UN General Assembly decides to resume high-level int'l conference on two-state solution
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday decided to resume a high-level international conference on the two-state solution on Sept. 22, reviving a process that was put on hold this summer amid escalating violence in the Middle East.
The assembly adopted an oral decision proposed by Saudi Arabia on the resumption of the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
After the adoption of the oral decision, both Israel and the United States declared their disassociation from it, saying the resumption of the conference would prolong the war in Gaza and embolden Hamas.
Trump signs executive order reviving "Department of War" though some call it "childish"
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, reviving a name that was last used in the late 1940s.
The order would authorize the Department of Defense, the secretary of defense and subordinate officials to use secondary titles such as "Department of War," "Secretary of War," and "Deputy Secretary of War" in official correspondence and public communications, according to a White House fact sheet.
It also instructs Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to recommend actions, including legislative and executive actions, to make the renaming permanent. A full legal change would still require congressional approval.
Thailand's parliament elects Anutin Charnvirakul as new PM
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the opposition Bhumjaithai Party, was elected as Thailand's new prime minister on Friday after winning a majority in a parliamentary vote.
Anutin beat his sole contender, nominated by the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Chaikasem Nitisiri, to lead the next government, following a court ruling last week that removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her premiership over an ethics breach.
After a one-hour roll call vote, Second Deputy House Speaker Chalad Khamchuang announced that Anutin received 311 votes in favor from the 490 members present in the House of Representatives, exceeding the simple majority required for approval.
Second round of Putin-Trump talks possible in near future
The second round of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump may take place in the near future, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
Such a meeting could be arranged very quickly if the presidents consider it necessary, Peskov said in an interview with Russian news outlet aif.ru.
He added that working contacts between the two countries are constantly maintained.
Israeli army strikes high-rise building in Gaza City
The Israeli army struck a high-rise building in Gaza City on Friday, saying it was used by Hamas to launch attacks, a claim denied by the building's management.
"Within the building, Hamas established infrastructure that was used to advance and execute attacks against IDF troops in the area," the statement read, adding that its underground infrastructure was also used as an escape route, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement.
The Israeli army said they had issued warnings for civilians before the strike.
The management of the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City denied the Israeli claims, saying the building was only accessible to displaced people.
Iran, EU discuss latest developments in Tehran's nuclear issue
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and the European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas have discussed the latest developments regarding Tehran's nuclear issue, after France, Britain, and Germany moved to trigger a mechanism to reinstate international sanctions on Iran, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
At a meeting in the Qatari capital Doha Thursday evening, Araghchi and Kallas also exchanged views on Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to a statement released by the ministry.