WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, December 5, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, December 6, 2017.

Saudi war on Yemen

The United Nations has announced that fresh airstrikes by Saudi Arabia hit the Yemeni capital Sana’a despite calls by the UN for a ceasefire in the war-torn country. A UN official noted that at least 25 raids struck the city over the past 24 hours, adding that two airstrikes hit close to the UN compound in Sana’a. Also, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric warned that the world body’s food supplies in Yemen are not sufficient. The official added that seven vessels carrying food are blocked by Saudi Arabia from entering Hudaydah and Salif ports. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has urged all sides in Yemen to de-escalate the tensions and cooperate with the UN to halt the violence without preconditions.

US's Russia probe

Germany's Deutsche Bank has reportedly been ordered to provide documents on its business dealings with the US president, as part of a probe into possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia. A source close to the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, has confirmed the subpoena by special prosecutor Robert Mueller. The revelation comes shortly after White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders and Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow denied reports that Mueller had requested financial information from the bank. According to public documents, Deutsche Bank has lent more than 300 million dollars to entities affiliated with Trump’s real estate empire. Trump is currently under fire for possible links between his 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow.

Growing rift among Arab countries

A planned two-day summit of Persian Gulf Arab countries has ended within hours of starting after the rulers of Saudi Arabia and its allies refused to attend the meeting. Rulers of Saudi Arabia, the Unites Arab Emirates and Bahrain skipped the summit over their months-long dispute with Qatar. Before the start of the summit, the UAE announced it formed a new partnership with Saudi Arabia to coordinate all military, political, economic, trade and cultural fields. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah called for the GCC charter to be amended to establish a clear mechanism for resolving disputes between member states. Saudi Arabia and its allies cut all ties with Qatar in June, accusing the Sheikhdom of supporting terrorist groups. Qatar denies the allegations and has accused the Saudi-led bloc of aiming to cause regime change in Doha.

UK assassination plot

UK media have reported that a plot to assassinate Britain’s Prime Minister has been foiled. Police believe that the plotters were planning to detonate an improvised explosive device at Downing Street and murder Theresa May in the ensuing chaos. According to reports, the matter has been pursued over several weeks by Scotland Yard, MI5 and West Midlands Police. Two men were reportedly arrested in connection with the assassination plot last week. Earlier, May's spokesman said that Britain has thwarted nine plots over the past year. The current terror threat level in the UK is “severe” which means that an attack is highly likely.

US's Syria presence

Pentagon has said there is no timeline specifying if and when US troops will pull out of Syria. Pentagon spokesman, Eric Pahon, noted that US troops’ commitment in Syria will be “condition-based”. He claimed that the US military plans to stay in Syria to make sure Daesh terrorists do not return to the war-torn country. His comments come as Damascus has continually announced the presence of US troops in Syria is illegal as Washington is neither invited nor permitted to fight in the country. The US currently has about 2,000 troops on the ground in Syria.

Iran nuclear deal

The European Union foreign policy chief has once again expressed support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, calling its implementation a “key strategic priority” for European security. Mogherini made the comments at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Brussels. The top EU diplomat said the agreement, known as the JCPOA, is working and that the international atomic energy agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s compliance with it. She warned that the US possible dismantling of the accord will not put Brussels and Washington in a better position to discuss other issues regarding Iran. In October, US President Donald Trump refused to certify that Iran is living up to its commitments under the JCPOA. Trump accused Iran of violating the spirit of the deal and threatened to ultimately terminate it.

US provoking Pyongyang

The United States has flown its bombers over the Korean Peninsula as part of ongoing joint aerial drills with South Korea. B-1-B Lancer bombers flew over the region and joined two F-22 Raptor stealth fighters in a bombing drill. The war games, which started on Monday, are considered a show of force against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Pyongyang has slammed the drills, describing them as an all-out provocation. Tensions have increased in the region since the North successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile which it says can target the entire US continent. The US and its allies have repeatedly called on North Korea to curb its controversial programs. But Pyongyang says it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence and missile capability unless Washington and its allies stop their hostile policies toward the country.

Palestinian rage

Palestinian factions have announced three days of protests across the West Bank over US President Donald Trump's expected decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital. The Palestinians say the protests starting on Wednesday would last until Friday. A senior Palestinian official has described Trump’s decision as inflammatory, saying it will inspire Palestinians to take to the streets in rage. Meanwhile, Israel has heightened security measures in the occupied territories ahead of the demonstrations. Earlier, senior US government officials said Trump would announce his recognition of al-Quds as Israel’s capital later on Wednesday. They said the US president would also direct officials to begin the process of relocating the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds. The move has drawn angry reactions from Palestinians, regional countries and world bodies.

Israel 'a partner to terrorists'

Syria has written two letters to the United Nations, slamming two separate attacks by Israel on military sites around the capital Damascus. In the letters, which were addressed to the UN Secretary-General and the president of the Security Council, Syria’s Foreign Ministry called on the Security Council to take immediate action and stop the attacks by Israel. The letters say Israel's attacks on December 2nd and 4th were accompanied by militant shelling of Damascus neighborhoods and countryside. According to the Syrian ministry, the coordination constitutes irrefutable evidence that there is an alliance between Israel and the terrorists in Syria. The ministry says the Israeli strikes aim to protect the terrorists fighting against the Syrian government.

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