French president Emmanuel Macron speaks during the high-level conference for a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel, at the UN headquarters in New York, 22 September 2025. (Keystone/EPA/LEV RADIN)

🇵🇸France recognizes Palestinian statehood at UN meeting to revive peace efforts. President Macron confirmed the highly-awaited announcement at the opening of the high-level gathering in New York, drawing praise from leaders for spearheading the move, while Washington and Tel Aviv condemned it. Others followed suit, including Monaco, Belgium – under certain conditions – and Malta.

☭Russia revives Soviet-era tactics to quash dissent, says UN expert. Mariana Katzarova, the special rapporteur on human rights in Russia, reported that an increasingly repressive justice system was using coercive psychiatric measures and criminal prosecution to silence Moscow's detractors and critics.

👀WHO opens door to stakeholders in final phase of pandemic agreement talks. Observer organisations like Gavi and NGOs recognised by the World Health Organization will be able to attend negotiations on a pathogen access and benefit sharing system for the first time as a “pilot”, following calls for more transparency.

✨Cameroon's controversial president, Paul Biya, returns to Geneva. Yaoundé’s strongman is a frequent visitor to Lake Geneva, where his lavish stays regularly spark controversy. The 92-year-old and his wife were expected to land at Geneva Airport on Sunday, just three weeks before elections in which he is seeking an eighth term in power.

🔞UNICEF scrubs sex ed pages targeted by US conservative group. Guides aimed at helping teenagers navigate their bodies and relationships were removed by the UN children's agency's website, in a move staff say could set a dangerous precedent.