WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, April 9, 2017.

France rail strike

French rail workers continue their strike, causing more disruption across the country. Major train unions are taking part in the walkout that started last week. The strike has left thousands of passengers across the country stranded and frustrated. The strike is part of a planned three-month walkout in protest at President Emanuel Macron’s across-the-board reforms. Other working sectors, such as Air France staff and energy workers, also joined the walkout during past week, staging 24-hour strikes.

Iran nuclear program

Iran has launched new projects and unveiled products to mark its National Nuclear Technology Day. The achievements were introduced during a ceremony in the capital Tehran. President Hassan Rouhani unveiled four key products including the first process control simulator, and a new type of centrifuge. He also announced the start of several projects aimed at developing the country’s nuclear technology. Under his order, a new processing unit started working at Natanz nuclear facility. Also, the first batch of yellow cake produced in Yazd province was delivered to the Uranium Conversion Facility in Isfahan. The Iranian president addressed the ceremony as well. He strongly criticized the US for trying to crush Iran’s nuclear deal, saying Washington would regret any such attempt.

Syria gas attack claim

Russia rejects as a provocation, western claims that the Syrian army was behind an alleged chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said reports about the incident that is said to have killed 40 people are false. Lavrov said the Russian military experts have visited the site of the suspected attack and found no trace of any chemical agent.

US-China trade tensions  

China has once again blamed the United States for trade frictions between the two countries. The Chinese foreign ministry has also rejected talks with Washington over trade-related issues, saying negotiations are impossible under current conditions. Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the comments at a regular news briefing. He added that the United States' recent measures have raised concerns in the international community. The world's two largest economies have been engaged in an escalating trade spat initiated by Washington’s steel and aluminum tariffs. They have taken tit-for-tat measures, levying tariffs on imports from the other side. Last week, Beijing expressed readiness for a fierce counter strike after US President Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs on an additional one hundred billion dollars of Chinese goods.

Franco-Saudi ties

The Saudi Crown Prince is visiting France amid protests against military ties between Paris and Riyadh. Mohammed Bin Salman has held talks with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. He is due to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. Yemen, Syria and the Iran nuclear deal will top the agenda. This, as a group of rights activists gathered in front of the Eiffel Tower to denounce France’s red carpet for Bin Salman.

Hungary elections

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has secured a third consecutive term in office after his right-wing Fidesz party won the parliamentary vote by a landslide. According to the National Election Office, Orban’s Fidesz party won 133 out of 199 seats in the parliament. The victory enables Orban and his party to even change Hungary’s constitution. Addressing his cheering supporters in the capital Budapest late on Sunday, Orban hailed the vote result. Hungarian nationalists praise Fidesz’ victory, but the party has received a cold response on the streets of the capital Budapest.

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