Blinken to meet Arab states over Israel-Gaza war

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Jordan today for discussions with representatives of Arab nations who are expected to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Yesterday, Mr Blinken's call for humanitarian pauses were rebuffed by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who said there would be no break in its attacks on Gaza until all hostages there were freed.

Also in the programme: we discuss the dangers of ice hockey after the death of player during a game in England; and dozens of bird species in north America are to get new names next year.

Joining presenter Julian Worricker are Julie Norman, associate professor in Politics and International Relations at University College London, and Afzal Ashraf, an expert on defence, security and international relations at the University of Loughborough.

(Picture: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a visit to Jordan. Credit: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)