WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, July 27, 2017.

Israel under pressure

Palestinian Muslim clerics have lifted their boycott on prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound following Israel’s historic capitulation that led to the removal of recently imposed restrictions on the holy site. The head of Waqf Council, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, called on Palestinian worshipers to resume attending the daily and Friday prayers at the Haram al-Sharif mosque. Israeli authorities removed all metal detectors, railings and security cameras that had been installed in and around the mosque in early hours of Thursday following days of Palestinian protests and international pressure. Israeli authorities also confirmed that they ended all of the security measures imposed on the holy site.

Saudi raid

Saudi forces have waged a fresh attack on a Shia neighborhood in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, shooting dead at least one person. Locals say tanks and military vehicles have stormed the town of Awamiyah in the Qatif region, arresting dozens of civilians. They say a barrage of artillery shells have been indiscriminately fired on residential buildings in the region. A series of videos circulating on social media appear to show Saudi troops on the streets and buildings on fire. Reports say at least two Indian migrant workers have been injured in the raids. Since 2011, the Shia populated Eastern Province has been the scene of anti-regime protests, demanding an end to discrimination by Riyadh.

Inter-Korea talks

South Korea says there is no imminent sign that North Korea is going to conduct additional missile launches. At the same time, South Korean Defense Ministry said Seoul’s stance for holding inter-Korean military talks remains unchanged. Earlier last week, Seoul proposed holding military talks with the North on July 21, but Pyongyang showed no reaction to the proposal. The South hopes that the North would make its position clear on Thursday as it marks the 64th anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire agreement. Seoul hopes to broker a new round of talks.

Succumbing to pressure

Israel finally accedes to remove all restrictive measures recently implemented at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds. The decision appeased angry Palestinians to some extent after they protested the restrictions almost for a fortnight. Palestinian authorities have also expressed satisfaction over the lifting of the restrictions, calling on Palestinians to return to the holy site and perform their prayers there. Here’s a report.

Brexit fallout

Workers’ freedom of movement between Britain and the European Union will end after Brexit. That’s according to the UK immigration minister. Brandon Lewis says a new immigration system will be in place by March 2019 when the UK leaves the bloc. However, British Interior Minister Amber Rudd says the needs of UK businesses and the wider society will be met in the new immigration system. Meanwhile, EU officials have warned that the next round of negotiations on post-Brexit ties between London and the union will be delayed for two months. The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said the talks won’t be held untill sufficient progress is made on key issues regarding Brexit.

Al-Aqsa celebrations

Palestinians have gathered outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to celebrate the removal of Israel’s restrictive measures around the sacred site. Israel removed its recently imposed barriers, scaffoldings, high-tech cameras and metal detectors amid anger in the occupied territories and elsewhere in the Muslim world. However, Palestinians are warning that they will not offer prayers inside al-Aqsa unless Israel removes its remaining devices at the entry point, known as Bab-al Hata. Israel imposed the restrictions following the July 14 violence that left three Palestinians and two Israelis dead. The move, however, provoked days of unrest, with violent clashes on the streets of Jerusalem al-Quds. Palestinians say Tel Aviv was trying to expand its control over Islam’s third holiest site and Judaize al-Quds under the pretext of security.

Iran rocket launch

Iran has successfully tested its Simorgh satellite-carrying rocket. Simorgh - the Persian word for Phoenix - is capable of putting a satellite weighing up to 250 kilograms into an orbit of 500 kilometers. The launch was conducted by the Imam Khomeini Iranian space center. The center is responsible for all operations related to satellite carriers, including preparation, launch, control and steering. The Imam Khomeini Space Center conforms to the latest international standards.

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