WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, August 20, 2018 to 0800 GMT, August 21, 2018.

China to continue buying Iran oil

Chinese refiners and oil traders are reportedly set to use Iranian tankers for their crude oil imports from the Islamic Republic despite US sanctions. China will reportedly shift its cargoes to vessels owned by National Iranian Tanker Company for nearly all its oil imports. Meanwhile, the French energy giant, Total, has officially quit its multi-billion-dollar gas project in Iran following Washington's anti-Tehran sanctions. This, as the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman called on the European Union and other signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement to maximize their efforts to preserve the deal. The US has pledged to increase economic pressure on Iran to force it to re-negotiate the accord. Tehran, however, has repeatedly rejected any talks with Washington.

US-Turkey row

The US president has ruled out making any concessions to Turkey to gain the freedom of an American pastor detained there. Donald Trump added that he is not concerned that Washington’s tariffs on Turkey will hurt the European economy. The US president noted that his Turkish counterpart has reneged on a deal to free pastor Brunson after Trump persuaded Israel to release a Turkish citizen. Trump has imposed tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminum in response to Ankara's refusal to free Brunson. Meanwhile, Turkey has lodged a complaint at the World Trade Organization against additional US tariffs. Ankara says Washington’s measures are inconsistent with the WTO’s provisions on tariffs and trade.

Venezuela economic reforms

Venezuela unveils a set of economic reforms to curb the hyperinflation in the South American country. New banknotes are issued with five zeros thrown away. The national currency is named sovereign Bolivar and is pegged to the country’s cryptocurrency called petro. The price of a barrel of Venezuelan oil determines the value of petro which currently stands at nearly sixty US dollars. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro raised the minimum wages by three-thousand percent in a bid to boost the purchasing power of the ordinary people. Many say the new plans will fail. The government, however, describes the critics as naysayers, pledging to improve the country’s economic situation.

Annual Hajj pilgrimage

Millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world are marking the pinnacle of their Hajj pilgrimage. They are performing the symbolic stoning of the devil. Pilgrims throw 49 pebbles at three walls representing devils in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca. The stoning marks the first day of Eid al-Adha or the feast of sacrifice. The Pilgrims will spend the day here before making a final return to the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The Mosque is home to the Ka'aba, the holiest site in Islam. As part of the religious rituals, pilgrims circle the Ka'aba seven times. The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage, which is mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims.

Australia refugee plight

Dozens of human rights organizations demand Australia evacuate all child refugees from the Pacific island of Nauru. A coalition of more than 30 charities and advocacy groups has started a petition on the issue. They want all children to be moved to mainland Australia or settled in another country. This comes as reports of a hunger strike by a 12-year-old boy on a weeks-long have fuelled fears about the health of those held in Nauru. 119 children are currently held on the Pacific island. They were transferred to Nauru under Australia's immigration policy that bans asylum seekers who arrive by boat from being settled in Australia. The Australian government insists the children are no longer in detention, but the kids and their parents are not allowed to leave Nauru.

Ebola outbreak in DRC

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say 55 people have died from an Ebola outbreak in recent weeks. The death toll rose after five new victims were found in North Kivu province. The Health Ministry said 96 cases of hemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 69 of which had been confirmed. The government has announced free treatment for the disease for the next three months in the epicenter of the outbreak. It is hoped that the decision would remove the financial barrier that could dissuade the population from going to health centers. Ebola has hit the central African country several times in recent years. Only between 2014 and 2016, more than 11,000 people died from the outbreak.

Iran’s deterrent defense power

The Iranian president says Tehran needs to develop its military power to guard the nation and its resources against its enemies. Hassan Rouhani said Iran’s defensive power makes it immune to the countries that want to taking over its territory and resources. He said Iran’s defense power is deterrent, and that the country has no intention to use its military power to attack other countries. He added that Iran is a nation of peace, engagement and cooperation. President Rouhani’s remarks come shortly after Iran unveiled a new domestically-built advanced fighter jet, called Kowsar. The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics and fourth-generation fire control system. It also utilizes computerized ballistic calculations of weaponry and an advanced head-up display to increase the accuracy of weapons.

Saudi airstrike on Yemen

Yemenis continue to mourn the death of 51 children in a Saudi-led attack on a school bus carried out about one week ago. Press TV's correspondent in Yemen Mohammed al-Attab has more in this report. We warn you that viewers may find some of the footage in this report disturbing.

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