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Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, on April 24, 2018. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, April 30, 2018 to 0800 GMT, May 1, 2018.

Iran foreign minister rejects Israeli, US accusations

Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has strongly rejected accusations by the US president and the Israeli prime minster about the Islamic republic’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. In a tweet, Zarif said Donald Trump is jumping on a rehash of old allegations to scuttle the Iran nuclear deal. Referring to Benjamin Netanyahu’s anti-Tehran rhetoric, Zarif said the Israeli premier was lying about Iran’s nuclear program. He also ridiculed Netanyahu as a boy who cannot stop crying wolf. Accompanying the tweet was a sketch Netanyahu presented at the UN General Assembly in 2012, which depicted a bomb and the various stages allegedly being pursued by Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the Iranian deputy foreign minister has also dismissed allegations that Iran is seeking to develop nukes. Seyyed Abbas Araqchi told Press TV that the latest Israeli accusations are aimed at preparing an excuse for Washington to scrap the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Gaza poverty

A newly released report says the purchasing power of people in Gaza has decreased dramatically due to Israel’s years-long blockade. The besieged enclave is suffering from high rates of poverty, unemployment an economic recession. Halla Alsafadi reports from Gaza.

Plight of the Rohingya

The Bangladeshi Prime Minister has urged the UN Security Council to press Myanmar to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who had crossed the border amid a military crackdown in their home country. Sheikh Hasina made the remarks while meeting with UN Security Council envoys in the capital Dhaka. Envoys from the 15 council members are in Bangladesh to get the first hand information about refugee camps around Cox's Bazar where about 700-thousand Rohingya have sought refuge since last August. The visit puts a global spotlight on the crisis which the UN and international rights groups denounced as ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims. Myanmar denies the accusations, saying the military was engaged in a legitimate counter-insurgency operation.

Ramallah rejects US 'peace' role

The 23rd meeting of the Palestinian National Council has convened in Ramallah, the first regular session of the council in 22 years. The main purpose of the meeting is to elect a new leader for the Palestine Liberation Organization. Mona Kandil has more from the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.

Trump's legal troubles

Adult-film actress, Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels has lodged a defamation suit against the US president. Daniels says Donald Trump lied by rejecting her claim of being threatened about discussing an alleged affair with him as a con job. She said Trump knew his remark was false or made with reckless disregard for its truth. The adult actress had asserted that an unknown assailant tried to keep her silent about an affair with Trump prior to his election as president. Trump responded by accusing Daniels of playing the fake news media for fools. Daniels also says Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, intimidated her into signing a non-disclosure agreement about the fling. Cohen, who is currently under criminal investigation, has admitted the payment of 130,000 dollars to the actress without any clear reason.

Syria evacuations

The evacuation of terrorists and civilians from several locations in Syria has begun, as part of an agreement between the government and the terrorists. 200 terrorists and their families have left Yarmouk refugee camp, south of the capital Damascus, for Idlib province in the northwest. In exchange, the first batch of civilians has been evacuated from the towns of Foua and Kafarya in militant-controlled Idlib. Under the evacuation deal, the first group of prisoners held in Eshtabraq town has been freed and transferred to government-held areas. The Syrian government and the militants reached the deal on Monday, and will fully implement it in the next two weeks.

The Russia investigation

US media say Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, has submitted a list of questions to the White House on Russia’s possible interference in the 2016 US presidential election. According to New York Times, the questions by Mueller, who is investigating the case, mainly focus on US President Donald Trump’s attempt to obstruct the probe. The list asks questions about Trump’s sacking of former FBI director, James Comey, and former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, and their connection to the Russian issue. There are also questions about Trump’s treatment of Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, and a Russian proposal to help Trump dirt his election rival, Hillary Clinton. Mueller has so far charged 22 individuals and entities as part of his probe.

May Day rallies

Workers and activists have begun staging rallies throughout the globe to mark International Workers’ Day, also known as Labor Day. The protesters in the Philippines have gathered before presidential palace in the capital Manila to call for better salaries and the improvement of working conditions. In Indonesia, workers have taken part in a May Day rally in the capital Jakarta. Similar demonstrations have been staged in South Korea, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. Elsewhere in Turkey, scuffles have erupted between riot police and protesters who defied a ban and marched on Istanbul’s Taksim Square to celebrate May Day. International Workers’ Day is a celebration of laborers and working classes in about 90 countries. The occasion is marked every year on May first.


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