Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Former US Treasury secretary Jack Lew has been confirmed as the US ambassador to Israel, filling a key position as Washington reaffirms its support for Israel the country's war against Hamas.
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Mr Lew's appointment by 53-43. Four members did not vote.
Congress rushed to confirm him to the post after the October 7 Hamas attack that killed about 1,400 people in southern Israel and saw about 240 people taken hostage.
"With Israel defending itself against Hamas, this ambassadorship is as important and timely as any nomination that the Senate has confirmed in a long time," Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote.
Mr Lew had faced opposition from Republicans over his support of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a nuclear deal signed by world powers with Iran.
“I want to be clear: Iran is a threat to regional stability and to Israel’s existence,” he said during his October 18 confirmation hearing.
His appointment comes as Congress members are trying to provide financial aid to Israel.
House Republicans unveiled a $14.3 billion package on Monday, but that was rejected by Democrats.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's larger $105 billion emergency funding request faces opposition from most Republicans in Congress.
During his confirmation hearing, Mr Lew said he would ensure Israel that has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas.
“There is no greater mission than to be asked to strengthen the ties between the United States and the state of Israel, and to work towards peace in a region that has known so much war and destruction,” he said.
Mr Lew also pledged to work to secure the release of American hostages being held by Hamas and to prevent outside actors from escalating the Israel-Gaza conflict.
But his confirmation also comes as Mr Biden's administration faces questions over its unequivocal backing of Israel.
Israel has relentlessly bombed Gaza since October 7, resulting in more than 8,500 Palestinian deaths, including 3,500 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Civilians in the Gaza Strip have also largely been cut off from basic supplies such as food, water and fuel.
The White House has said that it is has pressed Israel to act within the international laws of war in its retaliatory strikes.
Mr Biden's administration also recently revealed that it pressed Israel at the weekend to restore internet access to Gaza.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington was “pleased” when Israel agreed to do so.
The US has also urged more humanitarian assistance to be delivered to Gaza at a greater pace.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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