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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), (L), and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), introduce a joint resolution to remove US armed forces from hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen, on Capitol Hill February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, March 20, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, March 21, 2017.

 

US Yemen war complicity

The US Senate has voted against a resolution that calls for ending support for Saudi Arabia’s deadly war against Yemen. The Senate voted 55 to 44 against the resolution which was put forward by some anti-war senators. Ahead of the vote, a number of senators described the three-year-long war as a humanitarian catastrophe which they blamed on Riyadh. Senator Bernie Sanders noted the deaths of thousands of civilians, displacement of millions, famine and the outbreak of cholera as a result of the war. This comes as the Saudi crown prince is on a trip to the United States. Nearly 14,000 Yemenis have been killed, mostly civilians, since Saudi Arabia launched the war on its southern neighbor in March 2015.

Data breach scandal

British data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica has suspended its chief executive amid a major data scandal rocking Facebook. Alexander Nix is suspended pending a probe into his claims about the company’s role in US President Donald Trump's election. In a secretly recorded footage, Nix also claimed the company used bribes and sex workers to entrap politicians and operated shadowy front companies. The scandal-hit firm also denies whistleblower reports of harvesting data of some 50 million users as part of its work for Trump's election campaign. The scandal resulted in a drop in Facebook shares and prompted investigations over its use of personal data. A British parliamentary committee has summoned Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to personally explain the “catastrophic failure of process”. Zuckerberg has also been invited to address the European Parliament. US lawmakers have also called on Zuckerberg to appear before Congress, along with CEOs of Twitter and Google.

Celebrating Nowruz

People in Iran and several other countries are celebrating the Persian New Year’s holiday, known as Nowruz. Iranians nationwide are marking the blissful occasion with family gatherings, vacations and gift-giving. Children enjoy receiving presents while the elderly are filled with the joy and love of their children surrounding them. The millennia-old tradition is also celebrated in Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Turkey among other countries. Nowruz marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. The United Nations has recognized March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz.

Austin explosion

Another explosion has taken place in the city of Austin in the US state of Texas, following five blasts that have so far killed two people and injured several more since early March. Local media reported that the explosion happened at a Goodwill thrift store. Austin's officials said that a man in his thirties was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Austin police, the FBI and other agencies were at the scene. The series of blasts has been mostly contained to Austin, the state capital with a population of nearly one million. Officials said all previous explosive devices they found in the city were connected.

Lethal US drones export

American President Donald Trump is expected to pave the way for the export of some types of lethal drones to more US allies. Sources familiar with the matter say Trump will ease rules for such foreign sales under a long-delayed new policy on unmanned military aircraft. Trump is expected to make the move later this month. US drone manufacturers, facing growing competition overseas especially from Chinese and Israeli rivals have lobbied hard for the rule changes. The White House is expected to tout the move as part of Trump's measures to create jobs and reduce the US trade deficit. Human rights and arms control advocates, however, warn it risks fueling violence and instability in regions such as the Middle East and South Asia.

US ‘hurting’ Venezuela

Venezuela has accused the United States of trying to hurt its economy after the White House banned Americans from engaging in transactions with Caracas’ new cryptocurrency, known as Petro. The Venezuelan president said he is going to sign an agreement to build 230,000 homes, financing them with Petro. On Monday, Donald Trump’s administration threatened to impose more oil sanctions on Venezuela if the government doesn't free political prisoners and hold a free and fair presidential election. In February, Venezuela became the first country to launch its own version of cryptocurrency. Petro is backed by Venezuela's crude oil reserves which is the largest in the world.

Israel admission

Israel has confirmed it carried out an air raid against what it called a suspected nuclear site in Syria back in September 2007. The Israeli military has released declassified documents including a cockpit video that allegedly shows the destruction of the Al-Kubar facility near Dayr al-Zawr in an airstrike. The military says eight F-15 fighter jets flew 450 kilometers into Syria to batter the site. Israel claims the attack removed a major threat and was a “message to others”. Syria has denied that Al-Kubar was a nuclear reactor. Israel has conducted several airstrikes against Syria in the past years. Last month, Syria shot down an Israeli warplane after hitting a Syrian military base.


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