WATCH PRESS TV NEWSROOM HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, May 9.

Killing Children

A children’s rights group says seven Palestinian kids have been killed by Israeli forces so far this year. DCI Palestine slammed Israeli forces for routinely using intentional force against Palestinian youth. The NGO’s accountability program director, Ayed Abu Eqtaish, said such excessive force shows tacit approval for killing children with impunity. Meanwhile, Israeli human rights group, B’Tselem, has said over 100 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in 20-16, including 31 minors. The NGO also criticized Tel Aviv’s shoot-to-kill policy. Local and international human rights groups have repeatedly expressed concerns that Israeli security forces have used excessive force when confronting Palestinians. The Israeli police relaxed its open-fire regulations in December 20-15. The law allows officers to open fire on Palestinians throwing stones or those suspected of preparing for an attack.

Marking Victory Day

Russia is marking the 72nd anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. Military units have staged parades across the country as part of the Victory Day celebrations. Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a speech during the parade at Red Square in the capital Moscow. Putin hailed Russia’s military capabilities and said there is no force that could enslave Russia. He stressed that lessons of war teach Russians to be aware of danger. The Russian president urged the international community to join efforts to fight common threats. He noted that Moscow is open to this kind of cooperation.

US Afghanistan Presence

US military officials and the State Department have recommended sending at least 3,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. The officials say the US military needs a bigger role in Afghanistan to push the Taliban militant group back to the negotiating table. They have also called for authority to target Taliban leaders with airstrikes. The proposal has yet to be approved by US President Donald Trump. There are 13,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan, of whom about 8,400 are American. Afghanistan is still suffering from insecurity and violence, years after the US and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The military invasion removed the Taliban from power, but their militancy continues to this day.

South Korea Election

Exit polls from South Korea show Moon Jae-in has won South Korea's presidential election by a landslide. The former human rights lawyer and Democratic candidate is leading with over 41 percent of the vote. His rival, Conservative Hong Joon-pyo, has garnered over 23 percent. Centrist Ahn Cheol-soo stands third with just below 22 percent. The Election Commission says 67 percent of all eligible voters have cast their ballots. The snap election was held, with 13 candidates vying for president, amid weeks of political deadlock in the country. Former president Geun-hye was expelled in March on charges of bribery and power abuse. She’s in jail awaiting trial.

Turkey Death Penalty Row

Turks living in Germany will not be allowed to vote in any referendum on reinstating the death Penalty. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany would not authorize Turkish consulates and embassies to act as polling stations on reinstating the death penalty. Her comments echoed earlier remarks by Martin Schulz the leading Social Democrat candidate in this year's federal elections. Several other German politicians, including Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel who said he "couldn't imagine" such a scenario, have criticized holding the event. Relations between Ankara and Europe have deteriorated significantly in recent months.

Battle for Mosul

Iraqi troops have freed another neighborhood in western Mosul as the offensive to retake the city from Daesh intensifies. According to Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, forces from the elite Counter-Terrorism Service have liberated the Northern Industrial Area on the western side of the city. Government troops raised the Iraqi flag after inflicting losses on the terrorists. This is the latest of several neighborhoods seized by Iraqi forces since last week. Daesh controls a handful of neighborhoods around the Old City. Iraq has intensified the push to purge the few hundred terrorists estimated to have remained in Mosul.

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