WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, July 30, 2018.

Iran rules out talks with US

Iran rules out the possibility of talks with the United States citing Washington’s hostile policies toward Tehran. Qasemi stressed that the US continues to show it is not trustable. He was speaking at the Iranian foreign ministry’s press briefing in Tehran. His comments were in response to reports that some American officials have expressed willingness for negotiations with Iran. In May, the US pulled out of the international nuclear deal, saying it failed to address Iran’s missile program. Tehran says the withdrawal is illegal and its missile program is non-negotiable.

Morocco reaction to social issue

The King of Morocco has urged his government to take urgent action to address social issues. King Mohammed says a national system to register families for social support programs should be quickly implemented. He particularly called for stronger reforms in education and health sectors. The King admitted that the country's medical system is poorly managed and does not provide equal opportunities. The North African country has been rocked by protests over employment and corruption. Last month, dozens of activists were sentenced up to 20 years in prison.

China open to dialogue with US

The Chinese foreign minister says Beijing is open to dialogue with the United States to resolve bilateral trade frictions. Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting British foreign secretary, Wang insisted that Beijing does not want a trade war. He, however, noted that China must take countermeasures in the face of US aggressive attitude and violation of rights. Wang underlined that any unilateral threats or pressure from the US will only backfire. The top Chinese diplomat further blamed Washington for the trade imbalance between the two countries. Wang emphasized that the US should resolve bilateral trade disputes only through the framework of the World Trade Organization.

Fears in India’s Assam

Security is tight in India’s Assam in the wake of a census that has excluded four million people from the citizen list of the northeastern state. More than 32 million population of Assam submitted their documents to authorities to prove their citizenship. But it has turned out that at the end of the campaign, the names of four-million people were excluded from the draft lists. These people who are mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims are now fearful of being deported from India or sent to detention centers at Assam’s border with Bangladesh. India's Home Minister says those whose names are missing from the lists could re-submit their papers.

Zimbabwe elections

Voting is underway in Zimbabwe's elections, the first since the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe. Long lines have formed outside many polling stations across the country. Nearly six million people are eligible to vote to choose the president and members of parliament. Thousands of observers are monitoring the voting process. The key candidate is current president Emmerson Nan-gagwa, who took over from Mugabe in November. He says the entire election process will remain peaceful. Also running is main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa who says his victory is certain. Both candidates have cast their votes.

Church child abuse

Pope Francis accepts the resignation of an Australian archbishop, convicted of hiding abuse by a priest in the 1970s. In a statement, the Vatican added that Pope’s decision may bring some comfort to the victims despite their ongoing pain. The Vatican stressed that the judicial process will continue. Earlier in July, an Australian court found Archbishop Philip Edward Wilson guilty and sentenced him to 12 months in prison for concealing child sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church. The 67-year-old denied the charges and for a long time resisted calls to resign. The court has adjourned the matter until August 14 to assess whether Wilson can serve his sentence under home detention.

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