EU grants 1.6 billion euros in aid to Palestine
The European Union has announced a financial aid package of up to 1.6 billion euros to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) and finance projects in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
The offer comes after Israel expanded its military offensive across Gaza over the weekend.
More than a third of the money will come as direct budget support to the PA and aims to improve financial sustainability, democratic governance and services to help private sector development.
At least seven killed in suspected US airstrikes in Yemen
Suspected US airstrikes around Yemen's rebel-held capital have killed at least seven people and wounded 29, according to the Houthis, who also claimed to have shot down another US MQ-9 Reaper drone.
Footage from the Houthi al-Masirah satellite news channel showed firefighters working to put out a fire, suspected to have been caused by airstrikes. The Houthis reported further attacks in Hodeidah, al-Jawaf and Marib provinces, although no casualties were reported.
Benjamin Netanyahu's son hits back at Macron
The son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted on the "X" network to French President Emmanuel Macron, after the latter called for the declaration of an independent Palestinian state.
"Farth! Yes to the independence of New Caledonia!"
Yes to the independence of French Polynesia! Corsica! The Basques!
Yes to the independence of French Guinea!
"Stop France's neo-imperialism in West Africa," writes Yair Netanyahu.
Earlier, Macron stressed that his country is considering recognizing the Palestinian state.
Von der Leyen welcomes Trump's tariff pause
The European Union is breathing a sigh of relief after Donald Trump, under heavy market pressure, agreed to impose a 90-day pause on his sweeping tariffs, which could trigger a worldwide economic recession.
"I welcome President Trump's announcement to stop reciprocal tariffs. It is an important step towards stabilising the global economy," Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement released Thursday morning.
Von der Leyen used the moment to once again underline her offer for a "zero-for-zero" tariff agreement on all industrial goods between the EU and the US.
