Seoul, Aug 8 (IANS) Former National Security Adviser of South Korea, Cho Tae-yong appeared before a special counsel team Friday for another round of questioning over allegations of government interference in an initial probe into the death of a Marine in 2023. Cho, who was questioned by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon’s team last week, told reporters that he would tell the truth as he arrived at the office in southern Seoul.The case centers on allegations the investigation results into the deat…

Washington, Aug 8 (IANS) A Pentagon official said Thursday that South Korea’s contributions through its alliance with the United States are “critical” to shoring up deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, as Washington prioritises deterring threats from an increasingly assertive China. John Noh, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, made the remarks during an event hosted by the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), underscoring South Korea’s military, economic and technological c…

Geneva, Aug 8 (IANS) The US tariffs place “a substantial strain” on Switzerland’s export-oriented economy, the Swiss government said, vowing to continue negotiations with the US to reduce the 39 per cent additional tariffs imposed on the country, which came into force Thursday.The decision was made following the trip of a Swiss delegation to the United States from Tuesday to Wednesday, led by President Karin Keller-Sutter and Vice President Guy Parmelin, the Federal Council said in a statement.T…

Moscow, Aug 8 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he hopes for a presidential summit with US President Donald Trump as early as next week, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a potential venue.Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Moscow and Washington have agreed to hold the presidential meeting in the coming days, with the US side having initiated the push for the high-level bilateral talks, Xinhua news agency reported.He echoed US Secretary of State M…

Mexico City, Aug 8 (IANS) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticised the latest anti-migrant raids in the United States, vowing to protect Mexican nationals staying in the neighbouring country.”We do not agree with the raids, and we will protect and help our compatriots,” the Mexican president said at her daily press conference on Thursday.Sheinbaum, who has urged efforts for the role of migrants in the US economy to be recognised, has worked to strengthen Mexico’s consular service in the US…

New York, Aug 8 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has ruled out negotiations with India on the tariffs that will rise to 50 per cent later this month.“No, not until we get it resolved”, he said when a reporter asked him if he expected more negotiations following the announcement of the 50 per cent tariff that is to take effect on August 27.It was not clear from the curt reply if he meant the resolution of the Ukraine War, since the additional 25 per cent punitive tariff he announced on Wednes…

United Nations, Aug 8 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “disheartened” by the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump that came into force on Thursday, according to his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.Guterres “has made clear that he believes that all trade wars are ruinous, and they need to be avoided”, Haq said on Thursday.“So, this is disheartening news”, he added.Guterres is concerned about the poorest, who will be affected the most by the higher tariffs, he sai…

Moscow, Aug 7 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday received India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at the Kremlin, marking a significant moment in the evolving strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.The meeting, held in the presence of senior Russian officials including Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, comes ahead of Putin’s expected visit to India later this month for the annual bilateral summit.From the Indian sid…

Islamabad, Aug 7 (IANS) Transgender community of Pakistan on Thursday organised a major protest against the rising number of violent attacks in Pakistan, especially the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Trans Action Alliance President Farzana Riaz and Manzil Foundation Executive Director Madam Arzoo Khan led the protest demonstration outside the Mardan Press Club, highlighting that the police has not been able to protect the community.Addressing media after the protest, Farzana said that 158 transgen…

Dhaka, Aug 7 (IANS) Several students from Jahangirnagar University (JU) of Bangladesh organised a torchlight procession and burned effigies labelled ‘Razakar’ in protest against an exhibition organised by Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of radical Islamist Party Jamaat-e-Islami at Dhaka University (DU), which showcased photos of “anti-liberation Razakars, Al-Badr members, and war criminals” from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.The students held the procession under the banner of progr…