WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, February 7, 2018.

‘Israel supports terrorists’

The Syrian military says Israeli warplanes fired a number of missiles targeting army positions near the capital Damascus. According to army officials, the Air Defense forces confronted the Israeli planes which used the Lebanese airspace to carry out the attack. Following the assault, the Syrian army issued a statement, expressing readiness to confront any move that violates the country’s sovereignty. The statement also warned Israel of the consequences of any such acts. It said the assaults are aimed at encouraging the foreign-backed terrorists to carry out attacks in Syria. This is the second raid conducted by the Israeli army this month.

Pence Japan visit

US Vice President, Mike Pence, has promised to increase pressure on North Korea to force it abandon its nuclear and missile programs. Pence was speaking at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, in Tokyo. The comments by the US vice president come despite the recent thaw in ties between South and North Koreas in the wake of the Winter Olympic Games. The North is sending a team to take part in the games hosted by the South. The move is seen as a kick-start for reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The tensions have remained high in the past months, amid Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs which it says wants for self-defense.

West Bank Tensions

Clashes have erupted in the occupied West Bank following the killing of a Palestinian man by an Israeli guard. Israeli forces fired rubber bullets to disperse the protesters. Nearly 30 demonstrators were injured in the violence. The rally took place near the city of al-Khalil where a Palestinian man was killed on Wednesday. Tel Aviv says the man was shot dead after he stabbed an Israeli guard and injured him lightly. Israeli forces have arrested the victim’s father. Violence has also erupted in the city of Bethlehem over the death of another Palestinian, Ahmed Nasr Jarrar, who was killed on Tuesday. Several Palestinians were arrested in the rally.

Lebanon Israel warning

Lebanon’s Higher Defense Council has warned Israel against building a wall on the Lebanese soil, saying it will respond to any such move. The warning comes as Tel Aviv continues to threat Beirut’s offshore energy projects. The Council said it considers the Israel construction as an assault on Lebanon. It said it has given orders to confront what it described as an aggression against the country. The decision comes a day after Lebanon’s top leaders agreed to take action on regional and international levels to address Israeli threats. Israel has been building a wall encircling the Lebanese territory since 2012. Beirut says part of the wall is a threat to its energy projects. Tel Aviv has dismissed the claims saying the construction will go ahead as usual.

EU UK sanction threat

The European Union has defended a plan to sanction Britain if it breaks the rules during the post-Brexit transition period. The EU says the punitive measure is needed to act against any foul play by London. Earlier, the European Commission published a draft revealing that Brussels will be able to impose sanctions on the UK if London violates the EU laws. The document was released amid talks between Brexit envoys from the two sides who are set to complete the negotiations before the end of this week. Meanwhile, the released draft has prompted a harsh response from British lawmakers. The Brexit talks which kicked off in June 2017 are set to wrap up by the end of March 2019.

German coalition deal

German parties have hailed a coalition deal reached between Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party. SDP leader, Martin Schulz has voiced support for the agreement, saying it allows Germany to once again take an active and leading role in the EU. He also thanked the conservatives for making tough compromises. Under the deal, the SDP will be in control of six ministries, including finance and foreign affairs. The deal still needs to be approved by SDP members before being finalized. The German Chancellor has also hailed the deal, saying it gives the basis for a good and stable government. Merkel’s Bavarian sister party says the deal paves the way for overcoming divisions and polarization in the German society and would mean a fundamental change of direction in Europe.

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