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The U.S. Department of State has announced a series of International Visitor Leadership Programs designed to bolster the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing efforts to combat the illicit synthetic drug trade. The programs aim to foster collaboration between international experts in government, healthcare, law enforcement, and judicial sectors and their American counterparts.

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U.S.-Peru High-Level Dialogue strengthens strategic partnership
The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Peru released a joint statement on May 9, 2024, marking the occasion of their first High-Level Dialogue held in Washington, D.C. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Peruvian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Peter Camino led the inaugural dialogue, affirming a shared commitment to advance mutual interests and deepen the longstanding bilateral strategic partnership.

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Senior officials from DPRK, Japan, ROK meet to discuss security threats
Dr. Jung Pak, Senior Official for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), held a meeting with his counterparts from Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on May 9 in Tokyo. The meeting was attended by Namazu Hiroyuki, Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Jun-il, Director General for North Korean Nuclear Affairs at the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Blinken discusses ceasefire efforts with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a discussion with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, as confirmed by Spokesperson Matthew Miller. During the conversation, Secretary Blinken expressed his appreciation for Egypt's continued efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. The two diplomats also discussed ongoing diplomatic strategies to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

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US-UK hold second strategic sanctions dialogue: Joint statement
The U.S. Department of State and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have issued a joint statement following their second U.S.-UK Strategic Sanctions Dialogue. The dialogue took place in London on May 8, 2024, continuing from the inaugural meeting held in Washington, D.C., in July 2023.

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Senior DPRK official discusses regional security concerns with PRC representative
On May 9, Dr. Jung Pak, the Senior Official for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), held a meeting with Liu Xiaoming, the Special Representative on Korean Peninsula Affairs from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The meeting took place in Tokyo.

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US joins EU in celebrating Europe Day: A reaffirmation of transatlantic ties
On May 9, 2024, the United States joined the European Union in celebrating Europe Day. The American people extended their warm wishes to the citizens of the EU on this significant occasion.

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U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to Hold Public Meeting on Global Engagement Center Report
The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (ACPD) will hold an in-person public meeting with online access from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024. A panel of experts will review and discuss the Commission’s most recent special report, The Global Engagement Center: A Historical Overview 2001-2021.

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The Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption, Richard Nephew, is scheduled to travel to Malaysia and Australia from May 9-14, 2024. During his visit, he will engage with various government officials, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives to discuss ongoing anti-corruption initiatives and opportunities for enhanced cooperation in this area. For more updates, follow @StateCGAC on Twitter.

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The Minerals Security Partnership Welcomes New Deal in Minerals Offtake and Processing Between STL in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Umicore in Belgium
"The United States, as Chair of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), and MSP partners welcome the new deal finalized between STL, a subsidiary of La Générale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Belgian company Umicore that advances cooperation on germanium offtake and processing. This collaboration among MSP partners and the private sector is a powerful demonstration of the MSP’s capacity to secure and diversify critical mineral supply chains, which bring economic benefits to local communities and source countries like...

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Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa to Visit Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti in May 2024
Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer will travel to Nairobi to meet with Kenyan officials to discuss shared regional challenges. In Addis Ababa, Special Envoy Hammer will meet with the African Union, Ethiopian officials, and the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray regarding implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and the urgency of resolving outstanding issues through political dialogue and avoiding a return to conflict. Special Envoy Hammer will also discuss dialogue to end violence in the Amhara and Oromia regions and the need to...

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Under Secretary Uzra Zeya Advances Humanitarian and Security Priorities in Jordan and Iraq
Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya is on travel to Amman, Jordan, and Baghdad, Erbil, and Ninewa, Iraq from May 6-10, 2024, to advance regional humanitarian, human rights, and civilian security priorities.

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Meeting between Secretary Blinken and President Arévalo Emphasizes Migration Policies
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Guatemalan President Arévalo

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Title: US Offers $10 Million Reward for Capture of LockBit Ransomware Group Leader
The Department of State is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, a leader of the LockBit ransomware group. This announcement follows a federal grand jury indictment in New Jersey charging Khoroshev with crimes related to the LockBit ransomware variant.

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Guatemalan President and US Secretary of State Discuss Bilateral Collaboration and Shared Goals
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo Before Their Meeting

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Celebrating Finance Agreements for Angola Projects in Lobito Corridor Development
The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) celebrated the signing of finance agreements for Republic of Angola projects, marking a significant step in advancing economic investment priorities. The agreements, totaling over $1.3 billion, will support clean power, radio connectivity, and transportation infrastructure in the Lobito Corridor.

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Secretary Blinken’s Call with President-elect Mulino of Panama
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Panamanian President-elect José Raúl Mulino by phone today. Secretary Blinken and the President-elect discussed the importance of working together to safely and humanely manage migration. Secretary Blinken underscored strong U.S. support for Panama’s efforts to tackle corruption and organized crime and expressed the U.S. commitment to ensuring the continued success of the Panama Canal, including support for efforts to enhance the Canal’s resilience to climate change. The Secretary and the President-elect affirmed that bilateral...

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Secretary Blinken Condemns Attacks on Humanitarian Aid Convoys to Gaza
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi. Secretary Blinken expressed his continued appreciation for Jordan’s leading role in facilitating the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. The Secretary strongly condemned the recent violent attacks on humanitarian aid convoys from Jordan to Gaza by extremists seeking to prevent aid from reaching Palestinian civilians in need. He reiterated that the United States expects the government of Israel...

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The U.S. Department of State Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues Abby Finkenauer will travel to Bolivia and Mexico from May 8-14, 2024, to communicate the work of the State Department and emphasize the United States’ commitment to fostering youth leadership and cooperation in the Americas.

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United States Announces $578 Million Humanitarian Aid for Western Hemisphere
On May 7, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced "$578 million in humanitarian, development, and economic assistance to support partner countries and help communities to respond to urgent humanitarian needs, expand lawful pathways, and support the regularization and integration of migrants during the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial in Guatemala City.

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