During a video address to the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas vehemently condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, labeling them as “genocide.” He firmly rejected any suggestion that Palestinians would abandon their homeland.
Abbas participated remotely from Ramallah, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as the United States had denied visas to him and his delegation for the in-person meeting in New York City.
He declared that regardless of the immense suffering, Palestinians would remain in Gaza and dedicated themselves to rebuilding their land. “It will not break our will to survive,” he asserted. “Palestine is ours.”
Abbas also indicated that the Palestinian Authority was prepared to assume responsibility for Gaza post-conflict, explicitly stating that Hamas would have no role in any future government within the enclave.
This address followed closely on the heels of France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Belgium joining 150 other nations in recognizing Palestinian statehood. In response, Israeli officials have recently hinted at the possibility of annexing parts of the West Bank.
Interestingly, President Trump privately assured leaders of Arab and Muslim-majority nations this week that he would prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank. This stance, as reported by journalists, often contrasts with his more public, confrontational rhetoric.
Yemen: Israel’s military conducted bombings in Sana, the capital, yesterday, in retaliation for a recent drone attack against Israel launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia.
Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years for Conspiracy
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of engaging in a criminal conspiracy to illegally fund his 2007 presidential campaign through the government of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. The 70-year-old politician received a five-year prison sentence and a fine of approximately $117,000.
Sarkozy decried the verdict as a “scandal” and vowed to appeal, but the court ruled that his incarceration would proceed in the coming weeks irrespective of the appeal process. This marks a historic moment, as no former French president has ever served jail time.
ASK A CORRESPONDENT
This week, Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics from Washington, answered questions about tariffs from readers.
After 25 years in France, I am moving back to California. If I bring my 1,000 bottles of French wine, will I have to pay tariffs, even if they’re only for my personal use? — John Schweizer
Ana: First, John, I’m quite impressed by your wine collection! Second, after consulting legal experts, I have some unfortunate news. You can only bring up to one liter of alcohol into the country duty-free. You will be required to pay duties on the remainder of your wine, even if it’s strictly for personal enjoyment. President Trump’s administration has imposed tariffs on imported wines from several countries, including a 15 percent tax on European wines that came into effect in August.
You might consider hosting a grand farewell party before your move!
For more: Trump also announced a series of new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, semi trucks, and household furnishings, set to begin next month.
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MORE TOP NEWS
- A grand jury in the U.S. indicted former F.B.I. director James Comey. This development stems from Trump’s persistent demands for retribution following the bureau’s investigation into his 2016 presidential campaign concerning alleged Russia ties.
- Trump signed an executive order aimed at facilitating a consortium of investors to operate an American version of TikTok.
- Authorities in Denmark temporarily closed several airports after multiple drone sightings, prompting increased alert across Europe due to recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace.
- Trump expressed his desire for Turkey to cease purchasing oil from Russia during his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House.
- Hurricane Gabrielle is currently advancing toward the Azores, the Portuguese islands situated west of mainland Europe. Updates are ongoing.
- The U.N. initiated an investigation after Trump complained of “sinister” malfunctions involving an escalator and teleprompter during his speech to the General Assembly.
- South Korea’s Parliament passed legislation to legalize tattoo artists, effectively overturning a decades-old law.
- Elon Musk’s company, xAI, secured a deal allowing U.S. federal agencies to utilize its Grok chatbot.
SPORTS NEWS
- Football: The Trump administration is actively working to prevent Israel from being banned from participating in the 2026 World Cup.
- Tennis: Despite an ankle injury, Carlos Alcaraz managed to win his first-round match at the Japan Open.
MORNING READ
Visitors to Barcelona can now combine sightseeing with a geometry lesson. A young Spanish mathematician has pioneered self-guided walking tours that explore famous landmarks by engaging participants in math problems. For instance, at La Sagrada Família, visitors can use the Pythagorean theorem to estimate the arch’s height.
For those unable to visit Spain in person, The Times has created a virtual tour.
Lives lived: Abdul Gani Bhat, a Kashmiri separatist leader known for advocating dialogue, passed away at 93.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
- Bots at work: China now employs more factory robots than the rest of the world combined.
- 1.50 euros: Bolzano, a city in northern Italy, is considering a new tax on tourists’ dogs.
- Change tact: Tired of endless dating apps? Consider simply sitting at a bar.
ARTS AND IDEAS
The Dutch Masters Were Women, Too
When people think of Dutch and Flemish Old Masters, names like Rubens, Rembrandt, and Vermeer typically come to mind. However, these celebrated artists often overshadow equally talented female painters from the same era, such as Judith Leyster, whose remarkable works were long mistakenly attributed to male artists.
A new exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in the U.S. is spotlighting these overlooked female painters. The display is dedicated to women artists who significantly shaped the visual culture of the Low Countries—modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands—during the 17th and 18th centuries.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Bake: This particular baklava recipe, with its rich honey syrup, embraces the traditional Greek preparation.
- Watch: “One Battle After Another” features Leonardo DiCaprio portraying a washed-up radical who is also a devoted father.
- Listen: A music critic compiled a list of 10 exceptional songs from major-label debuts.
- Travel: Slovenia is a captivating destination that attracts food enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs, and avid hikers alike.
- Play: Challenge yourself with Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle, and Sudoku. Explore more games.
That’s it for today’s briefing. See you Monday — Parin
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