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United Nations

United Nations
The UN is an international organisation founded after World War II that aims to provide a dialogue platform between countries, fortifying international corporation and preventing future wars. There are currently 193 members led by five permanent members of the Security Council - US, Russia, UK, France and China. The organisation currently has six principal organs: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, and the Trusteeship Council.
A satellite image shows smoke rising from an oil refinery in Tuapse, Russia, on Monday after an overnight strike claimed by Ukraine’s military. Photo: Planet Labs PBC/Reuters
War and conflict

Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

From Iran to the Horn of Africa, disinformation is killing diplomacy. Mediators need facts, not state-sponsored fictions.

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO approves first malaria treatment for babies

United States

Trump Justice Department adds firing squads for federal executions

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US, Israel war on Iran

Why US tanker blockades are raising risks for Southeast Asian strait controllers

The bigger risk is not of the Iran war spilling into their waters, but the strain of operating in more contested sea lanes, analysts say.

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Guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy patrols the Arabian Sea during a maritime blockade on April 15. Photo: US Navy/AFP
United Nations General Assembly

UN leadership race takes centre stage with first round of interviews

Contenders strike sombre tones during interviews as the next leader faces a huge task to revitalise an organisation in crisis.

France

Second French peacekeeper dies in Lebanon after ambush blamed on Hezbollah

Anicet Girardin is the third French soldier to die since the start of the fighting in the Middle East.

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Singapore

UN alarmed by Singapore executions for drug-related offences

UN rights chief Turk said drug-related offences not involving loss of life did not meet the ‘most serious crimes’ standard by international law.

Singapore at sunrise. The death penalty is mandatory in Singapore for drug trafficking above certain quantities, such as 500g (1.1 lb) of cannabis or 15g of heroin. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

How China’s AI carbon accounting model points the finger at the US

The system factors in both production and consumption, lessening the responsibility of exporters such as China.

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Singapore

Singapore’s Balakrishnan warns Hormuz just a ‘dry run’ if US, China clash

Foreign minister also says Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have a ‘strategic interest’ in keeping the Strait of Malacca open.

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North Korea

North Korea’s Lazarus suspected of stealing US$290 million from KelpDAO

Ethereum was ‘drained’ from KelpDAO in the biggest known cryptocurrency heist so far this year.

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A physical imitation of an Ethereum cryptocurrency token. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | It’s time to unlock Hong Kong’s international relations potential

Globally connected and intellectually vibrant, the city can offer cutting-edge research and lead diplomatic debates of global importance.

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Hong Kong’s Central district on January 26. Hong Kong is often described as a “superconnector” between China and the world. Yet in the study and practice of international relations, the city remains intellectually vibrant but structurally peripheral. Photo: Jelly Tse
Singapore

Strait talking: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unite to secure safe shipping

Together, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore form the world’s busiest corridor for crude oil and petroleum liquids by volume.

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Indonesia

Indonesian rights body, military clash over reports of Papua civilian killings

The National Human Rights Commission said 12 people had been ‌shot dead during an operation against separatists in central Papua.

Crime

LA woman charged in US with trafficking arms to Sudan for Iran

Shamim Mafi is accused ‘brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition’.

Los Angeles International Airport, where Iranian national Shamim Mafi was arrested on Saturday. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
North Korea

North Korea launches ballistic missile as UN warns of nuclear advances

The two short-range missiles fired from the Sinpo of North Korea flew about 140 kilometres (87 miles) each towards the country’s eastern waters.

China technology

Letters | Chinese motorcycle brand ZXMOTO’s victory more than a sporting achievement

Readers discuss ZXMOTO’s wins in the WorldSSP class of the Superbike World Championship, and the connection between competition for oil and the space race.

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Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a right in war and peace

Neutral ships have a legal right of passage, even in war. Singapore has defended international law, which provides for a stable world order.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israeli attacks killed over 38,000 women, girls in Gaza since October 2023: UN

About 11,000 women and girls survived the war with injuries that will result in lifelong disabilities.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘Everybody’s suffering’: Kazakhstan seeks UN reforms amid fragile Iran truce

President Tokayev told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that multilateralism is being undermined as major decisions move outside the UN framework.

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Members of the UN Security Council attend a meeting at the UN headquarters on Tuesday. Photo: AP
United States

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

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US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz speaks after a United Nations Security Council meeting earlier this month. Photo: AFP
Africa

Sudan enters 4th year of war as ‘abandoned crisis’ grows

The war has pushed parts of Sudan into famine and the UN says about 34 million people, or almost two of every three Sudanese, need help.

China-Russia relations

Strong China-Russia ties are stabilising force in ‘turbulent’ world: Xi Jinping

In Beijing, Chinese president tells Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ‘both sides should maintain strategic resolve’.

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France

France open to engaging on slavery reparations, says Ghana

The African nation says discussions with President Macron last week included economic inequities, structural racism and looted artefacts.

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A sign hangs at the entrance of a dungeon used to house slaves at Elmina Castle in Ghana. The centuries-old site was a major centre of the transatlantic slave trade. File photo: Reuters
Middle East

Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘war continues’ during visit to southern Lebanon

Lebanon’s PM says he’s working to get Israeli troops out as Hezbollah militants fight back.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: Zuma Press Wire via dpa
United States

Global wealth gap widens as aid to world’s poorest sees record drop

UN warns of ‘extremely perilous’ era for international cooperation with global aid falling by 23 per cent in 2025.

North Korea

North Korea launches fifth missile test after dousing South’s peace hopes

A top Pyongyang official says the designation of the South as a hostile state ‘can never change with any words or conduct’.

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