WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, December 24, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, December 25, 2017.

Israeli settlement plans

Israel is set to approve building permits for some 300 settler units in the West Bank amid international outcry against the regime’s expansionist policy. According to Israeli media, the units will be in eight buildings in the East Jerusalem al-Quds neighborhood of Gilo. Reports say the construction on two of the buildings has already begun. Tel Aviv is seeking to change the demographics of al-Quds as it lays claim to the holy city as a whole, but Palestinians consider it their future capital. The election of Donald Trump as the US president and his latest decision to recognize the city as the capital of Israel have emboldened Israel to further expand its settlement activities.

UN call on Myanmar

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution demanding Myanmar end a military campaign against the country’s Muslim minority. The motion put forward by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was adopted by a vote of 122 to 10 with 24 abstentions. The resolution demands access for aid workers and return of all refugees and full citizenship rights for Rohingya Muslims. It also calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a special envoy to Myanmar. More than 650,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar since the government launched a military operation in Rakhine state in late August. The UN says the violence amounts to ethnic cleansing. The Sunday vote follows Myanmar’s decision to bar the UN special rapporteur and cut off all cooperation with her.

Venezuela frees prisoners

Venezuela has released dozens of prisoners as part of a Christmas good-will gesture following months of political turmoil across the Latin American country. 36 people were released from jail and reunited with their families after the government dropped charges against them. They are part of some 80 political prisoners that the government says will be released ahead of Christmas. The prisoners were detained on charges of violence and subversion as well as trying to topple the government. Some 270 people were arrested during months of clashes between security forces and supporters of the opposition. They accused President Maduro of trying to dismantle democratic institutions and set up the Constituent Assembly to approve his policies. Some 170 others died during the protests.

Syria army gains

At least six people have been killed and three others wounded following a bomb blast that rocked the Afghan capital. Officials say a bomber blew himself up close to the country’s intelligence agency compound in Kabul. They added that all victims were civilians who were driving their vehicles in the area. The Daesh terror group has claimed responsibility for the assault. The bombing comes a week after the group claimed an attack on a training facility of the same agency that left several officers dead.

Afghanistan attack

At least six people have been killed and three others wounded following a bomb blast that rocked the Afghan capital. Officials say a bomber blew himself up close to the country’s intelligence agency compound in Kabul. They added that all victims were civilians who were driving their vehicles in the area. The Daesh terror group has claimed responsibility for the assault. The bombing comes a week after the group claimed an attack on a training facility of the same agency that left several officers dead.

Palestinian unity against US

Palestinian Christian leaders have slammed the US President’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel, calling it dangerous and insulting. The archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in al-Quds has released a statement describing Donald Trump’s move as offensive to Christians and Muslims around the world. Atallah Hanna said Washington gave the Israeli occupation what it does not deserve. Hanna’s comment came as Christians celebrated Christmas Eve across the occupied territories. Muslims and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also attended Christmas midnight mass in Bethlehem to show unity and solidarity against Trump's decision.

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