3 d. ago National security offenders to be disqualified from Hong Kong’s Legco elections

Hong Kong authorities have proposed disqualifying anyone convicted of offences endangering national security from being nominated to run in a Legislative Council election or serving as a lawmaker. The Electoral Affairs Commission said a public consultation for the proposed guidelines, which include several changes related to national security, was launched on Thursday and would wrap up on August 1. The proposals were shared months before the next Legco election on December 7, the second to be...

Politics

3 d. ago Hong Kong plans to update prison rules to better guard national security

Hong Kong’s security and prison agencies plan to update the current prison rules to tighten visiting criteria for specific lawyers, doctors and chaplains to ensure they safeguard national security, prevent crime and maintain order and discipline of those behind bars. In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council on Thursday, the Security Bureau and the Correctional Services Department laid out five “key purposes” that would form the grounds for prison staff to impose additional restrictions,...

Events

1 week ago NSA Doval meets Russian Security Council deputy secretary in Beijing on SCO sidelines

NSA Doval meets Russian Security Council deputy secretary in Beijing on SCO sidelines  Mangalorean.com

Events

1 week ago Why Strait of Hormuz matters – and what a blockade could mean for China, Asia

Iran’s parliament has approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz after the United States launched military strikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend. The final decision rests with the country’s Supreme National Security Council and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – but the move has already deepened fears for the global energy trade. In this explainer, we examine why this matters and what the implications of a blockade would be. Where is the Strait of Hormuz? Why is it so...

Politics

2 w. ago Russia and China push for a ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran

Russia and China push for a ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran  France 24

Events

2 w. ago UN Security Council meets on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire

UN Security Council meets on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire  Reuters

Events

2 w. ago Pakistan, China and Russia to push for ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran

Pakistan, China and Russia to push for ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran  Arab News

Events

2 w. ago UN Security Council to meet on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire

UN Security Council to meet on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire  Reuters

Events

2 w. ago China, US at loggerheads in emergency UN Security Council meeting on Iran

China and the United States were at loggerheads in an emergency UN Security Council meeting called a day after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a move that marked a major escalation in the Israel-Iran air war. “We call for an immediate ceasefire and end to the hostilities in the context of the abrupt escalation of tensions in the Middle East,” said Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN. “We call for effective protection of civilians. The ultimate victims of all...

Events

2 w. ago Why a UN Security Council seat is ‘crucial’ to the Philippines

The Philippines has a strong chance of gaining a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), according to observers. Manila has renewed its bid, with its foreign secretary stressing the country’s track record as a “pathfinder and peacemaker”. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo reiterated the Philippines’ UN aspirations in a speech in New York earlier this week to more than 300 diplomats and guests at his country’s Independence Day celebrations. He pointed to the...

Events

3 w. ago Chinese envoy urges Israel to halt ‘risky’ Iran attacks, warns of consequences

A senior Chinese diplomat has urged Israel to halt its military actions against Iran as tensions between the two Middle Eastern rivals mount, warning the escalating conflict could have “serious consequences”. Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that the surging tensions in the region did not serve the interests of any party. “China urges Israel to immediately stop all risky military actions to avoid further escalation of...

Events

3 w. ago Russia, China condemn Israel's attacks on Iran in UN Security Council

Russia, China condemn Israel's attacks on Iran in UN Security Council  Ynetnews

Events

4 w. ago China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action

China has increasingly taken on the role of conflict mediator on the world stage – hosting negotiations, proposing peace plans and even deploying personnel to oversee ceasefires. Once reluctant to engage in United Nations peacekeeping activities, it now provides more troops than any other permanent member of the Security Council. These are dramatic shifts for a country that was once a staunch advocate of non-interference. As its economic and security interests now reach far beyond its borders,...

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