Melania Trump unveils savings plan for foster youth

IANS | June 12, 2026 6:36 AM

Washington, June 12 (IANS) First Lady Melania Trump launched a new financial initiative aimed at helping children in foster care build savings and assets before they reach adulthood, describing it as a step towards expanding economic opportunity for some of the country's most vulnerable young people.

UFC joins US diplomacy push under Rubio

IANS | June 12, 2026 6:34 AM

Washington, June 12 (IANS) The United States signed an agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), bringing the world's largest mixed martial arts organisation into Washington's expanding sports diplomacy efforts as the Trump administration seeks to strengthen America's global outreach through popular culture.

Trump claims secret US operations in Hormuz

IANS | June 12, 2026 6:25 AM

Washington, June 12 (IANS) US President Donald Trump claimed the United States had secretly conducted military operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz for weeks, moving ships and oil cargoes through the strategic waterway while targeting Iranian maritime assets ahead of a proposed agreement with Tehran.

Trump says US, Iran close to finalising deal

IANS | June 12, 2026 6:21 AM

Washington, June 12 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that the United States and Iran are close to finalising an agreement that would bar Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, raising the prospect of a signing ceremony within days and a broader easing of tensions across the Middle East.

Trump cancels Iran strikes, says talks advanced

IANS | June 11, 2026 11:52 PM

Washington, June 11, (IANS) President Donald Trump said Thursday that he had cancelled planned US strikes against Iran after discussions with Tehran reached the highest levels of the Iranian leadership, raising the prospect of a diplomatic agreement even as a US naval blockade remains in place.

US says Hormuz remains open amid Iran escalation

IANS | June 11, 2026 11:28 PM

Washington, June 11 (IANS) The US military said on Thursday that commercial shipping continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz despite its blockade of Iran, even as President Donald Trump threatened fresh strikes against Tehran and signalled possible US control of key Iranian oil facilities.

US says in touch with India after protest over Gulf ship attacks

IANS | June 11, 2026 11:20 PM

Washington, June 11 (IANS) The United States said on Thursday that it is in direct contact with India after New Delhi summoned the US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to protest a series of attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers in West Asia.