Rubio denies receiving Pakistan's 'warning' on Iran

IANS | June 4, 2026 6:56 AM

Washington, June 4 (IANS) Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied reports that Pakistan had conveyed a message "warning" that Iran was prepared to demonstrate a nuclear weapon if the current conflict escalated further, dismissing suggestions that such a communication had reached the Trump administration.

Trump customs order tightens scrutiny of imports, crack down on tariff cheats

IANS | June 4, 2026 6:26 AM

Washington, June 4 (IANS) President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order to strengthen customs enforcement, impose stricter requirements on foreign importers and crack down on tariff evasion, forced labour imports and supply-chain fraud, signalling tougher oversight for companies exporting goods to the United States.

India emerges central to Rubio's foreign policy vision

IANS | June 4, 2026 12:07 AM

Washington, June 4 (IANS) From trade negotiations and Quad cooperation to maritime security, critical minerals, and regional diplomacy, India emerged as one of the most frequently discussed countries during Secretary of State Marco Rubio's testimony before Congress on Wednesday, underscoring New Delhi's growing importance in the Trump administration's Indo-Pacific strategy.

US, India close to trade deal: Rubio

IANS | June 3, 2026 11:58 PM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) The United States and India are only weeks away from concluding a long-awaited trade agreement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Wednesday, signalling growing momentum in economic ties between the world's largest and oldest democracies.

US builds rare-earth bloc to cut China reliance

IANS | June 3, 2026 11:44 PM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said the United States has brought together more than 30 countries in a new effort to secure global supplies of rare earth minerals, as Washington seeks to reduce dependence on China for critical resources essential to advanced industries and emerging technologies.

Pakistan-TTP clash in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reflects shifting security order: Report

IANS | June 3, 2026 8:45 PM

Islamabad, June 3 (IANS) The recent clash between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Pakistani security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa might seem like another development in a persistent insurgency. However, the clash is an early sign of a shifting security order, one that neither Afghanistan nor Pakistan is yet ready to fully confront, a report has stated.