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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

An old US car drives past a building at risk of collapse in Havana. Photo: AFP

Cuba

At UN, Cuba rallies support against ‘cruel’ and ‘ruthless’ US blockade

Cuba’s foreign minister slammed the blockade’s ‘collective punishment’ of the population but the US envoy insisted ‘there is no blockade’.

8 Jul 2026 - 9:39AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US gave Tehran secret data on Iranian asylum seekers, lawsuit alleges

8 Jul 2026 - 5:46AMvideocam

Taiwan

Beijing sends new coastguard force into waters east of Taiwan

4 Jul 2026 - 8:32PMvideocam

US-China relations

Wang Yi warns Rubio to approach Taiwan affairs with ‘utmost caution’

Beijing’s top diplomat tells US Secretary of State to expand cooperation, manage risks in Taiwan-related issues during call on Tuesday.

3 Jul 2026 - 6:20AMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the UN headquarters in New York in May. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

G20 summit in Miami perfect ‘backdrop for Trump-Xi meeting’: sources

Get-together would cap year with China hosting the Apec leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen in November before the US stages G20 just weeks later.

2 Jul 2026 - 6:15AMvideocam

Natural disasters

Venezuelan boy pulled alive from rubble 3 days after deadly quakes

Residents clawed away rubble from collapsed buildings in search of survivors, amid public outrage over the government’s response.

28 Jun 2026 - 3:57PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US hit Iran again, may be ‘forced to militarily complete the job’

If that happened, the Islamic Republic would ‘no longer exist’, Trump warned, after reports that a tanker had been struck in Hormuz.

28 Jun 2026 - 7:51AMvideocam

A woman walks past a mural depicting a US aircraft carrier under missile attack in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 8. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

Time runs out for thousands missing after Venezuela earthquakes

With at least 920 dead and more than 51,000 missing, a critical 72-hour window for rescuing survivors has almost closed.

27 Jun 2026 - 4:24PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iran after Trump says cargo ship attack violated ceasefire

US Central Command says missile, drone and radar sites were hit after Tehran was accused of targeting vessel in Strait of Hormuz.

27 Jun 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

When geography is destiny, Gulf states must diversify their defence, expert says

World Economic Forum meeting also told Iran’s leadership now views economic survival – not geopolitical ambition – as primary priority.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

The United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states must help shape the outcome of the Iran war, says Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House. Photo: AFP

Natural disasters

Venezuela twin quakes death toll hits 235 as rescuers comb rubble for survivors

Thousands are missing and many feared dead after the country was hit by two of the strongest tremors in over a century.

26 Jun 2026 - 12:27PMvideocam

A man walks among the rubble of a building in La Guaira, Venezuela. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

UN halts escort of ships through Hormuz after Singapore-flagged vessel attacked

A cargo ship was hit by a projectile close to Oman, testing a preliminary agreement to end the Iran war.

26 Jun 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

As Venezuela reels from earthquake disaster, a test for new US relationship

Washington’s swift disaster response clearest indication yet of how relationship with Caracas has evolved, but bigger challenges lie ahead.

26 Jun 2026 - 6:14PMvideocam

Middle East

US’ Rubio wraps up Gulf tour as allies share concerns over Iran peace accord

Rubio did not discuss a US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran that is part of the peace proposal.

25 Jun 2026 - 8:26PM

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves after a meeting with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during Rubio’s visit to the Middle East to discuss the interim deal between the US and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, at Al-Sakhir Palace, near Zallaq, Bahrain on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

US targets Cuba mining sector to block use of China-linked supply chains

Washington revealed sanctions on foreign-backed mining ventures on Tuesday, which Havana slammed for being ‘dishonest and mendacious’.

24 Jun 2026 - 4:47AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on Tuesday against Cuba's state-owned mining company GeoMinera, which oversees foreign-backed mining ventures. Photo: AP

China-India relations

Will US-India tensions hurt Quad’s critical mineral ambitions?

Washington-New Delhi strains test bloc’s cohesion, but concerns over Beijing may keep critical minerals plans on track.

30 Jun 2026 - 11:50PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Bolivian lawmakers approve state of emergency as protests choke supply chain

Analysts ⁠and legal experts have warned that the emergency powers could deepen unrest if they fail to address the protests’ underlying causes.

21 Jun 2026 - 10:04PM

United States

US envoy Witkoff, Iranian minister to meet in Switzerland for talks

The development may signal that both sides intend to begin technical talks aimed at securing a permanent truce.

20 Jun 2026 - 9:22PMvideocam

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors, in Tehran on Tuesday. Photo: Handout via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump shows no regret over deaths of 3 Indian sailors in Iran war strike by US

In their first bilateral meeting in 16 months, US president only goes as far as calling commercial vessel operations ‘a rough profession’.

18 Jun 2026 - 4:02AMvideocam

India

3 killed, no apology: the strike straining India-US relations

Instead of showing remorse, Washington ordered New Delhi to obey its blockade, stoking public outrage.

17 Jun 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

US-China relations

Can India react to Gulf deaths in same way China did after 1999 embassy bombing?

Beijing’s reaction to the Belgrade incident could be a template for New Delhi, but some analysts warn it faces very different circumstances.

23 Jun 2026 - 1:54PMvideocam

The bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade prompted widespred anger and rare public demonstrations. Photo: AFP

India

Indians grieve and demand action after US strike kills sailors

Calls are mounting for Modi to take up the matter with Trump at next week’s G7 summit.

13 Jun 2026 - 7:38AMvideocam

Sushila Devi, wife of Shivanand Chaurasia, mourns her husband in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

India summons US diplomat again in rare display of anger over sailors’ killings

US military says the tanker ignored repeated warnings before being disabled for violating the Iran blockade.

12 Jun 2026 - 10:58PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

US targets Cuba oil giant as Beijing and Havana deepen party ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Union Cuba-Petroleo after Havana and Beijing hold positive bilateral talks.

12 Jun 2026 - 5:29AMvideocam

Nasa

Nasa chief defends choice of all-male Artemis III crew

Critics fear the agency is following Trump’s order to eliminate diversity and inclusion efforts despite its vow to put a woman on the moon.

11 Jun 2026 - 2:17AM

The Artemis III crew (from left) Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik and Frank Rubio, pose for an official portrait. Photo: Nasa via AP

Space

Nasa reveals Artemis III astronauts in next step towards moon landing

The crew will orbit Earth while practising docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers.

10 Jun 2026 - 2:16PM

A view of ‘Earthset’, as seen from the Orion spacecraft on April 6, 2026. Photo: Nasa via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Is Trump calling the shots on Israel, or just pretending to?

The US president says he’s losing patience with Israel’s prime minister. Analysts say he’s just playing to the crowd.

9 Jun 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

US sanctions over 100 Nicaraguan officials and relatives after activist death

Marco Rubio announces sweeping visa restrictions, pointing to the death of imprisoned Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera.

9 Jun 2026 - 11:43AM

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