WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, July 6, 2018 to 0800 GMT, July 7, 2018.

Syria truce deal

The Syrian government forces and terrorist groups have reportedly reached a deal for ceasefire and handing over of weapons to the army. The Syrian media reported that the agreement was reached in the Bosra al-Cham city in southern Syria. According to the deal, the legal status of the militants who wish to remain in the area has been resolved and the terrorists that reject the settlement are allowed to leave with their families to Idlib. Meanwhile, the Syrian army and allied forces have recaptured a strategic town in the southern province of Dara’a.  

Russia defying US

Russia's foreign minister says trade with Iran will not depend on the whim of the US. Sergey Lavrov added that the remaining signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal would work out new ways of trading with Tehran if the US restored sanctions against the Islamic Republic. He made the remarks following a meeting with his counterparts from Iran, Britain, France, Germany and China in Vienna. The meeting dealt with Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement.

Iran missile program

Iran has once again stressed that its missile activities are only for defensive purposes. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said the country's missile tests will not pose any threat to other nations. Bahram Qassemi added that the Islamic Republic has spared no efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East. He was reacting to the latest remarks by the French foreign minister against Tehran. Jean-Yves Le Drian said Iran’s missile program is not only aimed at defending the country. The top French diplomat also accused Tehran of destabilizing the region and meddling in the affairs of other regional nations.

Russia-US trade tensions

Russia has levied extra import tariffs on some American industrial goods in response to a similar measure by the US. The Russian Economy Ministry announced additional import duties, warning of more retaliatory steps. The extra duties of 25 to 40 percent target imports of equipment for road construction and the oil and gas industries. Russia’s measure came after the US slapped tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. A move that even infuriated Washington’s close allies and raised the prospects of a global trade war.

Heatwave in Canada

Health officials say the death toll from a heatwave that has hit eastern Canada has jumped to 54. The Health Ministry in Quebec said more than half of the deaths were in the provincial capital Montreal. The Ministry added that they expect the death toll to rise as effects of the heatwave will be felt for two days after temperatures return to normal on Friday. Officials say most of the deaths have been among vulnerable groups as well as those without access to air-conditioning. The heatwave that hit southern Quebec this week shot temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius.

Unrest in Nantes

Unrest in the western French city of Nantes continued for a fourth night over the police killing of a 22-year-old motorist there. Angry demonstrators set more cars and garbage bins on fire on Friday night to protest the killing. Police have made more than a dozen arrests over the riots which broke out on Tuesday. The victim, identified as Aboubakar Fofana, was fatally shot by an officer during a stop-and-search operation. The unnamed officer is said to be in police custody and has been charged with manslaughter. Local police claim Fofana was shot after he tried to escape by reversing his car. Some witness statements contradict the police account, saying the car was not moving at the time of the shooting.

Nigerians demand justice for Zakzaky  

Hundreds have rallied in the Nigerian capital Abuja to demand the immediate release of Ibrahim Zakzaky, a prominent Muslim cleric and the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) who has been in jail since late 2015. Supporters of the IMN chanted slogans against President Muhammadu Buhari and demanded the release of Zakzaky. They also slammed murder charges brought against the 65-year-old cleric and his wife. Zakzaky has been held since December 2015 after a deadly raid by the Nigerian army on his residence in northern Kaduna State. In May, he was charged over the death of a corporal that happened during the raid. The IMN has rejected the allegation as ridiculous and a mockery of justice.  

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