WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, August 22, 2018 to 0800 GMT, August 23, 2018.

US's trade war on the world

The United States Federal Reserve warns, an escalation of US trade disputes with other countries threatens America's economy. The Federal Reserve said the imposition of tariffs on hundreds of products, mostly from China, has fueled inflation. It noted, tariff increases have reduced the purchasing power of American households. The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed duties on goods from several countries. Many countries, including Washington’s European allies have described the tariffs as illegal and a protectionist move.

Gaza's fund problems

The UN says it doesn’t have any more money to fund fuel supplies for hospitals, water plants and other vital facilities in Gaza. Di-Carlo told the UN Security Council the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinians threatens to plunge Gaza into another war. Palestinians began a campaign of protests called the Great Return March in the besieged territory late March. The protests were met with a harsh crackdown by Israel. More than 170 Palestinians have been killed since then. The UN is currently working with the Egyptian government to broker a truce between the two sides.

Iran military might

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says the development of the country’s defensive capabilities is among the core principles of its strategies.  In a statement marking the National Defense Industry Day, the IRGC said the four decades of Western sanctions have proven counter-productive, and now Iran is a major defense and deterrence power in the region. The statement said that Iran with its domestic expertise, determination and years of experience has reached a level of defensive deterrence that dissuades its enemies and warmongers from adventurism and confrontation. The IRGC noted that Iran’s enemies, led by the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, are hell-bent on plotting against Iran and restricting its development. The IRGC stressed that, in view of the guidelines of Iran’s Leader, the country will give an unforgettable lesson to anyone dreaming about posing threat to the Islamic Republic.

Rohingya orphans

A new study shows half of the Muslim Rohingya children, who crossed into Bangladesh without their parents, were actually orphaned by violence in Myanmar. The findings from international charity Save the Children says the Rohingya minors were not separated from their parents during the refugee exodus as previously thought. There are more than 6,000 children in Bangladesh’s refugee camps who never found their parents after fleeing Myanmar. More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims escaped to Bangladesh last year to avoid violence by Myanmar’s army and extremist Buddhists.

Canada's Saudi concern  

Canada has sounded the alarm about Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on rights activists. In a statement, the office of the Canadian foreign minister voiced concern about Israa al-Ghomgham, a jailed female rights activist, in the Kingdom. The statement said Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights and freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has said five rights advocates, including Ghomgham, are on trial in a secretive court. They have been accused of what Saudi officials call inciting protests and providing moral support to rioters. Riyadh is said to be seeking the death penalty against the detainees. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia waged an economic war on Canada after Ottawa called for the release of another female activist.

Tit-for-tat tariffs

The United States and China have imposed fresh tit-for-tat tariffs amid escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Both sides implemented punitive 25 percent tariffs on 16 billion dollars worth of each other’s goods. The tariffs took effect amid talks in Washington between officials from both sides. Business groups expressed hope that the meeting would mark the start of negotiations over Chinese trade and economic policy changes demanded by the US president. Donald Trump, however, said he did not anticipate much from the talks. Trump has threatened to impose duties on virtually all of the more than 500 billion dollars of imported Chinese goods unless Beijing agrees to sweeping changes to its intellectual property practices. Beijing has denied US allegations that it systematically forces the unfair transfer of US technology.

Manafort to be pardoned?

US President Donald Trump says he is considering pardoning his former campaign manager Paul Manafort. Trump made the remarks in a Fox News interview. Earlier, in a tweet, he called Manafort a brave man and said he feels very badly for Manafort and his family. Trump’s former campaign manager was convicted on Tuesday of two counts of bank fraud, five counts of tax fraud and one charge of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. Later on Wednesday, the US president’s former personal lawyer admitted he had made illegal campaign contributions in the form of payments to silence women alleging affairs with Trump.

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