WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, January 1, 2018 to 08:00 GMT, January 2, 2018:

Israel attacks Gaza

The Israeli air force has once again pounded the Gaza Strip as Tel Aviv steps up its aggressive policies toward Palestinians.

Israeli choppers targeted the positions of the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, in the city of Khan Yunis. There was no immediate report of damage or casualties. Tel Aviv claimed the raids were in response to a Hamas rocket attack on Monday evening. The Israeli army said the Palestinian projectile did not cause any casualties. Israeli forces have intensified their crackdown against Palestinians since the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital last month.

Unrest in Iran

Several Iranian cities have been the scene of street protests in recent days, with people calling on authorities to resolve economic problems. Some of the rallies turned violent after protesters went on a rampage at some places. At least 10 people, including a member of the security forces, have been killed in the violence. Iranian officials say the US and Israel are the main orchestrators of the unrest. 

Korean Peninsula tensions 

South Korea’s president says any rapprochement with the North cannot be achieved without the settlement of the nuclear stand-off with Pyongyang

Moon asked his ministers to make preparations to help North Korea’s athletes take part in the Winter Olympic Games. This comes after North Korean leader Kim Jung-un said his country is open to talks with the South and may send a delegation to help lower tensions. But he clearly said no third parties should be involved in the talks. Kim also said Pyongyang will continue its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles program. North Korea’s military development has been at the heart of heightened tensions with South Korea and the US. Pyongyang says its activities are deterrence amid provocations by Washington, including its regular war games in the region.

US-Pakistan tensions

Islamabad has furiously rejected allegations of lie and deceit by US president Donald Trump and his claims of giving billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan.

Foreign minister Khawaja Asif says Trump’s accusations are merely out of disappointment for US defeat in Afghanistan. Asif noted that Islamabad is ready to publicly provide details of any aid received from the US. He insisted that Islamabad decisions are meant to be in line only with Pakistan’s sovereignty and national interests. The top diplomat underlined that Islamabad will not do more for Washington. Donald Trump threatened to cut off aid to Pakistan in his first tweet of 2018. Trump said the US has only received lies and deceit from Pakistan in return for its monetary aid. Pakistan has summoned the US ambassador to Islamabad to make clarification on Trump’s comments.

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