China continues to tread carefully in its approach to Syria’s new political reality, despite its potential to position itself as a central player in the country’s reconstruction efforts after years of devastating war.

For the first time in six decades, South Korea has officially stepped into Syria, marking a bold diplomatic shift in the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s fall.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is facing pressure to step down after his martial law announcement shocked MPs, the public and international allies.

The plan to dump treated radioactive waste water from a nuclear plant into the sea has stirred debates in South Korea, and led to boycotts of Japanese goods in China.