Vance says he is 'very involved' in Venezuela planning, denies exclusion claims

IANS | January 9, 2026 7:03 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) US Vice President JD Vance said he is “very involved” in the administration’s ongoing work on Venezuela and chairs regular meetings of White House principals, rejecting claims that he or Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard were excluded from planning for what he called “the Venezuela operation.”

US senators push to renew quantum research law

IANS | January 9, 2026 6:56 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) A bipartisan group of US senators introduced legislation to renew and expand a federal programme aimed at strengthening American leadership in quantum technology.

New US dietary guidelines broadly welcomed

IANS | January 9, 2026 6:51 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) New US Dietary Guidelines released by the Trump administration were broadly welcomed with medical associations, farm groups and health advocates praising their focus on whole foods and reduced reliance on ultra-processed products.

US Vice President urges Europe to take Greenland ‘seriously.’

IANS | January 9, 2026 6:48 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) US Vice President JD Vance urged European leaders to “take the president of the United States seriously” on Greenland, arguing the island is critical to global security and warning that the US would act if allies do not address what he described as growing interest from “hostile adversaries.”

New Jersey doctor faces 58-count opioid, fraud charges

IANS | January 9, 2026 6:44 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) A New Jersey physician has been charged in a sweeping 58-count federal indictment accusing him of running an opioid “pill mill,” exchanging prescriptions for sexual favors, and defrauding the state’s Medicaid program over several years, US prosecutors have said.

JD Vance announces new justice post to target fraud nationwide

IANS | January 9, 2026 6:42 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) US Vice President JD Vance announced that the Trump administration is creating a new assistant attorney general position with nationwide authority to coordinate fraud investigations, saying the effort will begin in Minnesota but expand across the country.

US ready to give India access to Venezuelan oil: White House

Lalit K Jha | January 9, 2026 6:35 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) The White House is prepared to allow India to buy Venezuelan oil under a new US-controlled framework, according to a senior administration official, signaling a potential reopening of supplies to one of Venezuela’s largest pre-sanctions customers as Washington moves to market the country’s crude globally.

JD Vance defends ICE after fatal Minneapolis shooting

IANS | January 9, 2026 6:32 AM

Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) US Vice President JD Vance defended an ICE officer who fatally shot a woman during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis, calling the death “a tragedy” while saying the officer acted in self-defence and accusing Democrats and parts of the media of stoking hostility toward federal agents.