Global tensions escalate: Missile attacks, diplomatic moves, and UN debates

It happened while you were sleeping. Here's what world agencies reported overnight from Thursday to Friday.

The initial explosion in Dnipro, situated in central-eastern Ukraine, occurred on Friday at 4:10 AM GMT, as stated by the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, referencing the public broadcaster Suspilne on Telegram. Reports indicate that at least two individuals lost their lives in the assault. Another blast was noted three minutes later. Shortly before, the Air Force had alerted the city's inhabitants about the imminent missile threats. At 4:25 AM GMT, Serhii Lysak, the head of the regional military administration, confirmed that air defence systems were operational around Dnipro. Additionally, in Odesa, explosions were detected at 4:17 AM GMT following the sighting of a missile coming from the Black Sea direction.

Early in the morning, Iran witnessed reports of explosions. Israeli outlets claimed an attack was conducted, although an Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, dismissed these assertions. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the explosions were a result of active air defence systems across various regions, including Isfahan and Tabriz. Air travel at Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and other airports in the West faced disruptions. Khomeini airport in Tehran advised evacuations, leading to the cancellation of all bound flights, with at least eight aircraft redirected away from Iran.

According to Reuters, citing North Korea's state media KCNA, Deputy Foreign Ministers from North Korea and Belarus convened on Thursday in Pyongyang. Yevgeny Shestakov of Belarus and his North Korean counterpart, Lim Chun Il, discussed advancing economic and cultural cooperation and bolstered mutual support internationally. This meeting follows North Korea's recent engagements with China, Vietnam, Russia, and China.

On Thursday, the United States exercised its veto against a UN resolution concerning Palestine. This resolution aimed for the General Assembly to vote among a broader membership to confer full UN member-state status to Palestine. During the vote within the Security Council, the resolution won the favour of 12 countries, with the United Kingdom and Switzerland choosing to abstain. The Deputy Permanent Representative of the USA to the UN, Robert Wood, referred to a report from the Committee on the Admission of New Members, highlighting the lack of consensus on whether Palestine meets the necessary criteria under Article IV of the United Nations Charter.

The US Congress has yet to authorize military support for Ukraine. "If we don't act, the Russians will take Kyiv. Regrettably, some of my peers seem to prefer a Russian victory," expressed Republican Don Bacon. Speaking on C-SPAN on Thursday, the congressman accused fellow Republicans of echoing Russian propaganda and siding with Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Highlighting the dire situation, Bacon emphasized the urgent need for ammunition to sustain Ukraine's resistance against the Russian forces. "They've depleted their artillery. Without our support, Kyiv is at risk. It's baffling and deeply troubling that some would rather see Russia triumph," Bacon remarked.