Us Secretary Of State

EU set to impose sanctions over Lebanon crisis

The bloc said it is ready to impose sanctions on Lebanon's ruling elite, including a travel ban and asset freeze, for obstructing the process of forming a functioning government.

Afghanistan would be ‘pariah state’ under Taliban takeover

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says “atrocities” committed by the insurgents in Afghanistan “certainly do not speak well to the Taliban’s intentions for the country as a whole”.

Protests erupt in Lebanon as France announces aid conference

Demonstrations flare in northern city of Tripoli over the deepening political and economic crisis, sparking clashes with army and leaving at least 19 people wounded.

MSF 'horrified' as medical charity workers murdered in Ethiopia

Doctors Without Borders says it is “horrified by the brutal murder” of three colleagues in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the latest attack on humanitarian workers helping civilians in the deadly conflict there.

Ghani, Biden to bring contrasting goals for White House meeting

As a Taliban offensive spreads across Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani will be hoping for a significant commitment of aid post troop withdrawal with Joe Biden expected to pressure the Afghan leader to strike a deal with the insurgents.

Biden says Russia, US to launch nuclear arms control talks

US President Joe Biden’s first meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin since assuming office comes amid soaring tensions between Washington and Moscow, with both sides playing down the prospect of any major breakthroughs at the summit.

Biden sends Blinken on Mideast blitz to ‘solidify Gaza ceasefire’

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the Middle East to press Israeli and Palestinian leaders and regional players, excluding Gaza's Hamas government, to build on last week’s ceasefire.

US, Russia seek to ease tensions in first meeting since Biden took office

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agree to work together despite differences as they held talks on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik.

Asian-American business leaders launch $250M effort to combat hate

Asian American Foundation says it will invest its largest-ever philanthropic effort to support the community in anti-hate programmes, education, and data and research.

Eritrean troops 'block and loot' food aid in Ethiopia's Tigray

Eritrea denies allegations of aid obstruction but Abiy government's documents suggest soldiers have been plundering food supplies, stoking fears of starvation deaths, and blocking access to Ethiopian checkpoints.

US resumes aid to Palestinians severed under Trump

The $235 million in funding is in addition to $15 million earlier announced by Washington in Covid-19 assistance to the Palestinians.

Russia warns US, NATO against Ukraine troop deployment

NATO and Kiev have warned Russia against building up troops near eastern Ukraine, prompting Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov to threaten Western countries with force if they send troops to join the fray.