A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, with authorities investigating the incident as a homicide, officials said. The shooting occurred on Tuesday, and Toronto police on Wednesday identified the victim as Shivank Avasthi, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported news agency PTI. Police were alerted to the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area at around 3:30 pm on Tuesday after receiving a report of an injured person lying on the ground, Duty Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters at the scene. When officers arrived, they found a person with a gunshot wound. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The police are investigating the case as a homicide. "Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened, and notifying this individual's next of kin. Because of that, there is very little information I am able to share with you tonight," Allington said, reported PTI. Toronto police said the suspect fled the area prior to their arrival. No suspect description has been released. Meanwhile, India's Consulate in Toronto expressed “deep anguish” over the student's “tragic death.” "We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time and is extending all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities," the Consulate posted on X. A UTSC spokesperson said the university was “extremely saddened” to learn about the death near their campus, but did not confirm if he was a student, CP24 Television reported. “We cannot comment on the identity of the victim at this time,” the spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday evening."We are grateful to our Campus Safety team, Toronto Police Service, and emergency medical service personnel for their immediate response and action." According to PTI, the University of Toronto Scarborough campus (UTSC) issued a safety alert advising anyone indoors to stay inside and anyone outdoors to leave the area. In a social media post, the school said the police investigation is focused on the Highland Creek Valley at UTSC. It added that pathways into the valley remain closed and people are advised to avoid the area until police reopen it. (With PTI inputs)
26 December,2025 12:41 PM IST | Toronto | mid-day online correspondentA Hindu man was lynched in Bangladesh over alleged extortion, media reports said on Thursday, days after another man from the minority religion was lynched in the country. The incident took place on Wednesday in Rajbari town's Pangsha upazila, The Daily Star newspaper quoted police as saying. The deceased, identified as Amrit Mondal, had allegedly formed a criminal gang and was involved in extortion and other criminal activities. The interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus "strongly condemned" the killing while asserting that it was not a communal attack. On the day of the incident, Mondal was beaten up by locals when he, along with his group members, tried to extort money from a resident's house, the report said. Upon receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot and rescued Mondal in a critical condition. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead around 2:00 am, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Pangsha Circle) Debrata Sarkar said, according to the report. Mondal's body was sent to Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy, Sarkar said. Most of his associates fled after the incident, but police arrested one man and recovered firearms from his possession. According to the police, Mondal had at least two cases filed against him, including a murder case. Condemning the killing, the interim government said in a statement that it "does not support any kind of illegal activities, mass beatings or violence," the state-run BSS news agency reported. In a statement, the government said that the incident was not a communal attack but one stemming from a violent situation arising from extortion and terrorist activities. Legal action will be taken against everyone directly or indirectly involved in the incident, it said. The incident comes a week after another Hindu man, Dipu Das, was lynched and his body set on fire over blasphemy allegations in Mymensingh. Police and other law enforcement agencies have made 12 arrests in the case so far. Das' killing sparked widespread protests by factory workers, students and rights groups in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh, and India expressed its concerns as well. The interim government has said it would take care of Das' minor child, as well as his wife and parents. The Hindu population in Bangladesh has been affected by a series of incidents against minority communities in the country after the ouster of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August last 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.
26 December,2025 09:03 AM IST | Dhaka | PTIIstanbul police launched scores of simultaneous raids on Thursday, detaining over a hundred suspected members of the militant Islamic State group who were allegedly planning attacks against Christmas and New Year's celebrations, authorities said. A statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said police were tipped off that the extremist group had called for action -- particularly against non-Muslims -- during the celebrations. The office had issued warrants for 137 suspects, of whom 115 were detained. Officers also seized many firearms, cartridges and documents during the raids. It said 124 locations were raided. The arrests come days after the Trump administration launched widespread military strikes in neighbouring Syria to "eliminate" Islamic State fighters and weapons' sites in retaliation for an ambush blamed on the group that killed two US troops and an American civilian interpreter. Syrian security forces have also launched operations against IS in recent days, including two raids on the outskirts of Damascus, the Syrian capital. In those raids, Syrian officials said Taha al-Zoubi, identified as the IS leader in the Damascus area, was captured and Mohammed Shahadeh, a senior IS commander in Syria, was killed. Top Turkish officials visited Syria earlier this week to discuss counterterrorism efforts against IS, among other issues. At its peak in 2015, IS controlled a swath of territory across Iraq and Syria half the size of the United Kingdom. It was notorious for its brutality against religious minorities as well as Muslims who do not follow the militants' extreme interpretation of Islam. After years of fighting, the US-led coalition broke the group's last hold on territory in late 2019, but IS cells in multiple countries continue to carry out periodic attacks. 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 December,2025 08:59 AM IST | Istanbul | APUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday (local time) said that some documents of the peace deal are "fully prepared" after he held a discussion with United States envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. In a video message on X, Zelenskyy stated that the two nations must resolve the "sensitive issues" to reach a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. "It is important if we succeed in organising what we discussed today with President Trump's envoys. Some documents, as I see it, are nearly ready, and some documents are fully prepared. Of course, there is still work to be done on sensitive issues. But together with the American team, we understand how to put all of this in place. The weeks ahead may also be intensive. Thank you, America," the Ukrainian President said. Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy, joined by Ukrainian envoys, held a discussion with US counterparts Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and stated that there are "good ideas" for the lasting peace. Expressing gratitude towards the US envoys, he wrote on X, "Today we had a very good conversation with President Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff @SEPeaceMissions and @jaredkushner. I thank them for the constructive approach, the intensive work, and the kind words and Christmas greetings to the Ukrainian people. We are truly working 24/7 to bring closer the end of this brutal Russian war against Ukraine and to ensure that all documents and steps are realistic, effective, and reliable." "We discussed certain substantive details of the ongoing work. There are good ideas that can work toward a shared outcome and lasting peace. Real security, real recovery, and real peace are what all of us need - Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and every partner who helps us. I hope that today's Christmas understandings and the ideas we discussed will prove useful," he added. Zelenskyy also extended Christmas greetings to US President Donald Trump. "During the conversation, I was joined by Rustem Umerov, Andrii Hnatov, Andrii Sybiha, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ihor Brusylo, and Oleksandr Bevz. Our entire diplomatic team is doing their utmost. We agreed that Rustem will speak again today with Steve and Jared. We believe this is the right approach - not to lose a single day or a single opportunity that can bring the result closer. May today's conversation become another step toward peace. I also asked the guys to pass along our Christmas greetings to Donald Trump and the entire Trump family. Thank you," the X post read. Earlier, wishing Ukrainians on the occasion of Christmas, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for peace while also slamming Russia for launching a massive attack on the eve of the festival. In his Christmas address, he said, "We are happy when we hear the music of Christmas, but even happier when we do not hear the music of evil, when we do not hear drones and missiles flying 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
26 December,2025 08:55 AM IST | Kyiv | ANIConsulate General of India in Toronto on Thursday (local time) expressed anguish over the killing of an Indian student in a shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. Issuing a statement on X, the Consulate said it is providing necessary assistance to the deceased's family. "We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Mr Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time, and is extending all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities," the Consulate General said. Earlier on Tuesday (local time), the Toronto Police said Shivank Avasthi was gunned down in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area. The police rushed to the spot, finding the victim with a gunshot wound before he was pronounced dead at the scene, the Toronto Sun reported. Police officials said the suspects fled the scene before police arrived. The campus was locked down during the probe. According to the Toronto Sun, this was Toronto's 41st homicide of the year. Earlier, Toronto Police said a 30-year-old Indian-origin woman was found murdered in the city and that a Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect who was known to the victim. The deceased was identified as Himanshi Khurana, a resident of Toronto. Police said they are searching for Abdul Ghafoori (32), also of Toronto, in connection with the case. According to CBC News, investigators said the incident appears to involve "intimate partner violence." On Wednesday, India's Consulate in Toronto expressed deep shock and sorrow over the murder of Himanshi Khurana. In a post shared on X, the Consulate said it was "deeply saddened and shocked by the murder of. Himanshi Khurana, a young Indian national, in Toronto," and extended its "deepest condolences to her bereaved family during this moment of profound grief." It has been in close touch with the matter over the past few days and added that all possible assistance is being extended to the family in close coordination with local authorities as the investigation continues. 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 December,2025 08:49 AM IST | Canada | ANIUS President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had launched a "powerful and deadly" US strike against Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians. In a Christmas night post on his social media site, Trump did not provide details or mention the extent of the damage caused. But the US Africa Command said on X that strikes had been conducted "at the request of Nigerian authorities in Soboto State" and had killed "multiple ISIS terrorists". Trump wrote, "Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!" A Defence Department official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss details not made public, said the US worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes, and that they had been approved by that country's government. Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the cooperation included exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination in ways "consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security". "Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria's values and to international peace and security," the ministry said in a statement. Nigeria's government has previously said in response to Trump's criticisms that people of many faiths, not just Christians, have suffered attacks at the hands of extremist groups. Trump ordered the Pentagon last month to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria to try and curb Christian persecution. The State Department recently announced it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians there. And the US recently designated Nigeria a "country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act. "I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was," Trump wrote on Thursday night. He said that US defence officials had "executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing" and added that "our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper". In its X post, the US Africa Command wrote that "lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad". Nigeria's population of 220 million (22 crore) is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts, including the Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted Muslims it deems not Muslim enough. But attacks in Nigeria often have varying motives. There are religiously motivated ones targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups and ethnic clashes. The US security footprint has diminished in Africa, where military partnerships have either been scaled down or cancelled. US forces likely would have to be drawn from other parts of the world for any military intervention in Nigeria. Trump has nonetheless kept up the pressure as Nigeria faced a series of attacks on schools and churches in violence that experts and residents say targets both Christians and Muslims. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on Thursday night on X: "The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end." Hegseth said that US military forces are "always ready, so ISIS found out tonight -- on Christmas" and added, "More to come...Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation" before signing off, "Merry Christmas!" 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 December,2025 08:44 AM IST | West Palm Beach | APImani Smith, known for playing Young Nala in Disney’s popular ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway, has passed away in an alleged homicide after being stabbed on December 21. Her boyfriend, Jordan D Jackson-Small, was arrested in connection with her death. A GoFundMe page has set a target of raising $55,000 to support the late actor’s parents. 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 December,2025 07:12 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesOperating rooms separated by oceans moved as one, as doctors carried out live robotic surgeries across 12,034.92 km. The September 23 feat set the record for the longest distance recorded between a surgeon and a patient during a robotic operation. The procedures linked Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in Kuwait with Hospital Cruz Vermelha in Brazil, using advanced robotic systems running over a secure, high-bandwidth international network. The surgeries were performed in near real time. The teams completed two procedures: first, surgeons in Kuwait operated on a patient in Brazil; then, surgeons in Brazil operated on a patient in Kuwait, proving true two-way international robotic surgery was possible at scale. 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 December,2025 07:08 AM IST | Kuwait City | AgenciesIndian-origin physician Padmaja Patel has been appointed to the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee till September 1, 2029. The panel advises the state on diet and nutrition and examines the role of food in preventing and managing chronic diseases. India-born Patel earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Baroda and later completed her medical training in the US. She serves as chief medical officer at Nudj Health and is president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She also holds leadership roles with the Midland Quality Alliance and Healthy City Midland and is affiliated with the Texas Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians. Patel is known for her work in lifestyle medicine. 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 December,2025 07:04 AM IST | Houston | AgenciesCalifornia-based firm Sunday Robotics recently showcased its humanoid ‘Memo’ performing various tasks with human-like dexterity. Capable of working 24/7, the robot can relieve human beings of mundane tasks. Hard-coded humanoids often fail to execute tasks while working with objects they cannot identify. They find it almost impossible to execute actions that aren’t hard-coded in them. Addressing this fundamental flaw, Memo is designed to be intuitive like a human and to learn from its surroundings rather than relying on code. Sunday Robotics says the humanoid robot can do more than simple pick-and-place activities. It can also clean tables, dishes, fold piles of socks, do laundry, handle crockery, and make a cup of espresso. 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 December,2025 07:02 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans on Thursday for a national bravery award to recognise civilians and first responders who were quick to act during the antisemitic terror attack that left 15 dead and has cast a heavy shadow over the nation’s holiday season. Albanese said he plans to establish a special honours system for those who placed themselves in harm’s way to help during the attack on a beachside Hanukkah celebration, like Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian Muslim who disarmed one of the assailants before being wounded himself. The proposed honours would recognise those who are nominated and recommended for bravery or meritorious awards under the existing Australian Honours and Awards system for their actions during and after the attack. Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the December 14 attack, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram are accused of perpetrating Australia’s worst massacre since 1996. 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 December,2025 06:59 AM IST | Newcastle | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
