U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on a two-day trip to Israel as its military intensified attacks on northern Gaza, flattening multiple high-rise buildings and killing at least 13 Palestinians

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before he departs on Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on a two-day trip to Israel as its military intensified attacks on northern Gaza, flattening multiple high-rise buildings and killing at least 13 Palestinians.

Rubio said before the trip that he would seek answers from Israeli officials about their view of a path forward in Gaza, following Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar last week that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict. Rubio told reporters Saturday before leaving for Israel that President Donald Trump remained unhappy with the Israeli strike but that it would not shake U.S. support for Israel.

His two-day visit also represents a show of support for the increasingly isolated Israel as the United Nations holds what's expected to be a contentious debate next week on commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state, a plan which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes.

Here's the latest:

US State Department says Rubio will head to Qatar after he met with Netanyahu in Israel

The visit announced Monday comes as the region is still reeling from Israel’s strike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha. The U.S. has sought to ease tensions between Israel and Qatar, two close American allies.

Little daylight between US and Israel evident as Rubio and Netanyahu meet

Israel and the United States showed a unified front Monday in the face of growing international anger over Israel’s airstrikes on Hamas leaders on Qatar and its intensifying bombardment of Gaza City.

As Arab and Muslim leaders met in Doha to condemn Israel’s attack last week in Qatar and new rounds of criticism were aired over Israeli plans to occupy Gaza City, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Rubio stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Jerusalem and downplayed the furor that had, at least for a short time, taken the Trump administration aback.

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President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

There were no signs of U.S. frustration or annoyance with Israel’s latest moves, although President Trump had made clear his displeasure with Israel’s unilateral strike on Hamas in Qatar, which is a close U.S. partner.

And, both Netanyahu and Rubio said they agreed that the only way to end the conflict in Gaza is through the elimination of Hamas and the release of all hostages, setting aside calls for an interim ceasefire in favor of an immediate end to the conflict.

▶ Read more about Rubio’s visit to Israel

King Charles III to deploy tiara diplomacy as UK prepares to welcome Trump for second state visit

Windsor Castle staff are setting the 50-meter-long (164-feet-long) mahogany table. Grooms are buffing the hooves of the horses that will pull the royal carriages. And the military honor guard is drilling to ensure every step lands with precision.

Throughout the halls and grounds of the almost 1,000-year-old castle west of London, hundreds of people are working to make sure King Charles III puts on the best show possible when he welcomes President Trump for his historic second state visit this week.

The visit, featuring glittering tiaras, brass bands and a sumptuous banquet served on 200-year-old silver, is a display of the pomp and ceremony that Britain does like no one else. But it’s a spectacle with a purpose: to bolster ties with one of the world’s most powerful men at a time when his America First policies are roiling longstanding trade and security relationships.

▶ Read more about British preparations for Trump’s visit

Trump suggests a deal has been reached on TikTok’s future

Trump posted on his social media site that a meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials went well and that a deal was reached regarding “a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save.” His comment suggested the company is TikTok, the social media company associated with China that U.S. law requires to be sold or else cease operations.

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President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before he departs on Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The U.S. president didn’t provide any details on the deal, only that younger Americans “will be very happy!”

He also said he would be speaking Friday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Trump credits TikTok with helping him to win the 2024 presidential election.

Trump turns his attention to football

The president complained about a recent change to kickoff rules that are intended to reduce injuries during high-speed, high-impact punt returns.

The rule, which started last season and was made permanent for this one, places the opposing teams closer together, among other changes.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that it’s “ridiculous looking.”

“The ball is moving, and the players are not, the exact opposite of what football is all about. ‘Sissy’ football is bad for America, and bad for the NFL!”

Trump has made sporting events an integral part of his presidency — he attended a Yankees baseball game last week — and often views them as another arena for fighting “woke” politics. For example, he threatened to block a new stadium for the Washington Commanders if they don’t restore the name Redskins, which was considered offensive to Native Americans.

Vance to host Charlie Kirk’s show

The vice president was close to the assassinated conservative activist, and on Monday he’ll serve as a substitute host for his talk show. It’s scheduled to start at noon on Rumble, a streaming platform.

“Please join me as I pay tribute to my friend,” Vance wrote on social media.

The post showed a microphone set up in the vice president’s ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is adjacent to the White House.