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Biden turns to Supreme Court to end ‘Remain in Mexico’ programme

WASHINGTON (AFP) – United States (US) President Joe Biden’s administration has asked the Supreme Court to end a Trump-era policy under which migrants seeking asylum in the US must wait in Mexico while their cases are being considered.

The Justice Department has asked the conservative-leaning high court to review decisions made by earlier courts that left the migration programme in place, according to legal documents reviewed by AFP on Thursday.

Under then-president Donald Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ programme, tens of thousands of non-Mexican asylum seekers – mostly from Central America – were sent back over the border pending the outcome of their applications.

Biden, a Democrat, has sought to dismantle the programme, officially called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).

Those efforts have faced setbacks in the US court system, and most recently an appeals court ruled this month that the programme should continue.

In a legal document filed on Wednesday, the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to review the case, arguing that the programme “exposes migrants to unacceptable” risks and that previous court decisions were based on “erroneous interpretations” of the law.

United States President Joe Biden. PHOTO: AFP

Waste not, says His Majesty

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expressed concern that many government-owned buildings are abandoned and no longer in use. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.

Cable thefts behind Internet disruptions

The recent telecommunications service outage in Kampong Rimba, Kampong Ayer and the Edinburgh Bridge area which impacted services for over 2,000 fixed and mobile network subscribers were caused by damaged fibre cables and cable cuts due to theft. According to the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), the nation has recorded an estimated total of 85 cable theft cases from January to December 2021 causing disruption to telecommunication services. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.

RBPF marks 101st anniversary with religious ceremony

The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) organised a recitation of the Surah Yaasiin and Doa Kesyukuran at Ash-Shaliheen Mosque, Jalan Perdana Mentiri, yesterday to commemorate the 101st anniversary of its establishment.  More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.

Imams to Ummah: Self-reflect as we enter new year

Imams urged the Ummah to self-reflect and determine to excel and become more pious and loyal followers of the teachings of Allah the Almighty as the nation ushers in the new year. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.

DCA allows two at airport for send-offs

The Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications has issued updated procedures and preventive measures to be observed by public members and passengers that should be adhered to at Brunei International Airport (BIA). More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.

Online registration required for overseas-bound students: MoE

Students who are going to begin or resume studies abroad must register in advance with the Ministry of Education (MoE) through the Department of Scholarship Management using a web-based application at bit.ly/pendaftarankeluarnegeri, according to a press statement from the ministry. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.

Drive-through donations for underprivileged students

The Ikhwanul Mahabbah Group of RPN Panchor Mengkubau held a donation drive at the residence of its member Shukrinah binti Haji Hanafiah, in Jalan Bukit Sinadur, to ease the burden of orphans at the Panchor Mengkubau National Housing Scheme ahead of the new schooling year. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.

World rings in 2022 under COVID cloud

SYDNEY (AFP) – The world ushered in 2022 after another tumultuous and pandemic-ridden year capped by new restrictions, soaring case numbers, and a slight glimmer of hope for better times ahead. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.