WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, December 1, 2018.

G20 summit

The opening session of the annual G20 summit has been held in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. The gathering has so far been dominated by disagreements and disputes on several key global topics. World leaders remain divided on issues such as climate change and trade. The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has also cast a shadow of uncertainty on relations between Riyadh and other G20 member states. The US protectionism has also been the target of criticism by many members such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Meanwhile, Argentineans have held rallies in Buenos Aires to protest against their country’s hosting of the G20 summit. They accused the group of focusing too much on financial interests and slammed their government for spending money on the summit when its own people are struggling with an ailing economy.

France protests

Violent protests continue in the French capital as anti-government demonstrators clash with security forces. 65 people, including 11 security members, have been injured in the clashes. Police say more than 120 protesters were also arrested. According to the officials, 36 thousand people have been protesting across the country, including 55 hundred in Paris. Thousands of additional police officers have been deployed to Paris and other cities to deal with the angry crowds. The anti-government protests have been ongoing for more than two weeks. The demonstrators are opposed to diesel tax hikes and the high cost of living.

Catalan hunger strike

Two jailed Catalan leaders have started a hunger strike to protest what they called the unfair treatment of the Spanish Constitutional Court. Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Turull began their hunger strike on Saturday after the court failed to take action to process their request for being released while awaiting trial. A Spanish government official responded by saying that the two leaders will be treated just like other citizens, promising that they will receive a fair trial. Turull and Sanchez are in jail along with seven other Catalan leaders since last year. Spain took direct control of Catalonia after the former government of the region declared independence from Madrid in late October last year. Senior leaders of the independence drive were arrested on charges of rebellion and sedition.

Khashoggi killing

The Wall Street Journal says the Saudi crown prince had communicated with his closest advisor who oversaw the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, before and after the murder. The US daily cited a CIA assessment as saying that Mohammed bin Salman sent 11 messages to Saud al-Qahtani in the hours surrounding the murder. The content of the messages, however, has not been disclosed as the assessment remains highly confidential. The CIA had earlier concluded with “high confidence” that Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of the Saudi dissident journalist. Riyadh remains under pressure over Khashoggi’s murder which happened in the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul back in October.

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