Also known as: Secretary of State Marco Rubio · US Secretary of State Marco Rubio · Secretary Rubio
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The Ghanaian Times
… US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Iran’s players will be welcome at the tournament but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions. …
Tickets for Iran fans revoked, says federationJoy Online
… Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Ebola must not be allowed to enter the U.S., and the administration’s efforts have focused on keeping anyone potentially exposed to the virus overseas, even though the country has facilities equipped to treat Ebola cases while containing t …
US urges Europe to impose Ebola travel bans ahead of World CupDaily Guide
… Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that individuals linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards would not be permitted as part of the country’s World Cup delegation. …
Iran World Cup Squad Granted U.S. Visas Ahead Of Tournament OpenerThe Ghanaian Times
… US officials said that Iran would not be allowed to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences”, echoing comments US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made earlier in the week in which he said the Iranian delegation would not be allowed to in …
World Cup 2026: Iran lands in Mexico amid US visa rowJoy Online
… Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Iran’s football delegation would not be allowed to include individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards – a powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces. …
Iran says staff blocked from entering US after players given World Cup visasJoy Online
… However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that the U.S. …
Iran World Cup players granted visas to enter the US, says White House officialJoy Online
… aufort Castle on Sunday On Monday evening, Lebanon’s embassy in Washington said its government had received confirmation of Hezbollah’s acceptance of a US-backed proposal for a partial ceasefire, following a call between President Joseph Aoun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio …
Israel strikes southern Lebanon but partial truce with Hezbollah appears to holdJoy Online
… We probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress on Tuesday that negotiators had not offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the strait. …
US and Iran launch new strikes, as Kuwait says airport hit by Iranian dronesThe Chronicle
… On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed a plan for “gradual de-escalation” to Netanyahu and Lebanon’s president, according to an American official. …
Israel PM orders strikes on Beirut suburbs as Hezbollah conflict escalatesJoy Online
… Under a directive approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week, the State Department will reduce consular operations in all but 20 “hubs” in Africa, according to the officials and the memo. …
US to drastically slash the number of embassies in Africa that can process visasKenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has been found guilty of contempt of court for ignoring a High Court order to halt construction of a US-funded 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at a military base in Nanyuki. The project has sparked protests in the town, during which three people died as police attempted to disperse demonstrators.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has been found guilty of contempt of court for ignoring a High Court order to halt construction of a US-funded 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at a military base in Nanyuki. The project has sparked protests in the town, during which three people died as police attempted to disperse demonstrators.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has been found guilty of contempt of court for ignoring a High Court order halting construction of a 50-bed US-funded Ebola quarantine centre at a military base in Nanyuki. The facility, intended for US citizens suspected of contracting Ebola, has sparked protests in which three people died.
11 hours ago · Joy Online →
The US says Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire following intense Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon that killed 47 people, though Israeli forces said they would continue removing immediate threats and rescue officials reported at least 12 strikes in the city of Nabatieh since the ceasefire began.
19 June 2026 · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump promised to visit India during a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in France, signalling a thawing of relations between the two countries following strain over tariffs and the killing of three Indian sailors by US military forces. The pair discussed efforts to reach a trade deal, with Trump calling Modi a "tough negotiator."
17 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Iranian national soccer team must depart the United States within hours of completing their remaining World Cup group stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Iran's coach expressed frustration that the requirement prevents players from using standard post-match recovery time, though US officials say the policy follows established procedures for national security.
17 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Right-wing Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin prayed and sang religious songs at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem with around 20 others, openly stating intentions to build a new Jewish temple on the site—actions that violate a sensitive agreement designed to maintain peace at one of the world's holiest places.
17 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of jailed former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has been convicted by Brazil's highest court of lobbying US authorities to help his father during his coup trial by imposing tariffs or sanctions on Brazil. The 41-year-old, who relocated to the US in 2025, called the conviction "baseless and senseless" and claimed he lacked due process.
16 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's national soccer team landed in Los Angeles on Sunday to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the same day Washington and Tehran announced a peace agreement ending a four-month war. The squad had previously been exiled to Mexico after U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran raised uncertainty about Iran's participation.
15 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Four members of Iran's World Cup delegation have won appeals against US visa rejections, but 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US. Iran's team is based in Mexico after initially being denied visas for backroom staff members.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's football federation says FIFA has revoked the country's allocation of fan tickets for the group stage of the World Cup, which begins tomorrow. The federation states it had already begun selling tickets under FIFA regulations allowing each federation to distribute 8 per cent of tickets for their matches to supporters, and accuses FIFA of interference by non-sporting and political considerations.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Iran's football federation says FIFA has revoked the country's allocation of fan tickets for the World Cup group stage, despite having already begun selling them to supporters. The FFIRI alleges the action violates FIFA regulations and principles of neutrality, and raises concerns about political interference in the tournament.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The Trump administration has urged European nations to impose travel restrictions on people who have recently been in Central African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, citing concerns about virus spread during the World Cup. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already barred noncitizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days from entering the U.S.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's national football team has been granted visas to enter the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirmed by a White House official on Friday. Some members of Iran's technical and administrative staff remain without entry visas, prompting the team to relocate its World Cup base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.
8 June 2026 · Daily Guide →
Iran's World Cup 2026 team has landed in Mexico ahead of matches in the US, amid a dispute over visas and stadium access. The US has denied entry to 15 Iranian officials and support staff, while requiring players to fly in and out on match days; Iran says this represents political interference in sport.
8 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Iran's government says the US has denied visas to integral members of its national football team's backroom staff, despite Washington confirming that players and necessary support staff had been granted permission to travel to the World Cup; Iran's embassy accused the US of political bias and discrimination, while American officials said they issued visas to all players and necessary support staff but would not allow Iran to abuse the system to bring in unauthorized personnel.
7 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's World Cup soccer players have been granted visas to enter the United States, a White House official said Friday, 10 days before their first match in Los Angeles. However, some members of Iran's technical and administrative staff have not yet received visas, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.
6 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Israel continued strikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday but avoided Beirut under a partial ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah announced by US President Donald Trump, under which Israeli forces would not bomb the capital in exchange for Hezbollah not attacking Israel. Israeli air strikes hit a hospital in Tyre on Monday, killing four people and injuring 127, including 39 hospital staff.
3 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The US military said it launched "self-defence" strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks across the Middle East, shooting down ballistic missiles and drones. Iran said it had attacked US bases and helicopters in a regional country using missiles and drones in retaliation, with one person killed and more than 60 injured in Kuwait after drones hit its airport and other infrastructure.
3 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Israel's prime minister has ordered attacks on southern Beirut suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, citing the armed group's violations of an April ceasefire and attacks on Israeli civilians. The Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate, while the U.S. proposed a plan for gradual de-escalation.
2 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
The Trump administration plans to reduce U.S. embassies and consulates in Africa that process visas from nearly 50 to 20, expected in June, as part of efforts to limit immigration and clamp down on visa overstays.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's Foreign Minister said Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon could violate the country's ceasefire agreement with the US, which Tehran says covers all fronts. The warning came after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered strikes on southern Beirut in response to Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered attacks on southern Beirut suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, citing breaches of a US-brokered ceasefire from April. The US Secretary of State is proposing a staged de-escalation in which Hezbollah would cease attacks on Israel in exchange for Israeli restraint in Beirut.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
A Kenyan court has halted US plans to open a 50-bed Ebola isolation centre for American citizens in Kenya, which a rights group warned posed grave and imminent public health risks. The facility was set to open on Friday and be staffed by US medics, but a High Court judge barred its operation until the case is heard.
29 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Russia's foreign ministry has threatened fresh "systematic strikes" on Kyiv targeting decision-making centres, command posts, and drone manufacturing facilities, and called for foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the city. Saturday's Russian strikes on Kyiv killed four and injured about 100 people, according to Ukrainian President Zelensky, after Moscow claimed Ukraine deliberately attacked a student dormitory in Starobilsk on Friday killing 21 people, which Ukraine's military said was instead a strike on a Russian drone unit.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Global oil prices dropped sharply as negotiators signaled progress toward a deal to end the US-Israel war with Iran; Brent crude fell 5.5% to $97.90 a barrel on hopes the agreement could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which a fifth of the world's oil and LNG usually passes.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said progress has been reached in talks with the US, but cautioned that a deal "is not imminent," contradicting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's suggestion that an agreement could be reached Monday. The proposed memorandum reportedly involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and further negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will either reach an agreement with Iran or deal with the country "another way," as Washington downplayed hopes for an imminent breakthrough in talks. Rubio indicated the U.S. would exhaust diplomatic options, including negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear matters, before exploring alternatives.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump says he has instructed negotiators "not to rush into a deal" with Iran, after reports suggested an agreement involving a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and further nuclear negotiations was close. Trump said both sides "must take their time and get it right," though Iranian media reports indicate one or two points of disagreement remain.
24 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The United States has imposed sanctions on Tanzanian senior assistant commissioner of police Faustine Jackson Mafwele over his alleged involvement in torture and sexual assault of East African rights activists, including the detention and abuse of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire in May last year.
22 May 2026 · Joy Online →
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba poses a "national security threat" and the likelihood of a peaceful diplomatic agreement is "not high," while Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused him of spreading "lies" and denied the island had ever threatened the US.
22 May 2026 · Joy Online →