WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, April 6, 2017.

US Russia sanctions

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Russian individuals and companies over a range of activities, including Moscow’s alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. According to the US Treasury Department, the measures target seven businessmen close to President Vladimir Putin, 12 of their companies as well as 17 senior government officials. Companies like Gazprom, Burenie and Renova group have also been added to the sanctions list. Washington says the punitive measures are in response to Russia’s policies regarding Ukraine and Syria, as well as its cyber activities and attempts to subvert Western democracies. The US sanctions are the most significant since Crimea’s re-integration with Russia in 2014.

Gaza anti-Israel rallies

Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip are marching along the so-called buffer zone with Israel for the eighth consecutive day to protest the regime’s occupation of their motherland. Israeli soldiers have once again opened fire on the peaceful protesters, killing three of them and injuring over 250 others. A teenager is among those killed. Palestinians have set rubber tires ablaze to block the vision of the Israeli snipers who've been authorized by Tel Aviv to shoot with no inhibition. The present rally is part of the March of the Great Return which started last Friday and will last for another five weeks. The UN human rights office has called on Israel to ensure that its forces do not use excessive force against Palestinian protesters. Israeli troops have killed 23 Palestinians since last Friday and injured over 1,500 others.

Battle for Ghouta

The Syrian army begins a ground operation in Damascus suburbs as talks over the evacuation of terrorists from the last enclave of Eastern Ghouta collapse. Syrian republican guard forces are pushing into the city of Douma, where the last remaining terrorists are holed up. A military officer says negotiations with terrorists have failed and a military resolution is the only way forward. Earlier, terrorists in Douma shelled a humanitarian corridor and the nearby city of Harasta. The attacks killed one child and wounded at least 15 other people. The Syrian air forces have responded by targeting positions in Douma. The new developments follow days of calm in the region during which several terror groups accepted deals to evacuate and go to northern Syria.

Facebook scandal

The European Union says Facebook has confirmed millions of users may have been affected by the personal data scandal across the member states. EU Commission Spokesman Christian Wigand said the users would demand further answers from the social media giant. It was revealed last month that Cambridge Analytica accessed data from 50 million Facebook users. The British political consultancy firm worked for Donald Trump's campaign in the 2016 US presidential election. There have been reports that the data sharing also affected voters in the run up to the referendum on Britain's split from the EU. Facebook is facing mounting calls for investigations in the US and Europe.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir