US mulls use of MOAB against Iran: Report
Washington, Oct 16: The US military is mulling the use of the largest non-nuclear bomb in its arsenal, called the ‘mother of all bombs,’ to target Iran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, if approved by President Donald Trump, a report said. The use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB) will mark significant escalation in the war on Iran, which has now stretched into its eighth month, CNN reported. Trump told Newsmax on Thursday the US might launch another strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, including a heavily fortified site known as Pickaxe Mountain. (AP)
India issues fresh advisory for its nationals in Saudi
Dubai, Oct 16: India on Friday issued a fresh advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia, asking them to follow local authorities’ instructions and stay indoors in case of an aerial attack, while warning travellers, including Umrah pilgrims, of continuing flight disruptions and possible extended stays. In an updated advisory, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said two Indian nationals injured in the October 10 attack on the airport remain in the intensive care unit, while one is in the High Dependency Unit and three are in a normal ward. (PTI)
FBI extradites fraudster from India
Washington, Oct 16: A most-wanted fraudster accused of irregularities in US government schemes has been extradited from India, the Department of Justice has said. Manjeet Singh Bedi, who was arrested in India last month, was brought back to the US on Wednesday night, Acting US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said. Bedi will appear before the Western District Court of Washington state on Friday. Bedi operated a small grocery store in Tacoma city in Washington state called Asian Grocery Store. He purportedly sold food to SNAP participants using their EBT cards. After being indicted for wire fraud and SNAP benefits fraud, Bedi was allowed to appear in court without being arrested. He was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Washington state. However, Bedi soon drove across the border to Canada and then fled to India, the FBI said. (AP)
Pakistan to chair IMF, World Bank boards next year
Islamabad, Oct 16: Pakistan was named the incoming chair of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) for 2027, returning to the position for the first time since 1953, the country’s ministry of economic affairs said on Friday. Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, who is also Pakistan’s governor to the World Bank, was formally announced as the incoming chair during the plenary session of the 2026 WBG-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The ministry termed the development a “historic milestone” and said the chairmanship would provide Islamabad an opportunity to contribute to global economic and development discussions and facilitate constructive dialogue among member countries. The IMF-WBG annual meetings, being held from October 12 to 18, have brought together more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries. (PTI)