WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, October 12, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, October 13, 2017.

Moscow to sue Washington

Russia's foreign minister has described as unacceptable the recent removal of Russian flags from its shuttered diplomatic missions in the United States. In a phone conversation with his US counterpart, Sergei Lavrov said the arbitrary move would undermine efforts to normalize relations between the two countries. He also said that Russia was preparing lawsuits to reclaim its property seized in the US. Earlier, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Russia would consider adopting retaliatory measures. After being elected, US President Donald Trump said he would try to improve ties with Russia. But relations between the two countries took a turn for the worse following allegations that Russia had interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. A series of tit-for-tat measures subsequently led to the closure of Russian diplomatic missions in the US.

US, Israel quit UNESCO

Israel says it will join the US in pulling out of the U-N's cultural organization UNESCO, calling it a "theatre of the absurd". In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the UN body of distorting history. The statement comes shortly after Washington said it was withdrawing from UNESCO over what it called the agency's continued bias against Israel. The White House said the decision will take effect on December 31, 2018. The Trump administration said it would establish an observer mission to replace its current representation at the agency. The UNESCO’s director-general has expressed her deep regret over the US decision.

Turkey's Syria operations

The first convoy of the military operation that Turkey is carrying out in Syria's Idlib province has crossed into the area. According to a commander of a militant group in Syria, the convoy included about 30 military vehicles. It was heading to Sheikh Barakat, a hilltop that overlooks large areas of northwestern Syria and also the Afrin area which is held by Kurdish militia. The convoy was reportedly escorted by fighters from the Nusra Front. Turkey said on Saturday it was carrying out a military operation in Idlib and surrounding areas as part of a deal it reached with Russia and Iran last month to enforce a de-escalation zone in northwest Syria.

Plight of Rohingya

A rights group has accused Myanmar’s government of intentionally starving Rohingya Muslims in a bid to drive the minority group out of the country. The Myanmar Human Rights Network is calling for immediate pressure on the government and military to lift restrictions on aid access. The UK based organization says unless urgent action is taken, the remaining Rohingya will be forced out of Rakhine within weeks. About 520,000 Rohingya have fled to neighboring Bangladesh since late August. Many have recalled horrific tales of abuse. On Wednesday, the United Nations released a graphic report detailing efforts to drive the Rohingya out by raping women and children and torching entire villages to prevent them from returning.

Yemen cholera epidemic

Yemen’s Cholera epidemic is now the largest and fastest-spreading outbreak of the disease since modern records began in 1949. The World Health Organization has documented more than 815,000 cases in just six months. The figure surpasses the second largest number of cases recorded in Haiti over a period of seven years. Cholera is expected to affect at least one million Yemenis by the end of the year. Charity organization, save the children, warns that 60% of this figure will be children. Around 4,000 new cases are being reported on a daily basis. Rights groups are calling on Saudi Arabia, which is waging a war on Yemen, to lift its blockade on its neighbor and allow the delivery of much-need humanitarian aid.

US ending insurance subsidies

US President Donald Trump has dealt a sharp blow to his predecessor’s signature health care law known as Obamacare. Trump has issued an executive order that cuts off up to seven billion dollars in subsidy to health insurance companies for low-income patients. The late-night move that has caught critics off guard is part of Trump’s months-long push to dismantle Obamacare. The US president has defended the measure, saying it would increase competition. The dramatic action has drawn swift reactions from congressional Democratic leaders. They say Trump has decided to punish the American people by signing the order. They have also accused him of sabotaging the country’s health-care system.

Vietnam deadly floods

The death toll from devastating heavy rains and flash floods in Vietnam has risen to nearly 55. Officials say rescue operations are underway for some 40 people who’ve gone missing in the northern and central parts of Vietnam. At least 31 people have also sustained injuries and more than 31,000 houses are damaged. The province of Hoa-Bin in the north is the hardest-hit. Hundreds of thousands of residents have also been ordered to leave the area. Vietnam is prone to floods that kill hundreds of people every year.

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