Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a third day as coordinated US and Israeli strikes against Iran continue to cause loss of life and damage across the region, prompting Iranian missile and drone retaliation in multiple countries. Explosions, airspace closures and military alerts have been reported from Tehran to the Gulf states and beyond. Follow our live coverage with updates from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow here.

Read the full story, “MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Iran retaliation escalates as US and Israeli strikes continue”, on globalissues.org →

The UN Security Council is convening in New York under extraordinary circumstances: amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and repeated calls from the UN for restraint by all sides, the Council turns its attention to a long-standing but under-addressed crisis facing children in war zones. The United States, which holds the rotating presidency for March, decided to have First Lady Melania Trump chair the meeting. Usually, the UN ambassador or senior official of the country holding the presidency takes the gavel. While there have been instances of First Ladies taking part in Security Council meetings, today is the first time a First Lady will preside. Follow speaker by speaker below, and UN News app users can go here. For daily in-depth meetings coverage, go here.

Read the full story, “SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Melania Trump presides over historic session on children in conflict”, on globalissues.org →

The escalating violence in the Middle East region is compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Read the full story, “World News in Brief: Gaza crossings closed, fighting in Sudan continues, Afghanistan quake victims”, on globalissues.org →