WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, December 30, 2017.

Iran slams US ‘deceitful’ support for protests

Iran has strongly condemned the United States’ “deceitful and opportunistic support” for recent rallies against economic conditions in some Iranian cities. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman stressed that the US administration has proven to be the leader of ill-wishers against the Iranian nation. Bahram Qassemi noted that the Iranian people very well remember Washington’s vindictiveness and hostility toward them. The remarks were in response to the US reaction to the protests. Washington said “the world is watching Iran”. It also called on the Iranian government to respect people's rights, including their right to expression. The US reaction was made after groups of Iranian protesters held rallies in several cities to voice their anger against rising prices, unemployment and economic inequality.

Palestinian fatalities

One more Palestinian has succumbed to injuries he had sustained during anti-US protests in the besieged Gaza Strip. The 21-year-old man was shot and injured by Israeli forces in the east of Gaza on Friday. The shooting occurred as the Palestinians were holding a rally against the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital. The death brings to 16 the total number of Palestinians killed by Israelis since Donald Trump’s controversial decision. Over 4,000 Palestinians across the occupied territories and Gaza have also sustained injuries during the protests since December the sixth. On Friday, more protesters were injured in the occupied West Bank as Israeli forces attacked the Palestinians amid escalating anti-US and anti-Israel anger.

North Korea nuclear plans

North Korea says it will not back down from developing its nuclear arsenal in 2018 as long as the US and its allies continue their war drills. In a report published by the state-run news agency, Pyongyang called itself an invincible power that can neither be undermined nor stamped out. It said the country will lead the trend of history to “the only road of independence and justice”. The report added that the North would continue boosting the nuclear self-defense capabilities as long as the US and its naval forces persist in nuclear threat. The US and its allies view the North’s nuclear and missile programs as a threat to their security. The UN has also adopted a new set of sanctions against Pyongyang over its activities in 2017.

Egypt court ruling

A court in Egypt has issued a three-year prison term for the country's ousted President Mohamed Morsi as well as 18 other political and media activists. Local media reports say the jail sentences were given to the individuals for insulting judicial officials. Egypt’s former president is already in prison on a host of charges, including espionage and conspiring with foreign groups. Morsi served as Egypt’s first democratically-elected president after the fall of former dictator Hosni Mubarak in 2011. He was removed from office in July 2013 in a coup led by former head of the armed forces and current President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Since Morsi’s ouster, a large number of activists and opposition members have been arrested and prosecuted.

Saudi Yemen war

Saudi Arabia’s daily bombardment of Yemen continues to claim innocent lives. In the most recent attacks, 24 people were killed when Saudi warplanes hit a residential area in the western province of Hudaydah. The raids came shortly after Saudi jets pounded a farm in the town of Khukha in the same province. At least ten women were killed in the airstrikes. Saudi Arabia began the war on its southern neighbor in March 2015.

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