WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, July 21, 2018.

Iran Leader say no to talks with US

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution says it would be an obvious mistake to think that holding negotiations or establishing relations with the US is going to solve problems. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei made the comment in a meeting with Iran's foreign ministry officials, ambassadors and heads of the Iranian diplomatic missions abroad. The Leader said Iranian officials have time and again stressed that Washington is not reliable, so it would be no use to hold talks with the White House. Ayatollah Khamenei further said talks with the Europeans over the Iran nuclear deal should not stop, but Iran shouldn’t wait for Europe’s proposed package and should continue its necessary activities inside the country. Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that the West is the very symbol of human rights violations, but accuses Iran of trampling human rights underfoot.

Gaza ceasefire

A ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and Israel is largely holding in the Gaza Strip. The UN and Egypt-mediated truce deal was reached midnight local time, capping a flare-up of violence in the besieged enclave. On Friday, Israeli airstrikes and tank fire killed four Palestinians and injured 120 others in Gaza. An Israeli soldier was also shot dead by gunfire from Gaza. The violence had raised fears of a fourth Israeli war on the Gaza Strip since 2008.

Argentina protest

Argentines have staged a demonstration in the capital, Buenos Aires, in protest at measures taken by the government and the International Monetary Fund. The rally comes as IMF Director Christine Lagarde is in Argentina for a G20 meeting. The protesters denounced the presence of Lagarde in their country. They also criticized a 50-billion-dollar lending agreement between the government of President Mauricio Macri and the IMF. The government says the measure is designed to provide a safety net and avoid the frequent crises that the country has faced in the past. However, critics of the package believe the move will harm workers and result in increased inflation.

Syria military gains

The Syrian army and its allies have made advances against Daesh terrorists in the country’s southwest near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Syrian forces captured a string of towns and villages in a zone between Quneitra and Dara’a provinces. The advances are part of an operation the army launched last month towards Quneitra province. The Syrian government managed to get full control over a strategic territory at the border with Jordan following the operation. The fresh gains come as a second group of militants and their families are expected to evacuate from Quneitra to Idlib later on Saturday.

Trump controversy 

US President Donald Trump slams his former attorney for stealthily taping their discussion about a Playboy model. In a tweet, Trump expressed shock at why Michel Cohen would record his voice without his consent. He also condemned the FBI for raiding Cohen’s house early in the morning to find dirt on him. The American president then denied he’d done anything wrong in the case. According to a report by the New York Times, Trump and Cohen discuss paying hush money to Playboy model, Karen McDougal, in the recording. The tape is said to have been recorded two months before the 2016 presidential election. McGougal says she’s had an affair with Trump.

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