WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, December 8, 2018 to 0800 GMT, December 9, 2018.

Yemen food insecurity

Several United Nations agencies sound the alarm over widespread famine in Yemen where millions have been bearing the brunt of Saudi Arabia’s war since March 2015. The joint statement by FAO, UNICEF and WFP, called for a massive increase in aid and sustained access to all areas in Yemen in order to rescue millions. It warned that failure to do so could result in the deaths of an entire generation of children. The UN describes Yemen as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia’s years-long blockade on its southern neighbor has hindered the delivery of much-needed aid.

Russia 'meddling' inquiry

The US president has called for an end to a federal probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election in 2016. Donald Trump took to twitter to once again brand Mueller’s inquiry as a witch hunt. Trump also dubbed the probe collusion illusion, claiming Mueller’s investigation has cost more than 30 million dollar over a course of two years. Trump’s tweet came a day after US prosecutors shed light on a previously unknown attempt by a Russian individual to help Trump’s 2016 presidential election campaign.

Italy protest rally

Italy's co-ruling party, the League, has staged a demonstration in Rome that attracted tens of thousands of people from across the country. The rally was a popularity test for Italy’s far-right deputy premier and interior minister Matteo Salvini in the Italian capital. Max Civili report from Rome.

Yemen peace talks

A senior member of the former Yemeni government delegation says the Ansarullah movement’s proposal to form a new transitional government will not solve any problems. Abdulaziz Jubari said fighting will continue even if former Yemeni President, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, is out of power. Jabari also accused the Houthis of triggering the country’s years-long crisis. Jubari made the comments on the sidelines of the ongoing peace talks in Sweden between the Ansarullah movement and the delegation of the Saudi-backed former government. The Houthis have called for the formation of a transitional government with the participation of all political parties. They also said the port city of Hudaydah should be declared a neutral zone. Two previous rounds of peace negotiations failed, one in 2017 and the other in 2016.

Brexit controversy

A group of British lawmakers have condemned Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, saying it would represent a huge step into the unknown. A committee of lawmakers responsible for scrutinizing the deal published a critical report which is considered the latest blow to May’s efforts to rescue Brexit. The report said the deal does not give the British people or businesses the clarity and the certainty they need about the future trading relationship with the European Union in five or ten years' time. May is battling to win support for a Brexit deal which will define both the UK's departure from the bloc and her future as a leader. Current predictions suggest she will lose the vote in parliament on Tuesday.

Trump’s chief of staff resigns

US President, Donald Trump, says his Chief of Staff, John Kelly, will leave at the end of 2018. Reports suggested that Kelly’s resignation is due to a stalemate in his relationship with Trump. The reports also revealed that tensions between the two have escalated to the point that they have stopped speaking to one another. However, Trump and Kelly have both dismissed the reports. Nick Ayers, who is currently the US vice president’s chief of staff, has been mentioned as a potential replacement. Ayers is believed to have a close relationship with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his daughter, Ivanka Trump. Over the past months, a number of key members of the Trump administration have either resigned or been dismissed.

Kushner helps MbS

The US President’s senior advisor, Jared Kushner, has reportedly tried to help Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman handle the murder case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. According to New York Times, the US president’s son-in-law maintained his close ties with Bin Salman even after Khashoggi's murder which is widely believed to have been ordered by the Crown Prince. The report said Kushner gave the prince advice on how to weather the storm. The revelation goes against the claim by the White House that the two talked just once to urge Riyadh investigate the matter. Khashoggi was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October the second. The CIA has concluded in an assessment that his murder was ordered by Bin Salman, an accusation that Saudis reject.

Trump attacks climate accord

US President Donald Trump has once again criticized the Paris climate accord, demanding an end to what he calls a “ridiculous and extremely expensive” agreement. In two separate tweets, Trump said the international agreement is not even working for Paris as France is gripped with nationwide protests over an increase in fuel tax and other grievances. Trump sided with the so-called Yellow Vest protesters, saying people do not want to pay large sums of money to protect the environment. He suggested that the money allocated to implement the agreement should be returned to the people in the form of lower taxes.

Armenia elections

Armenia votes in early parliamentary elections on Sunday to cement its new political landscape. The elections were triggered by the country’s reformist leader Nikol Pashinyan. He was elected prime minister back in May, a position he left last month to pave the way for snap elections. Opponents, however, have condemned him for calling elections years in advance, saying it deprives other candidates from sufficient campaigning time. Pashinyan came to power on a platform of economic prosperity, after anti-corruption rallies ousted former leader, Serzh Sarkisian. Pashinyan’s My Step Alliance is expected to win a parliamentary majority, paving the way for his return to premiership.

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