Wednesday morning news: February 1, 2023

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Blinken West Bank » Secretary of State Tony Blinken just wrapped up a two-day visit to the Middle East, where he urged the Palestinians and Israel to ratchet down tensions.

BLINKEN: I heard both from Palestinians, including President Abbas, as well as from Israelis, some ideas for how we can move that forward.

As Blinken departed, he said U.S. diplomats would remain behind to try and help “calm things down.”

He also reiterated the long-term U.S. goal of working toward a solution that would establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel. And he announced more U.S. aid for Palestinians through the United Nations.

BLINKEN: Today I can announce that we’re going to be providing an additional $50 million dollars.

Blinken’s Middle East visit came at an especially tense time—ending a month in which Israel raided a West Bank refugee camp to arrest terror suspects and a gunman attacked a synagogue in East Jerusalem in retaliation.

The incidents overshadowed what was meant to be a mission to establish working relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s and his new government. Instead, Blinken spent much of his time trying to defuse tensions.

Debt limit » President Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet at the White House today to talk about raising the nation’s debt ceiling.

Biden called on McCarthy to bring with him a list proposed budget cuts from something Democratic lawmakers have asked for.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

SCHUMER: Republicans have done a lot of talking about cuts. But when it comes to actually showing us a plan for avoiding default, they're playing a dangerous game. Republicans, it is time to come out of hiding. put pen to paper and show us your plan.

Democrats want Republican lawmakers to raise the nation’s credit card limit without conditions.

But Speaker McCarthy says Congress must rein in its overspending before raising the debt ceiling again.

MCCARTHY: I think if we could find common ground, we could find a lot of savings in the spending of government you could save the hardworking taxpayers their money, but also puts America in the stronger economic position.

The government would default on its debts sometime this summer unless the two sides reach an agreement.

Santos » McCarthy also weighed in on the scandal surrounding Congressman George Santos who admitted to lying about his background on the campaign trail.

The GOP lawmaker says he is recusing himself from his committee assignments.

McCarthy said Santos will sit on the sidelines until he clears ongoing ethics probes.

McCARTHY: The voters have elected him. They'll have a voice here in Congress. And until he answers all those questions, then he'll—At that time, then he will be seated on the committees.

While Santos is bowing out of committee roles, he said that’s as far as he’ll go.

REPORTER: Are you considering resigning?

SANTOS: No. I am not...

Local and federal investigators are also looking into his campaign finances.

COVID emergency to end » President Biden says he will end two COVID-related states of emergency in May. WORLD’s Lauren Canterberry has more.

LAUREN CANTERBERRY, REPORTER: The Biden administration will pull the plug on the national and public health emergency declarations on May 11th—more than three years after they began.

Ending the declarations will loosen the government’s involvement in vaccine development and end access to free at-home tests.

House Republicans unveiled two bills this week that would cancel the emergency states immediately.

But Biden said he wants to give institutions at least 60 days to prepare for the change.

For WORLD, I’m Lauren Canterberry

Ukraine fighter jets » Ukraine is once again asking Western allies to provide F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his military needs to bolster its air force ahead of an expected Russian offensive.

But the White House says the Pentagon is giving Ukraine what it needs. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby:

KIRBY: We are constantly talking to the Ukrainians and we are constantly talking to our allies and partners about capabilities that Ukraine needs, and that we and/or they can help provide Ukraine.

The United States and its allies have so far refused to send warplanes to Ukraine, for worries that it could cause tensions between Russia and the West to boil over.

747 goodbye » Boeing yesterday delivered the last 747 airplane the company will ever build. The delivery the end of the production of one of the world's most widely used planes.

Desi Evans worked on the very first Boeing 747 ever produced.

EVANS: I'm very very happy and I'm at the same time, sad because we don't like to see it come to an end because it's such a wonderful is the word they use iconic airplane but eventually it's like so many airplanes you finally meet a time where you have to move on right.

Since it first took to the air more than 50 years ago, the giant yet graceful 747 has served as a cargo plane and commercial aircraft—transporting everything from NASA space shuttles to the President of the United States.

The plane helped airlines establish direct routes between previously unconnected cities across the globe and made air travel more affordable for the average person.

Pakistan update » The death toll in a mosque bombing in Pakistan has risen to roughly a hundred people, with more than 200 others injured. Officials say the roof of the mosque collapsed in the explosion, trapping many inside.

The mosque was in a police compound in the city of Peshawar. Authorities are investigating how a suicide bomber got inside Monday morning.

PAKISTAN: [in Urdu] Obviously, there was a security lapse…

One official is says it’s clear there was a security lapse, and those responsible will be punished. Pakistan blames a local Taliban affiliate for the bombing.

For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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