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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.
Former UN high commissioner for human rights Navanethem Pillay at at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasil on November 12, 2009. Photo: Reuters
Nobel Prize

Opinion | Nobel Peace Prize: the message behind Navi Pillay’s win

With global institutions under attack and Trump’s power politics on the rise, the award is a firm rejection of the ‘might is right’ doctrine.

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Israel-Gaza war

China urges Israel to stop West Bank expansion and ease Gaza crisis

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Middle East

Yemen’s Houthis attack presidential palace in Aden with missiles

United States

Trump scraps plan to live-stream Fort Hood shooter’s execution by firing squad

US president says former US Army psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan’s execution will proceed, with victims’ immediate families allowed to attend.

US President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AP
Environment

Global deforestation fell in 2025, but Congo Basin losses surged

Worldwide destruction dropped 15 per cent, though impending super El Nino threatens 2030 targets.

Middle East

Houthi official warns US against entering war in Yemen as Saudis weather attacks

Rebel group threatens US interests while aviation notice shows Riyadh airport operations suspended through October 17.

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Japan

Opinion | Japan’s geopolitical predicament is partly self-imposed

Tokyo needs to recalibrate what constitutes true national dignity with respect to its relationships with the US and China.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 15. In Japan’s political tradition, national dignity has been about being accepted as a peer of the West and standing above other Asian countries. Photo: Reuters
Ageing society

Opinion | Don’t leave Asia’s ageing debate until it’s too late

As the global gap between healthspan and lifespan widens to almost a decade, an ageing Asia’s health question is increasingly a business one.

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Africa

At least 139 migrants dead, dozens missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti

UN agency says vessel carrying 305 mostly Ethiopian passengers sank on a dangerous Red Sea route to Yemen.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s main airport hit by new Houthi strike day after deadly attack

Riyadh’s international airport targeted again as strikes expose vulnerabilities in Saudi defence capabilities.

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Smoke and flames rise from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after an attack on October 8, 2026. Photo: Social media via Reuters
United States

My Take | The US and Israel have gone full rogue

As Israel denounces Nobel Peace laureate Navi Pillay, the US sanctions the entire International Criminal Court.

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The International Criminal Court building in The Hague. The US has added the ICC to its Specially Designated Nationals list, alongside violent criminals and drug cartels. Photo: TNS
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Truth needs a treaty in this age of AI disinformation

When algorithmic lies threaten world peace, international law must step in to protect verified facts and defend reality.

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Mainland China

China ‘more involved’ in funding global development bodies: report

Think tank analysts say fastest growth in funding has been to multilateral development banks assisting low-income countries.

The Philippines

Can the Philippines lead Southeast Asia’s fight against child labour?

As Manila puts together a new road map to end child labour by 2028, analysts warn policies alone cannot overcome poverty.

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Two rescued Filipino child labourers show their painted hands before a ceremony to improve the lives of children held at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila in 2001. Photo: AFP
Yemen

Saudi Arabia says 3 killed at Riyadh airport as Yemen war expands

Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government forces it backs have struggled to contain the Houthis’ advance.

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A Houthi fighter participates in an offensive against Saudi-backed Yemeni forces in Taiz province, Yemen. Photo: EPA
World Health Organization (WHO)

China nominates Song Li for WHO chief as agency faces shake-up from US exit

If elected, she would be the first mainland Chinese director general of the United Nations health agency.

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South Korea

North Korea decries medical aid, says ‘nothing to give or receive’ from Seoul

North Korean leader Kim’s sister said the neighbour must show ‘respect’ to mend ties instead of indulging in ‘political provocation’.

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Middle East

Yemen’s Houthis attack Aden airport as fighting intensifies

Fighting has been focused in recent days on areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities take part in a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Why Singapore must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust

Vivian Balakrishnan says Singapore must maintain trust with Washington and Beijing without becoming a proxy for either.

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Myanmar

Malaysia repatriates 1,500 Myanmar nationals despite UN risk warnings

The returnees have been convicted of staying illegally and other immigration violations in Malaysia.

United States

‘America is back’, AI ‘conspiracy’, China’s Laos deal: 7 global relations reads

From anger over AI to Asian diplomacy and scam calls, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in September 2026.

US President Donald Trump speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
The Philippines

What does Philippines seek with new Thitu map in South China Sea?

By publishing coordinates, charts and the legitimate basis of its position, the Philippines is aiming to reduce legal ambiguity, experts say.

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Thitu residents fish off the island. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
China-Latin America relations

China backs Cuba, Beijing’s Panama threat: 7 Latin America relations reads

From geopolitical alliances to a record-making UN vote, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in September 2026.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo appoints new foreign minister

Arrmanatha Nasir is a career diplomat who was Indonesia’s former permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.

United States

First execution of a woman in US state of Tennessee for 200 years halted

Christa Pike, who has alleged that she was a victim of childhood sexual abuse, was 18 when she murdered Colleen Slemmer in 1995.

The US state of Tennessee was originally set to execute convicted US murderer Christa Pike on Wednesday. Photo: Tennessee Department of Correction/AFP
North Korea

Video | South Korea demands Ukraine apology over POW transfer

Seoul said Ukrainian leader Zelensky’s UN revelation has damaged trust between ⁠the two governments and that it is reviewing additional measures.

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Japan

Japan denies ‘militarisation’ after Russia opposes permanent UN council seat

Japan’s top spokesman says Japan has ‘consistently defended freedom, democracy and the rule of law’ since the end of World War II.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says he expects new Iran talks after rejecting proposal

US president muses about resuming full-scale strikes, saying Iran ‘overplayed their hand’.

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