WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, May 17, 2019 to 0800 GMT, May 18, 2019.

Maduro move

The Venezuelan president says talks between the government and opposition in Norway has sought to build a peaceful agenda for the Latin American country. Nicolas Maduro said two of his envoys have gone to Oslo to explore negotiations with the opposition. Talks in Norway started a week ago. Venezuela plunged into chaos in January, after US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president. In April, Guaido tried to rally the support of military troops to oust Maduro. But, the coup attempt failed to attract any sizable number of army defectors or massive civilian support.

IMF concern

The International Monetary Fund has voiced concern over the continued trade tensions between the United States and China. IMF Director Christine Lagarde says the trade war between Washington and Beijing could be a risk to the world economic outlook if it’s not resolved. China and the US have been engaged in a trade war over the past several months, imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on each other’s goods. The tensions started after Washington accused Beijing of violating intellectual property rights. But China rejects the allegation. The trade dispute prompted the two economic powers to hold talks to resolve their differences and make attempts to reach a deal. But the negotiations were stalled with Washington imposing unilateral sanctions on Chinese entities.

Sudan situation

Demonstrators in Sudan have cleared roadblocks from the streets of the capital Khartoum to set the stage for talks with the ruling military council on a transitional government. The protesters took the step after the military suspended negotiations for 72 hours and demanded the removal of the barricades as a pre-requisite for resumption of talks. But the protesters have pledged to bring back the roadblocks if their demands are not met. Meanwhile, activists continue their sit-in protest outside the army headquarters in Khartoum. They want all members of ex-President Omar al-Bashir’s inner circle to be removed from office. In the talks that began on Monday, Sudanese protesters demanded change to the composition of a transitional civilian body that is to rule the country for three years.

Australia voting

Australians are casting their ballots in the country’s federal elections that will elect the country’s eighth prime minister in 12 years. Polls opened at 8 am local time and will close at 6 pm, with about 17 million eligible to vote. The results are said to be known on Saturday evening. Incumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison represents the Conservatives and has made economic management the centerpiece of his campaign. This is while opposition Labor Party Leader Bill Shorten has vowed to tackle Australia’s economic and environmental issues if elected. Opinion polls show a tight race between the two parties.

Nigeria crackdown

The Nigerian army has attacked supporters of jailed senior Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky in the northern city of Zaria. Zakzaky’s supporters were holding a rally calling for his release, when they were attacked by Nigerian soldiers on Friday night. At least three protesters were injured seriously. Zakzaky’s supporters are mainly based in the northern state of Kaduna. The army has been cracking down on them since December 2015 when Sheikh Zakzaky was arrested and imprisoned. He and his wife remain in detention, despite a court ruling ordering their release. The Islamic movement in Nigeria, which is headed by Zakzaky, has expressed concern about the deteriorating heath condition of the cleric.

Syria repels missile attack

The Syrian army’s air defense systems have sprung into action after terrorists fired a barrage of projectiles in the country's north west. According to a military source, terror groups targeted the Hamey-mim air base in Latakia province with missiles and drones. However, the al-Qardahah area in Latakia was also hit, killing at least one person and injuring a number of others. Latakia province sits next to the terrorist-held Idlib, where the Syrian army has recently clashed with terrorists on the outskirts of the province. Earlier, Syrian air defenses intercepted projectiles fired from Israel over the Syrian provinces of Quneitra and Damascus. The attacks are generally viewed as attempts to prop up terror groups suffering defeats at the hands of Syrian government forces.

Torture probe call

The United Nations has called on the UK Government to open an inquiry into alleged torture by British troops in war zones. The UN Committee against Torture has called on London to investigate cases without further delay. The committee says it regrets the British government's failure to establish an inquiry, despite its previous assurances to the UN. The UN also urged London to refrain from granting amnesty to army veterans involved in torture in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

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