WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, December 13, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, December 14, 2017.

Gaza strikes

Israel intensifies its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip pounding several cities across the besieged enclave. Israeli aircraft bombed targets in Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah and Gaza City. Palestinian sources say the raids hit positions belonging to Hamas resistance movement. There are no reports of casualties or damage so far. Over the past days, Israeli forces have carried out multiple airstrikes against the besieged enclave killing four people. Tensions have heightened in the occupied territories since the US announced its decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel.

Quds move

Palestinian diplomats are demanding the UN Security Council vote on a draft resolution rejecting US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital. Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said the resolution wants the United States to scrap its decision on Jerusalem al-Quds. The US found itself isolated at the Security Council last week when all 14 other members including its allies condemned the decision. Washington has drawn widespread international condemnation after President Donald Trump recently recognized al-Quds as Israel’s capital.

Syria civilians

US-led airstrikes in eastern Syria have killed more than 20 civilians including women and children. A UK-based monitor has said the strikes before dawn in Dayr al-Zawr province left 23 civilians dead, including eight children and six women. The Syrian observatory for Human Rights also said the victims were all members of the same family and were hiding inside a house when they died. The US-led coalition has admitted to killing 801 civilians in more than 28,000 air strikes it has conducted across Syria and Iraq since 2014. Monitoring groups insist that the figure is well below the real civilian death toll which they say stands at almost 6,000.

Rouhani calls for cooperation to fight terror

The Iranian president has called on regional countries to establish long-term cooperation to fight against terrorism. Hassan Rouhani made the remark in a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul. Rouhani said Tehran and Ankara have common points of view regarding the fight against terrorism and protecting regional security and stability. He also renewed criticism of the US over its recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital. The Iranian president said the move has angered all Muslims across the world. Erdogan for his part, said Iran and Turkey should work together to eradicate terrorism in the region.

Palestinian protesters injured

The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 378 people have sustained injuries during clashes with Israeli forces. All the casualties took place on Wednesday alone. According to Palestinian officials, Israeli attacks on Palestinians holding anti-US protests across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have left nearly 2,000 people injured since last week. Earlier on Wednesday, troops violently dragged, kicked and shoved demonstrators, including women, holding a sit-in at the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem al-Quds. The Israeli forces also detained several people. The violence followed an upsurge in the Israeli crackdown throughout the day on Palestinian protesters across the occupied territories.

California wildfires

Firefighters in the US state of California continue to battle unprecedented wildfires as wind and dry weather make the blazes nearly impossible to contain. The so-called Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties has consumed more than 200,000 acres in just over a week. Destroying 900 properties it has become the fifth largest wildfire in the recorded history of California. More than 90,000 residents were displaced just last week. Latest reports say only 30 percent of the fire has been contained. Flames still threaten coastal communities as gusty winds continue. California has spent the past eight days battling wildfires.

Myanmar

Doctors Without Borders says at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a Myanmar army crackdown in Rakhine state that began in late August. The aid group said the figures are based on a survey it conducted. The MSF said at least 730 children below the age of five years were among those killed. The survey added that many of the children were shot, while others were either burnt or beaten to death. The harrowing death estimation is much higher than Myanmar's official figure of 400. The United Nations says the violence could amount to ethnic cleansing. More than 647 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since August. Myanmar is under pressure to hold those behind the killings accountable for their actions.

Guterres on JCPOA

The UN Secretary-General has criticized the US president's decertification of the Iran nuclear deal. The criticism is cited in a report on the implementation of the agreement, which is set to be presented to the Security Council. Antonio Guterres says, in the report obtained by the Associated Press, that Donald Trump's October decision created considerable uncertainty about the future of the accord. He urges the US to remain committed to the nuclear deal and to consider the broader implications for the region before taking any further steps. Guterres says the nuclear deal is the best way to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Trump has called the agreement a bad deal and has threatened to pull out of it. The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s compliance with the deal since it was signed two years ago.

Argentinean demo

Argentine workers' unions have held a massive protest rally to denounce President Mauricio Macri’s proposed pension and other reforms. Thousands of workers descended on the capital Buenos Aires to express their discontent over what they called Macri’s regressive approach to taxes, pensions, and labor law. The protesters held banners reading “without land, roof and work, reforms are against the people”. The government says it has received favorable reports from the social security and budget committees on the planned reforms. Critics, however, maintain that an overhaul would diminish the historic rights of workers and instead guarantee profits for employers. Wednesday’s protest was also against a summit of the World Trade Organization that wrapped up in Argentina's capital without any substantial agreements.

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