Mumbai-raised Engineer Azad Madni wins John Fritz Medal

IANS | October 18, 2026 11:06 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) Indian-American engineer Azad M. Madni, a University Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), has been awarded the 2026 John Fritz Medal, often called the 'Nobel Prize of Engineering'.

Indian-American lawmakers lead Congress backlash over Trump’s Graham Act waiver

IANS | October 18, 2026 11:01 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) Indian-American lawmakers were among the sharpest voices in a widening backlash in the US Congress against President Donald Trump’s waiver of the tariffs and sanctions in a new law targeting buyers of Russian oil, with a senior Republican senator joining Democrats in condemning the move.

FM Sitharaman meets survivors of 2018 Tham Luang cave incident in Bangkok

IANS | October 18, 2026 10:35 AM

Bangkok, Oct 18 (IANS) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met members and representatives of Thailand’s Wild Boars Football Academy here, including survivors of the 2018 Tham Luang cave incident, in which 13 people, an assistant coach and 12 boys aged between 11 and 16, were trapped in the cave for up to 17 days.

Trump warns Democratic victory in midterm elections could undo his gains

IANS | October 18, 2026 8:41 AM

Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has warned that a Democratic victory in the November 3 midterm elections could reverse his administration's economic, immigration and national security policies, as he mounted a sweeping defence of his presidency and promised fresh investments, tax relief and tougher border controls.

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.