WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, April 21, 2018 to 08:00 GMT, April 22, 2018.

Armenia police arrest protesters

More than 60 protesters have been arrested by the police after they attempted to block traffic in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. The protesters were calling for the resignation of Prime Minister, Serzh Sarkisian who was appointed this week. Meanwhile, the country’s opposition leader, Nikol Pashin-yan, says he would enter into dialogue with the prime minister on Sunday to discuss his departure. But the prime minister's office has not confirmed the meeting. The opposition leader’s remarks are in response to Serzh Sarkisian’s call for political dialogue amid tensions. Several anti-government demonstrations have been staged in Armenia since April 13 upon a call by the opposition. The protesters denounce the election of Sarkisian as power grab. Sarkisian was Armenia's president since 2008 until recently.

Hungary protest

Tens of thousands of Hungarians have staged a rally in the capital Budapest for a second consecutive Saturday to protest against newly reelected Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The crowd marched through the city demanding a non-partisan public media. The protesters say the government’s control over the media helped Orban get a landslide election victory earlier this month. Since 2010, the Hungarian premier has increased his control over the media and put allies in charge of formerly independent institutions. Orban’s stance on refusing to accept large numbers of refugees in Hungary has also brought him into conflict with the European Union.

Deadly demo in Madagascar

In Madagascar, police have clashed with opposition supporters protesting against new electoral laws. Police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators in the capital, Antananarivo. Medical staff members said at least one person died and more than a dozen others sustained injuries as a result of the clashes. The opposition supporters say the new laws will bar their candidate from a presidential election due this year. The laws were enacted by the country’s parliament earlier this month.

‘Assassination’ in Malaysia

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the family of a scholar, who was shot dead in Malaysia, have blamed Israel for the assassination. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has vowed to take revenge for the killing of Fadi al-Batsh, saying Israel’s spy agency Mossad was behind the terrible crime. The resistance movement says the 34-year-old electronic engineer was a loyal member, who made important contributions. Al-Batsh’s family has also pointed at Mossad and urged Malaysian authorities to find the perpetrators as soon as possible.

Iran rejects US rights report

Iran slams the US annual report on human rights situation in the world as biased and unacceptable. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the accusations, brought up in the report, are politically-motivated and portray a distorted and unreal picture of the situation in Iran. Qassemi noted that authentic reports by international bodies have named the US itself as one of the main violators of human rights in the world. He added that the US is also notorious for supporting other rights violators including the Israeli regime and some countries in the region. On Saturday, the US State Department released its annual human rights report, criticizing several countries including Iran, Russia and China for their rights record. The report accuses Iran and some other countries of suppressing freedom of expression.

Hezbollah calls for unity

As Lebanon prepares for national elections, a pro-Hezbollah rally has been held in the Southern city of Tyre. During the rally Hezbollah secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called for a unanimous economic strategy. He also called on all political factions to unite around a successful strategy to lift the Arab country from its current standoff. Press TV’s Maryam Saleh has the details.

Iran warning

Iran has threatened to vigorously resume its nuclear enrichment activities if the US scraps the 2015 nuclear deal. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters in New York that Tehran is also considering other drastic measures. He said Iran will never move toward a nuclear bomb, but even so, its decision won’t be pleasant to the US. The top diplomat added that Iran is highly unlikely to remain in the agreement if the US withdraws. Zarif said Washington’s call for changes in the deal sends the dangerous message that the US is not bound by the terms of an agreement it signs. The comments come as US President Donald Trump has set a May 12 deadline for the European parties to the nuclear deal to fix it based on the changes he seeks.

Kabul explosion

At least four people have been killed in a blast targeting a voter registration center in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Police say the explosion occurred when a bomber detonated explosives in Dasht-e Barchi area. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility. According to a health ministry official, ambulances have also taken 15 wounded people to city hospitals. Voter registration centers have been set up across Afghanistan in preparation for long-delayed parliamentary elections due to be held in October. The attack follows several weeks of relative peace in Kabul. Dasht-e Barchi is largely inhabited by members of the Shia Hazara minority, which has been repeatedly targeted by Daesh terrorists.

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