By Alperen Aktas
ANKARA (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including Donald Trump formally accepting the Republican Party’s nomination as its presidential candidate amid rising calls for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race, the UN saying a two-state solution cannot be voted away in response to a resolution passed by the Israeli parliament that rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state and the White House saying it has "every expectation" that US President Joe Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the US capital next week, despite Biden's recent coronavirus diagnosis.
TOP STORIES
- Trump formally accepts nomination as Republican presidential candidate
Former US President Donald Trump formally accepted the Republican Party’s nomination as its presidential candidate in his first speech since surviving an attempted assassination.
"Tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States," Trump said during his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” he said after Saturday's assassination attempt at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
- UN reacts to Israeli parliament: Two-state solution cannot be voted away
The UN said a two-state solution cannot be voted away in response to a resolution passed by the Israeli parliament that rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is disappointed by the Israeli parliament’s decision to pass the measure.
"It's clear you can't vote away the two-state solution," Dujarric told reporters.
- White House has 'every expectation' Biden will meet Netanyahu next week
The White House said it has "every expectation" that President Joe Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the US capital next week, despite Biden's recent coronavirus diagnosis.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that final details have to be worked out but emphasized that Biden's recovery from the virus is the current priority.
"Obviously, we need to make sure that the president's health and his recovery from COVID takes priority, and if and how that might affect a discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu. We're just not in a position today to be able to know," he said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- US President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- At least eight more people were killed in Bangladesh as police opened fire on students in the capital Dhaka and other parts of the country calling for reform of a quota system for government jobs, bringing the death toll to 14.
- German police on Thursday arrested nine people during a raid on the far-right Third Way party in Berlin and the eastern states of Brandenburg and Saxony.
- China's Communist Party has accepted the resignation of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang from its Central Committee.
- Ursula von der Leyen won support from lawmakers for a second term as the president of the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU.
- The Turkish National Defense Ministry said that 1,427 terrorists have been neutralized in operations since the beginning of 2024.
- Japanese and Taiwanese coast guards have conducted a joint search and rescue drill, with one of the island's vessels recently making a refueling stop in Japan, local media reported.
- The Turkish parliament passed a resolution regarding the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.
- The US announced more than $200 million in additional humanitarian assistance for civilians in Sudan and for those who fled to neighboring countries.
- Lithuania’s parliament voted to exit the Convention on Cluster Munitions, citing regional security concerns in the Baltic region and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
- Chinese scientists have developed a new model for sub-seasonal forecasts using artificial intelligence (AI) technology that provides better weather forecasts to reduce the cost of climate disasters, state media reported.
- Former US President Barack Obama thinks President Joe Biden needs to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy, a report said.
- The US said it is committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after the passing of a resolution in the Israeli parliament that rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state.
- Yemen’s Houthi group vowed to escalate naval operations “in support of the Gaza Strip” to the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Jordan and Egypt reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing coordination with allied nations to secure an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
- Belgium said an Israeli resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state is against UN resolutions.
- Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter renewed calls for sanctions against Israel in response to its ongoing offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 38,800 civilians, including thousands of women and children.
- At least two Palestinians were killed and five injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in eastern Gaza City.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an £84 million (nearly $109 million) funding package for humanitarian and development projects in Africa and the Middle East to tackle the migration crisis.
- Türkiye condemned the passing of a resolution in the Israeli parliament that rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state, calling it a sign that Israel disregards international law.
- South Korea accused its archrival North Korea of resuming the launch of trash-filled balloons toward it amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
- At least 54 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, pushing the overall death toll to 38,848 since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the battered territory said.
SPORTS
- Guinean forward Serhou Guirassy joins Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund announced that Guinean forward Serhou Guirassy has joined the German Bundesliga side.
The 28-year-old will remain with the Black and Yellows until June 30, 2028, according to the statement.
"When Borussia Dortmund asks, it's something special," Guirassy said. "Every child in the world who is interested in football knows this club, knows the black and yellow jerseys, knows the Yellow Wall. I'm very excited about all of this, about my new teammates. And it's important for me to say: I came here to win titles."
- Real Madrid regain 1st place with $1.8B brand value
Real Madrid, after losing the top spot to Manchester City last year, have returned as the world's most valuable football club this year with $1.8 billion in brand value, according to Brand Finance's data this week.
With a brand strength score of 96.3 out of 100, the Spanish club has beaten major global brands such as Google, Coca-Cola, Ferrari and Rolex.
On the other hand, Real Madrid are the most followed football club on social media platforms, while brand power is a critical criterion for brands.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Biden forgives another $1.2B in student debt for 35,000 borrowers
US President Joe Biden announced that his administration is canceling an additional $1.2 billion in student debt for another 35,000 borrowers.
The latest action brings the total loan forgiveness amount approved by the Biden administration to more than $168 billion for approximately 4.8 million Americans.
"These 35,000 borrowers approved for forgiveness today are public service workers – teachers, nurses, law enforcement officials and first responders who have dedicated their lives to strengthening their communities, and because of the fixes we made to Public Service Loan Forgiveness, they will now have more breathing room to support themselves and their families," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
- US homes bought by international buyers fall to 15-year low
Existing homes purchased by international buyers in the US declined to the lowest level in 15 years, according to a report released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
International buyers acquired $42 billion worth of residential properties in the US from April 2023 through March 2024, marking a 21.2% decrease from the previous year, the report noted.
The total number of existing homes sold, 54,300 units, saw a 36% drop from the prior year, marking the lowest level since NAR began tracking in 2009.