WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, June 1, 2018.

Spain new premier

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has admitted defeat ahead of a no-confidence vote by the country’s lawmakers. Rajoy said it was an honor to serve the country and congratulated Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez who is expected to succeed him after the no-confidence vote. The motion was proposed by the opposition Socialists following a corruption scandal involving the prime minister’s People’s Party. Rajoy’s chance of surviving the vote was minimized on Thursday after the Basque Nationalist Party said it would support the motion. The announcement gave Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez more than the absolute majority to take power immediately after Rajoy.

Backing Iran deal

The EU foreign policy chief calls for the full implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries. Mogherini was speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brussels. The Top Chinese diplomat called for safeguarding the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In May, the US quit the deal and imposed new sanctions on Iran.

Trade war fears

Major indices in Asian stock markets close in red as the US president’s decision to hit imports tariffs on its major allies sparks fears of a global trade war. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index shed 0.14 percent of its value at the closing bell. Tokyo’s Nintendo dropped four percent, while Toshiba lost nearly one percent of its value. China’s Shenzhen Composite Index also tumbled more than one percent. On Thursday, the Wall Street’s top steel index, S&P, ended the day down. Other heavyweight indices, Dow Jones and Nasdaq, also fell at the closing bell. Financial experts have warned that world markets may face further shake-ups in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s imposed tariffs.

Korea talks

Negotiators for North and South Koreas call for the continuation of talks to resolve their differences. The two delegations met at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone. During Friday’s meeting, South Korea proposed military talks on reducing tensions across their heavily militarized border. They also discussed ways to resume the reunion of families separated by the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. The implementation of agreements reached by the leaders of the two Koreas during April meetings was also negotiated. The meeting comes as diplomatic efforts are underway to lay the groundwork for a landmark summit between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.

Italy new government

Italy's new Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte takes the oath of office as the country’s first anti-establishment politician. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the presence of Italian president Sergio Mattarella in the capital Rome. The new government’s cabinet members were also sworn in. Conte aims to cut taxes, boost welfare spending and overhaul the EU’s rules on budgets and immigration. The 53-year-old must win confidence votes in parliament next week. Italy’s political parties that back Conte are the far-right League and the radical Five-Star Movement. They have solid majorities in both houses.

Trump’s trade wars

The EU foreign policy chief says the bloc will defend its interests a day after US slapped tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Europe. Federica Mogherini said the EU has prepared its counter-measures against the US including duties on a whole range of American products. She said the EU will also launch a dispute settlement procedure against the US at the World Trade Organization. Mogherini added that the bloc is not at war with anyone on trade. The new US tariffs on imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico took effect on Friday.

Jordan protests

Jordan's King Abdullah orders the government to freeze new price hikes on fuel and electricity, after nationwide protests. Thousands of Jordanians demonstrated in Amman and other cities. They demanded the fall of the government as they blocked roads and set tires on fire. The government earlier announced a 5.5 percent rise in fuel prices and a 19 percent hike in electricity prices. This is part of a three-year economic program introduced by the International Monetary Fund. The program is aimed at gradually bringing down Jordan's public debt by 2021.

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