N.Korea committed to denuclearization: Pompeo
Tokyo, July 8 : Visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said North Korea had reaffirmed its commitment to denuclearization during his recent trip to Pyongyang.
At a joint press conference here with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Taro Koko and Kang Kyung-wha,Pompeo described his talks in North Korea as "very productive" and these were in "good-faith", adding that Pyongyang had agreed to the destruction of a missile facility, reports Efe news.
He also said the sanctions against the regime would remain in place until it has completely dismantled its nuclear weapons program.
"While we are encouraged by the progress of these talks, progress alone does not justify relaxing the sanctions regime," Pompeo said, adding that the road ahead would be difficult and challenging.
Pompeo downplayed criticism by the North Korean foreign minister Gen. Kim Yong-chol, who on Saturday called Washington's attitude during the negotiations "regrettable" and "gangster-like" and the outcome of the talks "very concerning" in a statement issued hours after the top American diplomat's departure.
He said Pyongyang understood that the regime's denuclearization must be complete and verified.
Kim is considered an important figure of North Korean intelligence and was a key player in paving the way for the historic summit in Singapore between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.
Pompeo also reiterated the US' commitment to defending its allies, including South Korea and Japan, and said that Sunday's trilateral meeting, the third in less than a month, served to strengthen cooperation to ensure the implementation of the agreements signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump at a summit in Singapore last month.
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Chennai: Eight arrested, 2 Kg Cocaine worth ₹6 Crore seized in major drug bust
Chennai: The Enforcement Bureau Police’s Central Intelligence Unit has arrested eight individuals and seized two kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately ₹6 crore in a major anti-drug operation conducted in Chennai. The bust, which took place at two key locations in the city, also resulted in the seizure of a car and five mobile phones used by the accused.
The operation began in the St. Thomas Mount area, where officers detained five suspects — all hailing from Keelakarai in Ramanathapuram district — who were in possession of one kilogram of cocaine. During questioning, the group reportedly provided information leading to the arrest of three additional individuals from the Koyambedu area.
Police identified Mahendran, a forest guard posted in Sayalgudi, as one of the key accused. He allegedly received one kilogram of cocaine from a waste collector named Pandi. According to police sources, Pandi claimed he found the narcotics washed ashore along the Ramanathapuram coast during routine waste collection. Similarly, another accused, Palaneeswaran, claimed to have discovered a separate kilogram of cocaine in the same manner.
Further investigations revealed that the alleged mastermind behind the operation was Kasim, who planned to sell the cocaine in Chennai for a significant profit. He was aided by co-conspirators identified as Mohamed Mubarak, Edward Sam, Mohamad Idris, and Kaja Mohaideen.
While the seized cocaine is believed to have arrived via the coastal route, authorities have not yet confirmed its exact origin. Efforts are underway to investigate possible international or domestic supply links.
அமலாக்கம் மற்றும் குற்றப்புலனாய்வுப் பிரிவு போலிசார் ரூ.6 கோடி மதிப்பிலான 2 கிலோ கோகைன் போதைப்பொருளை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர், போதைப்பொருள் கடத்தலில் ஈடுபட்ட 8 பேர் கைது.#Cocaine #EBCID #NIB #Dindigul #DrugAwareness #SayNoToDrugs #DrugFreeTamilNadu #Namakkuvendam #TamilNaduPolice pic.twitter.com/wcqs1XmJAA
— Tamil Nadu Police (@tnpoliceoffl) April 14, 2025
