New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed reports of attacks on an Indian-crewed tanker, MT Liaki Freedom, off the coast of Oman, which had triggered fresh concerns amid a series of such incidents in the region, clarifying that all the crew members were safe after directly speaking with the vessel’s master.MEA sources said immediate contact was established with the ship to verify the situation, given the heightened sensitivity surrounding recent incidents involving c…
Latest US State Department News & Updates
Washington, June 11 (IANS) The United States and Japan reiterated their commitment to the “complete denuclearisation” of North Korea and rejected Russia’s notion that Pyongyang’s pursuit of nuclear arms was a “closed” issue, as they held key defence talks in Tokyo this week, according to a joint statement.The allies held the bilateral Extended Deterrence Dialogue at Japan’s foreign ministry on Monday and Tuesday as they seek to reinforce security cooperation in the face of China’s growing assert…
Seoul, June 8 (IANS) Senior US State Department officials recently met with a South Korean pastor who had led rallies opposing the impeachment of now-jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed marital law bid, according to a church on Monday. According to Segero Church, Riley Barnes, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour (DRL), and Julie Turner, acting deputy assistant secretary of state for DRL, along with White House faith liaison Belsis Romero, visited…
Washington, June 4 (IANS) Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the United States is working to find third-country resettlement options for Afghan allies stranded abroad, including many currently in Pakistan, as the Trump administration continues to review relocation policies for those who assisted American forces during the Afghanistan war. The issue emerged during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday (local time) when Representative Julie Johnson criticised the adminis…
Washington, June 3 (IANS) The United States has expanded its response to the Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa, announcing more than $162 million in assistance and a series of measures aimed at containing the disease while preventing its spread to the United States.In an update issued on Wednesday, the US State Department said it was working closely with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and U…
Washington, June 3 (IANS) Two Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), arguing that Beijing is using infrastructure financing and investment deals to expand its economic and strategic influence around the world.Congressman Scott Fitzgerald of Wisconsin and Congressman Zach Nunn of Iowa on Tuesday unveiled the Thwarting Regional Adversary Investments Now (TRAIN) Act and the Build Responsible Infrastructure Development for the Glo…
Jerusalem, May 26 (IANS) Citing Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement as a reason, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Tuesday warned residents in the Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh to evacuate to safer areas. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X that all residents of Nabatieh must move north of the Zahrani River.“In light of the terrorist Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Defence Army is forced to act against it forcefully. The Defence Army does not…
United Nations, May 17 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement of a 45-day extension of the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, said his press office.Guterres reaffirmed the support of the world body to all efforts to end hostilities and alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides of the Blue Line, a border demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel established by the United Nations in 2000, said the press office in a note to corresponden…
Washington, May 16 (IANS) Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of their ceasefire that took effect last month, a spokesperson for the US State Department has said. “The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress,” State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said on X on Friday (local time).Israel and Lebanon will resume political negotiations at the US State Department on June 2-3, while their military delegates are set to launch paralle…
Beirut, May 16 (IANS) Three paramedics were killed and another seriously wounded in an airstrike in southern Lebanon, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged stronger Arab and international backing for Lebanon’s diplomatic efforts, warning the country faces its gravest crisis since its founding. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the strike hit a civil defence centre operated by the Islamic Health Authority in the town of Harouf and completely destroyed the facility.The ministry accused Israel …