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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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in power for 26 years on Wednesday, chaired a meeting on Monday to discuss Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Photo: Mikhail Metzel via Sputnik/Kremlin
Ukraine war

Russia will win in Ukraine, says Putin in New Year address

The president’s speech called on Russians to ‘support our heroes’ and came on the 26th anniversary of him coming to power.

Myanmar

As I see it | Why China is Myanmar’s only real hope

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Antonio Guterres

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

Iran

Iran’s president urges dialogue as currency plunge sparks protests

Anger over Iran’s worsening economic situation pushes people onto the streets in Tehran and other cities.

Iranian shopkeepers and traders protest against economic conditions as tear gas is fired by anti-riot police in Tehran on Monday. Photo: EPA
Myanmar

‘They always lie’: pro-military party claims big lead in Myanmar’s disputed vote

The overwhelming lead claimed by the USDP in the first poll phase is met with condemnation from rights groups warning of a rigged process.

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United States

‘Adapt, shrink or die’: US pledges US$2 billion for UN aid in humanitarian cut

Trump administration’s latest aid pledge is a small fraction of what the US has contributed in the past.

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Myanmar

Why Myanmar’s junta election cannot hide a collapsing economy

Analysts warn that conflict, power shortages and resource extraction under military rule are pushing Myanmar’s economy further into reverse.

A vendor waits beside bottles of oil at a market in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar. Inflation in the country has reached record highs of about 30 per cent over the past two years. Photo: AFP
North Korea

North Korea tests long-range cruise missiles after nuclear submarine progress

Days after unveiling a near-complete hull of a nuclear-powered submarine, North Korea shares photos of missiles being fired and hitting a target.

Myanmar

‘Military has destroyed our lives’: Myanmar votes in election amid civil war

The multiphase election, which the junta insists is ‘free and fair’, comes nearly four years after it took power in a coup.

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Myanmar

‘Lost my future’: Myanmar’s ‘charade’ election dims hopes of diaspora

The junta’s phased election starting on Sunday has been slammed as a ploy for its generals to stay in power.

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A Myanmar police officer stands guard during the Union Solidarity and Development Party’s election campaign on the final day of campaigning in Naypyitaw on Friday. Photo: EPA
China-Latin America relations

Trump’s Venezuela gambit: power play with eye on China or weakness?

Hesitation does not equal lack of courage, observers caution, citing legal and domestic constraints and a likely pivot to ‘risk avoidance’.

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US forces have reportedly been ordered to enforce a “quarantine” on Venezuelan oil, targeting all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving the country. Photo: Xinhua
SCMP Highlights

China’s reusable rocket failure, PLA growth leaves US ‘vulnerable’: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s crowded border at Christmas to jailed ex-Malaysian PM’s request rejected, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Myanmar

Stay or go? Rohingya see no way out of predicament as Myanmar heads to poll

Myanmar’s phased election, set to start on Sunday, is likely to be steered by the same leaders responsible for driving the Rohingya out.

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SCMP Highlights

China, Russia clash with US at UN; Taipei mayor visit: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a Security Council briefing on threats to international peace and security in New York on Tuesday. Venezuela requested a Security Council meeting, citing escalating tensions resulting from “US aggression” against the country. Photo: EPA
China-Latin America relations

China, Russia clash with US at UN over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

Venezuela turns to UN as Trump’s oil crackdown intensifies and Caracas advances a law targeting those in support of naval blockades.

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Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a Security Council briefing on threats to international peace and security in New York on Tuesday. Venezuela requested a Security Council meeting, citing escalating tensions resulting from “US aggression” against the country. Photo: EPA
Myanmar

UN says Myanmar junta using ‘brutal violence’ to force people to vote

Many have also been imprisoned for disagreeing, including three youths sentenced to over 40 years each for hanging anti-election posters.

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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.

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Singapore

Singaporean charged with making fake terrorist threat after church bomb hoax

The man reportedly placed an item resembling an improvised explosive device inside St Joseph’s Church premises in Bukit Timah.

A Singapore police car drives into St Joseph’s Church, where a man reported a bomb threat. Photo: Facebook/Singapore Police Force
Africa

Nigeria secures release of 130 children abducted from Catholic school

Presidential spokesman confirms ‘none left in captivity’ after an operation frees students taken by gunmen in November.

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.

Israel-Gaza war

UN declares Gaza famine over, but ‘situation remains critical’

Meanwhile, Oxfam says hunger in Gaza remains ‘appalling and preventable’, accusing Israel of blocking aid from humanitarian agencies.

Displaced Palestinians gather to collect portions of cooked food at a charity distribution in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip in May. Photo: TNS
Diplomacy

Outside In | Six years on, are we better prepared for the next pandemic?

Preparedness plans remain a work in progress while health budgets have been sliced by urgent demands and US withdrawal weakens global coordination.

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A woman walks past the National Covid Memorial Wall in London, Britain, on November 20. Photo: EPA
Africa

UN says Sudan’s RSF killed 1,000 civilians in horrific 3-day attack on camp

New report details three days of terror at the Zamzam displacement camp in April, citing mass executions and gang rapes.

Myanmar

Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?

The junta has been emboldened to strike as China, Russia and the US are looking the other way to serve their own interests, analysts say.

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China-Latin America relations

China FM Wang Yi reaffirms Beijing’s backing for Venezuela as US pressure grows

In a call with his Caracas counterpart, the Chinese foreign minister says mutual trust and support are a tradition of bilateral ties.

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Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, pictured in Beijing earlier this year. Photo: AFP
War and conflict

War-torn Sudan tops global humanitarian crisis watch list for third year

International Rescue Committee highlights a stark concentration of human suffering in a small number of countries in latest rankings.

A Sudanese refugee girl who fled from El-Fashir city, Sudan, at a transit camp in eastern Chad. Photo: Reuters
War and conflict

Editorial | World must heed UN’s appeal for aid funding to ease suffering of millions

Nations need to prioritise conflict prevention and provide more relief as overstretched and underfunded humanitarian groups struggle to cope.

The Philippines

Can UN anti-corruption pact bring Zaldy Co back to Philippines?

The former lawmaker, who is facing charges linked to the Philippines’ flood control scandal, is suspected to have fled to Portugal.

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