Blinken sought to forestall congressional criticism by saying that “all assistance will be provided consistent with U.S. law,” but Republican members of Congress are already gearing up to fight the aid. The announcement came on the same day that President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to a two-state resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict in a phone call with Jordan s King Abdullah II.
Blinken maintained that U.S. support to the Palestinians is key to advancing American interests in the region.
“U.S. foreign assistance for the Palestinian people serves important U.S. interests and values,” he said. “It provides critical relief to those in great need, fosters economic development, and supports Israeli-Palestinian understanding, security coordination and stability. It also aligns with the values and interests of our allies and partners.”
US begins funding UN agency for Palestinian refugees again
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US resumes funding to UN agency for Palestinian refugees | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan s News Source
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UK coronavirus variant now detected in all 50 US states, CDC says
From CNN’s Michael Nedelman
More than 15,000 cases of a coronavirus variant first spotted in the UK have been reported in all 50 US states for the first time by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to data updated Monday.
Florida leads in these numbers, with 3,191 known cases of the variant, which is known to be both more contagious and more deadly than earlier strains. Michigan, whose current surge has been partly connected to the variant, has the second highest number of known cases 1,649.
CDC’s update included two other variants of concern: There are 374 total cases of a variant initially seen in South Africa, called B.1.351, in 32 states and Washington, DC. In addition, there are 289 total cases of the P.1 variant first linked to Brazil among 25 states.
Biden taps Gayle Smith to serve as global Covid coordinator
From CNN s Michael Conte, Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Nicole Gaouette and Sydney Walton
Gayle Smith speaks after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced her appointment as the new State Department Coordinator for Global COVID Response and Health Security on Monday, April 5, 2021. Alexander Drago/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
The Biden administration has tapped Gayle Smith, who helped lead the Obama administration’s Ebola response, to serve as the coordinator for Global Covid Response and Health Security, Secretary of State Tony Blinken announced in remarks Monday that failed to offer concrete details about US plans to share vaccines with international partners.