US to tighten terror finance crackdown

IANS | July 16, 2026 11:08 PM

Washington, July 16 (IANS) The Trump administration on Wednesday announced an expanded effort to disrupt the financing of organisations it accuses of supporting political terrorism, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying the United States would intensify scrutiny of charities, non-profit organisations and international financial networks used to channel illicit funds.

Rubio seeks global front against left-wing terror

IANS | July 16, 2026 11:08 PM

Washington, July 16 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday called for a coordinated international campaign against what he described as a resurgence of far-left political terrorism, as India joined more than 60 countries at a State Department ministerial focused on the issue, according to a State Department spokesperson.

US restores tougher public charge rule

IANS | July 16, 2026 11:08 PM

Washington, July 16 (IANS) The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalised a rule rescinding the Biden administration's 2022 public charge regulation, restoring broader discretion to immigration officers when deciding whether applicants for visas or permanent residency are likely to become dependent on government assistance.

Foreign student, journalist and research scholars visa rules tightened

IANS | July 16, 2026 11:07 PM

Washington, July 16 (IANS) The Trump administration on Thursday announced a final rule ending a decades-old policy that allowed many foreign students and exchange visitors to remain in the United States without a fixed end date, replacing it with time-limited admissions and mandatory federal reviews for visa extensions.

Calls grow against Bangladesh's continued persecution of journalists

IANS | July 16, 2026 9:43 PM

New York, July 16 (IANS) Several leading press freedom and human rights organisations have called on the Bangladesh government to end the persecution of journalists in the country, while urging the authorities to ensure that media professionals Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu are not criminally prosecuted, particularly on charges of crimes against humanity, for carrying out their journalistic work.

One killed, several injured in Pak gunfire and shelling in Balochistan

IANS | July 16, 2026 9:24 PM

Quetta, July 16 (IANS) At least one civilian was killed and several others injured after Pakistani military forces allegedly carried out indiscriminate gunfire and heavy mortar shelling in the Jhao region of Balochistan’s Awaran district, a leading human rights organisation said on Thursday.