John Mees

CNN Photojournalist

[Rebecca Wright @bexwright1]

“I was really worried.. I didn’t think they would make it out alive” French diver Robin Cuesta tells @willripleyCNN after 4 men trapped in a flooded cave in central Laos miraculously crawled out by themselves. A 5th was rescued on Friday. Teams are still searching for 2 others.

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

We were the only international journalists on the scene in central Laos as four of the seven villagers trapped inside a flooded cave shocked rescuers and the world when they walked out on their own

@bexwright1 @isaacyeephoto @KochaOlarn @JohnMeesCNN

https://t.co/ks90gIxptV

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

Taiwan is locked in a fierce debate over defense spending, deterrence and dialogue with China. KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun defended a dramatically scaled back military package and rejected accusations she is echoing Beijing’s narrative.
@jimsciutto @whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

As Washington pressures Taiwan to spend big on defenses against a potential Chinese attack, one of the island’s most outspoken politicians is arguing the opposite approach: less confrontation and more dialogue.

w/ @whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN

https://t.co/huhiMUHYWR

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

BREAKING: New hantavirus case tied to the MV Hondius outbreak confirmed in Switzerland. 3 people dead. Ship sailing toward Spain’s Canary Islands, where some officials oppose letting it dock. Growing concern Andes strain could be airborne. @whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN @OutFrontCNN

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

Taiwan’s KMT leader Cheng Li-wun was ‘peacemaxxing’ and poking at the US and Japan during her China visit: “I hope the Taiwan Strait will no longer be a flashpoint for conflict nor a chessboard allowing external interference.”

@whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN

https://t.co/b2UZcK1ZEH

[CNN Asia Pacific PR @cnnasiapr]

.@cnnsport #FreeSolo climber #AlexHonnold conquers one of the world’s tallest buildings. @jessieyeung8 @whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN have more
#Taiwan #Taipei101
https://t.co/DwjG9WCVx6

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

I learned how to make Taiwan’s world-famous xiao long bao soup dumplings from the Chairman of the island’s iconic (and highly profitable) restaurant chain, Din Tai Fung!

@whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN @klustout @cnnipr @cnnasiapr

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

Taiwan Defense Ministry:
130 China PLA warplanes and 22 ships detected in 24 hours.
90 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line.
130 is the second-largest daily total on record.
The largest: 153 PLA warplanes on Oct. 14, 2024

@jimsciutto @AC360 @bexwright1 @JohnMeesCNN

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

Yes, even South Korea's president is a fan of KPop Demon Hunters. President @Jaemyung_Lee talks to me about the power of K-culture.

@jimsciutto @yoonjung_seo @imgawonbae @JohnMeesCNN

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

With stakes high for APEC, South Korea’s new president @Jaemyung_Lee hails the US alliance and welcomes Trump as a ‘peacemaker’ even as the US demands $350 billion in upfront investment in exchange for lower import tariffs.

@jimsciutto @yoonjung_seo @imgawonbae @JohnMeesCNN

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

Does China see an opportunity to shake up the world order as it watches Trump and Putin? Some here in Taiwan fear this island democracy could eventually be “traded away.”

@ErinBurnett @OutFrontCNN @yongxiong2008 @whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

“Welcome to Taiwan in 2025…”

@JohnMeesCNN @whannyuanc

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

ICYMI
Next Stop Taiwan
Swipe for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
@jmsit @jonjensenCNN @whannyuanc @JohnMeesCNN @exxonruebe

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

“Everything looks pretty bad.”
Fewer Chinese students are coming to the U.S., now surpassed by Indian students as the top source of international enrollment. Recruiters cite Trump-era visa crackdowns, rising anti-Asian sentiment, and political uncertainty as key factors. These students contribute billions to the U.S. economy and help drive scientific and tech innovation. Now? Many are choosing Canada, the U.K., and Australia instead. @PoloSandovalCNN @JohnMeesCNN @whannyuanc @EricCheungwc @yongxiong2008

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

What to make of Russia FM Lavrov’s third trip to North Korea since Oct. 2023? It comes as NK may be sending up to 30,000 more troops to Ukraine. After NK, Lavrov heads to China. I’d love to be fly on the wall during those talks…

@JohnMeesCNN @whannyuanc

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

After months of secrecy, North Korea and Russia are flaunting their military alliance. By why now? @shreyas_k_reddy reports for @nknewsorg the timing may be an attempt to gain leverage for talks with Trump.

@EricCheungwc @JohnMeesCNN @OutFrontCNN @ErinBurnett

[John Mees @JohnMeesCNN]

RT @willripleyCNN: Fighting for Russia. Fighting for Ukraine. Chinese citizens caught on both sides of Putin’s brutal war — as private merc…

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

Three U.S. senators visit Taiwan amid rising China tensions. Sen. Chris Coons tells CNN the trip is about “reassurance”—as Taiwanese leaders quietly worry about tariffs, war, and Washington’s direction.

@EricCheungwc @JohnMeesCNN @ChrisCoons

[Will Ripley @willripleyCNN]

BREAKING: Awaiting China's response as Trump raises tariffs to 125%. Beijing remains defiant on escalating trade war as it faces internal military crisis. People's Liberation Army purge deepens with a top General missing in action. China censored CNN's reporting on the military purge during @OutFrontCNN

@ErinBurnett @whannyuanc @yongxiong2008 @JohnMeesCNN