Latest U.S. Department of State News
Suspension of security clearance for Iran envoy did not follow protocol, watchdog says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department’s internal watchdog concluded Wednesday that officials did not follow proper protocol when handling the security clearance suspension of the U.S. special envoy for Iran following allegations last year that he may have mishandled classified information. ...
Americans can now renew passports online and bypass cumbersome paper applications
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday that its online renewal system is now fully operational, after testing in pilot programs,...
The US and UN condemn the killing of an environmentalist in Honduras
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.S. State Department and other global leaders on Tuesday denounced the slaying of another environmental leader in rural Honduras, adding to mounting concern of ongoing violence against environmentalists in Latin America. Honduran President Xiomara Castro...
An American pastor detained in China for nearly 20 years has been released
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Christian pastor from California has been freed from China after nearly 20 years behind bars and is back home in the U.S., the State Department said Monday. David Lin, 68, was detained after he entered China in 2006, later convicted of contract fraud and...
US hits Russian state media with sanctions for raising money for Moscow's troops in Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department announced new sanctions on Russian state media Friday, accusing a Kremlin news outlet of working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, body armor and other equipment for soldiers fighting in...
How 3 young Americans ended up in the middle of a coup attempt in Congo and facing the death penalty
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A military court in Congo, one of Africa’s largest countries, has convicted three Americans and dozens of others of taking part in a coup attempt and imposed “the harshest penalty, that of death.” The court convicted the 37 defendants, including the...
China's halt of foreign adoptions leaves questions about pending cases
BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government is ending its intercountry adoption program, and the U.S. is seeking clarification on how the decision will affect hundreds of American families with pending applications. In a phone call with U.S. diplomats in China, Beijing said it “will...
House Republicans subpoena Secretary Blinken for testimony on US withdrawal from Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have issued a subpoena demanding testimony from Secretary of State Antony Blinken as they wrap up a sprawling yearslong investigation into the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Rep. Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House...
US imposes sanctions on Paraguayan cigarette producer for allegedly enriching the former president
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (AP) — The Biden administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a Paraguayan tobacco company for allegedly enriching the country's controversial former president, a cigarette tycoon sanctioned last year by the White House for corruption. The U.S. Treasury...
The US and China air global differences as their top diplomats meet for sixth time since last year
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — The United States and China on Saturday renewed their mutual grievances as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Chinese counterpart held their sixth meeting since last year amid an uncertain political situation in the U.S. and growing concerns about China’s...
