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…

Tokyo, July 21 (IANS) The coalition led by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is…

Tehran, July 21 (IANS) Iran and the three European countries of France, Germany and Britain, collectively known as the E3, have agreed to resume negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, a semi-official news agency reported.Quoting an “informed source” without giving the name, Tasnim said Iran and the E3 are holding consultations on the date and venue of the negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported.According to the report, the upcoming negotiations are expected to be held at the level of deputy foreign ministers.Iran and the E3 have held several rounds of talks covering Tehran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions, among other issues, since September 2024.The three European countries have, over the past months, been threatening Iran with triggering the snapback mechanism, a clause in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015 between Iran and world powers, that will allow the other parties to reimpose all international sanctions if Iran fails to comply with the agreement.Tehran has warned several times that it will react strongly against the E3 if the mechanism is triggered.Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday that Britain, France, and Germany (E3) should not undermine the credibility of the UN Security Council (UNSC) by triggering the snapback mechanism to reinstate sanctions on Tehran.In a post on X, Araghchi said the E3 lacks the “legal, political, and moral standing” to invoke the 2015 nuclear deal’s provisions or the UNSC Resolution 2231, which permit the reimposition of international sanctions if Iran is found in non-compliance with the agreement.He noted that after the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, Iran exhausted dispute resolution mechanisms before taking remedial measures, while the E3 failed to honor their commitments and even backed the US “maximum pressure” policy.”The E3 must refrain from any action that would only deepen divisions in the Security Council or that would have serious adverse consequences on its work,” Araghchi said, noting that Iran is ready for “meaningful diplomacy,” but will resist hostile measures.–IANSint/rs

Sofia, July 20 (IANS) Bulgarian law enforcement authorities at the country’s Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint near the border with Turkey have seized 205.94 kg of cocaine hidden in a diplomatic car, officials said on Sunday.

This was the largest amount of cocaine seized at Bulgaria’s land borders, the National Customs Agency (NCA) said in a press release.The Land Rover with diplomatic license plates, driven by a 43-year-old Bulgarian citizen, arrived at the checkpoint on Friday.Two other passengers were travelling in the car from Belgium via Bulgaria to Turkey: a 40-year-old man, a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo with diplomatic status, and a 54-year-old woman with Belgian citizenship, born in the Republic of Congo, the NCA said.The vehicle underwent a thorough inspection involving a drug-sniffing dog, who pointed to four suitcases in the trunk and one in the back seat behind the driver.The suitcases were scanned with mobile X-ray equipment, which noted unusual densities. After opening, it was discovered that instead of personal luggage, they contained a total of 179 packages of cocaine with a total gross weight of 205.940 kg, Xinhua news agency reported.The illicit substance had an estimated court value of 22.1 million US dollars, the NCA said.The driver and his two companions were arrested. An investigation is underway.On March 25, Bulgarian authorities seized 40.802 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a sea container at the port of Burgas, NCA.The drugs, with an estimated court value of 10.5 million US dollars, were discovered last Friday during a search of a ship transporting banana containers from Ecuador, the NCA said in a press release.An X-ray scan revealed unusual density in the natural cavities of the container’s refrigeration unit. Upon inspection, customs officers and border police found 35 packages wrapped in tape. Field tests confirmed the packages contained high-purity cocaine.–IANSint/bdp/dan

Seoul, July 20 (IANS) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has decided Sunday to withdraw his nomination of Education Minister nominee Lee Jin-sook, the presidential office said, following a controversy surrounding allegations of academic plagiarism. The president, however, was widely viewed as likely to proceed with the appointment of Gender Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo, who has also faced public scrutiny over workplace abuse allegations involving former parliamentary aides.”Following contemplation, President Lee has decided to withdraw the nomination of nominee Lee,” presidential secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho told a press briefing, calling for the National Assembly to swiftly take follow-up measures.The decision came 21 days after Lee tapped the architecture professor as the first education minister of his administration.Lee, the nominee, however, has since faced allegations of unlawfully sending her daughter to study abroad at an early age, in addition to plagiarism claims, prompting some opposition lawmakers to call on her to resign, Yonhap news agency reported.The presidential office, meanwhile, did not mention the president’s remarks on Kang, raising speculation that Lee will push ahead with the appointment of the gender minister nominee.Addressing such a view, the presidential secretary said the president has only retracted his nomination for the education minister nominee.”It is well understood there have been various opinions, but I hope the public understands the decision was made through a comprehensive review,” Woo said.On July 19, rival political parties clashed again over key Cabinet nominees, particularly scandal-hit gender equality and education minister picks, following the conclusion of parliamentary confirmation hearings.The ruling Democratic Party (DP) urged the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) to cooperate in completing the Cabinet lineup proposed by President Lee Jae Myung, warning that continued delays could hinder efforts to revive the economy and address public concerns.”It is urgent to finalise the Cabinet to restore the livelihoods and economic stability,” said Rep. Baek Seung-ah, spokesperson for the party’s floor leadership.Baek criticised the PPP for agreeing only to adopt confirmation reports for economic, foreign and trade-related nominees while stalling on others, notably Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo and Education Minister Lee Jin-sook.–IANSint/bpd/dan

Islamabad, July 20 (IANS) Nine terrorists were killed and eight others arrested during a joint operation in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the last four days, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said on Sunday.
The ISPR said in a statement that the intelligence-based operation was conducted by the security forces along with the paramilitary force and the counter-terrorism department of police in Malakand district of the province.During the operation, security forces surrounded and effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after multiple intense fire exchanges, nine terrorists were killed, while eight others were apprehended, said the ISPR statement.Earlier today, four terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province, the military said.The security forces conducted the operation in Kalat district of the province on the reported presence of terrorists, the ISPR, the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement.According to the ISPR, a huge cache of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces in the area, Xinhua news agency reported.Sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate the presence of other terrorists from the area, it added.The military said the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.In a similar incident on June 16, five terrorists were killed during operations in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said.The security forces conducted two separate operations in Peshawar and North Waziristan districts of the province on the reported presence of terrorists, the ISPR, the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement.During an intelligence-based operation in Peshawar district, four terrorists were killed after an intense exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces, said the ISPR statement.Another intelligence-based operation was conducted in North Waziristan, and in ensuing fire exchange, one more terrorist was neutralised by the security forces, it added.–IANSint/bpd/dan