Politics

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer met today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to underscore steadfast U.S. support for Ukraine’s self defense and recovery from Russian aggression.  Prime Minister Shmyhal thanked the people of the United States for their support, and stressed the need for additional U.S. security assistance given Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs.  The pair also discussed Ukraine’s continued reforms, and the importance of continued progress on these for its Euro-Atlantic integration.  ### Official news published at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/18/readout-of-principal-deputy-national-security-advisor-jon-finers-meeting-with-prime-minister-shmyhal-of-ukraine/

As part of the U.S. Department of State’s Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, which elevates music to promote peace and create cross-cultural connections worldwide, the Department announced today that participants from 22 countries will explore how Hip Hop has promoted peace and positive social change, as well as encourage economic growth, with their American counterparts in Washington, DC; New York, NY; and Raleigh and Chapel Hill, NC  during an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange from April 15-26, 2024. While in Washington, DC, the participants will learn about U.S. society and culture, methods to archive HipHop history, and the role of music…

DHS Blue Campaign Partners with Lyft to Educate Rideshare Drivers About How to Detect and Prevent Human Trafficking Release Date: February 7, 2024 Lyft outreach will start with drivers in the Las Vegas area during Super Bowl 2024 as this crime can be more prevalent and escape unnoticed during large events Tutorial program is the beginning of first-of-its kind partnership with DHS to combat human trafficking across the United States WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign and Lyft, Inc. announced a new tutorial program that will help rideshare drivers in the United States and Canada…

Alaska’s majestic and rugged lands and waters are among the most remarkable and healthy landscapes in the world, sustaining a vibrant subsistence economy for Alaska Native communities. These natural wonders demand our protection. I am proud that my Administration is taking action to conserve more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic and to honor the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of Alaska Natives who have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial. From safeguarding sacred lands near the Grand Canyon to protecting Alaskan treasures, my Administration has conserved more than 41 million acres of lands and…

The Department of State announced today the public designations of former Solicitor General and Principal Secretary of Justice Reyneck Matemba, former Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Agency Director John Suzi-Banda, former Malawi Police Service Attorney Mwabi Kaluba, and former Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service George Kainja, as generally ineligible for entry into the United States, due to their involvement in significant corruption.  Matemba, Suzi-Banda, Kaluba, and Kainja abused their public positions by accepting bribes and other articles of value from a private businessperson in exchange for awarding a government procurement contract for the Malawi Police Service. The United States stands with Malawians working towards a more just and prosperous nation by promoting accountability for corrupt officials, including advocating for transparency and integrity in government procurement processes.  These designations reaffirm the United States’ commitment to counter corruption, which stifles economic…

    America’s natural wonders and historic treasures are the heart and soul of our Nation.  From the high plateaus and deep ravines of the Grand Canyon to the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg and the rolling forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, our national parks unite and inspire us, connecting us to something bigger than ourselves.  This week, we recommit to protecting and caring for all 429 parks and encourage Americans everywhere to enjoy them.      Protecting our national parks preserves their majestic beauty as well as meaningful pieces of our Nation’s history and future.  They contain irreplaceable ecosystems that…

Yesterday, the United States welcomed Switzerland and Sweden into the Artemis Accords family as we strengthen collaboration in space, to include scientific research, education, commercial ventures, and efforts to ensure the sustainable use of space environments. Switzerland became the 37th signatory to the Artemis Accords on April 15 and Sweden became the 38th signatory on April 16. Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research Guy Parmelin signed for Switzerland during a ceremony at NASA headquarters in the presence of NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and the State Department’s Office of Space Affairs Director Valda Vikmanis…

DHS Works with NFL, Nevada, and Las Vegas Partners to Secure Super Bowl LVIII Release Date: February 7, 2024 Continuing a 20+ Year Partnership, More Than 385 DHS Personnel on the Ground Working to Protect Estimated 65,000 Fans Attending the Big Game at Allegiant Stadium NFL Announces it Will Join Secure Our World Cybersecurity Awareness Effort During Super Bowl and Throughout Upcoming Season DHS Working with Lyft to Equip Drivers in Las Vegas with the Tools to Detect and Report Human Trafficking WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas traveled this week to Las Vegas, Nevada to review…

    More than 50 years ago today, some 20 million Americans came together across the country to demand that we prioritize our planet’s well-being.  They came from every walk of life and political background, and were united around a common vision:  to protect the Earth and our natural treasures for future generations. Their actions that day ignited an environmental movement and proved that nothing is beyond our capacity if we do it together.  Today, we carry on their legacy by building a greener, more sustainable planet and, with it, a healthier, more prosperous Nation.      This work has…

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield will travel to Tempe, Arizona and Honolulu, Hawaii from April 17 to April 24. While in Arizona, Assistant Secretary Satterfield will meet with Arizona State University (ASU) officials and participants in U.S. exchange programs to thank ASU for its longstanding partnership in advancing people-to-people ties through U.S. programs.  The visit will underscore the United States’ commitment to international education as a key component of public diplomacy and highlight the value of foreign policy through domestic engagement. While in Hawaii, Assistant Secretary Satterfield will deliver remarks on the importance of…