In an urgent appeal to UNESCO, hundreds of cultural professionals have called for the protection of Lebanon's historic sites, such as Baalbek and Tyre, which are under threat from military strikes. This movement aims to establish "no-target zones" and enlist international assistance to preserve these cultural treasures.

Meanwhile, in international affairs, President Biden has approved sending long-range missiles to Ukraine amidst reports of North Korean troops deploying to Russia, marking a notable pivot in U.S. policy. This decision intersects with rising tensions as former President-elect Trump proposes to end the conflict in support of peace talks.

Shifting focus to environmental issues, UN Secretary-General Guterres has urged G20 leaders meeting in Rio to break deadlock at climate talks and lead on a $1 trillion deal for developing nations. Given G20 countries contribute 80% of emissions, Guterres highlights their essential role in advancing collective climate action.

On a different note, an Israeli military court sentenced Palestinian journalist Rasha Herzallah to six months imprisonment for social media incitement, demonstrating the ongoing tensions in the region. Herzallah's case is one among many, with 94 Palestinian journalists currently detained.

Turning to Africa, Senegal's parliamentary elections saw President Faye's Pastef party poised for victory, crucial for his economic reform agenda despite low turnout and fraud accusations from the opposition. The political climate remains tense as ex-president Macky Sall leads opposition movements from exile.

Returning to global security concerns, Russian lawmakers have cautioned that the U.S.'s approval of long-range missiles for Ukraine could intensify the conflict, with serious implications like escalating it to a global scale. This development has stirred reactions from Russian officials warning of potential severe consequences.