US pitch on Greenland fuels debate on security, alliances

IANS | January 8, 2026 8:17 AM

Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) The Trump administration's comments on Greenland, framed by officials as a national security issue, set off a political debate in Washington over diplomacy, NATO alliances and US strategy in the Arctic.

Rubio outlines three-phase US plan for Venezuela, no early elections

IANS | January 8, 2026 7:24 AM

Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) The Trump administration has laid out a three-phase roadmap for Venezuela -- stabilisation, recovery, and transition -- signalling that US involvement will be prolonged, and that elections are not expected in the near term, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Trump proposes $1.5 trillion US military budget

IANS | January 8, 2026 7:16 AM

Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) US President Donald J. Trump has said he wants to raise the country's military budget to a whopping $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027, calling the increase necessary to keep the United States safe in what he described as dangerous times.