By Gizem Nisa Demir
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including the EU’s move to sanction Israel over Gaza, a shooting that left three police officers dead in Pennsylvania, and US President Donald Trump’s designation of Antifa as a major terrorist organization.
TOP STORIES
- Signaling tougher line on Israel, EU plans sanctions, suspension of trade preferences
The EU’s top diplomat unveiled plans to downgrade trade ties with Israel and sanction top officials over findings of human rights abuses in Gaza, marking a major shift in the bloc’s approach to Tel Aviv.
Kaja Kallas said that all member states agree that the situation in Gaza is "untenable" while also cautioning that "dangerous developments" in the West Bank threaten the viability of a two-state solution.
"I want to be very clear: the aim (of the new measures) is not to punish Israel. The aim is to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," she said.
- 3 police officers killed, 2 wounded in Pennsylvania shooting
Three police officers were killed and two others wounded in a shooting in North Codorus Township, Pennsylvania, according to state police and local media reports.
The events unfolded shortly after 2 pm local time (1800GMT) when 911 dispatchers received a call about a “police incident” in the township, according to York County Office of Emergency Management spokesman Ted Czech, NBC Philadelphia reported.
Authorities confirmed that five law enforcement officers were shot. Three died of their wounds, while the other two remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to Pennsylvania state officials cited by The Washington Post.
- Trump declares Antifa a domestic terrorist organization
US President Donald Trump announced that he is designating Antifa, a decentralized left-wing anti-fascist movement, as a major terrorist organization.
“I am pleased to inform our many U.S.A. Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” he said on his Truth Social account.
Trump also called for investigations into individuals and groups funding Antifa’s activities.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was diagnosed with early stages of skin cancer, one day after being admitted to a hospital for the second time in a week.
- The US television network ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air “indefinitely” after the late-night talk show host and comedian faced backlash for his comments about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to statements from the network and affiliates.
- Poland and NATO are deploying around 30,000 troops as part of the country's largest military drills of the year, Polish broadcaster TVP World reported.
- A US immigration judge has ordered Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, to be deported to Algeria or Syria, citing alleged omissions on his green card application, according to court documents.
- Britain will formally recognize a Palestinian state this weekend after US President Donald Trump concludes his state visit, The i Paper reported, citing government sources.
- Hundreds of Orthodox Jews staged a protest in New York City against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned participation in next week’s UN General Assembly meetings.
- Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced that the country will conduct a three-day military exercise near the island of La Orchila in its territorial waters.
- Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip continued unabated, killing at least 102 Palestinians and injuring scores more, medics said.
- The Maghreb Sumud Flotilla announced that the 13th of its 23 ships had set sail from Tunisia toward the Gaza Strip as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla to break the Israeli blockade imposed on the enclave for the past 18 years.
- The heads of more than 20 major aid organizations working in Gaza called on world leaders to urgently intervene after a UN commission concluded, for the first time, that genocide is being committed in the enclave.
- US and Saudi forces have completed the largest live-fire counter-drone exercise ever held in the Middle East, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced.
- Britain's King Charles and US President Donald Trump hailed the special relationship between their countries during speeches at a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
- Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Harris welcomed the European Commission's proposed trade measures against Israel, pointing to the "genocide taking place in Gaza."
- Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot expressed deep concern over recent US sanctions targeting three Palestinian human rights organizations for their cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed not to take a single step back from their rights over East Jerusalem as Muslims.
- Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin arrived in Syria’s capital Damascus to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US Federal Reserve lowers policy rate 25 basis points in 1st cut this year
The US Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark federal funds rate by 25 basis points between the 4% - 4.25% target range, as widely expected.
This marked the first rate cut this year, as the central bank had held the rate unchanged in the five previous meetings.
The Fed stated that recent data showed that the growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year.
- Global debt remains above 235% of world GDP: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that a decline in private sector credit was offset by an increase in public borrowing, with total debt remaining little changed last year at over 235% of the global gross domestic product (GDP).
In a statement, the IMF said that private debt fell to less than 143% of global GDP, the lowest level since 2015, due to a decrease in household liabilities and minimal change in non-financial business debt.
On the other hand, public debt rose to nearly 93%, according to the IMF database, reflecting an annual survey of the amount and composition of debt held by governments, businesses and households.