France to officially recognise Palestinian state at UN general assembly
"The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and to rescue the civilian population," Macron stated on his official X account yesterday.
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New Straits Times
21 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Asean FMS urge restraint, immediate ceasefire in Thailand-Cambodia border conflict
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Foreign Ministers have urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint and implement an immediate ceasefire over the ongoing border dispute between both countries. They also called on both sides to return to the negotiating table and refrain from taking any actions that may undermine peace efforts. In a statement dated July 27, the ministers said they are deeply concerned with the situation that has resulted in an increasing number of casualties on both sides, destruction of public properties, and displacement of a large number of people along the border areas. "We further urge both sides to cease all hostilities, return to the negotiating table to restore peace and stability, and settle disputes and differences by peaceful means, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Asean Charter, as well as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and in the spirit of Asean family, unity, and good neighbourliness," the statement read. The ministers have reaffirmed their support for efforts by the Asean Chair to facilitate dialogue between both sides and bring an end to the fighting. The statement came ahead of a planned peace talks between Cambodia and Thailand scheduled for 3 pm Monday in Putrajaya. Cambodian Premier Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai separately confirmed yesterday that they would attend the highly anticipated meeting initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as current Asean Chair. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817-kilometre undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been simmering since May 28 following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. The latest round of hostility erupted on July 24. Armed clashes have been reported along Cambodia's northern border region, with fatalities on both sides. — BERNAMA
The Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Sun
Bordeaux winemakers face uncertainty as US tariffs loom
BORDEAUX: French winemakers in the famed Bordeaux region are bracing for the financial impact of US tariffs, with industry leaders calling the uncertainty 'the stuff of nightmares.' The US remains the top export market for Bordeaux wines, accounting for €400 million in annual sales—20% of the region's total exports. Sunday's US-EU trade deal failed to clarify tariff rates for European alcohol exports. While US President Donald Trump announced a 15% across-the-board tariff, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hinted at possible exemptions, stating that 'zero-for-zero' agreements for alcohol could still be negotiated. Philippe Tapie, chairman of Bordeaux Negoce, expressed frustration over the unpredictability. 'One day, it is white, the next it is black—the US administration can change its mind from one day to the next,' he said. The tariffs compound existing struggles, including declining consumption and overproduction, which have already pushed a third of Bordeaux's 5,000 winegrowers into financial distress. Twins Bordeaux, a major merchant, reported a 50% drop in US-bound sales this year. Co-director Sebastien Moses revealed they had stockpiled inventory preemptively but warned this was not a sustainable solution. Some high-end wines were even airlifted to bypass delays, though at triple the cost of sea freight. Jacques Bouey, CEO of Bouey wines, noted his firm had diversified exports to mitigate risks. 'Commercial strategies can no longer rely on one or two markets,' he said. With Trump's shifting deadlines—from 10% to 30%—Tapie warned, 'At 30%, no. End of story.' The industry now faces a critical wait for final tariff terms, with August 1 looming as the next decisive date. - AFP
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
EU-US tariff deal "unsatisfactory", "imbalanced"
BRUSSELS: A senior European lawmaker has strongly criticised a draft trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), warning that it could undermine the bloc's economic stability and job security, reported Xinhua. Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, described the proposed framework, which includes a 15 per cent tariff on all EU exports to the US, as "unsatisfactory" and "significantly imbalanced." The tariff rate, he noted, would represent a fourfold increase over current average levels, while the EU would commit to zero tariffs on US goods. "This is a deal with a slant. Concessions have been made that are difficult to bear," Lange said in a statement on Sunday. US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced earlier in the day that the two sides had reached a trade agreement, under which the US would impose a baseline tariff of 15 per cent on EU goods. Although both leaders described the deal as a step toward restoring "trade balance" and promoting more equitable two-way commerce, the agreement allows Washington to levy broad tariffs while securing zero-tariff access for a range of strategic American exports. In contrast, the EU has pledged to purchase US$750 billion worth of American energy and commit an additional US$600 billion in investments in the US. Lange noted that while Trump publicly declared a blanket 15 per cent tariff during remarks following the talks, he had earlier explicitly excluded certain sectors, including steel and pharmaceuticals. He added that increased European purchases of US energy, particularly liquefied natural gas, were anticipated, as the EU continues efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian fossil fuels. However, Lange criticised the US$600 billion in planned additional investments, including increased funding for US military technology, calling such measures contrary to European economic interests. He likened the pressure tactics used in the deal to those Washington employed in recent negotiations with Japan. "Overall, this deal will contribute to weakening the EU's economic development and harming its gross domestic product," he said.
