Iran says it is capable of handling fresh economic sanctions as thousands of citizens continue protests, and Nepal PM hails ‘successful’ visit to China.
Trump’s travel ban has been upheld by the US Supreme CourMigration POlicy
The Supreme Court has upheld President Trump’s ban on travellers from a list of Muslim-majority nations. The decision is a “robust endorsement of Mr Trump’s power to control the flow of immigration into America at a time of political upheaval about the treatment of migrants at the Mexican border”, reports The New York Times.
The judgment was a 5-to-4 vote, and the judges said the President’s statutory power over immigration was not undermined by Trump’s personal comments about the danger he believes Muslims pose for Americans. Trump described the decision as a “tremendous victory.”
His travel ban extends to Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia and Yemen. North Korea and Venezuela are also on the list, but these bans were not contested in court. Trump has not tried to ban people entering the US from countries like India, Pakistan and Indonesia, which have the world’s largest Muslim populations.
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS TRUMP TRAVEL BAN. Wow!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2018
“This ruling is also a moment of profound vindication following months of hysterical commentary from the media and Democratic politicians who refuse to do what it takes to secure our border and our country,” Trump said in a statement issued by the White House.
Iran can handle fresh sanctions, says President Rouhani
On the second day of widespread protests against the deteriorating economic situation in Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said the government would be able to handle the economic pressure of new US sanctions.
Reuters reports that Rouhani defended his economic record by saying that the government’s income had not been affected in recent months, and that the weak rial was a result of “foreign media propaganda”.
Tehran’s Grand Bazaar was on strike for the second consecutive day after the city witnessed the country’s largest protest since 2012 Monday. Police were called in to handle the crowds of shopkeepers and traders on strike over the increased price of imports on account of the rial’s collapse on the foreign exchange market. Videos of protesters clashing with police were put online Tuesday.
“Iran’s currency has plunged almost 50 per cent in value in the past six months, with the US dollar now buying around 85,000 rials on the open market,” AFP reported.
'تخریب اموال به دست ماموران امنیتی' در اعتراضات لالهزار
برخی گزارشها از اعتراضات امروز لاله زار حاکی است که ماموران امنیتی دست به تخریب اموال زدهاند.
ویدیو را ببینید pic.twitter.com/OsNFIKatTa— BBC NEWS فارسی (@bbcpersian) June 26, 2018
Anti-government protests against the state of the economy began in December and January, but it is only now that the capital city is also witnessing such demonstrations. The Central Bank of Iran has reportedly announced that it will create a second currency market to take the pressure off the plummeting rial.
Washington will start imposing new sanctions on Iran in the coming months, after Trump pulled out of the milestone nuclear agreement.
The Queen approves Brexit legislation
Queen Elizabeth II has granted her assent to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit legislation, which ends the UK’s membership of the European Union.
The legislation was passed by both houses of parliament last week. The Queen signed it into law Tuesday, reports Reuters. Her assent, mandatory for the passage of laws, was announced by the speaker of the House of Commons.
Nepal’s Prime Minister says six-day trip to China ‘successful’
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has said that his recent six-day trip to China has taken Nepal-China relations “to a new height”, reports The Himalayan Times.
Agreements regarding railways and the building and expansion of road networks were signed during the trip. The agreement on railway construction, in particular, was hailed as a “milestone”, as the Keyrong-Kathmandu railways will be financed by Chinese grants. Land and air connectivity between Nepal and China will also be improved.
Oli said the visit gave “significant contribution to the journey of political stability and economic prosperity of the country”. He also met representatives of the Tibetan government during the visit.
Trapped Thai teen football team might still be alive in cave
“Thailand’s deputy PM has said he is optimistic a group of young footballers trapped inside a cave are still alive, as the search enters a third day,” reports BBC.
The boys, who are aged between 11 and 16, entered the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai with their coach Saturday. While rising waters had forced the search to halt temporarily, it was resumed Tuesday.
Fresh footprints inside the cave complex have raised hopes about the group’s safety, and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon added that while they might not have food, they most likely had water to drink.
China is worried the US is trying to ‘contain its rise’
China has deep concerns that the US may take fierce actions to contain its rise, and China is strengthening its national defense to counter that feeling of insecurity. The US should not interpret this as an attempt to seek hegemony: @HuXijin_GT #VideoFromChina pic.twitter.com/yV6Vhmi3aC
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) June 25, 2018
A video posted by Global Times says the United States should not interpret China’s actions to strengthen its defences as a hegemonic move, adding that they were actually just an attempt to counter a “feeling of insecurity”.
Xi Jinping’s diplomacy ‘has a lot to offer’
“A blueprint for China’s diplomacy, outlined at a high-level meeting last week, highlighted the drive to realise national rejuvenation and to promote human progress,” writes the People’s Daily, referring to President Xi Jinping’s address at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs over the weekend.
His speech clearly defined “thought on the diplomacy of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era”. He listed 10 principles that Chinese diplomacy should uphold, which will help “advance major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics to fulfil the mission of realising national rejuvenation”.
The paper said that an increased Chinese role in global governance will bring positive changes, adding that China’s “diplomatic ideas have gained increasing acknowledgment in the international community”.