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☆ Detained WNBA star Griner unable to speak to wife due to logistical issue -State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 13, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) shoots against the Chicago Sky during the first half of game two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/File PhotoWASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) - U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, detained in Russia for months, was not able to speak to her wife as scheduled due to a logistical error compounded by Russia's restrictions on the U.S. embassy's operations in Moscow, the State Department said on Tuesday. "We deeply regret that Brittney Griner was unable to speak to her wife over the weekend because of a logistical error," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, adding that the call has been rescheduled. The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) seven-time All-Star was detained at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of her luggage allegedly revealed multiple cannabis oil vape cartridges. In October 2021, a senior State Department official briefing reporters said the Department was getting to the point of being able to maintain only a "caretaker presence" in Russia.

Persons: Joe Camporeale, Brittney Griner, Griner, Ned Price, Cherelle, Price, Vladimir Putin, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Ken Ferris Organizations: Phoenix Mercury, Chicago Sky, Footprint Center, WASHINGTON, State Department, Associated Press, National Basketball Association, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Phoenix , Arizona, USA, Russia, Moscow, U.S, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg

☆ Biden says U.S. doesn't know where missing Americans are in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Shannon-Pettypiece-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Shannon Pettypiece | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Friday that the U.S. doesn't know the whereabouts of three Americans believed to have gone missing in Ukraine and urged others not to travel to the country. "I want to reiterate, Americans should not be going to Ukraine now. I'll say it again, Americans should not be going to Ukraine now." There has been no intelligence that the missing Americans are in Russian custody, Price noted. An unknown number of Americans, mostly with military backgrounds, have traveled to Ukraine to join the country's foreign legion and fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers there.

Persons: Joe Biden, doesn't, Biden, Alex Drueke, Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, Andy Hyunh, Alexander Drueke, Ned Price, Price Organizations: WASHINGTON, State Department, Facebook U.S, State Locations: Ukraine, Russia, American, Alabama

☆ At least 2 US military veterans have gone missing in Ukraine. Their families fear they've been captured by the Russians.
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-17 | by ( Jay Reeves | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The families of two US military veterans have lost touch with them and fear they've been captured. Axios reported that a third, unnamed American also be missing in Ukraine. The State Department said it was looking into reports that Russian or Russian-backed separatist forces in Ukraine had captured at least two American citizens. If confirmed, they would be the first Americans fighting for Ukraine known to have been captured since the war began on February 24. Early in the war, Ukraine created the International Legion for foreign citizens who wanted to help defend against the Russian invasion.

Persons: they've, Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, Alexander Drueke, Axios, —, Russia haven't, Robert Aderholt, Huynh, haven't, Drueke, Aderholt, Terri Sewell, Drueke's, Lois Drueke, John Kirby, Huynh's, Joy Black, Andy, Alex, Malcolm Nance, Ned Price Organizations: Service, Russia, United States Department of State, Federal Bureau of, Washington Post, The State Department, White, Britons, Geneva Convention, Facebook, Legion Locations: Alabama, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russia, Kharkiv, Russian, Donetsk, Moroccan, Geneva, ukraine

☆ U.S. supports Philippines in South China Sea, State Department says
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington, U.S. March 10, 2022. Manuel Balce Ceneta/Pool via REUTERSWASHINGTON, June 17 (Reuters) - The United States supports the Philippines in calling on China "to end its provocative actions and respect international law in the South China Sea," the State Department said on Friday. It accused China of "illegal fishing" while Chinese coast guard vessels shadowed Philippine boats on a resupply mission, adding to more than 300 complaints filed against Beijing's activities in the South China Sea. read moreThe United States shares the Philippines' concerns, the State Department said. "These actions are part of a broader trend of PRC (People's Republic of China) provocations against South China Sea claimants and other states lawfully operating in the region," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

Persons: Ned Price, Manuel Balce Ceneta, Chris Gallagher, Doina Organizations: State Department, REUTERS, United States, United, People's, China, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, REUTERS WASHINGTON, Philippines, China, South China, Philippine, United States, People's Republic of China

☆ U.S. has not asked Russia about two missing Americans, reports of third
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. citizen Alexander Drueke and his mother, Lois Drueke, pose for a picture ahead of him leaving for Ukraine, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S., March 28, 2022. Lois Drueke/Handout via REUTERSWASHINGTON, June 16 (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday it has not asked Russia about two U.S. citizens reported missing after traveling to Ukraine to fight against Russian forces and said there are reports of a third missing American. Ukraine and its allies say Moscow has launched an unprovoked war of aggression, killing thousands of civilians. Reports that the two had been taken as prisoners of war by Russia are unconfirmed, the families and U.S. officials have said. "There are reports of one additional American whose whereabouts are unknown... Our understanding was that this individual had traveled to Ukraine," Price added, saying the third American was identified as missing in recent weeks.

Persons: Alexander Drueke, Lois Drueke, Ned Price, Andy Huynh, Price, Costas Pitas, Daphne Psaledakis, Arshad Mohammed, Chris Reese, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Ukraine, REUTERS, United, Russian, Russian Federation, U.S . State Department, Reuters.com Register Russia, Thomson Locations: Tuscaloosa , Alabama, U.S, Handout, REUTERS WASHINGTON, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Hartselle , Alabama, Moscow, American

☆ U.S. rebuffs China by calling Taiwan Strait an international waterway
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd and U.S. Coast Guard cutter Munro conduct Taiwan Strait transits August 27, 2021. The Taiwan Strait has been a frequent source of military tension since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the communists, who established the People's Republic of China. Commenting on Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in an email to Reuters: "The Taiwan Strait is an international waterway, meaning that the Taiwan Strait is an area where high seas freedoms, including freedom of navigation and overflight, are guaranteed under international law." "China's ambition to swallow up Taiwan has never stopped or been concealed; the Taiwan Strait is a maritime area for free international navigation," he told reporters. China's Taiwan Affairs Office said the government in Taipei was "cooperating with external forces to hype up the issue".

Persons: Arleigh Burke, Munro, Ned Price, Price, Joanne Ou, Su Tseng, Ma Xiaoguang, David Brunnstrom, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Kidd, U.S . Coast Guard, U.S . Navy, REUTERS, China's, Ministry, . State Department, Reuters, Taiwan Foreign Ministry, Taiwan, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Thomson Locations: U.S, Taiwan, REUTERS WASHINGTON, United States, China, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, Britain, Canada, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Beijing

☆ U.S. State Dept became aware of extension of Griner's detention through media
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, June 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department became aware, through media reports, of Russia's extension of the pre-trial detention of American basketball player Brittney Griner, department spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday, while repeating calls for her release. Price made the comments at a regular press briefing. Russia's TASS news agency reported that Griner's detention had been extended to July 2 at the request of investigators. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brittney Griner, Ned Price, Price, Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Reese Organizations: U.S . State Department, TASS, Thomson

☆ U.S. updates fact sheet, again, says does not support Taiwan independence
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Flags of Taiwan and U.S. are placed for a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan March 27, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File PhotoTAIPEI, June 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has updated its fact sheet on Taiwan again, to reinstate a line about not supporting formal independence for the Chinese-claimed, democratically-governed island. Last month the State Department changed the wording on its website on Taiwan, removing wording both on not supporting Taiwan independence and on acknowledging Beijing's position that Taiwan is part of China, to anger in Beijing. That wording has now be changed again, to reinstate a line saying "we do not support Taiwan independence". State Department Spokesman Ned Price had said in May that the United States does not support Taiwan independence and "we have repeatedly made this clear both in public and in private".

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Washington, Ned Price, Ben Blanchard, Michael Martina, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . State Department, State Department, Taiwan's, Central News Agency, Washington, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, U.S, Taipei, TAIPEI, China, Beijing, United States, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, Washington

☆ U.S. envoy cites concern over North Korea's missile launches, COVID
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sung Kim, U.S. Special Envoy for North Korea, speaks during a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Kim Gunn and Japanese counterpart Takehiro Funakoshi at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/PoolJune 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. special envoy for North Korea expressed concern for Pyongyang's continued ballistic missile launches and ongoing COVID-19 outbreak following a meeting with South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Seoul, the U.S. State Department said on Friday. Ambassador Sung Kim met with Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Funakoshi Takehiro and South Korean Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn, department spokesman Ned Price said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina ChiacuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sung Kim, Kim Gunn, Takehiro Funakoshi, Kim Hong, Funakoshi Takehiro, Ned Price, Susan Heavey, Doina Organizations: South Korean, Foreign Ministry, REUTERS, U.S, U.S . State Department, Japanese Ministry of Foreign, Oceanian, Korean, Peace, Security, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Seoul, South Korea

☆ U.S. Transportation Dept. lifts Trump-era restrictions on Cuba flights
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday made it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, lifting flight restrictions that were established during the Trump administration. The restrictions had prevented U.S. airline flights and chartered flights from going to Cuban cities other than Havana. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a letter to the Transportation Department on Tuesday asking it to revoke the restrictions, and the agency followed through Wednesday. “With these actions, we aim to support Cubans’ aspirations for freedom and for greater economic opportunities so that they can lead successful lives at home,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said last month. Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Trump, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Ned Price Organizations: The U.S . Transportation Department, Transportation Department, Biden, ”, NBC, Facebook, Twitter Locations: The U.S, Cuba, Havana, United States, Cuban

BEIJING, May 28 (Reuters) - U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, whose rare visit to China was criticised by rights groups and Western countries, said she urged Beijing to review its counter-terrorism policies to ensure they comply with international human rights standards. Bachelet started her China trip, the first by a U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner in 17 years, on Monday in the southern city of Guangzhou before heading to Xinjiang. Chinese President Xi Jinping and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet are seen on a giant screen broadcasting news footage of their virtual meeting at a shopping complex in Beijing, China May 25, 2022. Rights groups and Western countries worry that China will use her trip as an endorsement of its rights record. During the media briefing, Bachelet also described as "deeply worrying" the detention in Hong Kong of activists, lawyers and journalists.

Persons: Michelle Bachelet, Bachelet, Xi Jinping, Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Ned Price, Shohrat Zakir, Yew Lun Tian, Tony Munroe, David Clarke Organizations: Rights, United Nations, Human Rights, REUTERS, . State Department, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Beijing, Xinjiang, Guangzhou, COVID, Hong Kong

☆ Austin Tice: Biden officials meet with Lebanese spy chief in renewed bid to free Americans held in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-26 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Abigail-Williams-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Abigail Williams | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The head of Lebanon’s main intelligence service met with Biden administration officials in Washington this week to discuss reviving negotiations with the Syrian government in a bid to secure the release of journalist and former marine Austin Tice and other Americans. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens was among the U.S. officials who met with the Lebanese spy chief, the State Department said Wednesday, confirming that Tice’s case had been among those discussed but declining to provide further details. President Joe Biden met with the Tice family earlier this month. “[Tice] has spent a quarter of his life separated from his family,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said. Carstens, who has held the position of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs since March 2020, also met with Ibrahim as part of the Trump Administration’s endeavors to secure Tice’s release.

Persons: Austin Tice, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, General Abbas Ibrahim, “, ” Ibrahim, Austin’s, Diane Foley, James Foley, Joe Biden, Tice, Ned Price, Austin, Abbas Ibrahim, Anwar, Ibrahim, Samuel Goodwin, Kristian Lee Baxter, Carstens, Trump, Assad, Maj Organizations: Biden, Hostage Affairs, State Department, U.S, NBC, Anwar Amro, Getty Locations: Washington, ”, Lebanese, Syria, Emirate

☆ Chinese leader Xi Jinping defends record to U.N. human rights chief
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-26 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

BEIJING — Chinese leader Xi Jinping defended his country’s record to the top U.N. human rights official on Wednesday, saying each nation should be allowed to find its own path. Xi, who heads the ruling Communist Party that allows no political opposition and strictly limits speech, criticized countries that he said lecture others on human rights and politicize the issue. “On the issue of human rights, there is no perfect ‘utopia,’” he was quoted as saying. “For me, it is a priority to engage with the government of China directly, on human rights issues, domestic, regional and global,” she said in her opening remarks at the meeting. “For development, peace and security to be sustainable — locally and across borders — human rights have to be at their core.”China’s Foreign Ministry and CCTV quoted Bachelet as telling Xi she admired China’s efforts and achievements on poverty and human rights, but her office said she didn’t say that.

Persons: Xi Jinping, ” Xi, Michelle Bachelet, Bachelet, Xi, ”, ” Bachelet, Ned Price, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, ” Thomas Organizations: Communist Party, NBC, U.S, Communist, Twitter, Foreign Ministry, State Department, United Nations, Xinjiang Police, BBC, USA Locations: BEIJING, China, Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Washington, United States, U.S

☆ China wants 10 small Pacific nations to sign on to 'game-changing' security agreement
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

China wants 10 small Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping agreement covering everything from security to fisheries in what one leader warns is a "game-changing" bid by Beijing to wrest control of the region. Yue Shuhua | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesChina wants 10 small Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping agreement covering everything from security to fisheries in what one leader warns is a "game-changing" bid by Beijing to wrest control of the region. A draft of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press shows that China wants to train Pacific police officers, team up on "traditional and non-traditional security" and expand law enforcement cooperation. China also mentions the possibility of setting up a free trade area with the Pacific nations. The May 30 meeting will be the second between Wang and the Pacific islands' foreign ministers after they held a virtual meeting last October.

Persons: Yue Shuhua, Wang Yi, Ned Price, Price, Wang, David Panuelo, Panuelo, Wang Wenbin, Solomon Organizations: Red Falcon, People's Liberation Army Air Force, Visual China, Getty, China, The Associated Press, Confucius Institutes, Pacific, Washington , U.S . State Department, Federated, AP, Foreign Ministry, Free Association Locations: China, Beijing, Washington , U.S, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Niue, Federated States, Micronesia, South Pacific, Pacific, Washington, Australia, Taiwan

☆ China plays for influence in South Pacific with security proposal and diplomatic tour
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-26 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Lizzy Yee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It's not clear whether the proposed pact would gain wide support among Pacific Island nations with relations with Beijing. "China supports Pacific Island Countries in strengthening security cooperation and working together to address regional security challenges ... Pacific Island Countries are sovereign and independent states and are not anyone's 'backyard,'" he said. The spokesman also pushed back when asked about fears that a Pacific Islands security agreement could spark a Cold War -- calling this "sensational remarks." The proposed draft security deal and Wang's tour come amid heightened concern from other regional powers over Beijing's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. And in the East China Sea, China claims sovereignty over the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands.

Persons: Wang Yi, It's, Micronesia David Panuelo, Panuelo, Wang, Manasseh Sogavare, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Penny Wong, doesn't, Wong, Ned Price Organizations: CNN, Pacific, Reuters, Countries, Ministers, Chinese Foreign, Foreign Ministry, Federated, West ., Solomon Islands, Prosperity, Washington, US State Locations: Hong Kong, China, United States, Pacific, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Beijing, Australia, Guam, South China, Federated States, Micronesia, Honiara, Australia's, Solomon, Canberra, East China Sea, Senkaku

☆ UN human rights chief's China visit: 'No need for preachers,' Xi says
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-25 | by ( Nectar Gan | Cnn'S Beijing Bureau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

(CNN) Chinese President Xi Jinping defended his country's human rights record on Wednesday, telling a visiting UN official there is "no need for 'preachers' to boss around other countries." On Wednesday, Xi told Bachelet China's human rights development "suits its own national conditions." Bachelet said she committed to the visit because "it is a priority to engage with the Government of China directly, on human rights issues," according to a statement provided to CNN by the OHCHR. "For development, peace and security to be sustainable -- locally and across borders -- human rights have to be at their core," Bachelet said. In a statement Monday, Amnesty International said Bachelet must "address crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations" during her trip.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, Bachelet, Xi, Ned Price, Price, Michelle Bachelet's, Agnes Callamard, Michelle Bachelet Organizations: CNN, UN, United Nations, Human Rights, CCTV, Government of, Foreign Ministry, US State Department, Amnesty International Locations: Beijing, China, Xinjiang, Government of China, Kashgar, Urumqi, Covid

☆ U.S. consular officer visited detained basketball player Griner in Russia on Thursday
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Basketball - Women - Gold medal match - United States v Japan - Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan - August 8, 2021. Brittney Griner of the United States in action with Himawari Akaho of Japan REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File PhotoWASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - A U.S. consular officer visited detained basketball player Brittney Griner in Russia on Thursday but the United States insists that Moscow grant regular access to her and other detainees, the State Department said on Friday. "The consular officer found her continuing to do as well as could be expected under these exceedingly challenging circumstances," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters. "But again, our message is a clear and simple one: we continue to insist that Russia allow consistent and timely consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees," he said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Chris Gallagher and Humeyra Pamuk Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brittney, Himawari Akaho, Brian Snyder, Brittney Griner, Ned Price, Chris Gallagher, Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Reese Organizations: Japan REUTERS, WASHINGTON, State Department, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, States, Japan, Saitama, United States, Russia, Moscow

☆ U.S. says Turkey's approach to Sweden, Finland NATO bid not a bilateral topic
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-20 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Turkey surprised NATO allies last week by objecting to the move, pressing Sweden to halt support for Kurdish militants it considers part of a terrorist group. It pressed both Sweden and Finland to lift their bans on some arms sales to Turkey. "The question of Turkey's approach to the NATO accession of Finland and Sweden, that is not a bilateral question between the United States and Turkey," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a telephone briefing. Western leaders have expressed confidence that Ankara's objections will not be a road block for the NATO accession process of the Nordic countries without spelling out how Turkey's position could be changed. "We remain confident that Turkey's concerns will be addressed, and that we'll be able to reach consensus as an alliance on the accession process for Finland and Sweden," Price added.

Persons: Joe Biden, Magdalena Andersson, Sauli Niinisto, Evelyn Hockstein WASHINGTON, Tayyip Erdogan, Ned Price, Jake Sullivan, we're, Price, Antony Blinken, Mevlut Cavusoglu, we'll, Humeyra Pamuk, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Sweden's, White, REUTERS, U.S . State Department, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia's, NATO, U.S . National, Nordic, Turkish, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, NATO, Sweden, Finland, Washington, Ankara, Ukraine, Turkey, Syria, U.S, United States, New York

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet attends an event at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, November 3, 2021. China's foreign ministry announced that Bachelet will visit the country from May 23 to 28, in what will be the first U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights trip there since 2005. The United States accuses Beijing of committing genocide there, and Western rights groups fear the visit will be seen as an endorsement of China's rights record. "The High Commissioner's continued silence in the face of indisputable evidence of atrocities in Xinjiang and other human rights violations and abuses throughout the PRC - it is deeply concerning, particularly as she is and should be the leading ... voice on human rights," he said. Human Rights Watch said on Friday that it and other rights groups had expressed concerns that the Chinese government would "manipulate the visit as a public relations stunt."

Persons: Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, Denis Balibouse, Michelle Bachelet, Bachelet, We're, Ned Price, Price, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Marguerita Choy Organizations: UN, Human Rights, United Nations, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, State Department, Department, People's, Human Rights Watch, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, United States, China's, Xinjiang, Beijing, People's Republic of China, China, PRC

REUTERS/StringerHAVANA/WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - Biden administration officials are considering inviting a Cuban representative to the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas, a person familiar with the matter said, as Washington scrambled to head off a potentially embarrassing boycott by some regional leaders. President Joe Biden's aides were weighing the idea as his administration began sending out invitations for the summit. The White House and the Cuban embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Biden administration has signaled for weeks that it could exclude the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, saying they did not have respect for democracy. read moreU.S. TALKS TO LOPEZ OBRADORLopez Obrador said last week he would not go if Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela were not invited.

Persons: Stringer, Joe Biden's, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Biden, We're, Ned Price, Nicolas Maduro, pushback, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Kerri Hannan, LOPEZ, Lopez Obrador, Luis Arce, Jake Sullivan, Chris Dodd, Sullivan, Jair Bolsonaro, Alejandro Giammattei, Daniel Ortega, Dave Sherwood, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Aurora Ellis, Chizu Nomiyama, Bernard Orr Organizations: REUTERS, Biden, Washington, Associated Press, Cuban, Department, White, Reuters, Foreign, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Bolivian, Nicaraguan, Thomson Locations: Cuba, Havana, Stringer HAVANA, WASHINGTON, Cuban, U.S, Americas, Los Angeles, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Communist, Washington, Venezuelan, Caribbean, United States, States

☆ U.S. reiterates call for 'thorough and transparent' investigation into killing of Palestinian-American journalist
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

People light candles during a vigil in memory of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed during an Israeli raid, outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 16, 2022. REUTERS/Mussa QawasmaWASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - The United States reiterated its call for a "thorough and transparent" investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and any investigation must include accountability, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Friday. (This story corrects to remove reference to Israeli forces)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Humeyra Pamuk, writing by Chris Gallagher, editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Al, Shireen Abu Akleh, Qawasma, Ned Price, Humeyra Pamuk, Chris Gallagher, Chris Reese Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Al Jazeera, Bethlehem, Qawasma WASHINGTON, States, Palestinian, American

☆ 'A martyr for truth and a saint': Palestinian journalists describe Shireen Abu Akleh's legacy
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-19 | by ( Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh inspired generations to take up the profession. "I remember Shireen Abu Akleh as being one of the only reporters who was always outside bringing the news to our homes." Two decades later Abukhater, still influenced by Abu Akleh, became her colleague in the field. Abukhather called Abu Akleh a "martyr of truth." She rode with Abu Akleh in the ambulance from the scene of her killing back to a hospital in Ramallah on May 11.

Persons: Shireen Abu Akleh, Al, Jalal Abukhater, Haya Yasmeen, Faten Elwan, Abu Akleh, Al Jazeera, Abukhater, Abukhather, Abu, Bellingcat, Aviv Kochavi, Israel, Ned Price, Shireen, Yasmeen, haven't, Elwan, Abu Akleh's, Abu Akleh —, — Organizations: Service, Palestinian, Al, Protect Journalists, Palestinian Ministry of Information, Palestinian Authority, Israeli Defense Forces, IDF, EU, UN Security Council, State Locations: Al Jazeera, American, Jerusalem, Jenin, Israel, Occupied Palestine, Jazeera, Gen, Aviv, Shireen, Palestinian, Palestine, Ramallah

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the latest intelligence showed North Korea could carry out an ICBM test as soon as Thursday or Friday. Biden is expected to arrive in South Korea on Friday and hold talks with his South Korean counterparts over several days before visiting Japan. The White House said last week Biden was considering a trip to the Demilitarized Zone on the border with North Korea. Analysts say that even if North Korea tests a weapon, South Korea and the United States should offer unconditional COVID aid. Washington says that it supports providing assistance to North Korea, but that there were no current plans to provide vaccines.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Joe Biden's, Biden, denuclearisation, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Ned Price, Kim Jong, James Martin, Idrees Ali, Josh Smith, Soo, hyang Choi, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, U.S, South Korean, North, State Department, Department, International, Strategic Studies, CSIS, James, James Martin Center, Nonproliferation Studies, Thomson Locations: North, SEOUL, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Pyongyang, North Korean, United States, U.S, Korea, Washington, Seoul

A vintage car passes by the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, October 30, 2020. That included less crimped flow of remittances, fewer travel curbs and faster visa services. The State Department said the United States would lift the cap on family remittances, previously set to $1,000 per quarter, and authorize donative remittances to non-family members. Trump slashed visa processing, restricted remittances, scaled back flights to the island and increased hurdles for U.S. citizens seeking to travel to Cuba for anything other than family visits. Washington will also reinstate some categories of group educational travel, as well as certain travel related to professional meetings and research.

Persons: Alexandre Meneghini, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Biden, Ned Price, Donald Trump's, Trump, Fidel Castro's, Price, Daphne Psaledakis, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Mary Milliken, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, Embassy, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Monday, Reuters.com Register, State Department, Department, Cuban Americans, Trump, Washington, Cuban, Thomson Locations: Havana, Cuba, United States, U.S, Cuban, Florida, Washington, Colombia, Guyana, Americas, Mexico

Russian drug laws are widely considered draconian and the country imprisons more people per capita for drug crimes compared with the rest of Europe, according to The Moscow Times. Griner, 31, has been held on drug smuggling charges since February when she was found in Moscow's airport allegedly possessing cannabis-derived vape cartridges. "They're going to try and horse trade," Salvo, a former diplomat at the State Department who had worked in Russia, said. "The State Department can't storm the Russian prison to bring her home," Salvo said. "There's a delicate dance their families have to do with trying to raise attention with the State Department and Congress while not wanting to inflame Russia," Salvo said.

Persons: Brittney, Griner, William E, Butler, It's, —, David Salvo, Salvo, United Nations Bill Richardson, Trevor Reed, Joe Biden, Konstantin Yaroshenko, Reed, Viktor, Stephen Sestanovich, Sestanovich, Ned Price, there's Organizations: U.S . State Department, Penn State Dickinson Law, Moscow Times, Marijuana, Phoenix Mercury, Alliance, Securing Democracy, State Department, U.S, United Nations, of, Columbia University, State Department's, Embassy, U.S . Embassy, Department, WNBA, Congress Locations: Russia, U.S, Europe, Moscow's, Moscow, Connecticut, Colombia, Russian

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