ANTONY BLINKEN

Increased U.S. engagment with Pacific island nations comes as China's influence in the region grows.

President Joe Biden is hosting Pacific Island leaders for a two-day summit as the U.S. looks to counter China’s influence in the region.

Pakistan’s foreign minister is recommending cooperation with the Taliban even though many U.S. officials say Afghanistan’s ruling faction has proved unworthy of it.

A U.S. Coast Guard ship on routine patrol in the Bering Sea came across a guided missile cruiser from China, officials said Monday.

House Republicans wants DHS to take "every possible step" to stop illegal immigration from Venezuela, as the border cities has seen a spike in migrant encounters.

Concerns are growing that Russia may seek to escalate the conflict, including potentially using nuclear weapons.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to 60 Minutes about Ukraine's request for ATACMS: "whatever they put on the table is something we're going to look at, we're to consider."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken: For sanctions to be lifted, "Iran knows very well what it needs to do."

Last week President Biden told 60 Minutes U.S. forces would defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion. The White House later said that was not official policy.

The secretary of state told 60 Minutes the "Achilles' heel" of autocracies is that there usually isn't "anyone who has the capacity or the will to speak truth to power."

Russia has told the world that it has “no choice” but to take military action in Ukraine.

Ebrahim Raisi pledges to "deal decisively" after an eighth straight night of protests across Iran.

NSC Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby echoed Secretary of State Blinken's assessment that disagreement over the Iran nuclear deal has increased in recent weeks.

In speech after speech, world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly are spotlighting Russia’s war in Ukraine.

NEW YORK — (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday ramped up its diplomatic efforts to press China to end provocative actions against Taiwan and warned it about any active support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. The session was one of the few that Blinken kept on his schedule after the death of his father on Thursday. Biden's recent comments about Taiwan and China's tacit support for the war in Ukraine are just two of the latest irritants in relations between Washington and Beijing. On Russia, U.S. officials said Blinken underscored the damage that would be done to the Sino-U.S. relationship should Beijing take a more active role in supporting the war in Ukraine. Blinken “highlighted the implications if the PRC were to provide support to Moscow’s invasion of a sovereign state,” Price said in the statement.

The Biden administration is ramping up diplomatic efforts to press China to end provocative actions against Taiwan and keep it from active support for Russia's war against Ukraine.

The Treasury Department says it will allow American tech firms to expand their business in Iran to boost internet access for the Iranian people.

Donald Blinken, father of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, died at the age of 96, his son announced on Twitter while attending the UNGA.

The tide of international opinion appears to have decisively shifted against Russia, as a number of non-aligned countries joined the United States and its allies in condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine and its threats to the principles of the international rules-based order.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s father, Donald, a former U.S. diplomat, investment banker and modern art collector, died on Thursday. Blinken announced his father’s passing in a series of tweets while he was attending the annual UN General Assembly. “My family lost a parent and grandparent, a source of love and inspiration — my father Donald Blinken,” he wrote. Donald Blinken died peacefully at his home in East Hampton, Long Island, a State Department official said. Donald Blinken served as the chairman of the State University of New York system from 1978 to 1990 and was U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s father, Donald Blinken, a former U.S. diplomat, investment banker and modern art collector, has died.

"If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends," U.S. tells world leaders at the U.N.

After days of speeches by world leaders taking subtle and not-so-subtle shots at Russia for its invasion of Ukraine during the annual U.N. General Assembly, in walked Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

UNITED NATIONS — (AP) — The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday. Held alongside the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia called up a portion of its reserves for the first time since World War II. “Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people,” Blinken added. Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.

UNITED NATIONS — (AP) — The United States called on other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday. Held alongside the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia called up a portion of its reserves for the first time since World War II. “Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said. He added that Ukraine had become “an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security” and his country wouldn't accept it. Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.

Minutes later, Russia came right back, calling the claims unfair and saying Ukraine is to blame. We can do it with the force of arms,” the president said in a speech delivered in English. “It’s an attack on this very institution where we find ourselves today,” said Moldovan President President Maia Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine. It was the first time Zelenskyy addressed the world's leaders gathered together since Russia invaded in February. But the first such call-up in Russia since World War II also brought the fighting home in a new way for Russians and risked fanning domestic anxiety and antipathy toward the war.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces off with Russia's Sergei Lavrov at a U.N. Security Council session on war crimes and violations of international law.

UNITED NATIONS — (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on every U.N. Security Council member to “send a clear message" to Russia that it must stop its nuclear threats in the war in Ukraine. Blinken used a council session Thursday to criticize Russia's invasion and press other countries to join in their forceful condemnations of the conflict. "Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately," he said. Despite his forceful words, however, a U.S. official said Blinken was under no illusion that the council would act against Russia, given its veto power as a permanent member. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he's dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine.

UNITED NATIONS — (AP) — The United States and its allies plan to ramp up criticism of Russia for its war in Ukraine on Thursday and press other countries to join in their forceful condemnations of the conflict. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to preview what they expect will be a 15-minute presentation by Blinken. Blinken will also say that Security Council has a “special responsibility” and obligation to speak out against actions that threaten its credibility and relevance as the U.N.’s most powerful body, the official said. Despite the campaign, however, the official said Blinken was under no illusion that the council would act against Russia, given its veto power as a permanent member. Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed in a video address to world leaders that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine.

The United States and its allies plan to ramp up criticism of Russia for its war in Ukraine and press other countries to join in their forceful condemnations of the conflict

The United States is urging other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine.

The United States has made its case at the U.N. Security Council for why Russia should face further censure and isolation over the Ukraine invasion.

The foreign secretary will demand justice in a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said talks to revive an Iran nuclear deal have gone "backward," but the State Department insists the deal remains its top priority.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Leaders from Europe, the Americas and Africa called Tuesday for urgent action and funding to ease a growing global food security crisis that has been exacerbated by Russia’s war with Ukraine and, thanks to climate change, threatens to get worse in coming years. The leaders also took Russia to task for spreading misinformation about the destination of Ukrainian grain that has been shipped out of the Black Sea under a U.N.-brokered agreement mediated by Turkey. “Russia must end its illegal war against Ukraine, which has certainly been an essential source of the world’s food supply,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the gathering. “The truth is that Putin is trying to blackmail the international community with a large part of the world’s food needs. Michel opened the event by calling out what he said were Russia’s lies about Ukrainian grain not getting to countries that need it most.

Leaders from Europe, the Americas and Africa are calling for urgent action and funding to ease a growing global food security crisis.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in New York City Monday to mediate after deadly clashes broke out between the two countries.

Blinken brought Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov together at a New York hotel on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly. It was the foreign ministers' first face-to-face meeting since two days of shelling last week by both sides killed more than 200 troops. Only Blinken spoke at the start of meeting at which the Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations sat somberly on opposite sides, separated by U.S. officials. During a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed broad swaths of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories held by Armenian forces. Armenia and Azerbaijan have each blamed the other for starting last week's shelling attacks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday in a bid to ease tensions and maintain a fragile ceasefire between the ex-Soviet countries and rivals following the largest outbreak of hostilities in more than two years.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday in a bid to ease tensions and maintain a fragile ceasefire between the ex-Soviet countries and rivals following the largest outbreak of hostilities in more than two years. Blinken brought Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov together at a New York hotel on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly. It was the foreign ministers' first face-to-face meeting since two days of shelling last week by both sides killed more than 200 troops.

Cyprus has hailed the full lifting of a U.S. arms embargo on the ethnically divided island nation as a milestone reaffirming increasingly tighter bilateral bonds that serve to bolster stability in the turbulent east Mediterranean region

President Joe Biden met with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan.

Investigators searching through a mass burial site in Ukraine have found evidence that some of the dead were tortured, including bodies with broken limbs and ropes around their necks.

President Joe Biden is praising South Africa as a vital voice on the global stage.

Russia's recent collapse in northeast Ukraine was its largest military defeat since the withdrawal of Russian troops from areas near Kyiv more than five months ago.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — The Biden administration announced Thursday it will send another $600 million in military aid to Ukraine, as the U.S. rushes more weapons to fuel Kyiv's counteroffensive that has reclaimed large stretches of the embattled country and forced Russian troops to retreat. The White House said it was the 21st time that the Defense Department has pulled weapons and other equipment off the shelves to deliver to Ukraine. “With admirable grit and determination, the people of Ukraine are defending their homeland and fighting for their future,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Moscow’s recent rout in northeast Ukraine was its largest military defeat since the withdrawal of Russian troops from areas near Kyiv more than five months ago. The latest package of weapons systems brings the total amount of U.S. aid to Ukraine to nearly $15.9 billion since President Joe Biden took office.

The Biden administration is set to announce that it will send another roughly $600 million in military aid to Ukraine.

The Biden administration announced Thursday it will send another $600 million in military aid to Ukraine, as the U.S. rushes more weapons to fuel Kyiv's counteroffensive that has reclaimed large stretches of the embattled country and forced Russian troops to retreat. The White House said it was the 21st time that the Defense Department has pulled weapons and other equipment off the shelves to deliver to Ukraine. “With admirable grit and determination, the people of Ukraine are defending their homeland and fighting for their future,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday slapped sanctions on dozens of Russian and Ukrainian officials and a number of Russian companies for human rights abuses and the theft of Ukrainian grain. The State Department said it had imposed sanctions on at least 23 officials and 31 Russian government agencies and firms for their roles in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Some, but not all, of those penalized were already subject to U.S. sanctions, which include asset freezes and a ban on Americans conducting business with them. Among those targeted on Thursday include 17 Russian and Ukrainian officials who were said to be working for, or on behalf of, the Russian government to destabilize Ukraine. Other companies include high-tech firms involved in Russia's space and satellite sectors and computer companies that produce micro-processors and semiconductors used by the Russian armed forces.

The Biden administration is slapping sanctions on dozens of Russian and Ukrainian officials and a number of Russian companies for human rights abuses and the theft of Ukrainian grain.

President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia.

FTW’s Andy Nesbitt and USA TODAY Sports NFL insider Mike Jones debate if the Minnesota Vikings are already the team to beat in the NFC North.

Bill Richardson, who has worked to secure the releases of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, visited Moscow this week and held meetings with Russian leaders.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — Russia has covertly spent more than $300 million since 2014 to try to influence politicians and other officials in more than two dozen countries, the State Department alleges in a newly released cable. The cable does not name specific Russian targets but says the U.S. is providing classified information to select individual countries. Many of President Joe Biden's top national security officials have extensive experience countering Moscow and served in government when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a wide-ranging campaign to influence the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections. A senior administration official declined to say how much money Russia is believed to have spent in Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his top deputies have long accused Putin of meddling in domestic politics. Putin was spending huge sums to “manipulate democracies from the inside,” the official said.

The State Department says Russia has covertly spent more than $300 million since 2014 to try to influence politicians and other officials in more than two dozen countries.

Serbia’s police have banned a Pride march planned amid pan-European LGBTQ events being held this week in Belgrade, citing a risk of clashes with far-right anti-gay activists.

MEXICO CITY — (AP) — A high-level United States delegation on Monday invited Mexico to participate in a push to shift semiconductor production from Asia to North America and expand production of electric vehicles. López Obrador, for his part, explained his plan to make the northern border state of Sonora a leader in lithium, electric vehicle and solar energy production, Ebrard said. Mexico nationalized lithium production in May. López Obrador has more recently come under fire from some international and domestic organizations for transferring the recently created National Guard to the Defense Ministry. López Obrador criticized the U.N. and the Organization of American States Monday for expressing their concern over the move.

A high-level United States delegation invited Mexico to participate in a push to shift semiconductor production from Asia to North America and expand production of electric vehicles.

Thousands of opponents of a pan-European LGBTQ event planned for this week in Belgrade marched through the Serbian capital on Sunday despite an announced ban of Europe’s largest annual gay gathering.

Russia attacked power stations and other infrastructure, causing widespread outages across Ukraine as Kyiv’s forces pressed a swift counteroffensive that has driven Moscow’s troops out of swaths of territory it had occupied in the northeast.

In fierce fighting, Ukrainian forces reclaimed several villages from Russian occupation and were advancing in their counteroffensive aimed at driving the Kremlin invaders back toward pre-invasion positions.

The war in Ukraine appears to be moving into a new phase, as Ukrainian forces reportedly regain territory along the frontlines. Recent footage shows weapons given to the Ukrainian military by the U.S. and other allies effectively rebuffing Russian forces. During a visit to Irpin, Ukraine, on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told members of the press, “We’re proud of the fact that our support, [and] the support of some of the other countries, is helping to enable what the Ukrainians are doing.”

Ukraine’s national basketball team gathered this summer tasked with lifting the spirits of those back home in a war-torn country.

BRUSSELS — (AP) — The Ukrainian armed forces have made significant early gains in their counter-offensive against Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine but fighting appears set to drag on for months, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the head of NATO said Friday. Blinken, who was at NATO headquarters to brief the 29 U.S. allies after a trip to Kyiv on Thursday, said that the six-month war in Ukraine is entering a critical period and he urged the conflict-torn country’s Western backers to maintain their support in coming months and through the winter. “The initial signs are positive, and we see Ukraine making real, demonstrable progress in a deliberate way,” Blinken said, referring to the recent push into southern Ukraine and the eastern Donbas region by local forces. “But this is likely to go on for some significant period of time,” he said. “Ukrainian forces have been able to stall Moscow’s offensive in Donbas, strike back behind Russian lines and retake territory,” he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the head of NATO say Ukrainian armed forces have made significant early gains against Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the head of NATO say Ukrainian armed forces have made significant early gains against Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine.

The U.S. Treasury Department says that it is levying sanctions against four Iranian companies that it says were involved in sending drones to Russia last month for use in Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Thursday said Russia’s strategic objectives in its attack on Ukraine have “been defeated.” “The war is not over, but so far the Russian strategic objectives have been defeated,” Milley said at a news conference alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. “Despite…

KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Underscoring determined U.S. support, Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Thursday and the Biden administration ramped up military aid by more than $2.8 billion to Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia. President Joe Biden, Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin all participated in meetings aimed at showing U.S. resolve to stand behind Ukraine. Thursday's contributions bring total U.S. aid to Ukraine to $15.2 billion since Biden took office. Fighting between Ukraine and Russia has intensified in recent days, with Ukrainian forces mounting a counteroffensive to retake Russian-held areas. Before leaving Ukraine, Blinken visited the devastated city of Irpin outside Kyiv where he toured damage caused by Russian forces during their 25-day occupation.

Pending approval from Congress, about $1 billion will go to Ukraine and the rest will be divided among 18 neighboring countries.

The U.S. is providing major new military aid to Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia.

Antony Blinken is on a trip to Kyiv, where he visited a children's hospital and met with U.S. Embassy staff. He is expected to announce another $2 billion in aid to help Ukraine in Russia's invasion.

KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unscheduled visit to Kyiv on Thursday as the Biden administration announced major new military aid worth more than $2 billion for Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia. That’s on top of a $675 million package of heavy weaponry, ammunition and armored vehicles for Ukraine alone that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced earlier Thursday at a conference in Ramstein, Germany. Austin said that “the war is at another key moment,” with Ukrainian forces beginning their counteroffensive in the south of the country. Thursday's contributions bring total U.S. aid to Ukraine to $15.2 billion since Biden took office. On Wednesday, the U.S. accused Moscow of interrogating, detaining and forcibly deporting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to Russia.

RZESZOW, Poland — (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday announced major new military aid worth more than 2 billion dollars for Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia. That’s on top of a $675-million package of heavy weaponry, ammunition and armored vehicles for Ukraine alone that Defense Secretary Llloyd Austin announced earlier Thursday at a conference in Germany. Austin said that “the war is at another key moment,” with Ukrainian forces beginning their counteroffensive in the south of the country. Thursday's contributions bring total U.S. aid to Ukraine to $15.2 billion since Biden took office. Russian officials immediately rejected the claim as “fantasy."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv, announcing a major new military-aid commitment and underscoring American resolve to keep supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia.

President Joe Biden said Thursday he has "offered every single thing available" to Mississippi amid a water crisis in the state's capital. Biden, returning from a speech in Philadelphia, said he has no plans to go to Mississippi. (Sept. 2)

But the administration has been disappointed that South Africa and much of the continent have declined to follow the U.S. in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. South Africa abstained in a United Nations vote to condemn Russia's action, and Ramaphosa has avoided any criticism of Russia and instead has called for a mediated peace. South Africa is seen as a leader of the several African countries that will not side against Russia. If he fails to win the party leadership he won’t be able to stand for reelection as South Africa’s president in 2024. ___Meldrum reported from Cape Town, South Africa.

President Joe Biden will host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House this month as the administration looks to draw African nations closer to the U.S. The announcement comes as South Africa and many of its neighbors have staked out neutral ground on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The former NBA superstar has said he intends to travel to Russia to seek the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from prison.

The world’s two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases are sparring on Twitter over climate policy, with China asking if the U.S. can deliver on the landmark climate legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden this week.

Kenya’s peaceful presidential election saw a brief disruption when riot police responded to scuffles at the national ballot tallying center amid tensions over the close results.

Paraguay Vice President Hugo Velázquez Moreno said he will resign next week shortly after he was included on a U.S. corruption list for his alleged involvement in offering bribes to a public official.

Latvia and Estonia say they have left a Chinese-backed forum aimed at boosting relations with Eastern European countries.

Africa’s public health agency says the continent of 1.3 billion people still does not have a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine, but “very advanced discussions” are underway with at least two partners.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday rebuked Rwandan authorities over democracy and human rights concerns, saying the central African country may not reach its full potential without opening up political space and protecting freedoms.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “concerned” about reports of the detention of an opposition political leader in Congo.

-U.S. Rep. Scott Perry says his cellphone was seized Tuesday by FBI agents carrying a search warrant.

Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, says he's hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. will support efforts lead by Kenya and Angola to put an end to the violence in Congo’s east and to help solve the central African nation’s crisis with Rwanda.

The Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash, which has allegedly helped to launder more than $7 billion worth of virtual currency since its creation in 2019.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in South Africa that President Joe Biden's administration sees Africa’s 54 nations as “equal partners” in tackling global problems.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began his three-nation tour of Africa Sunday by visiting a museum in Soweto commemorating how South Africa’s Black youths helped to end white racist rule.

China says it carried out its fourth consecutive day of military drills in the air and sea around Taiwan in the wake of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, despite international calls to calm the tensions.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says China should not hold talks on important global matters such as the climate crisis “hostage,” after Beijing cut off contacts with Washington in retaliation for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan earlier this week.

The Kremlin says it’s open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned Washington against publicizing the issue.

China says it is cutting off dialogue with the U.S. on a range of vital issues from climate change to military relations and anti-narcotics efforts in retaliation for a visit this week to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says China’s military exercises aimed at Taiwan, including missiles fired into Japan’s exclusive economic zone, represent a “significant escalation” and that he has urged Beijing to back down.

Now that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison, attention turns to the prospect of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia that could get her home.

A judge in Russia convicted American basketball star Brittney Griner of drug possession and smuggling.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is stressing his country’s efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries at a meeting with their foreign ministers, which comes as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region.