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18/10/2026

News Alert - 18.10.2026

At least 19 people have been killed and 25 others injured in a stampede during the Durga Puja Hindu religious festival i...
18/10/2026

At least 19 people have been killed and 25 others injured in a stampede during the Durga Puja Hindu religious festival in Kolkata, the capital of India's West Bengal state.

The incident occurred on Saturday night when a crowd near a festival pavilion rushed for cover as rain began. Police said the stampede happened amid heavy crowds of devotees visiting the pavilions.

According to police, some worshippers fell onto the road and were trampled. Among those killed was a seven-year-old girl.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 25 people were receiving treatment at hospital and announced that a special investigation team, headed by a state High Court judge, would investigate the incident.

Police have detained pavilion organisers, private security personnel and on-duty staff as investigations continue into possible crowd-control and safety lapses.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

His office announced compensation of INR 200,000 for the next of kin of each deceased victim and INR 50,000 for each injured person.

Following the stampede, authorities advised several of Kolkata's most heavily attended festival venues to temporarily close to visitors.

Source: Al Jazeera

Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England Tri-Series Begin Today: First Match Between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at 1:30 PM Today (18) ...
18/10/2026

Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England Tri-Series Begin Today: First Match Between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at 1:30 PM Today (18)

18/10/2026

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty has confirmed today that people were killed and injured in a serious incident that ​resulted in a fire on one of Canada's busiest military bases in Alberta.

He said "I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a ​result of an incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright."

He did not say how ⁠many people were killed or injured, or what caused the "tragic" ​situation at the base in the east-central part of the ​province, about 210 km (130 miles) east of Edmonton.

A major fire was still burning last evening.

The Canadian Defence Minister further emphasized that the Canadian military and the Royal Canadian Mounted ​Police are investigating the incident.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social ⁠media that the national government was "working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities."

CFB Wainwright had 1,310 military and civilian personnel stationed there as of 2021, according to census data. The ​town of Wainwright, ​population about ⁠6,600, is just north of the base.

The municipality posted on social media that the fire had ​crossed the base fence into the nearby district ​but ⁠no evacuation orders had been issued.

General Jennie Carignan, the chief of Canada's Defense Staff, said on social media that the Canadian forces ⁠are ​fully engaged with federal, provincial and local ​authorities.

"Our priority remains the welfare of our members, their families and their community," ​she said.

Source: Reuters

COLOMBO ( News 1st) - The Civil Aviation Authority has announced that Sri Lanka’s first passenger transport drone has a...
18/10/2026

COLOMBO ( News 1st) - The Civil Aviation Authority has announced that Sri Lanka’s first passenger transport drone has arrived in the country.

The authority stated that arrangements are in place to conduct the drone’s maiden flight at Colombo Port City by the end of this month.

The drone can carry two passengers at a time and has a flight duration of 30 minutes.

Sri Lanka secured this opportunity through the “Global Fast Track Program,” launched by EHang to accelerate the introduction of drone-based aircraft to international markets.

Colombo Port City has been designated as the primary operational hub for these drones.

Plans are also underway to launch tourist flights in Sigiriya, Pidurangala and surrounding areas.

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty has confirmed today that people were killed and injured in a serious incident t...
18/10/2026

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty has confirmed today that people were killed and injured in a serious incident that ​resulted in a fire on one of Canada's busiest military bases in Alberta.

He said, "I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a ​result of an incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright."

He did not say how ⁠many people were killed or injured, or what caused the "tragic" ​situation at the base in the east-central part of the ​province, about 210 km (130 miles) east of Edmonton.

A major fire was still burning last evening.

The Canadian Defence Minister further emphasised that the Canadian military and the Royal Canadian Mounted ​Police are investigating the incident.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social ⁠media that the national government was "working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities."

CFB Wainwright had 1,310 military and civilian personnel stationed there as of 2021, according to census data. The ​town of Wainwright, ​population about ⁠6,600, is just north of the base.

The municipality posted on social media that the fire had ​crossed the base fence into the nearby district ​, but ⁠no evacuation orders had been issued.

General Jennie Carignan, the chief of Canada's Defense Staff, said on social media that the Canadian forces ⁠are ​fully engaged with federal, provincial and local ​authorities.

"Our priority remains the welfare of our members, their families and their community," ​she said.

Source: Reuters

18/10/2026

Rioters loot stores, set fires in central Milan during cost-of-living protest

18/10/2026

France Erupts in Violent Protests: Limoges Town Hall 'largely lost' after far-left rioters set historic building on fire amid French unrest

COLOMBO (News 1st): Charith Kanishka Rajakaruna, a 37 year old suspect, has been arrested in the Kirindiwela - Hanwella ...
18/10/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st): Charith Kanishka Rajakaruna, a 37 year old suspect, has been arrested in the Kirindiwela - Hanwella Road area, along with five fi****ms, a stock of live am******on, and hand grenades that were hidden inside a cinema hall.

The police stated that the recovered items include:

Two foreign-manufactured pistols
One revolver
One foreign-manufactured repeater fi***rm
One foreign-manufactured 12-bore fi***rm
398 live 12-bore rounds
35 live 16-bore rounds
278 live 9mm rounds
49 live .32 caliber rounds
3,083 live .22 caliber rounds
Two live hand grenades

The 37-year-old suspect is a resident of Millathe.

******on

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Meteorology forecasts showers or thundershowers at several places in most parts of...
18/10/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Meteorology forecasts showers or thundershowers at several places in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today.

According to the Met Department, fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Mullaitivu districts.

Shower may occur in the coastal areas of the Puttalam, Mannar and Jaffna districts during the morning.

Misty conditions can also be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early hours of the morning.

Meanwhile, the spill gates of 22 reservoirs have been opened due to the prevailing heavy showers.

The Department of Irrigation stated that 13 large-scale reservoirs are included among them.

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