Latest Antony Blinken News

Russia and China veto US resolution calling for immediate cease-fire in Gaza

Mar. 22, 2024 19:20 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and China on Friday vetoed a U.S.-sponsored United Nations resolution supporting “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, calling the measure ambiguous and saying it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the...

The Latest | Blinken urges Israel not to invade Rafah. Netanyahu says he'll 'do it alone'

Mar. 22, 2024 18:08 PM EDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sternly rejected the visiting U.S. secretary of state's plea not to launch a ground invasion into Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, saying Friday “we will do it alone” if necessary. The looming Rafah invasion has cast a shadow over...

Israel's Netanyahu rebuffs US plea to halt Rafah offensive. Tensions rise ahead of Washington talks

Mar. 22, 2024 17:52 PM EDT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday once again left the Middle East empty-handed as Israel’s prime minister rejected American appeals to call off a promised ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is overflowing with displaced civilians. ...

Blinken says an Israeli assault on Gaza's Rafah would be a mistake and isn't needed to defeat Hamas

Mar. 22, 2024 00:11 AM EDT

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be “a mistake” and “unnecessary” to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel. ...

The UN adopts a resolution backing efforts to ensure artificial intelligence is safe

Mar. 22, 2024 00:01 AM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The General Assembly approved the first United Nations resolution on artificial intelligence Thursday, giving global support to an international effort to ensure the powerful new technology benefits all nations, respects human rights and is “safe, secure and...

US calls for vote Friday on UN resolution declaring that immediate Gaza cease-fire is `imperative'

Mar. 21, 2024 19:39 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States called for a vote Friday on a newly revised and tougher U.N. resolution declaring that “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is “imperative” to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more...

The Latest | Blinken says he'll talk with Israelis about alternatives to Rafah ground assault

Mar. 21, 2024 18:38 PM EDT

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israel's planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet on Friday. Blinken and Arab leaders on Thursday discussed efforts...

The Latest | Airstrike in the West Bank kills at least 3 Palestinian militants, officials say

Mar. 20, 2024 16:37 PM EDT

An Israeli airstrike has killed at least three Palestinian militants traveling in a car in the northern West Bank near the town of Jenin, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The Islamic Jihad militant group claimed the three dead men as members. The airstrike occurred as raids of the...

Blinken adds Israel stop to latest Mideast tour as tensions rise over Gaza war

Mar. 20, 2024 16:04 PM EDT

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel this week as part of his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the Israelis' war with Hamas began in October, as relations between the two countries have soured dramatically in recent weeks. ...

Blinken underscores 'ironclad' support for the Philippines as it clashes with China in disputed sea

Mar. 19, 2024 19:50 PM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored Washington’s “ironclad commitment” Tuesday to help defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack against its forces after clashes between Chinese and Filipino coast guards in the disputed South China Sea recently...