France endorses Palestinian state, defying US and Israel: Unbiased Updates, July 25, 2025
President Macron makes a surprise pledge to recognize a Palestinian state, drawing a sharp rebuke from both the U.S. and Israel. Why he says the moment is now.
Plus, an unusually tense visit to the Federal Reserve — with cameras rolling — as President Trump hands Jerome Powell a note mid-tour. What it said… and how the Fed Chair pushed back.
And Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime associate meets privately with the Deputy Attorney General for six hours. What investigators are hoping to learn and why Democrats are raising red flags.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, July 25, 2025.
France to become first Western nation to back Palestinian state
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on X Thursday that France will recognize a Palestinian state, citing the country’s long-standing support for a two-state solution and the urgent need to end the war in Gaza. Macron said he will formally declare recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
France will be the first G7 and permanent U.N. Security Council member to take this step, setting it apart from the United States and its closest allies.
The move drew immediate criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it rewarded terrorism and undermined Israel’s security. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also rejected the decision, calling it reckless and harmful to peace efforts.
In contrast, the Palestinian ambassador to France welcomed the announcement as a principled stand aligned with international law.
France’s recognition follows similar actions by Ireland, Norway and Spain, but carries more weight due to its role in global diplomacy. Macron’s decision also reflects frustration with Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and lack of a post-war plan.
France hopes other countries will follow its lead, but no major power has signaled it will join yet. Macron emphasized the urgency of a cease-fire, disarmament of Hamas and reforms within the Palestinian Authority.
Trump clashes with Fed Chair over renovation costs on tour of Central Bank
President Donald Trump visited the Federal Reserve’s headquarters on Thursday, July 24, to tour its renovation site and publicly challenge Chairman Jerome Powell over the project’s rising costs. The visit marked the first by a sitting president to the Fed since 2006.
During the visit, Trump publicly claimed the project’s cost had ballooned to $3.1 billion, well above the Fed’s stated $2.5 billion budget. Powell, who had already requested an inspector general review amid political pressure, said Trump’s figure included expenses from a separate building completed years earlier.
The Fed said cost increases stemmed from inflation and safety upgrades like blast-resistant windows.
Powell, who had already requested an inspector general review, said he had not previously seen the $3.1 billion figure and disputed its accuracy. He maintained that the renovations were necessary and that Trump’s figures were inaccurate.
The tour followed months of Trump criticizing Powell over interest rates. Trump reiterated his call for rate cuts during the visit but later said he believed Powell “is going to do the right thing,” despite previous threats to fire him.
Deputy AG meets with Ghislaine Maxwell again in Florida today
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell on Thursday, the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, and confirmed plans to continue the interview on Friday, July 25, at the U.S. attorney’s office in Tallahassee. Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said she answered all questions and called the session “productive.”
Blanche said the Justice Department would release additional information “at the appropriate time.” The DOJ contacted Maxwell earlier this week to determine whether she had information about others who committed crimes against Epstein’s victims.
The meetings come as House Republicans press for greater transparency. The House Oversight subcommittee voted to subpoena the Justice Department for Epstein-related files, including communications with former Biden officials, including James Comey and the Clintons.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) questioned Blanche’s meeting with Maxwell in an interview with MSNBC, citing concerns about potential “threats or inducements.” He noted Blanche’s past role as Trump’s attorney and close ties to Maxwell’s lawyer.
Krishnamoorthi confirmed Maxwell has been subpoenaed for a congressional deposition on August 11 and said unresolved Epstein questions are stalling other legislative work. Lawmakers want the files reviewed privately by the committee to protect victims.
Federal judges denied recent requests to release grand jury material, citing secrecy rules. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme and is appealing her conviction.
Trump withdraws Habba nomination, putting her back in charge of New Jersey
Alina Habba will remain acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey after President Trump withdrew her nomination, allowing her to bypass Senate confirmation and remain in the role under federal vacancy rules. Her 120-day interim term expired this week. A panel of federal judges appointed Desiree Leigh Grace to replace her.
Federal law allows district judges to appoint an acting U.S. attorney after 120 days if no permanent nominee is confirmed. The judges selected Grace, but Attorney General Pam Bondi fired her, accusing the court of overstepping. Bondi then named Habba first assistant, enabling her to assume the acting position.
According to CBS News, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act permits someone to serve in an acting role if they are the first assistant when the position becomes vacant and were not under active Senate nomination. Trump’s withdrawal of Habba’s nomination cleared the legal path for her continued tenure.
FCC approves Paramount-Skydance merger after Trump deal
The Federal Communications Commission approved Skydance Media’s $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global on Thursday, July 24, removing the final regulatory hurdle to the merger. The deal includes major media properties like CBS, Paramount Pictures and Paramount+.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the approval came after Skydance’s commitment to eliminating DEI initiatives, appointing an ombudsman at CBS News and promoting viewpoint diversity. Skydance also pledged to support local journalism and work closely with broadcast affiliates.
The transaction involves Skydance first acquiring National Amusements, the Redstone family’s holding company, which controls Paramount’s voting shares. David Ellison will become CEO of the combined company, with Jeff Shell serving as president. The deal includes $1.5 billion in new capital, $4.5 billion to Paramount shareholders and $2.4 billion to Shari Redstone.
Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit with former President Donald Trump over a 2024 “60 Minutes” interview. The settlement includes publishing transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates. Trump claimed Skydance would provide an additional $20 million in advertising, but Paramount denied any such agreement.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez dissented from the merger approval, citing concerns about political influence and press freedom.
“After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted,” Gomez said in a statement. “Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions.”
Tiny prehistoric shark discovered in Kentucky cave
Researchers uncovered a previously unknown species of ancient shark named Macadens olsoni in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park. The fossils, found in the Ste. Genevieve Formation, date back about 340 to 335 million years, when the region was submerged in a shallow sea rich with marine life.
The shark measured under a foot long and likely fed on mollusks and worms. It had a distinct curved tooth row adapted for crushing prey, setting it apart from other known fossil species. The discovery adds to more than 40 fossil shark species identified in the park over the past 10 months.
The study was led by scientists from the National Park Service, Mammoth Cave and the Smithsonian. The name honors both the cave and retired park scientist Rickard Olson, who contributed significantly to fossil documentation. The team also renamed another fossil species, Helodus coxanus, to Rotuladens.
Superintendent Barclay Trimble said the find deepens understanding of ancient ecosystems and highlights the educational value of paleontology in national parks.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
