WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, March 23, 2018 to 08:00 GMT, March 24, 2018.

US-China trade tensions

The potential ramifications of the US trade confrontation with China continue to take a toll on the Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average fell another 1.8 percent, shedding over 400 points to hit its lowest level since November. The Dow lost 3,000 points since it peaked three months ago. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite Index also lost over two points. The major averages posted their worst week since January 2016. On Thursday, the US President signed a decree on trade and investment restrictions against China, weeks after he ordered steep tariffs on metal imports. Donald Trump claims his policies have brought America’s trading partners to the negotiating table. But China and the European Union say they won’t hold talks while being threatened. Beijing also says it’s not afraid of a trade war and has threatened to retaliate.

EU-UK relations

A European Union leaders’ summit in Brussels has given the green light for trade talks with the UK but analysts warn many key issues relating to Brexit remain unresolved. Officials on both sides of the negotiations are warning that the real work should begin now as details have to be finalized within a very restricted time period. Press TV's Jerome Hughes reports.

Catalonia clashes

Violent clashes have erupted in the streets of Barcelona following the detention of five leading Catalan secessionist figures. Police in riot gear battered pro-independence supporters who had gathered to protest Spain’s Supreme Court decision to place the high-profile separatist politicians in custody. Angry demonstrators shouted anti-Madrid slogans and burnt the picture of the Spanish king. The top court had already ruled for the trial of twenty-five senior separatists on charges of rebellion, embezzlement or disobeying the state. The indictment was issued on Friday, wrapping up a four-month-long investigation into last fall’s move to declare independence from Spain. International arrest warrants were also issued against Catalonia's former president Carles Puigdemont and four other secessionists who have fled Madrid’s prosecution. Under the Spanish law, rebellion is punishable with up to 30 years in prison.

Saudis sponsoring terror

Iran has condemned the Saudi foreign minister’s latest accusations against the Islamic Republic. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has described Adel Al-Jubeir’s remarks as hypocritical and unfounded. He said Saudi Arabia is the main sponsor of terrorism and is to blame for instability in the Middle East and beyond. Speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington, Jubeir said Iran is the source of terrorism in the Middle East and accused Tehran of intervening in the internal affairs of regional countries. He also called the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers a flawed agreement.

UNHRC blasting Israeli policies

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted five anti-Israel resolutions, condemning the regime’s conduct against Palestinians and its expansionist policies, among others. The resolutions called on Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territories it occupied after 1967 and respect Palestinians right to self-determination. The documents also demanded a halt to all settlement activities in the occupied territories as well as accountability and justice for Palestinians. Two resolutions also called on Israel to pull out its forces from the occupied Golan Heights and demanded an arms embargo on the regime. The five resolutions were presented by the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. They were proposed under the council's agenda item seven that mandates the body to debate Israel's human rights abuses at every single session.

‘US provocation’

China has condemned the US after an American warship entered waters near an island claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea. The Chinese official said such moves by the US will only push the Asian nation to further strengthen its defense capabilities. US navy destroyer USS Mustin on Friday sailed close to the Chinese island as part of what it called a freedom of navigation operation. The warship was then warned to leave the area by two Chinese navy ships. China has repeatedly warned the US against any military activities in the region. It also accuses Washington of interfering in regional disputes over the South China Sea.

Inter-Korean talks

South Korea says the North has agreed to hold high-level negotiations next week to discuss ways of holding an inter-Korean summit in April. According to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, each side will send a three-member delegation to the peace village of Panmunjom on Thursday. The planned meeting comes amid a rapid reduction in tensions on the Korean Peninsula since Winter Olympics in the South. April’s talks are to be followed by a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May.

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