News and reports from the State Department.

State News

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Chile's President-Elect José Antonio Kast to offer congratulations on his recent election win.
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U.S. State Department urges release of Jimmy Lai following guilty verdict

The recent guilty verdict in the national security case against Jimmy Lai has drawn attention to Beijing's enforcement of laws that critics say are used to suppress advocates for freedom of speech and other basic rights.
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United States and Paraguay sign Status of Forces Agreement strengthening security cooperation

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in a ceremony marking a new stage in cooperation between the United States and Paraguay.
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Secretary Rubio discusses Sydney terrorist attack with Australian foreign minister

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong regarding the recent terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
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Secretary Rubio discusses response to deadly attack on U.S. personnel in Syria

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani following a terrorist attack in Syria that resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
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U.S. condemns China's actions against Filipino fishers near Sabina Shoal

The United States has issued a statement condemning recent actions by China against Filipino fishers near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
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United States and South Korea hold tenth Senior Economic Dialogue focusing on trade and security

Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg met with Republic of Korea Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina in Washington for the U.S.-ROK Senior Economic Dialogue (SED).
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United States signs five-year bilateral health agreement with Liberia

The United States and Liberia have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral health cooperation as part of the America First Global Health Strategy.
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U.S. urges halt to fighting on Cambodia-Thailand border, calls for peace accord compliance

The United States has expressed concern about ongoing clashes and casualties occurring along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
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International Contact Group urges halt to violence amid escalation in South Kivu

The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), which includes the United States, Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom and is chaired by Germany, has issued...
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United States and South Korea hold tenth Senior Economic Dialogue in Washington

The U.S. Department of State is set to host the tenth Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) with the Republic of Korea (ROK) on December 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will meet with ROK Second Vice...
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U.S., Uganda, and Lesotho sign long-term agreements on global health cooperation

The United States has entered into five-year bilateral health cooperation agreements with Uganda and Lesotho, aiming to support the America First Global Health Strategy and help build more robust health systems in both countries.
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U.S. votes against U.N. General Assembly resolution critical of Israel

The United States voted against a recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that officials described as biased against Israel.
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Under Secretary Helberg leads launch of Pax Silica tech partnership with international allies

On December 12, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will join representatives from Japan, Israel, Australia, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea to launch Pax Silica by signing the Pax Silica Declaration.
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U.S. condemns Houthi detention of local staff from Yemen mission

The United States has issued a statement condemning the continued detention of current and former local staff members of its mission in Yemen by the Houthis.
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Secretary Rubio meets Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar on Middle East security and Gaza plan

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to discuss issues related to regional security and humanitarian efforts.
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U.S. special envoy holds sixth round of peace talks with Ukrainian officials

Over the past two days, Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov.
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Secretary Rubio discusses Gaza plan and Sudan ceasefire with Egypt’s foreign minister

Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a conversation with Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on December 9, 2025.
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Secretary Rubio discusses U.S.-Saudi relations and regional conflicts with Saudi foreign minister

Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss recent developments in the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
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Australia-U.S. ministerial consultations focus on Indo-Pacific security, defense industry ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles in Washington, D.C., on December 8.
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