WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, June 1, to 08:00 GMT, June 2, 2017.

Saudi Bomb Blast

A car has exploded in the Shia-majority town of Qatif in eastern Saudi Arabia, killing two people on board. Witnesses describe the blast as very huge. The incident took place near a market. Activists say the explosion was caused by a drone strike, targeting anti-regime activists. Since 2011, the Shia-populated Eastern Province has been the scene of peaceful demonstrations against the ruling monarchy. Protesters have been demanding reforms, freedom of expression, the release of political prisoners, and an end to economic and religious discrimination against the oil-rich region.

Russia Pacific Presence

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow’s military presence in the Pacific is in response to the US military buildup in the region. Putin was speaking on the sidelines of Saint Petersburg’s International Economic Forum. He said NATO’s expansion towards Russia’s borders destroys the balance of power in the world. Putin added that similar moves in the Asia-Pacific region risk triggering a new arms race. Russia is beefing up its forces on the disputed pacific islands of Kuril near Japan. The islands, which are claimed by Tokyo, have been under Russia’s control since the end of world War Two.

Climate Deal Withdrawal

The US president has announced Washington’s withdrawal from the Paris climate deal, following through with a pledge he made during the presidential campaign. Speaking at the White House, Donald Trump said the deal was unfair to American workers. He said the deal stifled production and imposed burdens on the country. Trump added that the US was seeking a better deal. He has taken a hard stance on the issue, at times calling climate change a hoax. His remarks come as all the European Union member states and China reaffirmed their commitment to the landmark deal. Scientists believe greenhouse gas emissions are linked to global warming. Washington ranks just behind China in greenhouse gas emissions.

Government under Pressure

Opposition lawmakers have come down hard on the government in Pakistan for its decision to join the Saudi-led military alliance. They have summoned the defense and foreign ministers to the Upper House of parliament to demand that they clarify their stance on the controversial move. Press TV’s Kamran Yousaf has the details.

Israeli Aggression

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights has accused Israel of systematically destroying Gaza’s economic sectors during its 2014 war against the Palestinian territory. In its report, the PCHR also highlighted the repercussions of Israeli’s decade-long siege of the densely populated coastal area. Press TV correspondent Ashraf Shannon gives us more details in this report from the Gaza Strip.

Paris Climate Deal

Washington’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate deal has sparked widespread criticism from European leaders and beyond. President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, called the move “seriously wrong,” while Germany said the US was harming the entire planet by quitting the accord. Berlin issued a joint statement along with France and Italy saying they regretted the move, and firmly believed the accord could not be renegotiated-an idea floated by Trump. The French president also expressed disappointment with Trump’s decision.

Iran Voices Solidarity

Iran’s president has offered his deepest condolences to the Afghan government and nation for the heart-rending terrorist attack in Kabul. Hassan Rouhani told his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani in a message that perpetrators of such an indiscriminate terrorist act had nothing to do with the Islamic teachings. The message read that the Islamic Republic of Iran would simply stay abreast of the situation in the neighboring Afghanistan. At the end of his message, President Rouhani prayed for the earliest recuperation of the injured and patience for the survivors of the dreadful incident.

Fighting Terrorists

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units have made their way from the newly-liberated district of Qairawan towards the Syrian border to secure areas binding the two countries. That means the Iraqis will also cut off all terrorist supply and logistic lifelines. Our team, led by Altaf Ahmad, gives us a bird’s eye view of the advance.

Crackdown Criticized

A prominent rights group has urged Bahrain’s government to immediately end the torture and ill-treatment of human rights defenders and anti-government activists. Amnesty International warned that Manama had stepped up its repression of peaceful critics and rights defenders to force them to halt their activities. It also called on the government to bring all those responsible for rights violations to justice. Bahrain has heavily cracked down on activists and stifled dissent across the country since the rise of anti-regime protests in 2011. Scores of people have been killed and many protesters have ended behind bars ever since.

Manila Deadly shooting

Morocco protesters have held an anti-government rally in the city of Hoceima for the seventh consecutive night, demanding change. The demonstrators called for an end to widespread corruption, repression and unemployment. They also demanded the release of popular activist, Nasser Zefzafi who was arrested on Monday. He had organized months of protests against the central government. The rally came amid a three-day strike in the city. Morocco has been gripped by demonstrations since the death of a fishmonger in Hoceima in October. The victim was crushed to death by a garbage truck as he tried to rescue his stock that had been confiscated by the police.

Morocco Protests

Morocco protesters have held an anti-government rally in the city of Hoceima for the seventh consecutive night, demanding change. The demonstrators called for an end to widespread corruption, repression and unemployment. They also demanded the release of popular activist, Nasser Zefzafi who was arrested on Monday. He had organized months of protests against the central government. The rally came amid a three-day strike in the city. Morocco has been gripped by demonstrations since the death of a fishmonger in Hoceima in October. The victim was crushed to death by a garbage truck as he tried to rescue his stock that had been confiscated by the police.

Kabul Protest

Afghan security forces shoot into the air to disperse protesters calling for the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani following Wednesday’s deadly bomb attack.  The demonstrators chanted slogans and held anti-government banners. They also called for the execution of the Taliban-affiliated militants, whom Afghan intelligence officials blame for the attack. On Wednesday, a huge bomb ripped through a heavily-guarded diplomatic quarter of Kabul at the height of the morning rush hour, killing at least 90 people and injuring nearly 5 hundred others. The blast, which came a few days into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was one of the deadliest to hit the Afghan capital in recent years.

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