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China's foreign ministry described the balloon as "a civilian airship" for meteorological research that had blown far off course by winds. The Pentagon suspects it's collecting sensitive information.
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Antony Blinken is on a trip to Kyiv, where he visited a children's hospital and met with U.S. Embassy staff. The U.S. announced nearly $3 billion in aid and weapons for Ukraine and other countries.
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It is important that the Ukrainians define the terms of any potential negotiation, Blinken tells NPR, while the U.S. makes sure that the country has the means to repel Russian aggression.
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The U.S. secretary of state will meet with NATO and G-7 members to talk punitive measures following reports of Russian war crimes against Ukraine.
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Among the demands from Russia was a guarantee that Ukraine be permanently barred from NATO membership. That would violate a U.S. "core principle," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.
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The high-level talks come at a time when the U.S. and Mexico are dealing with an ongoing surge at their shared border.
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"The very fact that we're constantly trying to build that more perfect union is an acknowledgement of our imperfection," Antony Blinken told NPR. "It's in the striving that you really make progress."
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The Senate confirmed Antony Blinken as President Biden's secretary of state on Tuesday. The vote was 78-22. As the top U.S. diplomat, Blinken will face an array of national security challenges.
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"Humility and confidence should be the flip sides of America's leadership coin," Antony Blinken testified at his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, where he vowed to work for the "greater good."
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The Senate returns for the first time since the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Five committees will question nominees to lead Defense, State, Homeland Security, Treasury and the top intelligence post.