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A photograph taken on March 12, 2018 shows the Russian Foreign Ministry building in Moscow. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, March 19, 2018 to 08:00 GMT, March 20, 2018.

EU reaction to Putin's re-election 

Moscow has condemned the EU’s antagonistic stance on the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in Britain. In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry criticized what it called the unqualified support offered by EU foreign ministers to London. It labeled the anti-Russia stance as misconstrued considerations of euro-solidarity. The statement added that the current state of affairs in no way honors the bloc's common foreign policy. Following an emergency meeting on Monday, EU's top diplomats released a statement, condemning Russia for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. Britain has accused Russia of being behind the incident in which a Soviet-era nerve agent was purportedly used. Russia vehemently denies any involvement.

Turkey ‘aggression’ against Syria

The Syrian ambassador to the United Nations has once again slammed Turkey’s operation against Kurdish forces on the other side of the border with Syria. Bashar Ja'afari said Turkey and NATO are both involved in bloodshed in Syria’s northeastern Afrin region. The senior Syrian diplomat also lashed out at NATO and the US for helping Turkey in its cross-border military offensive. Earlier, the Turkish army forced Kurdish YPG forces out of Afrin. Ankara considers the group a threat to its security and the Syrian offshoot of the PKK which has been fighting the Turkish government for decades. Turkey has vowed to expand its military operations against Kurdish forces in Syria while threatening to send troops to Iraq as well.

Warning on Mueller sacking

A top US Republican senator says it would be a mistake for President Donald Trump to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who heads a probe into possible Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. John Cornyn said sacking Mueller would produce all sorts of unintended consequences. The Senate’s number two Republican dismissed the possibility of firing the special counsel, adding that it is unnecessary to pass legislation to protect Mueller. Trump has tweeted several times against the Mueller investigation over the past few days, creating concerns that he may be preparing the ground to fire the special counsel whose probe inches closer to the president himself.

South Korea-US drills

The United States and South Korea say their annual joint military drills will go ahead as planned, despite a diplomatic thaw with North Korea. The Pentagon says the drills are defensive in nature and Pyongyang has no reason to see them as a provocation. Washington says the North has been informed of the dates and nature of the exercises. According to Seoul and Washington, the drills will start on April the first without any downsizing. The announcement comes after a recent reduction in tensions on the Korean Peninsula. South Korean officials say Pyongyang has offered to consider giving up its nuclear and missile programs if the US provides security guarantees. They also say the North Korean leader has expressed willingness to meet with the US President. The offer was welcomed by Washington, with the Trump administration announcing plans to arrange a meeting before the end of May.

China warning to Taiwan

The Chinese president says any attempt to separate Taiwan from the mainland will fail. This days after the US president signed a law to encourage visits between American and Taiwanese officials at all levels. Xi Jinping said it is a shared aspiration of all Chinese people and in their basic interests to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stressed that any actions and tricks to split China are doomed to failure and will meet with the people's condemnation and the punishment of history. On Friday, Donald Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act that was passed unanimously by both the House and the Senate. The law allows unrestricted travel by American officials to meet with members of Taiwan's government. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, and says any issue pertaining to the self-rule island is a matter of China’s internal affairs.

Celebrating Nowruz

The streets in Tehran and other Iranian cities are packed with people shopping for goods as Iranians are preparing to celebrate the Persian New Year. As spring approaches salesmen use almost every corner of the sidewalk to showcase their items for sale. People also use the last hours of the current year to buy things they need. From new clothes which symbolize the renewal of life, like spring, to furniture, food and fruits, are things that people buy. They also buy items for what is called Sofre-Haft-Seen which is traditionally believed to keep the family together and make them enjoy the most beautiful moments of the start of the spring. They say they are happy despite all the problems they might have.

Palestinian president's anger

The Palestinian president has leveled an unprecedented attack on the US administration, calling the American ambassador to Israel a ‘son of a dog’. Abbas made the remarks in a meeting with Palestinian leaders in Ramallah. He rejected the new US plan for compromise with Israel and said Palestinians will neither accept nor let it pass. Trump’s special envoy to Israel, David Friedman, was quick to respond by labeling Abbas’ comments as anti-Semitic rather than political discourse. The White House also condemned the Palestinian president's remarks and urged him to choose practical efforts toward peace. Friedman is a devout advocate of Israel’s settlements expansion policy in the occupied Palestinian territories.

EU stance on JCPOA

The European Union foreign policy chief says the EU is reluctant to change the landmark nuclear deal with Iran despite pressure from Washington. Federica Mogherini says full implementation of the agreement by all parties is of strategic importance to Europeans. After chairing a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Mogherini said the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, is a matter of security for Europe and the rest of the world. She noted that any attempt to disrupt the pact would create an additional security threat and concern in the region. The top EU diplomat further said that the EU is willing to discuss Iran’s missile program and its regional activities, adding however that the talks should take place outside the scope of the nuclear agreement.

Iran Oil Nationalization Day

Iran is marking the 67th anniversary of the nationalization of its oil industry. As our correspondent Ghanbar Naderi reports, the movement is viewed as a historic breakthrough in the country’s independence from the West.

 


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