View: Russia is not isolated, despite Western sanctions, analyst says
The Ashgabat forum in Turkmenistan brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President M...
South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok moves to fill Constitutional Court vacancies, aiming to restore stability amid political turmoil following the impeachment of his predecessors.
South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok said on Tuesday he would immediately move to fill vacancies on the Constitutional Court in a effort to restore stability after the impeachment of two of his predecessors this month triggered political turmoil.
Finance Minister Choi became acting leader on Friday after the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been acting president since Dec. 14 when Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from power after a short-lived attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3.
Choi said he would appoint two Constitutional Court justices immediately, and a third when ruling and opposition parties can agree on nominating a candidate.
"Having succeeded as acting President on December 27, I decided to appoint Constitutional Court justices because of the urgency of ending political uncertainty and social conflict as soon as possible, to stop the possibility of crises in the economy and people's livelihoods," Choi said in a Cabinet meeting.
Credit ratings agency Fitch warned this month that any slowdown from a prolonged political crisis and internal division could lead to a credit rating cut in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
Han was impeached after he declined to immediately appoint three justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court, saying it would exceed his powers as acting president.
The court is set to decide the fate of both Yoon and Han, on whether to oust them from their positions completely or restore their powers.
South Korea's Constitution requires six justices to agree on the ouster of an impeached president. But the nine-member court had three vacancies, so the current justices would have had to vote unanimously to remove Yoon.
The appointment of the justices has been a point of contention between the opposition Democratic Party which controls parliament, and Yoon's ruling People Power Party.
Choi pleaded with the ruling and opposition parties to work with the government to resolve political uncertainties, handle the aftermath of the most severe plane crash on South Korean soil and bolster people's livelihoods.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has begun a two day visit to Kazakhstan, with officials from both sides describing the trip as an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, transport, industry, mining and cultural exchanges.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and engagement, as it pledged to work with the international community to help improve relations between the two countries.
The Ashgabat forum in Turkmenistan brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, raising questions about whether Russia remains connected to regional partners despite Western sanctions.
A bulk carrier struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday is owned by a Turkish company, a source familiar with the incident told Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun a multi-nation diplomatic tour of the Middle East, showing Beijing’s deepening engagement in a region undergoing conflicts, shifting alliances and major geopolitical realignments.
Pakistan and China are conducting a joint counterterrorism exercise, Warrior IX, to strengthen military cooperation. The drill comes at a time of renewed regional instability, with analysts saying it underscores both countries’ determination to deepen security ties.
A former estate of drug lord Pablo Escobar, now a wildlife park in Colombia, has marked Christmas by setting animals festive feeding challenges designed to boost their mental and physical health.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment