Jul 08 AI tech used to impersonate Rubio in messages to foreign and U.S. officials By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The State Department is warning U.S. diplomats of attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and possibly other officials using AI-driven technology. Continue reading
Jun 26 WATCH: State Department holds news briefing as Rubio helps brief Congress on Iran strikes By Associated Press The classified briefing, originally scheduled for Tuesday, also comes as the Senate is expected to vote this week on a resolution that would require congressional approval if President Donald Trump were to order another strike on Iran. Continue reading
Jun 25 WATCH: OMB Director Vought testifies on Trump's rescission request in Senate hearing By Kevin Freking, Associated Press A Senate panel challenged on a bipartisan basis the merits of cancelling billions of dollars in spending for foreign aid and public media as part of a contentious hearing Wednesday examining the White House's request for the cuts. Continue reading
Jun 19 State Department resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to their social media By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The department says consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles. Continue reading
Jun 17 WATCH: Task force will help Americans who want to leave the Middle East, State Department says By Associated Press The task force, run by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, is operating 24 hours to provide information to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents wanting to return to the United States. Continue reading
Jun 05 WATCH: State Department briefing addresses sanctions on ICC judges, Trump's new travel ban By Matthew Lee, Molly Quell, Associated Press The Trump administration is slapping sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court over the tribunal’s investigation into alleged war crimes by Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza and in the West Bank. Continue reading
May 28 U.S. stops scheduling foreign students' visa interviews while expanding social media vetting By Matthew Lee, Annie Ma, Associated Press A U.S. official said Tuesday the suspension is intended to be temporary and does not apply to applicants who already had scheduled their visa interviews. Continue reading
May 20 WATCH: Rubio testifies on State Department budget request, defending dramatic cuts By Matthew Lee, Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Democratic senators sparred Tuesday over the Trump administration’s foreign policies, ranging from Ukraine and Russia to the Middle East, Latin America, the slashing of the U.S. foreign assistance budget and refugee admissions. Continue reading
May 12 WATCH: White Afrikaners from South Africa arrive at Dulles airport to seek U.S. resettlement By Gerald Imray, Associated Press Many in South Africa are puzzled by claims that Afrikaners are persecuted and meet the requirements to be relocated as refugees. Continue reading
Apr 22 State Department unveils massive overhaul of agency, 15 percent staff reduction By Farnoush Amiri, Matthew Lee, Associated Press Plans include consolidating 734 bureaus and offices to 602 as well as transitioning 137 offices "to another location within the Department to increase efficiency."… Continue reading