DSS special agents pose with the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy during a security check at the official FIFA Fan Festival located at the Cloud Convention Center in Auckland, July 22. Photo courtesy of DSS
By Eric Weiner  The U.S. women’s national team was a crowd favorite at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup that took place in Australia and New Zealand, July 20-Aug. 20. The team exited the competition in Round 16, in a nail-biting match against Sweden that went into extra time and...
Employee Consultation Services (ECS) has partnered with Insight Timer to offer mindfulness resources to all Department of State personnel—including eligible family members (EFM), contractors, locally employed staff, and any employees under chief of mission. Insight Timer is a leading wellness app aimed at helping users improve sleep and mitigate...
U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy traveled to the Solomon Islands, July 31-Aug. 4, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Solomon Island Scouts and Australian Coastwatchers rescuing her father—former President John F. Kennedy—and the crew of PT-109, the patrol torpedo boat he commanded as a young naval officer during...
Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center) toured the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) in Blackstone, Va., Aug. 11. His tour included a meet and greet with FASTC personnel, a visit to the urban tactical training complex, an opportunity to practice defensive driving maneuvers, hands-on medical training, and observation of practical...
The Department of State’s Sports Visitor program took sports diplomacy to new heights during a recent STEM, basketball, and soccer youth exchange in Boston, Aug. 5-19. Students from Cyprus, Peru, Belgium, Hong Kong, Japan, and The Gambia engaged with peers on and off the pitch and court, challenging stereotypes...
In her first cultural outreach engagement as the U.S. consul general in Lahore, Pakistan, Kristin Hawkins paid her respects at Mazar-e-Iqbal, the mausoleum of Allama Mohammad Iqbal, Aug. 28. Iqbal was a revered poet and major inspiration behind the Pakistan Movement. The United States and Pakistan share a long...
The Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent Marcia S. Bernicat (seated center) addresses Bureau of Global Talent Management (GTM) employees in the Harry S Truman Building’s Dean Acheson Auditorium during a hybrid town hall event, Sept. 12. The meeting brought together GTM’s 19 offices...
Heads of Delegation assemble for a photo at the 20th anniversary PSI HLPM in Jeju, May 30. Photo courtesy of the PSI HLPM Secretariat
By P. Tanner Acker Jeju Island—just south of the Korean peninsula—was the setting for the 20th anniversary High-Level Political Meeting (HLPM) of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), May 30.  “In the face of unprecedented nuclear and missile provocations, this meeting holds real meaning,” said South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in...
U.S. officials speak with a group of American travelers at the Jeddah port, April 26. Photo by Zinna Senbetta
By Mayeen Mohammedi When hostilities broke out in Sudan in April, Department of State employees in Saudi Arabia at Consulate General Jeddah stepped up to assist affected colleagues at the neighboring post. ConGen Jeddah’s initial focus was on offering support for staff at post who were affected. American Citizens Services Jeddah...
From left: Acting Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Conny Mayer stands with employees Cara Yar Khan (seated), Roberta Mather, Robert Dooling, and Rajiv Shah, who all made presentations during the ADA event, July 27. Photo courtesy of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
By Robert Dooling The Disability Action Group (DAG) partnered with the Office of the Special Advisor for International Disability Rights (SAIDR), the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations, the Office of Civil Rights, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to host an anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act...