PM Modi departs for Israel, says visit will set new goals for strategic ties

IANS | February 25, 2026 9:12 AM

New Delhi/Tel Aviv, Feb 25 (IANS) As he departed for his two-day visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is looking forward to his engagements with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, aimed at further strengthening cooperation across various domains and exchanging views on regional and global issues.

US security clearances stuck in limbo

IANS | February 25, 2026 8:52 AM

Washington, Feb 25 (IANS) A broken US security-clearance pipeline is keeping America’s most sensitive jobs waiting — and Congress is now warning that the Pentagon’s flagship fix is years late, billions over budget, and still unable to deliver the modern system Washington promised after a massive data breach a decade ago.

US paid leave fight shows split on safety net

IANS | February 25, 2026 8:43 AM

Washington, Feb 25 (IANS) America’s long-running gap in paid family and medical leave — routine in much of the developed world but still patchy in the United States — took centre stage on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers sparred over whether Washington should set a national standard or let states and employers chart their own course.