WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, October 3, 2018 to 0800 GMT, October 4, 2018.

Putin blames Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the US president himself is to blame for the current high oil prices. Putin says interfering in market processes and trying to gain competitive advantages by using political tools is not the right way to regulate markets. He also warned the US over the dollar. Putin says Washington is making a “colossal strategic mistake” by underestimating the confidence in the dollar. He pointed to how Europeans are now thinking about a billing option in addition to the dollar which will undermine the green back.

Blasting US ‘outlaw regime’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described the United States as an outlaw regime following Washington’s termination of a bilateral amity treaty with Tehran. The US Secretary of State announced on Wednesday that his country is pulling out of the Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations signed with Iran in 1955. He made the remarks after the International court of justice ordered the US to lift its sanctions on humanitarian goods to Iran. The sanctions were re-imposed on Iran after Washington withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May.

Ireland protest  

Thousands of people have staged a rally in Irish capital Dublin to protest the country’s housing crisis. The protesters were members of trade unions, housing and homeless charities and opposition parties as well as students. They marched across Dublin before rallying outside the Irish parliament. The protest was planned to coincide with a session to put a bill to vote in the lower house of parliament. The legislation calls for the homelessness crisis to be declared a national emergency and demands an increase in funding for public and affordable housing.

Iran's missile program

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman says NATO should be worried about the US dangerous policies. Bahram Qassemi rejected NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg’s comments about Iran’s missiles. He said Iran’s missile program is defensive. He added that Iran, like any other independent country in the world is entitled to have conventional defensive and military programs. Regarding Iran’s nuclear activities, Bahram Qassemi once again said the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly verified the peaceful nature of the program. The NATO chief had earlier expressed concern over Iran’s missiles and nuclear energy program.

Spain clashes

Riot police attack pro-independence protesters in the Spanish region of Catalonia. Police used batons on the protesters in the city of Barcelona. The demonstrators also marched through the streets of the city. On Monday, police also used rubber bullets to prevent separatists from breaking into the regional parliament building. They were part of a larger demonstration marking the first anniversary of a banned independence referendum in Catalonia.

Iran’s elements or power

The leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution says enemies are opposing Tehran's missile program and regional influence because these are the country’s elements of power. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was speaking at a gathering of tens of thousands of Basij volunteer forces in Tehran. He said the enemies are afraid of the Islamic Republic’s power. Iran’s leader described the US as a bully. He said the Trump administration’s threats are nothing new. He stressed that the country’s economy will overcome sanctions. Ayatollah Khamenei also highlighted the importance of media and said enemies are trying to portray a false image of Iran. The leader noted that they will retreat in the face of the nation’s unity and strong will.

China-US tensions

China has slammed the United States for suggesting that Beijing was behind the cancellation of a bilateral security summit scheduled for this month. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chun-ying said the US accusation is completely distorted and extremely irresponsible. She said the reason behind the cancellation is that Washington called for postponing the negotiation a few days ago. The remarks came after a senior US official said China had cancelled the summit. The meeting of the U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue was first held in Washington last year. This year it was planned to be held with the participation of the U-S secretary of state and the Pentagon chief. Tensions have increased between the two countries recently over trade and the South China Sea disputed islands.

US rally

In the US, demonstrators have held a rally to oppose President Donald Trump's controversial Supreme Court nominee. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington DC, holding placards and chanting slogans against embattled Bret Kavanaugh. Rights activists and political figures gave speeches condemning the nomination of a person bogged in a series of sexual assault controversies. Protesters also denounced Republican senators for putting political party gains above public interest.

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