State Department

Felony Charges For U.S. Diplomat Over Alleged Contacts With Chinese Agents

6:31pm March 29, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

For years, a State Department employee allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from Chinese intelligence operatives and failed to report the repeated contacts to U.S. officials.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has instructed consular officials to develop criteria to identify "populations warranting increased scrutiny" for visa applications. He's shown here last week in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

State Department Instructs Embassies To Beef Up Screening For Visa Applicants

5:50pm March 24, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

The directions, in four memorandums sent last week, require social media checks on certain applicants and instruct consular officials to identify "populations warranting increased scrutiny."

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, upon arriving at the Osan Air Base in South Korea last week.

The 'Tillerson Is Tired' Meme And Things That Happen In A News Vacuum

7:39am March 20, 2017

by Elise Hu

The secretary of state didn't cut short his South Korea stay over the weekend, but an information vacuum meant a lot of people thought he did.

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 monitors how the climate is changing. Trump's budget would eliminate some satellites, including OCO-3, a next-generation carbon-monitoring spacecraft.

Trump's Budget Slashes Climate Change Funding

4:20pm March 16, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The White House's proposed federal budget cuts everything from research to regulation, and makes clear that the administration doesn't view climate change as a priority.

The U.S. has begun deploying the Terminal High Altitude Aerial Defense - THAAD - an anti-missile system meant to defend South Korea against attacks from the North. The first components arrived in South Korea last week.

A Long List Of Challenges Awaits Rex Tillerson In Asia

7:51am March 15, 2017

by Elise Hu

As the new secretary of state starts a six-day sweep through East Asia, he heads into a region full of challenges, both old and new.

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Dozens of ambassadorial jobs remain vacant, as do some 30 top jobs at State Department headquarters requiring Senate confirmation — positions from deputy secretary of state on down to regional assistant secretaries.

Worries Grow As Top Posts Remain Vacant At State Department

8:34pm March 10, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

The administration has cleared out the State Department's top echelons. Congress is noticing the vacuum. So are other countries: Mexico's visiting foreign secretary went straight to the White House.

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Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. would face Senate confirmation before his reported selection as the U.S. ambassador to Russia would become official.

World News

Trump Reportedly Selects Jon Huntsman As U.S. Ambassador To Russia

8:54am March 09, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Responding to reports of Huntsman's selection, the Kremlin says it would welcome any U.S. ambassador who wants to create a dialogue with Russia.

President Donald Trump signs a bill repealing a rule passed last July that required oil, gas and mining companies to disclose payments to overseas governments. The rule was meant to promote transparency. Critics of the repeal argue it served as an importa

Repeal Of Anti-Corruption Rule May Hurt National Security, Critics Warn

4:38pm February 27, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

The repealed Securities and Exchange Commission rule required oil, gas and mining companies to disclose overseas payments. It was meant to promote transparency in countries riddled with corruption.

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Longtime diplomat Daniel Fried, shown here at a meeting in Seoul in 2016, told colleagues at his retirement party on Friday he's "learned never to underestimate the possibility of change."

As He Retires, U.S. Diplomat Delivers Message That 'Values Have Power'

8:28pm February 24, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

Daniel Fried, who retired Friday from the State Department, helped shape U.S. policy in Europe over a 40-year career. "I learned never to underestimate the possibility of change," he told colleagues.

Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson Keeps Low Profile Since Taking Office

8:33pm February 21, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

Questions are being raised about how much influence Tillerson has with the White House. He was absent from the president's recent meetings with the leaders of Canada, Israel and Japan.

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