The China Mail - Politics

Old boys' club? S Korea plotters' high school links in spotlight

Key figures in South Korea's failed martial law bid share one key connection: they are all graduates of a prestigious, all-boys school in Seoul.

Indonesia, Philippines agree on repatriation of Filipina on death row

Manila and Jakarta signed an agreement Friday to repatriate Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row for drug charges in Indonesia since 2015, with officials saying she could return to the Philippines before Christmas.

EU chief meeting South American leaders to try to close trade deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet leaders of South America's Mercosur bloc on Friday, aiming to push through a controversial pact to create the world's biggest free trade zone despite last-minute resistance.

Syria rebel leader says goal is to overthrow Assad

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on Friday.

Copenhagen takes on its biggest climate threat -- water

In low-lying Copenhagen where rising sea levels, groundwater and rainfall pose a risk to infrastructure, the Danish capital is trying to adapt and protect urban areas from climate change.

'People want change': inside Romania's far-right stronghold

In the Romanian village of Mihai Viteazu, where far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu performed particularly well in the first-round election in which he stormed to a surprise lead, businessman Ciprian Gavrila explained why.

Taiwan's Lai says 'confident' of deeper cooperation with Trump

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Friday he was "confident" of deeper cooperation with the next Donald Trump administration, a day after his call with US Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson that angered China.

Strikes on key bridge linking Syria's Homs, Hama: war monitor

Air strikes targeted a bridge on the highway linking the Syrian cities of Homs and Hama, a war monitor said Friday, as government forces scramble to secure Homs after Islamist-led rebels captured Hama and commercial hub Aleppo.

South Korean ruling party says 'dangerous' president must go

South Korea's ruling party chief demanded Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol be removed from office after his abortive attempt to impose martial law, warning there was a "significant risk" he could try to subvert civilian rule again.

Most markets down as traders assess crises in S.Korea, France

Asian markets mostly fell Friday at the end of a volatile week, with South Korean stocks and the won still under pressure with the president's job hanging by a thread as he faces impeachment.

Taiwan's Lai visits Palau as China fumes over Pacific tour

Taiwan's largest coast guard patrol ship took part in a joint rescue drill in Palau on Friday, as visiting President Lai Ching-te fortifies ties in the Pacific where China has been poaching its allies.

Defiant Macron seeks new French PM, exit from crisis

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday was to hold talks with political factions as he seeks to name a new prime minister and find a way out of France's political crisis.

India, Pakistan share climate challenges but not solutions

Choking smog, scorching heat and ravaging floods -- arch-rivals India and Pakistan share the same environmental challenges, offering a rare but unrealised opportunity for collaboration, according to experts.

Lavrov says Russia ready to defend itself through 'any means'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday said he hoped Ukraine's allies took "seriously" Moscow's recent use of a hypersonic missile in the conflict there, and warned that Russia was ready to use "any means" to defend itself.

South Korean ruling party demands Yoon step down

South Korea's ruling party chief demanded Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol stand down over his martial law attempt, warning he posed a great danger to the country.

US neighbors balk at Trump plan for deported migrants

The Bahamas on Thursday said it had rejected a proposal from the incoming Trump administration to receive deported migrants, with Mexico and Panama also stressing they would only take back their own citizens.

France's Macron vows to stay on, promises PM in 'coming days'

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday vowed to name a new prime minister in the coming days to prevent France from sliding deeper into political turmoil, rejecting growing pressure from the opposition to resign.

Macron promises new French PM in 'coming days'

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday vowed to name a new prime minister in the coming days to prevent France from sliding deeper into political turmoil after Michel Barnier's government was ousted in a historic no-confidence vote.

Iceland authorises whale hunting until 2029

Iceland, one of only three countries still allowing whale hunting, on Thursday issued permits to two whaling companies for the next five years, until 2029, the outgoing government announced.

Fresh protests in Georgia after PM vows to 'eradicate' opposition

Thousands rallied across Georgia on Thursday for a second week of pro-EU protests, after the prime minister threatened to "eradicate" the country's "liberal-fascist" opposition.

UK's Starmer vows to 'take country forward' in reset bid

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled "ambitious" plans to reform housing, boost police numbers and fix ailing health services in a de facto reboot of his government Thursday after a bumpy first five months in power.

Bahamas rejects Trump proposal to take deported migrants

The Bahamas on Thursday said it had rejected a proposal from the incoming Trump administration to take in deported migrants, as the next US president seeks to follow up on pledges to tackle immigration.

Accusations and walkouts as Ukraine, Russia ministers clash at Malta meeting

Ukraine's foreign minister called Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov a "war criminal" Thursday as they both attended an international meeting in Malta, the latter's first visit to an EU country since the 2022 invasion.

France's Macron seeks new PM after Barnier resigns

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday sought a new prime minister to prevent France from sliding deeper into political turmoil after Michel Barnier's government was ousted in a historic no-confidence vote in parliament.

EU chief lands in South America to try close contentious trade deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday that a controversial free-trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur bloc was "in sight" as she arrived in Latin America to try finalize the accord despite fierce resistance from France.

Accusations and walkouts as Ukraine, Russia ministers clash at Malta

Ukraine's foreign minister called Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov a "war criminal" Thursday as they both attended an international meeting in Malta, the latter's first visit to an EU country since the 2022 invasion.

OPEC+ extends oil supply cuts through March

Several OPEC+ countries, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, agreed Thursday to extend oil supply cutsfor three months through March to avoid a sharp drop in prices in a global market awash in crude.

UK's Starmer vows to 'take country forward' in reset bid after 150 days

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Thursday unveiled "ambitious and credible" plans to reform housing, boost police numbers and fix ailing health services in a de facto relaunch of his government after a bumpy first five months in power.

S. Korean politician who tussled with soldier says felt 'fear'

A South Korean politician who grabbed a soldier's gun in a tense standoff during President Yoon Suk Yeol's abortive attempt at martial law told AFP she was scared but that democracy was worth fighting for.

Islamist-led rebels capture key Syrian city of Hama

Islamist-led rebel forces captured the central Syrian city of Hama on Thursday, overrunning forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad only days after capturing Aleppo in a lightning offensive.

France's Macron seeks new PM after no-confidence defeat