U.S. State Department
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Recent News About U.S. State Department
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During Construction Safety Week, which took place from May 6-10 this year, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) reinforced its commitment to exemplary construction safety practices. OBO and its partners have consistently set high standards for international construction safety, emphasizing the importance of safety measures, sharing best practices, and reinforcing safety protocols on construction sites.
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The United States has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Lawrence Wong as he assumes his new role as Singapore's fourth prime minister. Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, expressed the country's eagerness to work with Prime Minister Wong in order to further fortify the U.S.-Singapore strategic partnership and uphold international norms and standards in the Indo-Pacific region and globally.
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On May 15, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken had a phone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The dialogue was centered around efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, aiming to secure the release of hostages and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. This information was confirmed by Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
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From May 20-24, the U.S. Department of State's Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Dorothy McAuliffe, and Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State, Patricia Gruber, will spearhead a "Deep Tech Inclusion" Partnership Opportunity Delegation (POD) to London, United Kingdom. The objective of this visit is to foster business-government and business-business partnerships between emerging technology companies and research institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom. The focus will be on fields pertinent to national security — artificial...
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On May 15, Lithuania became the 40th signatory to the Artemis Accords in a ceremony held in Vilnius. The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries to set out a practical set of principles to guide space exploration.
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Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, is set to travel to Amman, Jordan, and Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq. During his visit to Amman, he will engage in discussions with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh about Jordan’s energy security, renewable energy goals, and green hydrogen potential. They will also discuss electricity interconnections with neighboring countries including Iraq, as well as partnerships with U.S. companies.
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The Governments of the United States of America and Portugal released a joint statement on May 15, 2024, detailing the outcomes of the 51st U.S.-Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission (SBC) meeting. The session, held in Washington on May 14, focused on strengthening the bilateral relationship and security partnership in light of NATO's 75th anniversary.
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The United States has imposed sanctions on two Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanders, Ali Yagoub Gibril and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, for their roles in leading RSF operations in Darfur. The RSF's military operation to encircle and besiege El Fasher, North Darfur, has endangered the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Attacks by the RSF, the Sudanese Armed Forces, and allied forces have resulted in civilian casualties and must immediately cease. External support for warring parties should also be halted. It is crucial that all impediments to humanitarian access be...
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Secretary Antony J. Blinken made a surprise appearance at a music event, where he took to the stage with an unexpected performance on the guitar. The audience, including Mr. Temnyi, responded enthusiastically to his musical prowess.
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Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv, Ukraine, according to Spokesperson Matthew Miller. The meeting revolved around the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts. The two leaders also discussed their dedication to collaborating with partners to address Ukraine's security, economic, and humanitarian needs.
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The National Trust for Historic Preservation has added an iconic overseas diplomatic compound to its annual list of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.” The Tangier American Legation, the United States’ only National Historic Landmark located abroad, has been designated as endangered by the National Trust.
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Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on May 14, 2024. The two leaders discussed recent battlefield updates and the significance of the newly-arrived U.S. security assistance in repelling Russian attacks. In addition to this, they deliberated over long-term security arrangements and ongoing efforts to ensure Ukraine's economic prosperity.
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On May 14, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine. The meeting took place during a challenging period for Ukraine, particularly for the eastern part of the country.
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On May 14, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv, Ukraine. The meeting marked Blinken's fourth visit to the country amidst ongoing conflict.
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The United States has announced the designation of one Russian individual and three Russia-based companies involved in an alleged sanctions evasion scheme. This scheme is reportedly connected to Russian oligarch Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska, who was previously sanctioned by the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
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Secretary Antony J. Blinken recently held a meeting with representatives from civil society in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Secretary of State expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to engage with these leaders, whom he described as "remarkable."
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On May 13, 2024, President Biden signed H.R. 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, into law. This bipartisan legislative action bans the import of Russian uranium products into the United States starting from August 12, 2024. The law also establishes a waiver process with the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Departments of State and Commerce, which will be in effect until January 1, 2028.
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Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Liz Allen, is set to embark on a journey to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia from May 12-20. The aim of this trip is to strengthen partnerships with Western Balkan countries and promote our mutual objectives of regional cooperation and European integration. During her visit, Under Secretary Allen will stress the shared democratic values between the United States and the people of the Western Balkans. She will also emphasize the importance of working collaboratively to safeguard free and open societies...
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U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ambassador Matt Murray is set to travel to Arequipa, Peru from May 13 to 18 for the Second Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM2) of the APEC Peru 2024 host year. While in Arequipa, Ambassador Murray will participate in a series of working group meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements. He will collaborate with senior government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss U.S. priorities for APEC and explore alignment with Peru’s...
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The State Department has reported significant progress in visa processing during the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2024, which spans from October 2023 to March 2024. This period saw the issuance of nearly 5.2 million nonimmigrant visas worldwide, surpassing any previous year's records for the same timeframe. Furthermore, within this six-month span, 30 percent of U.S. embassies and consulates overseas set all-time records for nonimmigrant visas issued.