'India in bad position on AI': Sam Pitroda (IANS exclusive)

Lalit K Jha | August 28, 2026 11:50 AM

New York, Aug 28 (IANS) India has made little progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) despite the prominent role of Indian technologists in shaping the emerging industry, senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda has said, calling for the technology to be used to address the country’s courts, schools, healthcare and agriculture.

Nepal flood death toll reaches 469 as 977 remain out of contact

IANS | August 28, 2026 11:17 AM

Kathmandu, Aug 28 (IANS) The death toll from the devastating floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi region has risen to 469, while 977 people remain out of contact, according to the latest update released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Friday.

Pitroda calls for global constitution (IANS exclusive)

IANS | August 28, 2026 9:44 AM

New York, Aug 28 (IANS) The world needs a new global constitution and international institutions governing Artificial Intelligence, equality and climate action, senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda has said, warning that the international order created after the Second World War is now obsolete.

US lawmakers seek release of $7.5 billion in international-affairs funding

IANS | August 28, 2026 9:37 AM

Washington, Aug 28 (IANS) A bipartisan group of 138 US lawmakers has demanded that the Trump administration release about $7.5 billion in international-affairs funding, warning that delays could contribute to nearly 170,000 preventable deaths and deprive 22.9 million children of nutrition products.

Mamdani’s RSS criticism has truth: Pitroda (IANS exclusive)

IANS | August 28, 2026 9:31 AM

New York, Aug 28 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda has backed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying his remarks contain “some truth” and reflect concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in India.

US senators seek West Bank killings report

IANS | August 28, 2026 8:12 AM

Washington, Aug 28 (IANS) A group of US senators plans to introduce a privileged resolution requiring the State Department to report to Congress on escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including the killings of nine American citizens in recent years.

US Army bets $2.2 billion on microreactors

IANS | August 28, 2026 8:02 AM

Washington, Aug 28 (IANS) The US Army has selected five military installations and five private companies for a programme worth up to $2.2 billion to build and operate nuclear microreactors, aiming to provide reliable power independent of potentially vulnerable civilian grids.