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France’s Macron urges Israel to ‘stop this bombing’ in Gaza on November 10, 2023 at 11:23 pm

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French President Emanuel Macron strongly rebuked Israel’s bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza on Friday, saying there is “no justification” for the effort in a BBC interview.

Macron said “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza and advocated for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, adding that France “clearly condemns” Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization.

The French president is the first Western leader to back a full cease-fire in the conflict, a proposal the Biden administration has shut down and the Israeli government has refused to consider.

“De facto — today, civilians are bombed — de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed,” he said. “So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop.”

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Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed over 11,000 Palestinians, including 4,000 children, since the start of the war early last month, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The war began Oct. 7 after Hamas militants killed over a thousand Israeli civilians in a brutal surprise attack on border communities. 

France quickly backed Israel alongside the U.S. and other allies, but Macron has lightly pushed back on the Israeli government in recent days amid concerns over civilian casualties in the conflict.

Late last month, Macron proposed an international coalition to fight Hamas, likening the effort to the one which defeated ISIS in Iraq and Syria. That coalition would, in theory, weaken the Israeli military’s control over operations in Gaza.

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Paris hosted an international summit to encourage humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza starting Friday, where he also urged Israel to better consider Palestinian civilians.

“In the immediate term, we need to work on protecting civilians,” he said. “To do that, we need a humanitarian pause very quickly and we must work towards a cease-fire.”

In the BBC interview, Macron said the “clear conclusion” from the first day of the conference was “that there is no other solution than first a humanitarian pause, going to a cease-fire, which will allow [us] to protect… all civilians having nothing to do with terrorists.”

Macron further argued that a cease-fire and limiting civilian casualties would both save lives and help the Israeli cause in the long-term.

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“It’s extremely important for all of us because of our principles, because we are democracies,” he said. “It’s important for the mid-to-long run, as well for the security of Israel itself, to recognize that all lives matter.”

He added that the current Israeli offensive creates “resentment and bad feelings” which can exacerbate the conflict.

Tensions have already risen between Israel and Iran over the war. Iran has long-backed Hamas, and skirmishes have increased between the Israeli military and Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Israel has said it will start daily four-hour military pauses in parts of northern Gaza as it continues its offensive, at the urging of the Biden administration. The nation’s defense minister, however, stressed the pauses would be “localized” and would “not detract from the war fighting.”

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Calls for a cease-fire in the conflict have divided U.S. politics. Progressive Democrats came under fire from members of both parties for backing a cease-fire, while Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) was censured in the House on Tuesday for advocating for a cease-fire while using language some considered antisemitic.

More than 100 congressional staffers staged a walkout Thursday to pressure their bosses to back a cease-fire, and hundreds of former Biden campaign staffers signed a letter to the same effect.

​ French President Emanuel Macron strongly rebuked Israel’s bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza on Friday, saying there is “no justification” for the effort in a BBC interview. Macron said “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza and advocated for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, adding that France “clearly condemns” Hamas,… 

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Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

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Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

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Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.

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Netanyahu’s UN Speech Triggers Diplomatic Walkouts and Mass Protests

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What Happened at the United Nations

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, defending Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. As he spoke, more than 100 delegates from over 50 countries stood up and left the chamber—a rare and significant diplomatic walkout. Outside the UN, thousands of protesters gathered to voice opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and call for accountability, including some who labeled him a war criminal. The protest included activists from Palestinian and Jewish groups, along with international allies.

Why Did Delegates and Protesters Walk Out?

The walkouts and protests were a response to Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a significant humanitarian crisis. Many countries and individuals have accused Israel of excessive use of force, and some international prosecutors have suggested Netanyahu should face investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including claims that starvation was used as a weapon against civilians. At the same time, a record number of nations—over 150—recently recognized the State of Palestine, leaving the United States as the only permanent UN Security Council member not to join them.

International Reaction and Significance

The diplomatic walkouts and street protests demonstrate increasing global concern over the situation in Gaza and growing support for Palestinian statehood. Several world leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, showed visible solidarity with protesters. Petro called for international intervention and, controversially, for US troops not to follow orders he viewed as supporting ongoing conflict. The US later revoked Petro’s visa over his role in the protests, which he argued was evidence of a declining respect for international law.

BILATERAL MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL Photo credit: Matty STERN/U.S. Embassy Jerusalem

Why Is This News Important?

The Gaza conflict is one of the world’s most contentious and closely-watched issues. It has drawn strong feelings and differing opinions from governments, activists, and ordinary people worldwide. The United Nations, as an international organization focused on peace and human rights, is a key arena for these debates. The events surrounding Netanyahu’s speech show that many nations and voices are urging new action—from recognition of Palestinian rights to calls for sanctions against Israel—while discussion and disagreement over the best path forward continue.

This episode at the UN highlights how international diplomacy, public protests, and official policy are all intersecting in real time as the search for solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains urgent and unresolved.

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Is a Nuclear-Powered Alien Spacecraft Flying Toward Earth?

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A mysterious interstellar object speeding through our solar system has reignited debates about extraterrestrial technology — and whether Earth might currently be under quiet observation.

The object, known as 3I/ATLAS, is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor ever detected. Unlike ordinary comets, however, this cosmic traveler has baffled astronomers with its unusual brightness, strange trajectory, and lack of a visible cometary tail. While most scientists cautiously describe it as a natural body, one leading astrophysicist believes something much stranger is at play.

Harvard Scientist’s Bold Claim

Professor Avi Loeb of Harvard University, head of the Galileo Project, has suggested that 3I/ATLAS may in fact be a nuclear-powered alien spacecraft designed to test how humanity would respond to an interstellar visitor. He argues that its flight path is improbably precise, bringing it close to Mars, Venus, and Earth — a pattern highly unlikely to occur by chance.

Loeb also points out that telescope images show a glow inconsistent with ordinary dust behavior. Instead of trailing behind like a comet, the halo-like light appears to extend in unusual ways, sparking debate about whether the object could be emitting energy of its own.

Headed Toward Earth’s Neighborhood

3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest approach in late 2025, passing near Mars before swinging by the inner solar system. Although Earth itself will be on the opposite side of the Sun when it comes closest, the alignment will still enable space-based observatories to capture sharper data.

Loeb has called on NASA and other agencies to use spacecraft already stationed near Mars or Jupiter — including the Juno mission — to take high-resolution photographs. He believes such efforts could reveal whether the interstellar object is truly natural, or the first technological probe humanity has ever encountered.

Should We Be Worried?

While most astronomers argue caution before jumping to alien conclusions, Loeb insists that scientific openness is key. “If it’s just a comet, we learn something new,” he said. “But if it’s a spacecraft, it would be the most important discovery in human history.”

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For now, 3I/ATLAS remains a mysterious speck on astronomers’ charts, drifting closer with each passing day. Whether it proves to be a frozen remnant of another star system or something far more advanced, the interstellar visitor has already succeeded in one mission: reminding us how vast and unpredictable the universe really is.

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