French President Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

French President Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France willrecognize Palestineas a state, in a bold diplomatic move amid snowballing global anger over people starving in Gaza. Israel denounced the decision. Macron said in a post on X that he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. "The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,'' he wrote. The mostly symbolic move puts added diplomatic pressure on Israel as the war and humanitarian crisisin the Gaza Striprage. France is now the biggest Western power to recognize Palestine, and the move could pave the way for other countries to do the same. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including more than a dozen in Europe. The Palestinians seek an independent statein the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem and Gaza, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel's government and most of its political class have long been opposed to Palestinian statehood and now say that it would reward militants after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. ''We strongly condemn President Macron's decision,'' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. ''Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.'' The Palestinian Authority welcomed it. A letter announcing the move was presented Thursday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem. ''We express our thanks and appreciation'' to Macron, Hussein Al Sheikh, the PLO's vice president under Abbas, posted. ''This position reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination.'' There was no immediate reaction from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. With Europe's largest Jewish population and the largest Muslim population in western Europe, France has often seen fighting in the Middle East spill over into protests or other tensions at home. The French president offered support for Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and frequently speaks out against antisemitism, but he has grown increasingly frustrated about Israel's war in Gaza. ″Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine,'' Macron posted. ″Peace is possible.'' Thursday's announcement came soon after the U.S. cut short Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, saying Hamas wasn't showing good faith. It also came days before France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting a conference at the U.N. next week about a two-state solution. Last month, Macron expressed his "determination to recognize the state of Palestine," and he has pushed for a broader movement toward a two-state solution in parallel with recognition of Israel and its right to defend itself. Momentum has been building against Israel in recent days. Earlier this week, France and more than two dozen mostly European countriescondemnedIsrael's restrictions on aid shipments into the territory and the killings of hundreds of Palestinians trying to reach food. Macron will join the leaders of Britain and Germany for emergency talks Friday on Gaza, how to get food to the hungry and how to stop fighting. "We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis,'' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in announcing the call. "The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible.'' Israel annexed east Jerusalem shortly after the 1967 war and considers it part of its capital. In the West Bank, it has built scores of settlements, some resembling sprawling suburbs, that are now home to over 500,000 Jewish settlers with Israeli citizenship. The territory's 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited autonomy in population centers. The last serious peace talks broke down in 2009, when Netanyahu returned to power. Most of the international community considers the establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel to be the only realistic solution to the century-old conflict. ___ Joe Federman in Jerusalem and Joseph Krauss in Ottawa, Ontario contributed to this report.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

French President Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

French President Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday tha...

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Supreme Court pauses ruling that weakened 1965 Voting Rights Act

Supreme Court pauses ruling that weakened 1965 Voting Rights Act

WASHINGTON – TheSupreme Courtpaused a lower court's ruling limiting who can sue under the under the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act, a move backed by civil rights groups and other advocates. Over the objections of three conservative justices, the high court on July 24 put a ruling by the St. Louis-based 8thU.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on hold while two Native American tribes appeal it. If allowed to stand, the appeals court's decision would severely undermine enforcement of the law. It said only the U.S. attorney general is authorized to sue under a key section of the law, meaning voters, Native American tribes and groups like the NAACP would be barred from doing so. In this case, the tribes and three voters challenged a state legislative map in North Dakota they said dilutes the voting power of Native Americans. A federal district judge agreed, but the appeals court said vote dilution claims cannot be enforced through lawsuits brought by individual voters or groups. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribecalled that decisiona "knee-cap" to the nation's "most important civil rights statute." Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act bars voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, color or other characteristics. In a brief supporting the tribes, the NAACPsaidthe history of that section "has been written largely through private enforcement." But North Dakota's attorney generalarguesCongress did not clearly intend a private enforcement right when the act became law decades ago. The state also said theSupreme Courtshould keep the appeals court's decision in effect for now to allow the 2026 elections to be conducted under the map challenged by the tribes. That map eliminated two of the three legislative districts in which Native American voters could elect their preferred candidates. Three justices − Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch − said they would have kept the decision in place while the Supreme Court considers whether to hear the tribes' appeal. The appeals court's decision affects voting rights litigation in seven states: Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Republican attorneys general in most of those states and a few others filed a brief backing the appeals court's decision. More:Supreme Court defers decision on challenge to Louisiana congressional map The Supreme Court is still deciding how to resolve a dispute over Louisiana's congressional districts that involves an interplay between the Voting Rights Act and a racial gerrymandering challenge. Instead of issuing a decision, the courtannouncedin June that it will hear new arguments in its next term. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Supreme Court pauses ruling weakening Voting Rights Act

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

Supreme Court pauses ruling that weakened 1965 Voting Rights Act

Supreme Court pauses ruling that weakened 1965 Voting Rights Act WASHINGTON – TheSupreme Courtpaused a lower court's ruling limiting who...

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Former Trump lawyer says she will remain as New Jersey prosecutor despite court decision

Former Trump lawyer says she will remain as New Jersey prosecutor despite court decision

By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Alina Habba, said on Thursday that she would seek to remain as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey despite a judicial decision this week not to extend her appointment. Habba's statement marked the latest challenge by the Trump administration to oversight by federal courts. Habba wrote on X that she was now the acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey. The Justice Department used a series of procedural maneuvers to attempt to circumvent the Tuesday decision by the U.S. District Court in New Jersey and keep her in the post, a department spokesperson told Reuters. "I don't cower to pressure," Habba wrote on X. "I don't answer to politics." Judges on the U.S. District Court in New Jersey declined to extend Habba's tenure as interim U.S. attorney, instead naming the second-highest ranking official in the office, Desiree Grace, as her replacement. But hours later Attorney General Pam Bondi said Grace had been removed, accusing the judges of having political motivations and seeking to thwart Trump's authority. U.S. law allows federal district courts to intervene if an interim U.S. attorney's 120-day term expires and courts have regularly invoked that authority. Grace, in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, said she was "prepared to follow" the court's order and "begin to serve in accordance with the law." It was not immediately clear if either Grace or the District Court judges would attempt to challenge the maneuvers. Neither could immediately be reached for comment. Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, in Virginia, said the Trump administration appeared to have the legal authority for its moves, but they could further strain its relationship with federal courts. "It does undermine that authority from Congress," Tobias said, referring to courts' role in the process. "But that doesn't trouble this White House or this Justice Department." The judiciary has emerged as one of the few checks on Trump's aggressive use of presidential power in his second term. White House officials have accused judges who have blocked parts of Trump's agenda they have deemed unlawful of exceeding their authority and taking part in a "judicial coup." Habba has brought two criminal cases against Democratic officials during her time in office and drew criticism after saying she hoped to use her role to aid Republicans in New Jersey. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

Former Trump lawyer says she will remain as New Jersey prosecutor despite court decision

Former Trump lawyer says she will remain as New Jersey prosecutor despite court decision By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President...

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John Cena, Ric Flair and More Remember Hulk Hogan After His Death at 71

John Cena, Ric Flair and More Remember Hulk Hogan After His Death at 71

Rich Polk/Getty; Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Arturo Holmes/Getty Tributes have begun pouring in for the late wrestling legendHulk Hogan, who died on July 24 at age 71. Hogan, a two-time inductee into theWWE Hall of Famewhose career expanded into reality television and film, was remembered by fellowing wrestling icons likeJohn Cena,Ric FlairandCharlotte Flair, among others. "I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend@HulkHogan," Ric, 76,wrotein a post on X after the news was announced. "Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me." He continued, "He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn't Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!" Don Arnold/WireImage Ric's daughter, Charlotte, recalled how much Hogan supported her and her family when she nearly lost her father. "When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother," shewrote. Dana White, CEO of the UFC,shareda photo of Hogan to his Instagram Stories, writing, "RIP Hulk." Cena, 48, kept histributesimple by posting an old photo of Hogan in the ring to his Instagram feed, just one day after posting a photo of the late rockstarOzzy Osbourne, who died on July 22. Erika Goldring/Getty Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Our hearts are with the Hogan family, the millions of fans, and friends across the world as we mourn this heartbreaking loss," Grammy-winning singerLee Greenwood wrotein a post on X alongside photos with Hogan. WWE confirmed Hogan's death in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, July 24. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans." TMZ was firstto share the news, and said that medics were sent to Hogan's home in Florida after he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. The outlet said he was taken out on a stretcher. While widely celebrated for his wrestling accomplishments, Hogan also faced multiple controversies in recent years. He received backlash for his speech in support of President Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention, and was featured in aracist rantthat was leaked, which he later called "unacceptable" in 2015. Backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, Hogan sued Gawker for $100 million over a leaked 2012 sex tape andsettled for $31 millionin 2016. Read the original article onPeople

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

John Cena, Ric Flair and More Remember Hulk Hogan After His Death at 71

John Cena, Ric Flair and More Remember Hulk Hogan After His Death at 71 Rich Polk/Getty; Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via ...

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Chuck Mangione, Grammy-winning jazz superstar and composer, dies at 84

Chuck Mangione, Grammy-winning jazz superstar and composer, dies at 84

Chuck Mangione, the Grammy-winning flugelhorn and trumpet player and prolific jazz musician known for songs including "Feels So Good" and "Children of Sanchez," has died. Mangione died in his sleep Tuesday in his home in Rochester, N.Y., his manager Peter S. Matorin confirmed to The Times on Thursday. He was 84. The New York native, over the course of his career which began in the 1960s, earned a reputation as a stylish, lyrically smart trumpeter and played alongside jazz giants Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Sam Jones, Ron Carter and Kai Winding. He also collected 14 Grammy nominations, notably winning two prizes: one for his smooth "Bellavia" in 1977 and another a year later for the titular anthem he composed for the 1978 drama "The Children of Sanchez." Read more:Seven can't-miss newcomers keeping the spirit of jazz going Mangione's big break came in the mid-'60s playing with Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, a gig that would help lay the foundation for a career that spanned more than 60 years, 30 albums, music and entertainment. His emphasis on melodic music — frowned upon by some hard-line jazz fans — was best heard in his chart-topping hit "Feels So Good," the title track of his 1977 album. The single became synonymous with Mangione and helped propel him into the mainstream. Notably, Mangione and his megahit were a running gag on the popular animated series "King of the Hill," in which he lent his voice to several episodes. "Feels So Good" was also referenced in "Friends," "The Big Bang Theory" and Marvel's "Doctor Strange" film in 2016. Though parts of the jazz community dismissed Mangione's work as lightweight and too pop, the composer saw divisive reaction to his music as a rite of passage. "I've read all the reviews, from the ones that say you're the greatest thing since sliced bread to the others who say they left at intermission," he toldThe Times in 1988. "This kind of thing happened to Cannonball Adderley, who incidentally produced my first album in 1960; it happened to Herbie Hancock and a lot of other people." "I don't respond to pressure from record companies or critics; my reviewers are the audiences, and besides, my only severe critic is me," he added at the time. Read more:Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath singer, solo artist and reality TV star, dies at 76 Mangione was born Nov. 29, 1940, and raised in Rochester, N.Y. His love for jazz music stemmed from his father, who was a fan of the genre. Mangione's prolific career is also rooted in his teen years, when he performed with pianist brother Gap Mangione as the Jazz Brothers and jammed in small Rochester clubs with visiting artists including Gillespie and Jones. It was Gillespie, Mangionerecalled in 1994, who recommended that the "Give It All You Got" musician join the Jazz Messengers. While touring with Blakey, Mangione recorded his first set of albums including 1966's "Buttercorn Lady." In the late '60s, Mangione formed his own quartet, featuring his childhood friend Gerry Niewood. Fostering his new, softer sound, Mangione released the album "Land of Make Believe" in 1973. The album and title track, featuring the vocals of Esther Satterfield, both earned Grammy nominations. Mangione, who moved from A&M Records to CBS Records in 1982, had a steady output of music through 1988. He toldThe Timesthat year that he faced pressure to duplicate the styles that led to his earlier success. "That's not what I want to do; I just write whatever music I feel like writing, and that has to be my next album," he said. Read more:Hulk Hogan, pro wrestler and pop culture icon who excelled at earning fans' love and hate, dies at 71 Beyond recordings, Mangione's career also included performing and conducting opportunities across the globe, including fundraisers and jazz festivals. Mangione famously composed his hit "Give It All You Got" for the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, performing the number at the closing ceremony. He released his final album, "Everything for Love," in 2000 and retired in 2015. Mangione graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a bachelor's degree in music. Later in life, he would return to Eastman as an instructor and begin its jazz program. He also received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, earned recognition from the Smithsonian National Museum and was inducted in 2012 to his hometown's Music Hall of Fame. "Chuck's love affair with music has been characterized by his boundless energy, unabashed enthusiasm, and pure joy that radiated from the stage," his family said in a statement shared with The Times on Thursday. Mangione's loved ones also highlighted the musician's devotion to the New York Yankees and requested privacy. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared inLos Angeles Times.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

Chuck Mangione, Grammy-winning jazz superstar and composer, dies at 84

Chuck Mangione, Grammy-winning jazz superstar and composer, dies at 84 Chuck Mangione, the Grammy-winning flugelhorn and trumpet player and ...

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