TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I'm Camille Bianchi.
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French President Emmanuel Macron says France will recognise the State of Palestine.
He is calling for urgent peace and help for people living in Gaza.
In a statement posted on social media, Mr Macron wrote:
“Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September. ... The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister Bejnamin Netanyahu says President Macron's decision is a move towards terror.
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The United States is pushing Thailand and Cambodia to stop fighting which has already killed 11 civilians since Thursday morning.
Both sides blame each other for a clash on the countries shared border, which has become more serious since yesterday.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott spoke to reporters about the issue.
"We are also gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border. And deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians. The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict."
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The number of drowning deaths in Australia increased by five per cent last summer, 14 per cent above the national average.
Around a quarter of those deaths were people who were born overseas.
Uniting Circle in Sydney’s West has run a 10-week program for new arrivals and refugee women from Afghanistan.
CEO Mujgan Tahery tells SBS they'd never had the opportunity to learn to swim before.
"On the first day of the program, our main goal was to ensure the participants felt comfortable and at ease. The two older women, aged between 60 and 65, were understandably anxious during the initial sessions. However, by the end of the program, we discovered that these elder participants had progressed exceptionally well – they were among the strongest swimmers in the group."
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Brisbane writer Siang Lu has won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for his book Ghost Cities.
The same book was rejected by more than 200 publishers, ten years ago.
He says he was so shocked he won, that he lost feeling in his hands and legs.
Mr Lu says he is not sure what he is doing next.
"I think, you know, talk to me in a year. I really don't know right now, but in terms of my career, that's difficult to say right now. I can say that, in terms of my family, definitively, it's great to be finally the favourite son."
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That's the latest SBS News in Easy English.
