Advertisement
Advertisement
-
TOPIC
 / people

Antonio Guterres

Antonio Guterres
Antonio Guterres is the current United Nations Secretary General, championing human dignity, focusing on climate action, peacekeeping and UN management reform. He is known for his extensive career in public service and diplomacy. His responsibilities include mediating conflicts and advancing sustainable development. Previously, as prime minister of Portugal, he oversaw the euro transition and played a key role in resolving the East Timor crisis. He also served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, significantly improving the organisation’s response to global displacement. His expertise spans humanitarian affairs, international relations and administrative efficiency.
Internally displaced Palestinians walk among the ruins of the Al Tuffah neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City on February 11. The UN human rights office has maintained a presence in Gaza despite the challenges. Photo: EPA
United Nations

Opinion | More than funding, the UN needs restructuring

The UN’s financial strain is a chance to rethink its structure, cut inefficiencies and empower local work that delivers more impact.

Israel

Israel’s ‘de facto sovereignty’ of West Bank condemned as illegal annexation

5
US-China relations

As UN grapples with cash crisis don’t expect China to fill the gap, experts say

videocam
22
Africa

‘Burned in their houses’: survivors recount terror of Nigeria massacre

With 162 dead, survivors describe gunmen executing residents at close range and razing their village to ash.

Razed homes in the Muslim-majority village of Woro, Nigeria. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Trump’s peace board no match for UN and a possible boon to China, analysts find

As Beijing ponders its invitation, experts predict a cautious approach and point to the benefits of a diverted Washington.

videocam
Asean

Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

American unpredictability is pushing countries to hedge more proactively – and, ironically, soften existing tensions with China.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Africa

Uganda opposition leader’s wife in hospital after soldiers invade home

Incumbent ruler Yoweri Museveni, 81, president since 1986, was declared winner of the January 15 election, but Wine alleged extensive fraud.

Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, walks with his wife Barbara near Kampala, Uganda, on the day of the general election earlier this month. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

A ‘Trump UN’ with US$1 billion entry? Nations cautious on Board of Peace plan

US president invites 60 nations to join his ‘Board of Peace’, with permanent membership available for states that pay US$1 billion.

23
US-Venezuela conflict

US attack on Venezuela a ‘death certificate’ for United Nations: analyst

UN chief ‘deeply alarmed’ about implications, while China is described as seeing openings to entrench itself as alternative to America.

videocam
40
United Nations

‘World stands at a crossroads’: UN chief issues grim New Year message

Antonio Guterres laments US$2.7 trillion global arms race and urges leaders to choose ‘people and planet over pain’ in 2026.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

China says US broke international law by seizing oil tankers off Venezuela

Situation intensifies as Beijing condemns tanker seizures and US security chief calls to remove Nicolas Maduro from power.

videocam
63
A US military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the US Coast Guard on Saturday. Photo: DHS via Reuters
Africa

Sudan war drags on as drone attack kills 10 in Darfur market

The conflict has split Sudan in two as the army controls the north, east and centre while the UAE-backed RSF dominates Darfur and parts of the south.

Australia

World leaders express horror at Bondi Beach attack as vigils held for victims

Israel’s Herzog condemned the ‘cruel attack on Jews’ by ‘terrorists’; Trump branded the shooting that killed 15 people ‘purely antisemitic’.

Africa

6 UN peacekeepers killed in Sudan drone strike blamed on RSF paramilitary group

The victims were all Bangladeshi nationals working at a United Nations logistics base in Kadugli.

Protesters take part in a rally in support of the Sudanese Army and against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Merowe on Saturday. Photo: EPA
Americas and the Caribbean

Tanker seized off Venezuela to be taken to US port, as threat of war grows

White House justifies targeting ‘black-market oil’ as Russia expresses support for its ally, Nicolas Maduro.

videocam
The tanker as it was being seized by US forces off the coast of Venezuela this week. Photo: US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s X account via Reuters
Africa

63 children among 114 dead in strikes on Sudan kindergarten, hospital: WHO

Reports paramedics were also targeted during rescue efforts, as WHO director general condemns attack.

United Nations

UN hits out at global ‘apathy’ as it slashes aid appeal for 2026

UN unveils streamlined plan to raise at least US$23 billion to help 87 million people in the world’s most dangerous places.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China-Japan relations

Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks ‘greatest challenge’ to ties, China’s UN envoy says

Ambassador Fu Cong sends second letter to UN chief insisting Tokyo must retract comments or bear ‘all consequences’.

videocam
16
China escalated its diplomatic offensive against Japan at the United Nations, with ambassador Fu Cong sending a second letter to Secretary General Antonio Guterres about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Photo: Getty Images
China-Japan relations

Why China took Japan criticism to UN twice but did not raise it at G20

Analysts say Beijing views the UN as a platform to ‘anchor’ its position on Taiwan, particularly because it offers a wider reach.

videocam
6
United Nations

Fire breaks out at Brazil’s Cop30 talks, forcing delay at critical phase

Fire forces evacuation at summit site in Belem as nations attempt to resolve contentious climate issues.

My Take

My Take | Poppies remain a poignant reminder of the catastrophic human cost of war

It is a tragic irony that commemorations on this Remembrance Sunday are taking place against the backdrop of today’s conflicts.

Representatives present poppy wreaths during the Anzac Day Dawn Service held at The Cenotaph in Central, Hong Kong, on 25 April. Photo: Nora Tam
Africa

Mass graves, blood stains: satellite images point to horrors in seized Sudan city

Analysis of imagery shows mass graves being dug near a hospital and a mosque, raising alarm over the scale of the carnage in El-Fasher.

This satellite image shows a trench experts suspect of being a mass grave being dug near a former children’s hospital in El-Fasher, Sudan. Photo: Vantor via AP
Africa

Tanzanian president wins in landslide after deadly protests

Samia Suluhu Hassan wins almost 98 per cent of the vote amid claims that she presided over a ‘wave of terror’ ahead of the elections.

Asean

‘Meek diplomacy’: is Asean doing enough to end the Myanmar conflict?

Asean’s individual members will decide whether to send observers to monitor what critics say will be a ‘sham election’ in Myanmar.

videocam
5
Africa

Sudan war sparks global alarm after hundreds killed at hospital

The Rapid Support Forces have been accused of mass executions and other atrocities after capturing the provincial capital of North Darfur state.

Satellite imagery shows objects on the ground at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan, where killings occurred. Photo: Airbus DS 2025 via AP
Myanmar

UN chief urges Myanmar junta to prioritise aid over holding election

Antonio Guterres has also called on all parties to support Asean’s push for an immediate end to the conflict in Myanmar.

videocam
People drive past an election campaign billboard of Myanmar’s chairman of the army-backed ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party Khin Yi ahead of the start of the election campaign in Yangon on Monday. Photo: AFP
Vietnam

More than 60 UN members sign cybercrime treaty in Vietnam amid rights concerns

The treaty’s broad language has raised fears that it could lead to abuses of power and enable cross-border repression of government critics.

videocam
Africa

Army officer sworn in as Madagascar’s president after military takeover

Colonel Michael Randrianirina took the oath of office after a military power grab that sent President Andry Rajoelina fleeing.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement