Tuesday morning news: April 30, 2024

Blinken in Middle East/cease-fire » The White House is hopeful that Hamas will accept the latest cease-fire proposal to halt the fighting in Gaza. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:

PIERRE:  There has been new progress in talks, and currently the onus is indeed on Hamas. There is a deal on the table, and they need to take it. 

Secretary of State Tony Blinken met on Monday Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia who have been pressing Hamas to accept the latest — and possibly, the last — offer from Israel. He described the proposal as ....

BLINKEN: Extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel. And in this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas.

Under the agreement, Israel would halt its Gaza offensive for 40 days. Hamas would be required to release a total of 33 Israeli hostages over that time. That’s down from Israel’s prior demand that the terror group release at least 40 captives.

Israel also agrees to allow the unrestricted movement of Palestinians to northern Gaza … and may agree to withdrawal of Israeli troops from certain areas.

Blinken on blaming only Israel » Blinken also said on Monday that it’s worth remembering how this war started with a horrific Hamas massacre and terrorist attack on Israeli soil.

BLINKEN: It's almost as if it's been erased from the story.

He said he profoundly understands the deep emotion that people are expressing over this conflict and over the suffering in Gaza. He said Washington continues to press Israel to do more to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. And the White House still opposes Israel’s planned offensive in Rafah, should the cease-fire effort fail.

But he added that this war could have ended before it began …

BLINKEN: If Hamas had stopped hiding behind civilians, put down its weapons, given back the hostages, and surrendered, none of the suffering that we've seen since would have happened. So, where is the demand on Hamas?

SOUND: [Protests]

Columbia University/blaming Israel alone » Blinken’s remarks come as protests continue on college campuses across the country with many of those demonstrators accusing Israel of genocide.

AUDIO: No more money for Israel’s crimes! No more money for Israel’s crimes!

Protesters on the campus of New York’s Columbia University on Monday defied a deadline to disband …

PROTESTER: We will not be moved by these intimidation tactics.

The Ivy League school had issued an ultimatum for students to leave the encampment by 2 p.m. Monday or face suspension. Many refused, and the school is now reportedly doling out those suspensions.

And police arrested more demonstrators at Columbia University and at the University of Texas.

Ukraine latest/Stoltenberg » NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the war in Ukraine is still winnable, but the West has to speed up its supply of weapons to Ukrainian forces.

At a news conference in Kyiv, he said recent delays by NATO allies in delivering help have led to serious consequences on the battlefield.

STOLTENBERG: The lack of ammunition has enabled the Russians to push forward along the front line. Lack of air defense has made it possible for more Russian missiles to hit their targets.

Ukrainian leaders say Western supplies have started to trickle in… including U.S. weapons funded in the foreign aid package just approved by Congress.

States challenge federal trans rule » Republican attorneys general from at least a dozen states are challenging a new federal education rule.

The Biden administration is pushing to ban blanket school policies that keep boys out of girls’ restrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa.

The states are also concerned the rule could force school officials and classmates to use students’ preferred pronouns.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the struggles of students with gender dysphoria should be taken seriously, but…

MURRILL: I don’t think that means we have to deny what the effect of this ruling is on biological women. I mean, it’s just apples and oranges.

Louisiana is leading one of several multi-state suits. It’s asking a federal court to delay the effective date of the new rule, which is slated for August 1st.

Kenya Dam Collapsing » In Kenya, massive floods and a landslide near Nairobi have swept away homes and cars and killed dozens of people. WORLD’s Mark Mellinger has more.

MARK MELLINGER: At least 45 people are confirmed dead with about 50 still missing.

Authorities initially said that a dam collapsed, triggering a flood. But they later changed that report saying the flood waters came rushing out of a clogged railway tunnel.

Kenya and other East African countries have been pounded by heavy rain the past month and a half resulting in floods that have killed hundreds, closed schools, and left tens of thousands homeless.

For WORLD, I’m Mark Mellinger.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Congress gives TikTok an ultimatum. Plus, abortion back at the Supreme Court.

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