WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, March 2, 2019.

France protests

France’s yellow vest protesters have hit the streets across the country for the 16th weekend in a row. The new rallies are held, despite a police crackdown targeting previous protests. Thousands have been arrested, and at least ten people have been killed during the protests. Hundreds more have also been wounded. The demonstrations began in November against the government’s planned fuel tax hikes. President Emmanuel Macron dropped the plan in the face of the protests. But, anti-government demonstrations continued and turned into a nationwide call for the president to resign. Protesters blame Macron’s economic policies for the hardships they’re facing.

India-Pakistan tensions

Pakistan and India seem to be stepping back from the brink of a war following days of diplomatic tensions and deadly exchange along the line of control in disputed Kashmir. Shelling on both sides of the de facto border continued even after Pakistan freed an Indian fighter jet pilot who was captured earlier this week. But skirmishes stopped overnight with four deaths, leaving the disputed region in an uneasy calm. Pakistan’s military, however, says its air force and navy are still on alert. Pakistan says the pilot’s release is goodwill gesture aimed at deescalating tensions with India.

Saudi torture allegations

Prominent international rights groups have slammed Saudi Arabia’s decision to put on trial women activists who remain in jail for almost one year without charge. Human Rights Watch condemned the kingdom’s authorities for not investigating the “serious allegations” of torture against the detained activists. According to reports and HRW’s documents, some of the detainees have gone through abuse and sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has described the Saudi decision as a shocking sign of the kingdom’s escalating crackdown on activists. It has called for the immediate release of the detainees. Saudi Arabia arrested more than a dozen activists after they campaigned for reforms in discriminatory laws against women. The authorities accuse them of undermining security and aiding enemies of state.

Slamming UK Hezbollah move

Iran has denounced the United Kingdom’s decision to list Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Britain’s irresponsible measure does not help maintain peace and stability in Lebanon. He added, the move ignores Lebanese people and the legal status of Hezbollah within the country’s administrative and political structure. Qassemi also highlighted the role of Hezbollah in fighting terror groups, including Daesh in the region. The remarks came after the British Home Secretary said London is planning to brand the political wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist group. The European Union has refused to support the measure, saying the move is an internal decision by the UK and does not reflect the policy of the bloc toward Hezbollah.

Uruguay support for Maduro

The Uruguayan president has defended his country's pro-government stance on Venezuela. Tabare Vazquez says Uruguay has decided NOT to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s president. Vazquez says his country rejects any kind of external interference in Venezuela. He says Uruguay defends the self-determination of the Venezuelan people and the country’s sovereignty. The Latin American country has frequently called for a peaceful solution to the political and institutional crisis in Venezuela. On January 23, opposition leader and president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself the country’s interim president. He was later recognized by more than 50 countries. President Nicolas Maduro has accused Guaido of seeking to stage a US-directed coup.

Nigeria pipeline explosion

At least 50 people are missing after a pipeline explosion caused a stampede in southern Nigeria. Local officials say there has been a massive oil spillage in the state of Bayelsa, where the explosion happened. Villagers are at the site of the blast to help out the victims. The pipeline lies in the town of Nembe and carries crude oil to a nearby oil terminal. There were no immediate reports of injuries or other casualties beyond those missing.

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