Fuzhou, July 21 (IANS) China’s Fujian Province activated a Level-IV flood control emergency response at…

Seoul, July 21 (IANS) Eighteen people in South Korea have been killed and nine others remain unaccounted for following heavy rains and landslides that began ravaging the country last week, the government said on Monday.The casualties as of 9 p.m. Sunday include 10 dead in the southern county of Sancheong, two in the northern county of Gapyeong and two in the western city of Seosan, according to the interior ministry.Four of the missing were reported in Sancheong, while another four were reported in Gapyeong.More than 14,000 people have taken shelter across 15 major cities and provinces since the heavy rains started last Wednesday.Property damage has been extensive, with 1,999 cases reported at public facilities and 2,238 cases reported at private facilities as of 6 p.m. Sunday.The state weather agency has forecast more rainfall through Monday morning in South Jeolla Province, South Gyeongsang Province and the southern island of Jeju.North Jeolla Province and North Gyeongsang Province are expected to see rainfall starting at 9 a.m., while the capital area and the Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces are forecast to receive rain in the afternoon, Yonhap news agency reported.The government has lifted all heavy rain advisories and, on Sunday, lowered the warning level from “serious” to “attention.”The South Korean Army has deployed some 2,500 military personnel and equipment to areas hit hard by the recent torrential rain to help recovery work, the armed services said on Monday.A total of around 2,500 emergency personnel and 20 equipment have been deployed in the southwestern city of Gwangju, parts of the South Chungcheong Province and the South Gyeongsang Province since Thursday, according to the Army.The heavy rains and landslides that began last week have killed 18 people and left nine others missing so far, displacing more than 14,000 people across 15 major cities and provinces.The recovery efforts centred on overhauling houses and stores flooded from the rains, including removing soil and organising household items, the Army said, adding that it will continue to assist recovery efforts.–IANSint/jk/sd

Hong Kong, July 21 (IANS) The Hong Kong Observatory on Monday morning cancelled all warning signals for tropical cyclones as Wipha, the sixth typhoon of this year, left the city.
Transportation services are resuming in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong link road of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge reopened to all vehicles from midnight on Monday, said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.Airport Authority Hong Kong said the three runways and all apron facilities at the Hong Kong International Airport are functioning well. Many flights were rescheduled on Sunday due to the typhoon. From 8:00 p.m. Sunday to 6:00 a.m. On Monday, a total of 120 flights arrived and 114 departed.The Hong Kong Observatory forecast rainstorms and big waves on Monday in the wake of the typhoon and alerted residents to stay vigilant and stay away from the coasts, Xinhua news agency reported.By 7:40 p.m. on Sunday, when Wipha made a second landfall near Hailing Island in Yangjiang, 33 residents had received treatment at public hospitals for injuries caused by rainstorms, local data showed.The landfall happened at around 8:15 p.m. as a strong tropical storm, after first landing at around 5:50 p.m. near Haiyan Town of Jiangmen City in Guangdong.According to the Hainan Meteorological Service, Typhoon Wipha intensified from a tropical storm to a strong tropical storm in the early hours of Saturday. At 8 a.m., its centre was located in the northeastern part of the South China Sea, approximately 930 kilometres east of Wenchang City of Hainan.Due to its impact, most sea areas and land regions in Hainan experienced rainstorms and strong winds.Additionally, Guangdong maintained specialised rescue vessels and helicopters, along with high-power tugboats and cleanup vessels on standby.–IANSint/bpd/sd

Seoul, July 21 (IANS) South Korea’s special counsel team said on Monday that it has summoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former first lady Kim Keon Hee to appear for questioning over allegations of election interference and other irregularities.Special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team sent a summons to the Seoul Detention Centre, where Yoon is under arrest, to request his appearance as a suspect at 10 a.m. July 29, assistant special counsel Moon Hong-ju said during a press briefing.The team also mailed a summons to Kim’s residence to request her appearance as a suspect at 10 a.m. on August 6, he said.Kim is expected to be questioned about her alleged involvement in two different stock price manipulation schemes, her alleged acceptance of luxury goods from a shaman, and her alleged meddling in election nominations, according to a team official.Yoon is also suspected of interfering in nominations for elections, Yonhap news agency reported.Earlier on July 19, a special counsel team had indicted former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of abuse of authority over his short-lived imposition of martial law.It marked Yoon’s third indictment with detention following previous ones in January and in March related to his martial law declaration on December 3 and other power abuse charges.According to the team led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk, Yoon is accused of violating the rights of Cabinet members during the martial law deliberation process, retroactively drafting the martial law declaration, ordering the deletion of records from encrypted phones and other offences.On Friday, a court dismissed Yoon Suk Yeol’s petition against his arrest, keeping him in custody over his failed attempt to impose martial law.The Seoul Central District Court issued the ruling after concluding a hearing that reviewed the legality of Yoon’s arrest and whether it should remain in place.–IANSint/jk/sd

Dhaka, July 21 (IANS) A fresh political controversy has emerged in Bangladesh as rival parties clash over one prominent leader simultaneously holding multiple key positions in both the government and the political party, local media reported.Addressing reporters on Sunday following the 15th day of the second phase of dialogue between political parties and the National Consensus Commission (NCC) of Bangladesh, at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed divulged the details of the meeting.As political discord emerged, the BNP backed the idea of one person holding multiple roles, including Prime Minister, Leader of the House, and party chief. However, the National Consensus Commission (NCC) of Bangladesh suggested restricting individuals to a single top position, a proposal supported by the National Citizen Party (NCP) and several others.In contrast, the Jamaat-e-Islami supported the idea of one person holding two roles, the Prime Minister and Leader of the House, but opposed the control of all three positions by one individual.“There is not much disagreement about the Prime Minister also serving as Leader of the House. But whether the same person should also be the party chief remains a matter of debate. Our party has submitted a written proposal and presented the same argument in earlier discussions,” Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, Dhaka Tribune, quoted the BNP leader Salahuddin as saying.“The option to become prime minister should remain open to the party chief — it is a democratic right. If the parliamentary party chooses, the leader may become prime minister, or they may nominate someone else. But keeping that option open is crucial. A provision that someone cannot be prime minister simply because they are the party chief would be undemocratic and contrary to the practice of parliamentary democracy,” he added.Citing a completely divergent view, Ariful Islam Adeeb, senior joint convener of the NCP, said, “One person holding the positions of Prime Minister, party chief, and Leader of the House prevents the development of alternative leadership. We want an end to this tradition.”While radical Islamist party Jamaat leader Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said that when one individual occupies the positions of Prime Minister, Leader of the House, and party chief, it undermines the political order.“MPs are unable to speak out, and party leaders and activists live in fear. We believe one person may hold the roles of prime minister and Leader of the House, but not that of party chief. This would help restore balance in the political structure and allow leadership to flourish,” the Jamaat leader stated.Last month, the second phase of discussions involving 30 political parties and the NCC was launched as political uncertainty and instability continued to grip Bangladesh.The latest round of talks is aimed at completing the recommendations of various reform commissions set by the interim government and drafting the July Charter. The discussions focused on continuing with the reform commission recommendations that were left unfinished during the first round.The lack of a clear roadmap for reforms and holding elections has fuelled major political unrest in Bangladesh as leaders from several political parties continue to question the Muhammad Yunus-led government’s controversial policies and the poor performance of his dubious advisors.–IANSint/scor/rs/skp

New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday extended his congratulations to Ambassador Cho Hyun on his appointment as the new Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote: “Congratulate Amb Cho Hyun on his appointment as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea. Look forward to working together to further strengthen our Special Strategic Partnership.”Ambassador Cho Hyun, a seasoned diplomat, previously served as South Korea’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and has held key diplomatic roles across the globe.FM Cho Hyun on Monday issued a rare public apology for the ministry’s past diplomatic conduct that he said had been misused for political purposes under the previous Yoon Suk Yeol government.Cho made the remarks at his inauguration ceremony as the first foreign minister under President Lee Jae Myung, who took office last month following the ouster of Yoon over his botched martial law imposition in December.”Over the past few years, diplomatic issues were used for domestic political purposes, and the field of diplomacy, where national interest and pragmatism should prevail, was often approached in a black-and-white manner,” Cho said.”As foreign minister, I offer my sincere apology to the public,” he noted, adding the foreign ministry has failed to meet public expectations throughout the process and vowing to reform the organization to prevent a recurrence of such missteps.In this time of growing geopolitical instability, establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula has to be South Korea’s top diplomatic priority, Cho pointed out, Yonhap news agency reported.”We must work closely with the United States to ease tensions on the peninsula and create a path for dialogue with North Korea,” he said, also stressing the need to make “tangible” progress in efforts toward resolving North Korea’s nuclear issues.–IANSint/rs

Washington, July 21 (IANS) The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has strongly backed the recent designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), emphasising that the group’s violent actions warrant international condemnation and justice, not leniency.Posting on its official handle on X, the committee stated: “President Trump calls it like it is. The Resistance Front is a foreign terrorist organization and deserves the designation. When you butcher civilians, you don’t get a pass—you get JUSTICE.”The remarks came after the US Department of State officially designated TRF, a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).The group claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were brutally killed in one of the deadliest attacks on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.In its official statement, the US Department of State said: “The Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024.”The department emphasised that these actions reflect the Trump Administration’s commitment to national and global security.“These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrate the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.”The TRF designation comes amid increasing international pressure on Pakistan to curb terror groups operating from its soil. India has long accused Pakistan of sheltering and supporting LeT and its front organisations, including TRF, which emerged in 2019 as a shadow group to avoid international scrutiny.–IANSrs/dpb

Seoul, July 21 (IANS) Newly appointed Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol on Monday pledged to prioritise national interest and practical outcomes in upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States, saying he will seek to visit Washington at the earliest date possible.

Koo said discussions are ongoing to finalise the schedule for his visit, with less than two weeks remaining before the August 1 deadline for the tariff negotiations with the Donald Trump administration.”I plan to meet (with US officials) at the earliest opportunity to explain South Korea’s position and seek understanding, so that the negotiations will proceed in a manner aligned with our national interest and practical needs,” Koo told reporters.Koo also cited price stabilisation, particularly for daily necessities impacted by recent flood damage, as a short-term priority, Yonhap news agency reported.Meanwhile, Koo also stressed the importance of innovation and collaboration, pledging to lead the Ministry of Economy and Finance through a transformative period”Let us become icons of innovation,” Koo said in his inauguration address, urging ministry officials to integrate innovative ideas into their work to produce tangible results.Koo also underscored the need for enhanced cooperation and convergence with related ministries, as well as a problem-solving mindset.The minister added that employees who come up with creative ideas will be given exceptional rewards, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation.–IANSint/rs

Damascus, July 21 (IANS) Syria’s foreign affairs authorities blamed Druze militias for obstructing a humanitarian convoy bound for the southern province of Sweida.In a statement, the authorities said the convoy transporting medical supplies was blocked from entering Sweida for the second time in four days, accusing the Druze armed groups of imposing conditions on the aid’s entry.Only a limited portion of the aid, accompanied by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, was allowed in, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the statement.”The deteriorating security situation is a direct result of ongoing Israeli intervention and the withdrawal of Syrian security forces,” the statement said. “This has led to a loss of control, impeding efforts to provide essential services and meet basic needs.”Emergency authorities chief Raed al-Saleh told state television earlier on Sunday that aid convoys have been waiting for days to enter Sweida but that “the complex security situation and the kidnapping of colleagues” have delayed deliveries.According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the recent violent clashes between local Druze fighters and Bedouin tribal militias have left more than 1,000 dead.Earlier on Saturday, the Syrian authorities declared an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, marking a significant turning point in the deadly sectarian clashes in southern Syria, which prompted a recent Israeli intervention with massive airstrikes.In a statement issued Saturday, the Syrian authorities said the truce aimed to preserve national unity and ensure the safety of civilians amid “critical circumstances,” describing the move as a national and humanitarian obligation.The authorities called on all parties to cease hostilities and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.–IANSint/rs

Damascus, July 21 (IANS) Heavy clashes broke out between Druze fighters and the interim government-aligned…