Current events: 2025-09-19

Wikipedia Current Events · Sep 23, 2025

Armed conflicts and attacks

Arts and culture

Canada bans the Irish band Kneecap from entering the country, citing statements and alleged links to designated terrorist groups. (BBC News)

Health and environment

COVID-19 in the United States
- The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously votes to abandon its recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine and now recommends that Americans get the vaccine based on their personal choice. In a separate vote, the committee votes for the CDC to communicate clear risks about COVID-19 vaccines. (ABC News)

International relations

International sanctions against Iran, Snapback mechanism of sanctions against Iran
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convenes to vote on a draft resolution concerning the snapback of sanctions on Iran. Nine UNSC countries voted against lifting Iran sanctions, four in favor. (AP)
France–Mali relations
- France suspends its joint counterterrorism agreements with the Mali government over the arrest of a French citizen. According to the Mali officials, the French citizen was taken into custody for their alleged involvement in a purported coup plot. Also in response to the arrest, two Mali diplomats are expelled from an embassy in Paris by French authorities. (Al Jazeera)
Ireland–United Kingdom relations
- Ireland and the United Kingdom agree to replace the Northern Ireland Legacy Act with new laws that will establish investigative bodies to address killings during The Troubles. (UPI)
Morocco becomes the 60th UN member state to ratify the High Seas Treaty, allowing it to enter into force in January 2026. (AP)

Law and crime

Aftermath of World War II
- World War II bomb disposal in Europe
  - Around 10,000 people are ordered to evacuate after authorities discover two pieces of World War II-era unexploded ordnance in Berlin, Germany, one in the Spree River near Mitte and another in Spandau. (DW)
Detention of Barbie and Peter Reynolds
- British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds are freed in Afghanistan after being detained by the Taliban for 8 months. (Reuters)
Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, previously jailed for reporting on the early COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, is sentenced to an additional four years in prison on charges of picking quarrels and provoking trouble. (Reuters)
Palestinian authorities arrest Hicham Harb, a suspect in the 1982 Chez Jo Goldenberg restaurant attack in Paris that killed six people, after France issued an Interpol notice. (AFP via France 24)