Politics Jul 31 U.S. will make visa bond program permanent, affecting mostly African countries By Matthew Lee, Associated Press
World Jul 28 U.S. looks to boost anti-China spending worldwide by hundreds of millions of dollars, documents say Many of the proposed programs are designed to "reclaim diplomatic leverage" through investments in areas where the U.S. had previously been spending money but stopped. By Matthew Lee, Associated Press
Politics Jun 03 WATCH: Rubio questioned on Mideast talks, Trump resting in meetings, Greenland control During his second day of testimony on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he hopes that the latest round of high-level political talks between Israel and Lebanon will result in a joint statement on ending hostilities. Israeli and… By Associated Press
Politics Jun 02 WATCH: Shaheen blasts Rubio for ignoring Senate requests for information on Ukraine, Iran and more She said his office has refused to provide information requested about the Trump administration’s changing troop posture in Europe as well as U.S. operations in Iran and American support for Ukraine. By Associated Press
Politics Jun 02 WATCH: Rubio testifies on Capitol Hill for the 1st time since start of Iran war Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that he is optimistic about the potential for a resumption in nuclear talks with Iran despite a shaky ceasefire in the war that is looking increasingly in doubt. By Farnoush Amiri, Matthew Lee, Ben Finley, Associated Press
May 07 AP report: Americans who owe significant child support will have their U.S. passports revoked By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Under the new policy, HHS will inform the State Department of all past-due payments of more than $2,500 and parents in that group with passports will have their documents revoked, the department said. Continue reading
May 07 WATCH: At Vatican, Rubio discusses efforts to achieve Middle East peace By Nicole Winfield, Matthew Lee, Associated Press Secretary State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo and then Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a visit that lasted 2½ hours. Continue reading
Mar 30 U.S. reopens long-closed embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The State Department announced Monday that it had resumed normal operations at the embassy in Caracas, which had been in need of significant repair, after a seven-year closure that began during President Donald Trump's first term. Continue reading
Mar 19 How State Department cuts of Middle East experts affect U.S.'s handling of Iran war By Byron Tau, Associated Press In the escalating war in Iran, the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs would ordinarily be at the center of the geopolitical fray. Continue reading
Mar 18 U.S. to demand bonds of up to $15,000 for visa applications from 12 more countries By Matthew Lee, Associated Press After April 2, there will be 50 countries whose citizens are subject to the requirement, which was rolled out by the Trump administration last year as it cracked down on visa overstays and more broadly moved to curtail illegal migration. Continue reading