U.S. Department of State

WNBA star Griner’s Russia detention extended for third time

June 14, 2022 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — WNBA star Brittney Griner will remain in Russian custody through at least July 2, Russian state-run news agency Tass reported Tuesday.

The 31-year-old American basketball player has been held in Russia since February when she was detained at a Moscow airport after authorities there claimed she was carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

Senator: North Dakota farmer no longer in Ukrainian prison

June 3, 2022 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A U.S. senator says a North Dakota farmer arrested in Ukraine on accusations he planned to kill his business partner is no longer behind bars but his status is unclear.

Republican Sen.

Reward offered for capture, conviction of drug traffickers

May 4, 2022 GMT

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrest and conviction of three Honduran nationals indicted on charges connected to their roles as leaders in a drug-trafficking operation.

North Dakota farmer accused in Ukraine assassination plot

November 23, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota farmer has been accused of attempting to arrange the assassination of a Ukrainian official and has been detained in the country.

North Dakota's congressional delegation has asked the U.S.

Ohio to receive 855 Afghan refugees through federal program

By The Associated PressSeptember 16, 2021 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Nearly 900 Afghan refugees will be arriving in Ohio and placed within eight local resettlement agencies as part of the first group of nearly 37,000 arrivals across the country, Gov.

Maine could receive 100 Afghan refugees, official says

September 10, 2021 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Maine could receive as many as 100 displaced Afghan refugees between now and March, according to Catholic Charities Maine.

It's unclear where they'll land but there are small Afghan communities in Portland and Augusta after the resettlement of 105 refugees since 2013, said Hannah DeAngelis, program director for Catholic Charities Maine Refugee Immigration Services.

Maine pols wants government to use only US-grown flowers

August 9, 2021 GMT

BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP) — Maine's independent senator is joining a push to call on the federal government to only procure flowers grown in the United States.

Sen. Angus King said the “American Grown Act” would require the office of the president as well as the U.S.

Teen with US ties again on the run from China with fiancee

July 21, 2021 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A teenager who says he’s a U.S. permanent resident and his fiancée are once again on the run from the threat of extradition to their homeland, China, in a sign of Beijing’s lengthening reach over perceived dissidents abroad.

Myrtle Beach, SC hotel consultants face visa fraud charges

June 11, 2021 GMT

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Several hospitality companies in one of South Carolina's most popular beach towns are accused of scamming dozens of foreign workers on work visas about their pay and living conditions, according to an indictment released this week.

Poland’s senators approve contentious court overhaul

By MONIKA SCISLOWSKAJuly 22, 2017 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland's Senate approved a contentious law on Saturday that gives politicians substantial influence over the Supreme Court, in defiance of European Union criticism...

RHS student awarded prestigious U.S. Department of State NSLI-Y scholarship

Haylie EllisonJune 24, 2017 GMT

A Roseburg High School student received the National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship by the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for the 2017-18 year.

Jessica Lum, 16, will study Mandarin in China over the summer, where she will receive formal language instruction and practice in a culturally inclusive environment.

Reader View: Hillary Clinton — our next president

By Mark L. AsquinoOctober 20, 2016 GMT

As a former U.S. diplomat, I had firsthand opportunities to observe the work of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Based on this experience, I have been puzzled during this campaign when I hear people use words like “cold,” “aloof” and “arrogant” to describe her.