Nepal’s PM hopeful Balen Shah: An enigma, a rapper over political leader

Jayanta Bhattacharya | March 6, 2026 11:07 AM

Kathmandu, March 6 (IANS) If the trends are an indication, Nepal’s mandate is all set for a Millennial Prime Minister who will assume office riding on a wave of Gen Z popularity. Balendra Shah does not reflect the image of the quintessential politician; he is rather like a musician-social media enthusiast who seems to ride the wave of popularity with elan.

From India to NIST: Raman outlines innovation agenda

IANS | March 6, 2026 8:29 AM

Washington, March 6 (IANS) Arvind Raman, an Indian-born engineering scholar nominated to lead the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), told senators that the agency must focus on accelerating American innovation and setting global technology standards as the United States competes with China in emerging technologies.

AI, deepfakes driving surge in US scams

IANS | March 6, 2026 8:10 AM

Washington, March 6 (IANS) Artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are accelerating financial scams in the United States, lawmakers were told, as banks and credit unions warned that criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tools to impersonate victims, manipulate consumers, and steal billions of dollars.

Modern wars demand drone dominance: Pentagon

IANS | March 6, 2026 7:31 AM

Washington, March 6 (IANS) The Pentagon told US lawmakers that modern warfare is being reshaped by cheap, mass-produced drones, warning that battlefield lessons from Ukraine and recent combat involving Iran make it imperative for the United States to rapidly build a domestic drone industry and arm troops with large numbers of unmanned systems.

US military strategy aims to block China's dominance in Indo-Pacific

IANS | March 6, 2026 7:23 AM

Washington, Mar 6 (IANS) The United States’ new defence strategy aims to prevent China from dominating the Indo-Pacific, a senior Pentagon official told lawmakers, underscoring Washington’s growing focus on the region as the centre of global strategic competition.

Messi, Inter Miami honoured at White House

IANS | March 6, 2026 6:52 AM

Washington, March 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump hosted the 2025 Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami at the White House, praising the team’s historic season and welcoming football legend Lionel Messi in what he called a moment no American president had experienced before.