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Deadly missile strike by Russia kills over 20 killed in Sumy city of Ukraine
More than 20 people lost their lives in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday, officials said. The officials reported that two ballistic missiles hit the centre of the city around 10.15 am (local time), just as people were gathering to celebrate Palm Sunday. Videos shared on official channels showed bodies lying amid debris and smoke in the heart of the city, reported news agency AP. "On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy. Acting Mayor Artem Kobzar said in a statement on social media. "Unfortunately, we already know of more than 20 deaths,' the mayor added. As a result of the brutal attack, at least 21 people were killed, the Prosecutor General's Office said, citing initial investigation results. An additional 83 people were injured, including seven children, according to a statement by Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko on social media. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed that rescue efforts were still underway and stated that "dozens" had been killed in the double missile attack. Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskyy urges international community to respond to the attack "According to preliminary information, dozens of civilians were killed and wounded. Only filthy scum can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people," he said. According to AP, Zelenskyy also urged the international community to respond to the attack. "Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. What's needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves," he said. The strike took place less than a day after the top diplomats of Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a tentative U.S.-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, highlighting the difficulties in reaching a resolution to the three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war. The foreign ministers of both the countries addressed separate events at the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum, just a day after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss potential paths to peace, AP reported. "The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Moscow would provide the U.S., Turkey and international bodies with a list of Kyiv's attacks during the past three weeks. His Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, strongly disputed that assertion, stating on Saturday that Russia had launched "almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 (exploding) drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, mostly at civilians," since agreeing to the limited pause on strikes. (Inputs from AP)
13 April,2025 06:10 PM IST | Kyiv | mid-day online correspondent
Intellectually disabled teen shot by US police dies after being removed from lif
An autistic, nonverbal teenage boy who was shot repeatedly by Idaho police from the other side of a chain link fence while he was holding a knife died Saturday after being removed from life support, his family said. Victor Perez, 17, who also had cerebral palsy, had been in a coma since the April 5 shooting, and tests Friday showed that he had no brain activity, his aunt, Ana Vazquez, told The Associated Press. He had undergone several surgeries, with doctors removing nine bullets and amputating his leg. Police in the southwest Idaho city of Pocatello responded to a 911 call reporting that an apparently intoxicated man with a knife was chasing someone in a yard. It turned out to be Perez, who was not intoxicated but walked with a staggered gait due to his disabilities, Vazquez said. His family members had been trying to get the large kitchen knife away from him. Video taken by a neighbour showed that Perez was lying in the yard after falling over when four officers arrived and rushed to the fence at the edge of the yard. They immediately ordered Perez to drop the knife, but instead he stood and began stumbling toward them. Officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of getting out of their patrol cars and made no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation. The shooting outraged Perez's family and Pocatello residents, and a vigil had been planned for Saturday morning outside the Pocatello hospital where he was treated. "Everybody was trying to tell the police, no, no," Vazquez said. "Those four officers didn't care. They didn't ask what was happening, what was the situation." "How's he going to jump the fence when he can barely walk?" she said. The officers, whose names have not been released, were placed on administrative leave. Decisions about whether charges should be filed against them will be made after an independent investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Team, Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson told the AP via email. "When that investigation is complete a report will be submitted for review," he said. "In a continued effort to ensure independent and objective consideration, said report will be reviewed by an agency outside of Bannock County." Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said in a statement Friday, after the family announced that Perez had no brain activity, that officials' thoughts and prayers were with them. "We recognise the pain and grief this incident has caused in our community," Blad said. Blad said Thursday that the city was "addressing this matter with the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves and with the appropriate respect for the gravity of the situation". "The criminal, external, and internal investigations regarding the officer-involved shooting are underway, which is why we cannot answer questions out of concern of interfering with or compromising the investigation," 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
13 April,2025 10:48 AM IST | Boise (US) | AP | PTI
China retaliates again in Trump’s trade war
Beijing raised its tariffs on US imports to 125 per cent on Friday, in retaliation against President Donald Trump’s move to hike duties on Chinese goods. The escalation has deepened a trade war that threatens to destabilise global supply chains. The countermeasures have intensified the economic upheaval triggered by Trump’s tariffs. US stocks ended a volatile week higher, but the safe haven of gold hit a record high during the session and benchmark US 10-year government bond yields posted their biggest weekly increase since 2001 alongside a slump in the dollar, signalling a lack of confidence in America Inc. Donald Trump A US consumer survey revealed that inflation concerns have climbed to their highest level since 1981, and financial institutions are increasingly warning of a heightened risk of recession. Trump, however, is downplaying the market volatility. He predicted a rebound in the dollar and characterised his 10 per cent across-the-board tariffs represented a floor in most cases as countries strike their own trade deals with Washington. “When people understand what we’re doing, I think the dollar will go way up,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One late on Friday. “The bond market’s going good. It had a little moment but I solved that problem very quickly.” The $29 trillion Treasury market experienced sharp sell-offs after Trump’s initial announcement of what he has described as reciprocal tariffs. The Democrats’ dilemma Democrats are quick to say that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are terrible. But they are also stressing that they are not inherently anti-tariff. What Trump’s political opponents say they really dislike is the “chaos” he has unleashed. “Tariffs are an important tool in our economic toolbox,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren, District of Massachusetts “But Trump is creating chaos, and that undercuts our economy.” Trump excludes smartphones reciprocal tariffs The Trump administration says electronics like smart phones and laptops will be excluded from reciprocal tariffs, a move that could help keep prices down for popular consumer electronics that aren’t usually made in the US. The announcement would also benefit big tech companies like Apple and Samsung. The US Customs and Border Protection said items used to make semiconductors and flat-panel monitors would be exempt. 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 April,2025 07:35 AM IST | Beijing/London | Agencies
Envoys from Iran and US arrive in Oman
Envoys from Iran and the US arrived on Saturday in Oman ahead of the first talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear programme since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. No overall agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations couldn’t be higher for these two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear programme if a deal isn’t reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium. 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 April,2025 07:35 AM IST | Muscat | Agencies
Pro-gov rally in Serbia to counter student protests
Tensions mounted in Serbia on Saturday ahead of a major rally in support of populist President Aleksandar Vucic as he pledged to regain control following months of massive anti-corruption protests that have shaken his firm grip on power in the Balkan country. Vucic has been struggling to quell the nationwide movement led by university students demanding justice for the victims of a train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people in November and which many blamed on alleged widespread graft. 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 April,2025 07:34 AM IST | Belgrade | Agencies
Cold-blooded clearance
A Chinese court is desperately trying to offload 100 tonnes of live Siamese crocodiles—roughly 200 to 500 of them—after seizing them from a bankrupt company, but buyers just aren’t biting. The reptiles were owned by Guangdong Hongyi Crocodile Industry Company, founded by Mo Junrong, famously known as the “Crocodile God.” After the company defaulted, the court took control of its assets and listed the crocs for auction. Despite slashing the starting price from around '5.8 crore to '4.6 crore, two earlier auctions held in January and February failed to draw any bidders. While crocodiles are considered a valuable commodity in China and are used in everything from skincare products to medicinal wine, this bulk buy hasn’t tempted anyone—mainly due to the fine print. Buyers must manage transportation, including capturing and loading the animals, and must also hold a breeding license for aquatic wildlife and have a facility fit for housing hundreds of crocodiles. The court has made it clear that it won’t assist with logistics. With no one registered for the upcoming auction either, the crocs remain in limbo—dangerous, expensive, and increasingly difficult to sell. It’s proving to be quite the cold-blooded conundrum. Eat, drink, scam! A father and son scammed nearly 100 restaurants in France with a dine-and-dash scheme Representational Pic/iStock In a bizarre tale of culinary con artistry, a 48-year-old man and his teenage son were arrested in France’s Toulon region after defrauding nearly 100 restaurants over three years. Their tactic? A slick dine-and-dash routine disguised as a technical glitch. They’d enjoy full-course meals—starter, wine, dessert—then claim a credit card failure, leave an ID as “collateral,” and never return. The twist? The dad would report the ID stolen and use a fresh one for the next hit. They only targeted restaurants praised for kindness, betting owners wouldn’t press charges. Their scam unravelled when one frustrated restaurateur went viral online. Escalated hiking At China’s Lingshan Scenic Area, hiking just took a wild turn. A massive network of outdoor escalators will soon carry visitors 1500 meters up the mountain, no trekking required. While it’s hailed for accessibility, purists argue it strips the soul—and sweat—out of the hiking experience. Pic/Yahoo.com He had a tattoo where?!? A surgeon in Queensland, Australia was fined $10,000 and officially reprimanded after taking a photo of a swastika tattoo on a comatose patient’s penis, and sharing it in a WhatsApp group. The patient had been in a coma following a pipe bomb accident. From rags to riches Pic/OddityCentral Russian photographer Semyon Rezchikov spotted Noppajit “Meen” Somboonsate sweeping streets in Bangkok, and shared her photo on TikTok, where it went viral. The 28-year-old single mother of two got a makeover from makeup artist Nong Chat, and these photos went viral again, launching Meen’s modeling career. Massaged too hard Representational Pic/iStock After a vigorous neck massage, 26-year-old Chinese programmer Xiao Zhang woke up with slurred speech and numbness—he’d suffered a stroke from a torn carotid artery. Thankfully, quick hospital care saved him. Doctors say neck massages gone wrong can mess with major blood vessels. Ganne Ka Juice Representational Pic/iStock A viral Instagram audio clip featuring the phrase “Ganne ka juice—bada glass—bees (20) rupay ka” is taking the platform by storm, inspiring a wave of memes and reels. Though the audio’s origin is a mystery, its catchy, street-style delivery has captured users’ imaginations. From catchy captions to people lip-syncing while sipping actual juice, the trend taps into what seems to be desi pride. Skinny=sinking? Representational pic/iStock Are skinny jeans making a comeback—or is the economy just in shambles again? According to the Internet, every time skinny jeans trend, a recession follows. But it’s not just denim. The resurgence of thinness—fuelled by retro aesthetics and weight-loss drugs—has critics and feminists alike raising eyebrows. Could this be just a style choice or a larger societal setback?
13 April,2025 07:34 AM IST | Los Angeles | Agencies
Pope makes another surprise appearance at St Peter's
Two art restorers were putting the final touches on a months-long restoration of the tomb of Pope Urban VIII, who in 1626 consecrated St Peter's Basilica, when the convalescing Pope Francis appeared, unannounced, in a wheelchair ' his third such surprise appearance in less than a week. Francis thrilled the crowd at St Peter's during a Jubilee Mass for the ill on Sunday, met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday, before the impromptu turn through St Peter's Basilica on Thursday. "We didn't know if we could approach him. We greeted him from afar," Lorena Araujo Pinheiro said on Friday as officials unveiled the last of three restoration projects in the basilica for the Jubilee Holy Year, an ancient church tradition encouraging the faithful to make pilgrimages to Rome. Then the pope and three people accompanying him motioned for the two restorers to come closer. 'He thanked us many times for the work," said Michela Malfatti. "Then he asked me if he could take my hand because his were cold. He was very sweet with us." Both, in turn, gave them their hands. The Vatican said that Francis was getting some air that day from his convalescence in the Santa Marta Domus, a block of church apartments, and asked to be brought to St Peter's Basilica to pray. The pontiff is in his third week of doctor-ordered rest after nearly dying from double pneumonia, and doctors have advised him to avoid large gatherings. Besides the restorers, Francis greeted the faithful who had come to Mass or to walk through the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year. Video of several encounters posted on social media showed the pope wearing a long-sleeve white shirt with a poncho-like blanket folded over his chest for warmth as he greeted a boy in one video, and then a baby in another. The restoration work on the tombs of Pope Urban VIII, sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and the basilica's founder, Pope Paul II, by Guglielmo della Porta was completed on Thursday just as the pope arrived. It was the last stage of a three-part restoration, after the ornate canopy over the main altar, and the gilded bronze monument that holds the throne of St Peter, said Pietro Zander, head of the necropolis and artistic heritage section of the Fabbrica di San Pietro that maintains the basilica. The papal tombs now appear more "sparkling," Zander said. An important change on Urban VIII's tomb was to remove a sculpted cloth that had covered the bare breast of a female figure called "Charity," who is depicted putting aside a sated child she has just nursed for another that is crying to be fed. "It was decided to free her from this veil, and it doesn't seem to me to be anything offensive," Zander said. "Malice is always in the eyes of who is looking." The Vatican also unveiled new lighting in the necropolis where popes are buried beneath the main altar, and the addition of stone ramps leading into the basilica that were installed for safety reasons in case of a need to quickly evacuate a crowd from the basilica. The pope's decision to come to the basilica and check out the works was an encouraging sign. "We take it like a blessing of the end of the work," Zander 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
12 April,2025 09:26 AM IST | Rome | AP
UK announces more support for Ukraine
Britain on Friday announced a “surge” of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged country’s Western backers gathered to drum up more weapons and ammunition to fight off Russia’s invasion and a US envoy flew to Moscow amid ongoing ceasefire efforts. Britain said that in a joint effort with Norway just over $580 million would be spent to provide hundreds of thousands of military drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines, as well as repair and maintenance contracts to keep Ukrainian armoured vehicles on the battlefield. On the eve of the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said a key issue was “strengthening Ukraine’s air defences”. Prince Harry meets war victims in Ukraine Harry (centre) at ‘Superhumans Centre’ in Lviv. Pic/AFP Prince Harry met with war victims during an unannounced visit to Ukraine as part of his ongoing work with wounded veterans, a spokesperson said. Harry on Thursday visited the Superhumans Centre, an orthopedic clinic in Lviv that treats and rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians, to see top-notch services provided in the midst of war. The centre provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help. 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
12 April,2025 08:52 AM IST | Brussels | Agencies
11 ‘October 7’ terrorists eliminated in Gaza op
The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) revealed publicly on Thursday night that, last month, 11 terrorists who invaded the country and participated in the murderous October 7 massacre on were eliminated by Israeli forces, including key terrorists involved in the murder and kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and civilians. On March 18, the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel’s anti-terror General Security Service) began Operation ‘Strength and Sword’ in the Gaza Strip, during which nine of the eleven terrorists were killed. Two additional key terrorists who were eliminated in targeted IDF and Shin Bet strikes prior to Operation Strength and Sword. 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
12 April,2025 08:51 AM IST | Tel Aviv | Agencies
Yoon Suk Yeol embraces supporters as he exits official Prez residence
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol left the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday for his private home, a week after the Constitutional Court removed him from office over his ill-fated imposition of martial law in December. Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, along with their 11 dogs and cats, returned to their private apartment in affluent southern Seoul. As his black van arrived at the gate of the presidential compound, Yoon stepped out, smiling and waving to his supporters, shaking hands and embracing dozens of them, before getting back into the vehicle and leaving the site. 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
12 April,2025 08:50 AM IST | Seoul | Agencies
China tariffs on US goods touch 125 per cent
China on Friday hit back at the latest US tariffs, lifting the additional tariffs on products imported from the US to 125 per cent from 84 per cent, effective from April 12. China also filed lawsuit with the World Trade Organisation. ‘No sense in more tariffs’ China said given that there is no longer any possibility of market acceptance for US goods exported to the country under the current tariff levels, it won’t respond if the US continues to impose tariffs on Chinese goods. “It will ultimately go down as a joke in world economic history,” a statement said. Spain’s PM visits China Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited China on Friday to boost investment from the Asian giant. Sanchez met with President Xi and is expected to meet business leaders from several Chinese companies, many of which produce electric batteries or are into renewable energy. Xi calls on EU President Xi appealed to the European Union (EU) to “jointly resist the unilateral bullying” by Washington. Xi called on the 27-member block to fulfil international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalisation and the trading environment, and jointly resist bullying. Resuming foreign visits President Xi will visit three Southeast Asian countries early next week to strengthen regional cooperation in his first tour abroad after US President Donald Trump slapped 145 per cent tariffs against China’s exports. Xi will pay state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia—all part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping—from April 14 to 18. China had the largest trade with ASEAN last year. Volatile day for trade Shares sank with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index down 4.7 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.6 per cent, while in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 shed 2.1 per cent. On Thursday, the S&P 500 tumbled 3.5 per cent. Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 2.5 per cent, and the Nasdaq composite tumbled 4.3 per cent. 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
12 April,2025 08:49 AM IST | Beijing | Agencies