WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, March 6, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, March 7, 2017.

‘Blacklist Israel’

A coalition advocating for children caught in conflict is urging the UN to put Israel on a blacklist for killings and other violations of Palestinian children’s rights. Mikavica said Israel not having been blacklisted so far should be blamed on certain “UN Security Council lobbies”. She called on the council members to view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with impartiality. Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict also asked UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to add Myanmar and Afghanistan on the list. The coalition also requested that actions of several national, international, and opposition groups from countries like the Central African Republic, Congo, Mali, Somalia and Syria to be scrutinized. The blacklist is part of the secretary-general’s annual report on children in armed conflict.

US anti-Russia sanctions

The US treasury secretary says a series of anti-Russia sanctions ordered by Congress will soon be imposed. Steven Mnuchin made the remarks in a testimony before a House subcommittee. The sanctions package entered into law earlier this year despite opposition from President Donald Trump. Some lawmakers have accused the administration of dragging its feet to enforce the package. But Mnuchin said a classified report given to Congress detailed the efforts to design the package of penalties. The report lists more than 100 Russian officials and business leaders eligible for sanctions. The Trump administration has been wrestling with allegations of ties with Moscow. Several members of Trump's campaign have been charged or admitted lying to the FBI about their contacts with Russian officials.

Slamming Israeli occupation

Iran’s foreign minister says Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories lies at the heart of most of the calamities in the Middle East. In a tweet, Mohammad Javad Zarif said history shows that occupying another’s land has never been sustainable. The Iranian top diplomat noted that the Israeli occupation and the apartheid system that perpetuates it will not last long. Zarif’s comments come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his accusations against Iran at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The Israeli premier warned that “darkness is descending as Iran expands its sphere of influence in the Middle East”. He reiterated that “we must stop Iran”.

US-EU trade row

The US president has criticized the European Union’s trade rules, refusing to reconsider his controversial tariffs. Donald Trump made the remarks in a joint news conference with the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven at the White House. Last week, Trump announced plans to impose 25 percent import duties on steel from all foreign producers and 10 percent on aluminum. The move has fueled concerns about a possible global trade war as it raises the prospects of retaliatory measures by America’s key trading partners.

Another departure at White House

In yet another White House resignation, economic adviser Gary Cohn has stepped down from his post amid differences with the president over his planned trade tariffs. The announcement was made through a statement issued by the White House. Cohn, who has been on the job for more than a year, however, refused to give details about his resignation. According to a White House source, Donald Trump's announcement of his plans to impose the tariffs triggered an intense debate within the oval office between Cohn and other advocates of free trade, on one side, and protectionist advisers on the other.

US North Korea policy

The US president has welcomed a recent statement by North Korea that suggests discussing abandoning its weapons program in return for Washington security guarantee. Donald Trump, however, added that the US will do something in order not to let the situation fester warning that all options remain open to Washington. A senior administration official said US joint drills with South Korea will resume after the Winter Games. Meanwhile, the United Nations welcomed plans for a summit between North and South Korean leaders. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the world body is ready to help advance talks on ending the crisis over Pyongyang's drive to develop nuclear weapons. The leaders of the two Koreas have agreed to hold a summit next month in the peace village of Panmunjom. The announcement was made after a delegation from Seoul visited Pyongyang days ago.

UK-Saudi Arabia ties

Leader of Britain’s opposition Labour party has called on the UK prime minister to use the visit of Saudi Arabia's crown prince to London to protest Riyadh’s war on Yemen. Jeremy Corbyn said Theresa May should tell Mohammad bin Salman that Britain would no longer supply arms to the Kingdom while “the devastating” Saudi-led bombing of Yemen continues. The Labour party leader also urged May to make clear that the UK strongly opposes the widespread human and civil rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. Corbyn’s remarks come as anti-war and human rights groups plan to hold a protest outside May's Downing Street office on Wednesday when Mohammad bin Salman is scheduled to have talks with May.

Syria denies claims of chemical weapons use

Syria has strongly dismissed reports that pro-government forces used chemical weapons during shelling of the Eastern Ghouta region. A pro-opposition aid group has claimed that 30 people suffered breathing problems following Monday’s shelling of the town of Hammouriyeh. Now, the Syrian Foreign Ministry says the government does not possess any types of chemical weapons, and that the claim is a new lie. The ministry has spoken of cases showing militants have chemical weapons. Damascus said more than 40 metric tons of chlorine gas was recently seized near the west-central city of Hama. Also in late February, the government informed the United Nations of chemical weapons hidden by Nusra Front terrorists in Idlib. Trucks were also loaded with poisonous substances through a crossing on the Turkish border.

Greece's refugee crisis

Rights groups have called on Greece to end the suffering of thousands of asylum seekers who are trapped on the Aegean Islands. Amnesty International says Athens and its European partners must immediately transfer the refugees to safety on the mainland. Human Rights Watch says Greek and EU authorities should work to restore the dignity and humanity of people seeking protection. Also, Refugee Rights Europe says the situation on the Greek islands is at the breaking point, with the refugees facing a daily violation of their human rights. In 2016, following an agreement between Turkey and the European Union, Greece implemented a containment policy to prevent asylum seekers from leaving the islands for mainland Greece.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir