As India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on Monday, several world leaders and diplomatic missions across the globe extended warm greetings to the country, highlighting India’s democratic values, global contributions and strong bilateral ties. French President Emmanuel Macron extended warm greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on the occasion. Macron confirmed his visit to India in February, aiming to continue building the bilateral partnership. Sharing a photo on his social media platform X, with PM Modi, Macron wrote, “What a wonderful memory of the Republic Day we shared together in 2024! My dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dear Indian friends, my very best wishes on this great day of celebration. See you in February to continue building together!” Conveying warm greetings to the people of India on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, the Embassy of France in India took to X and posted: “ After being honoured as Chief Guest in 2024, France is delighted by the presence of EU leaders as Chief Guests this year, as we work towards a shared future of peace and prosperity.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her pleasure at being one of the chief guests at India’s Republic Day celebration, emphasising how a successful India contributes to a stable, prosperous and secure world. Ursula von der Leyen, along with European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, attended India's 77th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, marking a significant milestone in India–EU relations. She shared the video of the celebration on her social media platform X, and said, “It is the honour of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations. A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit.” Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, conveyed his heartfelt greetings and posted on X: “Our warmest congratulations to the people of India on the 77th Republic Day! Here’s to many more years of prosperity ahead.” On the occasion of Republic Day, Irish Ambassador to India, Kevin Kelly and the Embassy of Ireland extended warm wishes to the people of India, undercsoring democratic ideals and shared values that enhanced the bilateral partnership between India and Ireland. “Ireland celebrates India’s democratic spirit, diversity and shared values that continue to strengthen Ireland-India ties,” the Embassy posted on X. Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, conveyed his wishes on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, expressing hope that the nation's legacy of freedom and democracy continues to flourish. On the occasion, the Israeli Embassy in India took to X and posted : “Together, India and Israel continue to strengthen a friendship rooted in shared values and mutual respect." India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day, commemorating the formal adoption and enforcement of the Constitution in 1950, which marked the nation’s transition into a sovereign democratic republic. The occasion reaffirms the core principles of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution. 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.
26 January,2026 02:29 PM IST | Paris | IANSFreezing rain fell in parts of Texas on Friday as a huge, dayslong winter storm began a trek that threatened to bring snow, sleet, ice, bone-chilling temperatures and extensive power outages to about half the US population. Forecasters warned that catastrophic damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival that of a hurricane. Schools in Chicago and other Midwestern cities called off classes, airlines cancelled thousands of weekend flights, churches moved Sunday services online and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, decided to hold its Saturday night radio performance without fans. Carnival parades in Louisiana were canceled or rescheduled. At least 182 million people were under watches or warnings for ice and snow, and more than 210 million were under cold weather advisories or warnings. In many places those overlapped. Utility companies braced for power outages because ice-coated trees and power lines can keep falling long after a storm has passed. "It's going to be a big storm," Maricela Resendiz said as she picked up chicken, eggs and pizzas at a Dallas store to get her, her 5-year-old son and her boyfriend through the weekend. Her plans: "Staying in, just being out of the way." Freezing rain slickened roads in Lubbock, Texas, in the afternoon as temperatures dropped. After sliding into the South, the storm was expected to move into the Northeast, dumping about a foot (30 centimetres) of snow from Washington through New York and Boston, the National Weather Service predicted. Arctic air was the first piece to fall in place Frigid air that spilled down from Canada prompted the cancellations of classes at schools throughout the Midwest. Wind chills as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius) meant that frostbite could set in within 10 minutes, making it too dangerous to walk to school or wait for the bus. In Bismarck, North Dakota, where the wind chill was minus 41 (minus 41 Celsius), Colin Cross cleaned out an empty unit for the apartment complex where he works. "I've been here awhile and my brain stopped working," said Cross, bundled up in long johns, two long-sleeve shirts, a jacket, hat, hood, gloves and boots.Despite the bitter cold, a protest over an immigration crackdown went on as planned in Minnesota, with thousands demonstrating in downtown Minneapolis. Nationwide, more than 1,000 flights were delayed or cancelled Friday, with well over half of them in Dallas, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. About 2,300 were called off for Saturday. In Oklahoma, Department of Transportation workers treated roads with salt brine, the Highway Patrol cancelled troopers' days off and National Guard units were activated to help stranded drivers. The federal government put nearly 30 search and rescue teams on standby. Officials had more than 7 million meals, 600,000 blankets and 300 generators placed throughout the area the storm was expected to cross, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. President Donald Trump said via social media that his administration was coordinating with state and local officials and "FEMA is fully prepared to respond." Ice could take down power lines and pipes could freeze After the storm passes, it will take a while to thaw out. Ice can add hundreds of pounds to power lines and branches and make them more susceptible to snapping, especially if it's windy.In at least 11 Southern states from Texas to Virginia, a majority of homes are heated by electricity, according to the US Census Bureau.A severe cold snap five years ago took down much of the power grid in Texas, leaving millions without power for days and resulting in hundreds of deaths. Gov Greg Abbott vowed that will not happen again, and utility companies were bringing in thousands of employees to help keep the lights on. In Atlanta, where temperatures could dip to 10 degrees (minus 12 Celsius) and stay below freezing for 36 hours, M Cary & Daughters Plumbing co-owner Melissa Cary ordered all the pipe and repair supplies she could get. She predicted that her daily calls could go from about 40 to several hundred. "We're out there; we can't feel our fingers, our toes; we're soaking wet," Cary said. "I keep the hot chocolate and soup coming." Northeast braces for possibly heaviest snow in years Boston declared a cold emergency through the weekend, and Connecticut was working with neighbouring New York and Massachusetts in case travel restrictions are needed on major highways. Connecticut Gov Ned Lamont urged people to go grocery shopping now and "stay home on Sunday."Philadelphia announced schools would be closed Monday. Superintendent Tony B Watlington Sr told students, "It's also appropriate to have one or two very safe snowball fights." Hunkering down Whittni Slater, who has been sleeping in his car in Detroit, got scared when he saw the weather forecast and searched for a place to stay. On Thursday night he slept on one 80 cots set up in a gymnasium at the Pope Francis Center. "It was very welcoming, very warm," Slater said the next day.But in Charleston, West Virginia, visitors and vendors at the three-day Hunting and Fishing Show were not too worried. Ron Blymire was focused on selling South Africa safari trips and not on navigating the roads back home to Columbus, Ohio. "I have a four-wheel-drive truck, and as long as I'm patient and take my time, I'm not concerned about getting stranded or stuck or anything like that," he 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.
26 January,2026 12:51 PM IST | Dallas | APFormer US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of a US citizen in Minneapolis by federal agents, calling it a "heartbreaking tragedy" and warning that core American values are "increasingly under assault." In a joint statement posted on X, the Obamas said the killing should serve as a "wake-up call for Americans" across political lines, stressing the need for lawful and accountable law enforcement practices. The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault. pic.twitter.com/0JmEsJ1QFW — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 25, 2026 "The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault," Obama said. The remarks came after the 37-year-old man was shot and killed by federal immigration agents early Saturday morning (local time) in south Minneapolis. Obama highlighted widespread outrage over the conduct of masked federal agents, accusing them of acting without accountability and using tactics that intimidate and endanger city residents. "Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job. But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety. That's not what we're seeing in Minnesota," he said. He criticised the current approach, saying the federal response has escalated tensions rather than imposed accountability. "In fact, we're seeing the opposite. For weeks now, people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city. These unprecedented tactics, which even the former top lawyer of the Department of Homeland Security in the first Trump administration has characterized as embarrassing, lawless and cruel, have now resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S citizens. And yet rather than trying to impose some semblance of discipline and accountability over the agents they've deployed, the President and current administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation, while offering public explanations for the shootings of Mr Pretti and Renee Good that aren't informed by any serious investigation-and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence," Obama said. He urged the administration to halt the escalation and coordinate with local authorities. "This has to stop. I would hope that after this most recent tragedy, administration officials will reconsider their approach and start finding ways to work constructively with Governor Walz and Mayor Frey as well as state and local police to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals," he added in his joint statement. The Obamas also called on Americans to support 'peaceful protests' and speak out against injustice. "In the meantime, every American should support and draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country. They are a timely reminder that ultimately it's up to each of us as citizens to speak out against injustice, protect our basic freedoms, and hold our government accountable." In response to Saturday's incident, hundreds of protesters gathered in sub-zero temperatures, clashing with law enforcement and demanding answers. Local leaders sharply criticised the federal presence in Minneapolis. Governor Tim Walz said the city and state are "sickened" by the repeated use of deadly force and urged the Trump administration to end the current immigration operation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents' actions, calling the operation necessary for public safety and reiterating that officers acted in defence under dangerous conditions. 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.
26 January,2026 11:50 AM IST | Washington | ANIA Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed while taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine with eight people onboard the US Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday (local time). The crash took place on Sunday (local time) and in a post on X, FAA said that the information was preliminary and subject to change. "A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed as it was taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:45 p.m local time on Sunday, Jan. 25. Eight people were on board. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. This information is preliminary and subject to change", FAA wrote on X. A Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed as it was taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine around 7:45 p.m local time on Sunday, Jan. 25. Eight people were on board. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.This information is preliminary and subject to change. — The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) January 26, 2026 In a statement, the airport said emergency crews responded to the incident at around 7:45 p.m. Eastern Time (0045 GMT Monday), following which flight operations were temporarily suspended. According to local media, the extent of injuries, if any, was still being assessed. The aircraft involved was identified as a Bombardier Challenger 650. Authorities said the cause of the crash is under investigation. The incident occurred as a major snowstorm swept across the northeastern United States, with sub-freezing temperatures, light snowfall and poor visibility reported in the region at the time. The crash comes amid a massive winter storm that has disrupted life across large parts of the United States. Officials said the storm has knocked out power to more than one million customers, disrupted tens of thousands of flights and caused multiple fatalities as severe cold and snow moved from the South to the Northeast. Authorities in dozens of states reported widespread power outages as freezing rain and heavy snowfall brought down trees and power lines, particularly across the South and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Data from PowerOutage.com showed that over one million customers were without electricity at peak outage levels, with Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Georgia among the worst affected. In Tennessee alone, more than 300,000 customers remain without power as ice accumulation continues to damage trees and utility infrastructure. Nashville Electric Service warned that outages could last several days or longer, citing hazardous conditions for repair crews. Air travel across the country remains severely affected, with more than 30,000 flights disrupted since Friday, including over 18,000 cancellations. Several major airports have been forced to halt or sharply curtail operations, with airlines cancelling nearly all flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, while LaGuardia Airport and other major hubs continue to face significant disruptions.
26 January,2026 11:21 AM IST | Maine | mid-day online correspondentIsrael said Sunday its military was conducting a "large-scale operation" to locate the last hostage in Gaza, as Washington and other mediators pressure Israel and Hamas to move into the next phase of their ceasefire. The statement came as Israel's Cabinet met to discuss the possibility of opening Gaza's key Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and a day after top US envoys met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about next steps. The return of the remaining hostage, Ran Gvili, has been widely seen as removing the remaining obstacle to moving ahead with opening the Rafah crossing, which would signal the US-brokered ceasefire's second phase. Late Sunday, Netanyahu's office in a statement said that once this search operation is "exhausted and in accordance with the agreement with the United States, Israel will open the Rafah crossing." The return of all remaining hostages, alive or dead, has been a central part of the first phase of the ceasefire that took effect on Oct 10. Before Sunday, the previous hostage was recovered in early December. While Israel has carried out search efforts before for Gvili, more detail than usual was released about this one. Israel's military said it was searching a cemetery in northern Gaza near the Yellow Line, which marks off Israeli-controlled parts of the territory. Separately, an Israeli military official said Gvili may have been buried in the Shujaiyya' Daraj Tuffah area, and that rabbis and dental experts were on the ground with specialized search teams. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing an operation still under way. Gvili's family has urged Netanyahu's government not to enter the ceasefire's second phase until his remains are returned. But pressure has been building, and the Trump administration has already declared in recent days that the second phase is under way. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in the recovery of the final hostage. Hamas in a statement Sunday said it had provided all the information it had about Gvili's remains, and accused Israel of obstructing efforts to search for them in areas of Gaza under Israeli military control. A UN agency office is set ablaze The shuttered headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem was set ablaze overnight, days after Israeli bulldozers demolished parts of the compound. It was not known who started the fire. Israeli settlers were observed at night looting the main building for furniture, said Roland Friedrich, the agency's West Bank director. He said multiple holes were cut in the fence. Israel's fire department said it sent teams to prevent the blaze from spreading. In May 2024, UNRWA said it was closing its compound after settlers set fires to its fence. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini of the agency, also known as UNRWA, told The Associated Press the incident was the "latest attack on the UN in the ongoing attempt to dismantle the status of Palestine refugees." UNRWA's mandate is to provide aid and services to some 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as 3 million more refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. But its operations were curtailed last year when Israel's Knesset passed legislation severing ties and banning it from functioning in what it defines as Israel, including east Jerusalem. Israel has long railed against the agency, accusing it of being infiltrated by Hamas and alleging that some of its employees were involved in the 2023 attack that triggered Israel's two-year war in Gaza. UNRWA leaders have said they took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack, and have denied allegations that the agency tolerates or collaborates with Hamas. 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
26 January,2026 09:11 AM IST | Nahariya | APNearly a million people across the United States are without power and more than 10,000 flights have been cancelled as a severe winter storm sweeps across the eastern two-thirds of the country, bringing heavy snowfall, freezing rain and dangerously low temperatures, according to a report by Al Jazeera. On Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that sub-freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions could persist for several days, causing "dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts." More than 850,000 customers were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us, with at least 290,000 in Tennessee and over 100,000 each in Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. Other affected states include Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of heavy snow from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast, while areas from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southeast faced "catastrophic ice accumulation." NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli described it as "a unique storm in the sense that it is so widespread," affecting nearly 213 million people under winter weather warnings across a 2,000-mile stretch from New Mexico through Texas and up to New England. "It was affecting areas all the way from New Mexico, Texas, all the way into New England, so we are talking like a 2,000-mile [3,220km] spread," reported Al Jazeera. Calling the storm "historic", US President Donald Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations as nearly 20 states and the District of Columbia declared weather emergencies. "We will continue to monitor and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Saturday. Al Jazeera reported that more than 10,000 flights were cancelled on Sunday, with thousands more delayed, prompting major airlines to warn passengers to prepare for sudden schedule changes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pre-positioned supplies and search-and-rescue teams in multiple states, while Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem advised residents to take precautions, saying, "It's going to be very, very cold. So we would encourage everybody to stock up on fuel, stock up on food, and we will get through this together." The NWS warned that heavy ice could lead to "long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions", even in states unaccustomed to harsh winter weather. 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
26 January,2026 09:04 AM IST | Washington | ANIUS Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with discussions centring on the situation in Gaza and Iran, the Jerusalem Post reported. Senior US officials said ahead of the meeting on Saturday that Kushner and Witkoff had arrived in Israel to review key issues related to the ongoing Gaza situation with Netanyahu. One senior official was quoted as saying that "the administration is working closely with Netanyahu and his team to recover the body of Ran Gvili, and we are in close coordination on this matter." The Jerusalem Post further reported that a senior White House adviser, Josh Greenbaum, was also present at the meeting. US officials indicated that the talks were expected to focus on outlining the next steps toward the demilitarisation of Gaza and assessing "what needs to be done to ensure that the ceasefire turns into long-term peace in Gaza." The meeting followed President Trump's announcement regarding the establishment of a Board of Peace and the initiation of the second phase of the Gaza deal. The Jerusalem Post reported that Kushner presented the details of a Gaza reconstruction plan, beginning in Rafah, that was formulated by businessperson Yakir Gabay, as well as an outline for Hamas's disarmament. The US administration has set a 100-day target for the disarmament of Hamas. Efforts are now focused on dismantling the group's heavy arms, eliminating its tunnel infrastructure, and neutralising its ammunition reserves. Meanwhile, Israel has continued its bombardment of Gaza despite agreeing to a ceasefire in its war on the enclave, committing near-daily violations of the October 10 agreement brokered by the United States. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 484 Palestinians have been killed and 1,321 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 11. The ministry said that since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed 71,657 people and wounded 171,399 others in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. 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
26 January,2026 09:00 AM IST | Jerusalem | ANITaiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Monday said that it detected five sorties of Chinese aircraft and eight People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around Taiwan up to 6 am (UTC+8). In a post on X, the MND said that five sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's central and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). "5 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 out of 5 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND said. 5 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 out of 5 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/DfDGZtr8e1 — 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) January 26, 2026 On Sunday, MND said that it detected four sorties of Chinese aircraft and seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around Taiwan up to 6 am (UTC+8). "4 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 4 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND said. On Friday, Taiwan's MND detected overall 23 sorties of Chinese aircraft alongwith other naval vessels. Of the 23,17 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "Overall 23 sorties of PLA aircraft in various types (including J-10, H-6K, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 1040hr today. 17 out of 23 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." On the same day, the MND said that eleven sorties of PLA aircraft and five PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up to 6 am (local time). According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, a Chinese surveillance drone entered the southwestern section of Taiwan's air defence identification zone in the early hours of the morning and moved toward the Pratas Islands, also known as Dongsha, as reported by The Taipei Times. 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.
26 January,2026 08:57 AM IST | Taipei | ANIUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio wished India on Republic Day, as he appreciated Quad cooperation between the countries on defence and other fronts. He said that the US-India relationship delivers "real results" for the two countries through close cooperation on defence, energy, critical minerals and for the Indo-Pacific region through the Quad. The US leader extended a special message to India on the country's Republic Day, commemorated on January 26. "On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of India on your Republic Day," Rubio said on Sunday. "The United States and India share a historic bond. From our close cooperation on defense, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies to our multi-layered engagement through the Quad, the US-India relationship delivers real results for our two countries and for the Indo-Pacific region," he said, referring to the grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the US. Rubio said he looks forward to working together with India to "advance our shared objectives in the year ahead." The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs also congratulated India on the occasion. "Happy Republic Day, India! The U.S. joins the people of India celebrating your country's adoption of the Constitution and we look forward to seeing what the world's two largest and vibrant democracies will achieve together in the year ahead," the agency said in a post on X. 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
26 January,2026 08:52 AM IST | New York | AgenciesAmerican rock climber Alex Honnold climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday without any ropes or protective equipment. Cheers erupted from a gathered crowd as he started climbing the 508-metre (1667-foot) tower using the horizontal metal beams to pull himself up with his bare hands. Honnold’s climb in Taiwan’s capital city was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay. The ascent, originally scheduled for Saturday, was delayed for 24 hours due to rain. The climb drew both excitement and concern over the ethical implications of attempting such a high-risk endeavour on live broadcast. 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
26 January,2026 07:33 AM IST | Taipei | AgenciesUkrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn won his second straight tournament on Sunday. The 21-year-old, who fled the war in Ukraine three years ago, triumphed at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo for the second title of his career. Yavhusishyn, who is known by his ring name Aonishiki, became the first wrestler from Ukraine to win a competition when he came out on top at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November. That earned him promotion to sumo’s second-highest rank of ozeki in record time, having made his debut in July 2023. His second title takes him a step closer to promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna, a feat no European-born wrestler has ever achieved. Yavhusishyn is the fourth European to become an ozeki, following wrestlers from Estonia, Bulgaria and Georgia. 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
26 January,2026 07:29 AM IST | Tokyo | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
-1769415471504_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Pic/X)")
-1769405924142_d.png "Barack Obama. File Pic")
