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 29, 2017.

Saudi war on Yemen

More civilians die as Saudi Arabia keeps pounding its southern neighbor, Yemen. Reports coming out of Sa'ada province say four people, including a woman and a child, have been killed in a fresh Saudi air raid. The attack targeted a residential area in Ghamar district. Yemen is having a bloody week. The United Nations has confirmed that Saudi jets have killed nearly 110 people in ten days starting December 18; that includes 54 civilians at a crowded market on Tuesday alone. On Thursday, the world body denounced Saudi Arabia's “absurd and futile aggression”. The statement called on Riyadh to spare civilians and urban infrastructure. More than 13,600 Yemenis, mostly civilians, have been killed since the onset of the Saudi war in March 2015.

Turkey arrests

Turkish police have reportedly detained 29 suspected Daesh terrorists as security tightens ahead of New Year’s Eve. Turkish media say some 500 security forces took part in a series of raids targeting suspects in the Turkish capital Ankara. Many of those detained were foreign nationals. The raids came after Turkish prosecutors issued arrest warrants for nearly 50 people. Materials seized during the raids indicated that the terrorists were planning an attack over New Year. Last year, a man opened fire in a club in the city of Istanbul, killing at least 39 people, including foreigners. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack as well as a series of other assaults across Turkey. Turkish officials say they are increasing the number of police officers to provide security ahead of New Year’s Eve.

US China accusation

US President Donald Trump has criticized Beijing following reports that Chinese ships transferred oil to North Korean vessels. Trump said in a tweet that China has been caught red-handed and that he is very disappointed at Beijing. The US president warned that such moves would prevent a friendly solution to the issue of Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs. Earlier, Trump said in an interview that he has been soft on China on trade issues because he wants to see the North Korea nuclear crisis resolved. On Tuesday, China rejected reports that its oil ships have gone against UN sanctions. This came after a South Korean newspaper said Chinese and North Korean vessels had been illicitly linking up at sea to get oil to North Korea.

Egypt church attack

At least 10 people, including police officers, have been killed and several others injured in a church attack in the Egyptian capital. According to officials, a gunman stormed into a church in Cairo’s Helwan district, wearing an explosive vest. He was shot dead by the police. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Daesh terrorists have carried out similar bomb attacks in the country over the past year. Last month, some 40 gunmen stormed a Friday prayer at a mosque in the village of al-Rawada, in north of the country, killing over 300 people and injuring many others.

Zuma impeachment?

South Africa’s Constitutional Court has accused the country’s parliament of failing to hold President Jacbob Zuma accountable over a financial scandal. The issue that was taken to the court by leftist parties is the latest in a series of setbacks for Zuma. The president is facing increasing public pressure to step down. South Africa’s top court says the parliament now has to launch a proceeding that could finally lead to Zuma’s impeachment and removal from office. The president is accused of failing to abide by the recommendations of the country’s anti-corruption commission in 2014. The committee had asked him to be transparent regarding the renovations and refurbishments of his rural residential palace that allegedly cost South African taxpayer some 15 million dollars.

Friday of Rage

Another Friday, another day of rage as Palestinians hold new angry protests against the US move to recognize Jerusalem Al-Quds the capital of Israel. Israeli troops have attacked the demonstrators across the occupied territories and the Gaza Strip with live fire. According to the Palestinian officials, over 250 protesters have been injured, a number of them in critical condition. Fierce clashes between Israeli forces and demonstrators have taken place in the town of Bethlehem and in the vicinity of Beit El. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israel forces have fired tear gas at rallies near Israeli checkpoints. Palestinians have also gathered near Israeli checkpoints in the besieged Gaza Strip where they have been shot at. It is the fourth Friday in a row that protests are being held by Palestinians. Israeli troops have killed 15 Palestinians and injured 4,000 others during clashes since the US President declared Jerusalem Al-Quds as Israel’s capital.

Syria evacuation deal

A group of foreign-backed militants have started leaving their stronghold near the Syrian capital Damascus under a deal with the government. The militants are mainly from the Nusra Front terrorist group. They’re now being evacuated to Idlib province. Press TV’s exclusive images show the Nusra Front terrorists exhumed the bodies of the recently deceased citizens in the village of Mughur al-Meer in revenge. The terrorists were forced to leave the area following the Syrian army gains near Damascus and in areas near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Meanwhile, dozens have been killed during fighting between government forces and foreign-backed militants in an area near the provinces of Idlib and Hama.

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