Humanitarian assistance in Mount Lebanon province east of the capital Beirut. Top news of the day | Thursday: Middle East, crime, inequality, disarmament UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: violence in the Middle East continues, dozens of suspected child sexual exploiters have been arrested with the support of UNODC, issues of inequality have been discussed at the Human Rights Council, the UN is celebrating the International Day of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education.
Escalation in the Middle East
The fighting in the Middle East has continued for the sixth day. According to media reports, Iran, Israel, Lebanon and a number of Persian Gulf countries are suffering from drone strikes, missiles and aircraft. NATO forces are also reported to have intercepted a missile fired at Turkey by Iran, claims Tehran denies. A new wave of displacement in Lebanon has forced more than 58,000 people to flee their homes in just two days. Many are taking refuge in overcrowded public schools. There has been an increase in attacks on medical facilities. Over the past week, the World Health Organization has confirmed 13 attacks on medical facilities in Iran and one in Lebanon.
Global Inequality
Inequality is becoming a major factor shaping the lives of millions around the world. This was stated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, speaking on Thursday at a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Over the past two decades, the richest one percent of the population has captured 41 percent of the world’s new wealth, while the bottom half has captured only about one percent, he said. One of the reasons for inequality between states remains the debt burden. Developing countries paid a record $415 billion in interest on debt in 2024, more than double what they paid a decade ago. UN calls for changes to financial system that exacerbates inequality.
Sexual exploitation of children
As a result of the international operation, 60 people were arrested on charges of sexual offenses against children, and 65 minor victims were identified, who were released and received assistance. The operation, conducted under the auspices of Interpol and with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was the culmination of months of efforts by law enforcement agencies in nine countries in Central and North America, as well as the Caribbean. It was aimed at combating the production and distribution of materials resulting from the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Humanity’s dream of peace is in danger. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned about this in his message on the occasion of the International Day of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education, which is celebrated annually on March 5. According to the UN chief, the threat of the use of nuclear weapons has reached the highest level in many decades, and military spending has reached astronomical proportions. At the same time, the latest technologies are making conflicts even bloodier. “We must lower the temperature,” Guterres said, calling on world leaders to “step back from the dangerous line and stop brandishing the nuclear club.”