WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, December 6, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, December 7, 2017.

Trump & Israel

US President Donald Trump has announced Washington's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital despite worldwide warnings. In a White House speech, the US president said the move is in the best interests of the US. He also claimed that delaying the recognition of al-Quds as Israeli capital has done nothing to achieve peace. Trump alleged that Washington remains deeply committed to helping facilitate a peace agreement and support a two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The US president then announced that vice-president Mike Pence will travel to the Middle East in the coming days to facilitate the process.

California blaze

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in southern California as a huge wildfire continues to tear through the region. Firefighters say the fast-moving blaze is still out of control in the cities of Ventura and Santa Paula in the north of Los Angeles. At least 27,000 people have fled their homes. California's Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County. Over 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has ripped across 50,000 acres. Large numbers of houses have been destroyed and more than 260,000 people are without power. California has been hit by deadly wildfires in recent months.

UN to convene over Trump's al-Quds decision

The UN Security Council has announced that it will hold an emergency session on Friday to discuss the decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital. The session was requested by eight member states. They have also asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to officially open the meeting. Bolivian Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorenty Soliz called Trump's move "a reckless and a dangerous decision” which violates international law and the resolutions of the Security Council. He described Trump’s decision as a threat not just to the peace process, but also to international peace and security.

Australia rejects Trump's decision on al-Quds

Australia says it will not move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds following a decision by the US to do so. The Australian foreign minister was responding to a call by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who urged all countries with embassies in Israel to relocate them to al-Quds. The US decision has caused uproar from other countries. Indonesian President Joko Widodo slammed the unilateral decision and urged Washington to reconsider it. He warned that the move may cause global instability and insecurity. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak called on Muslims everywhere to strongly oppose any recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel.

Korean Peninsula tensions

North Korea’s foreign ministry says the US threats make the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula unavoidable. In a statement, the North Korean foreign ministry warned the US of consequences if it “miscalculates” Pyongyang’s patience and lights the fuse for a nuclear war. The statement added that the North will respond with its strengthened nuclear might. The United States and South Korea started joint aerial war games on Monday. Some 230 aircraft are involved in the five-day exercises which will last until Friday. Tensions have increased in the region since North Korea successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile. Pyongyang has repeatedly said it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence and missile capability unless Washington and its regional allies end their hostile policy toward the country.

Outrage in Palestine

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip are holding a general strike to protest the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital. A statement jointly issued by all Palestinian factions hailed the strike. The Palestinian education ministry declared a day off and urged teachers and students to take part in anti-US rallies. Anger is running high among Palestinians after US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital and relocate the American embassy to the city. Trump’s move has also sparked global outrage, with several world leaders calling it a threat, not only to the peace process, but also to international peace and security. The UN Security Council has also announced an emergency session on Friday upon a request by eight member states.

Brexit negotiations

The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator says the bloc will not move on to the next stage of the talks with the UK, unless the British government agrees on a deal over the Irish border issue by Friday. Michel Barnier told member states that London had informed him about a potential solution to the border issue between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He said, however, that it had yet to be signed off by any of those involved. Avoiding a hard border is the most contentious issue the British government has faced in its divorce negotiations. The member states have already informed that they would not have time to take the issue back to their capitals IF the UK fails to agree a joint position by Friday.

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