Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Two of President Joe Biden's top advisers were repeatedly blocked from speaking at a US Senate hearing on Tuesday as anti-war protesters with red-stained hands called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin were trying to convince politicians that Israel's and Ukraine's militaries both need billions more in emergency funding, despite huge budget deficits and growing divisions over the Biden administration's policies towards the two nations.
Mr Biden has requested $106 billion to fund plans for Ukraine, Israel and US border security. The White House request also includes money for Taiwan, which is facing threats from China.
Shortly after Mr Blinken began speaking, several protesters interrupted proceedings.
“Stop the brutal massacre in Gaza,” one shouted, while others yelled: “Ceasefire now.”
Mr Blinken described in graphic detail some of the killings conducted by Hamas militants who murdered more than 1,400 civilians on Israeli kibbutzim on October 7.
“When it comes to a ceasefire in this moment … that would simply consolidate what Hamas has been able to do and allow it to remain where it is, and potentially repeat what it did another day,” Mr Blinken said.
“That's not tolerable. No nation would tolerate it.”
Mr Blinken said the Biden administration is “committed to the protection of civilian life”.
“All of us know the suffering that is taking place as we speak all of us are determined to see it end. But all of us know the imperative of standing up with our allies and partners when their security when their democracies are threatened,” he added.
The hearing took place as reports came in that dozens of people were said to have been killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp.
The director of the Indonesian Hospital, where victims are being transported, said at least 50 people have been confirmed dead.
So far, more than 8,300 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to local health authorities.
House Republicans on Monday introduced legislation that would send $14.3 in security aid to Israel, but it provides nothing for Ukraine.
Mr Blinken and Mr Austin warned that the consequences of failing to help Ukraine and Israel would be dire, leading to threats to US and global security.
“We now stand at a moment where many are again making the bet that the United States is too divided or distracted at home to stay the course,” Mr Blinken said. “That is what is at stake.”
Mr Austin said that if the US fails to lead, “the cost and the threats to the United States will only grow”.
“We must not give our friends, our rivals, or our foes any reason to doubt America’s resolve.”
Mr Biden has requested $14.3 billion for Israel, $61.4 billion to support Ukraine, $9.1 billion for humanitarian efforts in Gaza and elsewhere, and $7.4 billion for the Indo-Pacific, where the US is focused on countering China's influence.
The White House has also requested about $14 billion to protect the US border. That money would be used to boost the number of border agents, install new inspection machines to detect fentanyl and to increase staffing for processing asylum cases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
