of midterm elections in November. Home prices have generally risen faster than incomes because of a persistent construction shortfall, making it harder for renters to buy their first home and for existing owners to upgrade to a new property -- a challenge that dates back to Trump's first term and the recovery from the housing market collapse that triggered the global financial crisis in 2008. Trump said the two mortgage companies under government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have USD 200 billion in cash that will be used to make the purchase. "This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable," Trump posted on social media. White House officials did not immediately respond to questions about the timelines for how purchases would occur. The Federal Reserve has in the past bought mortgage bonds during times of economic turmoil in order to help reduce interest rates, leading many homeowners to refinance into rates of 3 per cent or less. The low rates of the recent past make these homeowners reluctant to sell their properties, depriving the market of inventory. "At a high level I feel this is putting a Band-Aid on a deeper issue and it probably wouldn't lower rates enough to really undo the mortgage rate lock-in effect," said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at the real estate brokerage Redfin. Fairweather estimated the government purchases of mortgage debt could shave 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points off the rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. But the purchases wouldn't address other factors such as a chronic shortage of homes on the market, which has helped make homeownership unaffordable for many Americans, she cautioned. Mortgage rates have been averaging around 6.2 per cent, according to Freddie Mac, which went into conservatorship along with Fannie Mae in 2008 when the US economy crashed during the Great Recession. Thirty-year mortgage rates haven't been below 6 per cent since September 2022. "Lowering mortgage rates by maybe a quarter point or half a point maybe will encourage more demand on the margins, but I don't think it's going to solve the restrictions that exist in the housing market," Fairweather said. There is also a risk because Trump would be spending the cash reserves that are supposed to help be a buffer against an economic downturn akin to what happened during the Great Recession. In a sense, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be more vulnerable if anything negative happens to the housing market, meaning Trump is betting that possibility is highly unlikely. Separately, the Fed holds roughly USD 2 trillion worth of mortgage-backed securities on its balance sheet. That's down from USD 2.7 trillion in June 2022. The Fed began to unwind its mortgage-debt holdings as the US economy recovered from the global pandemic. Mortgage rates began to climb as inflation spiked coming out of the global pandemic, with the consumer price index hitting a four-decade high in 2022. The average mortgage rate is down from nearly 7 per cent at the start of Trump's second term last year, yet the decrease has done little to reassure a public that feels pressure from the costs of housing, food and energy. When interest rates fall it can become cheaper to service housing debt on a monthly basis. The reduced monthly payments can improve affordability for a period until home prices adjust in response to changes in the rates. There was roughly USD 21.1 trillion in outstanding mortgage debt as of the middle of last year, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. Many homeowners took advantage of low interest rates during the pandemic to refinance their mortgages at rates of 3 per cent or lower. Trump last month said he planned to unveil housing reforms -- and on Wednesday he said he wants to block institutional investors from buying houses. 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
09 January,2026 08:24 AM IST | Washington | AP | PTIFederal immigration officers shot and wounded two people in a vehicle outside a hospital in Portland, Oregon, a day after an officer shot and killed a driver in Minnesota, authorities said. The Department of Homeland Security described the vehicle's passenger as "a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring" who had been involved in a recent shooting in Portland. When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants on Thursday afternoon, the driver tried to run them over, the department said in a written statement. "Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot," the statement said. "The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene." There was no immediate independent corroboration of those events or of any gang affiliation of the vehicle's occupants. During prior shootings involving agents involved in President Donald Trump's surge of immigration enforcement in US cities, including Wednesday's shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, video evidence cast doubt on the administration's initial descriptions of what prompted the shootings. According to the Portland Police bureau, officers initially responded to a report of a shooting near a hospital at about 2.18 pm. A few minutes later, police received information that a man who had been shot was asking for help in a residential area a couple of miles away. Officers then responded there and found the two people with apparent gunshot wounds. Officers determined they were injured in the shooting with federal agents, police said. Their conditions were not immediately known. Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney said during a Portland city council meeting that Thursday's shooting took place in the eastern part of the city and that two Portlanders were wounded. "As far as we know both of these individuals are still alive and we are hoping for more positive updates throughout the afternoon," she said. The shooting escalates tensions in a city that has long had a contentious relationship with President Donald Trump, including Trump's recent, failed effort to deploy National Guard troops in the city. Portland police secured both the scene of the shooting and the area where the wounded people were found pending investigation. "We are still in the early stages of this incident," said Chief Bob Day. "We understand the heightened emotion and tension many are feeling in the wake of the shooting in Minneapolis, but I am asking the community to remain calm as we work to learn more." Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and the city council called on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to end all operations in Oregon's largest city until a full investigation is completed. "We stand united as elected officials in saying that we cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts," a joint statement said. "Portland is not a training ground' for militarized agents, and the full force' threatened by the administration has deadly consequences." The city officials said "federal militarisation undermines effective, community-based public safety, and it runs counter to the values that define our region. We'll use every legal and legislative tool available to protect our residents' civil and human rights." They urged residents to show up with "calm and purpose during this difficult time." "We respond with clarity, unity, and a commitment to justice," the statement said. "We must stand together to protect Portland." US Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, urged any protesters to remain peaceful. "Trump wants to generate riots," he said in a post on the X social media platform. "Don't take the bait." 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
09 January,2026 08:18 AM IST | Portland (Oregon) | AP | PTIPolice shot a man wielding a sharp object in a hospital in Brooklyn. The incident happened around 5.30 pm on Thursday at the NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, New York City police said. Officers responded to a report of a man armed with a sharp object inside the facility in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighbourhood. The man, who was not yet been identified, was shot by officers. The department declined to provide more details, including the type of weapon the man wielded or his condition after the shooting, saying more information will be provided at a news conference later Thursday. Spokespersons for the hospital declined to comment, deferring to police. 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
09 January,2026 08:11 AM IST | New York | AP | PTIThe air force chiefs of Bangladesh and Pakistan held talks on a potential pact which covers the sale of the fighter aircraft JF-17 to Dhaka, Daily Star reported. Referring to Pakistani military’s press wing, Daily Star said that the talks took place in Islamabad. Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and his Bangladesh counterpart Hasan Mahmood Khan had extensive talks on the procurement of the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China. According to Daily Star, the statement, which was shared on Tuesday, further mentioned that Islamabad assured Dhaka of fast-track delivery of “Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem”. The meeting comes shortly after the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh, Imran Haider paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Dec 28. 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
09 January,2026 06:44 AM IST | Dhaka | AgenciesProtests in Iran sparked by economic woes have now gone nationwide in the Islamic Republic, activists said on Thursday, signalling both their staying power and intensity as they challenge the country’s theocracy. Wednesday saw the most intense day of demonstrations, reaching rural towns and major cities in every province, though still localised enough for daily life to continue in Tehran, Iran’s capital, and elsewhere. So far, violence around the demonstrations has killed at least 38 people while more than 2200 others have been detained, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The growth of the protests increases the pressure on Iran’s civilian government and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. So far, authorities haven’t shut down the internet or fully flooded the streets with security forces like they did to put down the 2022 Mahsa Amini demonstrations. But any intensification may seem to act. 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
09 January,2026 06:38 AM IST | Dubai | AgenciesMinneapolis was on edge Thursday following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer taking part in the Trump administration's latest immigration crackdown, with the governor calling for people to remain calm and schools cancelling classes and activities as a safety precaution. State and local officials demanded ICE leave the state after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Macklin Good was shot in the head. But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said agents are not going anywhere. The Department of Homeland Security has deployed more than 2000 officers to the area in what it says is its largest immigration enforcement operation ever. Noem said more than 1500 people have been arrested. Macklin Good's killing on Wednesday morning in a residential neighbourhood south of downtown was recorded on video by witnesses, and by the evening, hundreds of people came out for a vigil to mourn her and urge the public to resist immigration enforcement. Some then chanted as they marched through the city, but there was no violence. “I would love for ICE to leave our city and for more community members to come to see it happens,” said Sander Kolodziej, a painter who came to the vigil to support the community. The videos of the shooting show an officer approaching an SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grab the handle. The Honda Pilot begins to pull forward, and a different ICE officer standing in front of it pulls his weapon and immediately fires at least two shots at close range, jumping back as the vehicle moves toward him. 2000No. of officers deployed by Department of Homeland 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
09 January,2026 06:35 AM IST | Minneapolis (United States) | AgenciesUS President Donald Trump said that the United States expects to oversee Venezuela and extract oil from the country’s vast reserves for years. Trump’s statement after the conflict between the two countries signalled a prolonged American role with no clear end date following the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. While speaking to the press, US President Donald Trump said, "Only time will tell how long Washington will maintain direct oversight of Venezuela." Trump also indicated that it would be “much longer” than months. The US President further said, “We will rebuild it in a very profitable way, and we’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil,” reported IANS. US plans to control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitely Trump also hinted that the United States is planning to control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitely, an approach he described as necessary to stabilise the country and lower global energy prices. “We’re getting oil prices down, and we’re going to be giving money to Venezuela, which they desperately need,” Trump added. The statements from US President Donald Trump came hours after administration officials told Congress that the US would effectively assume control of selling Venezuelan oil as part of a three-phase plan outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Republicans have largely backed the approach, whereas leaders of the Democratic Party have warned it risks turning into a long-term intervention without clear legal authority. Trump stays shut when asked about elections in Venezuela Trump declined to say when elections would be held in Venezuela and avoided questions about why Washington recognised Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, as the country’s interim leader instead of backing opposition figures. Donald Trump also emphasised that it would take years to revive Venezuela’s neglected oil sector. “The oil will take a while,” he further added. Asked what might prompt the deployment of US ground troops, Trump refused to give specifics, stating that, “I can’t tell you that. I really wouldn’t want to tell you that.” Stating that, “They’re giving us everything that we feel is necessary,” Donald Trump insisted that Venezuela’s current leadership is cooperating with Washington despite public criticism. The statement by US President Donald Trump underscores his focus on the successful military operation that captured Maduro, even as questions mount in Washington about the duration, cost and consequences of the US role in Venezuela. (With inputs from IANS)
08 January,2026 09:51 PM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1767944379892_d.png "Syria's Defence Ministry announced a ceasefire after three days of clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters in the northern city of Aleppo. File Pic")
