International News
Ukraine’s first lady calls for unceasing global unity against Russia’s aggression

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska made an emphatic appeal on Thursday for unflagging global solidarity behind her country’s struggle against Russia’s aggression, stressing the “democratic values of the entire world” are at stake in the prolonged conflict.
In an exclusive written interview with Yonhap news agency, Zelenska cautioned against any apathy toward the war touched off by Russia’s February 24 invasion and delivered an impassioned message: “Do not get used to the war.”
“I would like to emphasise that there is no place for a neutral position in this war,” the wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “You cannot dismiss it as something distant and irrelevant, because this war threatens not only Ukraine but also the democratic values of the whole world.”
She then stressed Ukraine is in need of “everything,” ranging from humanitarian aid and weapons to assistance for its post-war reconstruction.
The interview came as global attention appears to have relatively diminished compared with the initial stage of the war when the entire world was acutely aghast at the biggest conflict on European soil since the end of World War II in 1945.
Zelenska accentuated the importance of media attention, saying, “Indifference kills (people) indirectly.”
“This is my message to the media — give Ukraine maximum coverage and do not stop,” she said.
As part of her plea for Seoul’s support, Zelenska drew a comparison between South Korea’s experience of the 1950-53 war and the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine, saying the two countries have “a lot in common.”
“You, like us, know what it’s like to live next door to a neighbor who constantly threatens not only you, but the entire world with nuclear weapons,” she said.
“In the 1950s, the Western world came together to help South Korea win its war for freedom. Now the Western world has also united around Ukraine.”
Since the outbreak of the war, Zelenska has been at the vanguard of efforts to spread information about the devastating repercussions of Russia’s invasion and drum up global backing for Ukraine’s grueling fight against an invading Russia and for its post-war rehabilitation.
Her current role marked a shift from the traditional first-lady activities centering on humanitarian and cultural realms, she said.
“Before the war, we worked to improve food at schools to make it healthier and more balanced, but now we have to think about how to protect our children from famine,” she said. “Who would have thought that in the 21st century a first lady in a country in the center of Europe would face such tasks?”
“Humanitarian crises” are serious in Ukrainian cities occupied by Russia, she pointed out.
“I am simply scared to even imagine what is happening now in the occupied Ukrainian cities,” she said. “The Russians create humanitarian crises … so that people are forced to collect rainwater so that they don’t die of thirst, so that people simply stop feeling like people.”
Those crises have obviously taken a significant toll on children. Zelenska cited instances of a girl with gunshot wounds getting behind the wheel to drive four adults to safety and a women’s youngest son taking care of his mother and older sister in the hospital.
“This is what we see every day in our news. All Ukrainian children instantly became adults on Feb. 24,” she said.
Watching such ordeals, the first lady, a mother of two children herself, vowed to “fight for every child” and help the young generations overcome their “enormous trauma” inflicted by the ongoing tragedy.
“I would tell the children that we fight this war for the right to live in our own home, to speak our own language, to invite whoever we want as a guest,” she said. “This is a fight for the right to be a free person.”
Zelenska plans to host the virtual “First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit” on July 23 to discuss a wide range of issues related to the conflict, such as displaced people, education, children and women.
The transcript of her interview was written in Ukrainian and translated unofficially into English.
International News
‘India and Saudi Arabia united by shared resolve to combat terrorism’

Riyadh, May 29: The Indian all-party Parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda on Thursday shared India’s firm resolve towards terrorism with a zero-tolerance approach and the ‘new normal policy’ in light of Operation Sindoor during a visit to Gulf Research Centre, a prominent think-tank in Saudi Arabia recognised for its expertise in global affairs.
The delegation, welcomed by Chairman Abdulaziz Sager, held a frank and productive exchange of views. The discussions also focused on a strong India-Saudi Arabia partnership across all domains, including security and defense cooperation.
“India-Saudi Arabia continue to deepen ties across security, defence and global affairs, united by a shared resolve to combat terrorism. Our all-party delegation had a candid and insightful exchange at Gulf Research Centre with Chairman Abdulaziz Sager sharing India’s zero-tolerance and new normal approach post-Operation Sindoor and exploring ways to strengthen the India-Saudi partnership,” Panda posted on X.
Later, the delegation held interactions with President Abdulmajeed Albanyan of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh, sharing strong concerns about cross-border terrorism and India’s position of zero tolerance against terrorism.
“Strengthening security ties and advancing counter-terrorism cooperation, the India-Saudi partnership continues to deepen. Along with our all-party delegation colleagues, we visited Naif Arab University for Security Sciences and had a meaningful exchange with President Abdulmajeed bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, discussing India’s firm zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism and shared opportunities in security education and research,” Panda posted on X.
Earlier, the delegates also interacted with the Saudi Civil Society, including distinguished guests from the government, think-tanks, business, and media. They shared India’s resolute stance on terrorism, Operation Sindoor, and India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership.
The delegation led by Panda also includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak, BJP MP Rekha Sharma, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Indian diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
Satnam Singh Sandhu highlighted that India and Saudi Arabia stand united in enhancing the bilateral ties and promoting a secure and peaceful environment in the region.
“Led by Baijayant Jay Panda, our All-Party Delegation representing India in Saudi Arabia engaged with key voices from the Saudi government, civil society, think-tanks, business and media. We conveyed India’s firm stance against terrorism and shared insights on Operation Sindoor, a proud symbol of India’s global humanitarian leadership. India and Saudi Arabia stand united in strengthening bilateral relations and ensuring peace, security, and prosperity in the region,” Sandhu posted on X.
The delegation on Wednesday had an extensive discussion with Adel Bin Ahmed al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi highlighting what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his speech earlier this month – that “this is certainly not the era of war but this is also not the era of terrorism”. The delegates reiterated India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and appreciated the support received from political leadership in Saudi Arabia in condemning the April 22 Pahlagam terrorist attack.
They underlined the importance of coordinated action against terrorism, dismantling terrorist infrastructure, denying safe havens, financing and political justification to terrorist entities, highlighting the “new normal” in India’s approach to terrorism.
“The delegation held a meeting with Mishaal Al-Sulami, Deputy Speaker of Shura Council. The Indian delegation expressed deep gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation of the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam. It conveyed that India stands firm and united in its resolve to fight terrorism. Acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances or reasons. Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shura Council, Abdulrahman Snitan A. Alharbi and senior Members of the Committee hosted the delegation for lunch,” the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.
“The delegation also met Mushabab bin Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director General of Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and held discussions which focused on India’s approach to countering terror. In all the meetings, the Indian delegation underlined that India has received unwavering support from Saudi Arabia on issues related to counter-terrorism. Both countries will continue to work together in their efforts towards de-radicalization and curbing extremism,” the statement added
Furthermore, the Indian Embassy hosted a dinner interaction with the participation of distinguished personalities from Saudi civil society, which gave an opportunity for further discussions on countering terrorism as well as broader topics related to India-Saudi bilateral partnership.
International News
Indonesia committed to boost global Islamic cooperation for harmony: Dy Speaker Soeparno

Jakarta, May 29: Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly’s (MPR) Deputy Speaker and National Mandate Party (PAN) Vice Chairman, Eddy Soeparno, on Thursday, emphasised Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening global cooperation among Islamic countries to promote harmony with the wider international community.
His remarks came following an interaction between an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Janata Dal-United MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, and Indonesian scholars and researchers from leading think tanks and academic institutions.
Speaking to Media, Soeparno said: “We had a very constructive discussion with the Indian MPs. We talked about a range of topics, especially concerning the prevention and fight against terrorism. There was also a strong emphasis on deepening cooperation between India and Indonesia in tackling terrorist activities.”
He added that India had conveyed its expectation for Indonesia’s support within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to raise concerns about preventing future terrorist attacks.
“Indonesia is committed to global peace, fostering cooperation, and promoting harmony among countries. We will do our best to enhance global cooperation among Islamic nations and help create harmony with the broader global community,” Soeparno affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Indian delegation highlighted India’s firm stance against terrorism and called for collaborative efforts to counter the threat. During the interaction, the delegation made it clear that India would no longer differentiate between terrorists and the countries that support or harbour them.
The all-party team conveyed India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and sought Indonesia’s support in jointly exploring effective strategies to combat the menace, thereby ensuring peace and regional stability.
Addressing the gathering, Jha expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government and President Prabowo Subianto for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and for standing in solidarity with the people of India. He stressed that such acts of terror are unjustifiable and must be condemned universally.
“We are engaging with a prominent think tank and academia today, both of which play a crucial role in shaping counter-terrorism policies. The aim of this interaction is to convey India’s perspective and strategy to deal with terrorism, particularly the kind that originates from across the border in Pakistan.”
Highlighting India’s unwavering stance, Jha stated: “India will not accept any nuclear blackmail. Those who shelter and promote terrorists cannot hide behind a so-called nuclear umbrella. Any further terror attacks on Indian soil will be met with decisive military responses.”
He added that India, along with countries like Indonesia, firmly stands for zero tolerance toward terrorism.
“To implement this principle, India will no longer make any distinction between terrorist groups and the states that provide them safe haven,” he said.
The delegation also includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI-M Rajya Sabha member John Brittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid and former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar.
International News
North Korea says ‘serious accident’ occurred during ceremony to launch new destroyer

Seoul, May 22: North Korea said Thursday a “serious accident” occurred the previous day during a ceremony to launch a new warship, with its leader Kim Jong-un calling it a “criminal act” that could not be tolerated.
The accident took place Wednesday at a shipyard in the eastern port city of Chongjin during a ceremony to launch a newly built 5,000-tonne destroyer, attended by the North’s leader, according to the Media.
Citing “inexperience command and operational carelessness” in the course of the launch, North Korea said a “serious accident” occurred as the launch slide of the stern departed first and was stranded while the flatcar failed to move in parallel.
Some sections of the warship’s bottom were “crushed,” destroying the balance of the warship, and the bow couldn’t leave the shipway, it reported.
After watching the whole course of the accident, Kim said, “It was a serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism which is out of the bounds of possibility and could not be tolerated,” according to the Media.
He ordered the restoration of the warship to be “completed unconditionally” before a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) set for June and gave an important instruction related to an investigation into the accident.
“The immediate restoration of the destroyer is not merely a practical issue but a political issue directly related to the authority of the state,” Kim said.
The political bureau of the WPK decided to convene the 12th plenary meeting of the party’s central committee in late June to review the first-half performance and policies for the second half, the Media said in a separate dispatch.
The North did not disclose photos related to the latest accident.
Considering that Kim called for the restoration to take place before the June party meeting, a unification ministry official said the scope of the damage is likely not large and appears to be recoverable.
“By using the expression ‘absolute carelessness,’ (Kim) could have aimed at shoring up internal discipline through a stern reprimand,” the official said, noting the accident was reported on the front page of the North’s main Media, the Rodong Sinmun.
South Korea’s military said the North appears to have failed in using a side launching technique.
“South Korea and US intelligence authorities had been tracking and monitoring the movement of a large-sized warship at the North’s Chongjin port,” Col. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), told a regular Media.
“We assess (the warship’s) side launching failed,” Lee said, adding the destroyer remains partially capsized on the sea.
The latest accident came as the North has been ramping up efforts to modernise its naval capabilities, conducting a firing test on a newly built 5,000-tonne destroyer just days after its launch, Media reported.
Last month, North Korea unveiled the new multipurpose destroyer, named the Choe Hyon. It said the warship is equipped with supersonic strategic cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and other strike means.
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