News and reports from the State Department.

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Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, from August 26-27 and to Nairobi, Kenya, from August 28-29, 2024.
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United States welcomes resumption of humanitarian aid delivery across key routes into famine-stricken Sudan

The United States has welcomed the resumption of humanitarian assistance deliveries through the Adré border crossing from Chad into Sudan and related diplomatic efforts to reopen emergency aid routes to famine-stricken areas of Darfur via the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan. The lack of humanitarian aid access into Darfur over the past six months has worsened famine and acute hunger levels across Sudan, particularly within Zamzam camp.
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United States and Argentina hold inaugural annual energy security dialogue

The United States and Argentina held the inaugural annual U.S.-Argentina Energy Security Dialogue (ESD) on August 23, 2024, at the Palacio San Martin in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez opened the ESD alongside Secretary of International Economic Relations Ambassador Marcelo Cima, Secretary of Energy Eduardo Rodriguez Chirillo, and Secretary of Mining Luis Lucero. The ESD builds on a history of close U.S.-Argentine diplomatic and technical cooperation and will serve as a forum to advance cooperative...
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U.S. congratulates Uruguay on 199th independence anniversary

On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Uruguay on the 199th anniversary of Uruguay’s independence.
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Houthi attacks on oil tanker threaten major environmental disaster

The United States has expressed significant concern over the Houthis' attacks on the oil tanker MT DELTA SOUNION. These ongoing assaults pose a severe risk of spilling one million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, a quantity four times greater than that of the Exxon Valdez disaster. Although the crew has been evacuated, there are indications that the Houthis intend to sink both the ship and its cargo.
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Secretary Blinken congratulates Ukraine on National Day amid ongoing conflict

On August 24, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a press statement congratulating the people of Ukraine on their Independence Day. He acknowledged the ongoing conflict with Russia and praised the courage of Ukrainians.
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United States pledges continued support amid ongoing Rohingya crisis

The ongoing humanitarian crisis and human rights abuses in Burma continue to exacerbate difficulties faced by members of many of Burma’s ethnic and religious minority groups, particularly the Rohingya. The United States stands with the survivors of the Rohingya genocide and is committed to providing life-saving assistance to affected members of Rohingya communities and those impacted by the crisis in Burma, Bangladesh, and the region.
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Deputy Secretary Verma to attend Little League Baseball World Series championship game

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on August 25th to attend the 77th Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS) championship game. The event will feature the winning team from the U.S. bracket versus the winning team of the international bracket.
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United States imposes new sanctions targeting Russian wartime economy

The United States is intensifying its sanctions campaign against Russia, imposing new measures on nearly 400 entities and individuals supporting Russia's war against Ukraine. This announcement comes one day before Ukrainian Independence Day.
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United States announces new military aid package for Ukraine

The United States has announced a significant new package of military assistance for Ukraine as the country marks thirty-three years of independence. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken revealed the aid on August 23, 2024, emphasizing its urgency in helping Ukraine defend against ongoing Russian attacks.
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Special session addresses global response to surge in Clade I mpox cases

On August 23, Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, led a special session of the Foreign Ministry Channel for Global Health Security (FMC) to discuss the global response to the surge of Clade I mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African countries. On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (Africa CDC) declaration of a...
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U.S. Deputy Secretary Campbell set for diplomatic tour in Pacific Islands

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will travel to Tonga, Vanuatu, and New Zealand from August 28 to 31.
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U.S. challenges Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal ruling on presidential election

Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled yesterday that Nicolas Maduro won the July 28 presidential election against democratic opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. This ruling lacks all credibility, given the overwhelming evidence that Gonzalez received the most votes on July 28.
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U.S. Deputy Secretary Verma discusses strategic cooperation with Indian officials

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma held meetings with senior Indian officials in New Delhi from August 17-22. His discussions with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal, senior advisers to the Prime Minister, and other high-ranking officials aimed to advance strategic cooperation between the United States and India on issues including security, the digital economy, and clean energy supply chains. The meetings also addressed U.S.-India coordination in multilateral...
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Uzra Zeya to discuss human rights during Malaysia-Vietnam visit

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Hanoi, Vietnam from August 25-31, 2024. The visit aims to engage partners on human rights, humanitarian cooperation, and human-centered civilian security.
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U.S. Department commemorates decade-long foreign service internship program

The U.S. Department of State celebrated the tenth anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program (USFSIP) on August 15-16, 2024, with a reception and alumni conference at the George C. Marshall Conference Center. The event was hosted by Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent Marcia S. Bernicat.
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U.S., Argentina sign MOU to enhance cooperation on critical minerals

The United States and Argentina have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation on critical minerals. The agreement was formalized by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez and Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino during the U.S.-Argentina Energy Security Dialogue in Buenos Aires.
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Blinken discusses Middle East peace efforts with Qatari Amir

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on August 21, 2024. The conversation focused on ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire agreement aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people and securing the release of hostages.
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US launches Clean Energy Transition Accelerator project in Argentina

The U.S. Department of State has announced the launch of the Clean Energy Transition Accelerator (CETA) project in Argentina. Through this initiative, the United States will provide the government of Argentina with $500,000 in technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Experts from these labs will assist Argentine counterparts in developing national strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate Argentina’s clean energy transition.
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U.S response continues amid growing Mpox concerns

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding the rise in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African countries. This declaration followed the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC) announcement of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13. The increase in clade I mpox cases, both in endemic and non-endemic countries, poses a threat to regional health security and beyond. Clade I mpox has also introduced a...
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