Around the Globe

The United States on Monday defended at the United Nations Israel’s right to recognize Somaliland, comparing it to states’ recognition of Palestine and framing it as a sovereign diplomatic decision. Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce told delegates in New York that Israel held the same right as any other sovereign state to establish diplomatic relations and that UN members should respect each other’s recognition choices. She said Washington would monitor reactions, consult partners, and participate in UN discussions on how recognition decisions affect regional stability, existing UN resolutions, and ongoing political processes in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.

Singapore’s Commercial Affairs Department is seeking to seize additional assets in Singapore linked to Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi and his Prince Group after new information surfaced in court. The targeted assets include cheques exceeding S$3.7 million and bonds worth more than US$200,000. Court documents detail the links drawn by authorities between the financial instruments, Chen and entities under Prince Group, as prosecutors invoke Singapore’s anti-money laundering and criminal proceeds laws. The case forms part of a wider cross-border investigation into alleged scam-related activities and the movement of funds through Singapore’s financial system.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recorded 118 public appearances from January through November 2025, marking his busiest year in nine years, according to data based on North Korea’s state media reports. Monitoring records showed that Kim increased on-site inspections tied to a five-year national development plan and expanded his diplomatic engagements, including meetings with foreign delegations and visits to key industrial, military, and construction sites. The 2025 tally exceeded his annual appearance counts since 2016 and reflected Pyongyang’s stated focus on economic development, defense capabilities, and major infrastructure projects under the current five-year plan.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has launched an awareness campaign to enforce a public smoking ban and a Rs500 fine for violators after recent executive and municipal assembly approvals. City officials are informing residents, coordinating with police and ward offices, directing businesses to post no-smoking signs and planning phased outreach in schools and public spaces to ensure compliance across government offices, transport, parks and other shared areas.

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s northeastern coast on Saturday at 11:05 p.m. local time, according to the US Geological Survey, while Taiwan’s weather agency measured it at magnitude 7.0 and a depth of 73 kilometers. The offshore quake, the second major tremor to hit the island within days, prompted authorities to assess potential damage, monitor for aftershocks, and review seismic data. No tsunami warning was immediately issued, and early checks focused on infrastructure, transportation, and local reports of shaking across affected areas.