WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, June 27, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, June 28, 2017.

US Economic growth

The International Monetary Fund has predicted a lower economic growth for America’s economy compared to US President Donald Trump's goal in that regard. The IMF has reduced projection for US economy’s growth to two-point-one percent for 2017 and 2018, calling Trump’s three percent goal unlikely. The organization says its lower forecast is partly because the labor market is already at a level consistent with full employment in the US. The IMF has dropped its assumption that the Trump administration’s tax cut and fiscal spending plans would boost growth. It says the US president’s proposed budget would place a disproportionate share of spending cuts on low and middle-income households.

US mayors vow support for Paris accord

The US president’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord has triggered a bipartisan push from US mayors. The mayor of Atlanta Kasim Reed says some three hundred US mayors have pledged to honor the Paris climate accord. Speaking to other mayors, Reed stressed that Trump’s decision to withdraw from the accord will in fact have the opposite effect. He added that American mayors aim to stick to the emissions cuts the US had pledged to hit. Reed says he has sent a signal of optimism, passion and action on fighting climate change to mayors worldwide in the face of Trump's disappointing decision. Washington’s withdrawal from the Paris climate deal has sparked international outrage and led to massive protests within the US.

Battle for Mosul

Heavy clashes are underway in Mosul as Iraqi forces seek to take full control of the city from Daesh terrorists. The army has made fresh advances in the operations, capturing several neighborhoods in the Old City area. The military has also dislodged the terrorists from the strategic Ziwani mosque. Iraqi forces say they are only a few days away from ousting Daesh from the Old City. It is estimated that up to 350 terrorists remain in Mosul among wrecked houses and crumbling infrastructure. They are trying to slow the advance of Iraqi forces by laying booby traps and using bombers and snipers. Iraqi forces launched an offensive to retake Mosul last October.

 Iran warns US

As the United States is upping the ante against the Syrian government, Iran warns Washington against a dangerous escalation in the Arab country. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accuses the US administration of heightening tensions on a false pretext just as Daesh is being defeated in Syria and Iraq. The US Defense Department claims the Syrian army is preparing to launch a chemical attack against militants. The pentagon says it has seen activities associated with chemical weapons at Shayrat airfield in Homs province that was struck by American missiles in April. The Trump administration has also warned President Bashar al-Assad that he would pay a heavy price for a possible chemical attack. Russia has denounced Washington’s warning. The Syrian government has denied any involvement in gas attacks and blames the militants for them.

Obamacare bill

Senate Republican leaders have delayed the vote for their Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill until after the July 4 recess. The move came after a harsh opposition by democrats as well as some Republican lawmakers. Senate majority leader and the chief author of the bill, Mitch McConnell had wanted the bill to be passed by the end of the week.

Qatar blockade

Saudi Arabia says the list of demands it presented to Qatar last week is non-negotiable. The Saudi foreign minister says Riyadh has made its point to Doha and that now it’s up to Qatar to change its behavior. Adel al-Jubeir also warned that otherwise the sheikhdom would remain isolated. Meanwhile Qatari foreign minister has met with his US counterpart in Washington after the state department voiced confusion over the Saudi-led embargo on the tiny Persian Gulf Country. Saudi Arabia and some of its allies imposed a boycott on Qatar three weeks ago accusing it of supporting terrorism. Then Riyadh presented a list of demands to Doha including shutting down Al Jazeera TV channel and cutting ties with Iran. Qatar denies the allegations against it and says the demands are aimed at curbing its sovereignty.

Temer’s tough times

The Brazilian president remains defiant a few hours after the country’s top prosecutor officially charged him with financial corruption. Michel Temer has dismissed the corruption charges as fiction, saying there is no incriminating evidence against him. He is the first sitting president of Brazil to face criminal charges. Temer is accused of accepting bribes and paying hush money to silence a jailed politician. Before Temer is brought to trial, the lower house of Congress must first give its approval to the move. According to the latest polls, Temer's popularity has plunged to seven percent.

 Strikes on Gaza

The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, says Israel is fabricating claims of rocket fire from Gaza to justify its attacks against the besieged enclave. Hamas also described the claims as part of a QUOTE dangerous Israeli game. The movement’s comments come after Israeli fighter jets carried out multiple airstrikes on various positions throughout the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Tel Aviv said the air raids were in response to a rocket fired from Gaza late Monday. Israeli media also cited a statement by a Daesh-linked group in Gaza, which claimed the alleged rocket fire, to justify the airstrikes. The Israeli military frequently bombs the enclave, with civilians being the main victim of such attacks.

Obstruction of justice in US

Three US cops in Chicago have been indicted on felony charges in connection with the police killing of black teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014. Holmes explained that each of the charges carried a sentence of 3 to 5 years in prison and fines of up to 25 thousand dollars. A dash cam video released in 2015 showed white officer Jason Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times. Public outrage led to a federal civil rights probe of the city's police department. Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder and 10 other officers were accused of covering up his crime. In March, Van Dyke was charged with 16 new counts of aggravated battery. But he pleaded not guilty to all the counts. He also pleaded not guilty to McDonald’s murder in 2015 and is awaiting trials.

Paris protests

France has a new president and a new parliament, but will they continue to have prolonged social protests? As the nation's top politicians began their new term, they were greeted by multiple demonstrations that already demand major policy shifts.

GOP bill in jeopardy

The top Senate Republican leader describes as helpful a meeting between President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans over the replacement of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

Mitch McConnell's remarks come after a vote on the healthcare bill was delayed. McConnell said there was a really good chance of passing the bill adding that it would not happen before July Fourth. In the meeting, the US president took an optimistic tone on reaching an agreement to replace Obamacare.

Venezuela chaos

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the helicopter attack on the country’s Supreme Court was part of a larger plan to destabilize his government. He said the chopper fired at offices of the court and launched a grenade that didn't explode before buzzing over the interior ministry. The attack happened when President Maduro was speaking live on state television to journalists who had gathered at the presidential palace. The opposition accuses Maduro of trying to spread fear to justify a crackdown against those, who are against his efforts to rewrite the constitution. Adding to the intrigue, a video has appeared on social media in which a pilot for the police squad calls for a rebellion against Maduro.

US blaze

A forest fire is raging in the US state of Arizona, forcing locals to evacuate their homes. The flames have consumed more than four thousand acres of land, and was only five percent contained by Tuesday afternoon. The fire is burning through heavy brush and timber in rugged terrain, and windy conditions are spreading the flames. Residents nearby have been warned to be prepared to evacuate if needed. Some structures have been burned or destroyed, but investigators aren't able to get close enough to survey the full extent of the damage. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Yemen casualties on rise

The Saudi aggression against the people of Yemen shows no signs of abating.Ten people were killed and two wounded in the latest Saudi airstrikes on Yemen’s southwestern city of Ta’izz. The attacks came one day after Saudi warplanes bombed the Yemeni province of Sa’ada, which is known to be the main stronghold of the Ansarullah movement. At least one person was killed and three others wounded in Tuesday’s raids. In the meantime, 5 Saudi mercenaries were killed by Yemeni forces’ artillery fire in Yemen’s Hajjah northwestern province.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk