President Biden's administration issued a significant new executive order on immigration policy this week. The order grants U.S. immigration officials the authority to deport migrants in large numbers without reviewing their asylum claims. Effective immediately, the order enables the government to cease processing asylum applications if the number of illegal border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico surpasses 2,500 per day.
We took this video from WDHN YouTube Channel.
Nevertheless, the directive has triggered widespread condemnation from human rights activists. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed deep concerns, asserting that the order puts at risk countless individuals seeking asylum due to war, persecution, or human rights violations in their home countries. An ACLU spokesperson has indicated plans to challenge the order in court in the coming days.
A month after the agreement between the United States and Niger, the US government began to withdraw military equipment and American troops from Niger. A significant portion of American equipment and military personnel is located in the capital of Niamey at Base 101. On Friday, a US C-17 cargo plane landed in Niamey to facilitate the removal of military equipment.
We took this video from Al Jazeera English YouTube Channel.
The agreement signed a month prior signified a turning point in the relationship between the two nations, with Niger historically serving as a pivotal country in monitoring and combating extremist groups. The United States had played a crucial role in training Nigerian troops for an extended period. However, the political turmoil resulting from last year's coup in Niger has strained relations between the countries, with the military junta demanding the withdrawal of American forces.
In light of these developments, Russia and Niger have now solidified plans to strengthen their military cooperation. Given the ongoing fight against numerous terrorist organizations within Niger, the authorities have expressed interest in establishing a Russian military base on their territory.
In the center of Copenhagen, a man attacked Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The attacker turned out to be a 39-year-old Polish man, who was detained by police immediately after the attack. The Prime Minister was injured as a result of the attack. It is noteworthy that the attack occurred 2 days before voting in the EU elections.
We took this video from Reuters YouTube Channel.
Head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has expressed deep dismay at the recent spate of assaults on European leaders. Notably, this incident follows an attack on Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, who suffered serious injuries just a month prior. In addition, a candidate from Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party was recently stabbed and hospitalized in another disturbing attack. At 46 years old, Mette Frederiksen assumed office as Prime Minister in 2019 after serving as the longstanding leader of the center-left Social Democrats.
The recent Indian election results, which saw a record turnout of 642 million voters, have ensured that Narendra Modi will serve as Prime Minister for a third term. Turnout at the elections was slightly lower compared to 2019, amounting to 66.3 this year. Despite this victory, Modi's party experienced its worst performance in the past 15 years, while opposition parties exceeded expectations.
Modi has led the government since 2014. During his election campaign, Modi often raised religious issues and also accused the opposition of seeking to divide the nation. In contrast, the opposition focused on social inequality, pledging to implement additional programs and quotas for lower castes.
India's economy grew by 8.2 percent in the previous fiscal year, placing it among the fastest-growing major economies. Following his re-election, Modi has vowed to enhance middle-class incomes, create more job opportunities, and enhance overall quality of life for the citizens.
Following the disappointing outcome of French President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party in the European Parliament elections, Macron has taken decisive action by announcing the dissolution of the lower house of the National Assembly. In addition, he has accepted the resignation of his government under Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The first round of the new elections is scheduled to take place on June 30.
Elections to the European Parliament took place from June 6 to 9. As a result of the elections, Macron's Renaissance party received only 14.5% of the votes, while Marine Le Pen's opponent's party received more than 31% of the votes. The unexpected decision to dissolve the lower house has been met with surprise by many. In response to the election results, Macron acknowledged the will of the voters and their desire for change.
In light of the election outcome, Marine Le Pen has expressed her readiness to assume leadership if the French citizens express their preference for a change in government. She has outlined her commitment to improving the country's economy, enhancing the purchasing power of the French people, and addressing the issue of mass immigration. While European elections may be of secondary importance to the French electorate, the recent results serve as a reflection of public sentiment towards the government and political parties.
On Friday, tragedy struck Malawi as Vice President Saulos Chilima and 9 other individuals lost their lives in a military plane crash in the northern region of the country. Following an extensive week-long search effort involving approximately 600 individuals, including 300 police officers and 200 soldiers, the wreckage of the Dornier 228 twin-propeller aircraft was finally located. President Chakwera confirmed that all passengers aboard the aircraft had perished upon impact. The aircraft had been in possession of the Malawian Army since 1988.
We took this video from BBC News YouTube Channel.
The deceased Vice President Chilima was in office for the second time. In 2019, Chilima participated in the presidential elections, where he took third place. Before his death, he was embroiled in corruption allegations related to purportedly accepting bribes in exchange for influencing public procurement contracts for the country's armed forces and police. Although the charges against him were dropped by prosecutors, this decision drew criticism from the public.
President Chakwera, addressing the nation via state television, expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by various countries such as the United States, Israel, and Great Britain, who supplied specialized equipment to aid in the search and recovery efforts.
Last week, the city of Tila was subjected to a violent attack by armed gangs, resulting in the burning of numerous homes and displacement of over 4,200 residents. Local authorities were compelled to establish temporary camps to accommodate the affected individuals. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing experiences of being trapped in their homes amidst relentless gunfire before being forced to flee as their houses were set ablaze. One victim expressed being forced to escape without essential documents or money.
We took this video from Associated Press YouTube Channel.
Additionally, the criminal gangs engaged in illegal extortion of money from the terrified residents. Tragically, at least three individuals lost their lives in the shelling, as reported by the local human rights center. Authorities pin the blame on criminal gangs and drug cartels operating in the region, which is prime territory for drug trafficking due to its proximity to Guatemala's border.
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