WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, July 24, 2018.

Iran countermeasures

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran will respond with equal countermeasures if the US tries to block its oil exports. Bahram Qassemi noted that it’s a political bluff Washington has resorted to at this time. He said the US couldn’t block Iran’s oil flow in the past, even when it had the support of the United Nations Security Council. Speaking about the US president’s recent tweet against Iran, Qassemi said the US administration feels isolated after its exit from the Iran nuclear deal. He stressed that this is the cause behind Donald Trump’s fury. Qassemi reminded Washington that the Iranian nation won’t be impressed and it needs to address them with respect.

EU-US trade row

German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, says Europe will not bend to the United States’ will in the ongoing trade war between the EU and Washington. Maas noted that negotiation is the only solution to the ongoing trade dispute. The top German diplomat called on all European countries to unify, reiterating that Washington must stop threatening the EU, because it would only further complicate the situation. Mass made the remark as European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, heads to Washington for talks on the issue. The traditionally close allies have been engaged in a tit-for-tat trade war after US President, Donald Trump, imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum.

Plight of Rohingya

The UN Security Council has urged Myanmar to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Rohingya Muslims who have fled violence in their country to Bangladesh. The Security Council, in a closed-door meeting, called for social and economic development aid to facilitate the minority group’s return to their home state of Rakhine in Myanmar. The council members also underlined the significance of independent investigations into allegations of human rights abuses against the Muslim group. Myanmar has opened transit camps for the return of the Rohingya. But, they are too fearful to return to a place where, according to rights organizations, their families were massacred, their children were burnt alive, and their women were raped.

‘Israel is racist’

A war of words is sparked between Turkish president Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Erdogan has described Israel as the world’s most fascist and racist state. Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the Knesset’s new law on recognizing Israel as a Jewish state for Jewish people. He said there is no difference between Hitler’s obsession with a certain race and Israel’s claim that Palestine is only for Jews. The Turkish president went on to say that Hitler’s soul has resurrected in some Israeli leaders.

Israel belligerence

The Israeli army says it has shot down a Syrian fighter jet in the occupied Golan Heights. According to the military, the Sukhoi aircraft was hit by surface-to-air missiles after it infiltrated the Israeli airspace. The pilot's condition is unclear. However, Damascus says the warplane was targeted while conducting raids in the Syrian airspace, south of the country. Last month, Tel Aviv said it reinforced its anti-aircraft systems near Syria. Israel has had Syria’s Golan under occupation since 1967, when it seized the territory during a war against Arab states. It has been treating injured Takfiri terrorists in the territory and providing them with assistance. It has also frequently attacked military targets in Syria.

Japan deadly heatwave

In Japan, all-time high temperatures kill at least 65 people in just one week. That’s the worst record for a summer week in a decade. Officials say the total figure is 80 since the beginning of July. More than 35-thousand people have been hospitalized in the same period. Authorities warn that the heatwave drags on until the end of August. Average temperatures will remain above 38 degrees Celsius and could hit 43 in several cities. Officials warn that it’s some 12 degrees more than the average temperature of Japan in August. The government has taken measures such as extending school holidays. It has installed air-conditioning systems in public places and called on people to stay indoors as much as possible.

Syria army gains

The Syrian army has made fresh gains in their offensive against Daesh terrorists in the country’s southwest. According to Syrian media, the army has liberated some areas in the Yarmouk basin region near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. A sweeping operation is underway to clear the areas from mines and booby traps. The advances are part of an operation the army launched last month toward the Quneitra province. The Syrian government has now full control over the strategic territory along the entire frontier with Jordan.

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