Peacekeepers in Lebanon. Top news of the day | Thursday: Middle East, Ukraine, bird flu UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, assistance to Ukraine in clearing rubble and household waste, shootings in the Blue Line area between Lebanon and Israel, WHO – about the possibility of bird flu spreading among humans.
Security Council
The international community must make a collective effort to prevent any actions that could cause the situation in the Middle East to spiral out of control . This was stated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a meeting of the Security Council, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. He also stressed that aid workers need security. About 250 aid workers, including more than 180 UN workers, were killed in Gaza, Guterres said. The UN chief also drew attention to the “explosive situation in the occupied West Bank.”
Zavaly in Ukraine
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, tens of millions of tons of garbage have been generated in Ukraine. Together with partners, the UN is helping Ukrainian cities clear rubble and get rid of household waste. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with support from the European Union and the Japanese government, provided the necessary equipment to 19 communities across the country. Kiev, Chernigov, Kherson and Nikolaev regions received dozens of units of heavy equipment for garbage removal.
The situation in Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports a tense situation in the south of the country. Firing continues along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel in violation of the cessation of hostilities and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). The UN once again calls on all participants to exercise utmost restraint and avoid any actions that could lead to further escalation. Peacekeepers continue to work on the ground to reduce tensions.
Avian influenza
Global spread of avian influenza virus among mammals, including humans, poses a serious public health problem. WHO chief scientist Jeremy Farrar said the bird flu virus, also known as H5N1, could lead to high mortality. At the same time, WHO notes that not a single case of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus has been reported yet.