WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, April 17, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, April 18, 2017.

OPCW Syria probe

Syria says the experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have entered the city of Douma to probe an alleged chemical attack. The Syrian ambassador to the United Nations stressed that the team will start their work tomorrow if security conditions are met. Bashar al-Ja’afari’s remarks come as the US State Department had said earlier that the OPCW inspectors have not entered Douma. The Syrian diplomat also slammed US occupation of Syria, adding that the US-led forces have attacked one-third of Syria. He said the US, the UK and France provide support to armed terrorist groups fighting against the Syrian army. Meanwhile, the United States and Russia have clashed at the UN Security Council over the alarming humanitarian situation in the Syrian city of Raqqah.

US-North Korea ties

The US president says Washington has been in high level direct talks with Pyongyang over a summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Donald Trump spoke about “a great chance” to solve the nuclear standoff with North Korea. Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Japan’s visiting prime minister in Florida. According to Trump, US officials are looking at five different locations outside the United States for a late-May or early-June meeting with Kim. The president also noted that diplomatic efforts to arrange a summit might fail. Trump voiced support for the Koreas’ discussions to seek a formal end to the war on the Korean Peninsula. The North Korean leader and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are preparing to hold a rare meeting in less than two weeks.

France railway bill

The lower house of parliament in France has passed controversial legislation that allows major reforms in the country’s railway system. This is the biggest reform in France's transport system since the 1937 nationalization. The bill includes the end of life-time job contracts, automatic annual pay rises and early retirement rights for new company hires. Another vote is scheduled in the French Senate in May before the process of parliamentary approval is completed. The vote was passed despite fierce opposition by unions amid a series of strikes by railway employees.

CIA chief's North Korea visit

US officials have revealed a secret visit to North Korea by CIA Director Mike Pompeo to discuss a planned meeting between the countries’ leaders. The US secretary of state nominee reportedly made the visit over the Easter weekend and met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. According to US officials, Pompeo returned to report that it was worth continuing to pursue the meeting plans. But he added that no site had been selected from lists of options. Earlier in the day, Donald Trump spoke of Washington’s high-level direct talks with Pyongyang about his planned meeting with Kim. Trump played up the prospects of resolving the standoff with North Korea, which has reportedly agreed to discuss denuclearization. According to Trump, US officials are looking at five different locations outside the United States for a late-May or early-June meeting with the North Korean leader.

Iran’s National Army Day

Iran’s president says the country will produce or procure whatever weapons and military hardware it needs, and does not ask for the permission of other countries to do so. Hassan Rouhani made the comment in a ceremony in Tehran marking National Army Day. He said Iran’ military might is deterrent and aimed at defending the country. The president reassured regional nations that Iran has no intention of launching aggression against them. Rouhani underlined that Tehran pursues a policy of good neighborliness toward the regional countries, and seeks cordial and brotherly relations with them. The president also touched upon the plots hatched by hegemonic powers to destabilize the Middle East region. He noted that certain powers are maintaining an illegitimate presence in the region and attack countries arbitrarily in violation of international regulations. He said Iran will use its deterrence and defense power to counter any possible aggression.

Bangladesh versus Myanmar

Bangladesh has called for more international pressure to force Myanmar to take back Rohingya refugees. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says Bangladesh has submitted the names of 8,000 Rohingya families for repatriation, but Myanmar has so far refused to take them back. Hasina has rejected Myanmar officials’ claim that they have repatriated a family of five. She says they just want to show the world that they are doing something. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Rakhine state following a brutal military crackdown in August. The UN has branded actions by Myanmar troops and Buddhists against the Rohingya community as ethnic cleansing. Bangladesh and Myanmar have signed an agreement for the repatriation of the persecuted refugees.

South Korea ‘mulling over peace deal’ with North

South Korea says it is considering how to change a decades-old armistice with North Korea into a more peaceful agreement. South Korea’s presidential office says the two countries are discussing various ways to improve the security situation on the Korean Peninsula towards a structure that is more peaceful. The Korean Armistice Agreement, signed between Seoul and Pyongyang in 1953, brought about a complete cessation of hostilities between the two sides and ended the Korean War. The truce was designed to ensure an end to the conflict until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.

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