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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.

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

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.

23 Dec 2025 - 8:27AMvideocam

Africa

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

21 Dec 2025 - 11:26PM

Australia

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

15 Dec 2025 - 6:28AM

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.

14 Dec 2025 - 5:46AM

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.

12 Dec 2025 - 10:12AMvideocam

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.

8 Dec 2025 - 8:59PM

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.

8 Dec 2025 - 2:27PM

Destroyed buildings in the Nuseirat camp for displaced Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP

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’.

2 Dec 2025 - 6:49PMvideocam

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.

25 Nov 2025 - 9:29PMvideocam

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.

21 Nov 2025 - 10:23AM

People use fire extinguishers to put out a fire at the Pavilion of Countries in the Blue Zone. Photo: Reuters

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.

8 Nov 2025 - 11:30PM

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.

6 Nov 2025 - 12:55PM

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.

1 Nov 2025 - 3:17PM

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.

30 Oct 2025 - 7:50PMvideocam

Myanmar’s soldiers stand in front of a captured police station in Kyaukme, a town in Shan state that the resistance forces had controlled for more than a year. Photo: AP

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.

30 Oct 2025 - 2:39PM

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