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Blinken’s Trip Abroad
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been making the rounds.
What’s the latest?
Blinken is wrapping up his third visit to the Middle East since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war. This time, there were the planned stops, like meeting with Israel’s prime minister and officials from Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan. In these talks, Blinken stressed the need for a “humanitarian pause” to improve the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip — to mixed reception: Israel says a cease-fire will enable Hamas to stay in power, something it won’t tolerate after the October 7th attacks. Arab leaders say Blinken’s words don’t go far enough — and that the bombing needs to end to protect civilian lives. Then, there were the unexpected stops:
Iraq: Yesterday, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to talk about the recent attacks on US soldiers. There are about 2,500 American troops stationed across Iraq. Since the start of the war in Gaza, US forces have been targeted at least a dozen times in attacks the Defense Dept says have “Iranian fingerprints all over it.” That’s because Iran has a network of proxy forces spread out across the Middle East, including Iraq. Blinken said the US “isn't looking for conflict with Iran” but will “do what’s necessary to protect our personnel.”
The West Bank: Blinken met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss potential options for a Gaza post-war. Abbas reportedly said that for his party to take control of Gaza, it would need to be part of a “comprehensive political solution.” The visit — after Abbas canceled his meeting with President Biden last month — comes as at least 150 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 7th. This year has already been the deadliest on record for Palestinians in the West Bank.
Turkey: Blinken’s stop today. His visit comes after Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel, joining Bahrain and Jordan, citing the “humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza. Now, Blinken is meeting with Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. On the agenda: humanitarian aid for Gaza, NATO, and reiterating the importance of protecting civilian lives.
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US diplomacy efforts are on display in the Middle East. As the Biden administration tries to keep the conflict from spreading and plans for Gaza’s future, it remains to be seen if its efforts have gone far enough.
Developing:
An Arab Muslim student at Stanford University was injured in a hit-and-run on campus that officials are treating as a hate crime. The student wrote from his hospital bed, saying that in a world that seems to be “succumbing to hatred and prejudice” the attack strengthened his “resolve to advocate for love, understanding, and inclusivity.”
CIA Director William Burns is visiting Israel and other countries in the region this week. Burns will reportedly meet with intelligence officials to discuss the war and ongoing efforts to release the estimated 240 hostages held by Hamas.
and also...this
What’s giving Speak Now (Trump’s Version)...
Former President Trump’s testimony. Today, he’s testifying in his civil fraud trial in New York. Trump is accused of committing fraud and inflating his assets to get better deals on loans and insurance. New York AG Letitia James (D) is seeking $250 million in damages and to block Trump from doing business in the state. The judge has already ruled that Trump and his kids are liable for fraud through the Trump Organization. It’s reportedly up to the judge to decide how much Trump and co will have to pay in damages. Now, Trump likely faces questions about his personal financial statements and the valuations of his real estate properties.
…Oh and speaking of Trump, a new poll shows he's leading President Biden in five swing states. Among voters' concerns: that Biden's “too old” and can't handle the economy.
What’s getting a closer look…
Bump stocks. Over the weekend, the Supreme Court agreed to take up a case challenging the Trump-era ban on the accessory for semi-automatic rifles. Bump stocks fire up to hundreds of rounds a minute when paired with an assault-style rifle — a weapon that’s banned in at least 10 states and has been used in several mass shootings. In 2017, then-President Trump announced a ban on bump stocks after the deadly Las Vegas shooting. Now, at question is whether bump stocks can be classified as machine guns and banned under federal law. Federal courts have been split on the legality of the ban. SCOTUS is expected to weigh in by June.
What got clucked up…
Tyson Foods’ dino-shaped nuggets. The company’s recalling some of its nuggets, saying they found small metal pieces in them. Beak careful.
Who ran through a record…
Tamirat Tola. Yesterday, the Ethiopian runner set a new record after winning the men’s race in the New York City Marathon. He beat the previous record holder by eight seconds. Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri finished first in the women’s race by six seconds.
Who could be preparing for sleepless nights…
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian Barker.
Who 'worked it' into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
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