WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, August 11, 2018.

Iran dismissing talks with US

Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has ruled out any possible meeting with his US counterpart. Zarif said no meeting has been planned with Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly session in New York. He said the United States does not have the honesty required for negotiations. Zarif argued that Washington’s addiction to sanctions prevents it from engaging in dialogue. Iran has already turned down US President Donald Trump’s offer of talks. Tehran says Washington needs to return to the 2015 nuclear deal and lift sanctions as preconditions for negotiations. The US pulled out of the multilateral agreement in May and snapped back sanctions on Iran earlier this week.

Turkey-US tensions

Turkish President Rejep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that his country’s partnership with the United States might be in danger as ties twist between the two countries. Erdogan called on the US to stop unilateralism and start respecting his country and its sovereignty. He also warned that if Washington damages relations with Ankara, Turkey will look for new friends and allies instead. Relations between the two NATO allies have been strained recently over a number of issues including the detention of an American pastor on terror-related charges. The escalation of tensions has caused the Turkish Lira to hit record lows against the US dollar.

Syria confronts ‘hostile target’

Syrian media say the country’s air defense has confronted a hostile target. Reports said the target breached Syrian airspace west of the capital Damascus. The area is close to the Lebanese border. Syrian air defenses were activated in a similar way over west Damascus last Thursday night. Syrians say Israel is likely to be behind the incursions. The regime has targeted multiple positions inside Syria in recent months.

Israel atrocities

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip hold a funeral for a young volunteer medic who was shot dead by Israeli forces during Friday's protests. 21-year-old Abdullah al-Qotati was trying to help wounded protesters when soldiers targeted him. He was among the three Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since Friday. A 55-year-old man identified as Ali al-Alul was killed during Friday’s anti-Israel rally. Earlier today, a 40-year-old Palestinian man identified as Ahmed Abu Lulu succumbed to his wounds sustained during Friday’s protest. Over 300 others were also injured during the rally. The demonstration was part of the Great March of Return rallies that started in March.

Yemen Saudi protest

Thousands of Yemenis have taken to the streets of Dhamar in protest against a deadly Saudi airstrike on a school bus in Zahyn on Thursday. The protesters chanted anti-Saudi and anti-US slogans, calling for those behind the attack to be brought to justice. 50 civilians, mostly children, were killed and about 77 others were wounded in the Saudi airstrike targeting the school bus carrying children. The bus came under attack in a market. The United Nations denounced the attack, calling for a prompt investigation. The world body's children's fund, UNICEF, said Saudi Arabia was behind the single biggest attack on children during its war on Yemen. The Rights body ‘Save the Children Germany’ also slammed the raid, urging an immediate and independent investigation. Nearly 15,000 people have been killed in the Saudi war on Yemen since 2015.

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