WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, January 2, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, January 3, 2017.

US support for riots in Iran

Tehran has condemned remarks made by Washington’s United Nations ambassador about the situation in Iran as idle talks in support of violence in the country. Iran’s UN mission strongly condemned the comments as meddlesome remarks in support of incitement to violence and fueling tensions. It said such remarks are part of Washington’s attempt to cover its political failures and those of its allies in the region and take revenge on the Iranian nation. The statement scoffed at “the Trump regime’s crocodile tears” as sickening, recalling Washington’s support for the Pahlavi monarchy and the 1953 coup in Iran. The statement came after the US said it would seek emergency UN talks on the situation in Iran.

Controversial Israeli bill

The Knesset has passed legislation, practically making it impossible for Palestinians to claim East Jerusalem al-Quds as their capital. Palestinians have denounced the law as a declaration of war. President Mahmoud Abbas says the passage of the bill indicates that the Israelis have put an end to the so-called peace process. Abbas says Israel has already begun to impose its dictatorial rule and de facto policies on Palestinians living in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds. He has also slammed the United States for its silence. The Palestinian leader says Israel could not take such actions without the full support of the US administration.

US-Pakistan tensions

US ambassador to the United Nations says Washington is withholding 255 million dollars in aid for Pakistan due to what she claims Islamabad’s failure to cooperate fully with American fight against terrorism. Soon after Haley’s remarks, White House spokeswoman Sara Sanders leveled the same accusations against Pakistan. Sanders said the Trump administration wanted to see Islamabad do more to fight terrorism. She threatened that the US would likely announce actions to pressure Islamabad in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Fight against terrorism

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has defended his country’s presence in Syria and Iraq. Rouhani made the remark during a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. He stressed that Iran’s presence in the two countries is at the official requests of Damascus and Baghdad to help them fight terrorism. The Iranian president said that it’s clear to everyone that the Islamic Republic has played a key role in bringing Daesh Takfiri terrorists to their knees in the Middle East. Rouhani once again underlined the need for constructive dialog to resolve the years-long crisis in Syria. Macron, for his part, said that France appreciates Iran’s efforts in fighting terrorism.

Trump threatens to cut aid to Palestinians

US President Donald Trump has threatened to stop future aid payments to Palestinians, saying they are not willing to engage in peace talks with Israel. Trump says Palestinians show no appreciation for the hundreds of millions of dollars that they receive in aid from the United States. Earlier this week, the Palestinian Authority temporarily called back its ambassador to Washington to discuss the future of its ties with the United States. Tensions between the US and Palestinians started escalating after Trump announced last month that his country would recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel. Palestinians condemned the decision, saying the US had lost credibility as a Middle East peace broker.

Cold wave in US

Record-breaking cold has gripped much of the United States, with sub-zero temperatures affecting large swathes of land across the country. At least 12 people have died as a result of being exposed to extreme cold. The National Weather service has issued freeze warnings in states as far south as Texas, where icy roads are becoming a problem. Much of the Midwest is enveloped in dangerously cold weather. Niagara Falls in northeastern Unites States is coated in snow and ferry services in New York have been suspended. Organizations assisting the homeless are handing out blankets and warm clothes to protect those in need.

North Korea orders hotline with South reopened

North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has given an order to open a long-closed border hotline with South Korea for bilateral talks. A North Korean official said the talks are aimed at establishing formal dialog about sending a North Korean delegation to South Korea’s 2018 Winter Olympic Games. This, after Seoul offered high-level discussions with Pyongyang to discuss its possible participation in the games. Earlier, the North Korean leader said he was considering sending a team to the Winter Olympics in February. The proposed talks would be the first formal dialog between the Koreas since December 2015. Relations between the two neighbors have been strained over North Korea’s nuclear tests and South Korea’s military drills with the US.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk