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Thailand on Friday sent back two Cambodian soldiers detained for crossing the border, ahead of key ceasefire talks in Malaysia next week, Reuters reported.

The move follows last week’s deadly clashes— the worst in over a decade— that killed at least 43 and displaced over 300,000. A truce was reached after mediation by Malaysia and pressure from US President Trump, who linked peace to ongoing tariff talks.

Thailand is still holding 18 Cambodian soldiers for immigration violations. Cambodia has called for their immediate release under humanitarian law.

Defense officials from both sides, along with ASEAN, US, and China representatives, will meet in Malaysia from August 4–7 to reinforce the ceasefire and address border security, according to Reuters.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called India’s ties with Russia a “point of irritation,” following President Trump’s threat of tariffs over Delhi’s continued oil and arms purchases from Moscow, BBC reported.

Rubio said India’s energy needs are valid but warned that buying Russian crude helps fund the Ukraine war.

Though Russian oil once made up 40 percent of India’s imports, recent reports suggest a decline due to reduced discounts.

India denies ordering a halt in purchases but says it can diversify if needed, according to BBC.

Trump’s remarks drew a sharp response from Russia’s Former President Dmitry Medvedev. India has not responded.

President Donald Trump said he plans to send his foreign envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Russia in the coming days amid growing frustration over Moscow’s continued assault on Ukraine. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump called Russia’s actions “disgusting” and questioned whether more sanctions would impact President Vladimir Putin, Firstpost reported.

Witkoff, currently in the Middle East discussing Israel’s war in Gaza, is expected to visit Russia next. Trump noted that while sanctions may not sway Putin, the US intends to proceed with them regardless.

He also pointed to recent sanctions on Indian goods over its oil trade with Russia and warned China of similar consequences, according to Firstpost.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reintroducing tariffs of 10 to 41 percent on imports from 69 countries, citing unfair trade practices. Key partners like the UK and Australia will face baseline rates of 10 percent, with higher duties for others, according to Al Jazeera.

A separate order targets select Canadian goods, briefly citing concerns over drug trafficking cooperation.

Most tariffs take effect August 7, with Canada’s starting August 1. The White House says the delay allows customs time to adjust, Al Jazeera reported.

Israel’s National Security Council has warned of increased threats to Israelis in the UAE, citing possible attacks by Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups. The warning follows heightened tensions linked to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Iran, according to Al Jazeera.

Though formal ties were established under the 2020 Abraham Accords, the NSC says Israeli and Jewish targets in the UAE may face risk, especially around Jewish holidays. Citizens are urged to avoid non-essential travel.

The alert comes after three people were sentenced to death in the UAE for the murder of an Israeli rabbi in a suspected terror attack, Al Jazeera reported.

The UN says starvation in Gaza is worsening, with aid deliveries severely hindered by Israeli military operations, checkpoints, and looting, despite ongoing shipments through border crossings, Xinhua reported.

According to the UN humanitarian office (OCHA), aid convoys face repeated delays and risks, while much of the food is seized before reaching communities. The UN insists that supplies must be delivered through community-based distribution points rather than militarized aid hubs, which remain unsafe.

OCHA urged Israeli authorities to allow consistent, large-scale access for both humanitarian and commercial supplies. Without unimpeded access, it warned, lives will continue to be lost.

The UAE and Iraq have praised recent international recognition of the State of Palestine, calling it a vital step toward justice and lasting peace. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed urged continued global support for the Palestinian cause, calling it a moral responsibility, Xinhua reported.

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry echoed the support, saying such recognition advances the goal of an independent Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it airdropped 43 aid packages over Gaza in coordination with Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, delivering food to northern and southern areas. It pledged to continue humanitarian efforts while rejecting accusations of intentional starvation, according to Xinhua.

US President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Canadian imports from 25 to 35 percent through a new executive order, set to take effect at midnight, according to BBC.

New tariffs on dozens of other countries will follow in seven days, as part of a broader trade push. Trump had announced the plan in April but paused it to allow time for new trade deals.

The UK, EU, and several others have since reached agreements. Mexico has been granted a 90-day extension,

Experts warn the tariffs may raise costs for US importers and consumers, BBC reported.