Press TV's news headlines

Israel's crackdown on Palestinians

The Israeli regime is escalating its crackdown in the West Bank as tensions run high across the occupied territories following violent attacks on Palestinian worshippers at al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds. Israeli forces have shot two more Palestinians during their raids in the West Bank town of al-Khalil. The regime’s forces have also attacked Palestinians in the Silwan neighborhood of al-Quds. Earlier, Israeli forces injured around 20 more Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Hundreds of Palestinians have been injured and detained since Friday after Israeli troops stormed the mosque and violently attacked worshipers there. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned the raids describing al-Aqsa as its red line. Palestinians view the vicious raids and desecration of Islam’s third holiest site as a major provocation calling for international intervention to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

Russia-NATO tension

Russia expresses worry about increased NATO activities in the Arctic, warning that these risk unintended incidents in the region. The Russian Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic cooperation has been quoted as saying that NATO’s activities does NOT contribute to the security of the region. Nikolai Korchunov said the alliance’s activities could cause serious damage to the Arctic ecosystem. He was referring to joint-NATO naval drills involving Finland and Sweden in March. The senior Russian diplomat also pointed to the possibility of the two Arctic nations joining the US-led military alliance. But he warned that the NATO expansion at the expense of traditionally non-bloc countries, will not contribute to security and mutual trust. Russia has already expressed its strong opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion.

Muslim students bullied in US

A new report shows Muslim students in the United States face high levels of bullying, both from other peers and teachers. Nearly half of the students interviewed in the state of California reported they were bullied for being Muslim. That’s according to a survey conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The report shows that more than half of the respondents felt unsafe unwelcome, or uncomfortable at school due to their Muslim identity. It says one in three female students who wear hijab reported that their attires were tugged at pulled or offensively touched. The report also found approximately one-third of students experienced or witnessed some form of cyber bullying. One of the disturbing findings indicated that nearly one in four respondents experienced offensive comments about Islam or Muslims from a teacher administrator or other adult at their schools.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir