Ethiopia on Tuesday conferred its highest award- The Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia - on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi is the first global Head of State or Head of Government to receive this award. The award was conferred during PM Modi's visit to the African country. Ethiopia's top honour marks the 28th foreign State award bestowed on PM Modi. PM Modi said that the award is a matter of great pride for him. "Just now, I have been conferred with the highest award of the country - The Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia. To be honoured by a very ancient and prosperous civilisation of the world is a matter of great pride for me. On behalf of all Indians, I humbly accept this honour. This award is for all those numerous Indians who shaped our partnership," the Prime Minister said. "On this occasion, I also express heartfelt gratitude to my friend PM Abiy Ahmed Ali. Last month, when we met during the G20 Summit in South Africa, with great love and right, you had urged me to visit Ethiopia. How could I have turned down this invitation from my friend, my brother? So, at the first chance, I decided to come to Ethiopia," he added. PM Modi lauded the role of teachers in fostering relations between Ethiopia and India. "Had this visit been in accordance with the normal diplomatic process, perhaps it would have taken a lot of time. But your love and affection, brought brought me here just within 24 days," he said. "We, in India, have always believed - Knowledge Liberates. Education is the foundation stone of any country. I am proud that in Ethiopia and India relations, the most significant contribution has been from our teachers. Ethiopia's great culture attracted them here and they received the great fortune of preparing several generations here. Even today, several Indian faculty members are serving at Ethiopian Universities and higher education institutions," he added. The Prime Minister said that the future belongs to those partnerships which are based on vision and trust. "Together with Ethiopia, we are committed to furthering such partnerships which can bring forth a solution to evolving global challenges and build new opportunities," he said. The Prime Minister dedicated the award to 140 crore people of India. "I'm honoured to be conferred with the 'Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.' I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India," he said in a post on X. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 December,2025 08:20 AM IST | Addis Ababa | ANIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday outlined three key areas to enhance bilateral ties with Ethiopia: food and health security, capacity building, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). PM Modi's discussions with Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali have paved the way for a Strategic Partnership between India and Ethiopia. Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come.@AbiyAhmedAli pic.twitter.com/hFdc0ztJNa — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2025 The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in sustainable agriculture, natural farming, and agri-tech to boost Ethiopia's food security. Capacity building initiatives include introducing new programmes in artificial intelligence and doubling student scholarships, enabling more Ethiopian students to access Indian education. The Digital Public Infrastructure collaboration aims to drive innovation and growth. These agreements reflect the growing partnership between India and Ethiopia, focusing on mutual growth and development. Held extensive discussions with PM Abiy Ahmed Ali. We have decided to elevate the India-Ethiopia ties to a Strategic Partnership. Gave three key suggestions to enhance bilateral ties:Deepen relations in food security and health security. This includes cooperation in sustainable… pic.twitter.com/QACLRq21Dn — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2025 In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Held extensive discussions with PM Abiy Ahmed Ali. We have decided to elevate the India-Ethiopia ties to a Strategic Partnership. Gave three key suggestions to enhance bilateral ties: Deepen relations in food security and health security. This includes cooperation in sustainable agriculture, natural farming and agri-tech. Boost capacity building. Today, we have decided to introduce new programmes in artificial intelligence and to double student scholarships. This will enable many more Ethiopian students to access higher education opportunities in India and strengthen youth-to-youth engagement. Work extensively on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)." "Other aspects that featured in our talks include enhancing collaboration in pharmaceuticals, digital health, medical tourism and more. Sectors such as energy and critical minerals also offer many opportunities," he added. PM @narendramodi and PM @AbiyAhmedAli visited the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. pic.twitter.com/dK3iooyett — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 16, 2025 Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali took PM Modi to the National Palace Museum. In a post on X, he said, "Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia's rich traditions." Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions.@AbiyAhmedAli pic.twitter.com/yQYHbOYrCp — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2025 PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace in Addis Ababa. In a post on X, he said, "Received a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace in Addis Ababa. This visit marks another step forward in strengthening the enduring partnership between India and Ethiopia." Received a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace in Addis Ababa. This visit marks another step forward in strengthening the enduring partnership between India and Ethiopia.@AbiyAhmedAli pic.twitter.com/AZjAuMuICL — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2025 The visit yielded several key outcomes, including agreements on customised cooperation, the establishment of a data centre, and UN peacekeeping training. India and Ethiopia also signed an MoU on debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework, showcasing cooperation on economic issues. Educational exchanges received a boost with doubled ICCR scholarships for Ethiopian students and specialised AI courses under ITEC. PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday for a two-day visit. He was accorded a warm welcome at the airport. 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.
17 December,2025 08:04 AM IST | Addis Ababa | ANIUS President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) expanded a travel ban by adding five more countries and imposing limits on others. The move came as the Trump administration continues to tighten US entry requirements and immigration standards, Fox News reported. "The restrictions and limitations imposed by the Proclamation are necessary to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose, garner cooperation from foreign governments, enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives," a statement by the White House says. AMERICA FIRST SECURITY 🇺🇸President Donald J. Trump just signed a new Proclamation, STRENGTHENING our borders & national security with data-driven restrictions on high-risk countries with severe deficiencies in screening & vetting. pic.twitter.com/DZmqpkerKb — The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 16, 2025 Through his actions on Tuesday, citizens from five countries - Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents - will face a ban on travel to the United States, the White House said. In addition, existing partial bans on Laos and Sierra Leone were expanded into full suspensions of entry. Another 15 countries - Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe - will face partial restrictions. The proclamation also "narrows broad family-based immigrant visa carve-outs that carry demonstrated fraud risks, while preserving case-by-case waivers," the White House said. In its announcement, the Trump administration said many of the countries on the travel ban suffer from "widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents and criminal records, and nonexistent birth-registration systems," which makes it difficult to perform accurate vetting. Others refuse to share law-enforcement data, while others permit "Citizenship-by-Investment schemes that conceal identity and bypass vetting requirements and travel restrictions," as per Fox News. This administration is slamming the door shut on the foreign invaders who have undermined our national security.DHS, under the leadership of @POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem, will relentlessly enforce our nation’s immigration laws. https://t.co/AQ3OnwYWCG — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 16, 2025 In June, Trump announced a US entry ban on citizens of 12 countries - Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen - while also tightening restrictions on others: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Tuesday's decision follows the arrest of an Afghan national suspected of shooting two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Fox News reported. At the time of the killing, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Rahmanullah Lakanwal was one of the many unvetted Afghans who were mass paroled into the US under Operation Allies Welcome under the Biden administration, as per Fox News. Lakanwal is accused of shooting US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who later died, and US Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who is recovering, as per Fox News. 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
17 December,2025 08:00 AM IST | Washington | ANIResearchers have developed a tougher, longer-lasting road material from an unexpected source: algae. Oils derived from microscopic algae could replace part of the petroleum-based binder used in asphalt, making paved surfaces more flexible, durable, and greener. Conventional pavement relies on bitumen, a crude oil-based material that binds sand and rocks together. While bitumen allows roads to expand in heat and contract in cold, it becomes brittle when temperatures plunge, leading to cracks that spread under traffic and moisture. To counter this issue, researchers used computer modeling to analyse which algae oils could mix well with asphalt solids and remain functional during freezing conditions. One species stood out. Oil from the freshwater green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis showed the strongest resistance to permanent deformation under simulated traffic stress. It also offered better protection against moisture-related damage, a key contributor to pothole formation. The researchers estimate that replacing just 1 per cent of petroleum-based binder with algae-derived material could reduce net carbon emissions from asphalt by 4.5 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
17 December,2025 07:40 AM IST | Berlin | AgenciesResearchers have unveiled the world’s smallest fully programmable, autonomous robots, sporting a “brain”. The microscopic swimming machines can sense their surroundings, make decisions, and operate independently for months at a time. Barely visible to the naked eye, each robot measures about 0.2 mm by 0.3 mm by 0.05 mm, placing it squarely at the scale of bacteria and single-celled organisms. The robots can move in complex patterns, respond to changes, and even coordinate their motion in groups. 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
17 December,2025 07:37 AM IST | Texas | AgenciesChinese automaker Geely has unveiled a self-developed driving unit demonstrated on the EX5 electric crossover prototype. The system integrates electric motors directly into the wheels, enabling far greater flexibility in how the vehicle moves compared to conventional drivetrains. In the prototype setup, four independent driving units were mounted directly inside the wheels, each capable of rotating up to 90 degrees. This configuration allows every wheel to steer and drive independently, unlocking a level of maneuverability not possible with conventional layouts. As a result, the Geely EX5 prototype can perform on-the-spot turns, move laterally, and park in extremely tight spaces before exiting them with ease. 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
17 December,2025 07:35 AM IST | Beijing | AgenciesA teenage girl who tragically lost her life in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima has been identified nearly 80 years later through DNA analysis. The 13-year-old victim, named Hatsue Kajiyama, died on August 6, 1945, when the first atomic bomb, Little Boy, was dropped on the Japanese city in the final months of World War II. Her identity was confirmed after forensic experts extracted DNA from preserved strands of hair that had been kept with unidentified remains for decades. The testing of the remains was requested by her nephew, Shuji Kajiyama, aged 60. Young Hatsue was a second-year student at a girls’ high school. Unlike the rest of her immediate family, who relocated to Japanese-occupied Manchuria earlier in 1945, she stayed in Hiroshima with her grandmother, Haru, eager to complete her studies. 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
17 December,2025 07:32 AM IST | Tokyo | AgenciesPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday for the second leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali received PM Modi at the Addis Ababa International Airport. In a unique gesture, he personally drove the Indian Prime Minister to the hotel. On the way, he took the initiative of visiting the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which were not part of the official itinerary, news agency PTI reported. During informal talks, PM Ali shared details about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee with his Indian counterpart. Sources said the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s gestures reflected remarkable respect for PM Modi. “Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media. “Ethiopia is a key partner for India in the Global South and a fellow BRICS Member,” he added. During the visit, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with his Ethiopian counterpart on all aspects of India–Ethiopia bilateral ties. PM Modi to address Ethiopian Parliament “As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said before his departure from India. In his first visit to Ethiopia, PM Modi will address a Joint Session of Parliament, sharing his thoughts on India’s journey as the “Mother of Democracy” and highlighting the value of the India-Ethiopia partnership for the Global South, PTI reported. He will also meet the Indian diaspora during the two-day visit. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union, which in 2023 was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s G20 Presidency. PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday, followed by delegation-level talks. India and Jordan also signed MoUs in culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure, and a twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at boosting bilateral ties, PTI reported. From Ethiopia, PM Modi will visit Oman, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour. (With PTI inputs)
16 December,2025 08:39 PM IST | Addis Ababa | mid-day online correspondentIn a special gesture, Crown Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II drove Prime Minister Narendra Modi to The Jordan Museum on Tuesday. The Crown Prince is the 42nd generation direct descendant of Prophet Mohammad. Sharing the photos in a post on X, PM Modi said, "On the way to The Jordan Museum with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II." The Jordan Museum aims to preserve and present the country’s rich cultural heritage. The museum is a learning centre that shares knowledge in many engaging ways. This knowledge is kept up-to-date through ongoing research for every section the museum offers, from gallery exhibitions to conservational and educational programs, according to the museum's official website. The museum tells the story of innovation that spans 1.5 million years of Jordanian history and archaeology. Earlier in the day, PM Modi shared the outcomes of his Jordan visit and said that these mark a "meaningful expansion" of the partnership between the two nations. The Prime Minister on Monday met with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Al Husseiniya Palace, and proposed that both countries should aim to enhance bilateral trade to USD 5 billion. PM Modi also called for collaboration between Jordan's digital payment system and India's United Payments Interface(UPI). On the occasion of the visit, the two sides finalised Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "These outcomes mark a meaningful expansion of the India-Jordan partnership. Our cooperation in new and renewable energy reflects a shared commitment to clean growth, energy security and climate responsibility." He further said that the collaboration in water resources management and development will help both nations to share best practices in conservation, efficiency and technology, ensuring long-term water security. The Prime Minister also mentioned that the Twinning Agreement between Petra and Ellora will open new avenues for heritage conservation, tourism and academic exchanges. "The renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (2025-2029) will deepen people-to-people ties. Sharing our digital innovations will support Jordan's digital transformation and promote inclusive governance," PM Modi added. These agreements would give a major boost to India-Jordan bilateral ties and friendship. Additionally, during their meeting, both leaders shared perspectives on the developments in the region and on other global issues. They reiterated the importance of restoring peace and stability in the region. PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for efforts being made to achieve a durable peace in the region. PM Modi arrived in Amman Monday afternoon as he kicked off his three-nation tour, which will also include visits to Ethiopia and Oman - all countries with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations. In a special gesture, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the airport as he arrived in the country on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This is PM Modi's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan - he had earlier transited through Jordan in February 2018 while on his way to the State of Palestine. 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
16 December,2025 04:58 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and some 30 other countries are expected to formally approve plans on Tuesday to create a compensation body to pay for damages to Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion, but questions remain about where the money will come from. The expected approval at a ceremony in the Dutch city of The Hague follows peace talks in Berlin with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelenskyy voiced readiness to drop his country's bid to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees, but rejected the US push for ceding territory to Russia. "These security guarantees are an opportunity to prevent another wave of Russian aggression", he said, in response to journalists' questions, "And this is already a compromise on our part". The Council of Europe, the continent's preeminent human rights organisation, has facilitated the International Claims Commission, which will allow Ukrainians to seek compensation for "damage, loss or injury" caused by the Russian Federation since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The commission will assess claims made to the already up-and-running register of damages, which was launched during a Council of Europe summit in Iceland in 2023. "There will be no reliable peace without justice", Zelenskyy told leaders at the summit by video address from Kyiv. Some 80,000 claims have already been filed with the register, which is based in The Hague. Questions remain about where the claims commission will get its funding. The Council of Europe is adamant that Russia must foot the bill, but there is no clear pathway for forcing Moscow to pay up. One proposal is to use some of the tens of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets held in Europe. Twenty-five countries must sign on for the commission to launch, but more than 30 are expected to join, an unprecedented number for the start of a Council of Europe treaty. The majority will come from Europe, and the European Union has indicated it will join as well, but Mexico, Japan and Canada have also sent delegations to the signing. Many of the same countries have also backed a new international court, also under the umbrella of the Council of Europe, to prosecute senior Russian officials for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy is also scheduled to address the Dutch parliament and to meet with the country's king, Willem-Alexander. 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.
16 December,2025 04:55 PM IST | The Hague | APThree Indian students were among 40 people injured in the terrorist attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia, according to a media report on Tuesday. Two out of these three students are believed to be receiving treatment in the hospital, The Australia Today news portal reported. The names of the Indian students injured during Sunday's attack have not been disclosed yet. The Indian students sustained injuries during the shooting, and their exact condition has not been formally confirmed yet, it said. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50, opened fire on a gathering during the Jewish festival Hanukkah by the Sea celebration. At least 15 people were killed in the attack, including a 10-year-old child. Five of the injured remain in critical condition, while two injured police officers are in serious but stable condition, it added. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the investigation is expanding as new information emerges, including international travel by the alleged attackers and the discovery of extremist material, the report 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.
16 December,2025 04:48 PM IST | Melbourne | PTIADVERTISEMENT
