WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, March 6, 2019.

US ‘failed plots’

Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani says US plots against the Islamic Republic have failed due to the Iranian nation’s perseverance. Addressing a crowd of people in the northern city of Lahijan, Rouhani said the US has tried to bring Iran to its knees but to no avail. He said that Iran will pursue the path of independence, freedom and progress as it did since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Rouhani noted that Iran is not intimidated by the US economic war but urged the nation to stand by the government.

US sanctions threat

The Venezuelan president has called for a nationwide anti-imperialism rally at the weekend in response to opposition leader, Juan Guaido’s protest call on the same day. Maduro said he would defeat those who are determined to destabilize the country. Meanwhile, Guaido has said he is negotiating with workers unions to call for strikes that would paralyze the public sector. Guaido, who recently returned from a regional trip in defiance of a court order, is aiming to gain support of neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the United Stated, which is the main backer of Guaido, says it is considering imposing new sanctions on the Latin American country to pressure the Maduro government to give up power.

Afghan bomb attack

Bomb explosions followed by a militant attack have rocked Afghanistan’s eastern city of Jalalabad, killing at least 16 people, wounding nine others. Local officials say two bombers blew themselves up outside the office of a private construction firm near the city’s airport. Then, three other militants stormed the company and opened fire on employees. Security forces rushed to the scene and gunned down the attackers. There’s no claim of responsibility for the assault. But Taliban militants and Daesh terrorists are both active in the region.

Saudi rights concerns

The United Nations rights chief expresses concerns over the arbitrary arrest and detention as well as alleged torture of women rights activists in Saudi Arabia. The senior UN official urged Saudi Arabia to release the female human rights defenders. Bachelet made the comments during her speech at the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia is widely accused of human rights violations, with international rights groups documenting abuse and torture of people arrested during the kingdom’s crackdown on dissent. Last year, Riyadh also launched a so-called crackdown on corruption ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Hundreds of people were then arrested. According to US media reports, dozens of people, including an American citizen remain in custody without charge. Bin Salman ordered the measures as part of his economic and cultural reforms.

Brexit uncertainty

The European Union says no solution has been identified to break the Brexit deadlock during the latest discussions between British and EU officials. Margaritis Schinas said the bloc’s chief negotiator has confirmed the two sides were still stuck on the so-called backstop arrangement for the Irish border. The revelation comes a day after the British foreign secretary said London is receiving reasonably positive signals from the EU about changes to the Brexit deal. On Tuesday, Michel Barnier held the latest round of Brexit talks with UK Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox and Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclay in Brussels. The talks seek to help Prime Minister Theresa May get the November divorce deal through parliament and avoid Britain crashing out of the bloc on March 29 without a deal.

Anger at US police killings

The US city of Sacramento has witnessed more protests against police targeting of unarmed African-Americans. People gathered at the City Council in a second day of protest. They expressed their anger over a district attorney’s decision not to charge two officers accused of killing a black man last March. They also denounced the California Attorney General for upholding the decision of the Sacramento County district attorney. On Monday, police arrested more than 80 protesters for staging the rally against the decision. The 22-year-old Stephon Clark had a phone in his hand while running from the police. The officers suspected him holding a gun and shot Clark with 20 bullets in his grandmother’s back yard. US authorities argue that the officers’ use of force was lawful.

Israel Gaza ‘war crimes’

The UN Human Rights Chief has expressed disappointment over Israel’s dismissal of a recent UN report about Israeli troops’ killing of Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip. Bachelet called on all concerned parties in the report to exercise restraint as the date of March 30 is approaching when the Palestinians launched their weekly protests last year. Last week, the United Nations released a report that shows Israeli forces may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by killing and injuring Palestinians during the protests since last year. The report said the Palestinians did not pose an imminent threat to others when they were shot.

Defying US threats

The EU, Russia and China express support for trade ties with Iran in a meeting of a joint commission of the remaining signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Downward global growth

The organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has projected a downward trend in global economic growth. The OECD lowered its growth forecast to 3.3 percent for 2019, citing political ambiguity and ongoing trade tensions. The organization warned that the negative consequences of such factors continue to erode business and consumer confidence. It reported that eurozone countries, including Germany and Italy have suffered a significant loss due to relatively high exposures to the global trade slowdown. The 36-member economic institution added that concerns over Brexit uncertainty and a possible disorderly UK departure from the EU have particularly raised the costs for European economies.

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