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Today: April 17, 2025
Today: April 17, 2025
MATTHEW LEE

MATTHEW LEE

Staff Writer

Latest From MATTHEW LEE

Europe|Political|US|World

Top Trump officials will hold talks with Europeans on the Russia-Ukraine war

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, will travel to Paris this week for talks with European allies on U.S. efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine

Top Trump officials will hold talks with Europeans on the Russia-Ukraine war
Political|US

DOGE associate is made acting head of foreign assistance at the State Department, a US official says

The Trump administration has expanded the power of adviser Elon Musk’s government-cutting team over the State Department

DOGE associate is made acting head of foreign assistance at the State Department, a US official says
Political|US|World

White House proposes drastic cuts to State Department and funding for UN, NATO and other groups

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has proposed gutting the State Department’s budget by almost 50%, closing a number of overseas diplomatic missions, and eliminating funding for nearly all international organizations, including the United Nations, many of its agencies and for NATO headquarters

White House proposes drastic cuts to State Department and funding for UN, NATO and other groups
Political|US|World

State Department wants staff to report instances of alleged anti-Christian bias during Biden's term

As the Christian world commemorates Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday, the State Department has issued an appeal for its employees to report instances of alleged anti-Christian bias, including actions taken for opposition to vaccines or personal pronoun choice, that may have occurred during former President Joe Biden’s administration

State Department wants staff to report instances of alleged anti-Christian bias during Biden's term
MidEast|Political|US|World

Trump opens window for a deal with Iran but issues warning if things don't work out

President Donald Trump is betting that a beleaguered Iran is so vulnerable following a tumultuous 18 months in the Middle East that it might finally be ready to abandon its nuclear program

Trump opens window for a deal with Iran but issues warning if things don't work out
Europe|Political|US|World

US ambassador to Ukraine to step down as peace talks uncertain

The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine is stepping down from her post after nearly three years in Kyiv

US ambassador to Ukraine to step down as peace talks uncertain
MidEast|Political|US

Senate confirms former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as Trump's ambassador to Israel

The Senate has confirmed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as President Donald Trump's ambassador to Israel

Senate confirms former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as Trump's ambassador to Israel
Food|Political|US|World

Trump administration says it cut funding to some life-saving UN food programs by mistake

The State Department says it's rolled back some of its sweeping funding cuts to U.N. World Food Program emergency projects in 14 impoverished countries

Trump administration says it cut funding to some life-saving UN food programs by mistake
Political|US|World

Trump appointment of junior official to oversee State Department personnel meets resistance

The appointment of a junior foreign service officer to serve as the senior official in the State Department’s personnel office is meeting opposition from current and former U.S. diplomats and their union

Trump appointment of junior official to oversee State Department personnel meets resistance
Economy|Europe|Political|US|World

Europe and Canada say they'll spend more on defense, but are cool on US demands

European NATO allies and Canada say they will ramp up defense spending but are cool on U.S. demands for the size of their military budgets

Europe and Canada say they'll spend more on defense, but are cool on US demands
Political|US

Trump fires NSC officials a day after far-right activist raises concerns to him about staff loyalty

President Donald Trump said that he’s fired “some” White House National Security Council officials

Trump fires NSC officials a day after far-right activist raises concerns to him about staff loyalty
Europe|Political|US|World

Rubio tries to reassure wary allies of US commitment to NATO as Trump sends mixed signals

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Trump administration’s new envoy to NATO are seeking to reassure wary NATO members of the U.S. commitment to the alliance

Rubio tries to reassure wary allies of US commitment to NATO as Trump sends mixed signals
Asia|Political|US|World

US bans government personnel in China from romantic or sexual relations with Chinese citizens

The U.S. government has banned American government personnel in China, as well as family members and contractors with security clearances, from any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens

Europe|Political|US|World

A wary Europe awaits Rubio with NATO's future on the line

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling this week to a gathering of top diplomats from NATO countries

A wary Europe awaits Rubio with NATO's future on the line
Political|US

Most US Institute of Peace workers get late-night word of their mass firing

Most employees at the U.S. Institute of Peace, a congressionally created and funded think tank now taken over by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, have received email notices of their mass firing — the latest step in the Trump administration’s government downsizing

Most US Institute of Peace workers get late-night word of their mass firing
Americas|Business|Political|US|World

Rubio vows stern response if Venezuela attacks Guyana

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has vowed that the United States will respond forcefully if Venezuela attacks Guyana amid an ongoing territorial dispute that involves massive oil and gas reserves

Rubio vows stern response if Venezuela attacks Guyana
Americas|Economy|Political|World

In Jamaica, Marco Rubio vows to revisit US travel warning

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the State Department will re-evaluate its travel warnings for Jamaica and other countries to ensure they reflect real conditions on the ground

In Jamaica, Marco Rubio vows to revisit US travel warning
MidEast|Political|US

Mike Huckabee, Trump's pick for Israel ambassador, tries to distance from past Palestinian rhetoric

President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Israel attempted to distance himself from past controversial statements about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people

Mike Huckabee, Trump's pick for Israel ambassador, tries to distance from past Palestinian rhetoric
Political|US

Trump administration guts board of US Institute of Peace. Group says DOGE arrives

The Trump administration has fired most of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace and sent its new leader into the Washington headquarters of the independent organization

Trump administration guts board of US Institute of Peace. Group says DOGE arrives
Africa|Political|US|World

Trump administration says South African ambassador has to leave the US by Friday

The State Department says South Africa’s ambassador to the United States has until Friday to leave the country

Trump administration says South African ambassador has to leave the US by Friday
Economy|Europe|Political|US|World

Allies preserve unity even as Trump's tariffs and Canada taunts overshadow G7 meeting

Top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies are jointly expressing support for Ukraine and a U.S. ceasefire proposal in the three-year-old war

Allies preserve unity even as Trump's tariffs and Canada taunts overshadow G7 meeting

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