World leaders are throwing their weight behind French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will officially recognise the State of Palestine in September.

Many see this as a significant move toward peace in the Middle East.

Several global leaders say the recognition is crucial to protect a peace process that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is actively undermining.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sharply criticised Macron's announcement to recognise the State of Palestine.

Rubio said the US is firmly against Macron's proposal to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly.

He called it reckless, saying it will only embolden Hamas and make peace even harder to achieve.

At least one Cambodian civilian has been killed and five others injured after renewed clashes broke out, marking the second straight day of violence between the two neighbours.

A spokesperson from Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, Meth Meas Pheakdey, confirmed the fighting took place in Banteay Ampil, near the contested border zone.

The situation has forced around 1,500 Cambodian families to evacuate to safer ground. On the other side, Thailand's Health Ministry reported that 15 Thai nationals have lost their lives in the conflict as of early Friday.

The International Criminal Court has handed down major sentences in a landmark ruling.

Two rebel leaders from the Central African Republic have been convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity tied to brutal sectarian violence over a decade ago.

Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Alfred Yekatom received a 15-year sentence.

Both were found guilty for their leadership roles in the Anti-Balaka militia, which targeted Muslim civilians during a wave of attacks between September 2013 and February 2014, in and around the capital, Bangui.

The number of journalists killed in Gaza continues to rise amid Israel's relentless assault.

According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, 232 journalists have now lost their lives since October 7, 2023.

Officials in Gaza say the targeting of media workers is part of a broader genocidal campaign and warn that the toll could grow even higher.