Indian-American academic Vikas Khanna has taken on a new leadership role at the University of Pittsburgh, becoming chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at the Swanson School of Engineering. He officially assumed the position on September 1, 2026, following more than a year as interim chair.

Khanna plans to build on the department’s interdisciplinary approach by connecting engineering education and research with fields such as artificial intelligence, public health and computing. One of his priorities will be expanding AI-related learning opportunities while developing new graduate programs that bring together civil and environmental engineering with other disciplines.

“Civil and environmental engineering shapes the systems people rely on every day,” Khanna said, highlighting his focus on strengthening those systems through collaborative education and research.

Khanna joined the University of Pittsburgh faculty in 2010 and was promoted to professor in 2023. He previously served as associate chair for graduate studies from 2017 to 2022, overseeing graduate recruitment, admissions, orientation, academic policies and program development. He has also participated in faculty recruitment and served on committees across the university and engineering school.

His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Punjab University in India. He later attended The Ohio State University, earning three graduate degrees, including a master’s in applied statistics, a master’s in chemical engineering and a doctorate in chemical engineering.

Khanna’s research focuses on sustainability science and engineering, particularly the environmental effects of emerging technologies and complex systems. His work incorporates systems analysis, life-cycle assessment, optimization and data-driven modeling. His research areas include resource and water recovery, circular economy approaches, resilient infrastructure, and energy and water technologies.

His academic record includes more than 75 peer-reviewed research publications and leadership on collaborative projects that have secured nearly $10 million in external research funding. He has also served as an editor for Resources, Conservation and Recycling since 2017 and held leadership responsibilities with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Sustainable Engineering Forum.

Khanna’s appointment highlights the growing contributions of Indian-origin professionals to research, engineering education and academic leadership in the United States. His new role is expected to further strengthen the University of Pittsburgh’s work at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and emerging technologies.

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World Bank Group President Ajay Banga is set to join an influential gathering of international leaders, business executives, philanthropists and social advocates at the Clinton Global Initiative’s 2026 Annual Meeting in New York. The two-day event is scheduled for September 22 and 23 and will bring together prominent voices to explore practical approaches to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The 2026 meeting will be centered on the theme “How Do We Get It Right?” and is expected to examine issues spanning technology, economic opportunity, public health, humanitarian action, climate resilience and democratic institutions. The event aims to encourage collaboration among people and organizations working to turn ideas into measurable action.

Banga is part of the latest group of participants announced by former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton on September 10. Other newly announced attendees include Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Pan American Health Organization Director Jarbas Barbosa, Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

The gathering will also feature Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Octopus Energy Group founder and CEO Greg Jackson; Omidyar Network CEO Michele Jawando; Ingka Group CEO and President Juvencio Maeztu; science educator Bill Nye; and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, among others.

Discussions are expected to focus on making artificial intelligence more responsible and inclusive while expanding access to economic opportunities. Participants will also examine ways to strengthen climate and energy resilience, support scientific and health innovation, protect democratic systems and trusted information, and improve humanitarian responses.

A major feature of the Clinton Global Initiative is its “Commitments to Action,” which encourage organizations to launch concrete projects with measurable goals. Since its establishment in 2005, CGI says members of its community have helped develop more than 4,300 such commitments, with projects benefiting about 500 million people across 180 countries.

The 2026 gathering will include leaders from foundations, multilateral institutions, businesses and organizations that collectively represent about $13.1 billion in annual grantmaking and investment, according to CGI.

Other participants already announced include Ford Foundation President Heather Gerken, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya.

Founded by Bill Clinton in 2005, the Clinton Global Initiative brings together leaders from government, business, philanthropy and civil society to build partnerships around major social and economic issues. Banga’s participation adds another prominent global development voice to the 2026 agenda, reinforcing the meeting’s emphasis on cooperation and practical solutions.

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Vice President J.D. Vance brought a personal touch to his political message in Dallas, speaking about his wife, Usha Vance, and their six-week-old son as he rallied Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.

Addressing a Republican gathering, Vance explained why Usha was not present to introduce him. The couple welcomed their fourth child, a son named Alec, in July. According to Vance, event organizers had invited Usha when their baby was just two weeks old, but she chose to remain home to care for their newborn and their three other children.

Vance used the family anecdote to frame a wider discussion about children, citizenship and what he described as the fundamental place of family life in America. He reflected on his infant son’s status as a new American citizen and shared a glimpse of life at home, describing how his four-year-old daughter, Mira, wanted to help feed her baby brother.

The vice president also praised Usha for the patience she displays while raising their four children. He presented his family experiences as part of a larger argument about the importance of strengthening and protecting American families.

The speech then shifted toward a political confrontation involving Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan. Vance criticized comments he said questioned whether his late grandfather, whom he affectionately called “Papaw,” would have welcomed Usha into the family.

Vance interpreted the remarks as suggesting that his grandfather’s racial background would have prevented him from loving Usha. He rejected that characterization and argued that his wife’s heritage and name should never be viewed as barriers to belonging within an American family.

Usha, the daughter of Indian immigrants, has a notable place in US political history. When Vance became vice president, she became the first Indian American and first Hindu second lady of the United States.

The couple met at Yale Law School, where they both studied law. Usha, herself a lawyer, has frequently accompanied Vance at prominent political appearances while generally maintaining a more private public profile. Their four children and family life have increasingly become part of Vance’s public political narrative.

The post Vance Highlights Family as GOP Courts Midterm Wins first appeared on Global Indian News Network.

Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller is helping lead a new statewide effort aimed at making roads safer and eliminating roadway fatalities by 2030. Miller and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson recently brought together government leaders for the first meeting of the Safer Maryland Coalition.

The new coalition includes 15 state and local government officials who will work together to coordinate transportation safety efforts across Maryland. Rather than relying on a single statewide approach, members are expected to identify specific actions they can take within their own communities and areas of responsibility.

The initiative comes as Maryland continues its push toward an ambitious goal: reaching zero deaths on the state’s roads by 2030. Coalition members will share successful strategies, coordinate projects and policies, and encourage additional local action to address roadway risks.

During the inaugural meeting, Tim Kearns, director of Maryland’s Highway Safety Office, presented an overview of the state’s current transportation safety conditions. Participants also examined existing safety commitments and a Rapid Action Toolbox designed to help government organizations identify practical measures they can implement in their communities.

The coalition builds on transportation safety work undertaken by the administration of Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. Previous efforts included the Maryland Work Zone Safety Work Group, established following the 2023 I-695 work zone crash.

That work contributed to several changes intended to strengthen protections for road workers and motorists. Among them were the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024, expanded Basic Work Zone Training programs and revised traffic control standards. Maryland officials have also worked with state police on enforcement efforts related to the “Move Over” requirement, which calls on drivers to take precautions around certain stopped emergency and service vehicles.

The newly formed coalition will focus on bringing those types of efforts together while giving transportation safety leaders greater support. Its potential work could include encouraging local governments to adopt stronger safety policies, advancing roadway improvement projects, creating community safety plans and collaborating with stakeholders on enforcement.

For Miller, who is Maryland’s first Indian American lieutenant governor, the initiative adds to her public leadership role on an issue that affects communities across the state. By bringing state and local officials into a coordinated effort, Maryland hopes to turn individual safety commitments into broader action toward its zero-death target.

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Pooja Sethi, a Democrat and former immigration attorney and state legislator, is seeking to represent Texas House District 47 in the November 3 general election. Her campaign has drawn attention within the Indian American community because a victory would make her the first Indian American and Hindu to serve in the Texas Legislature.

Sethi secured the Democratic nomination in March with 76% of the vote. She will compete against Republican Jennifer Mushtaler, who did not face an opponent in her party’s primary. Current Democratic Representative Vikki Goodwin is stepping away from the race and has endorsed Sethi.

Public education is one of the central issues driving Sethi’s campaign. She has argued that Texas schools need stronger financial support and that teachers and students are not receiving the resources they deserve. She has also raised concerns about special education funding and the movement of public resources toward private education. As a mother, Sethi has connected these concerns to her desire to provide stronger opportunities for her children and other families.

Immigration policy is another major part of her platform. With professional experience as an immigration attorney, Sethi says she wants to stand up for immigrants who encounter discrimination or face what she considers an inequitable legal system.

Her agenda also covers several issues affecting families across the district, including healthcare, housing, affordability, water conservation and electricity infrastructure. She has highlighted the need for a dependable power grid and better water management, particularly as Texas continues to deal with rapid growth and wildfire risks. She argues that population increases have placed additional pressure on public institutions without matching investments.

Sethi’s Indian heritage has also become part of the political conversation surrounding her campaign. After conservative commentator Savannah Hernandez shared an image of a Sethi campaign sign on X, Sethi responded by defending her background and emphasizing her family’s immigrant roots, faith, hard work and commitment to community service.

If elected, Sethi would enter a Texas House controlled by Republicans, who currently hold an 88-62 majority. As a member of the Democratic minority, her ability to directly determine policy would be limited, but she could influence legislation through her vote and efforts to advance her priorities.

Sethi has also proposed using property tax revenue to address disparities between neighborhoods, improving the state power grid and expanding affordable healthcare access. Beyond these policy goals, her candidacy represents a broader push for greater Indian American representation in Texas politics.

The election on November 3 could therefore have significance well beyond District 47. A Sethi victory would establish a historic first for Indian Americans in the Texas Legislature while giving the state’s growing Indian American community a new voice in government.

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Works & Process is bringing Minnesota Opera’s The Many Deaths of Laila Starr to New York as part of a special presentation highlighting the creative journey behind the new opera. The event is scheduled for October 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Peter B. Lewis Theater on Fifth Avenue, with tickets starting at $15.

The production transforms the acclaimed BOOM! Studios graphic novel by Ram V. and Filipe Andrade into an operatic work created by composer Kamala Sankaram and librettist Minita Gandhi. Developed through Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative, the production blends mythology, fantasy and contemporary music to explore questions surrounding mortality, purpose and what it means to be human.

The story follows the goddess of Death after she is banished to Earth and forced to experience life as a mortal named Laila Starr. Through this unusual transformation, the work examines the relationship between the divine and human worlds while using magical realism to explore the impermanence of life.

The New York presentation will take audiences behind the scenes of the production ahead of its world premiere in Saint Paul. Sankaram, Gandhi and Ram V. will join members of the creative team for a conversation about how the opera developed from the original graphic novel. Director Mary Birnbaum, scenic designer Mimi Lien, costume designer Oana Botez and choreographer Rohit Gijare are also scheduled to participate.

Cast members will perform excerpts during the discussion, giving audiences an early look at the work. The production incorporates musical traditions and contemporary sounds, including Konnakol, Raga and electronic dance music, creating a distinctive soundscape for the story.

The opera is the second full-scale work to emerge from the current cohort of Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative. The program, launched in 2008, was created to bring new voices and contemporary stories into opera. It has supported nine premieres, including Silent Night, The Shining, Doubt, Edward Tulane and The Song Poet.

The current six-member creative group includes composers Kamala Sankaram, David Hanlon and B.E. Boykin, along with librettists Minita Gandhi, John de los Santos and Harrison David Rivers. Boykin and Rivers’ My Name Is Florence premiered in January 2026.

Works & Process supports performing artists through funded residencies and public programs that combine conversations, performances and audience engagement. The organization produces more than 25 creative residencies annually with partners across seven states, providing artists with resources to develop new work from the studio to the stage.

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A major philanthropic contribution from an Indian-origin couple is set to reshape artificial intelligence education at the University of North Texas (UNT). Vikas and Anuradha Sinha have committed $20 million to the university, with the institution planning to name its new College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics in their honor.

The Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics is being designed as a multidisciplinary center where students and researchers can explore artificial intelligence, intelligent technologies, and data-driven decision-making. The initiative will also emphasize the responsible development and application of emerging technologies.

The donation will establish six permanent endowments dedicated to areas including academic leadership, student scholarships, faculty professorships, entrepreneurship and incubation, advanced research, and emerging technologies. The college will bring together programs covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, health informatics, information science, library science, advanced analytics, and learning technologies.

Rather than keeping these fields separate, UNT plans to encourage collaboration between departments through shared facilities, research initiatives, and partnerships with businesses and technology organizations. The college will feature two academic divisions. One will concentrate on developing and implementing intelligent systems, while the other will examine how information and AI technologies influence people, organizations, and institutions.

UNT will also launch the Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Institute to coordinate research and educational efforts across the university. The institute is expected to support interdisciplinary projects, attract outside funding, expand shared research resources, and strengthen connections with industry.

For the Sinhas, the contribution has a deeply personal dimension. Both moved to the United States from India after earning civil engineering degrees from Sri Venkateswara University. They later pursued graduate education at Florida Atlantic University. Vikas Sinha continued his studies at Northwestern University before earning a PhD in information science from UNT in 2023.

Sinha currently serves as vice president of the Mainframe Software Division at Broadcom and has been part of UNT’s College of Information Leadership Board since 2023. The couple has previously supported the university, including establishing a data science department in 2024 and funding the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science in 2025.

The latest gift reflects their belief in expanding educational opportunities for future generations, particularly for students who want to shape the future of AI.

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Indian-American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam is pushing for a nationwide framework to manage the rapid growth of data centers across the United States. The Virginia Democrat has introduced a package of four bills designed to ensure that the companies operating large data facilities bear the infrastructure costs associated with their growing energy demands instead of shifting those expenses to residential customers.

The proposed legislation would establish broader standards for where data centers are built and how their impact is measured. It would address electricity and water consumption while also examining effects on nearby communities, the environment, workforce needs, tax revenues, and national security.

Subramanyam represents Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, an area that includes parts of Northern Virginia, one of the largest data center markets in the world. He has argued that the region’s rapid development has brought economic opportunities but has also created concerns over utility bills, transmission infrastructure, noise, water use, and the effect on neighborhoods.

His legislative package includes the Responsible Data Center Siting Act, which would task the US Department of Energy with developing national recommendations for data center locations. The proposed standards would take factors such as available power, environmental effects, water usage, community impact, and security risks into account.

Another proposal, the Data Center Fair Share Act, would require large electricity users to cover the costs of power generation and grid improvements needed to support their facilities. Under the plan, states would establish specific electricity rates for major users. States that fail to adopt the required tariffs could face reductions in access to federal highway funding.

The Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act would have the National Institute of Standards and Technology create methods for consistently tracking data centers’ electricity and water consumption.

The fourth measure, the Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act, would focus on safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure surrounding data centers against potential threats from both domestic and foreign adversaries.

The legislation has received support from several Democratic lawmakers, including Mike Quigley, Andre Carson, Hillary Scholten, Veronica Escobar, Greg Stanton, and Mike Levin.

Northern Virginia’s data center boom has been fueled by its proximity to the federal government, extensive fiber-optic networks, and major power infrastructure. These facilities underpin cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other digital services, making their expansion increasingly important—and controversial.

Subramanyam’s proposals seek to establish a more coordinated national approach as the United States navigates the growing demands of the AI-driven digital economy.

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The United States has stepped up its humanitarian response in Nepal after catastrophic flash floods devastated several areas, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving thousands unaccounted for. The disaster also affected dozens of American citizens, prompting Washington to expand its support for emergency relief and search-and-rescue operations.

US military personnel are assisting with the delivery of critical supplies and equipment to communities affected by the floods. The disaster struck multiple districts near Nepal’s border with China on August 26, affecting at least 65,000 people and severely damaging roads, bridges, homes and other essential infrastructure.

The US response comes as 30 members of Congress called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to provide additional American resources for the ongoing rescue operation. In a September 4 letter, the lawmakers urged the State Department to make full use of available capabilities to help locate survivors and protect Americans and other people caught in the disaster.

Among those who signed the letter were Indian-American lawmakers Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar. They pressed the administration to maintain regular communication with families and Congress, strengthen consular hotline staffing and help with repatriation arrangements where necessary.

The lawmakers also recommended sending a Disaster Assistance Response Team to Nepal. Such a deployment could provide additional support for search and rescue, logistics, medical assistance and coordination on the ground.

Given the difficult Himalayan terrain, the congressional group also urged the use of specialized technology and equipment. Their recommendations included high-altitude rescue gear, thermal and infrared drones, phone-location information and satellite imagery. They further encouraged cooperation between the State Department, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, other Defense Department agencies and commercial satellite providers.

The floods were linked to a glacial collapse and landslide in the Himalayas, which sent enormous amounts of water, mud and debris through the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi river corridors. The resulting destruction left many communities cut off and complicated rescue efforts.

Alongside operational assistance, the US has announced $500,000 through a global award involving Catholic Relief Services, as well as an additional $3.6 million in humanitarian assistance for Nepal.

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The United States India Relationship Council (USIRC), a bipartisan advocacy organization focused on closer ties between Washington and New Delhi, held a two-day series of meetings with nine members of Congress in Washington, DC, from August 30 through September 1.

The organization, which operates as a non-connected political committee under federal law, used the meetings to discuss a broad range of issues shaping the US-India partnership. Topics included trade, defense, Indo-Pacific security, the Quad, concerns related to the Chinese Communist Party and matters affecting Indian-American and Hindu-American communities.

USIRC said the outreach was aimed at developing stronger relationships with lawmakers who currently serve, or may eventually serve, on congressional committees dealing with foreign policy. The group is seeking greater congressional and executive branch support for policies it considers favorable to stronger US-India cooperation.

The organization also said it wants to address narratives it believes inaccurately portray the bilateral relationship by providing members of Congress and the wider public with information reflecting its perspective on US-India ties.

The congressional meetings included several lawmakers with significant involvement in US foreign policy and Indian-American issues. On August 31, USIRC representatives Dr. Jashvant Patel and Dr. Amit Desai met with Rep. Jonathan Jackson of Illinois. The group also spoke with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who USIRC said reaffirmed his support for strengthening relations between the two countries.

Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia discussed the potential for deeper cooperation, pointing to similarities between the two nations’ constitutional systems and the importance of developing a lasting strategic partnership.

The following day, USIRC met with Rep. Young Kim of California, a longtime supporter of stronger US-India relations. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia emphasized the importance of continued political engagement, while discussions also touched on concerns affecting Hindu Americans.

Other meetings included Reps. Derek Tran, Scott Peters, Jimmy Panetta and Sydney Kamlager-Dove. According to USIRC, the lawmakers discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation, including South and Central Asian affairs and engagement with diaspora communities.

The discussions also covered maritime security, terrorism, supply-chain resilience, space cooperation, technology, the Quad, the Artemis Accords and the NISAR mission. USIRC additionally raised the participation of Indian and Hindu Americans in US politics and concerns over anti-Indian and anti-Hindu hate.

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