Italian legal scholar and UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories since May 2021
US advocacy groups have filed a federal lawsuit in New York challenging Donald Trump’s 2025 sanctions on ICC officials and related actors for alleged war-crimes investigations. The suit argues the measures violate the First Amendment and chill protected advocacy, while the administration defends them as targeting abuses at the ICC.
Four US-based rights organisations have filed a federal lawsuit in New York challenging last year’s executive order that authorised US sanctions on International Criminal Court judges, prosecutors and groups that cooperate with the court. The complaint has argued the measures have forced them to curtail work, violated constitutional rights and unlawfully interfered with international justice.
Palestinian and Israeli sources report a sharp rise in West Bank violence. Dozens of settler attacks have targeted towns including Masafer Yatta, Jenin, Qusra and Hebron, with Palestinians injured, property damaged and several homes besieged. The violence coincides with increased Israeli military operations and ongoing clashes.
The US Treasury has designated Palestine Action as a specially designated global terrorist organisation and has frozen any assets in the United States, banning Americans and US entities from dealing with it. The move follows the UKproscription in July 2025 and comes alongside US sanctions on other far-left networks and an Italy-based digital collective.
The UN General Assembly has endorsed a non-binding move to shift from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth map to better reflect continental sizes. The vote saw 164 members in favour with the United States abstaining or opposing; several countries express concerns about disputed territories and implications for regional shading.
The UN General Assembly has voted 164–1 to encourage use of the Equal Earth projection instead of the Mercator map. The non‑binding resolution, led by Togo and backed by the African Union, has prompted objections from the United States and concerns from countries including Ukraine, Japan and India over how disputed territories appear.
Ed Sheeran has returned to the stage in Philadelphia and has addressed the controversy after promoter Messina Touring Group removed Macklemore from remaining US dates following his onstage 'Free Palestine' remarks. Four supporting acts have withdrawn in solidarity, ticket sales have softened and some venues warned they would cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese warns that removing rubble in Gaza risks destroying evidence of alleged international crimes, including genocide, and could trigger international criminal responsibility for those involved. She notes thousands remain buried and calls for independent oversight to preserve evidence and ensure proper documentation.
The IAEA has terminated its nearly two‑decade investigation into Syria's undeclared nuclear activities after inspectors visited sites in Deir ez‑Zor and a previously undisclosed location. Inspectors have uncovered a near‑complete reactor, a fuel‑fabrication plant and about 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal; the material is now under IAEA containment and surveillance measures.
Macklemore has been removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after venues objected to his onstage calls for Free Palestine. Messina Touring Group says the move follows discussions with stakeholders and could affect hundreds of thousands of fans. The tour will resume in Philadelphia on Sept. 19 with Sheeran continuing as the headlining act.
Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US Loop Tour after pro-Palestine remarks, prompting other acts to withdraw and drawing scrutiny of venue owners and promoters. Ed Sheeran says the decision was promoter-driven, not his, while fans and artists weigh in on free speech, sponsorship, and accountability. The tour resumes in Philadelphia with uncertainty over lineup and ticketing.
Serbia has inaugurated a drone-plants facility built with an Israeli partner. The project aims to produce combat drones for Serbia and other countries, with about 100 workers, and to expand with at least three more factories across Serbia. Details on location and partner names remain confidential, but Elbit Systems is identified by prior reporting. The move occurs ahead of Serbia’s October elections as Belgrade strengthens military ties with Israel and other partners.