World Feb 23 State Department orders nonessential U.S. diplomats to leave Lebanon as tensions with Iran rise By Matthew Lee, Associated Press
Politics Feb 13 Nonprofit libraries ordered by State Department to stop processing passport applications The agency, which regulates U.S. passports, began issuing cease and desist orders to not-for-profit libraries in late fall, informing them they were no longer authorized to participate in the Passport Acceptance Facility program as of Friday. By Susan Haigh, Associated Press
World Feb 06 Watch 11:15 Trump administration's visa freeze upends work and life for many U.S. families This week, the Trump administration was sued for a sweeping pause of immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries. The freeze, which began last month, comes on top of full or partial travel and visa restrictions on citizens from… By Liz Landers, Maea Lenei Buhre
World Feb 04 WATCH: Rubio holds news conference at State Department critical minerals summit Speaking at a meeting of dozens of countries, Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed frameworks that will serve as “platforms for coordinating policies” to ensure countries can have abundant and affordable access to critical minerals. By Associated Press
Nation Jan 14 State Department suspending immigrant visas for 75 countries, citing public assistance concerns The State Department says it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States. By Matthew Lee, Associated Press
Dec 23 Watch 7:28 How recall of career diplomats fits into Trump's foreign policy shift By William Brangham, Dan Sagalyn In an unusual move, the Trump administration is recalling the ambassadors from nearly 30 countries around the world. William Brangham discussed this move with John Dinkelman, president of the American Foreign Service Association. He had a 37-year career as a… Continue watching
Dec 19 WATCH: Rubio holds year-end news conference, addressing Venezuela, Ukraine war, Gaza and more By Associated Press In a freewheeling, more than hourlong meeting with reporters, Secretary Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump's radical overhaul in foreign assistance and detailed the administration's work to reach a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan in time for the new year. Continue reading
Dec 18 State Department announces $10 billion-plus arms sales package to Taiwan, angering China By Matthew Lee, Associated Press President Donald Trump's administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion that includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, drawing an angry response from China. Continue reading
Sep 05 U.S. set to ease travel restrictions on West African leader accused of corruption, officials say By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said the State Department is processing a one-month sanctions waiver for the vice president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro “Teddy” Nguema Obiang, following recommendations that it is in the U.S. national interest to blunt growing… Continue reading
Aug 26 WATCH: Rubio jokes this Labor Day is most meaningful ever 'as someone with 4 jobs' By Associated Press Marco Rubio has three other roles in addition to his full-time job as America’s chief diplomat. Continue reading