No boots, no nukes in Iran: Hegseth​

IANS | March 2, 2026 8:05 PM

Washington, March 2 (IANS) U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday said Operation Epic Fury will not be a short campaign, ruled out American ground troops for now, and reiterated that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, outlining what he described as a limited but decisive military objective.​

PM Modi speaks with Bahrain King, condemns attacks on country

IANS | March 2, 2026 7:29 PM

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Bahrain King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa on Monday during which he condemned the recent attacks on Bahrain and expressed solidarity with the people of the country. PM Modi also thanked the Bahrain King for the steadfast support extended to the Indian community in the country.

Top US South Asia diplomat begins India visit

IANS | March 2, 2026 7:13 PM

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S Paul Kapur, currently on an official visit to India, is scheduled to meet top Indian officials and hold discussions on regional security and shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific.

Chinese firms drag feet on paying for workers’ social insurance

IANS | March 2, 2026 5:40 PM

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) While a top Chinese court has made it mandatory for employers and workers to contribute to social insurance schemes for workers, in practice, only around one-third of companies in the country are following the order, according to a media report.