WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, December 12, 2018.

Iran Leader remarks

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the US has spared no effort to foment discord and ignite civil war inside Iran. Addressing a gathering in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei said the US seeks to create division in Iran through sanctions and measures that cause insecurity. He said Washington has implemented all plans it had against Tehran, but failed to achieve its goals. Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the administration of President Donald Trump has laid bare what he called the ugly face of the US for the Iranian nation. Pointing to the Saudi military campaign against Yemen, the leader said the US is accomplice in Saudi Arabia’s crimes in the war-torn country.

May leadership challenge

British Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to contest a no-confidence vote in her leadership. Conservatives pushed for the vote over May’s deal with the European Union on the UK’s exit from the bloc. The premier defended her performance in handling the Brexit. She warned that any change in the leadership would put the future of the UK at risk. May said the change would also create divisions and leave impacts that are not in the national interest of the country.

Huawei executive case

US President, Donald Trump, says he doesn’t mind taking advantage of the charges against the Huawei chief financial executive for the ongoing trade negotiations with China. Trump told Reuters that he would intervene with the case against the Huawei CFO if it could serve the national security interests of the United States or help close a trade deal with China. Menng Wanzhou, who was arrested on December 1 in Canada at the request of the US government, was released on Tuesday evening on a 10-million-dollar bail. She is now awaiting a second hearing for extradition to the US. Washington alleges that the top official helped Huawei get around the US sanctions on Iran. China denies the accusation.

Korea DMZ pullout

North and South Koreas have removed guard posts along their border in the latest efforts to soothe military tensions on the Korean peninsula. Troops from the two Koreas crossed into each other's territory peacefully for the first time to check the dismantlement of posts in the Demilitarized Zone. More than 70 officials from each side took part in the mutual inspections, which were monitored live by the South Korean president.

Sana’a airport to reopen?

Yemen’s warring sides have reportedly agreed on the re-opening of Sana’a airport for domestic flights. The decision was made during UN-supervised peace talks between the Ansarullah movement and the Saudi-backed delegation in Sweden. On Wednesday, the two sides also exchanged lists of about 15,000 prisoners for a swap as part of a confidence-building measure. They have yet to agree on some major sticking points, including a ceasefire in the port city of Hudaydah. The talks are aimed at putting an end to the deadly war on Yemen. The negotiations are expected to continue until Thursday.

Turkey Syria operation

The Turkish president says Ankara is set to initiate a new military operation in northern Syria. Erdogan added the fact that Ankara has deep differences in perception with the United States over Syria policy is no secret. He said Turkey was the victim of a stalling tactic over the city of Manbij since Daesh no longer posed a threat to Syria. Erdogan insisted Turkey’s decision will allow for the path to a political solution to be opened and for healthier cooperation. Ankara and Washington are at odds over US support for the Kurdish People's Protection Units, the YPG, in northern Syria. Turkey views the YPG as a terrorist organization and insists to clear the group from the town of Manbij.

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