WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

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

Slamming Israeli strikes

Israeli warplanes have carried out new airstrikes in the south of the besieged Gaza Strip, targeting the Palestinian city of Rafah. The regime’s fighter jets hit targets belonging to Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. The movement’s spokesman Fawzi Barhoum condemned the airstrikes as an attempt to terrorize civilians. The Israeli military frequently bombs the Gaza Strip, with civilians being the main target. The enclave has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards and led to unprecedented unemployment and poverty.

Eastern Ghouta evacuation

More civilians are getting prepared for a new round of evacuation from the besieged district of Eastern Ghouta near the capital Damascus. Civilians from the towns of Arbin and Zamalka are ready to leave through humanitarian corridors opened by Syrian troops as part of a Russian-led ceasefire agreement. Some 7,000 people are expected to exit the volatile region heading to Idlib province. More than 107,000 civilians have left Eastern Ghouta since government forces began an offensive to recapture the area from militants on February 18. The evacuation deal will help the government gain full control of the region.

Islamophobia in UK

Activists and MPs in Birmingham take to a central square to condemn what they call an Islamophobic rally that was held in the British city on Saturday. The rally, organized by Stand Up to Racism campaign, pushes a message of unity and opposition to racism and Islamophobia. The protest was held at the same place, where supporters of the Football Lads Alliance had gathered on Saturday. The FLA defines itself as an anti-extremist group. But its anti-Islam stance and its affinity with far-right politicians have raised fears that the alliance propagates Islamophobia. The trend is on the rise in the UK, especially after the country voted to depart from the European Union.

Iran Yemen readiness

Iran has once again said that it’s ready to help resolve the Yemen crisis. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Tehran’s assistance will include helping pave the way for a ceasefire and peace talks. The statement urged the US and some European governments to also help set the stage for peace and end the war crimes being committed in Yemen instead of giving arms and warplanes to the aggressors. Iran’s foreign ministry noted that the Yemen war is unwinnable and the crisis can only be resolved through political means. March 26 marks the third anniversary of the Saudi-led war on Yemen. The war has left at least 14,300 Yemenis dead.

Russia-UK spy row

Moscow has once again dismissed London’s accusations that Russia was behind the poisoning of a former double agent in Britain. The Kremlin described the British accusations as “border on banditry”. Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia were poisoned with a highly lethal nerve agent earlier this month. They’re now in critical condition. The attack has plunged Moscow and London into a diplomatic crisis between. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats, and Moscow has retaliated by ordering out the same number of Britons. EU leaders have also backed Britain’s assertion that Russia was responsible. They’ve pledged an unprecedented diplomatic response to the attack.

Puigdemont nabbed

Catalonia’s former leader, Carles Puigdemont has been arrested by German police while crossing into the country from Denmark. German authorities have now launched the extradition process demanded by Spain. It’s not clear where exactly the former Catalan leader is in custody. The detention came just two days after Spain re-activated an international arrest warrant against Puigdemont over organizing a secession referendum in October. The former Catalan president had been living on self-imposed exile since the plebiscite in which the yes votes outnumbered the nays. On Friday, Spanish authorities issued an arrest warrant for 24 other separatist Catalan officials. The ruling triggered mass demonstrations in the well-off Spanish region.

Argentine marches

People in Argentina have staged massive nationwide demonstrations to slam a government policy that allows ex-military members convicted of crimes to be moved to house arrest. The demonstrators gathered in squares and parks holding pictures of those who went missing during military dictatorship. The protesters also denounced what they called setbacks in the country’s human rights policy. They say the government is supporting these criminals by granting them alternative forms of imprisonment.

Afghanistan bomb blasts

Twin bomb blasts near a Shia mosque in the western Afghan city of Herat leave at least one person dead. Daesh’s offshoot in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for the blasts. The terror group has claimed credit for a number of deadly attacks in the war-ravaged country over the past year. Security is still elusive across Afghanistan some 16 years after the US-led occupation of the country under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

Japan favoritism scandal

Japan’s prime minister has apologized to the public amid outrage over a favoritism and cover-up scandal in his government. Shinzo Abe issued the apology at his ruling party’s annual convention as protesters gathered outside calling for his resignation. The premier said he will offer explanation to the public and prevent such scandals from happening again. He did not mention resignation, though. The protesters are angry about the sale of a state-owned property at a huge discount to a buyer with ties to Abe’s wife. The premier’s ratings have slumped in opinion polls due to the scandal. Abe and his wife have denied any intervention in the sale.

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