Michelle Kellerman

Rubio pointed to a public spat with Colombia last weekend over military planes for deported migrants. Panama's president says he won't discuss control over the Panama Canal when he meets Secretary Rubio. The secretary, who has raised concerns about Chinese companies along the canal, plans to visit it on Sunday. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

The State Department started issuing passports with male, female or X markings in 2022 and said at the time that applicants could self-select their gender. But this week, President Trump issued an executive order banning that, saying the federal government's policy is that there are only two sexes, male and female. According to The Guardian, Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up.

The State Department started issuing passports with male, female or X markings in 2022 and said at the time that applicants could self-select their gender. But this week, President Trump issued an executive order banning that, saying the federal government's policy is that there are only two sexes, male and female. According to The Guardian, Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up.

telling his staff to suspend any applications from Americans seeking to change their sex marker or requesting an X on their passport. The order is not retroactive. Current gender-neutral passports remain valid, though Americans who have them may have difficulties when they renew. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

telling his staff to suspend any applications from Americans seeking to change their sex marker or requesting an X on their passport. The order is not retroactive. Current gender-neutral passports remain valid, though Americans who have them may have difficulties when they renew. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

Even before Elise Stefanik appeared at her confirmation hearing, President Trump signed an executive order pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization. Stefanik says the Trump administration will review all funding at UN agencies.

Even before Elise Stefanik appeared at her confirmation hearing, President Trump signed an executive order pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization. Stefanik says the Trump administration will review all funding at UN agencies.

If confirmed, she said she would work to counter China's influence at the UN and defend Israel. She even sided with far-right Israeli politicians who claim Israel has a biblical right to the West Bank, the occupied Palestinian territory. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

If confirmed, she said she would work to counter China's influence at the UN and defend Israel. She even sided with far-right Israeli politicians who claim Israel has a biblical right to the West Bank, the occupied Palestinian territory. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

In a wide-ranging speech at the State Department, President Biden touched briefly on a deal he's tried to reach for months. It would get hostages held by Hamas out of Gaza and much-needed aid to Palestinians, who Biden says have gone through hell.

In a wide-ranging speech at the State Department, President Biden touched briefly on a deal he's tried to reach for months. It would get hostages held by Hamas out of Gaza and much-needed aid to Palestinians, who Biden says have gone through hell.

Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is reaching out to mediators in Qatar and Egypt. An envoy for the incoming Trump administration has been in the region working on this too. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is reaching out to mediators in Qatar and Egypt. An envoy for the incoming Trump administration has been in the region working on this too. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says that 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in the past week alone. He says Russia treats them as expendable. He's also raising doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest comments about possible peace talks with Ukraine.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says that 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in the past week alone. He says Russia treats them as expendable. He's also raising doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest comments about possible peace talks with Ukraine.

Kirby says the Biden administration is trying to put Ukraine in a stronger position ahead of any potential peace talks. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.

Kirby says the Biden administration is trying to put Ukraine in a stronger position ahead of any potential peace talks. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.

Skywriting planes drew huge ribbons in the skies above Tel Aviv, a reminder that Israelis are still waiting for the return of 100 hostages captured by Hamas over 14 months ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend about the efforts to get the hostages home. A source familiar with the negotiations tells NPR... there is momentum. U.S.

Skywriting planes drew huge ribbons in the skies above Tel Aviv, a reminder that Israelis are still waiting for the return of 100 hostages captured by Hamas over 14 months ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend about the efforts to get the hostages home. A source familiar with the negotiations tells NPR... there is momentum. U.S.

officials and analysts say Hamas is showing more flexibility too. But Palestinians under bombardment remain skeptical, and some families of the hostages worry that the deal will only bring some of them home. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Tel Aviv.