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Iran resistance

The leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution says enemies have been frustrated time and again thanks to the Iranian nation’s resistance against their pressure. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says over the past four decades, enemies have been hoping that certain weaknesses and shortfalls would eventually result in the collapse of the Islamic Republic. Yet the Iranian people have dashed their hopes. According to Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian people's resilience, their endeavors and a refusal to be intimidated are what make them victorious the enemies. The leader made the comments in a meeting with judiciary officials whom he advised to make the fight against corruption a priority.

Sanctions removal talks

The top negotiators from Iran and the United States are in the Qatari capital for indirect talks over the revival of the 2015 deal known as the JCPOA. Ali Bagheri Kani and Robert Malley arrived in Doha earlier today. The negotiations will be held within the framework of the Vienna talks which were held between Iran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA from April 2021 till March this year. Iran says the Doha talks will focus on the issues about the removal of anti-Iran sanctions, that were left unresolved at the last Vienna session. Tehran has emphasized that nothing will be added to OR deducted from the agreements already reached in Vienna. It has also urged the U-S and the three EU signatories to the JCPOA to adopt a realistic approach for a deal to be reached. The 2015 accord was left in tatters after Washington unilaterally abandoned it in 2018 and reinstated sanctions on Iran.

Sri Lanka economic crisis

Statistics show that Sri Lanka’s economy contracted in the first quarter of 2022 and is expected to shrink further as the country is suffering from its worst economic crisis. According to official data, the economy declined by 1.6% in the first three months compared to the same period a year ago. The island nation is currently seeking an International Monetary Fund bailout to secure funds for essential commodities. Shortages of food and fuel have caused prices to soar and inflation is now running at 30%. The government has announced a two-week halt to all fuel sales except for essential services such as the health sector. Experts say an escalation of fuel shortage could lead to a fresh wave of demonstrations. Last week Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe said the country’s economy has collapsed after months of shortages and cannot even import oil.

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