US may restrict visas for Ugandan officials in wake of anti-LGBTQ+ laws Antony Blinken says he’s looking to ‘promote accountability’ for Ugandan officials who have violated rights of LGBTQ+ people The Guardian - US · May 30, 2023
US to consider visa restrictions over Uganda anti-gay law Secretary of State Antony Blinken says legislation, which includes the death penalty, is deeply troubling. Al Jazeera · May 30, 2023
Top US diplomat condemns Kosovo after clashes in majority-Serb town U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday condemned the government of Kosovo for accessing municipal buildings in the country's north by force and called on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reverse course. Reuters · May 26, 2023
Top US diplomat to visit Nordic countries -State Department U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to visit Sweden, Norway, and Finland from May 29 to June 2, the State Department said on Friday, to deepen cooperation on national security and economic issues as Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on. Reuters · May 26, 2023
Bangladesh promises free, fair polls after US warns of visa curbs Dhaka assures free polls, due by January 2024, after US says it would restrict visas to Bangladeshis who undermine vote. Al Jazeera · May 25, 2023
U.S., Chinese commerce chiefs raise complaints on trade, investment, export policies U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao traded barbs on trade, investment and export policies in talks on Thursday described by Raimondo's office as "candid and substantive." Reuters · May 25, 2023
World leaders are flocking to Papua New Guinea. Here's why Papua New Guinea has been in the international spotlight over the past week, hosting a remarkable series of visits by foreign leaders and senior representatives. The Conversation · May 25, 2023
US State Department's top China policy official to step down The U.S. State Department's top China policy official Rick Waters is set to step down at a time of fraught relations between Washington and Beijing. Reuters · May 24, 2023
Bangladeshis who undermine elections may be restricted from US -Blinken Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the United States was implementing a new policy allowing for the restriction of visas to Bangladeshis who undermine the democratic election process in their country. Reuters · May 24, 2023
Humanitarian aid to Sudan slow despite fighting lull amid truce US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns Sudan’s rival generals to abide by the latest ceasefire or face sanctions. Al Jazeera · May 24, 2023
Cuba is not cooperating in fight against terrorism, Biden administration says The U.S. State Department has told Congress that Cuba is not fully cooperating with the United States in combating terrorism, signaling that the Biden administration will keep the island on the list of states sponsors of terrorism. Miami Herald · May 23, 2023
US says Cuba still not cooperating fully against terrorism By Matt Spetalnick and Dave Sherwood Reuters · May 23, 2023
Blinken warns rival Sudanese generals to respect latest truce or face possible sanctions U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Sudan’s rival generals to abide by the latest cease-fire or face possible sanctions The Independent UK · May 23, 2023
Papua New Guinea’s security deal with the US is a win for Washington – for now Prime minister James Marape was at pains to say he did not want to be forced to make a choice between the US and China The Guardian - AU · May 23, 2023
Reuters · May 22, 2023 Australia welcomes US-Papua New Guinea defence pact The Australian government on Tuesday welcomed a defence cooperation agreement between its closest neighbour Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the U.S. aimed at bolstering regional security amid China's plans to increase influence in the Pacific.
ABC News · May 22, 2023 United States and Papua New Guinea strengthen defence ties with new security agreement, details still to be made public US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signs a Defence Cooperation Agreement between the United States and PNG, a leaked draft of which suggests it might open the door to a substantial US military presence in the country, as well as potentially offering American personnel in PNG some protection from prosecution.
The New Daily · May 22, 2023 US and Papua New Guinea sign defence agreement United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has signed a defence co-operation agreement with Papua New Guinea
The Guardian - UK · May 22, 2023 US and Papua New Guinea sign pact amid Pacific militarisation concerns Concerns security deal could leave Papua New Guinea stuck between increasingly hostile US and China
Al Jazeera · May 22, 2023 Papua New Guinea, US sign defence and maritime pact Blinken says defence and maritime surveillance pact was signed by both countries ‘as equals and sovereign partners’.
Reuters · May 21, 2023 U.S., Papua New Guinea sign defence pact at Pacific summit U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a defence cooperation pact signed with Papua New Guinea on Monday would expand the Pacific island nation's capabilities and make it easier for the U.S. military to train with its forces.
The Independent UK · May 21, 2023 US to sign new security pact with Papua New Guinea amid competition with China The United States is scheduled to sign a new security pact with Papua New Guinea on Monday as the U.S. continues to jostle with China for influence in the Pacific
ABC News · May 21, 2023 India's Modi lands in Papua New Guinea to host senior leaders at forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Port Moresby to host the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), which brings together leaders and top officials from New Delhi and 14 Pacific Island nations.
The Hindu · May 21, 2023 Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Jaishankar, discusses PM Modi's upcoming visit to U.S. U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on May 21 met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima and discussed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to America.
Reuters · May 21, 2023 Ukraine conflict shows need for defence pact with U.S. - Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea said it will sign a defence agreement with the United States, ahead of a deal with Australia and despite opposition party concerns it could upset China, because the Ukraine conflict shows the need for military capability.
Reuters · May 20, 2023 US to sign strategic pacts with two Pacific states, hopes for third in weeks The United States will sign new strategic pacts with the Pacific island states of Palau and Micronesia early next week and hopes to do so with the Marshall islands in coming weeks, the U.S. presidential envoy negotiating the deals said.