WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, March 19, 2019 to 0800 GMT, March 20, 2019.

Israeli killings in West bank

Israeli forces kill three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including a man suspected of being behind Sunday’s attacks near a settlement. Palestinian sources say two Palestinians were killed after Israeli soldiers opened fire at a vehicle near the Balata refugee camp, in the city of Nablus. The shooting occurred shortly after nineteen-year-old Omar Amin Abu Lila was killed in an Israeli shootout in the West Bank village of Abwein. Israeli special units had surrounded the house Abu Lila was hiding in. The operation came a day after the Palestinian man allegedly stabbed an Israeli soldier near the Ariel settlement and shot another Israeli at a nearby junction. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas had hailed the attacks as a natural response to Israeli crimes against Palestinians.

US-Brazil ties

The US president has announced his willingness to possibly designate Brazil as Washington's NATO ally. Donald Trump made the comments during a joint press conference with his Brazilian counterpart, Jair Bolsonaro, in Washington DC. Trump stressed that Washington will be looking forward to expanding bilateral ties with Brasilia. He also said the US will soon finalize an agreement with Brazil to conduct space launches from the South American Country. The far-right Brazilian president arrived in the US on Sunday. Bolsonaro is an avid admirer of Trump and his policies, particularly those with regard to opposing anti-imperialist governments in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba.

Southeastern Africa cyclone

The death toll from cyclone Idai that smashed into Mozambique and Zimbabwe rises to more than 300. In Mozambique, the flooding was triggered after River Buzi burst its banks. Rescuers are racing against the clock to help survivors by boats and helicopters. The country’s second largest city of Beira was the hardest hit after the tropical storm made landfall, four days ago. The government has declared a national emergency and has ordered three days of national mourning. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme says people are in need of food, clean water, and shelter. The storm is said to have been the worst natural disaster in the southern hemisphere.

US ‘war crimes’ in Somalia

A leading international human rights organization says the US has dramatically increased the number of its air strikes in Somalia. Amnesty International said that it carried out detailed investigations into five US airstrikes in which at least 14 civilians were killed. Amnesty said the findings contradict Washington’s claim that its strikes leave zero civilian casualties in Somalia. The rights group believes the US air raids could amount to war crimes and are in violation of international humanitarian law. It says that there have been over 100 US airstrikes on African nation in the past two years. The Pentagon says the air attacks are meant to target al-Shabab militants. But facts on the ground show mostly civilians have fallen victim to such strikes.

New Zealand terror attacks

Burials have begun for the victims of New Zealand’s mosque attacks that left 50 Muslim worshipers dead. The funeral is taking place in the city of Christchurch where the mass shootings occurred. Names and nationalities of the victims have not released, but hundreds of people plus the relatives of the victims are attending the ceremony. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern once again expressed support for the Muslim community and announced that the nation will hold a two-minute silence on Friday in respect for the victims.

US intervention in Venezuela

The US president has once again threatened Venezuela, saying he is considering all options against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Trump was speaking at a White House meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro who has backed Washington’s campaign against Maduro. The meeting drew a harsh response from Caracas. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry accused the two presidents of forming “a neo-fascist alliance” against the Latin American country. The ministry said such an alliance will fail to spread hatred and war strategies. Trump has said he could use military force to topple the Venezuelan government. Russia, however, has warned against such intervention and defended Maduro as Venezuelan’s only legitimate leader.

Asia markets plunge

Most Asian markets have fallen amid uncertainty over US-China trade talks and the Brexit saga. Seoul has tumbled more than one percent while Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney have dipped around half a percent. This comes as dealers are scared by a report that US officials are feeling some pushback from China on a number of trade demands. They are also concerned that the deadline set for the Brexit may not be extended which would bring about economic consequences. The conclusion of the US Federal Reserve meeting has also impacted the markets. It is predicted that the Fed will announce a slower pace of interest rates today.

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