US to deport illegal immigrants; Russian Duma approves bill suspending nuclear treaty

The US President wants to take drastic measures to quickly deport illegal immigrants to the country. "Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will begin next week the process of removing the millions of people who have illegally entered the United States. They will be sent back as fast as they came," President Donald Trump announced on Twitter yesterday, without providing details.

There are an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, mostly from Mexico and Central America. Under an agreement reached earlier this month between Mexico City and Washington, Mexico will accept Central American migrants while they await the processing of their asylum applications to the United States.

Russian State Duma approves bill to suspend INF nuclear treaty

Russian missiles practice firing. Photo: Spotlight

Russian media reported that on June 18, the State Duma (lower house) of the country approved a bill to suspend the implementation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Speaking to the press, Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Vladimir Shamanov said that Russia has no plans to immediately start producing short- and medium-range missiles after the country withdraws from the INF.

Previously, on March 4, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had issued a decree suspending Russia's participation in the INF Treaty signed with the United States. According to this decree, President Putin ordered the suspension of the INF Treaty until Washington stops its violations of the INF. Mr. Putin also directed the Russian Foreign Ministry to notify the United States of Moscow's decision.

Earthquake in Sichuan (China): Casualties continue to rise

According to the latest statistics, as of the morning of June 18, the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that occurred on the night of June 17 in Changning County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, Southwest China has killed 12 people, injured 134 people, damaged more than 10,000 houses, and affected more than 100,000 people. More than 100 ambulances and more than 2,000 rescue workers have also been dispatched to the scene.

The China Seismological Administration has also continuously recorded 65 aftershocks of various magnitudes, the strongest of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale. The aftershocks continue to occur. About 40,000 households lost power, and many roads were forced to close due to concerns about some phenomena that could occur after the earthquake. According to Chinese seismologists, the possibility of a stronger earthquake occurring in this area is not high, but there are still natural disasters that come with it.

US sends 1,000 more troops to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran

The US is about to increase its forces in the Middle East. Photo: US Army

Reuters on June 18 quoted Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan as announcing the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East “for defensive purposes” amid growing concerns about Iran. “Recent Iranian attacks demonstrate the credible intelligence we have received about hostile behavior by Iranian forces and related groups that threaten US forces and interests across the region,” Mr. Shanahan said.

US concerns about the possibility of conflict with Iran have increased since the attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on June 13, more than a year after President Donald Trump announced his withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Washington asserted that Tehran was behind the attack, although Iran has always denied these allegations.

Former Egyptian President dies during espionage trial

Former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in a cage at court before his death. Photo: AFP

Former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi died at the age of 67 after falling ill during a court hearing on June 17. “The court accepted the former president’s request to speak for five minutes… but he collapsed on the floor and was immediately rushed to hospital where he later died,” the court in Cairo said in a statement.

Mr. Morsi was ousted after a year of being elected and running the country (June 2012 - July 2013). AFP quoted sources saying that he was tried for espionage with allegations of collusion with foreign countries such as Iran, Qatar and Islamic armed organizations. The government of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi denied allegations that Mr. Morsi was mistreated and denied medical care while in detention for trial. Mr. Sisi served as Minister of Defense under Mr. Morsi's government.