The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran spiked Tuesday to at least 2,000 people killed, activists said. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years, gave the latest toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information. The group said 1,847 of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. Another nine children were killed, and nine civilians it said were not taking part in protests also were killed. With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Iran's government hasn't offered overall casualty figures. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 January,2026 08:52 PM IST | Dubai | APCivil unrest in Iran has started impacting India's basmati rice exports to the country, leading to a sharp fall in domestic prices, as exporters face payment delays and mounting uncertainties, an industry body said on Tuesday. The Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) urged exporters to re-assess risks on Iranian contracts and adopt secured payment mechanisms, warning against over-leveraging inventories meant for the Iranian market. India exported USD 468.10 million worth of basmati rice to Iran during April-November of 2025-26 fiscal, totalling 5.99 lakh tonnes, trade data showed. Iran is India's top basmati rice export destination, but the current financial year has seen growing stress on order flows, payment cycles, and shipment schedules due to the prevailing instability. The impact is now clearly visible in domestic mandis. Over the past week alone, prices of key basmati varieties have registered a steep decline, reflecting buyer hesitation, delayed contracts and heightened risk perception among exporters. The domestic price of basmati rice variety 1121 has come down to Rs 80 per kg from Rs 85 per kg last week, while varieties 1509 and 1718 declined to Rs 65 per kg from Rs 70 per kg. "Iran has historically been a pillar market for Indian basmati. However, the current internal turmoil has disrupted trade channels, slowed payments and dented buyer confidence," IREF National President Prem Garg said in a statement. He said exporters must exercise heightened caution, particularly with respect to credit exposure and shipment timelines. Importers have conveyed their inability to honour existing commitments and remit payments to India, creating uncertainty for exporters, the federation said. IREF has issued an advisory and appealed to stakeholders to diversify into alternative markets across West Asia, Africa and Europe to cushion any prolonged slowdown in Iran-bound shipments. "We are not sounding an alarm, but urging prudence. In periods of geopolitical and internal instability, trade is often the first casualty. A calibrated approach is essential to protect both exporters and farmers," Garg noted. US tariff concerns The federation also addressed concerns over the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, indicating that countries continuing trade with Iran may face a 25 per cent tariff, IREF clarified that Indian rice exports to the US are already subject to a 50 per cent tariff, up from 10 per cent earlier. Despite this, Indian rice exports to the US have remained resilient. India exported 2,40,518 tonnes of Basmati and non-Basmati rice to the US during April-November 2025-26, compared to 2,35,554 tonnes in the entire 2024-25 fiscal. The US is the 10th largest market for Indian rice globally and the fourth largest for Basmat rice. "There is limited clarity on whether the proposed 25 per cent tariff would be levied over and above the existing 50 per cent duty," the federation noted, adding that it does not foresee a significant decline in exports even if tariffs rise further, given the unique position of Indian Basmati in global markets. However, IREF expressed greater concern over developments in Iran, where disruptions in local markets have affected trade settlements. Importers have conveyed their inability to honour commitments and remit payments to India, creating heightened uncertainty. While similar crises have occurred in the past, the trajectory of the current situation remains unclear and is expected to cause further disturbances in prices, liquidity, and trade sentiment in the weeks ahead, the federation added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 January,2026 07:24 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIErfan Soltani, a 26-year-old resident of Fardis in Karaj, a suburb west of Tehran, has emerged as a grim symbol of Iran’s ongoing anti-Khamenei protests, as he is reportedly set to become the first protester to be executed by hanging since the latest wave of nationwide demonstrations began. Soltani was arrested on January 8 for allegedly participating in protests against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. What initially began as demonstrations driven by economic hardship has since escalated into widespread unrest openly challenging the Iranian leadership. According to human rights groups and media reports cited by India Today, Soltani has been sentenced to death, with his execution scheduled for Wednesday, January 14. His family was reportedly informed of the sentence on January 11 and was permitted only a brief 10-minute meeting with him after the verdict was delivered. Alleged denial of legal rights Reports suggest that Soltani has been denied basic legal protections since his arrest. According to Israel- and US-based outlet Jfeed, he was not given access to a lawyer, nor the opportunity to mount a proper defence. His family was allegedly kept unaware of key details of the case, including which authority arrested him and how the proceedings were conducted. The Hengaw Organisation, a human rights group monitoring developments in Iran, reported that Soltani’s case may indicate a shift toward fast-track executions by Iranian authorities, aimed at deterring further protests. Protests and rising repression Iran has witnessed weeks of unrest since early January, sparked by severe economic distress, a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial, and soaring inflation. The protests began in Tehran’s bazaars before spreading rapidly to other cities, drawing in shopkeepers, students, and ordinary citizens demanding economic relief and political accountability. While an estimated 600 people have reportedly been killed during the protests, most deaths have occurred through shootings. If carried out, Soltani’s execution would mark the first reported hanging linked to the current wave of demonstrations, intensifying international concern over Iran’s crackdown on dissent. As protests continue and repression deepens, Erfan Soltani’s case has come to represent the escalating risks faced by ordinary Iranians who take to the streets in opposition to the regime.
13 January,2026 12:17 PM IST | Iran | mid-day online correspondentMobile phones in Iran were able to call abroad on Tuesday after a crackdown on nationwide protests in which the internet and international calls were cut. Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press and speak to a journalist there. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to call those numbers back. Witnesses said the internet remained cut off from the outside world. Iran cut off the internet and made calls on Thursday as protests intensified. US President Donald Trump has said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its crackdown on protesters that activists said had killed at least 646 people. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-funded satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview aired on Monday night, said he continued to communicate with US envoy Steve Witkoff. The communication "continued before and after the protests and is still ongoing," Araghchi said. However, "Washington's proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible". White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran's public rhetoric diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran in recent days. "I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages,", Leavitt said. "However, with that said, the president has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran". Meanwhile, pro-government demonstrators flooded the streets Monday in support of the theocracy, a show of force after days of protests directly challenging the rule of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state television aired chants from the crowd, which appeared to number in the tens of thousands, who shouted "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!". Others cried out, "Death to the enemies of God!" Iran's attorney general has warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an "enemy of God", a death penalty charge. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 January,2026 12:01 PM IST | Dubai | APAs a disturbing pattern of violence against minorities continues to escalate in Bangladesh, another Hindu man was hacked and stabbed to death by miscreants in Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni district, local media reported. The body of 27-year-old auto-rickshaw driver Samir Das was recovered from a crop field in Jagatpur village of Bangladesh on Monday. Citing family members and police, Bangladesh's Bengali newspaper Daily Manobkantha reported that Samir left home in his auto-rickshaw on Sunday evening. When he failed to return late into the night, his relatives began searching for him at various locations. Later, local residents discovered Samir's frozen body lying in a field in Jagatpur village under the Sadar union of the upazila. After being informed, police reportedly rushed to the scene and recovered the body. Reports suggest that the body bore several stab injuries, and initial police assessments indicated that Samir was taken to a secluded spot and brutally killed in an attempt to steal his auto-rickshaw. Confirming the incident, Daganbhuiyan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Muhammad Faizul Azim Noman said, "The body has been recovered and sent to the Feni General Hospital morgue for autopsy. His auto-rickshaw has not been found. The police have launched a special operation to identify and arrest those involved in the murder and recover the auto-rickshaw." This marked the ninth incident in 24 days, highlighting a disturbing surge in violence targeting Hindu communities throughout Bangladesh. Earlier on January 9, India expressed deep concerns over the disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, across Bangladesh, stating that it continues to monitor the situation in the neighbouring country and hopes that such acts of communal violence are addressed decisively. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 January,2026 09:51 AM IST | Dhaka | IANSUnited States President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) announced a sweeping trade measure targeting countries that "continue to do business with Iran", imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all their business dealings with the US. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the decision would be "immediately" in effect and that the "order is final and conclusive." "Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump said in his post. Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J.… — Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 12, 2026 US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham praised the Trump decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs, saying that the US President's decision in "isolating" the Khamenei regime economically is most impressive. Sharing a post on X, Graham wrote, "Mr President: your decisive leadership in isolating this regime economically through your actions today are most impressive. Your promise to have the protestors' back and put the regime on notice that you will not tolerate the killing has led to the largest outpouring of demonstrators against this fanatical regime since its founding. Mr President: I believe the Iranian regime has crossed red lines. They are killing their people in large numbers and mocking your leadership. It is now time to take decisive military action -- no boots on the ground - going after those who do the killing." Mr. President: your decisive leadership in isolating this regime economically through your actions today are most impressive. Your promise to have the protestors’ back and put the regime on notice that you will not tolerate the killing has led to the largest outpouring of… https://t.co/llJmWVH82Y — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 12, 2026 This comes as large demonstrations were reported across provinces, including Azerbaijan province and the central city of Arak, with crowds waving flags and chanting slogans in support of Iran, Press TV reported. The protests and counter-demonstrations follow days of unrest amid soaring inflation, economic hardship and public anger over governance. At least 544 people have been killed, and more than 10,681 individuals have been arrested and transferred to prisons, according to the Human Rights News Agency. Earlier on Sunday (local time), Trump said that Washington may be forced to take action against Iran amid ongoing nationwide protests, even as he revealed that Tehran has reached out to Washington seeking negotiations. Speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One, Trump said Iranian leaders had contacted Washington to discuss diplomatic engagement. When asked whether Iran wanted to engage in diplomatic talks with him, Trump responded affirmatively. "They do. They called. Iran called to negotiate yesterday. The leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate. I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States. Iran wants to negotiate," Trump said. The US President, during the interaction, further added that a meeting was in the process of being arranged but cautioned that developments on the ground inside Iran could force Washington's hand before talks take place. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 January,2026 08:58 AM IST | Washington | ANIThe Union Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, which is a Sunday. Answering queries during a press conference today on Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the union budget will be presented at 11 am on February 1 in the House. The budget session of Parliament will commence on January 28 with address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of the two Houses. The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, being hosted by Parliament of India will be the largest CSPOC in terms of participation. Om Birla said that the conference will be held from January 14 to 16 will discuss shared parliamentary values, democratic governance and institutional cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference on January 15 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex. Speaker Om Birla is the Chairperson of this Conference. The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth being hosted by India will have the largest participation, Birla said. In a post on X later, he said the conference will be attended by 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth countries and semi-autonomous parliaments, including the Presidents of the IPU and the CPA. "In this regard, it will be the largest CSPOC conference in the history of the forum," he said. He said that the objective of CSPOC is to uphold and strengthen impartiality in the parliaments of Commonwealth nations, and to empower parliamentary democracy and institutions. India has earlier successfully hosted this conference in 1971, 1986, and 2010. "This conference will undoubtedly showcase India's technological progress and its commitment to global parliamentary cooperation on the world stage," he said. He said that work related to the conference has been done online and paper has not been used. He said an app has been developed to enable all aspects of conference coordination, facilitation and information dissemination. A web-based event management system has been developed. Answering queries, he said there will be no participation from Pakistan and Bangladesh does not have a Speaker at present with general elections scheduled to take place next month. The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) was created in 1969 as an initiative of then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux. Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities. CSPOC brings together Speakers and Presiding Officers of 53 national parliaments of sovereign states of the Commonwealth. CSPOC is an independent group with no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Commonwealth Secretariat or the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM). However, its membership is the same as that of CPA. The conference aims to maintain, foster, and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments. It also seeks to promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms and develop parliamentary institutions. CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle, holding a conference of the full membership every two years, usually early in January, and a meeting of the Standing Committee at the same time the intervening year. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 January,2026 08:54 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe death toll from Iran's nationwide protests has reached at least 646 people killed, activists said Tuesday, with the number expected to rise further. The toll comes from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate throughout multiple years of demonstrations. It relies on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities. With communications blocked in Iran, the AP has been unable to independently confirm the group's toll. Iran's government has not provided casualty figures for the demonstrations. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2026 08:48 AM IST | Dubai | APThe US has revoked over 100,000 visas, including of around 8,000 students, in 2025 as part of its widespread efforts to crackdown on immigration citing criminal activity. "We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,' the State Department said in a social media post on Monday. 'The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity," it said. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that in less than one year, the Trump administration has revoked over 100,000 visas. 'That includes revoked visas from thousands of foreign nationals charged or convicted with crimes, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence,' he said. According to a Fox News report, the number of visas revoked in 2025 is more than double the 40,000 visas cancelled in 2024, the final year of former president Joe Biden's administration. The report said that while a majority of the revocations in 2025 were for business and tourist travellers who overstayed their visas, 8,000 students and 2,500 individuals on specialised visas had their document revoked due to criminal encounters with law enforcement. 'Among specialised workers, half of the revocations were based on drunken driving arrests, 30% for assault, battery or confinement charges, and the remaining 20% were revoked for theft, child abuse, substance abuse and distribution, and fraud and embezzlement charges,' it said. The report said nearly 500 students had their visas revoked for possession and distribution of drugs while hundreds of foreign workers lost their visas because they were believed to be "abusing children'. It quoted Pigott as saying that the administration would continue its "aggressive" enforcement posture through its new "continuous vetting centre". "The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security," he said. The Trump administration has intensified crackdown on immigration, both illegal and legal, and tightened rules for individuals seeking to enter the US for work or study. From December 15, the State Department also began enhanced screening of H-1B and dependent H-4 visa applicants, including checks of social media profiles. Several H-1B visa interviews scheduled across India have since been postponed, leaving many applicants who travelled for visa stamping stranded for months. The State Department has repeatedly underscored that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, and said it uses all available information during screening and vetting to identify applicants who may pose a threat to national security or public safety. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2026 08:44 AM IST | New York | PTIUS Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have congratulated Sergio Gor as he took charge as the US Ambassador to India, expressing confidence that he would 'do a great job' in New Delhi. 'Namaste! Today marks my first day at the US Embassy in New Delhi. I am honoured to join this dedicated team and eager to get to work advancing President Donald Trump's priorities and deepening the US-India partnership. I couldn't be more optimistic about the days ahead for both of our nations under President Trump's leadership,' Gor posted on social media on Monday. Amplifying the post, Vance said, 'Congrats, Mr. Ambassador. You'll do a great job!' Rubio echoed the sentiment, saying, 'You will do a great job!' Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also welcomed Gor, calling him 'a great addition to our team'. Gor, 39, arrived in New Delhi on January 9 to take up his new role as US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia. Addressing US Embassy personnel, he said no country is as essential as India for Washington, adding that both sides are actively engaged in firming up a trade deal. The envoy said real friends can disagree but ultimately resolve their differences, referring to the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. "India is the world's largest nation. So it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there," Gor said. In another social media post, he said India will be invited to join the Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain. 'As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand-in-hand together,' Gor 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
13 January,2026 08:40 AM IST | New York | PTIThe United States has accused Russia of a 'dangerous and inexplicable escalation' of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance negotiations toward peace. US deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce on Monday singled out Russia's launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week close to Ukraine's border with Poland, a NATO ally. She told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that the United States deplores 'the staggering number of casualties' in the conflict and condemns Russia's intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure. Ukraine called for the meeting after last Thursday's overnight Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the powerful, new hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which Moscow used for only the second time in what was a clear warning to Kyiv's NATO allies. The large-scale attack came days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress toward agreeing on how to defend the country from further Moscow aggression if a US-led peace deal is struck. The attack also coincided with a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington after Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And it came as US President Donald Trump signalled he is on board with a hard-hitting sanctions package meant to economically cripple Russia. Moscow has given no public signal it is willing to budge from its maximalist demands on Ukraine. And Russia's UN ambassador on Monday blamed the diplomatic impasse on Ukraine. Europe's leaders condemned the attack using the Oreshnik as 'escalatory and unacceptable,' and US envoy Bruce was equally tough on Monday. 'At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trump's unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate,' she said. 'Yet Russia's action risks expanding and intensifying the war.' Bruce reminded Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favour of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. 'It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds,' she said. 'In the spirit of that resolution, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an end.' But Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 'comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations, we will continue solving the problem by military means.' 'He was warned long ago, with each passing day, each day which he squanders, the conditions for negotiations will only get worse for him,' Nebenzia said. 'Similarly, each vile attack on Russian civilians will elicit a stiff response.' Ukraine's UN Ambassador Andriy Melnyk countered that Russia is more vulnerable now than at any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Its economy is slowing and oil revenue is down. 'Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion,' he told the council. 'The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality.' This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 January,2026 08:36 AM IST | United Nations | APADVERTISEMENT
-1768302311903_d.png "India exported USD 468.10 million worth of basmati rice to Iran in April-November 2025-26 fiscal. Representational Image")
-1768277622569_d.png "Representational Image")
