Published on: 2026-06-17
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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Main news of the day at the UN and in the world: the situation in Lebanon remains unstable, experts predict a worsening of hunger in the “hot spot”, attacks on human rights defenders have reached record levels, June 17 marks World Desertification and Drought Day.
Situation in Lebanon
Since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, on March 2, 247 children have died and another 992 have been injured,reported from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This is equivalent to an average of 12 killed or wounded per day. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon remains unstable, despite the recent agreement between the USA and Iran and subsequent signs of regional de-escalation. UN Interim Force peacekeepers in Lebanon continue to record rocket launches and Israeli military activity, the UN press service reported on Wednesday.
Hunger hotspots
From June to November 2026, a further deterioration of the food shortage situation is expectedat 13 ‘hotspot of hunger’. Today, this is warned by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). In the new issue of the report “Hotspots of Hunger,” published twice a year, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine are named as the most critical hotspots in terms of the scale and severity of hunger.
Human rights protection
Attacks on human rights defenders and activists reached record levels last year. This was warned today by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Preliminary data shows that about 950 human rights defenders, journalists, and trade union activists worldwide were killed or subjected to violent disappearance in 2025. This indicator is more than twice the level of a decade ago.
Desertification and drying
Today at the UN, they celebrateWorld Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This year’s event is dedicated to grazing lands and livestock farmers. In his message, the Secretary-GeneralAntónio GuterresIt should be noted that pastures cover half of the Earth’s land surface, providing people with vital food products and fibers and feeding more than two billion people. However, currently, up to fifty percent of the world’s pasturelands are in a degraded state or at risk of degradation. The UN chief has called for changing this situation.
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