WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, December 8, 2018.

France protests

French police have fired tear gas at protestors during the fourth consecutive weekend of anti-government protests in Paris. More than 300 people have already been arrested in the French capital. Officials had warned there would be a zero tolerance toward violence and destruction. More than 90,000 security forces have been deployed across the country to quell the unrest. The "yellow vest" movement began four weeks ago against a rise in fuel tax and eventually turned into a general opposition to the economic policies of President Emmanuel Macron. The protest continues despite the government’s decision to abandon the fuel tax hike.

Brexit deal

Britain's work and pensions minister says Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal is the best and only option available for leaving the European Union. Amber Rudd added, however, that if May's plan doesn't get through, a Plan B might be needed. The comments come as the parliament is expected to vote down the Prime Minister’s agreement with the EU on Brexit terms on Tuesday. Such a vote may lead to a number of possible outcomes. Some pro-EU lawmakers have even expressed support for a second referendum on EU membership. Prime Minister May has said lawmakers must back her withdrawal deal or face either a 'no-deal' exit from the EU or no Brexit at all.

US ‘economic terrorism’

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has slammed the United States for targeting the Islamic Republic and its people with economic terrorism. Rouhani was addressing the parliament speakers’ conference on fighting terrorism in the capital Tehran. He underlined that Washington’s illegal and unfair sanctions on Iran and its trade partners are a glaring example of economic terrorism. The Iranian president noted that the Middle East region is now facing efforts by some to provoke a wave of terror, violence, sanctions, crises and coups. He said Iran is the biggest victim of terrorism and has sustained heavy human and material losses from the acts of terror. He urged all regional states to join hands to counter their common enemies and eradicate the root causes of terror and violence.

Ansarullah proposal

Yemen’s Anasarullah movement calls for the formation of a transitional government with participation of all political parties. The movement’s negotiator Mohammed Abdusalam also said that the port city of Hudaydah should be declared as a neutral zone. He added that the Ansarullah is open to the possibility of giving the UN a role at Sana’a airport in an effort to get it reopened. Abdusalam made the comments on the sideline of the ongoing peace talks with the delegation of the Saudi-backed former government in Sweden. Two previous rounds of peace negotiations failed, one in last September and the other in 2016.

China-Canada row

China has lashed out at Canada for arresting the chief financial officer of telecom giant Huawei, describing the move as extremely nasty. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it has summoned the Canadian ambassador to strongly protest the arrest. Beijing also urged Canada to immediately release Huawei’s CFO, warning that otherwise it would face consequences. Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested in Vancouver, is facing fraud charges over alleged breach of US sanctions against Iran. She also faces extradition to the United States if convicted. A Canadian court has accused Wanzhou of conspiracy to defraud multiple financial institutions. The 46 year-old executive will face a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail for each charge.

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