Latest U.S. Department of State News
Senior Blinken aide is taking a top job with Austin after Senate confirmation holdup
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday that one of his most senior aides is leaving for a top job with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and will be replaced by a brother of President Joe Biden’s national security adviser. State Department counselor...
US approves new $360 million arms sale to Taiwan for drones, related equipment
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Tuesday approved a new $360 million weapons sale to Taiwan, sending the island hundreds of armed drones, missile equipment and related support material, the State Department said in a statement that is sure to draw condemnation from China. ...
The US lifts a ban on sending weapons to a controversial Ukrainian military unit
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. has lifted a ban on providing American weapons and training to a controversial Ukrainian military unit that was key to the defense of the major port city of Mariupol, the State Department said on Tuesday. The Azov Brigade is among Ukraine’s most...
Blinken to push cease-fire proposal in eighth urgent Mideast trip since war in Gaza erupted
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will push for a breakthrough on President Joe Biden's cease-fire proposal when he returns to the Middle East next week on his eighth diplomatic mission to the region since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in October, the State Department said...
U.S. says Congo hasn't given it access to Americans detained over alleged roles in coup attempt
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Congo said Monday that Congolese authorities have not shared details or provided access to the Americans who were arrested following a coup attempt last month, following pleas for help from one family trying to confirm whether their son is alive. ...
US sanctions Uganda's parliament speaker, her husband and others over corruption and rights abuses
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Uganda's parliamentary speaker, her husband and several other officials over corruption and serious abuses of human rights. Parliament Speaker Anita Among was sanctioned “due to involvement in significant...
China has threatened trade with some countries after feuds. They're calling 'the firm' for help
WASHINGTON (AP) — Business is good at “the firm.” The eight-person team at the State Department is leading Washington's efforts to ease the economic blowback for countries targeted by China. It emerged in the scramble to help Lithuania during a spat with China...
Blinken will head to eastern Europe as concerns mount about Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to eastern Europe next week as concerns mount about Russia’s advances in Ukraine, potential Russian interference in neighboring Moldova and pro-Moscow legislation being promoted in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, the State...
State Department removes Cuba from short list of countries deemed uncooperative on counterterrorism
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken removed Cuba Wednesday from the State Department's short list of countries that it deems less than fully cooperative against violent groups. In a statement, the State Department said Blinken had found that Cuban and U.S. law...
Death toll in bombings at displacement camps in eastern Congo rises to at least 35
GOMA, Congo (AP) — The death toll in the bombings of two camps for displaced people in eastern Congo last week rose to at least 35 Friday, with an additional two in very critical condition, a local official told The Associated Press. Éric Bwanapuwa, a lawmaker who represents Goma,...
