WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, April 6, 2018 to 08:00 GMT, April 7, 2018.

Deadly days for Palestinians

The death toll of Palestinians from anti-occupation protests at the hands of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip continues to climb. At least 10 Palestinians including a journalist who succumbed to his injuries are the latest fatalities from the protests along the so-called buffer zone. The regime forces also injured more than 1300 people, including women, children and several journalists. The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate called for the perpetrators to be held accountable. The latest deaths bring to 30 the number of Palestinians killed by the Israelis since March 30 when the March of the Great Return began.

Lula defies deadline

The legal team of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has asked the Supreme Court to suspend a 12-year prison sentence handed to the ex-leader by a lower court. Lula’s lawyers made the request after they lost a last-minute appeal to the country's top appeals court. The ex-president has ignored a deadline to turn himself in and start the jail term. He remains holed up in the headquarters of a steelworkers union in metropolitan Sao Paulo as his supporters filled the streets outside the area. Federal police in Sao Paulo declined to say if they would attempt to forcibly take the former president into custody. The court ruling could end his political career ahead of the October presidential election.

Russian reaction to US

The Russian president has warned about the consequences of the western military alliance’s growing presence along his country's borders. Vladimir Putin was speaking during a meeting of the Russian Security Council in Moscow. He further underlined the need for strengthening security measures on the Russian border. The Kremlin has at times criticized NATO’s eastward expansion, warning that the move could further fuel tensions in the region.

US blocks Gaza probe call

The United States has blocked yet another UN Security Council statement that calls for an independent probe into Israel’s deadly crackdown on Palestinians in Gaza. The UN statement also supported the right of Palestinians to demonstrate peacefully. But, Washington blocked it, a week after it did the same for a similar statement on the ongoing violence in Gaza. The Palestinian ambassador to the UN said that 14 of the 15 Security Council members had agreed to the statement. Riyad Mansour condemned Washington’s move as irresponsible, saying it gives Israel the green light to continue its onslaught against Gazans. Mansour, however, said the Palestinians will not give up and will try other options to defend their rights.

Saudi fatalities

Yemen’s Ansarullah fighters have launched fresh attacks against Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the kingdom’s deadly ongoing military campaign. Yemeni forces say they have fatally shot five Saudi soldiers in Jizan region. Riyadh started a war on its southern neighbor in March 2015 to reinstate former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. The campaign has killed over 14,300 Yemenis, mostly civilians. Much of Yemen's infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and factories, has been reduced to rubble due to the war while millions have been displaced.

US border plans

The US states of Texas and Arizona have announced plans to send National Guard troops to the border with Mexico following President Donald Trump's militarization order. The Texas National Guard's commanding general said the plan was already underway with at least two Lakota helicopters sent to the border. Tracy Noris added that some 250 of the troops will be deployed within 72 hours, along with ground surveillance vehicles as well as light and medium aviation platforms. Arizona's governor Doug Ducey also vowed to deploy 150 personnel next week. Trump on Wednesday signed a decree ordering the deployment of forces to the US-Mexico border to fight illegal immigration until his promised wall is built. Mexican President Enrique Penya Nieto has already denounced his US counterpart, saying Trump's threatening or disrespectful attitudes are unjustified.

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