NSC statement: “Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel….This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours.”

Walt Whitman on Civil War diplomacy: Mexico is “the only one to whom we have ever really done wrong, and now the only one who prays for us and for our triumph”

A month and a day after a Caribbean summit in Kingston agreed on it, an official decree in violence-ravaged Haiti has formally announced a transitional governing council via AFP News Agency

Several journalists including a CNN stringer have been injured after Israeli forces surrounded & attacked Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, leaving one in critical condition. Per TRT bureau chief in Jerusalem, Israeli tanks launched a “targeted attack” on several journos.

Blinken at state luncheon for Kishida: 'I think it may have been the first time that anyone speaking before a joint session has managed a reference to 'The Flintstones.'' (Will rigorously fact-check later.)

Prime Minister Kishida on childhood in New York: 'I remember things that were strange and funny to a little Japanese boy, like watching 'The Flintstones.' ... I could never translate, 'Yabba Dabba Doo.''

Prime Minister Kishida, opening address to Congress joint session in excellent English, 'Thank you. I never get such nice applause in the Japanese Diet.'

Biden announces a Japanese will be first non-American on Moon. Hoping Japan is inclusive in its noodle delights and the astronaut finds way to bring udon, soba and ramen barrons.com/news/biden-say…

Striking figure -- Majority of Democratic voters say Israel committing genocide in Gaza. And more than 1/3 of total voters. (Israel and Biden admin reject genocide allegation.)

USAID chief Samantha Power to Senate subcommittee on Gaza: 'Especially in the case of very young children, we’re getting a growing number of reports of death by malnutrition or disease induced by malnutrition.” But sees 'sea change' in recent days with more trucks entering.

David Cameron says three times that dinner with Trump was 'private' and he won't give assessment. But says he discussed 'future of NATO' and is urging Congress to back Ukraine aid and show adversaries 'we are committed' against Putin.

Blinken says Israel has not shared a date for a Rafah assault and he doesn't expect it before new Israel-US talks next week, after Netanyahu said a date was set.

On Guardian report India has carried out slew of extrajudicial killings of militants in Pakistan, US Matthew Miller says, 'We don't have any comment on the underlying allegations... We encourage both sides to avoid escalation and find a resolution through dialogue.'

.Matthew Miller tells reporters US still opposes a 'full-scale' Israeli assault on Rafah, saying it would be 'enormously harmful' to civilians and 'would ultimately hurt Israel's security'

Israeli opposition leader Lapid, speaking outside State Dept after meeting Blinken, says hostage deal with Hamas is “doable” and “needs to be made”

US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, ever with choice words for Beijing, says at CSIS: 'China is in the midst of exporting their domestic economic challenges to the rest of the world. That's their leading export.'

Israel agrees to long-standing US request on aid hours after Biden said support was at risk following killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers

Significant stepping up of language by Biden. Tells Netanyahu that 'US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action' on protecting civilians and aid workers, White House says.

Understatement after killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers. 'It is incumbent on the government of Israel to institute better measures to give confidence to aid workers,' Matthew Miller says

Now Biden statement says he’s “outraged.” POTUS says Israeli investigation “must be swift, it must bring accountability, and its findings must be made public.”