United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India for an official visit on Monday. This will be Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's third visit to India since assuming office as UAE President and his fifth visit to India over the past 10 years. According to the statement released by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), UAE President's visit builds on the strong momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in September 2024, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the UAE and the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in April 2025. In a statement, MEA stated, "India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. The two countries are among each other’s top trading and investment partners, bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. India and the UAE also enjoy a robust energy partnership, including long-term energy supply arrangements." "The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence," it added. In December last year, External Affairs Minister (EAM ) S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Abu Dhabi. The two leaders reviewed all aspects of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE, as well as identified key priorities for the future. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, “In today’s world, deeper India–UAE cooperation advances shared interests and contributes to regional and global stability.” During the meeting, the EAM highlighted the significant growth in bilateral trade, investments, fintech and digital connectivity following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). He also underlined the vast potential in connectivity and logistics, both bilaterally and through initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). EAM Jaishankar underscored the expansion of energy collaboration, with a particular focus on civil nuclear cooperation, strengthening educational ties and cultural exchanges, and consolidating defence and security cooperation. In July last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations during a phone call, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates. "They positively assessed the remarkable progress made across various sectors of bilateral cooperation and laid emphasis on further developing and deepening collaboration for the shared benefit of the peoples of both countries," said a statement issued by the MEA. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming the second longest-serving Prime Minister in India’s history, and wished him continued success in his service to the nation. PM Modi thanked the UAE leader for his gracious wishes and the affection he expressed for the people of India. "The two sides also addressed ways to bolster ties to serve mutual interests while fostering sustainable development and prosperity for their peoples. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and PM Modi affirmed their keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities to achieve further prosperity for their peoples," said the UAE President's office after the phone call. 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
18 January,2026 09:58 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAn Advanced Dental Clinic at Dr. Kotnis Memorial Railway Hospital in Solapur has served over 4,000 patients since its inauguration in 2024, an official statement said on Sunday. The clinic, operating under the Solapur Division of Central Railway, has emerged as a centre of excellence in dental care, it said. Since its inauguration on December 30, 2024, the clinic has delivered high-quality, patient-focused services to railway beneficiaries, officials said. In just a short period, the clinic has consulted over 4,000 out-patient department (OPD) patients and carried out more than 1,000 dental procedures. The high standard of care is reflected in the fact that no patients have been referred to private dental clinics, indicating strong trust and satisfaction among beneficiaries, they said. Comprehensive and specialised dental services The Advanced Dental Clinic offers modern and specialised treatments, ensuring patients receive advanced dental care within the railway healthcare system itself. Key services include- - Implantology: Dental implant placement and restoration for missing teeth. - One-Visit Root Canal Treatment: Efficient treatment for quicker recovery. - Wisdom Tooth Surgery: Expert surgical care for impacted or problematic wisdom teeth. These services have enhanced the quality and range of dental care available to patients at the hospital. Patients travel from across railway zones The clinic has gained recognition beyond the Solapur region, with patients travelling from nearby areas across the Central Railway (CR) and South Western Railway (SWR) zones. Beneficiaries from Maharashtra (including Pune, Latur, Dharashiv, Kurduvadi, Pandharpur, Miraj, Sangli, Kolhapur) and Karnataka (including Kalaburagi, Hubballi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot) have sought treatment at the facility. Vital support in emergencies and outreach The clinic has played a crucial role in emergency situations by providing prompt care to patients with facial and dental injuries. The dental team has also participated in dental camps at Kurduvadi Railway Hospital, helping raise oral health awareness and offering treatment to the community. Professional leadership and support The success of the clinic is credited to Dr. Taheer Attar, BDS, whose dedication and professionalism have been widely appreciated. He has provided high-quality dental care to thousands of patients and continues to serve the railway community with commitment. The clinic has also received strong administrative support from the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Solapur Division and the Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of the Divisional Railway Hospital, Solapur in Maharashtra.
18 January,2026 07:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA 35-year-old motorcycle rider was killed and his pillion rider was seriously injured after their bike collided with a police van in Maharashtra’s Beed district, police said on Sunday, reported the PTI. According to officials, the police vehicle was carrying Suresh Kute and his wife Archana Kute, the main accused in the Dnyanradha Multi-State Cooperative Society scam. The van was travelling from Kaij to Beed at the time of the accident, as per the PTI. Suresh Kute and his wife Archana Kute, arrested last year in an alleged Rs 3,500 crore fraud in Beed. They were being brought to Beed from Ambajogai under police custody after a court hearing when the van collided with a motorcycle, leaving its rider critically injured, a police official said. Archana Kute, who was inside the police vehicle, also sustained injuries. Her condition was reported to be stable, the official said. Suresh Kute was the chairman of the cooperative credit society and Archana Kute was its business promoter. Several depositors have been cheated in the alleged fraud, according to the PTI. The collision occurred on the Beed-Ambajogai Road on Saturday evening. The motorcyclist, identified as Amol Handge, a farmer, suffered serious injuries in the crash. He later succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning, police said. Pillion rider critically Injured The pillion rider, Vikram Handge (35), was critically injured and is undergoing treatment, police said, the news agency reported Suresh Kute and Archana Kute did not suffer any serious injuries in the accident, it said. Investigation underway Following the incident, the traffic on the Neknoor-Yelamb road was disrupted for some time following the accident. The police said that it was investigating the circumstances that led to the collision. 73-year-old woman dies in fire in Oshiwara flat A 73-year-old woman died in a fire that broke out in a flat in a residential complex in Mumbai's Oshiwara area on Saturday, a civic official said, according to the PTI. The fire in Bridge Building in Lokhandwala in the locality was reported at 11:15 am and was doused at 12:09 pm after four fire engines and other fire fighting vehicles were deployed, he added. (with PTI inputs)
18 January,2026 05:54 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentAn IndiGo Airlines flight carrying 238 people was forced to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport on Sunday after a bomb threat was reported while the aircraft was in the air, the IANS reported. The flight, 6E-6650, was travelling from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to Bagdogra when the threat was detected. The airline on Sunday confirmed that threat was noticed onboard IndiGo flight 6E 6650 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra. Following the alert, the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow as a precautionary measure. IndiGo said it immediately informed the concerned authorities and followed all standard security procedures. “A security threat was noticed onboard IndiGo flight 6E 6650 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra, due to which the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow,” the airline said in a statement, according to the IANS. Handwritten note found in aircraft toilet According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rajneesh Verma, the bomb threat came to light after a handwritten note was found on a tissue paper inside the aircraft’s toilet. Air Traffic Control (ATC) received information about the threat at around 8:46 am on 18 January, following which emergency safety protocols were activated, as per the IANS. Passengers evacuated safely The flight landed safely at Lucknow airport at around 9:17 am and was moved to an isolation bay for security checks. All passengers were immediately evacuated and scanned to ensure their safety. Security agencies, including the bomb disposal squad and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) teams, carried out a thorough search of the aircraft and the surrounding area, the news agency reported. Airline assures passenger safety IndiGo said it was making all efforts to minimise inconvenience to passengers by providing refreshments and regular updates. “As always, the safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft are our topmost priorities,” the airline spokesperson said. All onboard safe Officials said the flight was carrying 230 passengers, including 222 adults and eight infants, along with two pilots and five cabin crew members. All passengers and crew were reported to be safe, as per the IANS. A detailed investigation is currently underway to rule out any potential danger. (with IANS inputs)
18 January,2026 05:34 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn view of the international cycling event Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026, scheduled to be held in Pune from January 19 to 23, 2026, a holiday has been declared for schools, colleges, and educational institutions located in major parts of the city on Monday, January 19, 2026. District Collector and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, Jitendra Dudi, has issued official orders in this regard. The Prologue Race of the tournament will take place in Pune city on Monday, January 19. Due to this, several major city roads will remain completely closed to traffic from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. These include Fergusson College Road (FC Road), Ganeshkhind Road, and Jangli Maharaj Road (JM Road), along with all connecting internal roads. Considering the possibility of significant inconvenience to students and parents due to road closures, the administration has taken this precautionary decision. Accordingly, all anganwadis, government and private primary and secondary schools, junior and senior colleges, and professional educational institutions located within the jurisdiction of Pune Municipal Corporation’s regional offices—Chhatrapati Shivajinagar–Ghole Road, Vishrambaugwada–Kasba, Dhole Patil Road, Bhavani Peth, Aundh–Baner, Kothrud–Bavdhan, Sinhagad Road, and Warje–Karvenagar—will remain closed on January 19. This holiday order will be applicable only for Monday, January 19, 2026. All educational institutions will resume normal operations from Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as per regular schedules. The district administration has appealed to citizens and parents to plan their travel, keeping the temporary traffic restrictions in mind. Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 launched in presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday inaugurated the international Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, stating that the event is not just a cycling competition but a long-lasting sporting and infrastructure legacy for future generations. Speaking at the launch ceremony held at a city hotel in Pune, the Chief Minister said the tournament would place Pune and Maharashtra prominently on the global sports and tourism map. He expressed confidence that the event would soon become a prestigious annual fixture on the international cycling calendar. Highlighting Pune district’s unique blend of history, culture, technology, and natural beauty, CM Fadnavis said the Western Ghats landscape and historic forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would add special appeal to the race. He assured full support from the Maharashtra government to make the event a landmark in the history of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). International cyclists from over 35 countries are participating in the tournament. CM Fadnavis welcomed the riders, team managers, and officials and congratulated the Pune district administration and government agencies for completing world-class preparations within a short timeframe. He noted that 437 km of roads have been upgraded to meet international cycling standards. Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, Cycling Federation of India Secretary General Dato Maninder Pal Singh, and several MPs, MLAs, senior officials, and police commissioners were present at the event. A special highlight of the ceremony was the traditional Indian attire worn by international cyclists — kurta, pyjama, and jacket — symbolising India’s culture and the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which drew widespread appreciation.
18 January,2026 01:53 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalPrime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam, during which he will launch key development initiatives on Sunday. The visit includes the Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project and the flagging off of new Amrit Bharat Express trains, aimed at boosting regional connectivity in the Northeast. Looking forward to being in Kaliabor, Assam today for the Bhoomi Poojan of key development works, including the 35 km elevated corridor across Kaziranga. This will go a long way in safeguarding animals, particularly in the monsoon season. During the programme, Amrit Bharat trains… pic.twitter.com/bd8X4MTEfI — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 18, 2026 In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Looking forward to being in Kaliabor, Assam today for the Bhoomi Poojan of key development works, including the 35 km elevated corridor across Kaziranga. This will go a long way in safeguarding animals, particularly in the monsoon season. During the programme, Amrit Bharat trains will be flagged off, which will improve connectivity for the people of Assam." Today, at around 11 AM, the Prime Minister will perform Bhoomi Pujan for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), worth over Rs 6,950 crore and will flag off 2 new Amrit Bharat Express trains at Kaliabor, Nagaon district. The 86 km long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is an environmentally conscious National Highway project. It will feature a 35 km Elevated Wildlife Corridor that will pass through Kaziranga National Park, a 21 km Bypass section, and a 30 km widening of the existing NH-715 highway section from two to four lanes. The project aims to improve regional connectivity while ensuring protection of the park's rich biodiversity. The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The elevated wildlife corridor will ensure the uninterrupted movement of animals and reduce human-wildlife conflict. It will also enhance road safety, reduce travel time and accident rates, and support growing passenger and freight traffic. As part of the project, Bypasses will be developed at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat that will help to decongest towns, improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for local residents. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also flag off 2 New Amrit Bharat Express trains - Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express. These new train services will strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and Northern India, enabling safer, more convenient travel for people. 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.
18 January,2026 11:59 AM IST | New Delhi [India] | ANIJapanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who was on a three-day visit to India on Saturday, visited Raj Ghat and offered tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi He also wrote in the visitor's guest book and was felicitated with books on Mahatma Gandhi and a model of a Charkha Motegi accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi also took a ride on the Delhi Metro from the Central Secretariat metro station to Patel Chowk and back. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, DMRC, in a social media post, said that during his visit, the Japanese Foreign Minister showed keen interest about various aspects of the construction and operation of the Delhi Metro, which is a proud symbol of Indo-Japanese friendship and collaboration. During his visit to India, Motegi also paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held discussions on various areas such as economic security, economy, investment and innovation, including AI, and people-to-people exchanges. In a post on X, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "FM MOTEGI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, during his visit to Delhi, India. Bearing in mind the "Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade" launched during PM Modi's visit to Japan last August, they had a candid exchange of views over a wide range of areas, such as security, including economic security, economy, investment and innovation, including AI, and people-to-people exchanges, and concurred to elevate Japan-India relations to new heights." FM MOTEGI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Narendra MODI, Prime Minister of India, during his visit to Delhi, #India. Bearing in mind the “Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade” launched during PM Modi's visit to Japan last August, they had a candid exchange of views over… pic.twitter.com/q26BMqboFO — MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) January 16, 2026 Speaking during his opening remarks at the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with Toshimitsu, Jaishankar said India places a very high priority on its partnership with Japan, which has evolved over the past two decades into a broad, comprehensive and strategic relationship. "India attaches very great priority to its friendship with Japan. And over the last two decades, we have been successful in transforming the relationship from what was primarily an economic relationship into one that is broad, comprehensive, and strategic in its focus," Jaishankar said, referring to cooperation in platforms such as the Quad, the United Nations, the G4 grouping and the G20. Jaishankar also noted that India and Japan will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations next year, and expressed confidence that the special, strategic and global partnership will continue to strengthen. Japan on Friday said it sees India as a "natural partner" and attaches strong importance to ties with "like-minded countries like India" during Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's visit to the country. Highlighting the significance of the India visit, Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said Motegi's trip marks his first foreign visit this year and reflects Japan's priority on strengthening partnerships with countries like India. "This is the first foreign trip this year. We strongly believe that a relationship with like-minded countries like India is important. We believe in a strong partnership with the global south. He has chosen India as a natural partner," Kitamura said. Explaining what Tokyo aims to achieve through the visit, Kitamura said Japan and India share "common and strategic interests" and that the trip is focused on ensuring progress on the concrete agreements taken forward after PM Modi's visit to Japan last year. India and Japan reaffirmed their Special Strategic and Global Partnership during the visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi from January 15-17, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in AI, critical minerals, defence and regional security. Motegi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also held the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that during the Strategic Dialogue, the Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of the multi-faceted relations, including supply chain resilience in critical sectors, investment, trade, technology and innovation, defence, people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties. "They underlined the importance of further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in keeping with the outcomes of the 15th Annual Summit of August 2025 and the recent discussions between the Prime Ministers in Johannesburg," the MEA said. "Taking forward the Japan-India AI Initiative (JAI) announced by the two Prime Ministers, the Ministers launched the AI Dialogue giving a coherent push to bilateral cooperation in this sector. Both sides also decided to convene the Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals under the Economic Security Initiative to advance collaboration in rare earth elements and critical minerals," it added. It further mentioned that the Ministers also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of interest. "They stressed the crucial role played by the strong and enduring partnership between India and Japan in ensuring a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region," the MEA statement stated. "The two Ministers looked forward to celebrating the year 2027 as the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, the statement said," it added. The meeting follows PM Modi and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's meeting in Johannesburg earlier this year on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in South Africa. 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.
18 January,2026 11:57 AM IST | New Delhi | ANISecurity arrangements have been strengthened at the Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj as a large number of devotees gathered to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya during the early hours on Sunday. According to police authorities, approximately 50 lakh devotees took the holy dip at the Sangam between 6 pm yesterday and 4 am today. The ritual bath began at midnight amid heavy footfall at the ghats. Speaking to ANI, Prayagraj Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar said that despite thick fog in the region, devotees from several areas continued to arrive in large numbers. He said, "...Proper security arrangements have been made...Devotees are coming in large numbers to take a holy dip. There has been thick fog since midnight, despite that we are witnessing heavy footfall." Officials said that a heavy police deployment has been put in place to ensure the safety of devotees and the smooth conduct of the ritual bathing on the auspicious occasion. Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal said that appropriate arrangements have been made to maintain both safety and sanctity at the Sangam. "Proper arrangements have been made, and all the officials are present at the spot. Nearly 50 lakh devotees have bathed at Sangam till 4 AM," she told ANI. Earlier, Magh Mela Officer Rishi Raj briefed on the extensive arrangements made at the ghats for Mauni Amavasya. "For the Mauni Amavasya snan, we have constructed ghats stretching over three and a half kilometres. We appeal to the devotees in all seven sectors to reach the nearest ghat and take a holy dip. We have a sufficient number of changing rooms, a public address system, monitoring through the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), and our traffic management plan is in effect," he said. Rishi Raj added that multiple security agencies have been deployed to manage the crowd and prevent any inconvenience to devotees. "Our water police, police personnel, and RAF (Rapid Action Force) are all deployed on the spot to ensure that devotees do not face any inconvenience, and we will take action as the crowd increases. Three to four crore people are expected, and as more people arrive, we will keep updating the figures," he further said. District Magistrate of Prayagraj, Manish Kumar Verma, also spoke about the large turnout and the enthusiasm among devotees. Speaking to ANI, Verma said, "The 'snan' for Mauni Amavasya has already begun. We have developed a ghat approximately 3.5 kilometres long. There is a lot of enthusiasm, and a large number of people have arrived. Our estimate is approximately 3 to 3.5 crore devotees will take a dip on Mauni Amavasya today." Officials said that crowd management measures, traffic control plans, and continuous monitoring are in place to ensure the smooth flow of devotees throughout the day. Devotees expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at the Sangam. One devotee told ANI, "I am feeling very good after taking a holy dip. Proper arrangements have been made here." 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.
18 January,2026 11:12 AM IST | Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India] | ANIPoignant scenes of relief and reunion unfolded at the Delhi airport on early Saturday as families embraced their loved ones who returned from Iran amid the worsening security situation there. Many of those who returned from Iran on commercial flights, including students, described their last few days as tense and marked with uncertainty. “The situation on the streets was tense and the internet shutdown made us feel completely isolated,” said a student who arrived from Tehran. A young woman, who is studying at a medical college in Shiraz, said, “The Internet was not working. So, we didn’t exactly know what was happening around the country.” She added, “We have come back on our own in a commercial flight, and not on the arrangement of the Indian government,” she said. Some relief came after the Indian Embassy in Tehran stepped in, restored communication and began coordinating assistance for stranded nationals. Families said the Indian Embassy remained in constant touch with citizens stranded in Iran, issuing advisories and guiding them through the process of homecoming. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in his weekly media briefing on Friday, said, “At present, there are approximately 9000 of our nationals living in Iran. Most of them are our students. The government will take every step in regard to the safety and interests of Indian nationals stranded amid the political unrest.” In a fresh advisory, the Indian Embassy in Iran urged nationals to leave the country using commercial flights or other available options and strongly advised against travel to Iran until the situation stabilises. Father pleads to rescue son The father of an engineer, who was among the 16 crew members of MT Valiant Roar, an oil tanker reportedly seized by Iran, urged Indian authorities to intervene to free his son from detention. The vessel was reportedly intercepted last month in Iran and the crew members were held. Mukesh Mehta added that his son Ketan Mehta was only trying to earn an honest livelihood and has not committed any crime or violated any law. 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
18 January,2026 08:47 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesSiya Fathima, who has been suffering from vasculitis, desired to participate in the ongoing Kerala School Arts Festival, but was unable to go for it to Thrissur from Kasaragod as she has been advised against travelling due to her health condition. She conveyed her wish to state General Education Minister V Sivankutty who, in a first in the history of the festival, allowed her to participate in the Arabic poster designing competition via online mode. The girl participated in the competition and got an “A” grade in it, official sources said. Speaking to reporters at the festival venue in Thrissur, Sivankutty said that the girl told him that she was moving closer to death and her wish was to take part in the festival. “So, it was allowed through a special order. It has never happened in the last 63 editions of the festival. It is a speciality of the 64th arts festival,” he said. The girl’s father, Muneer, said that his daughter was determined to participate in the event even if she had to reach Thrissur by ambulance. “So, she sent a message to the minister regarding her wish,” he said. He said that his daughter suffers from vasculitis, a swelling of blood vessels, which has affected her spinal cord and she is being treated for it at the Kannur Baby Memorial Hospital. 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
18 January,2026 07:39 AM IST | Kasaragod | AgenciesAhead of the upcoming state polls in West Bengal in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched several rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 3250 crore in the state, including the first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati. At a rally in Malda in North Bengal, he virtually flagged off four Amrit Bharat Express trains, including one connecting Alipurduar with Panvel. Modi launched the country’s first set of Vande Bharat sleeper trains between Howrah and Guwahati from Malda Town railway station. The fully air-conditioned train is expected to cut travel time on the Howrah-Guwahati route by 2.5 hours. Currently, it takes nearly 18 hours. Mamata Banerjee On Sunday, the PM will address a keenly monitored political meeting from Singur in Hooghly district, the epicentre of the anti-land acquisition movement that propelled Mamata Banerjee to power in 2011 and reshaped the state’s political landscape. In Saturday’s rally, the PM asserted that “infiltration is a very big challenge” and that even developed countries were taking firm action to remove illegal migrants. Attacking CM Mamata Banerjee, he alleged that the TMC’s “syndicate” system was an “alliance between infiltrators and the ruling party”. He also accused the TMC government of blocking the Centre’s welfare schemes. 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
18 January,2026 07:32 AM IST | Malda | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
-1768717368752_d.png "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre, inspects during the 'Bhoomi Pujan' ceremony of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, in Kaliabor, Assam. (Pic/PTI)")
-1768716661081_d.png "Jaishankar gifts signed Team India bat to Japan FM Motegi. (Pic/PTI)")
-1768714611335_d.png "People gather to take a holy dip on the occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' during the Magh Mela festival, at the Sangam in Prayagraj. (Pic/PTI)")
