Latest Antony Blinken News

After 15 months of war, Hamas still rules over what remains of Gaza

Jan. 21, 2025 02:13 AM EST

As a ceasefire brought calm to Gaza's ruined cities, Hamas was quick to emerge from hiding. The militant group has not only survived 15 months of war with Israel — among the deadliest and most destructive in recent memory — but it remains firmly in control of the coastal...

Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet

Jan. 20, 2025 19:49 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day. Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of...

Rubio will meet with peers from India, Japan, Australia after expected confirmation, officials say

Jan. 19, 2025 18:00 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration would begin formal international engagements this week when Marco Rubio — expected to be confirmed soon as secretary of state — meets with the foreign ministers of India, Japan and Australia, U.S. officials say. The so-called Quad...

Biden's departing UN envoy says US rivals will fill the vacuum if Trump abandons global leadership

Jan. 19, 2025 00:06 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The outgoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says she watched America’s leadership diminish in the world during Donald Trump’s first presidency and China fill the vacuum. Linda Thomas-Greenfield is warning that if it happens again during Trump's second term,...

Blinken tells AP he's worried Trump administration may abandon key Biden foreign policy initiatives

Jan. 17, 2025 18:39 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken told The Associated Press that he hopes the incoming Trump administration will press forward with key points in President Joe Biden’s foreign policy, including on the Middle East and Ukraine. But in an wide-ranging...

Canadian foreign minister warns of 'Trump tariff tax' on Americans as threat of 25% tariff looms

Jan. 17, 2025 14:08 PM EST

TORONTO (AP) — Canada's foreign minister on Friday warned Americans they will be paying a “Trump tariff tax” if President-elect Donald Trump follows through with a threat to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said that Canada is ready to...

Middle East latest: Netanyahu says deal to return hostages from Gaza reached after last snags

Jan. 16, 2025 21:27 PM EST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached. The announcement came a day after Netanyahu’s office said there were last minute snags in talks to free hostages in return for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of...

Blinken defends US policy on Gaza as his final State Department briefing is interrupted by protests

Jan. 16, 2025 15:13 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday defended Biden administration policies on Israel’s war with Hamas after a ceasefire agreement in Gaza was reached, facing protests that interrupted his final news conference at the State Department. He said...

What does the ceasefire agreement mean for Israel, Hamas and the wider Middle East?

Jan. 15, 2025 17:56 PM EST

Mediators said Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause the fighting in Gaza starting Sunday after 15 months of war and to begin exchanging dozens of hostages held there for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had yet to confirm on Tuesday that...

Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 17, medics say, as Hamas accepts a ceasefire draft

Jan. 14, 2025 21:27 PM EST

Israeli airstrikes on homes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 17 Palestinians, health officials said Tuesday. Earlier strikes in Gaza killed at least 18 people, including two women and four children, according to local health officials, who said one woman was pregnant and the baby died as well. ...