Developing countries suffer from rising food prices. Top news of the day | Friday: Lebanon, Security Council, food prices, space UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: in recent weeks in Lebanon more than 690 children have suffered, the meeting of the Security Council on the gas pipelines “Nord Stream” and “Nord Stream – 2”, the growth of average world prices for food products, World Space Week.
Victims in Lebanon
More than 690 children have been injured in Lebanon as conflict has escalated sharply in recent weeks, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF is calling for an urgent ceasefire to protect children from physical and psychological trauma. Lebanon’s health system is under enormous strain as the number of casualties rises, with at least 10 hospitals, including a neonatal intensive care unit, damaged in the fighting. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says there were 56 percent more displaced people registered in Lebanon as of October 2 than on September 29.
Nord Streams
Russia will continue to “pursue the truth” regarding the circumstances of the explosion of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said at the Security Council. The meeting was convened at Russia’s initiative to mark the second anniversary of the incident. In turn, Acting Political Coordinator of the US Mission to the UN Andrew Curiel said that the United States fully trusts the investigation taking place in Germany and that the United States has nothing to do with the destruction of the pipelines.
Food Prices
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in September, world food prices grew at the fastest rate in 18 months. The FAO Food Price Index rose 3 percent from August and 2.1 percent from September last year. In particular, the price of sugar rose more than 10 percent due to worsening crop prospects in Brazil and concerns that India’s decision to lift restrictions on the use of sugarcane for ethanol production could affect export supplies.
Space Week
World Space Week starts on October 4. On this day in 1957, the first artificial satellite Sputnik 1 was launched into space, and on October 10, 1967, the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, entered into force. This year’s week celebrates the transformative impact of space technologies on climate change and highlights the active role of space exploration in advancing understanding and management of climate change.