Latest news with #USDepartmentOfState
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Tuvalu seeks assurance from US its citizens won't be barred
By Kirsty Needham , Reuters In a statement on Tuesday, Tuvalu's government said it had not received any formal notification that it was on the list. Photo: Supplied: Hall Contracting Tuvalu says it is seeking written assurance from the United States that its citizens will not be barred from entry after being apparently mistakenly included in a list of 36 countries facing visa bans. An internal diplomatic cable signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed the United States, which has already barred entry for citizens from 12 countries, was considering expanding travel restrictions to the 36 countries, including three Pacific Island states, Reuters and other media reported last month. Nations on the list would have 60 days to take corrective action, the cable showed. The news had caused significant concern in Tuvalu, whose population of 11,000 is at risk from rising sea levels, and where a third of residents have applied to an Australian ballot for a landmark climate migration visa. Tuvalu's ambassador to the United Nations, Tapugao Falefou, said he had been told by a US official that Tuvalu's inclusion on the list was "an administrative and systemic error on the part of the US Department of State". In a statement on Tuesday, Tuvalu's government said it had not received any formal notification that it was on the list, and had also been assured by the United States embassy in Fiji it was "an error within the system". "The Embassy has provided verbal assurances that there are no current restrictions on Tuvaluan nationals entering the United States, and that the matter is being reviewed with authorities in Washington," the statement from Tuvalu's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade said. It added Tuvalu was seeking a "formal written confirmation to that effect and continues to engage the US Government to ensure Tuvaluans are not unfairly affected". The embassy did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. A US official familiar with visa policy who is not authorised to speak publicly told Reuters "no decisions have been made, and any speculation is premature". "Tuvalu's public statement mischaracterizes and omits some of the valid concerns the United States has with travelers from that country," the official added. The other Pacific Islands listed in the cable were Vanuatu and Tonga. Tonga's government had received an official US warning, and was working on a response, Tonga media reported. Vanuatu's government did not respond to a request for comment. -Reuters
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Yahoo
I've been to over 90 countries. I'll never travel somewhere new before asking these 8 questions.
I've visited over 90 countries, so I've heard (and asked) my fair share of tourist questions. There are eight awkward questions that I always found myself asking, no matter where I went. Now, I never plan a trip without looking up whether I can drink tap water or how I'll pay for goods. There are few things more stressful than landing on the tarmac in a new country, realizing you're unprepared, and also feeling too embarrassed to ask for help. I've seen fellow tourists struggle to ask the same questions again and again, like how to charge their phones or whether they can use public toilets. As someone who's been to over 90 countries, I've also encountered many of these awkward situations firsthand — and learned a lot of answers the hard way. Now, I make sure never to travel abroad without knowing the answers to these eight questions. Can I brush my teeth with tap water? Many Americans, myself included, are used to turning on the tap and having fresh, clean water to drink and brush their teeth. However, this isn't the case everywhere. My travel experiences have taught me that nothing will ruin a trip faster than gastrointestinal distress from unsafe drinking water. Now, before I travel, I always check the US Department of State website to see if I'll need to stick to bottled water. If the country's tap water isn't safe to drink, I'll attach my toothbrush to a bottle with a rubber band. This helps me remember not to rinse my toothbrush under the tap — a mistake that's easy to make in the early morning. Do I need to apply for a visa ahead of time? If you have an American passport (like I do), you can visit some countries worldwide without being granted permission. However, there are many exceptions. Countries like India, Cambodia, and China require Americans to apply for a visa before visiting; and as of this year, Americans and Canadians need an Electronic Travel Authorization to enter the UK. To visit some countries, you'll have to go to a consulate and apply in person. For others, you can apply virtually. If you don't have the right type of visa, you might not be allowed to board your plane — or you might even be turned away at the border. As a frequent traveler, I always check whether I need a visa to travel as soon as I book a trip. Most countries' embassies will have this information on their websites. How can I get cell service without paying a fortune? When I'm traveling, I'm always terrified of being left without cellular service — but I also want to avoid pricy roaming fees and daily charges. To save money, I usually use a service like Airalo or Holafly to purchase an eSIM card when I travel out of the country. That way, I can access a local carrier and control costs. This method has worked for me all around the world. With an eSIM, I can still access my primary number's voicemail and text messages as long as I'm connected to WiFi. How will I charge my devices? Speaking of phones, you'll want to make sure you can actually charge your devices. Outlets are different all around the world, and I've learned the hard way that even adapters labeled as "universal" usually aren't. A quick online search will tell you which kind of adapter you need to stay powered up. Preparing ahead is important here — although airports usually sell adapters, they tend to be more expensive than ones you can order online. Do I need to get any vaccines, or prepare for any potential illnesses? I am up-to-date on all of the standard vaccines in the United States. However, several diseases that are largely under control in the US pose a significant threat abroad. My years of travel have taught me to always check and see if I need any additional vaccines before a trip. In preparation for trips abroad, I've taken live typhoid pills and been vaccinated against yellow fever. For other trips, I've taken pills to prevent malaria. At my doctor's recommendation, I've even packed antibiotics to bring to countries where they might not be readily available. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website to see which vaccines and medications are recommended for your destination. Once you know what you need, your local pharmacy may be able to order the recommended vaccines for you, or your primary care physician might be able to call in a prescription. Will my credit cards work? Many Americans are used to paying for just about anything they need with the swipe of a card — or even a phone if they use Apple Pay. However, some countries are still largely cash-based societies. If that's the case where you are traveling, always come prepared with an ATM card — and make sure your bank account has enough cash. Finally, keep your budget in mind. If you don't have a credit card specifically designed for travel, remember you may be hit with expensive foreign transaction fees for every purchase. Are there any unusual laws I need to know about? Through my travels, I've come across a lot of unexpected laws. For example, some countries in the Caribbean ban civilians from wearing camouflage. In France, you're not allowed to buy or even wear counterfeit clothing, including purses. Moreover, some countries have restrictions on the type of medications you can bring in, even if they were legally prescribed in your home country. It's important to me to respect local customs and stay on the right side of the law — so I always do a quick online search to see if there are any rules I need to know about before I travel. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rubio congratulates Russians on Russia Day: US supports "aspirations for a brighter future"
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has congratulated Russians on Russia Day and stated that the US is seeking "constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine". Source: Rubio's statement on the website of the US Department of State Quote: "On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day. The United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future. We also take this opportunity to reaffirm the United States' desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine. It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries." Background: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russian losses in the war had exceeded one million soldiers killed and wounded since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
US prepares for partial evacuation of embassies in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq
The United States Department of State on Wednesday was preparing to order nonessential embassy personnel and family members to leave Bahrain and Kuwait, the Associated Press reported. The US embassy in Iraq is also preparing for an evacuation, an Iraqi security official and a US source told Reuters on Wednesday. Iran's Minister of Defence Aziz Nasirzadeh said earlier in the day that Tehran will strike US bases in the region if nuclear talks fail and conflict arises with Washington. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The State Department is set to have an ordered departure for (the) US embassy in Baghdad. The intent is to do it through commercial means, but the US military is standing by if help is requested," another US official said. Another US official said that there was no change in operations at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the Middle East and that no evacuation order had been issued for employees or families linked to the US Embassy in Qatar, which was operating as usual.
Fox News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
US warns Venezuela now poses 'highest risk' for American travelers
The United States government is advising U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Venezuela and its borders. Venezuela currently has the highest Travel Advisory with a level 4. Per the U.S. Department of State, citizens are warned not to travel to Venezuela due to severe risks. The risks include wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure. Currently, more U.S. nationals are wrongfully detained in Venezuela than anywhere else in the world. In March 2019, the DOS withdrew all diplomatic personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas and suspended operations. This means there is no U.S. consulate operating in Venezuela and the U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela. Police and security forces have instituted a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy or anti-regime demonstrations, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against participants, which occasionally devolve into looting and vandalism. If you are planning to still travel to Venezuela, the State Department recommends you do the following before traveling. Travelers should prepare a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and power of attorney. Develop a communication plan with family or your company with a "proof of life" protocol and consider hiring a professional security detail. Travelers should have an understanding that medical care will be limited in Venezuela, especially over-the-counter medication. Avoid Venezuela's border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana as Colombian terrorist groups operate in those areas. If you choose to travel to Venezuela, the U.S. will not be able to assist you in recovering lost, stolen or expired travel documents. It is advised that any U.S. citizen currently in Venezuela should depart immediately.
