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 30, 2017.

THAAD and Thorny Ties

South Korea’s president has ordered an inquiry into the deployment of several additional advanced US missile systems in the East Asian country. A spokesman for Moon Jae-in says the president was shocked to hear that four additional THAAD launchers were brought in without being reported to the new government or to the public. Former South Korean president, Park Geun-Hye, who was ousted over a corruption scandal, had allowed the deployment of THAAD as part of an agreement with the US. The deployment sparked an angry reaction from China which called it a threat to its national security. The US, however, argues the system is needed to counter what it calls threats from North Korea.

UK the Mole

British Prime Minister Theresa May on the hot seat; leaked documents show the UK has attempted to water down the EU’s energy efficiency policies in favor of the US. Gardiner described the government’s proposed changes to the EU policies as ridiculous. The leaked documents show the UK proposed to change EU targets on energy efficiency in order to make it indicative rather than binding. They also show the UK wants EU member states not to make progress on a linear trajectory towards a 2030 target on renewable energy until the very last moment. US President Donald Trump reportedly told his confidants that he would withdraw the US from the climate accord. May has remained resolutely silent on Trump’s denial of climate science.

Apology over Abuse

Canada’s prime minister has called on Pope Francis to apologize for the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse of aboriginal children in the country back in the 19th century. Justin Trudeau made the call in a meeting with the pontiff on the last leg of his European tour in the Vatican. Trudeau told the Pope how the move could help Canadians to come into good terms with the indigenous people. During the 19th century, nearly 150 thousand children were placed in residential schools in a government bid to keep them away from their traditional cultures and native language. Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission said in a 2015 report that many of those children were sexually abused.

Baghdad Bombings

Two bombings in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, have claimed the lives of at least 27 people. Security and medical officials say more than 100 people were also wounded in the attacks. The first bombing targeted a crowded ice cream shop in central Baghdad overnight, killing 16 people. In the second attack, eleven people died after a car bomb exploded near one of Baghdad’s main bridges. Daesh has claimed responsibility for the first attack, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the second one. The latest attacks come as Iraqi troops are gradually pushing Daesh terrorists out of the flashpoint city of Mosul, the group’s last stronghold in Iraq.

US-EU Rift

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Europe must become an active diplomatic player in world affairs and take its fate into its own hands. She added that Berlin plans to develop ties with India but it should not be at the cost of its transatlantic relationship. She made the comments a day after suggesting that the traditional Western alliance was threatened by US president Donald Trump and Brexit. Trump has lashed back at Merkel over her remarks about the US being an unreliable partner, saying his country had a massive trade deficit with Germany.

Scotland Independence

Scotland’s First Minister has called for a new independence vote for her country which is at odds with London over its departure from the European Union. Nicola Sturgeon slammed Prime Minister Theresa May for turning down suggestions put forward by the Scottish National Party for Brexit. She says the European single market provides Scotland with great economic opportunities and a hard Brexit would put all that at risk. The SNP leader has also mapped out the party’s manifesto for Britain’s June general election and urged people to give a new mandate to her party. Although the majority of Scots rejected independence from Britain in 2014, Sturgeon argues that things could be different if another referendum is held now. Theresa May has rejected a fresh independence referendum, saying it's not a right time for it.

Plight of Rohingyas

The United Nations Human Rights Council has appointed a team to probe reports of major abuses against Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya Muslims. The three-person team has been ordered to urgently investigate reports of rape, torture and murder committed by security forces in Rakhine state. The group is scheduled to meet in Geneva soon to chart a work plan. The UN Rights Council has also urged Myanmar’s government to fully cooperate with the international team by granting full, unrestricted and unmonitored access to all areas in the state. Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi had earlier rejected a UN mission to probe anti-Rohingya violence. Myanmar launched a deadly crackdown on Rohingya Muslims last October. There are numerous reports of arson attacks, killing, sexual violence, rape, and abuse by the army. Over one million Rohingya Muslims live in apartheid-like conditions in Myanmar facing persecution for years.

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