Rubio defends aid cuts, says US aid now ‘faster’

IANS | June 3, 2026 7:23 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vigorously defended the Trump administration's restructuring of US foreign assistance programmes, rejecting Democratic criticism that cuts to aid and the dismantling of parts of the foreign aid bureaucracy have weakened America's global influence and contributed to humanitarian suffering.

US DHS chief clashes with Democrats on court rulings

IANS | June 3, 2026 7:20 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin repeatedly clashed with Democratic senators over immigration enforcement, court orders and the rule of law, exposing deep divisions over the Trump administration's handling of border security and deportation policies.

US visa delay threatens 2,000 foreign students

IANS | June 3, 2026 7:17 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) A New Hampshire university could lose as many as 2,000 international graduate students unless the Department of Homeland Security quickly approves a pending application tied to a new doctoral programme, prompting lawmakers to press the Trump administration for urgent action.

Blue economy seen as key to US security

IANS | June 3, 2026 7:06 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) The United States must strengthen its fisheries, maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding capacity and workforce development to remain competitive in the rapidly expanding global blue economy, lawmakers and industry leaders told a Senate hearing.

US lawmakers seek H-1B relief for foreign teachers

IANS | June 3, 2026 6:50 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) Concerns over the impact of a $100,000 H-1B visa fee extended beyond healthcare and into education, as lawmakers urged the Department of Homeland Security to consider relief for foreign teachers recruited to work in remote and underserved communities.

US lawmaker flags China-linked car security risk

IANS | June 3, 2026 6:46 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) A senior US lawmaker has raised concerns over a Commerce Department decision allowing a foreign automaker with significant ties to China to continue selling and producing connected vehicles in the United States.

Visa delays threaten US doctor shortage, senator warns

IANS | June 3, 2026 6:41 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) Hundreds of foreign-trained doctors could be forced to leave the United States because of delays in processing J-1 visa waivers, worsening physician shortages in rural communities, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has warned.

US Senators press DHS on H-1B fee for rural doctors

IANS | June 3, 2026 6:36 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) US senators from both parties raised concerns about the impact of a $100,000 H-1B visa fee on rural hospitals, pressing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to consider relief for foreign doctors recruited to underserved communities.

US lawmakers seek Tibet genocide determination

IANS | June 3, 2026 6:32 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) Bipartisan lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have introduced legislation requiring the State Department to determine whether China has committed genocide or crimes against humanity against Tibetans, adding fresh congressional pressure on Beijing over its human rights record.

US forest chief warns of severe fire season

IANS | June 3, 2026 6:28 AM

Washington, June 3 (IANS) The head of the US Forest Service warned lawmakers that large parts of the United States face elevated wildfire risks this year, even as the agency says it is entering the fire season with its strongest firefighting preparedness in years.