WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEALDINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, February 23, 2017.

Blasting gun critics

The head of the US National Rifle Association has blasted gun rights opponents, accusing them of exploiting last week’s deadly Florida shooting to expand gun control. LaPierre said the Florida incident is not a safety issue for gun rights opponents, but rather a political issue. Striking a defiant tone in his first public comments since the shooting, he also accused the gun control advocates of hating individual freedom. LaPierre blamed school security, families, and the FBI for the tragedy, urging more armed security in education centers. His suggestion was similar to the president's idea of arming teachers to defend students and themselves which has been opposed by the National Education Association.

Attack on Damascus

Another terrorist attack on the Syrian capital has claimed more civilian lives and left dozens of casualties. Militants have fired a rocket targeting the Rukn al-Din region of Damascus killing at least two civilians. This comes as the capital has seen a dramatic rise in deadly mortar attacks over the past days from the nearby militant held enclave of Eastern Ghouta. Terrorists in Eastern Ghouta have also shelled the capital’s residential areas of al-Shaghour, Baghdad Street and Esh al-Warwar. The escalating violence comes amid an international effort to end clashes between government forces and militants that have claimed scores of civilian lives.

Turkey Syria airstrikes

Turkey’s military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria’s north rages on. In the latest airstrikes, the Turkish army pounded a strategic checkpoint that links the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo to the Afrin region. The air raids have left at least one civilian dead and over a dozen injured. Meanwhile, a leading human rights group has slammed the Turkish operation, saying Ankara has failed to take necessary measures to prevent civilian casualties. Human Rights Watch has also called on the Turkish government to launch a comprehensive investigation into three deadly airstrikes it carried out in late January. Ankara considers the Kurdish militants in Syria as a threat to its borders, but Damascus has condemned the Turkish military operation as a violation of its sovereignty.

Gaza anti-US protest

Palestinians have held a rally against US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital. The demonstration was held in al-Nusairat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Protesters took to the streets after Friday prayers. They chanted “al-Quds is ours and is our capital”. Tensions have risen in the Palestinian territories since US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s new policy on al-Quds on December 6. The move sparked outrage across the Muslim world and the UN General Assembly also voted overwhelmingly to rebuke Trump’s decision to recognize al-Quds as the Israeli regime’s capital. 28 Palestinians have been killed since then.

US Israel embassy

Israeli and American officials say the United States is planning to open its embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds on May 14. The decision will reportedly be announced officially later on Friday. Israel’s intelligence minister has congratulated US President Donald Trump on the move. The relocation has been planned to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Israeli regime’s installment in the Middle East in 1948. US officials had initially announced that the move could take many months, and perhaps years. On December 6, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and announced that Washington would relocate its embassy to the holy city. The decision drew widespread condemnation from world leaders and sparked angry protests throughout the globe which have continued to date.

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

www.presstv.co.uk