US President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to voluntarily continue observing limits on strategic nuclear weapons following the expiration of the landmark new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). The development came as Thursday marked the end of the pact, which had imposed the final remaining restrictions on the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia, the two nations possessing the world's largest stockpiles, leaving, for the first time in over five decades, no legally binding constraints in place. Responding on his social media platform, Trump criticised the agreement, calling it "a badly negotiated deal by the United States" that was "being grossly violated." He said, "Rather than extend 'NEW START' -- a badly negotiated deal by the United States that, aside from everything else, is being grossly violated- we should have our Nuclear Experts work on a new, improved, and modernised Treaty that can last long into the future." Framing his decision within a broader push to strengthen American military power, Trump highlighted what he described as sweeping defence upgrades during his presidency. "The United States is the most powerful country in the world," he asserted, adding, "I completely rebuilt its military in my first term, including new and many refurbished nuclear weapons." He also credited the establishment of the Space Force and pointed to what he called unprecedented expansion across military branches. Continuing that theme, Trump referenced enhancements in naval forces, claiming the addition of battleships "100 times more powerful than the ones that roamed the seas during World War II," specifically citing vessels such as the Iowa and the Missouri. He went on to claim personal credit for preventing global nuclear confrontations, stating without elaboration, "I have stopped nuclear wars from breaking out across the world between Pakistan and India, Iran and Israel, and Russia and Ukraine." The New START agreement, concluded in 2010 between then US President Barack Obama and Russia's then leader Dmitry Medvedev, had placed ceilings on deployed strategic nuclear warheads and their delivery systems maintained by Washington and Moscow. With the treaty now expired, those limits are no longer enforceable, prompting arms control advocates to warn of the risk of a fresh nuclear arms buildup. The erosion of the pact had begun earlier, when in February 2023 Putin announced Russia's suspension of participation, saying Moscow "couldn't allow US inspections of its nuclear sites at a time when Washington and its NATO allies have openly declared Moscow's defeat in Ukraine as their goal." New START had stood as the final surviving agreement in a decades-long chain of arms control deals between Russia and the United States, a process that began with SALT I in 1972, aimed at restraining the nuclear stockpiles of the two powers. 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
06 February,2026 11:41 AM IST | Washington | ANIChinese robotics firm MirrorMe Technology has unveiled what it claims is the fastest-running humanoid robot to date, marking a new benchmark in bipedal robotics. Bolt — the full-size humanoid —achieved a peak speed of 10 metres per second during real-world testing. The feat makes Bolt the first humanoid robot of its size to reach such velocities outside the lab. The robot — standing 5.7 feet tall and weighing 75 kg — is built around newly designed joints and a fully optimised power system intended to replicate natural human movement while sustaining extreme speeds. Last year, MirrorMe’s Black Panther II stunned audiences by running 100 metres in 13.17 seconds on Chinese TV, reportedly outperforming US-based Boston Dynamics in speed tests. 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
06 February,2026 09:44 AM IST | Beijing | AgenciesThe UK’s Great Western Railway introduced the nation’s first-ever battery-only powered train for passenger service, operating on a five-mile return route in West London. The GWR Class 230 battery train will carry passengers on the Greenford branch line, a five-mile return route from West Ealing to Greenford, replacing its diesel counterpart. It follows a 22-month trial period of rapid charging technology on the Greenford branch line, during which the train was tested under various operational conditions. During the testing period, the train covered 200.5 miles (322.6 km), setting a world record for the longest distance traveled by a battery-electric train on a single charge. The battery will recharge in just three and a half minutes back at West Ealing station between trips, using a 2000kW charger connected to a few metres of rail that only becomes live when the train stops directly overhead. 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
06 February,2026 09:43 AM IST | London | AgenciesDaily, thousands of used mattresses are simply thrown away around the globe. While the steel springs are easy enough to scrap, the bulky polyurethane foam often ends up in a permanent 120-year home in a landfill. But a new study suggests a bizarrely organic solution to this synthetic nightmare: Penicillium chrysogenum — a common fungus. Researchers in Australia took the discarded foam, shredded it, and inoculated it with fungal spores. As the fungi grew, their root-like structures, called mycelium, acted as a natural biological glue. This biological bonding process creates lightweight natural mineral compounds capable of withstanding extreme heat up to 1000°C. The material performed well as an insulator, with heat-blocking ability very close to commercial insulation products already used. 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
06 February,2026 09:41 AM IST | Canberra | AgenciesIran’s top military commander asserted that the country has bolstered its deterrence capabilities through upgrades to domestically produced ballistic missile systems. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi made the comments during a visit to a missile facility operated by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), accompanied by IRGC Aerospace Force commander Brigadier General Majid Mousavi. Describing the scope of the upgrades, Mousavi noted, “By upgrading its ballistic missiles in all technical dimensions, Iran has been able to strengthen its deterrence power,” during the tour. Building on this, he also highlighted Iran’s readiness to confront any hostile move, adding, “Following the 12-day war, we have changed our military doctrine from defensive to offensive by adopting the policy of asymmetric warfare and [boosting readiness for a] crushing response to the enemies.” These comments referred to last June’s US-Israeli military action against Iran that resulted in at least 1064 deaths. As reported by Press TV, Israel launched the attack on June 13 while Tehran was engaged in nuclear negotiations with Washington, with the US later joining the offensive by striking Iranian nuclear facilities. In retaliation, Iranian forces carried out strikes on strategic locations across the occupied territories and at Al-Udeid, the largest US military base in West Asia. Since then, Iran has accelerated efforts to strengthen both its defensive and offensive military capabilities. 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
06 February,2026 09:40 AM IST | Tehran | AgenciesUnion Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that the first phase of the India–US bilateral trade agreement is ready. A joint statement from both countries is expected within the next four to five days, while the formal legal agreement is likely to be signed by mid-March. Once the joint statement is released, the United States is expected to issue an executive order reducing tariffs to 18 per cent, Goyal said. US President Donald Trump announced that India and the US have reached a trade deal under which the United States will reduce its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 percent to 18 percent. The move comes after the US had imposed a steep 50 percent tariff on Indian goods entering its markets from August 27, 2025 Tariff cuts to follow legal agreement Explaining the technical process, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the two countries follow different tariff systems. While US tariffs can be changed through executive orders, India’s tariffs follow the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) system and can only be reduced after the legal agreement is formally signed. He clarified that India’s tariff reductions will come into effect only after the final legal framework of the trade deal is completed. Deal Aims to Boost Trade and Major Purchases Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Terms of Reference for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Goyal highlighted the scale of India’s growing economic engagement with the US. He said India’s orders for US aircraft, engines and related equipment alone are expected to cross USD 100 billion. Goyal also reiterated that India and the US are complementary economies and that the trade agreement will benefit both sides. The bilateral trade agreement aims to more than double trade between India and the US—from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. According to Goyal, several areas of the agreement have already been finalised after extensive negotiations. GCC FTA signing and broader trade vision Negotiations for the bilateral trade agreement gained momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in February 2025. The deal was formally announced following a phone call between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump on February 2. Addressing concerns raised in the Lok Sabha, Goyal said negotiators from both countries have been working at multiple levels for nearly a year. He stressed that sensitive sectors on both sides were protected during talks. In India’s case, agriculture and dairy were among the key sectors safeguarded. The signing ceremony also saw participation from senior officials, including Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, India’s chief negotiator Ajay Bhadoo, GCC chief negotiator Raja Al Marzouki, and senior representatives from the GCC and India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Reflecting on the long-standing trade ties between India and the Gulf region, Goyal said the two sides have been trading partners for thousands of years. He added that the proposed agreement would allow smoother movement of goods and services and strengthen bilateral relations. Goyal said India is actively pursuing trade agreements with developed nations to expand its global economic presence. He added that the deal would create opportunities for MSMEs, farmers, fishermen, youth, and the manufacturing sector, with food processing, infrastructure, and petrochemicals expected to benefit the most. (With ANI Inputs)
05 February,2026 08:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUS Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor on Thursday welcomed recent engagement between the leadership of two nations and expressed Washington's readiness to further elevate ties with New Delhi. Gor shared pictures of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's interactions in Washington with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Engagement at the highest levels is currently happening. The United States is ready to elevate this relationship even further. Limitless Potential!", he stated. EAM Jaishankar meets US officials to discuss critical minerals and strategic ties EAM Jaishankar, currently on a visit to the US, attended the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by Marco Rubio on Wednesday and expressed India's support for structured international cooperation to reduce risks in critical mineral supply chains. During his visit, EAM Jaishankar held separate meetings with Marco Rubio and Scott Bessent, holding wide-ranging discussions on the India-US strategic and economic partnership. “Delighted to meet US Secretary Macro Rubio this afternoon,” EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting. “A wide-ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues.” He said the discussions with Rubio covered multiple pillars of the India-US relationship. “Facets of India - US Strategic Partnership discussed included trade, energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals and technology,” EAM Jaishankar said. The External Affairs Minister said both sides agreed to move quickly on follow-up engagements. “Agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests,” he added. India-US talks focus on critical minerals, trade, and regional security According to a State Department readout, the two leaders discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration, mining, and processing — an area that has emerged as a central pillar of the India–US economic and strategic relationship. The meeting came at a time when two nations announced a trade deal aimed at lowering barriers and expanding market access between the world’s two largest democracies. Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar welcomed the agreement, underscoring the importance of the two democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance shared energy security goals, the readout said. The discussions also focused on the regional and multilateral dimensions of the partnership. Rubio and EAM Jaishankar concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. They acknowledged that a prosperous Indo-Pacific region remains vital to advancing shared interests. EAM Jaishankar also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. “Pleased to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington DC today,” he said in a separate post. EAM Jaishankar described the talks as productive. “Had a useful discussion on advancement of India-US economic partnership and strategic cooperation,” he said. (Inputs from IANS)
05 February,2026 05:17 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | mid-day online correspondentRussian President Vladimir Putin hailed his country’s growing economic cooperation with China in a video call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday. The virtual meeting came in the middle of a series of meetings between Xi and Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China despite differences over Russia’s war in Ukraine. European leaders have pressed China for years to end its support for Russia. China has continued to trade with Russia, providing some relief from Western economic sanctions. Many of America’s closest partners are exploring opportunities with China following clashes with President Donald Trump over tariffs and his demands for Greenland. 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
05 February,2026 02:05 PM IST | Moscow | AgenciesIran on Wednesday confirmed that fresh nuclear talks with the United States (US) will be held in Muscat on Friday morning, amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the two sides. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the development on X, saying, “Nuclear talks with the United States are scheduled to be held in Muscat on about 10 am Friday. I’m grateful to our Omani brothers for making all necessary arrangements.” Nuclear talks with the United States are scheduled to be held in Muscat on about 10 am Friday. I'm grateful to our Omani brothers for making all necessary arrangements. — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) February 4, 2026 The announcement comes as Tehran and Washington prepare for another round of indirect negotiations after Iran sought a change of venue from Istanbul, news agency ANI reported, quoting Iranian state broadcaster Press TV. Earlier, Iranian media said the talks would be strictly limited to the country’s peaceful nuclear energy programme and the lifting of sanctions, reiterating Tehran’s long-standing position that no other issues would be on the agenda. Araghchi is expected to head the Iranian delegation, accompanied by senior diplomats Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, ANI reported. The US delegation will be led by White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, according to reports. The talks will be held indirectly, with Oman acting as mediator. Press TV said the format would be similar to earlier rounds conducted before last June’s US-Israeli war on Iran, which disrupted the diplomatic process. Any engagement with Washington must remain confined to nuclear issues, say Iranian officials Araghchi and Witkoff had led five rounds of nuclear talks last year, but the process was suspended after Israel launched what Iranian officials described as an unprovoked war of aggression just two days before a planned sixth round. The conflict, later joined by the US, reportedly left more than a thousand people dead in Iran and caused extensive damage to civilian, military and scientific facilities. Against this backdrop, Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that any engagement with Washington must remain confined to nuclear issues, ruling out negotiations on Iran’s missile programme or its regional role. They have also said talks can succeed only in an atmosphere free from threats and what they described as illogical or illegal demands, Press TV reported. Senior figures, including Ali Shamkhani, advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, have emphasised that respect and realism are essential for progress in discussions with the US. The renewed diplomatic push comes amid escalating tensions across West Asia and an increased US military presence in the region. In early January, US President Donald Trump warned Iran of attacks if the country harmed “peaceful protesters”. Days later, coordinated attacks targeted police stations, military installations and civilian infrastructure in several Iranian cities, prompting a security response. Iranian officials said the attacks were aimed at causing mass casualties and destabilising urban centres as a prelude to renewed American aggression against the Islamic Republic. Since Trump’s latest warnings, Iranian authorities, including senior military officials, have issued strong cautions to Washington and its allies against any fresh miscalculation, saying Iran’s level of military preparedness has now surpassed pre-war levels. (With ANI inputs)
05 February,2026 12:49 PM IST | Tehran | mid-day online correspondentSaif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed on Tuesday (local time) in an armed attack in western Libya, Xinhua reported. According to Xinhua, Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim — a member of Gaddafi’s team — announced the incident on Facebook, stating that four masked gunmen stormed Gaddafi’s residence in the city of Zintan at noon. The attackers allegedly disabled surveillance cameras before a “direct armed confrontation” took place, leading to Saif al-Islam’s death. His political team has urged the international community to investigate. 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
05 February,2026 09:10 AM IST | Tripoli | AgenciesAustralian scientists have created a promising new approach for fighting deadly bacteria that no longer respond to antibiotics. The team designed antibodies that latch onto a sugar found only on bacterial cells, a discovery that could support a new class of immunotherapies. The findings show that an antibody made in the laboratory was able to clear a normally fatal bacterial infection in mice. It works by locking onto a unique bacterial sugar molecule called pseudaminic acid and signaling the immune system to destroy the invading pathogen. 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
05 February,2026 09:08 AM IST | Sydney | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
-1770283062625_d.png "PM Narendra Modi fialises India-US trade deal with President Donald Trump (right) .File Pic")
-1770283629419_d.png "External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaks at the Critical Minerals Ministerial, in Washington DC. Pic/PTI")
