
White House warns Israel crisis is stretching its ability to support Ukraine: ‘Running out of runway’
The White House said it was “running out of runway” on supporting both Ukraine and Israel as US Republican lawmakers warned they would protest any funding request for military aid from the Biden administration for the two crisis-hit nations. “I think in the immediate term, right now, we can continue to support – with the authorities in the appropriations we have – Israel and Ukraine. But, you know, we’re ... certainly running out of runway,” said John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council. Mr Kirby was answering a question at a daily briefing on the administration meeting the immediate needs of Ukraine and Israel along with the continuing fight to elect a House Speaker. Mr Kirby said the US administration had the means to support both Israel and Ukraine in the near term. “But you don’t want to be trying to bake in long-term support when you’re at the end of the rope,” he said on Wednesday. “And on the Ukraine funding, we’re coming near to the end of the rope. I mean, today we announced $200mn, and we’ll keep that aid going as long as we can, but it’s not going to be indefinite,” he said, adding that the US is moving with “a sense of alacrity”. He added a certain date could not be put on “near term” because it hinged on Ukraine’s expenditure rate and replenishment ability. The National Security Council coordinator also said the House Speaker position was critical in terms of bringing legislation to the floor and moving things forward. “So the sooner that there’s a Speaker of the House, obviously, the more comfortable we’ll all be in terms of being able to support Israel and Ukraine,” he said. The White House has been considering a budget request tying money for these two conflicts together to increase the chances that the heavily-debated assistance for Ukraine will be approved. President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the attack in Israel “an act of sheer evil” and said that the US military assistance was being sent to help Israel in its fight. Saturday’s Hamas attack was “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust”, he said. He told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will send more military assistance to help Israel fight Hamas. On Tuesday, he warned other countries and armed groups against entering the war. The US is already rushing munitions and military equipment to Israel and has deployed a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean as deterrence. Read More Israel-Hamas war – live: IDF tanks and troops mass at Gaza border as soldiers prepare for attack order What is Hamas, and why did it attack Israel? All you need to know about militant group in Gaza A brief history of the Israel-Palestine conflict - explained How big is the Israeli military and what is the Iron Dome? White House walks back Biden comments that he had seen pictures of beheaded Israeli children
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1970-01-01 08:00

Scalise scrambling to win over holdouts amid deep concerns he can't get 217 votes for speaker
Majority Leader Steve Scalise is scrambling to lock down the votes to become the next House speaker, but protracted opposition to the Louisiana Republican inside the GOP conference could ultimately derail his bid.
1970-01-01 08:00

Real Madrid agree contract extensions with key midfield duo
Real Madrid have reached agreements with Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde over extensions to their contracts. Both will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu until at least 2028.
1970-01-01 08:00

Indian author Arundhati Roy faces sedition charges over 2010 remarks on Kashmir
Booker Prize-winning Indian author Arundhati Roy could be prosecuted for allegedly seditious comments made over a decade ago, after a top official in Delhi said there was enough evidence to lay charges.
1970-01-01 08:00

Horror icon John Carpenter has no idea 'how you can screw up' Exorcist reboot
Horror movie legend John Carpenter admits he has no idea "how you can screw up" an 'Exorcist' reboot.
1970-01-01 08:00

Eric Cantona thinks music career is 'closest thing' to time on football pitch
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona thinks his new music venture is "the closest thing" to his football career.
1970-01-01 08:00

I'm torn over streaming, says Richard Linklater
Richard Linklater has confessed to having mixed feelings about streaming.
1970-01-01 08:00

Israel Latest: Jets Strike Gaza as Israel Weighs Ground Attack
Israel Defense Forces said the country’s political leadership hasn’t yet decided on a ground invasion of Gaza, though
1970-01-01 08:00

25-under-25: The best of the rest for the 2023-24 NBA season
The 25-under-25 is a celebration of the best young players in the NBA, but 25 is never enough. Here are the best players who just missed the cut.
1970-01-01 08:00

Cricket World Cup: Indian, Pakistani players' friendship off the field
The South Asian neighbours are fierce rivals on the cricket pitch - but share camaraderie outside of matches.
1970-01-01 08:00

Chaos in House GOP intensifies with Scalise's speakership bid in peril
The House Republican Party is sliding even deeper into disarray as it feuds over its next speaker, apparently oblivious to the picture of US government dysfunction it is sending at a moment of worsening global crises.
1970-01-01 08:00