US State Department: News

North-Korea threatens to cancel Trump meeting over US-South Korea military-drills

North Korea on Wednesday canceled a high-level meeting with South Korea citing the military drills between the latter and the US, hours before the Korean nations were to meet.

Now social-media details may become mandatory to acquire US visa

To double-check the identities of its visa applicants, the Trump administration now wants details such as their social media accounts, previous phone numbers and email addresses.

Trump signals withdrawal of US troops from Syria 'very soon'

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the US troops would "be coming out of Syria very soon" as he lamented that America has wasted $7 trillion in wars in the Middle East.

US announces $5mn-reward for information on Pakistani Taliban Chief Fazlullah

The US has announced a $5 million award for information leading to the arrest of Afghanistan-based Maulana Fazlullah, leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an outfit which carries out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

Bihar women entrepreneurs get opportunity to learn from US experts

A US-funded initiative is going to unleash value creation among young aspiring women entrepreneurs in Bihar.

Syria secretly developing new chemical weapons: Trump's admin officials

Syria is secretly developing new, sophisticated chemical weapons despite a 2013 deal to end such programs, said senior Trump administration officials.

Indian-origin ISIS terrorist designated 'global terrorist' by US

Indian-origin Islamic State terrorist Siddhartha Dhar aka Abu Rumaysah has been designated a global terrorist by the US, along with Belgian-Moroccan citizen Abdelatif Gaini.

Why do so many Afghans have birthdays on January 1?

What happens when generations of a country, born during a war, have no knowledge of their birth date?

Trump accuses China of allowing oil transfers to North Korea

US President Donald Trump has tweeted that he's "very disappointed" with China following reports that it has allowed oil shipments to North Korea.

Terrorism: US tells citizens to defer non-essential travel to Pakistan

The US State Department has advised its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan.

In major win, forces wipe out group behind Amarnath attack

In a major win for security forces, three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists involved in the Amarnath attack of July were killed in an encounter in South Kashmir.

US hopes India will do more to pressurize North Korea

US: $500k to NGO that promotes religious freedom in India

US' Department of State has announced that any NGO in India that suggests early warning systems for "reducing religiously-motivated violence and discrimination" will be given a grant of $500k.

Iraq's military action in Kurdistan: Where does the US stand?

Iraqi forces have reportedly seized several key installations in Kirkuk from Kurdish control.

US and Israel withdraw from UNESCO citing "anti-Israel" bias

Israel has joined the US in withdrawing from UN cultural organization UNESCO. Washington cited UNESCO's "anti-Israel bias" for its decision.

US to sell THAAD system to Saudi in $15bn deal

The US has approved a $15 billion deal to sell its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Saudi Arabia.

Suspected 'acoustic attack:' US expels Cuban diplomats from Washington

In a new development, the US state department has moved to expel 15 Cuban diplomats from Washington.

Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women drivers at last

Women in Saudi Arabia can finally get behind a steering-wheel like their counterparts elsewhere in the world.

Suspected 'sonic attack:' US mulls closing embassy in Cuba

The US is considering closing down its embassy in Havana after several diplomatic staff reported health problems.

US orders Russia to shut consulate, two annexes

The diplomatic tit-for-tat between America and Russia isn't ending anytime soon.

US science envoy resigns with hidden "IMPEACH" message to Trump

A science envoy to the US State Department is the latest high-profile associate to resign over President Donald Trump's response to a violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.

US officials say N.Korea can produce its own missile engines

US intelligence officials said North Korea likely possesses the capability to produce its own missile engine and doesn't need to rely on imports.

7 members of heroic Syrian White Helmet relief organization killed

In what can only be described as a horrifying incident, seven members of the Syrian White Helmets rescue group were shot dead by unknown gunmen in Sarmeen, a town in rebel-held Idlib province.

US and Canadian diplomats in Cuba suffer headaches/hearing loss

A Canadian diplomat stationed in Cuba has suffered hearing loss and headaches, prompting the Canadian foreign ministry to launch an investigation.

Did Trump just thank Putin for taking away American jobs?

In a somewhat bizarre move, US President Donald Trump appears to have thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for taking away American jobs.

UN Secretary-General wants US to re-engage in Paris Agreement

After receiving the US's formal communication regarding its exit from Paris Agreement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the nation to re-engage in the climate deal.

US calls Iran's space rocket launch test 'provocative'

On July 27, Iran launched a rocket which it claims can deliver a satellite into space, ratcheting tensions with the US.

US considering sending arms for Ukraine against Russia

The US is actively considering whether to arm Ukraine with "defensive weapons" in its fight against Russian-backed rebels, according to the new US special representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker.

India is third largest target for terrorism: US State Department

New data from the US State Department ranks India third behind Iraq and Afghanistan as a terrorist target.

US plans to ban citizens from visiting North Korea

Two agencies which operate foreign tours into North Korea said the US is banning its citizens from traveling to the country.

'India has a weak PM': Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi

Congress's Rahul Gandhi has fired a salvo at 'weak' PM Narendra Modi, indirectly blaming him for not taking a stand against the US' anti-India moves.

US' planned $1.4bn arms sale to Taiwan irks China

The US is planning to sell around $1.4 billion in arms to Taiwan, the first such sale under the Trump administration.

IS warns Saudi Arabia of violence, says 'turn will come'

The IS threatened Saudi Arabia of attacks in the near future.

US raps India over alleged human rights violations

The US State Department has rapped the Indian government over alleged human rights violations, corruption and lack of transparency.

US State Department employee arrested over contacts with Chinese agents

The US Justice Department said 60-year-old Candace Marie Claiborne, a veteran State Department staffer having access to classified information, has been arrested for allegedly hiding her communication with Chinese intelligence agents.

EU could place visa restrictions on Americans

The European Parliament is considering putting an end to visa-free travel to Americans.

Clinton could not recall 26 things during FBI interview

According to the latest documents released by the FBI, Hillary Clinton could not "recall" 26 things in her recent interview with the investigating officials.

Shahrukh Khan's run-ins with US immigration

Shahrukh Khan was detained at the Los Angeles airport by US immigration officials on a trip to the United States on Friday.