WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, August 1, 2018 to 0800 GMT, August 4, 2018.

US judge requests reunification

Hundreds of migrant children remain in US custody despite the expiration of a court deadline to reunite families separated at the country's southern border. Now the judge overseeing the reunification process has called the Donald Trump administration's efforts in that regard unacceptable. Judge Dana Sabraw criticized the administration for the slow pace of progress. He also blasted the White House for what he called its lack of a plan to reunify the remaining 572 children with their parents. Over 2500 minors were separated from their parents as part of the US president’s so-called zero-tolerance policy. Trump was forced to end the controversial practice on June the 20th. Judge Sabraw set July the 26th as a deadline.

Trump-style trade

The US government is reviewing Turkey’s duty-free trade access to US market after Ankara responded to Washington’s steel and aluminum tariffs with countermeasures. The review targets 1.66 billion dollars worth of Turkish products imported to the US under a system of tariff exemption called the Generalized System of Preferences. The goods include motor vehicles, jewelry, precious metals and stone products. Earlier in July, Turkey started implementing retaliatory tariffs on US products over what it called ill-advised American duties. The trade spat between Washington and its economic partners began several months after Donald Trump took office in 2017.

Pakistan school strikes

Pakistan’s police say 12 schools, mostly those of girls, have been set on fire or bombed overnight in a northern district. Police said the attacks in the villages near the northern city of Gilgit were well-planned and coordinated. The assailants also attempted to break into a military school, but the facility’s guards prevented them. No group has claimed responsibility for the incidents, but pro-Taliban militants, who are against girls’ education, have in the past launched similar attacks. Pakistan's Prime Minister-elect Imran Khan condemned the attacks as shocking. He said in a tweet that his government will be committed to providing schools with security.

US North Korea policy

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for continued diplomatic and economic pressures on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program. Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN security forum in Singapore, Pompeo said the world is united in achieving complete denuclearization of North Korea. The top US diplomat further accused Russia of violating UN Security Council resolutions by allowing joint ventures with North Korea. The comments come as a UN report suggests Pyongyang has been getting round International sanctions imposed on its nuclear activities. The report also says North Korea is continuing to build missiles.

Chile abuse scandal

Roman Catholic bishops in Chile ask for forgiveness for sexual abuses committed against minors by priests and other clergy. The bishops agreed to step up coordination with Chilean prosecutors investigating the cases. Chilean law enforcement is investigating 38 accusations of sexual abuse against 73 bishops, clerics and lay workers, involving 104 victims. The scandal gained attention after Pope Francis visited Chile in January and was initially dismissive of claims of a cover-up by Chilean Church officials.

Gaza boat intercepted

Israel has intercepted a second activist vessel heading to the Gaza Strip to challenge the blockade on the Palestinian coastal enclave. The Israeli navy said the boat was taken to the military port of Ashdod in the south of the occupied Palestinian territories. Organizers of the anti-blockade mission earlier said the last reported position of the vessel was about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. 12 people including Press TV correspondent Richard Sudan were onboard the Swedish-flagged boat. Richard had earlier told us about a possible Israeli raid on the boat.

US trade deficit

The US official figures suggest the country’s trade deficit hit its biggest surge in more than one and half years in June. According to the Commerce Department, the trade deficit rose 7.3 percent to 46.3 billion dollars in June, the biggest jump since November 2016. The department says a drop in auto exports and rising oil prices drove the increase in the gap between imports and exports. The US imposed hefty tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, triggering a trade war with some of its allies. President Donald Trump says the tariffs are aimed at lowering US deficit to the benefit of American jobs and wealth.

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