WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, April 1, 2017.

Ghouta evacuation deal

Russia has reportedly struck a deal with Syrian militants for the evacuation of hundreds of civilians from the city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 1,300 people who wish to leave for Idlib province can be evacuated. The UK-based opposition source said the deal is still partial and talks are underway on the fate of the militants who hold the city. Douma is the only part of Eastern Ghouta still held by anti-Damascus groups. The Syrian army began its operation in February in a bid to push out armed groups operating in the Damascus countryside. Nearly 150,000 militants have so far left the region.

US, South Korea drills

The United States and South Korea kick off joint military drills despite a thaw in relations on the Korean Peninsula. One of the exercises involves combined ground, air, naval and special troops. This will continue for a month. The second exercise is computer-simulated and will last for two weeks from mid-April. According to the Pentagon, nearly 30,000 US troops and 300,000 South Korean forces will take part in both drills. The annual exercises were delayed this year because of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The drills come a month ahead of a landmark summit between the two Koreas.

Catalonia rally

Hundreds of people in Spain have rallied to voice their opposition to the imprisonment of Catalonia’s separatist leaders and politicians. The rally was held in the town of Cambrils some 117 kilometers from Barcelona. The protesters said they want freedom and democracy. They also lambasted the ruling government for refusing to solve Catalonia’s political standoff. There have been series of demonstrations across the northern Spanish region in recent days following the arrest of former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont. He was arrested in Germany last week on a request by the Spanish government. Madrid accuses Puigdemont and several other Catalan politicians of sedition and acting against the country’s constitution.

Kashmir violence

Violence breaks out in Indian-controlled Kashmir amid a fresh wave of crackdown by security forces in the Himalayan region. At least twelve Kashmiris have been killed since early Sunday. Indian authorities say eight of the fatalities were gunmen and the other four were stone-throwing protesters who took to the streets in protest following the killings. New Delhi says two of its soldiers and two Indian civilians have also died. A total number of 50 Kashmiris have been killed at the hands of the Indian army since the beginning of this year. Kashmiris have long been protesting the crackdown by New Delhi. The Himalayan region is divided into two parts with India and Pakistan each ruling one, but claiming it in its entirety.

Against US police violence

Protesters have staged a vigil over the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man in the US state of California. The mourners held candles as well as signs in the city of Sacramento, demanding justice for Stephan Clark. They also chanted Clark's name as well as those of other unarmed black men killed by the police. An independent autopsy has revealed that officers shot Clark eight times with six of the bullets hitting him in the back. The killing has triggered street protests and fueled a renewed debate about bias against African Americans in the US criminal justice system.

Spy poisoning row

The German foreign minister has called for constructive dialogue with Russia in order to mend their fences amid an escalating diplomatic crisis between Moscow and the West. Heiko Maas says Russia is an important pillar of multilateralism and disarmament. Maas noted that despite the erosion of mutual trust, Moscow’s partnership remains essential in settling regional conflicts. The top diplomat emphasized that Germany is open to dialogue in order to gradually rebuild the lost trust. Last week, Berlin expelled four Russian diplomats in what it called a show of solidarity with Britain. Moscow retaliated by expelling the same number of German diplomats. Russia and the West are locked in a diplomatic standoff over the poisoning of a former double agent in the UK, which London blames on Moscow.

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