In a historic move, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The declaration positions France as the most influential Western country to back Palestinian statehood—sparking celebration in Ramallah and outrage in Tel Aviv.
Macron framed the decision as a moral obligation and a diplomatic necessity, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and a surge of humanitarian aid. But his statement also included conditions: demilitarisation of a future Palestinian state and full recognition of Israel.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the announcement, describing it as a step towards justice and self-determination. Hamas issued cautious support, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fiercely condemned the move as a “reward for terror.” Israeli ministers have threatened retaliatory measures.
In this edition of NewsHour, we ask what France’s bold new stance means for the future of the Middle East, whether it signals a broader shift in European policy—and what comes next.
Watch our full segment, including reactions from Paris, and a special interview with a pro-Palestinian guest.
Spain’s plan to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants is facing early resistance, with immigration officers warning they may strike over a lack of preparation and resources.
Greenland’s prime minister has appointed his predecessor to oversee foreign affairs, as pressure from Washington intensifies over the Arctic island’s future.
Türkiye’s foreign minister has appealed for restraint and diplomacy as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz unsettle global markets, warning that any military attempt to resolve the crisis could deepen instability rather than ease it.
The Kremlin has defended sweeping internet restrictions across Russia, saying measures such as blocking messaging platforms and virtual private networks are necessary for national security rather than a return to past controls.
At a time of deepening global polarisation, rising conflict and shrinking space for dialogue, Pakistan is stepping into a historic role. Diplomatic engagements in Islamabad, bringing together regional powers amid the Iran crisis, signal both urgency and opportunity.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian ships approaching ports in the Strait of Hormuz would be "immediately eliminated" on Monday, as the U.S. started its blockade.
A preliminary round of Lebanon-Israel talks has concluded in Washington, marking a tentative diplomatic step as regional tensions rise. The development comes as the United States launches a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Centre-right Peter Magyar's Tisza Party has won a landslide in Hungary after a night of counting in the Hungarian election. Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat after 16 years in power. "We have done it. Tisza and Hungary have won this election", Magyar said to cheering supporters in Budapest.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that talks with Pakistan had been positive, while Türkiye stressed the importance of stronger ties between Kabul and Islamabad.
In a special edition of Context, Orkhan Amashov reports from Washington on the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, examining plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, a proposed stabilisation force, and the wider diplomatic impact of the U.S.-led initiative.
In today’s Prime Time, we covered the following conversations: Azerbaijan has shipped petroleum products to Armenia by rail for the first time in decades, marking a significant step toward economic cooperation and regional integration in the South Caucasus.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment