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☆ Biden imposing new international travel vaccine rules, lifting restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-25 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed an order imposing new vaccine requirements for most foreign national air travelers and lifting severe travel restrictions on China, India and much of Europe effective Nov. 8, the White House said. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File PhotoThe extraordinary U.S. travel restrictions were first imposed in early 2020 to address the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration also detailed requirements airlines must follow to confirm foreign travelers have been vaccinated before boarding U.S.-bound flights. The attestation form here notes it is a crime for air travelers lie about vaccination status. International air travelers will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days prior to departure.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, ” Biden’s, Ned Price, Biden Organizations: WASHINGTON, Reagan National Airport, REUTERS, White House, ”, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, CDC, World Health Organization, Sputnik, Transportation Security Administration Locations: China, India, Europe, Washington , U.S, U.S, COVID, Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Iran, Brazil, United States, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Armenia, Myanmar, Iraq, Nicaragua, Senegal, Uganda, Libya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Congo, Kenya, Yemen, Haiti, Chad, Madagascar, Mexico, inoculate

☆ U.S. State Department to establish new cyber bureau led by ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

State Department spokesman Ned Price speaks at the State Department in Washington, DC, U.S. August 18, 2021. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERSWASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Monday it plans to establish a bureau of cyberspace and digital policy that will be led by a Senate-confirmed ambassador at large, spokesperson Ned Price said. Price told a regular press briefing the new bureau will focus on international cyberspace security, international digital policy and digital freedom. The department would also establish a new special envoy for critical and emerging technology, he said. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed and Simon LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ned Price, Andrew Harnik, Price, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed, Simon Lewis Organizations: State Department, REUTERS, U.S . State Department, Senate, Thomson Locations: Washington , DC, U.S, REUTERS WASHINGTON

Sudanese civilian leaders on Monday urged citizens to take to the streets to defend the transition to democracy. No to a military coup.” It was still unclear whether the military, which is riven by divisions, was united behind the coup attempt. But after Mr. al-Bashir, then an army general, took power in military coup in 1989, Mr. Hamdok mostly worked abroad. For it to be released, he said, Sudan’s military leaders will need to fully restore Mr. Hamdok and other civilian leaders to power. Image Sudanese protesters marching in Khartoum on Monday to denounce the overnight detentions of members of Sudan’s government by the army.

Persons: Abdel Fattah al, Burhan, General al, ”, Hamdok, Ned Price, “, Omar Hassan, Bashir, Mr, Abdalla Hamdok, Brittainy Newman, al, Abdi Latif Dahir, Nazim Sirag, Monim El Jak, jerrycans, Omar al, Ahmed Abusin, ” Mr, Abusin, ” Khalid Albaih, Simon Marks, Omar Hassan al, Bryan Denton, ” Yasser Arman, Price, Jeffrey Feltman, Maryam al, Sadiq al, Marwan Ali, Feltman, Antonio Guterres, ” Ned Price, ” Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vicky Ford, ” Jeffrey Feltman, Hamdok’s, Soldiers, Yasuyoshi, ory Organizations: ., Agence France, State Department, The New York Times, Facebook, Sovereignty Council, Monday, Sudanese Professionals Association, Western, Troops, Sudan Pro, Credit, Getty, Central Committee, Sudanese Doctors, ”, Embassy, Twitter, Force, Military, East Green Initiative, United Nations, Commission, University of Khartoum, University of Manchester, Deloitte, Touche Management, African Development Bank, International Labor Organization, International Institute for Democracy, Electoral Assistance, Protesters, WASHINGTON, Sudanese, U.S, Associated Press, United, Mr, Biden, American Embassy, International, Arab League, U.S . State Department, Arab, Rights, African Union Commission, European Union, EU, Security, United Nations General Assembly, Nations, International Criminal Locations: Sudanese, Khartoum, Sudan, U.S, Africa, Port Sudan, ”, Omdurman, Doha, Qatar, Sudan’s, “, Saudi Arabia, England, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Dubai, United, United States, Washington, of Africa, States, Darfur

☆ Turkey and West climb down from brink of biggest diplomatic crisis
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan holds a news conference during the NATO summit at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 14, 2021. Turkey and its Western allies climbed down from a full-blown diplomatic crisis on Monday after foreign embassies said that they abide by diplomatic conventions on non-interference, averting a threatened expulsion of 10 ambassadors. "With a new statement made by the same embassies today, a step back was taken from this slander against our country and our nation. I believe these ambassadors ... will be more careful in their statements regarding Turkey's sovereign rights." "The United States notes that it maintains compliance with Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," the U.S. Embassy said on Twitter.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Osman, Aykan Erdemir, Ned Price, Biden, Ibrahim Kalin, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Mustafa Sentop Organizations: NATO, U.S, Osman Kavala, West, Vienna Convention, Diplomatic Relations, U.S . Embassy, Twitter, U.S . State Department, Turkish, U.S ., Kavala, of Human Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Turkey, Ankara, Germany, France, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, States, Vienna, U.S, Turkish

☆ Israel designates Palestinian rights groups as terrorists, U.N. 'alarmed'
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-23 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

JERUSALEM — Israel on Friday effectively outlawed six prominent Palestinian human rights groups by declaring them terrorist organizations, a major escalation of its decades-long crackdown on political activism in the occupied territories. Most of the targeted organizations document alleged human rights violations by Israel as well as the Palestinian Authority, both of which routinely detain Palestinian activists. Israeli and international rights groups condemned the move as an assault on civil society and expressed solidarity with the targeted organizations. Israel has long accused human rights groups and international bodies of being biased against it and of singling it out while ignoring graver violations by other countries. “EU funding to Palestinian civil society organizations is an important element of our support for the two state solution,” it said.

Persons: Israel, Haq, “, Ned Price, ”, B’Tselem Organizations: Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Defense, Children International, Palestine, Bisan Center for Research, Development, Union of Palestinian, Committees, Union of Agricultural, Israeli Defense Ministry, Popular Front, Liberation, Defense Ministry, PFLP, European Union, U.S . State Department, Rights Watch, Amnesty Locations: JERUSALEM, Israel, Palestine, Washington, ” New York, London

☆ Israel designates Palestinian civil society groups as terrorists, U.N. 'alarmed'
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-22 | by ( Rami Ayyub | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The groups include Palestinian human rights organisations Addameer and Al-Haq, which document alleged rights violations by both Israel and the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. Addameer and another of the groups, Defense for Children International - Palestine, rejected the accusations as an "attempt to eliminate Palestinian civil society." "We believe respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and a strong civil society are critically important to responsible and responsive governance," he said. "It is part of the rough battle Israel is launching against the Palestinian people and against civil society groups, in order to exhaust them," PFLP official Kayed Al-Ghoul said. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said the "decision is an alarming escalation that threatens to shut down the work of Palestine's most prominent civil society organizations."

Persons: Liberation of, Maher Al, Akhras, Mohammed Salem, Haq, Israel's, Ned Price, European Union terrorism blacklists, Ghoul, Israel, Rami Ayyub, Ali Sawafta, Nidal, Stephen Farrell, William Maclean, Mark Porter Organizations: Popular Front, Liberation, Liberation of Palestine, REUTERS, TEL, United Nations, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Defense, Children International, Palestine, United Nations Human Rights, State, PFLP, European Union terrorism, Human Rights Watch, West, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza City, TEL AVIV, Al, United States, Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Jerusalem

☆ Top U.S. and Brazil diplomats discuss 'unprecedented' migration
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-19 | by ( Gabriel Stargardter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kena Betancur/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoRIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Brazilian counterpart Carlos Franca to discuss "unprecedented" regional migration and ways to collaborate to slow the number of migrants heading north, the State Department said on Tuesday. Mexico is slated to impose visa requirements for Brazilian visitors, according to a document from Mexico's Interior Ministry. Mexico has not required visas for Brazilians since 2004, giving migrants an easier path to enter the country and proceed north. Reuters reported last week that Washington has, since July, asked Mexico to impose visa requirements on Brazilians. Last month, Reuters reported that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) had asked Brazil to receive some Haitian migrants camped along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Carlos Franca, Kena, Joe Biden, Franca, Ned Price, Blinken, Brazil's, Gabriel Stargardter, Peter Cooney Organizations: Brazilian Foreign, UN, Assembly, Brazilian, State Department, Interior Ministry, Reuters, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, International Organization for Migration, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, JANEIRO, Americas, Latin, Southern, Mexico, Washington, Brazil

☆ U.S. State Dept says additional Iran talks in Brussels not necessary
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visits the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in Iran, October 8, 2021. Official Presidential Website/Handout via REUTERS. WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Washington does not think talks in Brussels are necessary before the resumption of indirect talks with Iran on a return to the 2015 nuclear deal in Vienna, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday. Reports in Iranian media on Sunday had suggested a possible meeting in Brussels, but the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell played down the chance of any talks outside of Vienna earlier on Monday. read moreReporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Gallagher and Simon Lewis; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Ned Price, Josep Borrell, Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Gallagher, Simon Lewis, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, State, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Bushehr, Iran, REUTERS . WASHINGTON, Washington, Brussels, Vienna

☆ U.S. welcomes opening of Syria talks in Geneva -State Dept spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Damascus, Syria September 11, 2021. REUTERS/Firas MakdesiWASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the United States welcomed the opening of the sixth round of talks between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva on Monday. "It is essential that the Syrian regime and leaders of the opposition engage constructively in Geneva," consistent with a U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria, Price said. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Gallagher and Simon Lewis; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Syria Geir Pedersen, Faisal Mekdad, Makdesi, Ned Price, Price, Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Gallagher, Simon Lewis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Nations, Syria's, REUTERS, . State Department, Security, Thomson Locations: Syria, Damascus, Makdesi WASHINGTON, United States, Geneva

☆ U.S. will not join Afghanistan talks organized by Russia -State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A Taliban fighter sits guard on a vehicle while his comrades are praying at Deh Bori square in Kabul, Afghanistan October 18, 2021. REUTERS/Zohra BensemraWASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The United States will not join talks on Afghanistan organized by Russia this week, the State Department said on Monday. "We will not participate in the Moscow talks. We look forward to engaging in that forum going forward, but we're not in a position to take part this week," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bensemra, we're, Ned Price, Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Gallagher, Leslie Adler Organizations: Taliban, REUTERS, State Department, Thomson Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, Bensemra WASHINGTON, United States, Russia, Moscow

☆ U.S. says did not make any financing offers to Turkey on F-16 jets
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An F-16 aircraft of the Turkish Stars aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force performs during Teknofest airshow over the city's new airport under construction in Istanbul, Turkey September 20, 2018. REUTERS/Osman Orsal/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday did not confirm Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's comment that Washington had made an offer to Ankara for the sale of F-16 fighter jets but added that it has not made Turkey a financing offer for the warplanes. Erdogan said on Sunday that the United States had proposed the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in return for its investment in the F-35 program, from which Ankara was removed after buying missile defense systems from Russia. What I can say is the United States has not made any financing offers on Turkey's F-16 request," U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a briefing. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Osman Orsal, Tayyip Erdogan's, Washington, Erdogan, Ned Price, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Turkish Stars, Turkish Air Force, REUTERS, Turkey's, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, Turkey, United States, Ankara, Russia, U.S

☆ Yemen's Houthis advance in Shabwa and Marib
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Yemeni government fighter fires a vehicle-mounted weapon at a frontline position during fighting against Houthi fighters in Marib, Yemen March 9, 2021. REUTERS/Ali Owidha/File PhotoADEN, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Sunday it has seized new territory in the energy-rich provinces of Shabwa and Marib, gains confirmed by sources, as it presses an offensive likely to further complicate international peace efforts. read moreMarib has Yemen's biggest gas fields, while Shabwa has several oil fields and the country's sole liquefied natural gas terminal. Local authorities and residents confirmed the Houthis were now in control of the Assilan, Bayhan and Ain districts in Shabwa as well as the al-Abdiyah and Harib districts in Marib, where fighting is still raging in al-Jubah and Jabal Murad. Sarea said in a televised statement that Houthi forces would continue to "liberate and cleanse" Marib and called on "mercenaries and agents in Marib City" to quit the coalition.

Persons: Ali Owidha, Yahia Sarea, Shabwa, Jabal Murad, Sarea, David Gressly, Ned Price, Mohammed Ghobari, Reyam, Stephanie Nebehay, Ghaida Ghantous, Jan Harvey Organizations: Houthi, REUTERS, The U.S . State Department, United Nations, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Marib, Yemen, ADEN, Iran, Shabwa, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, The, Bayhan, Ain, al, Marib City, U.S, Reyam Mokhashef, Geneva

☆ U.S. will oppose U.N. human rights council's 'disproportionate' attention on Israel -State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A general view during a special session of the Human Rights Council on the situation in Afghanistan, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, August 24, 2021. REUTERS/Denis BalibouseWASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The United States has concerns with the United Nations Human Rights Council and will oppose its "disproportionate" attention on Israel, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Thursday after the U.S. was elected back to the council. "We have concerns with the council. We will vigorously oppose the council's disproportionate attention on Israel, which includes the council's only standing agenda item targeting a single country," Price said, adding the United States will also press against the election of countries with "egregious human rights records." Reporting by Simon Lewis, Chris Gallagher and Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse WASHINGTON, Ned Price, Price, Simon Lewis, Chris Gallagher, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Chris Reese Organizations: Human Rights, United Nations, REUTERS, United, United Nations Human Rights, State, Thomson Locations: Afghanistan, Geneva, Switzerland, United States, Israel, U.S

☆ U.S. calls for examination into cause of jailed former Venezuelan minister's death
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Former general Raul Baduel (C) walks out from his house in Maracay, Venezuela August 13, 2015. REUTERS/Pablo Ramos/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Thursday called for an independent examination to determine the true cause of death of Former Venezuelan Defense Minister and retired general Raul Baduel, considered a political prisoner by the opposition. The attorney general on Tuesday said Baduel had died after contracting the coronavirus. read more"The recent death of Venezuelan political prisoner Raul Baduel reminds the world of the deplorable and dangerous conditions Venezuelan political prisoners face in the Maduro regime's custody," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, adding that Washington calls for an immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. Reporting by Simon Lewis and Christopher Gallagher; Writing by Daphne PsaledakisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Raul Baduel, Pablo Ramos, Baduel, Ned Price, Simon Lewis, Christopher Gallagher, Daphne Psaledakis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . State Department, Venezuelan Defense, Department, Washington, Thomson Locations: Maracay, Venezuela

☆ US State Department defends handling of 'Havana Syndrome'
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-14 | by ( Simon Lewis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, U.S. October 14, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The State Department on Thursday defended its handling of so-called Havana Syndrome health complaints, after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators said they were concerned the unexplained ailments were not being taken seriously enough. "We ask that you take this step now to demonstrate that the State Department does take this matter seriously, and is coordinating an appropriate agency-level response," the senators wrote. For example, the State Department had sent teams of security engineers and occupational safety experts to inspect the locations where health incidents were reported, Price said. At least five families connected to the U.S. embassy there have been affected by unexplained health incidents, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Jeanne Shaheen, Robert Menendez, James Risch, Pamela Spratlen, Ned Price, Blinken, Price, Simon Lewis, Sandra Maler Organizations: State Department, REUTERS, U.S, Embassy, Senate Foreign, Republican, State, . State Department, Wall Street, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Havana, Cuba, U.S, Bogota, Colombian

☆ 'Seized by some invisible hand': What it feels like to have Havana Syndrome
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-13 | by ( Andrea Mitchell | Andrea Mitchell Is Chief Washington Correspondent | Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

During the Trump administration, top officials, including CIA Director Gina Haspel, did not treat Havana Syndrome as a high priority, and some officials in the CIA were openly skeptical, current and former intelligence officials say. A number of patients have been treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center alongside soldiers who suffered brain injuries from bombs in combat. U.S. officials say once the government began urging employees to report any possible symptoms, the number of reported cases increased significantly. State Department employees Kate Husband and Doug Ferguson, for example, did not feel a dramatic blast wave. Asked about Colombia on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, “We are not in the business of confirming reports.

Persons: Tina Onufer, “, ”, Kate Husband, Doug Ferguson, Lester Holt ”, …, ’ ”, Trump, Gina Haspel, Joe Biden, Tony Blinken, William Burns, Biden, ” Onufer, I'm, JASON, David Relman, ” Ferguson, ” Kate Husband, neurologists, Ferguson, Husband, Onufer, Ned Price Organizations: NBC News, State Department, NBC, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, CIA, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, ” Intelligence, Stanford, National Academies, University of Pennsylvania, Wall Street Journal, State, D.C Locations: Havana, Russia, America, Bogota, Colombia, Washington

☆ U.S. names veteran diplomat to take over Afghan relocation effort
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Tuesday appointed veteran diplomat A. Elizabeth Jones as a new coordinator for efforts to relocate Afghans who have fled or want to flee their country, spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. Another long-serving diplomat, John Bass, a former ambassador to Afghanistan, was sent to Kabul in August to be the point person for relocations amid the chaotic withdrawal of diplomatic staff and at-risk Afghans as the city fell to the Taliban. read moreJones, a former assistant secretary of state and former deputy special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, will oversee the relocation process all the way from facilitating departures from Afghanistan to resettlement in the United States, Price said. "As she takes over these new duties, Ambassador Jones will focus on the very complex issues related to our efforts to facilitate the relocation and resettlement in the United States of Afghan individuals to whom we have a commitment," he added. Reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Giles ElgoodOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Elizabeth Jones, Ned Price, John Bass, Jones, Price, Simon Lewis, Giles Elgood Organizations: U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Afghanistan, Kabul, Pakistan, United States

☆ U.S., Taliban had 'productive' talks on humanitarian aid - State Dept spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Taliban delegates, Shahabuddin Delawar and Khairullah Khairkhwa are pictured ahead of the meeting with U.S. and European delegates in Doha, Qatar October 12, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer. WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The United States and the Taliban had "productive discussions" on the issue of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan during meetings in Qatar over the weekend, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday, describing the talks as "largely positive." A separate meeting with Taliban representatives involving officials from the European Union as well as U.S. officials took place on Tuesday, Price added. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis in Washington and Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shahabuddin, Stringer, Ned Price, Price, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Kanishka Singh, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, State, European Union, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, United States, Afghanistan, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ U.S., Russia agree to further talks over embassies dispute -State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - U.S. and Russian officials agreed to another round of discussions to attempt to resolve a dispute over the size and functioning of their embassies, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said, adding that Tuesday's talks were "useful." Her meetings have been useful," Price said of U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland's meeting in Moscow with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. He said the U.S. stance on the staffing of its missions remains firm. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Kanishka Singh and Simon Lewis; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ned Price, Price, Sergei Ryabkov, Humeyra Pamuk, Kanishka Singh, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: . State Department, U.S, State Victoria Nuland's, Russia's, Thomson Locations: Moscow, U.S

☆ U.S. considering options for responding to crisis in northern Ethiopia -State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Stringer/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The United States is considering the full range of tools at its disposal, including the use of economic sanctions, to respond to the worsening crisis in northern Ethiopia, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Tuesday. Ethiopia's national army launched a ground offensive against forces from the northern region of Tigray on Monday, the region's ruling Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) said. Washington, the EU, France, Germany and the UK called on the parties to immediately enter into negotiations toward a ceasefire and end abuses. Washington has repeatedly called for a negotiated end to the conflict in the northern region of Tigray between federal forces and those aligned with the TPLF. Fighting spread in July from Tigray into the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

Persons: Stringer, Ned Price, Antony Blinken, Price, Washington, Humeyra Pamuk, Kanishka Singh, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Jonathan Oatis, Peter Cooney Organizations: Ethiopia's National Defense Force, Tigray Special Forces, REUTERS, State, African, European Union . Washington, Thomson Locations: Tigray, Humera, Ethiopia, United States, African Union, Sudan, France, Germany, EU, Amhara, Afar

☆ E.U. Pledges $1.15 Billion in Afghan Aid as U.S. Talks to Taliban
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-12 | by ( Michael Crowley | Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Experts said the E.U. Most international aid to the country has been cut off since mid-August, when the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban took power. The Group of 20 meeting produced a declaration of mostly familiar principles, including the need to protect the rights of Afghan women and for the Taliban to allow humanitarian aid to flow unimpeded. President Biden participated in the virtual gathering, but some key leaders, including President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and President Xi Jinping of China, did not. Larger and far more fraught decisions, such as whether to grant the Taliban diplomatic recognition, or unfreeze billions of dollars of Afghan assets, are not imminent, officials said.

Persons: Biden, Vladimir V, Putin, Xi Jinping, Ned Price, Al, ” Organizations: Taliban, Officials, State Department’s Locations: Afghanistan, Russia, China, United States, Doha, Qatar, Al Qaeda

☆ Cases of ‘Havana Syndrome’ Reported at U.S. Embassy in Colombia
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-12 | by ( Lara Jakes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — The State Department is investigating new complaints of brain injuries linked to the so-called Havana Syndrome at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, a week before Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is scheduled to visit the country. It was not clear how many people at the embassy in Bogotá, the Colombian capital, might have been afflicted by the mysterious illness and its symptoms of headaches, nausea, dizziness and memory loss. The senior administration official confirmed the complaints, which were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal, and said that it appeared that at least two embassy employees had reported the symptoms. President Iván Duque of Colombia said his country was aware of the reports. In an interview with The New York Times on Tuesday, Mr. Duque said while the United States was taking the lead, Colombia’s intelligence service was also investigating.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Antony J, Blinken, Ned Price, “, Iván Duque, Duque Organizations: The State Department, U.S, Embassy, State, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Locations: Havana, Colombia, Bogotá, Colombian, Washington, United States

☆ Taiwan will not bow to China pressure, president says after Beijing reunification call
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-10 | by ( Yuliya Talmazan Is A London-Based Journalist. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan will not bow to pressure from Beijing and will keep keep bolstering its defences, its president said Sunday, a day after her Chinese counterpart vowed to realize a peaceful "reunification" with the democratic island. Speaking at a rally to celebrate Taiwan's National Day, President Tsai Ing-wen said her government would not "act rashly,” but added that "there should be absolutely no illusions that the Taiwanese people will bow to pressure." Taiwanese military vehicles take part in a national day parade in front of the Presidential Palace during in Taipei on Sunday. Sam Yeh / AFP - Getty ImagesIt came a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to realize a peaceful reunification with Taiwan. These incursions prompted criticism from the State Department which accused China of "provocative military activity" towards Taiwan last week.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Sam Yeh, Xi Jinping, ”, Ned Price, Tsai Organizations: Sunday, Getty, State Department, NBC, Taiwan, Reuters Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, AFP, China

☆ U.S. says Taliban talks in Doha were 'candid and professional'
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-10 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taliban delegates are seated in a plane in an unidentified location, in this handout photo uploaded to social media on October 9, 2021. Social media handout/via REUTERSWASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The United States said on Sunday the first face-to-face meeting between senior U.S. and Taliban officials since the hardline group retook power in Afghanistan was "candid and professional" and that the U.S. side reiterated that the Taliban would be judged on their actions, not just their words. He said the two sides also discussed "the United States’ provision of robust humanitarian assistance, directly to the Afghan people." "The discussions were candid and professional with the U.S. delegation reiterating that the Taliban will be judged on its actions, not only its words," Price said in a statement. Biden administration officials told Reuters on Friday the U.S. delegation would press the Taliban to release kidnapped American Mark Frerichs.

Persons: Ned Price, Price, Amir Khan Muttaqi, Mark Frerichs, Osama bin Laden, David Brunnstrom, Moataz Abdelrahiem, Ross Colvin, Peter Cooney Organizations: REUTERS, United, U.S, State Department, U.S ., Al, Biden, Reuters, Taliban, Thomson Locations: REUTERS WASHINGTON, United States, Afghanistan, U.S, Doha, Qatar, Washington, Qaeda, Cairo

☆ N.Korea's Kim calls for improving people's lives amid 'grim' economy
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-10 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KCNA via REUTERSSEOUL, Oct 11 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged officials to focus on improving citizens' lives in the face of a "grim" economic situation, state media reported on Monday, as he marked the anniversary of the country's ruling party. To celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea on Sunday, Kim made a speech to a gathering of officials, the KCNA news agency said. The country's most vulnerable risk starvation after it slipped deeper into self-imposed isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the worsening humanitarian situation could turn into a crisis, a U.N. rights investigator said in report seen by Reuters last week. "The only way for dynamically pushing forward the unprecedented crucial work despite grim situation is for the entire Party to get united," he added. The U.S. State Department on Thursday accused Kim's government of being primarily responsible for the humanitarian situation in the country.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim, galas, Kim's, Ned Price, Josh Smith, Lincoln Organizations: Supreme People's Assembly, Democratic People's, Korean Central News Agency, REUTERS, Workers ' Party of Korea, Reuters, Party, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK, Mansudae, Pyongyang, North Korea, North, REUTERS SEOUL, Washington, States

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