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Newly-Confirmed US Secretary of State Pledges Cooperation on Global
Challenges

Nike Ching

   STATE DEPARTMENT - The new top U.S. diplomat, Antony Blinken, is
   pledging to'¯work with core allies and partners to confront complex
   global challenges, while investing in a diverse and inclusive American
   Foreign Service.

   Blinken was officially welcomed to the State Department on Wednesday as
   secretary of state by approximately 30 of the women and men
   representing a small cross-section of the larger workforce.'¯

   "America's leadership is needed around the world," said Blinken, adding
   he will "put a premium on diplomacy" with allies and partners to meet
   the great challenges,'¯including "the pandemic, climate change, the
   economic crisis, threats to democracies, fights for racial justice, and
   the danger to our security and global stability" posed by U.S.
   adversaries.'¯

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