WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, August 21, 2018 to 0800 GMT, August 22, 2018.

Trump in trouble

The US president’s former campaign chief has been found guilty on eight charges of tax and bank fraud. The jury found Paul Manafort guilty of two of nine bank fraud charges, all five tax fraud charges and one of four charges of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. He also gave prosecutors until August 29 to decide whether to retry Manafort on the charges which the jury could not reach a verdict on them. The Senate intelligence committee said any attempt by Donald Trump to pardon Manafort would be a gross abuse of power and requires immediate congressional response. Trump tried to distance himself from the conviction saying it does not involve him.

US's Russia sanctions

The Russian Foreign Ministry has dismissed the new US sanctions against Moscow as unsubstantiated. In a statement, the Russian deputy foreign minister warned that Moscow would give a response. Sergei Ryabkov stressed that the White House has introduced the sanctions under “false pretense”. Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Sigal Mandelker, has said that Washington will cause more economic trouble for Moscow if it does not change.

Hajj pilgrimage

The annual Hajj pilgrimage is nearing its end as Muslim pilgrims moved to the tent city of Mina near Mecca to perform their rituals. This after the pilgrims spent a day in the plain of Arafaat and marked the day of Arafah.

Slamming Manafort verdict

US President Donald Trump says the conviction of his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort on bank and tax fraud charges is a disgrace. Trump was speaking to reporters in the US state of West Virginia. His comments came after Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight financial crimes. The jury found Trump’s former campaign chairman guilty of bank and tax fraud charges and failing to disclose his foreign bank accounts. Manafort's lawyer said his client was disappointed and was evaluating his options. The Senate intelligence committee said any attempt by Donald Trump to pardon Manafort would be a gross abuse of power and requires immediate congressional response.

Germany wants direct transaction system with Iran

Germany has called on the European Union to establish a new payment system for its transactions with Iran. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the EU should set up a system if it wants to save the nuclear deal. He noted that the system should be independent of the United States, European Monetary Fund and SWIFT. The US unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and the world powers in May. Washington also threatened other signatories against doing business with Tehran. But other parties to the agreement believe Washington’s move was illegal and they should keep their trade with the Islamic Republic according to the deal.

Bolton unleashed

The US National Security Advisor says there is no understanding between the United Stated of America and Russia over Syria's Idlib province. John Bolton has made the remarks during a visit to Israel. He has warned the Syrian government against any use of chemical weapons in Idlib. Damascus rejects all allegations of chemical weapons use. The Syrian army is said to be preparing an operation to recapture Idlib, the last province under terrorist control. Bolton added all Iranian forces must leave the Arab country as a precondition for US co-operation to end the war. He says Russia informed the US that Moscow cannot force the Iranians to leave. Iran has repeatedly said its presence is limited to military advisors at the invitation of Damascus.

Saudi war crimes in Yemen

There’s been a rise in Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes on Yemeni fishing boats off the coast of Hudaydah. More than a dozen fishermen lost their lives and many more were injured in the latest such attack.

Australian politics

The Australian prime minister faces a new leadership challenge in his Liberal Party. Malcolm Turnbull survived a first challenge on Tuesday by Peter Dutton. The fresh inside-party voting is going to take place after seven ministers, who voted for Dutton, offered their resignations. Malcolm rejected the motions. He says he enjoys undoubted support from his fellow party members despite the recent divisions.

Marking Eid al-Adha

People in Muslim countries are marking Eid-al-Adha or the feast of sacrifice. Eid-al-Adha is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar. Muslims begin the celebrations by holding prayers. Anyone who can afford, sacrifices livestock and distributes the meat to friends and the poor. Muslims do this to celebrate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to express devotion to God. Some countries like Saudi Arabia celebrated Eid-al-Adha on Tuesday. The country is now hosting the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. This year’s Hajj pilgrimage has attracted more than two million Muslims from across the globe.

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