The Latest Breaking News from State Department

U.S. sanctions South African Islamic State-affiliated firms

The U.S. has imposed its second round of sanctions in less than a week on people and firms in Africa who it says have provided financial or material support to the Islamic State group

The Independent UK · Nov 7, 2022

Ukraine Warns of More Attacks on Infrastructure, as Mayor Urges Kyiv to Prepare for the Worst

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned on Sunday against more potential Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, while the mayor of Kyiv urged residents to consider preparing to leave temporarily if the capital lost water and power supplies. In regular nightly remarks, Zelenskiy said Russia was "concentrating forces and means for a…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Nov 7, 2022

Ukraine denies Western pressure to soften stance on talks with Russia

Ukraine denied on Tuesday that it was under Western pressure to negotiate with Russia, doubling down on its insistence that talks could be held only if Russia relinquishes all of the territory it has occupied since its invasion in February.

Reuters · Nov 7, 2022

Blinken to Abbas: US Backs Two-state Solution

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the State Department said Saturday. The move came as Israel's hawkish former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has not endorsed the two-state idea, sealed…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Nov 5, 2022

US sanctions Haitian politicians on drug trafficking claims

Two Haitian politicians are facing U.S. sanctions over allegations they abused their positions to traffic drugs in collaboration with gang networks and directed others to engage in violence

The Independent UK · Nov 4, 2022

G7 agreed on need for coordination mechanism to repair Ukraine infrastructure

Group of Seven foreign ministers agreed on the need for a coordination mechanism to help Ukraine repair, restore and defend its critical energy and water infrastructure, a senior State Department official said on Friday.

Reuters · Nov 4, 2022

Blinken Thanks Outgoing Israel PM, Warns on West Bank Violence

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced alarm on Thursday about rising tensions in the West Bank, in a call to thank outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who has conceded defeat in his country's elections. Blinken spoke to Lapid to "commend Israel for its free and fair elections, and…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Nov 4, 2022

U.S. officials visit Brittney Griner in Russia prison

State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a tweet that the American representatives “saw firsthand her tenacity and perseverance despite her present circumstances.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 3, 2022

G7 to work together on winter aid for Ukraine, Germany says

Group of Seven foreign ministers gathered on Thursday to weigh how to support Ukraine through the winter in the face of Russian attacks on its power grid as well as deal with China's growing assertiveness and Iran's crackdown on protests.

Reuters · Nov 3, 2022

U.S. condemns North Korea's ICBM launch, says State Dept

The United States condemned North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch which triggered an alert for residents in parts of Japan to seek shelter, a State Department spokesperson said in a statement late Wednesday Washington time.

Reuters · Nov 3, 2022