WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, February 25, 2017.

Targeting terror groups

The Syrian army has taken control of several areas in the flashpoint Eastern Ghouta region after launching a ground offensive against Nusra Front and other terrorists on Sunday. The army took over Nashabeya and Hazrma areas as well as Farzat hill in eastern Ghouta. The operation is aimed at liberating areas occupied by the Takfiri terrorists in the suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus. The development comes after the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on Saturday that calls for a 30-day nationwide ceasefire in Syria. The resolution allows aid and medical evacuation of civilians in conflict zones, but does not cover Daesh and Nusra Front terrorists.

North Korea US warning

North Korea says it will regard any maritime blockade of the country by the US as an act of war. Pyongyang condemned the move, and said Washington’s sanctions would undermine an improvement in relations between the two Koreas during the Winter Olympics. Pyongyang’s reaction came after Washington announced sanctions against more than 50 North Korea-linked shipping companies, vessels and trade businesses. The measures apply to firms located or registered in several countries, including China. Beijing also protested against Washington's decision to impose sanctions against Chinese companies. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing is strongly opposed to the US unilateral bans on Chinese entities and individuals. He said China has asked the US to immediately cease the wrong practice to avoid undermining cooperation between Beijing and Washington.

Kashmir tensions

Indian and Pakistani forces have exchanged artillery fire across their disputed border in the Kashmir region. Indian police sources said the fighting began after the Pakistani army shelled the Uri area of Indian-controlled Kashmir. They did not explain what triggered the violence. The sources said hundreds of people had to flee their homes in the area as the Pakistani side advised residents to leave head of the shelling. Tensions have been simmering between New Delhi and Islamabad since six Indian soldiers were killed in an attack on an army camp in Kashmir earlier this month. India blamed the attack on Pakistan, but Islamabad denies any involvement.

North Korea-US détente

South Korea says North Korea is willing to hold talks with the United States. Seoul says Pyongyang agrees that talks between the two Koreas and the US-North relations should improve together. The news followed a meeting between a high-level North Korean delegation and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The delegation is in the South to attend the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics games. Reports say it includes diplomats in charge of the North's nuclear program. The US President’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, is also in the South, but there is no indication that the two sides will hold any meeting. The North Korean delegation is being led by former General Kim Yong Chol. This has triggered some South Koreans to gather at the border crossing in protest.

Church of sepulcher shut

Christian leaders in the city of Jerusalem al-Quds have shut down the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in protest at Israel’s new tax laws and a proposed property law on churches. Theophilos the Third added that Israel’s moves breach existing agreements which guarantee the rights and the privileges of churches. He said Israel is seeking to weaken Christianity in Jerusalem. The patriarch slammed as abhorrent a proposed Israeli bill which could pave the way for grabbing the property of churches in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is Christianity’s most sacred site and its closure is unprecedented. Many Christians visit the church as a pilgrimage every year.

Battle for Ghouta

Syrian government forces have engaged in heavy fighting with terrorists on the edges of Eastern Ghouta in the Damascus countryside. The UK-based monitor calling itself the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least thirteen government forces and six members of the Jaish al-Islam militant group were killed in the fighting. The observatory also says the clashes were the most intense since the beginning of the month. The fighting comes a day after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire in Eastern Ghoutah. The area near Damascus is under the control of different militant groups including al-Nusra. Eastern Ghoutah is used by the terrorists to launch rocket attacks against residential areas in the Syrian capital.

DR Congo violence

Security forces have shot dead an anti-government protester and wounded two others in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The demonstration turned violent after police fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse the protesters in the Congolese capital Kinshasa. Three priests were also arrested as they led the march to call on President Joseph Kabila to step down after his prolonged rule and long-delayed elections. Church groups have become the main opposing force against Kabila as political parties are either engaged in in-fighting or have seen their leaders forced into exile. Security forces have killed about a dozen protesters over the past two months. Kabila has been in power since 2001.

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