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US lawmakers warn China expanding espionage, cyber operations targeting American states

IANS | July 17, 2026 6:40 AM

Washington, July 17 (IANS) US lawmakers and state security officials warned that China is increasingly using espionage, cyber intrusions, influence operations and economic leverage to target US states and critical infrastructure, telling a House Intelligence Committee hearing that local governments have become central to America's counterintelligence effort.

US intercepts three commercial vessels attempting to breach Iran naval blockade: CENTCOM

IANS | July 17, 2026 6:25 AM

Washington, July 17 (IANS) US forces intercepted three commercial vessels attempting to breach the US naval blockade against Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

US unveils visa curbs on far-left groups

IANS | July 17, 2026 6:12 AM

Washington, July 17 (IANS) The Trump administration announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals linked to far-left terrorist and aligned groups, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened a ministerial with representatives from more than 60 countries to coordinate efforts against what he described as the resurgence of transnational political terrorism.

India highlights commitment to Montreal protocol at OEWG48

IANS | July 16, 2026 11:31 PM

Bangkok, July 16 (IANS) Jagpreet Kaur, First Secretary of the Embassy of India in Bangkok, on Thursday highlighted India’s continued commitment to implementing the Montreal Protocol at the 48th meeting of the Open‑Ended Working Group (OEWG48) of Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

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.

Nepal, India discuss strengthening ties as senior MEA official visits Kathmandu

IANS | July 16, 2026 9:54 PM

Kathmandu, July 16 (IANS) Additional Secretary (North) at India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Munu Mahawar, on Thursday paid courtesy calls on Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai.

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.