WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, August 1, 2018.

Gaza boat intercepted

Israel has intercepted a second activist vessel heading to the Gaza Strip to challenge the blockade on the Palestinian coastal enclave. The Israeli navy said the boat was taken to the military port of Ashdod in the south of the occupied Palestinian territories. Organizers of the anti-blockade mission earlier said the last reported position of the vessel was about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. 12 people including Press TV correspondent Richard Sudan were onboard the Swedish-flagged boat. Richard had earlier told us about a possible Israeli raid on the boat.

North Korea-US row

North Korea has slammed Washington for urging that sanctions be maintained against Pyongyang. North’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho told an ASEAN security forum in Singapore that the US was raising its voice louder for maintaining the sanctions despite Pyongyang’s goodwill measures. The reaction came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the international community to keep up diplomatic and economic pressures on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program. Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN forum, Pompeo said the world is united in achieving complete denuclearization of North Korea. The comments from the top US diplomat come as a UN report suggests Pyongyang has been circumventing international sanctions imposed on its nuclear activities.

India US tariffs

India says it will impose new higher tariffs on some goods imported from the United States next month. The retaliatory duties on US products including almonds, walnuts and apples, will go into force on September 18. The Indian government had initially planned to raise the tariffs from August 4 but later decided to delay the move. The measure was first announced in June after Washington refused to exempt New Delhi from controversial tariff hikes on steel and aluminum. US president Donald Trump has been pressing India to ease trade barriers and is looking to reduce its 31-billion-dollar deficit with the country.

Gaza funeral

People of Gaza hold a funeral for another Palestinian teenager that Israeli soldiers killed on Friday. Mourners carried the body of 15-year-old Moath Al-Sori in the streets of Gaza. The teenager died of his wounds after being shot during an anti-Israeli protest near the so-called buffer zone. Palestinian officials say Israeli forces have killed 157 Palestinians since March 30 when the Great March of Return rallies started.

Europe refugee crisis

The United Nations says more than 1500 refugees have died this year so far while trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. The UN refugee agency said the majority of deaths took place in June and July. It said, the rate of deaths has been increasing, despite refugee arrivals on European shores have decreased compared with previous years. Stricter measures by governments in the past months are cited as reasons for the low refugee influx. Europe has been grappling with the refugee crisis since 2015. The majority of those heading to the continent are from Africa and the Middle East. Many of them, trying to escape violence and poverty in their home countries, take hazardous sea routes to reach Europe.

Violence in Indian Kashmir

At least one person has been killed and two others injured as violent clashes erupt during the funeral of a pro-independence fighter in Indian-controlled Kashmir. According to eyewitnesses, Indian security forces fired live ammunition at mourners in the procession. Indian authorities said the troops were acting on a tip that a group of militants was taking part in the funeral. The burial ceremony was held for a pro-independence fighter killed along with four others in an overnight gun battle with Indian forces. The fighting sparked protests and clashes in South Kashmir's Shopian district. Indian police reportedly fired shotgun pellets and tear gas, wounding over two dozen protesters. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan since the two countries’ independence in 1947.

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