France followed the UK, Portugal, Canada and Australia in recognizing Palestinian statehood, adding to the growing wave of countries officially recognizing Palestine and sparking potential momentum for a two-state solution, which Israel resolutely opposes.

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

France has announced its recognition of Palestinian statehood at a United Nations conference, joining a growing list of countries supporting this move. The announcement was made by President Emmanuel Macron and received strong approval at the event, which focused on the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed gratitude to France and highlighted the significance of this recognition. Other countries, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Portugal, have already recognized Palestine, with more European nations expected to follow. This wave of recognitions could bring the total number of UN member states recognizing Palestine to nearly 160, potentially increasing momentum for renewed discussions on the two-state solution.

Could Palestine recognition wave spark two-state solution?

As the high-level week of the U.N. General Assembly is about to start, the number of countries recognizing Palestine as a state continues to grow. At a conference on Monday held at the U.N. headquarters, France became the latest country to add to the growing trend of recognitions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the conference brought forward by France and Saudi Arabia, and thanked Paris for joining what he called a historic move. President Emmanuel Macron announced France's recognition of Palestinian statehood at the U.N. here in New York, receiving long applause during a conference dedicated to the two-state solution. But he also reaffirmed France's friendship with Israel, which, however, has always opposed the two-state solution. France joins the U.K., Canada, Australia and Portugal, with Malta, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra and San Marino expected to follow soon. These moves could bring the number of U.N. members recognizing Palestine to nearly 160, making one of the largest waves of recognition in years, and potentially strengthening momentum for the two-state solution. On Tuesday, huge crowds here at the U.N. headquarters, with U.S. President Donald Trump taking the stage. Elena Ravaskos, ARN News, New York.

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Hong Kong Island

Super Typhoon Ragasa targets Southern China, Hong Kong

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to voluntarily maintain the limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons set in the 2010 New START accord after it expires in February if the U.S. agreed to do the same.

Moscow

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San Francisco

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Washington

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ABC announced Monday that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return to the air Tuesday night (September 23). The network pulled the show last week following a remark from Kimmel about the death of Charlie Kirk.

Los Angeles

Jimmy Kimmel returning to air

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New York

World leaders come together at UNGA as global tensions rise

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Rome

Thousands strike across Italy in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza

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Trump administration to add $100,000 fee for H-1B visas

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Trump urges Pam Bondi to go after his political foes

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Ukraine Invasion

Russia denies violating Estonian airspace

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Glendale

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Portugal, the UK, Australia and Canada joined over 150 countries that now recognise a Palestinian state. The announcements come ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in the week ahead.

Lisbon

Portugal formally recognises Palestinian state

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Nashua

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Phoenix

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The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia officially recognized Palestine as a state Sunday, a move that has long been opposed by the U.S. and Israel. More countries are expected to do the same this week as world leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel continuing assault on Gaza after countries recognize Palestinian statehood

A group of US Republicans has sent a letter to France, Canada, the UK and Australia, urging them to re-consider their decision to recognise a Palestinian state.  It's warning there may be consequences if the countries move ahead with plan at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

US Republicans warn allies over decision to recognise Palestinian state

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday (September 21) in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution, but which is also bound to anger Israel and its main ally, the U.S.

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognize Palestinian state

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London

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Manhattan

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Kyiv

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Heathrow Airport

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Tallinn

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Could Palestine recognition wave spark two-state solution?

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