WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, May 10, 2017.

Saudi raid in Qatif

Saudi forces have reportedly killed two people during a raid on a Shia-populated region in eastern Saudi Arabia. The attack happened when government forces raided al-Masoura neighborhood in the village of Awamiyah in Qatif region. Gun shots could also be heard during the attack and a number of cars were set on fire. According to reports, Saudi forces blocked all roads to the village and stopped humanitarian aid from reaching the area. No details have been released on the reason behind the attack. Qatif has been the scene of peaceful protests since 2011. Protesters have been demanding reforms, freedom of expression and the release of political prisoners. Regime forces have cracked down on the protests.

Moon in Blue House

Liberal politician Moon Jae-in is sworn in as the new president of South Korea, a day after a landslide election victory. Moon won the race for the Blue House by getting more than 41 percent of the votes. His presidency brings an end to months of political vacuum caused by his predecessor Park Geun-hye’s corruption scandal. Moon now has to unify a divided nation and face various challenges. They include a row between China and the US over the deployment of the controversial US missile system, THAAD, in South Korea. Moon says he is prepared to discuss THAAD with Beijing and Washington, promising to make efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Failure of Iran’s enemy

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution says the enemy’s short-term objective is to undermine security and trigger chaos and sedition in the country. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei made the comment in a commencement ceremony for cadets at a military academy in Tehran. The Leader said Iran has managed to ensure security at home in a region beset by unrest and tension. He said enemies seek to strip the Iranian nation of this security. Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that the enemy's midterm objective is to target Iran’s economy. He said enemies have plotted to keep production low and increase unemployment in Iran to disappoint the people. Iran’s Leader added that the enemy's long-term objective is to change the Islamic establishment in Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei urged the Iranian nation to stand ready to foil enemy plots.

Turkey-US spat

Turkey has voiced discontent over the US support for the Syrian Kurdish militia known as the YPG. Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said his country cannot accept the US support for the YPG, which Ankara considers to be a terrorist group. The top official accused Trump’s administration of being in the same sack as terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces has praised the support, noting that it would speed up the defeat of Daesh terrorists. The YPG militia is the primary component of the SDF. Earlier on Monday, the US president approved a plan to directly arm Syrian Kurds against Daesh terrorists, describing the SDF as the most reliable group on the ground for the seizure of Syria’s Daesh-held city of Raqqah.

Plight of a minority

A Muslim man has been injured during a confrontation between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon. Myanmar’s police say the confrontation began after Buddhist extremists entered a Muslim neighborhood. The Buddhists claimed that some Rohingya Muslims were hiding in the area “illegally.” Police fired warning shots to disperse the crowds. The incident is the latest manifestation of anti-Muslim sentiments in the Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Last month, Buddhists forced the closure of two Muslim schools in Yangon. Rohingya Muslims are largely denied citizenship and basic rights. The majority of them live in the western state of Rakhine, where they have been facing persecution over the past several years. The violence has forced thousands of Rohingya to flee Myanmar.

Iran election security

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution has warned against any attempt to disrupt security during the May 19th presidential election. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was addressing a ceremony for cadets at a military academy in Tehran. He said anyone who acts against national security during the voting will be dealt with seriously. He also urged compliance with the law. The Leader noted the voting will be to the country's detriment if it is tainted with unethical behavior, breach of law and words that would please the enemy. The Leader urged the candidates to express clearly that they are standing up to Washington’s acquisitiveness and Zionists’ wickedness. Ayatollah Khamenei also highlighted Iran’s success in maintaining security at home.

Battle for Mosul

Iraqi forces have retaken another area in western Mosul from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. Iraqi troops recaptured al-Maamel area and raised the Iraqi flag there. This is the latest of several neighborhoods seized by Iraqi forces since last week. Several terrorists were reportedly killed in the fighting. The developments come as Iraqi troops are pressing ahead with their operation to fully recapture Mosul. On Tuesday, Iraqi forces liberated the Northern Industrial Area on the western side of the city and inflicted losses on the terrorists.

Germany security raids

In Germany, police have carried out anti-terrorism raids across the country. Prosecutors said in a statement that the crackdown was launched against the sympathizers of Daesh. The raids targeted the homes of suspects as well as other properties in four states including Berlin and Bavaria. Two of the individuals were suspected of belonging to Daesh and one of supporting it. There have been several terrorist attacks in Germany in recent months. Daesh claimed responsibility for a truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that claimed 12 lives in December. The head of Germany's security service says the country faces a serious threat from the terrorist group.

NATO's Afghanistan plan

NATO is assessing a request for sending a few thousand more troops to Afghanistan. Secretary General Stoltenberg says military chiefs made the request to help fight Daesh. He made the remarks following talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May in London. The issue will be high on the agenda of the NATO annual summit in Brussels on May 25. US-led forces formally ended their combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014. However, around 13,000 NATO troops are present in the war-torn country training local forces. Afghanistan is still gripped by militancy despite the presence of foreign troops. Attacks by Taliban have intensified and Afghan military and civilian casualties have risen.

Syria civilian casualties

US airstrikes north of the Syrian city of Raqqah have killed eleven civilians, including four children. A UK-based monitoring group says several civilians were also injured in the airstrikes that targeted al-Salihiya village. The US has been carrying out airstrikes in the region and backing the militia to retake the ISIL-held city of Raqqah. The US-led coalition has not commented on the raids yet. The US claims to avoid civilian deaths in its strikes in Syria, but locals say most of those killed are civilians.

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