Latest U.S. Department of State News

Haitians emerge from homes during brief respite from gang violence. Hours later, gunfire erupts

Mar. 21, 2024 22:27 PM EDT

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitians rushed to buy food and other basic supplies Thursday as they emerged from their homes during a rare respite from gang violence, but gunfire erupted in downtown Port-au-Prince hours later. Female street vendors balancing heavy loads on their...

Top former US generals say failures of Biden administration in planning drove chaotic fall of Kabul

Mar. 20, 2024 00:54 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top two U.S. generals who oversaw the evacuation of Afghanistan as it fell to the Taliban in August 2021 blamed the Biden administration for the chaotic departure, telling lawmakers Tuesday that it inadequately planned for the evacuation and did not order it in time. ...

First charter flight with US citizens fleeing Haiti lands in Miami

Mar. 17, 2024 21:17 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) — A charter flight carrying dozens of U.S. citizens fleeing spiraling gang violence in Haiti landed Sunday in Miami, U.S. State Department officials said. More than 30 U.S. citizens were on the government-chartered flight, officials said in a statement. It arrived in the...

Victoria Nuland, third-highest ranking US diplomat and critic of Russia's war in Ukraine, retiring

Mar. 05, 2024 12:26 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Victoria Nuland, the third-highest ranking U.S. diplomat and frequent target of criticism for her hawkish views on Russia and its actions in Ukraine, will retire and leave her post this month, the State Department said Tuesday. Nuland, a career foreign service...

State Dept. screens AP-PBS Ukraine war film days after 2-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion

Feb. 27, 2024 21:39 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department on Tuesday hosted a screening of the award-winning Associated Press-PBS “Frontline” Ukraine war documentary “20 Days in Mariupol,” days after Ukraine marked the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Elizabeth...

Maryland lawmakers look to extend property tax assessment deadlines after mailing glitch

Feb. 22, 2024 15:35 PM EST

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers are looking at a legislative solution to address a missed mailing deadline for property tax assessments, a mistake that affected about 107,000 notices and could cost local governments roughly $250 million over three years if nothing is done, a state...

China demands the US stop any official contact with Taiwan following a congressional visit

Feb. 22, 2024 15:25 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — China responded sternly Thursday to a U.S. congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan, demanding the U.S. stop any official contact with the self-governing island. “China opposes any form of official interaction between the U.S. and Taiwan authorities and...

Rwanda rejects US calls for withdrawal of missiles and troops from eastern Congo

Feb. 19, 2024 04:17 AM EST

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Authorities in Rwanda on Monday rejected U.S. calls for the withdrawal of troops and missile systems from eastern Congo, saying they are defending Rwandan territory as Congo carries out a "dramatic military build-up” near the border. Rwanda's Foreign...

US condemns Rwanda's support of armed M23 rebels in eastern Congo and calls for troop withdrawal

Feb. 18, 2024 04:58 AM EST

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The U.S. has condemned Saturday Rwanda's support of the armed M23 group in eastern Congo, whose rebellion has caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, and called on the rebel group to “cease hostilities.” The U.S. State Department in a...

Top diplomats from US, China hold 'constructive' talks on issues dividing them

Feb. 16, 2024 22:05 PM EST

MUNICH (AP) — Top diplomats from the U.S. and China on Friday held a “candid and constructive” discussion on issues vexing their strained relations over Taiwan, the situation in the South China Sea, Russia’s war against Ukraine and synthetic opioids, the State Department said. ...