The U.S. government is reportedly instructing its employees to avoid messaging related to the commemoration of World AIDS Day, a significant departure from past practices. An email from the State Department instructs employees to refrain from spreading messages about commemorative days, including World AIDS Day, and to avoid using funds for the commemoration. While employees and grantees can still promote work fighting AIDS and attend related events, the guidance specifically restricts public promotion through various communication channels. This decision, according to a State Department spokesperson, reflects an effort to modernize the approach to tackling diseases, with the administration suggesting an “awareness day is not a strategy”.
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Trump is breaking US diplomacy, State Department staffers say. It’s not exactly a secret, but it’s a situation that’s drawing some serious concern, especially from those who work within the State Department. The consensus seems to be that the way things are going, the U.S. is losing its footing on the world stage, and it’s all tied to how Trump handles diplomacy, or rather, doesn’t. It’s like the classic definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Here, the repeated actions appear to be eroding the very tools that the United States needs to navigate a complex world.… Continue reading
The U.S. State Department announced it would deny visas to individuals found celebrating the death of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has instructed officials to take action against those who rationalize or celebrate Kirk’s death. The administration is cracking down on speech it deems as threats or support for political violence, with Attorney General Pam Bondi warning of consequences for hate speech. This follows reports of public officials losing jobs and businesses facing boycotts due to comments on social media regarding Kirk’s death, and Vice President JD Vance encouraging others to challenge those celebrating the assassination.
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The United States has implemented a suspension of visa approvals for almost all Palestinian passport holders, as reported by the New York Times. This includes restrictions beyond those previously announced for Gaza visitors, impacting travel for medical treatment, education, and business. The State Department confirmed denying and revoking visas for Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority members. This move aligns with the Trump administration’s stance, holding these entities accountable and impacting the prospects for peace.
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The U.S. State Department has suspended all “medical-humanitarian” visitor visas for individuals from Gaza to conduct a review of the existing procedures. This decision follows the arrival of critically injured children and their families for medical treatment in the U.S., facilitated by the humanitarian group HEAL Palestine, which has evacuated 148 people, including 63 children. The pause in visa processing has been criticized by organizations like CAIR, who have stated it is cruel and endangers lives. While the duration of the review remains uncertain, this action comes amidst a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by severe food shortages and casualties.
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The State Department has initiated an investigation into Harvard University’s compliance with the J-1 visa program, which allows international students to participate in exchange programs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the department would scrutinize Harvard’s sponsorship eligibility, ensuring compliance with regulations to uphold national security interests. This investigation is the latest action by the Trump administration, which has previously attempted to restrict foreign student enrollment at Harvard. Harvard has responded, asserting its commitment to complying with regulations while criticizing the investigation as retaliatory and a violation of its First Amendment rights.
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The Trump administration significantly reduced the staff of the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, with approximately half of the remaining workers being fired or demoted on July 18. This move came despite bipartisan support for anti-trafficking efforts and prior focus on the issue during the administration’s first term. The cuts have also been met with disappointment within the office, especially since the former president has backtracked on releasing evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case. The reductions were a surprise, particularly given the previous interest from the administration and its earlier focus on combating human trafficking.
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On July 4, 2025, masked Israeli settlers were reported to have attacked Palestinians in the West Bank village of Sinjil, resulting in the death of a US-Palestinian man, Saif al-Din Kamil Abdul Karim Musalat, and another Palestinian man, Mohammed Rizq Hussein al-Shalabi. Musalat’s family has demanded that the US State Department launch an immediate investigation into his death, alleging that he was killed while protecting family land from the settlers. The State Department has acknowledged the reports of the US citizen’s death. The incident is part of a concerning trend of rising violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, as the UN has noted, with the recent conflict escalating since October 2023.
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The State Department has alerted U.S. diplomats about attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio, potentially using AI technology. An imposter, posing as Rubio, contacted at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator, and a governor via text, Signal, and voicemail. This incident, while unsuccessful and not particularly sophisticated, prompted the department to warn employees and foreign governments due to increasing efforts to compromise information security. The FBI has also issued warnings about similar campaigns using AI-generated messages to impersonate senior U.S. officials.
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The State Department has banned the English rap punk duo, Bob Vylan, from performing in the U.S. due to their actions at the Glastonbury Festival. During the performance, the rapper led the crowd in chants supporting Palestine and wishing “death” to the Israel Defense Forces, according to video evidence. Officials revoked their visas, citing the group’s hateful rhetoric. A police investigation is underway to determine if any hate crime statutes were violated.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood