US, Japan underscore alliance in security, economic talks

IANS | January 17, 2026 9:05 AM

Washington, Jan 17 (IANS) The United States and Japan reaffirmed the central role of their alliance in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific this week, as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

US Senators warn Afghan evacuee vetting gaps risk attacks

IANS | January 17, 2026 8:50 AM

Washington, Jan 17 (IANS) Senior US lawmakers have warned that lapses in the security screening of Afghan evacuees following the 2021 withdrawal from Kabul could leave the United States vulnerable to further attacks.

Machado recounts perilous escape from Venezuela

IANS | January 17, 2026 8:43 AM

Washington, Jan 17 (IANS) Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado described a harrowing escape by sea from her country, saying she feared for her life during a dangerous journey that brought her to the United States amid mounting pressure from the Maduro regime.

Delhi man jailed in US for illegal export of aviation parts to Russia

IANS | January 17, 2026 8:22 AM

Washington, Jan 17 (IANS) A Delhi-based businessman has been sentenced to 30 months in US federal prison for conspiring to illegally export controlled aviation components from Oregon to Russia, violating American export control laws, the Justice Department said.

Machado says Venezuela is at ‘threshold of freedom’

IANS | January 17, 2026 7:50 AM

Washington, Jan 17 (IANS) Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said that her country has reached the “threshold of freedom,” declaring that a transition toward democracy has already begun following recent political developments and US action against the Maduro regime.

MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh interacts with Indian diaspora at Bharat Milan in Egypt

IANS | January 17, 2026 7:18 AM

Cairo, Jan 17 (IANS) Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh attended Bharat Milan, a community cultural festival held in Obour City, Egypt, where he interacted with members of the Indian diaspora from across the country and highlighted India’s strong people-to-people ties with the Middle Eastern nation.

Indian financial assistance helps Nepal build new school infrastructure

IANS | January 16, 2026 9:33 PM

Kathmandu, Jan 16 (IANS) School infrastructure will be built in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City of Rupandehi district and Jayaprithivi Municipality of Bajhang district in Nepal with Indian assistance, as the foundation stones for the projects were laid at two locations on Friday.

Pakistan: Families live in fear after severe misuse of blasphemy laws

IANS | January 16, 2026 9:23 PM

Islamabad, Jan 16 (IANS) Syndicates, which have entrapped hundreds of people in blasphemy cases for refusing extortion demands continue to remain active in Pakistan, a recent report has cited. It highlighted that the National Commission for Human Rights in Pakistan has said that more than 450 people, mostly men, have been entrapped over the years, and that 10 of them were Christians with at least five of those arrested dying in custody.