WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, April 7, 2017.

Fight against terror

The Syrian army presses ahead with a ground offensive covered by airstrikes to drive terrorists out of their last stronghold in the Eastern Ghouta region outside the capital Damascus. Syrian troops have made new advances into the militant-held town of Douma from its western and southern fronts. The army resumed airstrikes on militant positions on Friday following a 10-day ceasefire. The offensive comes after the last remaining militant group in Douma violated an evacuation deal and shelled civilian areas near Damascus, killing four people. Meanwhile, another militant attack has targeted a Damascus neighborhood, claiming the lives of five civilians and injuring more than 30 others.

Gaza funerals

Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip bury their loved ones after the Israeli regime' use of fatal force killed nearly ten protesters on Friday. Mourners carried the body of Alaa al-Zamili during his funeral procession in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. The teenager had died of wounds sustained during the Israeli attacks on Palestinian protesters on Friday. The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate has also condemned Israeli forces for shooting 5 press members, who were covering the mass demonstrations near the so-called buffer zone with Israel. Nine Palestinians were killed on Friday, bringing to 30 the number of people killed since anti-occupation demonstrations began last week. Some 3,000 others have been injured.

Solidarity with Gaza

Protesters have held a rally in the heart of the British capital to show their solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. The demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street and voiced their anger at the British government for its policies towards Palestine. They also denounced the government's inaction towards the Israeli regime’s violence in Gaza. The protesters held signs and waved banners calling for an end to the Israeli siege on Gaza. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War coalition were among several organizations behind the event. Stop the War coalition's founding member, Lindsey German, told Press TV that the protest will continue to keep up pressure on the ruling conservative party.

Air France strike

Air France has cancelled hundreds of flights as pilots, cabin crew and ground staff walked off their jobs for the fifth consecutive day. The walkout has disrupted both international and domestic travels. The airline has asked passengers to check their flight status as thirty percent of its short-haul flights and around a third of its medium-haul flights have been cancelled due to the strike. Unions demand six percent of pay rise after years of salary freeze, while the airline offers only one percent. This is the highest cancellation rate since unions called for the daylong work stoppages in February. The strikes cost Air France millions of Euros each day.

Brazil prison order

Brazil's former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, says he is ready to surrender for arrest. Addressing thousands of his supporters, Lula said he will comply with the warrant to hand himself over to the authorities despite having committed no wrongdoing. The veteran politician accused the judiciary and media of assisting a right-wing coup to prevent him from taking part in the upcoming presidential elections. In a passionate speech, the former leftist president vowed to continue his fight for proving his innocence on all accusations. Lula had defied a court order sentencing him to a 12-year jail term on corruption charges. His legal team made an appeal to Brazil’s Supreme Court to suspend the verdict on Friday after a similar plea failed at a lower court.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk