WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, December 24, 2018.

US government shutdown

A partial US government shutdown over budget spending has entered its third day. The closures began at 0500 GMT on Saturday after Democrats resisted President Donald Trump’s demand for a five billion-dollar border wall funding. Nine of the 15 federal departments including State, Homeland Security, Transportation, Agriculture and Justice are partially closed. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are working unpaid or on temporary leave. A deal to end the funding dispute appears to be a distant prospect as Congress adjourned on the weekend for Christmas. On Sunday, the White House budget director said the shutdown could extend well into the New Year.

Stocks down

Asian stocks start the week with a subdued tone in the wake of a huge drop in the US market. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan lost point-5 percent to reach its lowest in seven weeks. Stocks lost values in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul in early trading, while those in China and Sydney rose. This after the Dow and Nasdaq indexes in the US ended Friday with their biggest weekly drop since the start of the global financial crisis. Investors are fearful of the fallout of a government shutdown in Washington, President Donald Trump's public feuding with the Federal Reserve and the spiraling US-China trade war.

Nawaz Sharif jail sentence

A Pakistani court hands down a seven-year jail term to ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in one of the corruption cases against him. The cases against Sharif were launched by the National Accountability Bureau in 2017 following a ruling by the country’s top court that disqualified him as premier. The court announced the verdict in one case, while acquitting him in another. Last week, the judge rejected a request by Sharif's lawyer to be given one week to submit more documents. The judge said the court was bound to follow the December 24th final deadline set by the Supreme Court. Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law Mohammad Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year in prison, respectively, in the case related to the Panama Papers scandal. They were, however, bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September.

Khashoggi murder probe

Turkey says it is working with other countries to carry the probe into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the United Nations. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has also called on Riyadh to share its findings with the international community. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul nearly three months ago. His death and disappearance was first denied by Saudi officials. But as the international pressure grew, Riyadh confirmed his death. Meanwhile, Turkish and American findings say Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was involved in the murder. Riyadh rejects the claims.

Lebanon political deadlock  

Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri says some parties do not want a new government to be formed. Berri made the comment in an interview with the Lebanese daily, al-Akhbar. His comments came after the latest efforts to form a unity government failed on Friday, hours after Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said a deal was close. Officials say political parties have differences on how to fill ministerial posts. The differences have left Lebanon without a government, more than seven months after general elections. The vote was the first in the country in nine years and brought significant victories to resistance movement, Hezbollah and its allies.

Afghanistan attack

A bomb explosion has rocked the Afghan capital Kabul. The bomb planted inside a car went off near the office of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works. Two people were wounded. After the blast, gunmen started exchanging fire with Afghan security forces. Witnesses say the fighting is ongoing. They also say the attackers have targeted Afghanistan’s spy agency, known as the National Directorate of Security. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Indonesia tsunami

The death toll from Saturday’s tsunami in Indonesia has climbed to 373 people. Search and rescue operations continue along the tsunami-struck islands of Java and Sumatra, where the rescue teams try to pull victims and possible survivors from the debris. Officials say around 1,500 people are injured, and more than 120 people remain missing. Experts warn that the devastated region could be slammed by more deadly waves caused by volcanic eruptions. This is the second major tsunami to hit Indonesia this year. In September, more than 2,500 died following an earthquake and tsunami that hit the island of Sulawesi.

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