US uncovers Mexico-California drug tunnel, seizes $45 million worth of cocaine

IANS | June 2, 2026 7:45 AM

Washington, June 2 (IANS) Federal investigators have uncovered a sophisticated underground tunnel stretching from Mexico into Southern California and seized more than a tonne of cocaine worth an estimated $45 million, dealing what authorities described as a major blow to a powerful Mexican drug cartel.

Rubio pushes trade over aid in policy shift

IANS | June 2, 2026 7:29 AM

Washington, June 2 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to tell lawmakers on Tuesday that the Trump administration has fundamentally reshaped US foreign assistance policy, replacing what it sees as dependency-driven aid programmes with a strategy centred on trade, investment and partnerships that directly advance American interests.

US Congressmen rally against Iran threats

IANS | June 2, 2026 7:23 AM

Washington, June 2 (IANS) A senior US congressional delegation travelled to the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and the Philippines to reinforce security ties and deliver a common message that Iran must stop threatening its neighbours, Congressman Josh Gottheimer said.

Rubio set to showcase Maduro ouster as major Trump-era achievement

IANS | June 2, 2026 7:17 AM

Washington, June 2 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to highlight the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as one of the Trump administration's most significant foreign policy achievements when he appears before lawmakers on Tuesday, according to prepared testimony obtained by IANS.

Trump's fund faces Senate pushback after court halt

IANS | June 2, 2026 7:10 AM

Washington, June 2 (IANS) The Justice Department on Monday said it would comply with a federal court order freezing President Donald Trump's Anti-Weaponization Fund despite "strongly" disagreeing with the ruling, while Senate Democrats launched a legislative effort to permanently block the controversial $1.8 billion programme.