ISTANBUL 

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including French President Emmanuel Macron saying he will announce France’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN in September, over 60 members of the European Parliament demanding an emergency meeting to press for action against Israel, and Russia saying it views humanitarian deals reached at the third round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul as a ‘positive’ development.

TOP STORIES

• French president to announce formal recognition of Palestinian state at UN in September

French President Emmanuel Macron said he will officially announce France’s recognition of the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

"Faithful to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine," Macron said on X.

He underscored the urgency of ending the conflict in Gaza and providing aid to civilians affected by the war.

• Over 60 European Parliament members demand emergency meeting to push for action against Israel

Over 60 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) demanded an emergency meeting to push for actions against Israel in a letter sent to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Marc Botenga, a Belgian MEP from the Left group, said on X that they had written to Kallas demanding that an emergency meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council be convened immediately to propose action against Israel.

"We are writing to you today to demand that immediate action is taken, given the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza and the continued Israeli attacks on Palestinians at aid distribution sites, which have so far resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people," the MEPs wrote.

• Russia says humanitarian deals reached at 3rd round of talks with Ukraine ‘positive’

Russia said it sees the humanitarian agreements reached at the third round of renewed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul a day earlier as “positive.”

“The continuation of the exchange and return of civilian bodies…is an extremely important humanitarian aspect that, from our point of view, should be on the agenda. But still a positive aspect,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a press briefing.

Reiterating that Moscow did not expect a breakthrough in the talks, Peskov said Russian proposals at the meeting were “constructive, specific and aimed specifically at substantive work that can lead to the achievement of specific results.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

• European leaders welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France will recognize the State of Palestine in September, describing it as a key step toward achieving peace in the Middle East.
• At least 56 people have been killed and several others injured in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since early Thursday, medical sources told Anadolu.
• The UN warned that more than 1 million children in the Gaza Strip are "bearing the brunt of deepening starvation and malnutrition" as humanitarian access remains severely restricted by Israel.
• Türkiye along with nine other countries of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of so-called 'Israeli sovereignty' over the West Bank.
• The UK government is "deeply committed" to recognizing a Palestinian state, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, emphasizing that such recognition must be part of a broader move towards lasting peace in the region.
• Everyone who was on board a Russian passenger plane that disappeared from radar in the Far East Amur region has been killed, officials said.
• At least 14 people have been killed after day-long airstrikes and rocket firing between Thailand and Cambodia, but officials claim the border situation has “calmed down.”
• The US delegation participating in Gaza ceasefire talks will return to Washington for consultations following Hamas's response to the proposal, President Donald Trump's special envoy said.
• Russia claimed that its forces have taken control of two villages in Ukraine's eastern regions.
• A newly adopted law in France allowing the restricted use of a previously banned pesticide sparked public outrage, with critics warning it could cause serious environmental and health damage.
• Thailand and Cambodia are willing to prevent further hostilities after deadly clashes between the two countries, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) held a high-level tripartite ministerial meeting in Ethiopia to discuss the voluntary return of refugees, according to a joint statement.
• US President Donald Trump denied reports that suggested he plans to destroy Elon Musk's companies by removing government subsidies.
• British lawmakers Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announced the formation of a new political party, saying "real change is coming."
• Russia said that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed his country’s intention to continue working with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin.
• Switzerland said it is "deeply dismayed" by the human suffering in Gaza, urging the fulfillment of requirements under international humanitarian law (IHL).
• At least five people were killed and 63 injured in several explosions at an arms depot in Idlib province in northern Syria.
• Global news agencies including AFP, AP, Reuters and the BBC voiced concern over the safety of their journalists in Gaza, urging Israel to ensure their safe entry and exit.
• China welcomed the latest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine after they held talks in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• EU, China agree to ease strains over rare earth exports

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU and China agreed to ease rare earth export restrictions.

"We acknowledge China's efforts on fast-tracking licenses for the critical raw materials, and we agreed to have an upgraded export supply mechanism," von der Leyen said at a news conference with European Council President Antonio Costa following a EU-China summit.

She said if bottlenecks arise, the enhanced supply chain support mechanism can quickly identify and resolve the issue.

• Xi calls on EU to make 'correct strategic choices' at Beijing summit

China’s president said the European Union should "make correct strategic choices," urging the bloc's top leaders to strengthen "trust and communication" amid global uncertainty, while describing the two sides as "big guys."

In opening remarks at the 25th EU-China summit in Beijing, Xi Jinping said Chinese and European leaders should meet the expectations of the people.

The Chinese leader, along with Premier Li Qiang, met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, the head of the European Council.

SPORTS

• Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dead at 71

Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died at the age of 71 in the US state of Florida, according to authorities.

The Clearwater Police Department said officers and fire personnel responded to a medical emergency involving Hogan in the morning. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.

There has been no official reason for his death. However, the American entertainment news outlet TMZ reported it was due to cardiac arrest.