France will recognise Palestinian state, Macron says
France will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, President Emmanuel Macron has said, which will make it the first G7 nation to do so, BBC reported.
In a post on X, Macron said the formal announcement would be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
"The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," he wrote.
Palestinian officials welcomed Macron's decision, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move "rewards terror" following Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack in Israel, according to BBC.
Trump urges Fed to cut interest rates during rare visit
US President Donald Trump visited the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington on Thursday, calling for lower interest rates to ease housing costs and support economic growth, Xinhua reported.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, Trump said interest rates were too high, making home ownership difficult despite strong economic performance.
“We have no inflation and strong cash flow. We should have the lowest interest rates globally,” he said, expressing confidence that Powell would eventually take appropriate action, according to Xinhua.
Local media viewed the visit as part of the administration’s effort to increase pressure on the Fed to reduce borrowing costs.
Death toll in Thailand rises to 14 in border clashes with Cambodia
At least 14 Thai nationals were killed and 46 injured in military clashes near the Thailand-Cambodia border by Thursday night, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. Cambodia has not yet reported its casualties.
The violence, which erupted Thursday morning, saw both sides accusing each other of breaching international law. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called on the UN Security Council to hold an urgent meeting to address the escalating situation, according to Xinhua.
UN warns of growing hunger crisis in Gaza
The UN says one in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with cases rising daily. Aid groups warn of mass starvation and urge urgent international action, BBC reported.
Despite Israeli claims of allowing humanitarian aid, the UN reports only limited access, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Over 100 people, mostly children, have reportedly died from hunger.
Residents describe extreme hardship, soaring prices, and unsafe access to aid. Many families are going to bed hungry, and children are searching through garbage for food.
The World Health Organization calls the situation “mass starvation” and says Gaza is already experiencing famine, according to BBC.
