Washington, July 7 (IANS) The United States expressed concern after China conducted a submarine-launched intercontinental-range ballistic missile test into the southern Pacific Ocean, saying Beijing’s expanding nuclear arsenal runs counter to global efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.The United States had monitored China’s launch of “an unarmed intercontinental-range ballistic missile” from a submarine, which landed in the southern Pacific Ocean said State Department spokesperson Tommy Pig…
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Washington, June 22 (IANS) The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three individuals and six entities across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa, accusing them of helping the Islamic State (ISIS) move money across borders and sustain its global operations. Announcing the action, the U.S. State Department said the sanctions target a network stretching from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria, as the Trump administration seeks to disrupt the terrorist group’s financial infrastruc…
Washington, June 22 (IANS) The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on two Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese officials and a network of business associates accused of supporting the Iran-backed group, saying the move is aimed at weakening what Washington described as the biggest obstacle to Lebanon’s recovery and stability.In a statement, the US State Department said the action targets “two Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese officials, as well as members of a Hezbollah business network overseen by US-…
Washington/New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, emphasised that the United States will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply, the US State Department has detailed. “The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed the current situation in the Middle East. The Secretary emphasised that the United S…
Washington, May 22 (IANS) Nato allies must urgently expand defence production and protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said after talks in Sweden. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Nato Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Helsingborg on Thursday ahead of the alliance summit scheduled in Ankara later this year.The discussions focused on defence spending, military production, Iran and maritime security.Ru…
Washington, May 20 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to India from May 23-26, visiting Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, as Washington and New Delhi prepare for talks expected to focus on the Quad partnership, energy security, trade and defence cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.The State Department announced Rubio’s travel plans on Tuesday, saying he would first travel to Helsingborg, Sweden, on May 22 to attend the NATO…
New York, May 12 (IANS) Citing the shared commitment with India to fight drug trafficking, the United States has banned visas for 13 people associated with an Indian business that was already sanctioned for allegedly trafficking in the deadly drug fentanyl, State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced on Tuesday. They “are close business associates of KS International Traders and its owner”, and the company “generated revenue through the trafficking of illicit fentanyl, which Pr…
Washington, May 12 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate talks with top diplomats from Australia and Britain, focusing on Iran and efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to State Department readouts.Rubio spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as Washington continued consultations with close allies on regional security and maritime stability.According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pig…
Washington, April 10 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit India next month following a “productive meeting” with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, as both sides push forward cooperation in defence, trade and critical technologies.US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the talks focused on “our bilateral relationship, especially trade, critical minerals, defense and the Quad.”“Secretary Rubio looks forward to visiting India next month!” Gor said, indicating a li…
Washington, April 2 (IANS) The US State Department has announced major reforms to how it selects and trains its diplomats. The changes aim to prepare the Foreign Service for the challenges of the 21st century. The overhaul affects both recruitment and training. It puts more weight on core skills and policy knowledge.Applicants will now be tested on American history, foreign policy concepts, and logical reasoning. The department said it has removed questions “intended to test alignment with ide…