WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, December 8, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, December 9, 2017.

Repercussions of Trump’s decision

At least two Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more injured as "Day of Rage" protests continue across the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip over the US president's decision to recognize city as the capital of Israel. The protesters, which took to the streets after Friday prayers, called for an end to the Israeli occupation of their land. Press TV’s Mona Kandil reports from the occupied territories.

Iran slams occupation legitimization

Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations has condemned US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital. Gholamali Khoshroo described the move as an attempt aimed at legitimizing the Israeli regime's occupation of Palestine. He said the occupation of Palestine is the root of all crises in the Middle East. Khoshroo added that denying the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, particularly with regard to al-Quds will aggravate the situation in the region. The Iranian envoy also branded as illegal and irresponsible Trump’s order to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds. He said the international community holds the US and Israel responsible for the dangerous consequences of the decision.

California conflagration

Roaring fires in the US state of California continue to destroy more structures as dry winds fan the flames for a fifth consecutive day. Authorities say the fast-moving blaze has destroyed at least 500 structures and injured several people. Six large wildfires have scorched nearly 160,000 acres in the state this week, forcing 212,000 people to flee their homes. At least 8700 firefighters are working to contain the inferno. The largest of the fires, known as the Thomas Fire, was in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles.

Israeli attacks

Israeli warplanes have carried out several fresh airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip after earlier raids wounded at least 25 Palestinians including children in the coastal enclave. There are no immediate reports of possible casualties in the most recent attacks. The regime says its raids came in response to earlier rockets fired at Israel from Gaza. On Thursday, Israel also hit Gaza Strip with airstrikes and tank shelling. Tensions have been running high across the occupied Palestinian territories since Wednesday when US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.

Trump’s dismissing decision

Over 120 Jewish studies scholars express dismay at the US president’s decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and authorize the relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the city. In a petition, signatories from universities and colleges across the US demanded that Donald Trump rescind the declaration. They said the move adds insult to ongoing injury and fans the flames of violence. The signatories urged the White House to take immediate steps to de-escalate the tensions resulting from the decision and to clarify Palestinians’ legitimate stake in the future of al-Quds. The petition also accused the Israeli regime of perpetrating systematic inequalities against the Palestinian people.

Johnson's Iran visit

Iran’s ambassador to the UK has shed light on the objectives of British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s trip to Tehran. Hamid Baeidinejad said during the visit discussions will be held on regional issues as well as bilateral political and economic ties. He added that Iran’s nuclear deal known as the JCPOA will also be discussed. Johnson, who is set to arrive in Tehran On Saturday, will hold talks with senior Iranian officials including foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Earlier, the British foreign secretary described Iran as a significant country in the Middle East adding that he expects a constructive visit to the Islamic Republic. Johnson stopped in Oman on Friday, and will move to the UAE on Sunday.

Palestinian reaction

A top Palestinian negotiator says the Palestinian Authority will not hold any discussions with the US on the peace process until it reverses its decision on Jerusalem al-Quds. Sa’ab Erekat who is also the Secretary General of the Palestinian Liberation Organization said that all options are being weighed in response to Washington’s move. On Friday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting over the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital. During the session, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said the US is no longer qualified to broker the peace process because it is biased in favor of the occupying power.

Anti-US protests

Tens of thousands of people have marched in different countries around the world to condemn the US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital. In Tunisia, thousands demonstrated in the capital Tunis calling on the government to expel the US ambassador. A massive rally was also held in the Egyptian capital Cairo in solidarity with Palestinians. Also in the Jordanian capital, some 20,000 people poured into the streets of Amman to show their outrage. They burnt Israeli flags and chanted “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine". The chant also reverberated in the German capital where people rallied outside the US embassy to show their anger at Trump’s decision.

Remembering slain Iranian

Hundreds of people have held a candlelight vigil in Washington DC to remember 25-year-old Iranian, Bijan Ghaisar who was fatally shot by US police last month. The family and friends of Bijan attended the vigil at the Lincoln Memorial to express their grief and anger over his death. They described the victim as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen and said his killing was inhumane.

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