External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid tributes to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar at the UNESCO headquarters. He also met UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and underscored India's commitment to deepening engagement with the UN body. Posting about his tribute on Friday, EAM highlighted how Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar continues to be a guiding light. He said, "Paid my respects to Babasaheb Ambedkar @UNESCO Headquarters today. His ideals of social justice and inclusivity are a guiding light for humanity." Paid my respects to Babasaheb Ambedkar @UNESCO Headquarters today. His ideals of social justice and inclusivity are a guiding light for humanity. pic.twitter.com/SZoP92lWHg — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 9, 2026 On his meeting with UNESCO DG Khaled El-Enany, EAM said, "Pleased to meet @UNESCO_DG Khaled El-Enany in Paris today. A multilateral world is inherently multicultural. Underlined India's commitment to advance engagement with @UNESCO in culture, education and heritage preservation globally." Pleased to meet @UNESCO_DG Khaled El-Enany in Paris today. A multilateral world is inherently multicultural. Underlined India’s commitment to advance engagement with @UNESCO in culture, education and heritage preservation globally. 🇮🇳 🇺🇳 pic.twitter.com/pkAAvyCzyI — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 9, 2026 He also held conversations with the members of India - France Parliamentary Friendship Group and parliamentary friends of India and held discussions on contemporary global developments. The EAM affirmed possibilities for deeper India - France cooperation driven by the shared strategic outlook. A warm conversation with members of India - France Parliamentary Friendship Group and parliamentary friends of India.Discussed the state of the world, impact of technology and enabling a global workplace.Affirmed possibilities for deeper India - France cooperation driven by… pic.twitter.com/Uwu7FrZDkt — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 9, 2026 On Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had met French President Emmanuel Macron and conveyed Prime Minister Modi's warm wishes. He also addressed the Ambassadors' Conference of France and underlined contemporary global shifts driven by factors like trade and energy. During the meeting with his met his French counterpart, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday, 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. On Wednesday, he also attended the first India-Weimer format meeting along with Polish Deputy PM Radoslaw Sikorski, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The meeting focused on three key issues; India-European Union relations, the Indo-Pacific, and the Ukraine conflict. 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
10 January,2026 09:56 AM IST | Paris | ANIPresident Donald Trump on Friday called on oil executives to rush back into Venezuela as the White House looks to quickly secure USD 100 billion in investments to revive the country's ability to fully tap into its expansive reserves of petroleum. Since the US military raid to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Trump has quickly pivoted to portraying the move as a newfound economic opportunity for the US, seizing tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, and saying the US is taking over the sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned Venezuelan oil and will be controlling sales worldwide indefinitely. Trump, as he opened the meeting with oil industry executives, sought to assure them that they need not be skeptical of quickly investing in and, in some cases, returning to the South American country with a history of state asset seizures as well as ongoing US sanctions and the current political uncertainty. 'You have total safety,' Trump told the executives. 'You're dealing with us directly and not dealing with Venezuela at all. We don't want you to deal with Venezuela.' Trump added: 'Our giant oil companies will be spending at least USD 100 billion of their money, not the government's money. They don't need government money. But they need government protection." Trump welcomed the oil executives to the White House after US forces earlier Friday seized their fifth tanker over the past month that has been linked to Venezuelan oil. The action reflected the determination of the US to fully control the exporting, refining and production of Venezuelan petroleum, a sign of the Trump administration's plans for ongoing involvement in the sector as it seeks commitments from private companies. It's all part of a broader push by Trump to keep gasoline prices low. At a time when many Americans are concerned about affordability, the incursion in Venezuela melds Trump's assertive use of presidential powers with an optical spectacle meant to convince Americans that he can bring down energy prices. 'At least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at The White House,' Trump said Friday in a pre-dawn social media post. The White House said it invited oil executives from 17 companies, including Chevron, which still operates in Venezuela, as well as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, which both had oil projects in the country that were lost as part of a 2007 nationalization of private businesses under Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chávez. 'If we look at the commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela, today it's un-investable,' said Darren Woods, the ExxonMobil CEO. 'And so significant changes have to be made to those commercial frameworks, the legal system, there has to be durable investment protections and there has to be change to the hydrocarbon laws in the country.' Other companies invited included Halliburton, Valero, Marathon, Shell, Singapore-based Trafigura, Italy-based Eni and Spain-based Repsol as well as a vast swath of domestic and international companies with interests ranging from construction to the commodity markets. Large US oil companies have so far largely refrained from affirming investments in Venezuela as contracts and guarantees need to be in place. Trump has suggested that the US would help to backstop any investments. Venezuela's oil production has slumped below one million barrels a day. Part of Trump's challenge to turn that around will be to convince oil companies that his administration has a stable relationship with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez, as well as protections for companies entering the market. While Rodriguez has publicly denounced Trump and the ouster of Maduro, the US president has said that to date Venezuela's interim leader has been cooperating behind the scenes with his administration. Tyson Slocum, director of the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen's energy program, criticised the gathering and called the US military's removal of Maduro 'violent imperialism." Slocum added that Trump's goal appears to be to 'hand billionaires control over Venezuela's oil.' Meanwhile, the United States and Venezuelan governments said Friday they were exploring the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries, and a delegation from the Trump administration arrived in the South American nation Friday. The small team of US diplomats and diplomatic security officials traveled to Venezuela to make a preliminary assessment about the potential reopening of the US Embassy in Caracas, the State Department said in a statement. Trump also announced Friday he'd meet with President Gustavo Petro in early February, but called on the Colombian leader to make quick progress on stemming flow of cocaine into the US. Trump, following the ouster of Maduro, had made vague threats to take similar action against Petro, describing the Colombia leader as a 'sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States'. Trump abruptly changed his tone Wednesday about his Colombian counterpart after a friendly phone call in which he invited Petro to visit the White House. The seeming détente between Petro, a leftist, and Trump, a conservative, appears to reflect that their shared interests override their deep differences. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. 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10 January,2026 09:50 AM IST | Washington | APTaiwanese President Lai Ching-te said that he would continue safeguarding Taiwan and would not allow China to reach into, Focus Taiwan reported. Focus Taiwan said that the Taiwanese President said that as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he was pledging to protect the country and safeguard the lives and property of all citizens. "I will certainly safeguard the nation and absolutely not allow Chinese pressure or China's hand to reach into Taiwan," President Lai said. He also said on Thursday that China's "cross-border pressure" against the people of Taiwan proves that Beijing's authority does not extend to Taiwan and confirms that Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Focus Taiwan reported Lai cited the recent visit to Taiwan by China-born Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki, who has been sanctioned by China and barred from entering PRC, saying that the visit demonstrated that how the Republic of China (ROC) -- Taiwan's official name -- and the PRC are not subordinate to each other. His remarks came amid the backdrop of China's Taiwan Affairs Office listing Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao as so-called "diehard Taiwan independence elements." Focus Taiwan reported that the same Chinese office also labeled a prosecutor from the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office as a "Taiwan independence thug accomplice." "Whether it is Cheng Ying-yao, Liu Shyh-fang, the prosecutor surnamed Chen, or other officials or elected representatives, all can stand at their posts and strive for the country, without fear of China's threats," the Taiwanese President said ahead of attending an event celebrating the completion of training for new personnel at the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau. The Taiwanese President said that he hoped China's leaders would understand that military drills targeting Taiwan are not peaceful actions and added that China's "united front" infiltration and cross-border suppression would not achieve the goal of making Taiwan a part of China. 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
10 January,2026 09:44 AM IST | Taipei | ANIUS President Donald Trump has announced a one-year cap on credit card interest rates, proposing a maximum rate of 10 per cent, to be effective from January 20. In a post on Truth Social, which was shared on X by The White House, Trump criticized credit card companies for charging interest rates ranging from 20 per cent to 30 per cent or higher, arguing that such rates have placed an undue financial burden on Americans. He attributed the persistence of high interest rates to policies during the Joe Biden administration, framing the proposal as a measure aimed at improving affordability for consumers. According to the post, the proposed cap would take effect on January 20, 2026, and would remain in place for one year. Trump described the move as an effort to prevent what he characterized as consumers being "ripped off" by credit card companies. The announcement emphasizes affordability as a central theme and highlights January 20 as symbolically significant, noting that it would coincide with one anniversary of Trump's administration. "Please be informed that we will no longer let the American Public be "ripped off" by Credit Card Companies that are charging Interest Rates of 20 to 30%, and even more, which festered unimpeded during the Sleepy Joe Biden Administration. AFFORDABILITY! Effective January 20, 2026, I, as President of the United States, am calling for a one year cap on Credit Card Interest Rates of 10%. Coincidentally, the January 20th date will coincide with the one year anniversary of the historic and very successful Trump Administration. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP," the post read. 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
10 January,2026 09:40 AM IST | Washington | ANIFederal immigration officers shot and wounded two people in a vehicle outside a hospital in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, 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. Vance blames victim Vice-President JD Vance has blamed a immigration officer’s fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman on ‘a left-wing network,’ Democrats, the news media and the woman who was killed as protests related to her death spread across the country. 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
10 January,2026 09:34 AM IST | Portland | AgenciesIsraeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 13 people, according to health officials, as US President Donald Trump was expected to announce the Board of Peace to oversee the fragile ceasefire. Health officials and family members said at least one child was among the dead in northern Gaza following several strikes there as well as east of Gaza City. Israel’s army said Friday it struck Hamas infrastructure and fighters in southern and northern Gaza in response to a failed projectile launched by militants from the Gaza City area. The phased ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in its initial stage as efforts continue to recover the remains of the final hostage. Officials say next week Trump is expected to announce the Board of Peace. 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
10 January,2026 09:17 AM IST | Deir al-Balah | AgenciesIndia on Friday rejected as “inaccurate” US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s remarks that a proposed trade deal between the two countries could not be sealed last year as Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a telephone call to President Donald Trump. New Delhi also asserted that it remained interested in concluding a “mutually beneficial” trade deal between the two “complementary economies” and noted that Modi and Trump held phone conversations on eight occasions in 2025 covering different aspects of ties. Negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two sides hit a major roadblock after Trump slapped a whopping 50 per cent tariff on India, including a 25 per cent additional duty for its purchase of Russian crude oil. The fresh row between the two sides came as their relations continued to reel under possibly the worst phase in the last two decades. In his controversial comments, Lutnick detailed how the India-US trade deal has not happened till now. The decision to negotiate the trade deal was taken at a meeting between PM Modi and President Trump at the White House on Feb 13. “We have seen the remarks. India and the US were committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement as far back as February 13 last year,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal 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
10 January,2026 09:13 AM IST | New York | AgenciesIn a major shift in the US–Venezuela relations, President Donald Trump, in a post on social media, said that he has cancelled a previously planned second wave of military attacks on Venezuela. Trump further cited improved cooperation from Caracas and a series of political prisoner releases by Venezuelan authorities. In the post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of ‘seeking peace.’” This is a very important and smart gesture.” The President further described Venezuela’s release of large numbers of political prisoners as a meaningful sign of seeking peace between the US and Venezuela, calling it a smart gesture by them amid longstanding tensions between the two nations. Stating his views on the recent US-Venezuela conflict, Trump further wrote, “The U.S.A. and Venezuela are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.” Highlighting that he has now suspended his plans for the second wave of attacks on Venezuela, Trump further wrote, “Because of this cooperation, I have cancelled the previously expected second wave of attacks, which looks like it will not be needed; however, all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes.” US oil firms eye USD 100 billion investment The US President also revealed that at least USD 100 billion in investments from major US oil companies is expected to flow into Venezuela’s energy sector. Trump further highlighted that he would meet with top oil executives at the White House later on Friday to discuss these plans. “At least 100 billion dollars will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at the White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump added in the post on Truth Social. Underscoring a growing emphasis on economic and geopolitical cooperation rather than military escalation, Trump’s announcement of suspending the second wave of attack on Venezuela marks a notable pivot from the earlier confrontational posture taken by the US. On Wednesday, the US President had said that Venezuela would now purchase only American-made products with the money they receive from the new oil deal. In a different social media post, he stated that the purchases would include American agri products, medicines, medical devices and equipment to improve the electric grid and energy facilities, among other things.
09 January,2026 10:08 PM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondentRussia said Friday it has used the new Oreshnik ballistic missile along with other weapons in a massive strike on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed and at least 22 wounded in the capital overnight. Russia didn't say where Oreshnik hit, but Russian media and military bloggers said it targeted a huge underground natural gas storage in Ukraine's western Lviv region. Russia's Defence Ministry said the attack was a retaliation to what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence last month. Ukraine and US President Donald Trump have rejected the Russian claim of the attack on Putin's residence. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadoviy said that Russia struck critical infrastructure with a ballistic missile, but didn't give details. He said the missile travelled at a speed of 13,000 kilometres per hour, and that the specific type of rocket was being investigated. Russia first tested the Oreshnik "Russian for hazelnut tree" to strike a Ukrainian factory in November 2024. Putin has bragged that Oreshnik's multiple warheads plunge at speeds of up to Mach 10 and can't be intercepted, and that several of them used in a conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Oreshnik can also carry nuclear weapons. The Russian leader has warned the West that Russia could use the Oreshnik next against allies of Kyiv that allowed it to strike inside Russia with their longer-range missiles. After the overnight strike on Ukraine's capital, those killed included an emergency medical aid worker, said Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko. Five rescue workers sustained injuries while responding to the site of ongoing attacks, said Ukraine's security service. Several districts in Kyiv were hit in the attack, said Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko. In the Desnyanskyi district, a drone crashed onto the roof of a multi-storey building. At another address in the same district, the first two floors of a residential building were damaged. In Dnipro district, parts of a drone damaged a multi-storey building and a fire broke out. Running water and electricity were disrupted in parts of the capital as a result of the attack, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. The attack took place just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alerted the nation about Russia's intentions for a large-scale offensive. He said that Russia aimed to take advantage of the frigid weather in the capital, making roads and streets perilously icy. 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 04:10 PM IST | Moscow | APIranian protesters shouted and marched through the streets into Friday morning after a call by the country's exiled crown prince for demonstrations, despite Iran's theocracy cutting off the nation from the internet and international telephone calls. Short online videos shared by activists purported to show protesters chanting against Iran's government around bonfires as debris littered the streets in the capital, Tehran, and other areas. Iranian state media broke its silence Friday over the protests, alleging "terrorist agents" of the US and Israel set fires and sparked violence. It also said there were "casualties", without elaborating The full scope of the demonstrations couldn't be immediately determined due to the communications blackout, though it represented yet another escalation in protests that began over Iran's ailing economy and that has morphed into the most significant challenge to the government in several years. The protests have intensified steadily since beginning December 28. The protests also represented the first test of whether the Iranian public could be swayed by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose fatally ill father fled Iran just before the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Demonstrations have included cries in support of the shah, something that could bring a death sentence in the past but now underlines the anger fuelling the protests that began over Iran's ailing economy. So far, violence around the demonstrations has killed at least 42 people while more than 2,270 others have been detained, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Pahlavi, who called for protests Thursday night, similarly has called for demonstrations at 8 pm Friday. "What turned the tide of the protests was former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's calls for Iranians to take to the streets at 8 pm on Thursday and Friday", said Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "Per social media posts, it became clear that Iranians had delivered and were taking the call seriously to protest in order to oust the Islamic Republic". "This is exactly why the internet was shut down: to prevent the world from seeing the protests. Unfortunately, it also likely provided cover for security forces to kill protesters". Thursday night protests preceded internet shutdown When the clock struck 8 p.m. Thursday, neighbourhoods across Tehran erupted in chanting, witnesses said. The chants included "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to the Islamic Republic!" Others praised the shah, shouting: "This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!" Thousands could be seen on the streets before all communication to Iran cut out. "Iranians demanded their freedom tonight. In response, the regime in Iran has cut all lines of communication", Pahlavi said. "It has shut down the Internet. It has cut landlines. It may even attempt to jam satellite signals". He went on to call for European leaders to join US President Donald Trump in promising to "hold the regime to account". "I call on them to use all technical, financial, and diplomatic resources available to restore communication to the Iranian people so that their voice and their will can be heard and seen", he added. "Do not let the voices of my courageous compatriots be silenced". Pahlavi had said he would offer further plans depending on the response to his call. His support of and from Israel has drawn criticism in the past particularly after the 12-day war Israel waged on Iran in June. Demonstrators have shouted in support of the shah in some demonstrations, but it isn't clear whether that's support for Pahlavi himself or a desire to return to a time before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The internet cut also appears to have taken Iran's state-run and semiofficial news agencies offline as well. The state TV acknowledgment at 8 am Friday represented the first official word about the demonstrations. State TV claimed the protests saw violence that caused casualties but did not elaborate. It also said the protests saw "people's private cars, motorcycles, public places such as the metro, fire trucks and buses set on fire". Trump renews threat over protester deaths Iran has faced rounds of nationwide protests in recent years. As sanctions tightened and Iran struggled after the 12-day war, its rial currency collapsed in December, reaching 1.4 million to USD 1. Protests began soon after, with demonstrators chanting against Iran's theocracy. It remains unclear why Iranian officials have yet to crack down harder on the demonstrators. Trump warned last week that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters", America "will come to their rescue" In an interview with talk show host Hugh Hewitt aired Thursday, Trump reiterated his pledge. Iran has "been told very strongly, even more strongly than I'm speaking to you right now, that if they do that, they're going to have to pay hell", Trump said. Trump demurred when asked if he'd meet with Pahlavi. "I'm not sure that it would be appropriate at this point to do that as president", Trump said. "I think that we should let everybody go out there, and we see who emerges". Speaking in an interview with Sean Hannity aired Thursday night on Fox News, Trump went as far as to suggest 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may be looking to leave Iran. "He's looking to go someplace", Trump said. "It's getting very bad". 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. 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09 January,2026 04:09 PM IST | Dubai | APThe 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 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 US. "This Guidelines return us to the basics," 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." Rollins added that the 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. Key recommendations The guidelines emphasise high-quality protein, healthy fats, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables, while calling for a reduction in highly processed foods, added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and artificial additives. Prioritising protein: Nutrient-dense animal and plant-based sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood, red meat, beans, lentils, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Avoiding highly processed foods: Packaged, ready-to-eat, sugary, and salty foods, along with sugar-sweetened beverages. Eliminating added sugars: Especially for children under four, no amount of added sugar or non-nutritive sweeteners is recommended. Healthy fats: Focus on whole food sources such as eggs, meats, seafood, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, and full-fat dairy. Whole grains over refined carbohydrates: Prioritise fibre-rich grains and limit white bread, packaged breakfast items, and refined snacks. Lower-carbohydrate diets: Recommended for individuals with certain chronic diseases to improve health outcomes. The guidelines provide tailored recommendations for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, older adults, and vegetarians or vegans, ensuring nutritional adequacy across all stages of life. Public health and cost implications Nearly 90 percent of US healthcare spending is directed towards treating chronic diseases, many of which are diet-related. More than 70 percent of adults are overweight or obese, while one in three adolescents has prediabetes. These conditions also affect military readiness, with 77 percent of military-aged youth ineligible for service due to diet-related chronic diseases, the US HHS website stated. According to the departments of HHS and agriculture, the reset could lower healthcare costs by reducing chronic disease. For instance, a recent study of Medicare beneficiaries found that a 15 percent weight reduction could save nearly USD 1,000 per year per person in healthcare spending. The guidelines also aim to reform federal nutrition programmes, including school meals, military and veteran nutrition programmes, and child nutrition initiatives, to prioritise affordable, nutrient-dense foods. Science and policy focus The Donald Trump administration has framed the guidelines as a return to science-driven, common-sense policy, prioritising health outcomes over social or political frameworks, and removing incentives for low-quality, highly processed foods. The US Government said the new guidance represents a long-term effort to educate Americans, improve public health, and support farmers producing real food.
09 January,2026 02:22 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
-1767955154057_d.png "Russia's Defence Ministry said the attack was a retaliation to what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone strike. (Pic/PTI)")
