‘Palestine is ours,’ Abbas declares at the UN
In a remote address to the UN General Assembly yesterday, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, strongly condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, labeling them as ‘genocide.’ He vehemently rejected any suggestion that Palestinians would abandon their homeland.
Abbas delivered his speech via video link from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, after both he and his delegation were denied visas to attend the high-level meeting in New York City by the U.S.
He affirmed that no matter the suffering endured, Palestinians would remain in Gaza and dedicate themselves to rebuilding their land. “It will not break our will to survive,” he stated. “Palestine is ours.”
Abbas further indicated that the Palestinian Authority is prepared to assume responsibility for Gaza post-conflict, clarifying that Hamas would have no role in any future government within the enclave.
This address follows days after France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Belgium joined 150 other nations in formally 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 from Arab and Muslim-majority nations this week that he would prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank. This private assurance contrasts with his more public, often combative, rhetoric, as reported by my colleagues.
Yemen: Israel’s military conducted airstrikes on several locations in Sanaa, the capital, yesterday. This action came a day after Yemen’s Houthi militia carried out a drone attack against Israel.
Sarkozy receives five-year sentence for conspiracy
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of engaging in a criminal conspiracy to secure funding for his 2007 presidential campaign from the government of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of approximately $117,000.
Sarkozy, now 70, denounced the verdict as a ‘scandal’ and pledged to appeal. However, the court has decreed that his incarceration will commence in the coming weeks, irrespective of his appeal. No former French president has ever served jail time.
ASK A CORRESPONDENT
This week, Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics from Washington, is answering your questions about tariffs. Thank you to all the readers who wrote in.
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 of all, I’m envious of your impressive wine collection, John. Secondly, I had to consult legal experts on this matter, and the news isn’t great. You are permitted to bring in up to one liter of alcohol duty-free. For the remaining wine in your collection, you will be required to pay duties, even though it’s for personal consumption. President Trump previously 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 farewell party before your move!
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MORE TOP NEWS
- Trump signed an executive order aimed at separating TikTok from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to prevent a ban in the U.S.
- The U.S. is preparing to extend a $20 billion bailout to Argentina, supporting President Javier Milei, a known ally of Trump.
- Authorities in Denmark temporarily closed several airports following drone sightings. This comes as Europe remains on high alert due to recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace.
- A Justice Department official has ordered prosecutors to investigate George Soros’s foundation, marking the latest action against individuals perceived as adversaries by Trump.
- Trump stated his desire for Turkey to stop purchasing oil from Russia during his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House.
- Hurricane Gabrielle is currently moving towards the Azores, a group of Portuguese islands located west of mainland Europe. Live updates are available.
- The U.N. initiated an investigation after Trump complained of ‘sinister’ malfunctions with an escalator and teleprompter during his address to the General Assembly.
- South Korea’s Parliament passed legislation to legalize tattoo artists, effectively overturning a law that had been in place for decades.
- Elon Musk’s company, xAI, has 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 the 2026 World Cup.
- Tennis: Despite suffering 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 developed self-guided walking tours that explore famous landmarks through the lens of math. For example, at La Sagrada Família, participants use the Pythagorean theorem to estimate the height of an arch.
For those unable to visit Spain, The Times has created a virtual tour to experience this unique blend of architecture and mathematics.
Lives lived: Abdul Gani Bhat, a prominent Kashmiri separatist leader known for advocating dialogue, passed away at the age of 93.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
- Bots at work: China’s factories now house more robots than the rest of the world combined.
- 1.50 euros: Bolzano, a city in northern Italy, is considering implementing a tax on tourists who bring their dogs.
- Change tact: Tired of the endless swiping on dating apps? A simpler approach might be to try sitting at a bar and engaging in conversation.
ARTS AND IDEAS
The Dutch Masters also included talented women
When one thinks of Dutch and Flemish Old Masters, names like Rubens, Rembrandt, and Vermeer typically come to mind. However, these celebrated male artists often overshadow equally talented female painters from the same era, such as Judith Leyster, whose remarkable works were, for many years, mistakenly attributed to male artists.
A compelling new exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in the U.S. shines a spotlight on these overlooked female painters who significantly shaped the visual culture of the Low Countries—modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands—during the 17th and 18th centuries.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Bake: Try this delicious baklava recipe, with its generous honey syrup, leaning into the Greek tradition.
- Watch: ‘One Battle After Another’ features Leonardo DiCaprio as a disillusioned radical and devoted father in a new film.
- Listen: Our music critic offers a curated list of 10 outstanding songs from recent major-label debut albums.
- Travel: Explore the captivating landscapes and culinary delights of Slovenia, a haven for gourmands, oenophiles, and avid hikers alike.
- Play: Challenge your mind with daily puzzles like Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle, and Sudoku. Discover all our engaging games here.
That’s it for today. Have a nice weekend. — Parin
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