Reuters World News: Palestinian Statehood, Skydance-Paramount Merger, Trump at the Fed, and Border Clashes

Gaza Ceasefire Talks Collapse

• ❌ Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza have collapsed, with Israel and the United States walking away from discussions.
• 🗣️ US Envoy Steve Whit accused Hamas of failing to act in good faith, a claim Hamas disputes, stating their position was welcomed by mediators.
• 🇵🇸 France announced its intention to officially recognize a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, drawing strong rebukes from Israel and the US.

Paramount-Skydance Merger Approved

• ✅ The FCC has approved the $8.4 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, consolidating ownership of major entertainment entities like CBS and Paramount Pictures under David Ellison.
• ⚖️ Skydance offered assurances to the FCC, including a commitment to unbiased journalism and not instituting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, which were seen as concessions to address concerns raised by President Trump.
• 📉 Paramount cited financial reasons, including a $40 million annual loss, for the cancellation of a popular late-night show, a decision some Democrats believe was a concession to the Trump administration.

Trump Visits the Federal Reserve

• 🏛️ President Trump made a rare visit to the Federal Reserve, engaging in an awkward conversation about renovation costs with Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
• 📉 Trump reiterated his desire for the Fed to lower interest rates, a consistent theme throughout his presidency.
• ⚠️ The Fed attributes cost overruns to inflation and rising material and labor costs, and is expected to keep interest rates on hold at its next meeting.

Border Clashes and International Disputes

• ⚔️ Thailand and Cambodia are engaged in heavy artillery exchanges along their shared border, escalating a long-standing dispute over territory and ancient temples.
• 🗺️ Thailand rejects international mediation, preferring bilateral talks, and accuses Cambodia of laying new landmines in the disputed area.
• ⚖️ The dispute has led to a diplomatic standoff, with both countries recalling ambassadors and withdrawing diplomatic personnel.

Other News

• 🎤 Tributes are being paid to wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who died at the age of 71.
• 🇨🇳 China is seeing a surge in demand for the repair of advanced NVIDIA AI chipsets, despite US export bans.