Deep hostility toward Muslims: Iran slams Trump over US travel ban
Tehran on Saturday blasted US President Donald Trump's travel ban on countries including Iran, saying it showed "deep hostility" toward Iranians and Muslims."The decision to ban the entry of Iranian nationals - merely due to their religion and nationality - not only indicates the deep hostility of American decision-makers towards the Iranian people and Muslims but also violates... international law," a senior foreign ministry official said in a ministry statement posted on the X platform.advertisementSeparately, Iran on Saturday condemned new sanctions imposed by the United States targeting more than 30 individuals and entities Washington said are part of a "shadow banking" network linked to Tehran that has laundered billions of dollars through the global financial system.
"The new US sanctions ..., are illegal and violate international law, and are further evidence of the deep and continuing hostility of the US ruling regime towards the Iranian people," foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement carried by state media.Trump's travel ban will bar citizens from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.The ban, which Trump said was necessary to protect against "foreign terrorists", was reminiscent of a similar move he implemented during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, when he barred travellers from seven Muslim-majority nations.Tune InMust Watch
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
New disputes emerge ahead of US-China trade talks in London
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Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Top Banker Vows Loyalty to DEI at Tokyo Pride Parade as Trump's Pushback Rages
The head of one of Japan's largest investment banks used the Tokyo Pride parade to strike a rare public stance on pushing ahead with diversity initiatives, as US President Donald Trump seeks to abolish such policies. Few Japanese corporate executives have taken a clear position on US efforts to roll back the diversity, equity and inclusion policies that had become common at global corporations, though many firms appear to have quietly maintained their initiatives. 'Even if the US has adopted an anti-DEI policy, Japan should press ahead and make up for lost time rather than following suit,' said Akihiko Ogino, president and chief executive officer of Daiwa Securities Group Inc., before the start of the Tokyo Pride parade near the bustling Shibuya area. He was speaking Sunday at his first visit to the Tokyo iteration of the global event that organizers describe as 'advocating LGBTQ rights and dignity.' Read: Trump's Anti-Diversity Drive Diverts Investors to Laggard Japan Faced with a rapidly aging and shrinking population, some Japanese firms have sought to bolster the pool of available workers by becoming more inclusive of different gender and sexual minorities, as well as women. Major financial firms including Nomura Holdings Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG are also among the sponsors of the event, according to its website. Companies around the world that do business in the US have faced a dilemma in dealing with the abrupt about-face on the issue. Read: Trump Has Companies in Europe and Asia Walking a DEI Tightrope Trump has vowed to stamp out diversity policies across the board, saying they are illegal and have disastrous consequences. In response, Citigroup Inc. withdrew its ambitious DEI goals and other U.S. financial firms have made adjustments. Ogino said he doesn't necessarily oppose the anti-DEI movement in the US, but that he thinks it's 'important to recognize that there are people with different viewpoints and work together within an organization.' 'I believe we should acknowledge such diversity, recognize the differences between ourselves and others, and work together while respecting each other,' he said. Daiwa earned less than 7% of its ordinary profit last fiscal year through businesses in the Americas as a whole. Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co. rolled back some initiatives in the US last year after pressure from conservative activists like Robby Starbuck. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. erased references to DEI from its American websites, but the Japanese company left its international websites untouched, describing the US changes as part of a global digital restructure 'after many months of planning.' A survey by the Mainichi newspaper published in March found 83% of Japanese companies who responded agreed that DEI initiatives are necessary to secure talent. With assistance from Takashi Nakamichi. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Indian-American candidates win runoff races in Texas' city councils
Two Indian-American candidates have won their respective city council runoff elections in Texas. Sanjay Singhal, a retired energy executive and IIT Delhi graduate, secured a decisive victory over fellow Indian-American Nasir Hussain in Sugar Land's District 2. According to unofficial results from Fort Bend County, Mr. Singhal received 2,346 votes against Hussain's 777. Sukh Kaur, a Sikh-American and education reformer, scored a landslide victory in San Antonio to retain her District 1 council seat. Ms. Kaur, a nonprofit leader who lives in San Antonio with her husband and two children, defeated challenger Patty Gibbons with 65 per cent of the votes. 'This victory belongs to the residents of District 2,' Singhal told supporters. 'I am deeply grateful for the community's support and ready to serve with transparency and dedication,' said Singhal, who campaigned on transparent governance, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement. Ms. Kaur, the first Sikh woman elected to the San Antonio City Council, focused her campaign on affordable housing, public transit expansion, and inclusive urban development. 'I think we really talked to the community and shared that we want to work,' Kaur told the media after the results. 'And one of the things that we said is District 1 is about preserving our history while still moving our district forward,' she said. Both candidates are expected to solidify Indian-American representation in Texas's civic leadership. In a closely watched mayoral contest in Sugar Land, a Houston suburb with a large Indian-origin population, Carol McCutcheon defeated William Ferguson to become the city's new mayor. She will succeed Joe Zimmerman. McCutcheon secured 6,103 votes, while Ferguson received 5,402, according to unofficial tallies. McCutcheon, a retired reservoir engineer with decades of public service experience, said she entered the race to help guide Sugar Land's growth with 'strategic vision'. Her priorities include improving crime response, supporting law enforcement, and ensuring quality of life for residents. The latest round of municipal elections reinforces Texas's status as a growing hub of Indian-American civic engagement and leadership, with expanding representation in key urban centres like Houston and San Antonio. Swearing-in ceremonies for the new council members and he mayor are expected in the coming weeks.
