ambassador

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Archbishop Excommunicated for the 'Crime of Schism'

In rare move, Vatican boots Carlo Maria Vigano for not recognizing Pope Francis, among other things

(Newser) - Carlo Maria Vigano used to be the Vatican's envoy to the United States. Today, he's a former archbishop, excommunicated on Friday in a rare move by the Holy See for refusing to recognize Pope Francis, among other things, per the Washington Post . On June 20, Vigano announced he'...

Former US Ambassador Arrested as Secret Agent

Ex-diplomat to Bolivia Manuel Rocha, 73, accused of secretly working to promote Cuba's interests

(Newser) - A former US diplomat has been arrested in Florida, accused of secretly serving as an agent for Cuba. WTSP identifies him as 73-year-old Manuel Rocha, who served as the ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002. A source tells the AP , which first reported on Rocha's arrest Friday in...

Israel Summons Irish Envoy Over 'Lost Child' Tweet

Emily Hand, 9, was kidnapped by Hamas and released Saturday

(Newser) - Israel's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it would summon the Irish ambassador over a tweet celebrating the release of a 9-year-old girl from Hamas captivity, alleging the post didn't adequately condemn the militant group. Earlier in the day, the Irish prime minister lauded the release of Emily Hand,...

Senate Confirms Ambassador to Israel

2 Republicans voted with Democrats to confirm Jack Lew

(Newser) - The Senate has confirmed an ambassador to Israel, filling a post that had been vacant since July at a crucial time for the US-Israel alliance. Former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, who served in the Obama administration, was confirmed in a 53-44 vote , with Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul...

The Stakes Are High in the Arctic, So Biden Makes a Move

State Department announces plan to appoint ambassador-at-large

(Newser) - The number of US ambassadors looks set to grow by one. The State Department on Friday announced that President Biden "plans to elevate the Arctic Coordinator position by appointing an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region." The Senate will need to give its approval regarding the creation of the...

Caroline Kennedy Meets Kids of Islanders Who Rescued JFK
They Delivered
JFK's Distress
Note on a Coconut.
Now, Thanks
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

They Delivered JFK's Distress Note on a Coconut. Now, Thanks

US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy meets with kids of Solomon Islanders who saved her dad in WWII

(Newser) - In August 1943, during World War II, a 26-year-old John F. Kennedy and his crew were shipwrecked in the Solomon Islands after a Japanese destroyer rammed into their patrol boat during the Battle of Guadalcanal. On Monday, his daughter, Caroline Kennedy, now a US ambassador to Australia, met with and...

Protesters Greet Russian Ambassador With Lots of Paint

Sergey Andreev was trying to pay respects to Red Army soldiers at Warsaw cemetery

(Newser) - Russia's ambassador to Poland was splattered with red paint thrown at him by protesters opposed to the war in Ukraine, preventing him from paying respects on Monday at a Warsaw cemetery to Red Army soldiers who died during World War II. Ambassador Sergey Andreev arrived at the Soviet soldiers'...

Police Identify Man Killed at Ambassador's Residence

Officials suggested no motive in the case, in which the Secret Service shot a 19-year-old

(Newser) - Update: DC police on Saturday identified the man shot to death this week by Secret Service agents on the grounds of the Peruvian ambassador's residence. Gordon Casey, of Germantown, Maryland, died outside the residence Wednesday, per ABC News , after an intruder was reported. Police gave no information Saturday on...

Malawi Has an Unusual Offer for Mike Tyson

The country wants him as its new cannabis ambassador, but his rape conviction hovers

(Newser) - In "something we weren't expecting" news this week, Mike Tyson has been asked to be an ambassador. Specifically, the cannabis ambassador for the African nation of Malawi, which hopes that the former world heavyweight champ's brand will help bring investors to its nascent medicinal pot industry. "...

Biden, Macron Agree That Wasn't Handled Well

After presidents speak, France says its ambassador will return to Washington

(Newser) - The US and France moved toward making up Wednesday, after Presidents Biden and Emmanuel Macron spoke on the phone, but the nations suggested they have a lot of work ahead to rebuild shattered trust. It was the first time the two had spoken since Biden announced a new security alliance...

Biden Has Job Lined Up for Caroline Kennedy

Former envoy to Japan picked for Australia post, according to CNN

(Newser) - President Biden plans to nominate Caroline Kennedy—a friend, donor, and experienced envoy—as US ambassador to Australia, reports CNN . The daughter of President John F. Kennedy, she served as ambassador to Japan during President Obama's administration. White House officials have not officially confirmed Kennedy's selection, saying that...

Biden's Ambassador Picks Missing Some Expected Names

The pace is slow, but those named so far generally being well received

(Newser) - Nine names were revealed Tuesday as President Biden's picks for various ambassadorial posts—a small step toward filling what USA Today reports are 87 vacancies. Among the most recognizable: former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar as ambassador to Mexico, former Deputy Secretary of State Tom Nides as ambassador to Israel,...

After Initial Tense Pushback, Ambassador Will Leave Russia

But amid 'increasingly dangerous situation,' John Sullivan is to return to Moscow 'in coming weeks'

(Newser) - A tense standoff between the Kremlin and the US ambassador to Russia seems to have been averted, at least for the moment. After the United States imposed sanctions last week on the country over hacking American federal agencies and interfering in the 2020 presidential election, including via the expulsion of...

Report: Cindy McCain to Be Named US Ambassador

Politico says she is being vetted for World Food Programme role

(Newser) - She endorsed Joe Biden for president and was censured by the Arizona GOP, but Cindy McCain is still a Republican—and sources tell Politico that she is set to become the first Republican nominated to a Senate-confirmed role in Biden's administration. The sources say McCain, the 66-year-old widow of...

Russia Pulls US Ambassador
Russia Pulls US Ambassador

Russia Pulls US Ambassador

Russia's Foreign Ministry says relations are at 'a blind alley'

(Newser) - Russia has recalled its ambassador to the US following the release of US intelligence showing President Vladimir Putin intervened in the 2020 US presidential election to hurt Joe Biden's chances . The declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, released Tuesday, is the first official government...

Attack on UN Convoy Kills Italian Ambassador

Luca Attanasio, who had been ambassador to the country since 2017, was killed in Congo

(Newser) - The Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, an Italian carabinieri police officer, and their Congolese driver were killed Monday in an attack on a UN convoy, per Italy's Foreign Ministry and locals. The ambush occurred as the convoy was traveling from Goma, Congo's eastern regional capital,...

Let's Stop Letting Donors Buy Ambassadorships
It's Time to Fix the Way
We Pick Ambassadors
OPINION

It's Time to Fix the Way We Pick Ambassadors

The age-old practice of rewarding big donors with posts must end, argues essayist

(Newser) - America has an ambassador problem, complains Mattathias Schwartz in an op-ed at the New York Times . He's referring to the long-standing practice of presidents awarding plum posts to big campaign donors who are utterly unqualified to be diplomats. As an example, Schwartz calls attention to former EU ambassador Gordon...

Ambassador's Mustache That Irked a Nation Is No More

Harry Harris' facial hair was too harsh a reminder of Japanese colonialism for some

(Newser) - To most Americans, Harry Harris' mustache likely wouldn't cause a second glance. But to South Koreans, the US ambassador's facial hair became a lightning rod —and over the weekend, he finally shaved it off. The envoy headed to a barbershop in Seoul on Saturday to go under...

NYT: Trump Made Big Ask of US Ambassador on British Open

Sources: President pressured Woody Johnson to ask UK government to bring event to Turnberry

(Newser) - Robert Wood Johnson IV, the New York Jets owner and Trump donor with no diplomatic experience before being tapped as the US ambassador to Britain, was apparently just the person the president thought could handle a big job: Ask the British government if it could help get the British Open...

Mandela Daughter Dies: 'She Served South Africa Well'

Zindzi Mandela, daughter of Nelson and Winnie, was 59; cause of death still unknown

(Newser) - Zindzi Mandela, South Africa's current ambassador to Denmark and the youngest daughter of the late Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, is dead at age 59. She died early Monday at a hospital in Johannesburg, per a statement from the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The cause of death hasn'...

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