Sydney, Australia - “Given the collective threat posed by infectious diseases – whether through naturally occurring outbreaks or deliberate or accidental release – the governments of the United States and Australia launched a multi-sectoral partnership one year ago to explore concrete opportunities for joint action to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.  To date, this bilateral partnership convened by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has made measurable progress towards this goal, including:

Sydney, Australia - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo “The Unbreakable Alliance”:

Washington, DC - The United States welcomes news that a ceasefire has been declared in Northwest Syria, but what is truly important is that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop.  We will appreciate any efforts undertaken towards this important goal.

Washington, DC - Pursuant to the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (the CBW Act), the United States has decided to impose a second round of sanctions on the Russian Federation over its use of a “novichok” nerve agent in the attack against Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2018.  These sanctions will include the following:

Washington, DC - The United States strongly condemns the attacks carried out August 1 and 2 in southern Yemen.  We extend our deepest condolences to families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. 

Washington, DC - The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 53,595 refund checks totaling $748,070 to consumers nationwide who signed up for an online auction kit that was supposed to be free, but wasn’t. The kit actually cost consumers up to $59.95 per month if they failed to cancel a trial membership in a business opportunity program called Online Supplier.