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.
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Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
On 12 August, AnewZ’s Daybreak focused on the aftermath of Colombia’s devastating earthquake, tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, growing Russia-North Korea military cooperation and security and environmental challenges across the Caspian and Black Sea regions.
On 11 August, AnewZ’s Daybreak examined U.S. President Donald Trump’s new demands for Iran, Russia-Iran cooperation and regional connectivity through the South Caucasus alongside key political, security and climate developments worldwide.
On 10 August, AnewZ’s Daybreak focused on developments in Gaza, Lebanon-Israel negotiations, Iran’s position on talks with Washington and the latest global security and climate-related challenges.
On 7 August, AnewZ's Daybreak focused on the Iran war, escalating violence in Yemen and a deadly migrant crisis in Spain's Ceuta enclave.
The 8 August commemorative edition of AnewZ's Context looked back on the year since the Washington breakthrough, examining how the initialling of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement and the launch of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity have reshaped regional politics.
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