US warns of China AI, robot threat

IANS | March 18, 2026 7:58 AM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) China’s advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems pose a growing national security risk, US lawmakers and industry experts said, with concerns ranging from data access and cyber vulnerabilities to supply-chain dependence and military use.

US hits Iran missile sites near Hormuz

IANS | March 18, 2026 7:35 AM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) US forces have carried out fresh strikes on Iranian missile positions along the Strait of Hormuz, targeting what military officials described as a direct threat to international shipping, as Operation Epic Fury intensifies.

Tulsi Gabbard backs Trump as counter terrorism chief quits over Iran war

IANS | March 18, 2026 7:07 AM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard defended President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran, after National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Joe Kent resigned in protest, marking the first high-level exit from the administration over the war.

Trump celebrates Irish ties at White House

IANS | March 18, 2026 6:54 AM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) President Donald Trump celebrated deep-rooted US-Ireland ties at the White House, hosting Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin for the annual Shamrock ceremony during which the two leaders highlighted shared history, heritage, and partnership.

Trump says US struck Iran over nukes

IANS | March 18, 2026 6:39 AM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) President Donald Trump said the United States carried out military action against Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons, claiming the operation had significantly weakened Tehran’s military capabilities.

Republicans, Democrats clash over US voting bill

IANS | March 18, 2026 6:36 AM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) A fierce political battle opened in the US Senate as Republicans pushed the SAVE Act as a safeguard for elections, while Democrats denounced it as a voter suppression measure that could block millions of eligible Americans from voting.

US backs digital tariff ban as India resists

IANS | March 18, 2026 6:26 AM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) US lawmakers pushed for a permanent ban on tariffs on digital products ahead of the WTO ministerial, with India’s opposition emerging as a key hurdle.

Pakistan’s military deliberately killed civilians: Afghan FM

IANS | March 18, 2026 1:05 AM

Kabul, March 18 (IANS) Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, on Tuesday accused Pakistan’s military of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul that he said resembled “atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli regime against Gaza”, claiming the attack killed more than 408 people undergoing drug‑rehabilitation treatment and injured over 265.​