Author: TheStateLine

Washington, Feb 27 (IANS) Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told lawmakers that she had no information about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and did not recall ever meeting the disgraced financier, as she sat for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.“I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes, or offices,” Clinton said in prepared remarks shared ahead of her testimony.Clinton appeared under subpoena as part of the Republican-led panel’s probe into the federal government’s handling of investigations into Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a fede...

Washington, Feb 27 (IANS) In a move that could directly affect thousands of foreign graduates, the US Department of Homeland Security has confirmed it is re-evaluating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, signalling possible regulatory changes to the post-study work route for F-1 visa holders.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in a letter to Senator Eric Schmitt, said DHS is reviewing whether the current framework — including the scope and duration of practical training — “appropriately serves US labor market, tax, and national security interests and remains aligned with congressional intent.”There are over 300,000 Indian students in the US, and many of them are on OPT after completing their studies.Noem wrote that “DHS is committed to ensuring that immigration programs o...

Washington, Feb 27 (IANS) Democratic Senators have questioned US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over a $1.6 billion rare-earth minerals deal, warning that the arrangement could benefit his immediate family and his former firm, Cantor Fitzgerald.In a February 25 letter, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Chris Van Hollen said the agreement brokered by the Department of Commerce with USA Rare Earth, Inc. (USAR) “could enrich your immediate family.”“This follows in a long string of actions that you have taken in your capacity as the Secretary of Commerce that could stand to enrich your immediate family and former company,” the lawmakers wrote.The Department last month announced a tentative deal worth up to $1.6 billion with USAR. Under its terms, Commerce would provide “up to $277 m...

Washington, Feb 27 (IANS) A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a scheme that stole over $1.7 million from elderly victims across the United States.Zabi Ullah Mohammed was sentenced to 72 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, US Attorney Kurt Alme said Thursday.Mohammed was found guilty after trial in October 2025 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mohammed acted as a courier in a scheme designed to steal from elderly victims across the United States.Prosecutors said the fraud took several forms. But the objective was consistent. Victims were falsely led to believe that it was necessary to withdraw money and other assets fro...

Washington, Feb 27 (IANS) A senior Republican senator has launched a twin attack on two of America’s most powerful technology companies, accusing Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg of “denial and deceit” in a landmark child safety trial and alleging that Apple News has “systematically suppressed” right-leaning publications in favour of liberal outlets.US Senator Marsha Blackburn, speaking on the Senate floor, cited newly released court documents from a California trial examining whether social media platforms are designed to harm young users.“New court documents made public last week revealed that nearly 1 in 5 young teenagers report seeing ‘nudity or sexual images on Instagram’ that they didn’t want to see. 1 in 5,” she said.“That’s just one shocking fact that we have learned through a ...

Washington, Feb 27 (IANS) A Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to authorise the death penalty for individuals convicted of raping children under federal law, declaring there would be “zero mercy for child rapists” and that those who prey on minors should face “the harshest consequence we can deliver.”Unveiling the Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act, Congresswoman Nancy Mace said the proposal would send “an unmistakable message: Child rapists will pay the ultimate price.”“We have zero mercy for child rapists. Those who prey on our most vulnerable deserve the harshest consequence we can deliver,” Mace said.“No predator should be allowed to walk away from the most unthinkable crimes against children. This bill is simple. Rape a child and you don...

United Nations, Feb 27 (IANS) US First Lady Melania Trump is to preside over a meeting of the Security Council when the US takes over its presidency for the month. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday that this would be the first time that the spouse of a president takes the gavel at a session of the Council. He said that Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo will brief the Council session that will deal with education. The First Lady’s office said she will preside over a session that will discuss education, technology and advancing tolerance. Melania Trump, a former model who was born in Slovenia, is the third wife of Trump. As First Lady, she has promoted initiatives focusing on children. One of them is the "Be Best" campaign that see...