DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Alexey Navalny's death wasn't directly ordered by Putin, WSJ reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Putin critic Alexey Navalny's death may not have been planned to happen when it did, WSJ reported. The Journal reported that this opinion is shared by several US intelligence agencies. AdvertisementAlexey Navalny's February death in a remote Arctic prison camp likely wasn't directly ordered by Vladimir Putin, despite Navalny's outspoken criticism of the Russian president, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Despite the suspicious circumstances of the opposition leader's death, the outlet reported Putin may not have intended Navalny to be killed when he was. None of the intelligence agencies cited by the Journal or the Pentagon have responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: Alexey Navalny's, Navalny's, —, Vladimir Putin, Putin, — wasn't, Putin wasn't, Leonid Volkov, Navalny Organizations: Kremlin, Service, Street, CIA, National Intelligence, State, Journal, Pentagon, Business Locations: Russian, Poland

☆ U.S. considers easing warnings for Americans traveling to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. and China flags are seen at the People's Bank of China prior to the arrival of U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing on April 8, 2024. Pedro Pardo | AFP | Getty ImagesThe U.S. is considering easing advisories against its citizens traveling to China, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on Tuesday, acknowledging concerns that the warnings may have curtailed exchanges between Americans and Chinese people. The State Department has periodically issued tiered warnings for Americans traveling to China, calling on them to reconsider visits or exercise increased caution due to risks of "arbitrary enforcement of local laws," exit bans and wrongful detentions. Despite China's warnings, hundreds of thousands of Chinese students study in the United States compared with only a few hundred Americans in China. "We have told China directly if this continues, it will have an impact on the U.S.-China relationship.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Pedro Pardo, Kurt Campbell, Campbell Organizations: U.S, People's Bank of, Treasury, AFP, Getty, China Relations, State Department, . Locations: China, People's Bank of China, U.S, Beijing, Washington, Ukraine, United States, Moscow

☆ Senior U.S. diplomat links AUKUS submarine pact to Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) Partnership as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia participate at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California, United States. 2 diplomat suggested on Wednesday that the AUKUS submarine project between Australia, Britain and the U.S. could help deter any Chinese move against Taiwan. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell made a rare linkage between Taiwan and AUKUS, telling Washington's Center for a New American Security think tank that new submarine capabilities would enhance peace and stability, including in the strait that separates China and Taiwan. AUKUS' submarine capabilities "have enormous implications in a variety of scenarios, including in cross-strait circumstances," Campbell said. "I would argue that working closely with other nations, not just diplomatically but in defense avenues, has the consequence of strengthening peace and stability more generally," he added.

Persons: Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Anthony Albanese, Kurt Campbell, AUKUS, Campbell Organizations: Naval Base Point, Taiwan, New, New American Security Locations: Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego , California, Britain, U.S, Taiwan, China, New American

☆ Turkey is back in from the cold with NATO and F-16 moves, but thorny issues remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey spent nearly two years — along with Hungary — holding up Sweden's accession to NATO. Within hours of Ankara's decision, the U.S. approved a $23 billion sale for F-16 fighter jets to Turkey that had been delayed since 2021. It's worth noting that Hungary has yet to approve Sweden's NATO bid, and remains the only member of the alliance standing in the way of the Nordic country's accession. Turkey seemingly has a unique position that allows it to push the envelope and cross lines with its NATO allies. "My approval of Turkey's request to purchase F-16 aircraft has been contingent on Turkish approval of Sweden's NATO membership.

Persons: Turkey Recep Erdogan, It's, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it's, Victoria Nuland, David Lepeska, Ben Cardin Organizations: NATO, Conference, Hungary —, UAE, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: Turkey, Vilnius, Lithuania, Hungary, Sweden, Washington, Russian, Turkish, Eastern

☆ US Reviewing Reports of Civilian Harm by Israel, State Dept Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"We do seek to thoroughly assess reports of civilian harm by authorized recipients of U.S.-provided defense articles around the world," Miller said at a press briefing, adding that a process under the State Department's Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance (CHIRG) was assessing incidents in the current conflict. Israel's ensuing assault on Gaza has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 68,000, according to Gaza health officials. The guidance sets out a process by which State Department officials investigate specific incidents where civilians may have been harmed by U.S. weapons. But a source familiar with the process said the department was looking at least 50 reported incidents of civilian harm. The process is separate from assessments the State Department sometimes undertakes to determine whether atrocities, including crimes against humanity or even genocide, have been committed in a conflict.

Persons: Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis WASHINGTON, Israel, Matthew Miller, Biden, Miller, Joe Biden, Simon Lewis, Sandra Maler Organizations: State, U.S, State Department's, State Department, Department, Reuters, Washington, Defense Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, Washington

☆ US Special Envoy on North Korea to Visit Tokyo, Seoul
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights issues, Julie Turner, will travel to Tokyo and Seoul from Monday, the State Department said. On the visit through Feb. 22, Turner will meet with government officials, activists and North Korean defectors, the department said in a news release on its website on Friday. "Special Envoy Turner's trip will underscore the U.S. commitment to promoting human rights in North Korea, increasing access to uncensored information within the closed country, and empowering survivor voices advocating for concrete change," the release said. President Joe Biden, however, had vowed on taking office that human rights would be at the centre of his foreign policy. (Reporting by Kevin Buckland in Tokyo; Editing by William Mallard and Tom Hogue)

Persons: Julie Turner, Turner, Joe Biden, Kevin Buckland, William Mallard, Tom Hogue Organizations: U.S, State Department, North Korean, State Department's Office, East, of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor Locations: TOKYO, North, Tokyo, Seoul, North Korea, United States, Pyongyang, East Asia

☆ U.S. Mends Fences With El Salvador's Bukele as China Lurks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Now, more than ever, the U.S. needs Central American nations like El Salvador to curb migration to the southern border. In October, the State Department's top Latin America diplomat, Brian Nichols, visited El Salvador and posed for photos with Bukele. WAITING IN THE WINGSAt the same time, there are growing ties between China and El Salvador. Although of limited commercial importance in itself, El Salvador offers China a foothold in Central America, and in 2017 broke relations with Taiwan in favor of China. "El Salvador wants to do trade with everyone," Bukele said during his victory speech on Sunday night.

Persons: Diego Oré, Sarah Kinosian, Nelson, Nayib Bukele, Jean Manes, Bukele's, Brian Nichols, Antony Blinken, Bukele, Manes, Ana Maria Mendez, Salvadorans, El Salvador, El, Margaret Myers, Diego Ore, Nelson Renteria, Christian Plumb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters, El Salvador, Central American, U.S, U.S ., Central, State Department's, El, U.S . State Department, Washington Office, U.S . Customs, USAID, The U.S, Inter, Huawei, Washington, Diego Locations: United States, U.S, El Salvador, Latin America, America, China, Honduras, Washington, China's, San Salvador, Central America, Taiwan, Mexico City

☆ US citizens planning to visit Jamaica should reconsider due to the threat of violent crime and sexual assaults, the State Department said
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The State Department has raised the advisory for Jamaica to "Level 3: Reconsider Travel," citing concerns over crime and unreliable medical services. The US embassy in Jamaica warned of home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides. AdvertisementSexual assaults have been reported at all-inclusive holiday resorts, said the State Department's Jamaica travel advisory. The "Over the Hill" area of Nassau has seen heightened violent activity as a result of gang-on-gang violence, per the State Department travel advisory. AdvertisementThe State Department also warned against water-based activities, such as tours on commercial, recreational watercraft, stressing that these are not consistently regulated.

Persons: —, Juan Silva Organizations: State Department, State, Government of, CBS, Department Locations: Jamaica, Bahamas, Government of Jamaica, Caribbean, Nassau

☆ The US ramped up arms exports by more than 50% in 2023, cutting into Russia's own weapons trade: Politico
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US increased its arms exports by more than 50% in 2023, compared to 2022, while also damaging Russia's own defense trade, Politico reported . In a fact sheet citing the numbers, the Department of State specified that arms exports rose to $80.9 billion in 2023, a 55.9% increase from $51.9 billion in 2022. "We see that because Russia's defense industry is denied the resources that come from exports, that helps to contribute to Russian strategic failure on the battlefield," she said. Resnick cited a $1.8 billion arms deal that the US struck with India last year, and "real tough decisions" in Global South countries about abandoning Russian equipment. Since the early 2010s, Russian arms exports have declined in part due to China and India's efforts to ramp up their own domestic arms production, along with earlier Western sanctions packages meant to dissuade third countries from buying Russian weapons.

Persons: Mira Resnick, Resnick Organizations: Politico, NATO, Department of State, Reuters, State Department, Department's Office, Regional Security, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Moscow, India, Global South, Stockholm, China, Russia

☆ Exclusive-US Sets up Channel With Israel Seeking Answers on Civilian Casualties
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

The existence of this initiative has not been previously reported and the U.S. officials requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive details around it. The United States set up the process to drive accountability for Israel, one of the officials said. It was not clear what action, if any, Washington would take against Israel as a result of what it learns. The United States provides Israel $3.8 billion in annual military assistance. Israel unleashed its war to eradicate Hamas after militants from Gaza launched a shock incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing around 240 hostages.

Persons: Humeyra Pamuk, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Benny Gantz, Washington, Biden, Joe Biden's, David Satterfield, Israel, Vedant Patel, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: United, Reuters, Israeli, U.S, Hamas, Israel, State Department, State Department's, United Nations, Washington, . State Department, Urgent Locations: Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, United States, Israel, Gaza, Washington, U.S, Jerusalem, Ukraine, Sudan, American

☆ This North American country is the safest for travelers in 2024—and it's not the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The post-pandemic era set off the rise of "travel experiences" with more and more people wanting unique adventures and to explore places off the beaten path. Travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection recently released its ninth-annual State of Travel Insurance report which ranks the safest countries in the world for travelers. BHTP surveyed 1,702 people and used data from the Global Peace Index and the State Department's travel safety ratings to evaluate safety concerns like health measures, terrorism, weather emergencies and the safety of underrepresented groups. It's important to note the report states that despite the ranking, it doesn't mean every part of the country is safe, nor does it account for potential natural disasters.

Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway Travel, of Travel Insurance, State

But aid officials expressed concern. The sanctions that come with the formal designation are meant to sever violent extremist groups from their sources of financing. Aid groups during the height of Yemen's war issued repeated warnings that millions of Yemenis were on the brink of famine. Aid groups said that step could have the effect of criminalizing ordinary trade and assistance to Yemenis. At home, the designation helps the Houthis' message to Yemenis that the U.S. is the cause of their suffering, Al-Omeisy said.

Persons: Scott Paul, Jared Rowell, Biden, “, Hisham Al, Omeisy, ’ ” Organizations: Oxfam America, U.S, Nations, International Rescue Locations: Iran, Saudi, Britain, Yemen, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Washington

☆ China's Taiwan approach 'has been counterproductive,' Blinken says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that China's growing aggression toward Taiwan has undermined the country's own interests. "I think the approach that they've shown in recent years has actually been totally counterproductive to their interests," Blinken said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." Blinken's comments come days after Taiwan voters elected the Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te to serve as the next president. In the weeks leading up to the election, Taiwan officials reported several attempts by the Chinese government to sway the election via escalating military pressure and disinformation campaigns. At Davos, Blinken reiterated the official U.S. stance on Taiwan and China, which simultaneously supports Taiwan's democratic systems but does not support its independence.

Persons: Antony Blinken, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin, Blinken, Party's Lai Ching, Lai, Joe Biden's, Xi Jinping, we've Organizations: State, Economic, Taiwan, Democratic, White Locations: U.S, Davos, Switzerland, Taiwan, CNBC's, China, Beijing, China's Taiwan

☆ With crises brewing around the world, the US's diplomatic 'special agents' are sharpening old skills and learning some new ones
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The State Department relies on its Diplomatic Security Service to protect diplomats around the world. To protect those diplomats, the State Department relies on a little-known but highly capable agency — the Diplomatic Security Service. US State DepartmentAs the State Department's law-enforcement and security arm, the Diplomatic Security Service has been protecting US diplomats at home and abroad since 1916. "Through the council, the State Department can exchange information in real-time with hundreds of private businesses, faith-based organizations, and other US entities," a State Department spokesperson told Insider. Diplomatic Security ServiceFollowing a string of high-profile cyberattacks against government agencies and private businesses, US national-security officials are increasingly focused on cybersecurity.

Persons: —, Anatolii Organizations: Diplomatic Security Service, DSS, Service, UN, Assembly, US State Department As, State, State Department, Mobile Security, Mobile, Foreign Affairs Security Training Center, US Department of State Regional, US, Overseas Security Advisory Council, Publishing, Getty, Operations Command, Foreign Affairs Counter, APEC, Diplomatic Security, State Department's, Department of Homeland Security, Management, Budget Locations: Ukraine, China, Taiwan, State, Virginia, Kyiv, Russia, San Francisco

Students from India now outnumber those from China in 24 U.S. states, including Illinois, Texas and Michigan, which rank among the top destinations for international students. For the second consecutive year, America's graduate programs were the main attraction for international students, the study finds. Taken together, those three fields account for more than half of all international students in the United States. The surge nearly brings international numbers back to their pre-pandemic highs, with a peak of almost 1.1 million students in 2018. University leaders say they're important for global exchange, and they're also important for revenue — international students are usually charged higher tuition rates, effectively subsidizing college for U.S. students.

Persons: ”, Allan E, Goodman, Marianne Craven, they're Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, U.S, State Department, Institute of International Education, State, United Nations, Engineering, University, ., National, Associated Press, Carnegie Corporation of New, AP Locations: India, U.S, China, United Kingdom, Canada, Asia, United, Illinois , Texas, Michigan, United States, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, Spain, Carnegie Corporation of New York

Palestinians fleeing north Gaza move southward as Israeli tanks roll deeper into the enclave, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - More than 1,000 officials in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed an open letter urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters. The letter, published on Nov. 2, had now garnered 1,029 signatures from staff of the U.S. aid agency. Signatories names are hidden but the letter shows it was signed by officials in many of the agency's bureaus in Washington as well as officials posted around the world. The State Department does not confirm the existence of dissent cables.

Persons: Abu Mustafa, Biden, Joe Biden's, Antony Blinken, Vedant Patel, Patel, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Reuters, Israel, Department, State, The State Department, Deputy State, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, United States, U.S

Details of how Japan is paring back military procurement due to currency fluctuations have not been previously reported. China, which has not ruled out using military force to bring Taiwan under its control, has expressed concern about Japan's military spending plans, accusing it of displaying a "Cold War mentality." In December, defence ministry officials discussed an order for 34 twin-rotor Chinook transport helicopters at roughly 15 billion yen per aircraft, two of the sources said. She declined to comment on whether the defence ministry had dropped an order for the seaplane. A ministry spokesperson confirmed the companies delivered a letter on Oct 25 to Defence Minister Minoru Kihara urging the government to proceed with the defence procurement as planned.

Persons: Tomohiro, Fumio Kishida, Christopher Johnstone, Johnstone, Biden, Kishida, outlays, spender, Nancy Pelosi's, Yoji Koda, Lockheed Martin, Minoru Kihara, Kevin Maher, Nobuhiro Kubo, Takaya Yamaguchi, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi Takemoto, Katerina Ang Organizations: Defense Force, East Fuji Maneuver, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Bank of Japan, Center for Strategic, International Studies, National Security, East, Japan's Ministry of Defence, Embassy, Pentagon, Russian, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Boeing Co, Kawasaki, Industries, Maritime Self Defense Force, Raytheon, Lockheed, Japan Business Federation, NMV Consulting, U.S . State Department's Office, Japan Affairs, Thomson Locations: Japan, Gotemba, Shizuoka, Taiwan, Tokyo, Washington, Beijing, East Asia, U.S, East China, Ukraine, China, U.S .

Biden has literally, and figuratively, wrapped Netanyahu in a warm embrace since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Biden himself told reporters on his way back from Israel that he had a “long talk” with Israeli officials “about what the alternatives are” to a possible extended ground operation. “At the same time ... Netanyahu and I discussed again yesterday the critical need for Israel to operate by the laws of war. That was followed by more than a dozen lawmakers introducing a resolution urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire. Biden administration officials, meanwhile, in their interactions with their Israeli counterparts have witnessed trauma — and rage — that is palpable.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, he'd, Netanyahu, Bibi, ”, He's, Netanyahu “, “ We’re, ” Biden, Antony Blinken, Delia Ramirez, Summer Lee of, Michigan —, Blinken, Ilhan Omar, Omar, Israel, “, ” Josh Paul, Biden’s, Gazans Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Israel, Democratic Party, Democratic, Delia Ramirez of Illinois, West Bank, Rep, Ministry, State Department's Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, State Department, U.S Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israeli, U.S, Ukraine, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Delia Ramirez of, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Afghanistan, Rafah, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, United States

☆ Congress is in shambles and failing America when it needs it to function most
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

War broke out in the Middle East with one of the US' closest allies, but Congress can't do a thing. Without a House speaker, very little additional aid can be approved to aid Israel or even Ukraine. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe United States Congress is tragically failing when the world — not just the country — needs it to function most. While President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that some aid has already been sent, sending more will likely depend on the cooperation of Congress.

Persons: —, gridlock, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Israel isn't, there's, McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, George Santos, Santos, Matt Gaetz, Tommy Tuberville, Justin Sullivan, Sen, Bob Menendez, he's, GOP Sen, Chuck Schumer, Democratic Sen, Dick Durbin, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Biden, Cruz isn't Organizations: Service, United, United States Congress, Democratic Caucus, Hamas, Republican Party, Republicans, Representatives, GOP, Biden, Foreign Relations, Democratic, Senate, Republican, Counterterrorism, Politico, Biden White House Locations: Israel, Ukraine, United States, New York, Minden, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon

The White House has been working urgently in the past 24 hours to get a Senate confirmation process in motion for President Joe Biden's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, according to two White House officials. But the White House officials said they hope lawmakers in both parties will agree with the president on the need to quickly confirm Lew amid the war between Israel and Hamas. "Everyone understands the importance behind it," one White House official said. Tom Nides, Biden's former ambassador to Israel, told NBC News in an interview that the Senate needs to confirm his successor "immediately" upon return. One official said Lew is "eager" to get to work, and the White House hopes he is confirmed with bipartisan support.

Persons: Jack Lew, Joe Biden's, Obama, Biden, Lew, Tom Nides, Nides, Sen, Chris Murphy, Israel, Chris Coons, Coons, hasn't, Ted Cruz, Bill Clinton Organizations: International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, IMF, White, Foreign Relations, White House, West Bank, Palestinian Health Ministry, NBC News, Connecticut, U.S, State, Counterterrorism, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Republicans, Senate, Washington, Management, Israel, Organization, Economic Locations: Europe, Washington , DC, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Ted Cruz of Texas

☆ US accuses China of global media manipulation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Michael Martina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - China is manipulating global media through censorship, data harvesting and covert purchases of foreign news outlets, the United States said on Thursday, warning the trend could lead to a "sharp contraction" of global freedom of expression. Chinese leaders have sought to combat the negative images of China they feel are spread by world media. It had also invested in satellite networks and digital television services in developing regions that prioritize Chinese state-backed media content. Chinese data harvesting overseas "has enabled Beijing to fine-tune global censorship by targeting specific individuals and organizations," it said. "Unchecked, Beijing's efforts could result in .... a sharp contraction of global freedom of expression," the report said.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Mark Schiefelbein, Michael Martina, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Treasury, Rights, U.S . State Department, NATO, Global, Center, Thomson Locations: United States, Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, Washington, U.S, .

REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Microsoft Corp FollowWASHINGTON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Chinese hackers who breached Microsoft's (MSFT.O) email platform this year managed to steal tens of thousands of emails from U.S. State Department accounts, a Senate staffer told Reuters on Wednesday. The staffer, who attended a briefing by State Department IT officials, said the officials told lawmakers that 60,000 emails were stolen from 10 State Department accounts. U.S. officials and Microsoft said in July that Chinese state-linked hackers since May had accessed email accounts at around 25 organizations, including the U.S. Commerce and State Departments. The hackers compromised a Microsoft engineer's device, which allowed them to breach the State Department's email accounts, according to the briefing. The State Department did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Wednesday, and Schmitt wasn't available for an interview.

Persons: Kacper, Eric Schmitt, Microsoft's, Schmitt, Raphael Satter, Zeba Siddiqui, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Microsoft Corp, WASHINGTON, U.S . State Department, State Department IT, Department, East, Microsoft, U.S . Commerce, State, State Department, ., The State Department, U.S . State, Commerce, Reuters, Thomson Locations: East Asia, Europe, China, Beijing

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quincy Jones, who once embarked on an international diplomatic tour with jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, will receive the U.S. Department of State's inaugural Peace Through Music Award. A ceremony honoring the 28-time Grammy winning producer, musician and arranger will be held Wednesday night and as part of the launch of the State Department's new Global Music Diplomacy Initiative. The tour was part of a Cold War program to spotlight American music and culture and counteract similar efforts by the Soviet Union. “You’re going to see a long-standing partnership between the Academy and the State Department,” Mason said in an interview. We have no more powerful tools in our diplomatic toolkit, and I look forward to seeing – and listening to – the results of this initiative.”The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative was developed following the 2022 Promoting Peace, Education, and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) through Music Diplomacy Act.

Persons: — Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Jones, Antony Blinken, Harvey Mason, Dave Grohl, Mickey Guyton, Herbie Hancock, Jamie Barton, GAYLE, Christopher Jackson, LADAMA, Aimee Mann, Rakim, Armani White, Gillespie, Michael Jackson’s, Oscar, “ You’re, ” Mason, “, ”, Roosevelt, Bruce Springsteen, “ I’ve, ” Blinken Organizations: ANGELES, U.S . Department, State's, State, Music Diplomacy Initiative, Recording Academy, American, U.S . State Department, State Department, Fulbright, Arts and Science, Academy, Inter, American Affairs, AP, Education, Cultural Exchange, Diplomacy Locations: Southern Europe, South Asia, Soviet Union, East Berlin

☆ Passport delays are still long: Apply at least 6 months ahead of travel, says State Department
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Americans should review current processing times before making any definite or nonrefundable travel plans, a State Department spokesperson said. A routine passport application currently takes 10 to 13 weeks to process, according to the State Department. Expedited passport processing costs an extra $60. For comparison, before the pandemic, it took two to three weeks for expedited passports and six to eight weeks for routine passport processing, the State Department said. The price varies depending on the area of the country, according to the State Department.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Thomas Barwick, haven't, you've, Jose Organizations: The State Department, Digitalvision, State Department, United States Postal Service, Urgent

JPMorgan had handled some Russian grain export payments for a few months with reassurances from Washington. However, that cooperation stopped in early August, said Russia's Foreign Ministry, after Moscow quit the Black Sea grain deal in July. UNDERMINING U.N. EFFORTSU.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday that Russia's bombardment was undermining U.N. efforts to help facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports. To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, U.N. officials agreed to help Russian exports reach global markets. "It has led many of those whose goodwill is needed, notably in the private sector, to question whether there is any real interest in re-joining the Black Sea Initiative."

Persons: Morgan, Sarah Meyssonnier, Moscow, James O'Brien, ”, O'Brien, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Sergei Lavrov, Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Michelle Nichols, Michael Perry Organizations: JPMorgan, REUTERS, Washington, State Department, Reuters, Wednesday, Foreign Ministry, State Department's Office, United Nations, Security, Black Sea Initiative, United, Russia's, Russian Foreign Ministry, Guterres, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, U.S, Moscow, Ukraine, Washington, Russia, New York, United Nations, Turkey, United

Search resuls for: "State Department's"

25 mentions found