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July 18–24
This week, President Trump unveiled America’s AI Action Plan, setting out the future of artificial intelligence and laying the groundwork for America’s continued leadership in this technology.
Here’s what happened at State this week. ⤵️
- 💪🏻 The United States welcomed home 10 Americans detained in Venezuela.
- 🇵🇭 Secretary Rubio met with Philippine President Marcos, Jr.
- ⬅️ The United States withdrew from UNESCO.
- 🇺🇸 The White House delegation attended the U.S. National Day at the 2025 World Expo Osaka.
 Ten unjustly detained Americans display American flags aboard a flight returning them to the United States. (State Dept.)
On July 18, the United States welcomed home 10 U.S. citizens who had been unjustly detained in Venezuela. Until their return, more Americans were wrongfully held in Venezuela than in any other country in the world.
“Our commitment to the American people is clear:” said Secretary Rubio in a statement, “We will safeguard the well-being of U.S. nationals both at home and abroad and not rest until all Americans being held hostage or unjustly detained around the world are brought home.”
The Secretary reiterated the Trump Administration’s call for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela and the release of all remaining political prisoners.
 Secretary Marco Rubio meets with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the Department of State in Washington, DC, July 21, 2025. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
On July 21, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., met with Secretary Rubio ahead of his meeting with President Trump later that day.
Secretary Rubio and President Marcos discussed the importance of the ironclad United States–Philippines Alliance, calling it a bedrock of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
They also discussed shared priorities for economic growth, including the Luzon Economic Corridor, a joint initiative by the United States, Japan, and the Philippines to develop infrastructure in the Philippines' Luzon region.
 (© Bumble Dee/Shutterstock.com)
On July 22, President Trump withdrew the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
“President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO — which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,” White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly said.
Spokesperson Tammy Bruce explained that continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States. She called the organization’s ideological agenda “at odds with the President’s America First Foreign Policy.”
 (State Dept.)
This week, a White House delegation representing the United States traveled to Osaka, Japan, for the U.S. National Day at the 2025 World Expo.
At the U.S. Pavilion, American innovation, culture, and values were on full display, highlighting the United States’ commitment to global friendship and diplomacy.
The delegation included Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
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