Us State Department

Supreme Court clears path for mass layoffs across federal agencies; first wave to hit domestic workforce.

U.S. State Dept Claims Free Panama Canal Access, Authorities Deny Any Such Deal | N18G

The U.S. government has allegedly reached an agreement allowing its ships to use the Panama Canal for free, which is expected to save millions in fees annually. However, the Panama Canal Authority has denied this claim. The news comes as the Panama Canal becomes a point of contention in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Trump has criticized China's influence over the Canal and accused Panama of overcharging U.S. vessels. He even threatened to retake control of the Canal, citing concerns over regional financial security. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited Panama and held discussions with President Jose Raul Mulino, leading Panama to review China’s role in Canal operations. Panama also announced it would let its involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative expire. China, in turn, expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. remarks regarding its involvement in the Canal but stated cooperation with Panama remains unaffected.

US Rebukes Pakistani Journalist After He Rakes Up India’s Internal Matter at State Dept. Briefing

The United States on Thursday said India can speak about its visa policy and, as such, refrained from commenting on the allegation of denial of visa renewal of an Australian journalist. Watch to know more!

2-year-old among thousands jailed for 'being Christian' in North Korea, says US report

A US State Department report puts the number of jailed citizens between 50,000 and 70,000. Citing a document by an NGO, the International Religious Freedom Report says an "entire family, including a two-year-old child, was given life sentence" in 2009 after a Bible was found in their possession

US State Dept. Talks About 'Rule Of Law' On Rahul Gandhi's Disqualification As MP | Watch

The United States is watching the court case of Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, the deputy spokesperson of the US State Department said on Monday while observing that Washington continues to engage with India on the shared commitment towards democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified on Friday following a conviction and two-year jail sentence in a defamation case. Watch to know more!

US State Department implements several recommendations of presidential commission to reduce visa backlog in India

India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted.

US on BBC's Modi documentary: Unfamiliar with show, recognise shared values with India

Addressing a press briefing in Washington, US State department spokesperson said, "I'm not familiar with the documentary you're referring to, however, I am very familiar with the shared values that enact the United States and India as two thriving and vibrant democracies."

US State Department approves potential sale of anti-tank systems to Taiwan for $180 million

U.S. law requires the executive branch to notify Congress of potential arms sales that are over a certain amount. But these notifications are usually not made unless lawmakers have given the State Department and Pentagon informal approval to move ahead.

Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and sectarian violence: US in travel advisory

In a travel advisory issued on Thursday, the US State Department urged its citizens not to travel to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provinces, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism and kidnapping.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to visit Taiwan in August

The plans comes as Taiwan faces pressure from China as the latter considers democratically ruled Taiwan its own territory and the subject is a constant source of friction between Beijing and Washington.

US drops 'foreign terrorist' designation from Israeli, Basque, Egyptian groups

Removed from the FTO blacklist were Kahane Chai, a Jewish extremist group linked to late rabbi Meir Kahane; the Palestinian jihadist group Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem; and Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, or ETA, a Basque separatist group that operated in Spain and France.

Voiced our concerns about Russia to India: US State Department

Last week, India had abstained on a procedural resolution to call for a rare special emergency session of the UN General Assembly on Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

U.S. State Department phones hacked with Israel-based NSO Group's spyware: Sources

The hacks, which took place in the last several months, hit U.S. officials either based in Uganda or focused on matters concerning the East African country

U.S. State Department hit by cyber attack: Report

It is unclear when the breach was discovered, but it is believed to have happened a couple of weeks ago, according to the Fox News reporter's Twitter thread.

US defended Amazon after article showed company bypassed Indian law

India's strict foreign investment rules for e-commerce have caused friction between Washington and New Delhi, and frustrated US firms with online businesses in India, such as Amazon and Walmart Inc.

As COVID-19 cases soar, US asks its citizens to leave India for the second time in a week

Noting that Americans are reporting being denied admittance to hospitals in some cities due to a lack of space, Washington has again asked its citizens to leave India as soon as it is safe to do so. The latest alert comes less than a week after the US announced a travel advisory against visiting India.

Joe Biden fills out State Department team with Obama veterans

The team “embodies my core belief that America is strongest when it works with our allies,” Biden said in a statement.

US commits over $775 million to help other countries fight COVID-19: US State Department

According to a fact sheet released by the US State Department on Friday, the over $775 million assistance is specifically aimed at helping governments, international organisations, and NGOs to fight the pandemic.

India, US agree to work for free, open Indo-Pacific region: State Department

The resource-rich Indo-Pacific region is where China has been trying to spread its influence. The US has been pushing for a broader role by India in the strategically important region.

3-Point Analysis | No plan to cap H-1B visas: US

Moneycontrol's Sakshi Batra does a 3-Point Analysis of what the latest statement means for Indian IT professionals and the industry overall.

Saudi Arabia strips Osama bin Laden's son of citizenship

The US State Department said on Thursday it was offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading "to the identification or location in any country" of Hamza, calling him a key al Qaeda leader.

North Korea wanted most sanctions lifted in exchange for partial Yongbyon closure: US official

"The dilemma that we were confronted with is the North Koreans at this point are unwilling to impose a complete freeze on their weapons of mass destruction programs," the official told reporters.

US State department applauds Facebook for removing suspicious accounts

The reaction came yesterday, a day after the social media giant removed 32 fake accounts and pages that, it says, were involved in "coordinated unauthentic behaviour" and political influence campaign to manipulate voters ahead of the November mid-term elections in the United States.

Expect Pakistan to take decisive action on militants: US state department

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, speaking at her daily news conference, described Pakistan as an "important partner" and said Islamabad already knows what it needs to do.

'US state department issues Guardian drone export license for India'

A DSP-5 category license is issued for permanent export of military hardware as found in the US Munitions List which is defined by the International Traffic Arms Regulations.