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Marco Rubio

The latest news on Marco Rubio, American politician and 72nd United States Secretary of State, including US politics news and updates.

Born

28 May 1971

Industry

Politics

Job title

US Secretary of State

Nato

What Trump’s Iran war ‘loyalty test’ may mean for Nato’s long-standing alliance

Transatlantic allies’ refusal to back the Iran war fuels latest Trump outburst after meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump has a ceasefire with Iran. But a confrontation with Congress looms

9 Apr 2026 - 7:03AMvideocam

The Philippines

Can Philippines become critical minerals powerhouse with help from US, Japan?

8 Apr 2026 - 8:42PMvideocam

United States

Trump lauds Beijing role in Iran truce, but clouds ceasefire with tariff threat

Markets rise on fragile pause in fighting, as Tehran keeps Hormuz shut and warns it may abandon deal if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue.

9 Apr 2026 - 5:11AMvideocam

US officials have accused Chinese firms of supplying dual-use materials that could support Iran’s missile and drone programmes. Photo: Reuters

Education in Hong Kong

How a US clampdown affected mainland Chinese, Hong Kong student visa numbers

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced last May the country would take stricter approach to Chinese student visas.

6 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US arrests niece and grandniece of slain Iran general Qassem Soleimani

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who were allegedly living a ‘lavish lifestyle’ in Los Angeles, have had their green cards revoked.

5 Apr 2026 - 4:14AMvideocam

Cuba

Cuba pardons 2,010 prisoners in ‘humanitarian’ gesture amid US pressure

Mass release follows Trump’s decision to allow Russian oil into the fuel-starved island.

3 Apr 2026 - 12:50PM

People ride past the US embassy in Havana during an anti-imperialist youth march on Thursday. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

3 Apr 2026 - 4:35PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

Cuba

Fidel Castro’s grandson backs capitalism and Trump deal, slams Cuba leader

Sandro Castro said most ‘Cubans want to be capitalist, not communist’ amid worsening power outages and an economic crisis.

1 Apr 2026 - 2:34PMvideocam

Sandro Castro Arteaga. Photo: Instagram/sandro_castrox

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:23AMvideocam

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer addresses the media after trade talks with the Chinese delegation in Paris in March. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

The UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion of Tehran, according to a diplomat.

31 Mar 2026 - 2:16PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Without US, there’s no Nato’: Rubio says ties may be reviewed amid Trump snub

‘An alliance has to be mutually beneficial. It cannot be a one-way street. Let’s hope we can fix it,’ America’s top diplomat says.

31 Mar 2026 - 12:33PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

Gulf allies of the US, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are meanwhile urging Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:36AMvideocam

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: EPA

US-Venezuela conflict

US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro

The State Department said normal operations had resumed at the Caracas embassy after a 7-year closure that began during Trump’s first term.

31 Mar 2026 - 3:45AM

The US embassy in Caracas, Venezuela on Monday. The State Department said Washington had officially resumed operations at the embassy. Photo: EPA

Pakistan

Regional diplomats gather in Pakistan for talks to end Iran war

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were taking part in the talks as the US kept up strikes on Iran.

30 Mar 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: US amphibious assault ship arrives amid talk of ground operation

The USS Tripoli is the flagship for a contingent of about 3,500 Marines and sailors, as well as transport and fighter aircraft.

29 Mar 2026 - 3:44AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US special envoy Witkoff predicts Iran talks as war enters second month

Steve Witkoff says he is ‘hopeful’ that there will be meetings ‘this week’, even as the conflict shows no sign of ending.

28 Mar 2026 - 10:26AMvideocam

People search for their belongings in a building damaged by a strike in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Israeli army reported missiles fired by Iran at Israel on Friday evening. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

Trump pitches China trade ‘win’ to US farmers ahead of Xi meeting, midterms

Claims come despite farmers remaining unsure if China will meet its 25 million-tonne commitment for 2026, as planting season approaches.

28 Mar 2026 - 6:21AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

1 Apr 2026 - 1:07AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ukraine’s not America’s war, Iran not our war’: US, G7 diplomats trade barbs

The US secretary of state chided allies for rebuffing Trump’s demand for military help in the Gulf.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:06PMvideocam

Rocket trails are seen in the sky amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on Friday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:22PMvideocam

People walk near Iranian missiles in a park in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran rejects US ceasefire plan, has own demands to end fighting

Trump claimed Iranian leaders are ‘afraid’ to admit they want a deal after Tehran’s foreign minister said ‘we do not plan on any negotiations’.

26 Mar 2026 - 11:17AM

US-China relations

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

US-China relations

US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests

House Select Committee says Beijing using monetary contributions, critical UN posts and strategic troop deployment to expand its reach.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, addresses the Security Council at UN headquarters in New York on February 18. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a defiant message after Donald Trump said he might ‘take’ the communist nation.

18 Mar 2026 - 1:01PM

A street in Havana, as power was being restored on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Fashion

Explainer | All about US President Donald Trump’s favourite shoe brand, Florsheim

Trump has gifted J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth the US$145 Lexington model … but why is the brand owner suing his administration?

17 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

2026 Trump-Xi summit

China says it’s still talking to US about Trump trip after threat to delay

Two sides still ‘in communication’, foreign ministry says, after US leader hints he could postpone visit unless Beijing helps reopen Strait of Hormuz.

16 Mar 2026 - 8:04PMvideocam

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Marco Rubio

What Trump’s Iran war ‘loyalty test’ may mean for Nato’s long-standing alliance

Transatlantic allies’ refusal to back the Iran war fuels latest Trump outburst after meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte.

Trump has a ceasefire with Iran. But a confrontation with Congress looms

Can Philippines become critical minerals powerhouse with help from US, Japan?

Trump lauds Beijing role in Iran truce, but clouds ceasefire with tariff threat

Markets rise on fragile pause in fighting, as Tehran keeps Hormuz shut and warns it may abandon deal if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue.

How a US clampdown affected mainland Chinese, Hong Kong student visa numbers

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced last May the country would take stricter approach to Chinese student visas.

US arrests niece and grandniece of slain Iran general Qassem Soleimani

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who were allegedly living a ‘lavish lifestyle’ in Los Angeles, have had their green cards revoked.

Cuba pardons 2,010 prisoners in ‘humanitarian’ gesture amid US pressure

Mass release follows Trump’s decision to allow Russian oil into the fuel-starved island.

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

Fidel Castro’s grandson backs capitalism and Trump deal, slams Cuba leader

Sandro Castro said most ‘Cubans want to be capitalist, not communist’ amid worsening power outages and an economic crisis.

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

The UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion of Tehran, according to a diplomat.

‘Without US, there’s no Nato’: Rubio says ties may be reviewed amid Trump snub

‘An alliance has to be mutually beneficial. It cannot be a one-way street. Let’s hope we can fix it,’ America’s top diplomat says.

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

Gulf allies of the US, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are meanwhile urging Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran.

US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro

The State Department said normal operations had resumed at the Caracas embassy after a 7-year closure that began during Trump’s first term.

Regional diplomats gather in Pakistan for talks to end Iran war

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were taking part in the talks as the US kept up strikes on Iran.

Iran war: US amphibious assault ship arrives amid talk of ground operation

The USS Tripoli is the flagship for a contingent of about 3,500 Marines and sailors, as well as transport and fighter aircraft.

US special envoy Witkoff predicts Iran talks as war enters second month

Steve Witkoff says he is ‘hopeful’ that there will be meetings ‘this week’, even as the conflict shows no sign of ending.

Trump pitches China trade ‘win’ to US farmers ahead of Xi meeting, midterms

Claims come despite farmers remaining unsure if China will meet its 25 million-tonne commitment for 2026, as planting season approaches.

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

‘Ukraine’s not America’s war, Iran not our war’: US, G7 diplomats trade barbs

The US secretary of state chided allies for rebuffing Trump’s demand for military help in the Gulf.

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

Iran rejects US ceasefire plan, has own demands to end fighting

Trump claimed Iranian leaders are ‘afraid’ to admit they want a deal after Tehran’s foreign minister said ‘we do not plan on any negotiations’.

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests

House Select Committee says Beijing using monetary contributions, critical UN posts and strategic troop deployment to expand its reach.

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a defiant message after Donald Trump said he might ‘take’ the communist nation.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | All about US President Donald Trump’s favourite shoe brand, Florsheim

Trump has gifted J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth the US$145 Lexington model … but why is the brand owner suing his administration?

China says it’s still talking to US about Trump trip after threat to delay

Two sides still ‘in communication’, foreign ministry says, after US leader hints he could postpone visit unless Beijing helps reopen Strait of Hormuz.

Explainer | All about US President Donald Trump’s favourite shoe brand, Florsheim