WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, May 19, 2018.

Backing Iran nuclear deal

The European Union’s Energy Commissioner has called for the expansion of nuclear cooperation with Iran. Miguel Arias Canete said the EU regretted the US decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. He stressed that Tehran had fulfilled all its commitment under the agreement and the EU would do the same in return. Canete noted that the bloc has certain measures to preserve the accord, including removing obstacles from European banks and studying the possibility of transferring money to the central bank of Iran. He made the remarks in a joint news conference with head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi. For his part, Salehi said the US pullout would not be a serious barrier for the cooperation between Iran and the EU. He further said that the EU is doing its utmost to preserve the landmark agreement.

UK royal wedding

Streets of Berkshire County in Britain are packed with people who have lined up to get a view of the royal wedding. Prince Harry married Hollywood actress Meghan Markle in Windsor Castle. Many Britons are critical of the huge money spent for the ceremony, especially for maintaining security. A recent poll showed that 57 percent of Britons wanted the royal family to pay for such costs which are estimated to be between 24 and 32 million pounds. They say taxpayers’ money shouldn’t cover such events.

Kashmir shutdown

Indian controlled Kashmir is in complete shutdown in protest to Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the disputed region. Police and paramilitary patrols are imposing maximum security in the city of Srinagar for Modi’s one-day visit. Authorities cut mobile services and ordered a curfew in some parts of the city. This as pro-independence Kashmiris called for a strike and protest march to a city square. This prompted authorities to close schools, colleges and universities in case of any student protests. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of the British rule in 1947. It has been gripped by deadly tensions and clashes between pro-independence supporters and Indian security forces since 1989. Thousands of people have been killed since then.

Israel Gaza killings

The Palestinian Health Ministry says another Palestinian has succumbed to his wounds bringing the total number of those who died today to three. The three Palestinians sustained injuries during Israel’s massacre on Monday. The new deaths bring to 65 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the protests of May 14. Over 60 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on Monday as Palestinians were protesting the official relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds. One Palestinian was also killed on Tuesday during a protest marking the 70th anniversary of Israel’s creation called Nakba Day. The Israeli military has also killed at least 114 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Great March of Return campaign on March 30.

Venezuela election

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on opposition presidential candidates to recognize the result of the upcoming election. Maduro’s comments come as he seeks a second six-year term in Sunday’s elections. Opinion polls show he is expected to be re-elected. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s main opposition figures have said they would boycott the vote, calling it “unfair and rigged”. Maduro has, on many occasions warned of foreign plots to mar the upcoming election. He says the opposition is incited by the US to topple his socialist government.

Saudi crackdown

International rights groups condemn the arrest of at least seven Saudi women’s rights activists. Human Rights Watch says the only crime these activists committed was that they wanted women to drive before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did. Amnesty International accused Saudi authorities and aligned media of launching a smear campaign against the activists, labeling them as traitors. Saudi officials confirmed the arrests but refused to release the number of the detainees and their identities. They said those nabbed were violating religious and national norms. Women in Saudi Arabia will officially be allowed to drive from June 24.

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