WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, December 25, 2017.

Saudi war on Yemen

Saudi Arabia’s air force has conducted air raids across Yemen, claiming more civilian lives. In the most recent attacks, at least ten people were killed as Saudi jets bombed Dhamar province. Saudi warplanes also pounded a residential areas in west of the capital Sana’a, killing twelve civilians and injuring many others. In the western province of Hudaydah, relentless Saudi bombardments left eight Yemenis dead and two others injured. Saudi Arabia began the war on its southern impoverished neighbor in March 2015. Since then, more than 13,600 people, many of them civilians, have been killed. The war on Yemen has been repeatedly denounced by rights groups and international bodies.

Bahrain death sentences

A Bahraini military court has handed down death penalties and jail sentences to over a dozen civilians as the Manama regime continues its crackdown against political dissent. The verdicts are reportedly delivered in a case related to an alleged assassination attempt on the kingdom’s commander-in-chief of armed forces. Six people are sentenced to death while seven others are given seven-year prison terms, with an order to revoke their citizenship. In a controversial move in April, Bahrain’s Parliament authorized military courts to try civilians charged with terrorism. The opposition group, al-Wefaq has denounced the trial of civilians in military courts. Manama has faced outrage over its discriminatory policies against the country’s Shia majority ever since a popular uprising engulfed the country back in 2011. The regime has come down hard on peaceful protests, which have led to dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests.

Pope migrants appeal

Pope Francis has called on the world not to ignore the plight of millions of migrants who he said are driven from their land. The Argentine pontiff was talking to worshippers in Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City in his Christmas Eve Mass. He said many migrants were being forced to flee from leaders who see no problem in shedding innocent blood. The leader of the world's estimated 1.3 billion Roman Catholics also said faith demands that foreigners be welcomed everywhere. Pope Francis has made defense of migrants around the world a major theme of his papacy.

Russia call for talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged the United States and North Korea to start negotiations to ease the tensions caused by Pyongyang's missile tests and the US military presence. Russian media have quoted Lavrov as saying that Russia is ready to facilitate talks between Pyongyang and Washington. Moscow’s willingness to mediate comes shortly after the UN Security Council imposed new sanctions on North Korea. Pyongyang has condemned the move, calling it an act of war and tantamount to a complete economic blockade against its nation. Moscow is among the critics of Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs, but it has for long called on North Korea and the US to hold talks aimed at de-escalating tensions.

Christmas tragedy

The death toll from the Philippines devastating storm has risen to 240, as Typhoon Tembin leaves the country moving towards Vietnam. After days of torrential rains and flashfloods, Typhoon Tembin is leaving battered Philippines just before Christmas. The tropical storm has also left scores of people missing and more than 70,000 others displaced. Now authorities in 15 provinces in Vietnam are bracing up to face the Typhoon. Officials say 74,000 people have been relocated to safety from vulnerable areas and more than one million others are prepared to move. The Vietnamese government has also ordered protection for oil rigs and vessels and sent warnings to about 62,000 fishing boats.

US isolation

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says the US is moving toward further isolation by its controversial decision on the status of Jerusalem al-Quds. Qassemi was speaking to reporters during his weekly presser. He described the new US policy on Jerusalem al-Quds as one of the major developments of the day that Iran closely monitors. The Iranian diplomat said last week's UN vote proved that Washington is standing alone in recognizing the Palestinian city as the capital of Israel. Commenting on the French president's visit to Iran, the spokesman said no date has been set as of now. Qassemi added that French officials have some wrong views about Iran based on wrong information. He said Tehran will inform Paris about the real regional developments and hopes to clear misunderstandings.

Israel occuptaion

Israel has approved building permits for 300 settler units in the West Bank amid international outrage over Tel Aviv’s settlement expansions. According to Israeli media, the settler units will be in eight buildings in the neighborhood of Gilo, in southern Jerusalem al-Quds. Reports say the construction work has already begun. Tel Aviv is seeking to change the demographics of al-Quds as it claims the holy city in its entirety. Palestinians consider al-Quds as their future capital. The election of Donald Trump as the US president in 2016 and his recent decision to recognize the city as Israel’s capital have emboldened Israel to further expand its settlement activities.

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