WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, May 6, 2018 to 0800 GMT, May 7, 2018.

Lebanon voter turnout

Lebanon’s Interior Minister has announced a provisional voter turnout figure of 49.2 percent in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. Nohad Machnouk noted that the drop from the 54-percent turnout in 2009 was due to reform in the electoral law. He said no major incidents happened during the country’s first general election in nine years. Meanwhile, Machnouk has called on supporters of political parties to avoid celebratory gunfire for the fear of possible casualties. Lebanon’s much-awaited legislative vote was held under a new representation system that preserves Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. Election results are expected within hours.

‘Torture’ in Egypt jails

A prominent rights group has accused Egypt of keeping dozens of human rights activists, journalists and members of the opposition behind bars in prolonged solitary confinement. Amnesty International said the prisoners have been detained on politically motivated charges and subjected to physical abuse. The London-based group added that the practice amounts to torture. The Egyptian government has repeatedly denied systematic rights abuses and says there are no political prisoners in its jails. Thousands of dissidents were rounded up in the Arab country after the military overthrew former president Mohammad Mursi in 2013. That was followed by a heavy-handed crackdown on Mursi’s supporters.

Air France-unions standoff

The French government has warned Air France managers and unions to find a way to resolve a stand-off over wages. The French flag carrier is struggling with worker strikes and leadership issues. The airline is trying to cut costs and reform, but workers are demanding pay hikes. The dispute intensified on Friday when staff rejected a pay deal, prompting the airline’s chief executive to resign. Strikes have so far cost the company some 300 million euros. The Air France walkouts coincide with other strikes, including national rail strikes. They're protesting against President Emmanuel Macron's planned overhaul of the state-run train operator.

UK stance on JCPOA

The British Foreign Secretary is in the US to persuade Washington not to quit the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries. Boris Johnson is due to meet US Vice President Mike Pence, national security advisor John Bolton, and other senior officials during the two-day visit. No meeting between Johnson and US President Donald Trump has been scheduled. The top British diplomat has said that there is no alternative to the Iran deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He has also warned that abandoning the accord would be a mistake. That’s just days before Trump has to decide whether to waive economic sanctions against Iran or pull out of the deal.

Pakistani minister attacked

The Pakistani interior minister has escaped an assassination attempt in Punjab province. Ahsan Iqbal was shot in the arm after an election rally in his constituency and hometown Narowal. He has been operated on and is currently in a hospital in Lahore. Police have arrested the suspected shooter and launched investigations about the motive of his attack. He’s said to be in his early 20s. Iqbal is from Pakistan’s ruling Muslim League-Nawaz party. General elections are scheduled in Pakistan in mid-July.

Iran letter to UN

The Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, in a letter to the UN chief, says the alleged chemical attack on the Syrian town of Douma is surrounded by ambiguity. Citing scientific reasoning, the academy says the photos and videos pertaining to the unverified evidence, should be examined by the OPCW. Press TV correspondent Ghanbar Naderi reports.

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