Vance, Kash Patel silent on Aurora temple plot as calls grow

IANS | October 18, 2026 8:23 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) Nearly a week after police foiled an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, FBI Director Kash Patel, Second Lady Usha Vance and Vice President JD Vance had not made a public statement on the plot on their official accounts, even as lawmakers urged Patel to act and a Hindu advocacy group asked the Vice President why he had remained silent.

'Important ally of US': Rubio cites India in defence of Russia waiver

IANS | October 18, 2026 8:16 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended President Donald Trump's decision to grant a 60-day waiver from sanctions linked to Russia, citing India as important partner to US, and its dependence on Russian energy, warning that imposing tariffs and sanctions simultaneously could have serious consequences for the global economy.

IMF warns global economic risks persist

IANS | October 18, 2026 7:53 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) The International Monetary Fund's policy-setting committee has warned that the global economy faces mounting risks from wars, trade tensions, energy disruptions and rising debt, even as growth has proved more resilient than expected.

Rubio denies US role in Ukraine drone disruption

IANS | October 18, 2026 7:28 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the Trump administration had deliberately restricted satellite internet services used by Ukrainian drones, rejecting allegations of American interference while acknowledging that Kyiv was seeking access to a separate US military communications system for strikes deep inside Russia.

FBI Director Kash Patel demands three apologies from US network over retracted Russia report

IANS | October 18, 2026 7:16 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) FBI Director Kash Patel has demanded “three apologies” from US network MS NOW over its retracted report that he had landed in Russia, as an FBI official said the bureau was “always hunting leakers” and a separate row over his crime statistics simmered.

Nepal balances immigration enforcement with investment protection in Chinese-funded project

IANS | October 17, 2026 11:59 PM

Kathmandu, Oct 17 (IANS) Chinese nationals on tourist visas found working at a Chinese-funded meat processing plant in Nepal have been told to obtain work permits or leave the country within a set deadline.

Private security, puja organiser detained: Bengal CM on Kolkata tragedy

IANS | October 17, 2026 11:53 PM

Bengal, Oct 17 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday informed that Kolkata police have detained private security and puja organisers responsible for the tragedy, which saw the deaths of 17 people while 25 were injured.

IOC replaces commissions with working groups under 'Fit for the Future' reforms

IANS | October 17, 2026 11:47 PM

Lausanne, Oct 17 (IANS) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday announced that it will transition its stakeholder engagement model from a commission-based approach to a working group approach.

Romanian F-16s shoot down two drones; calls NATO meeting on Black Sea defence

IANS | October 17, 2026 11:39 PM

Bucharest, Oct 17 (IANS) Romania said on Saturday that two F-16 fighter jets of its Air Force shot down two drones that entered the country’s airspace without authorisation over the Black Sea, and announced that a dedicated meeting of the North Atlantic Council will be held on October 20 at its initiative to discuss Black Sea defence and deterrence.

17 dead, 25 injured in Kolkata Puja pandal stampede; PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia relief

IANS | October 17, 2026 11:32 PM

Kolkata, Oct 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin community Durga Puja pandal on Muktarambabu Street in North Kolkata on Saturday, in which 17 people were killed, and 25 people were seriously injured.