USA:s utrikesdepartement

US State Department to Cut 15% of Staff, Close 100 Offices

The personnel strength at the US Department of State is to be reduced by 15 percent and over 100 offices are to be closed, according to a downsizing plan. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio states that it is about a change of course from "decades of excess and bureaucracy".

US Budget Proposal Targets UN and NATO Funding Cuts

Many closed embassies, withdrawn funds to both the UN and Nato, and mass layoffs of diplomats. These cutbacks are included in an "aggressive" budget proposal for the US Department of State. The draft is, however, described as too far-reaching to be passed.

State Department Urges Reporting of 'Unchristian' Behavior

Employees at the US Department of State are being urged to report colleagues who exhibit "unchristian" behavior, reports Politico. It feels very much like "The Handmaid's Tale", says an anonymous official to the news site.

China Wraps Up Military Drills Near Taiwan, Raising Regional Tensions

China has concluded the two-day military exercises off Taiwan's coast, according to China's military.

Trump Sees Parallels Between Le Pen Verdict and His Own Legal Battles

The President of the USA, Donald Trump, suggests that he sees similarities between the verdict against the French far-right politician Marine Le Pen and his own legal disputes.

USA to meet with Russia: "Constructive"

USA and Russia have had "constructive discussions" about their diplomatic relations during a meeting in Turkey, announces the US Department of State.

USA to Send Bombers Worth Billions to Israel

The US Department of State has approved a massive sale of bombs to Israel.

USA: Panama breaks our agreement

Panama is violating its agreement with the USA and if nothing is done, the USA will be forced to take "necessary measures". This is warned by the USA's Foreign Minister Marco Rubio to Panama during his visit to the country.

USA accuses warring parties of genocide in Sudan

The US government accuses individuals within Sudan's paramilitary force Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of genocide.

High-ranking US diplomats have met with HTS leader

High American diplomats visit Syria for the first time since the dictator Bashar al-Assad was ousted at the beginning of December. There, they have met the HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – and now announce that the reward for his capture is being scrapped.

High-ranking US diplomats meet HTS leader

High American diplomats visit Syria for the first time since the dictator Bashar al-Assad was ousted at the beginning of December. There, they have met the HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – and now announce that the reward for his capture is being scrapped.

Congo accuses Apple of buying "blood minerals"

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has filed a complaint about illegal mining against tech giant Apple to courts in Europe.

USA warns: Leave Syria now

The US Department of State is urging American citizens to leave Syria immediately. Jordan has issued a similar appeal to its citizens due to the jihadists' advance.

USA: No new limits for military support to Israel

Israel has improved the influx of emergency aid to Gaza sufficiently enough for the USA not to restrict its military support to the country. This is stated by the US Department of State, which despite this criticizes Israel for not doing enough to help the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Blinken to Brussels for Ukraine talks

Trump has spoken to Putin

Donald Trump has had his first conversation with Russia's President Vladimir Putin after the election victory last week.

Attack on Beirut after new evacuation order

Israel has carried out several air strikes against southern Beirut on Friday evening, according to Lebanese media. Just before the attack at 21:00, the residents of the designated areas were urged to evacuate immediately.

Israel promises bloody response to Iran's attack

Israel must avoid "Gaza-like" military actions in Lebanon, says the USA after a phone call between the USA's President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the same time, Israel says that the country's response to Iran's attack will be "deadly".

Arrested in Venezuela accused of murder plot

Three Americans, two Spaniards, and one Czech citizen have been arrested in Venezuela. They are accused of coming to the country with the intention of assassinating President Nicolás Maduro.

USA imposes new sanctions on Russian media company

The United States' new sanctions spark Israel's discontent

The US government is imposing sanctions on "extremist settlers" in the West Bank – which irritates Israel.

Iran opens up for new talks with "the enemy"

Iran's highest leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is opening the door for new talks with the UN and the "enemy" USA about the country's nuclear energy program.

EU condemns Israel's decision on Norway

Israel withdraws accreditation for Norwegian diplomats stationed in Tel Aviv, eight people who worked with Palestinian issues. In Oslo, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide reacts strongly. The EU's Foreign Policy Chief calls the Israeli decision "unjustified".

USA "appalled" over Israeli starvation ploy

The USA is reacting strongly to the reasoning from Israel's Finance Minister that it would be "defensible and morally justifiable" to let the entire Gaza Strip's two million inhabitants starve. Even the EU, France, and the UK are condemning the statement.