On Wednesday, a ceasefire agreement entered into force in Lebanon based on the full implementation of Resolution 1701 with the assistance of UN peacekeepers. Top news of the day | Wednesday: Lebanon and Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Internet UN
Top news of the day in the UN and in the world: A ceasefire agreement with Israel entered into force in Lebanon, the Security Council discussed the escalation of attacks on Ukraine, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Russia Mariana Katsarova called on the court to acquit detained Russian lawyer Dmitry Talantov, about 68 percent of the world’s population is connected to the Internet.
Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
A ceasefire agreement based on the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and facilitated by UN peacekeepers came into effect in Lebanon early Wednesday morning. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon late Tuesday and called on both sides to abide by the agreement. UN humanitarian agencies are supporting refugees and displaced persons who have already begun to return home.
Escalation of attacks on Ukraine
On Wednesday, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča presented to the Security Council members a report on the current situation related to the escalation of attacks on Ukraine. He recalled the strike of the new Russian medium-range ballistic missile “Oreshnik” on the Dnieper, as well as yesterday’s launch of 188 drones by Russia, which hit targets in 17 regions of Ukraine. Jenča stressed that the Ukrainian people are being subjected to unimaginable suffering and called for “reversing the dangerous cycle of escalation.”
Special Rapporteur calls for acquittal of Dmitry Talantov
UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia Mariana Katsarova today called on the court to acquit detained Russian lawyer Dmitry Talantov before the sentencing in his case, scheduled for tomorrow. According to her statement, Talantov could face up to 12 years in prison. Katsarova stressed that freedom of expression, in this case, disagreement with the war, is protected by international law.
5.5 billion people are connected to the Internet
According to a report published on Wednesday by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 5.5 billion people, about 68 percent of the world’s population, will be connected to the Internet in 2024. At the same time, many people in poor countries cannot use the World Wide Web. Thus, in high-income countries, 93 percent of the population uses the Internet in 2024, while in low-income countries, only 27 percent.