© UNHCR The UNHCR warehouse in Dnipro, Ukraine was hit on the evening of 19 May 2026. Top news of the day | Thursday: Ukraine, Lebanon, UN-80, climate UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: over the past three days, more than 240 civilians in Ukraine have been injured as a result of military operations, Israel is intensifying attacks on Lebanon, the Secretary General presented a report on UN reforms, new temperature records are predicted.
Strikes on Ukraine
The UN press service, citing local authorities, reports that over the past three days, as a result of military operations and shelling throughout Ukraine, more than 240 civilians, including children, have been killed and injured. The strikes also damaged schools, energy facilities and agricultural assets. The most serious losses were recorded in the Dnepropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkov, Kherson and Odessa regions. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned against further escalation amid threats from the Russian Federation to increase the intensity of strikes. He called on the parties to return to the negotiating table.
Escalation in Lebanon
The UN expressed deep concern about today’s Israeli strikes on southern Beirut, as well as the intensification of Israeli airstrikes against suspected Hezbollah targets in and outside the UN Interim Force in Lebanon area of operations. In addition, there are reports of ground incursions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) north of the Litani River. The Organization again urged all parties to observe the ceasefire. The UN once again emphasized that civilians and infrastructure should not become targets of strikes.
UN-80 Initiative
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented a report on the progress of the UN-80 initiative. This strategic reform and restructuring project is designed to improve the efficiency and flexibility of the world organization, as well as its readiness to respond to today’s global challenges. Proposals for changes to the UN structure include greater integration of departments and agencies, as well as greater cooperation between peace and security, development and human rights structures. Temperature anomalies in the Arctic are expected to exceed global averages. This is stated in a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It summarizes forecasts prepared by 13 different institutions. There is an 86 percent chance that one year between 2026 and 2030 will be hotter than 2024 and become the warmest year on record.