WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, December 16, 2018.

Hamas anniversary

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas is marking the thirty first anniversary of its foundation with a major rally in the besieged Gaza strip. Tens of thousands of Palestinians from all walks of life attended the ceremony with a festive mood. Soldiers of the Izzddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, marched before the crowd in a show of military might. Various weapons and military vehicles were showcased during the parade. Hamas was established in 1987 soon after the First Palestinian Intifada or uprising against the Israeli occupation. The movement assumed power in Gaza following an election in 2007.

Murder of Khashoggi

The United Nations has called for a credible investigation into the killing of dissident Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Speaking at the Doha Forum in the Qatari capital, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that it is absolutely essential to have a credible probe, and to punish the perpetrators of the crime. Also speaking at the forum, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that many European countries are turning a blind eye on the issue. The Washington Post columnist was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul back in October. Riyadh maintains that the killing was a rouge operation and not ordered by higher authorities.

Saudi war on Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition has carried out fresh airstrikes on the Yemeni province of Hudaydah just days after a UN-brokered ceasefire deal with Yemen’s Ansarullah movement. A source close to the Saudi-led coalition said they also engaged in fierce overnight clashes with Ansarullah and its allies in al-Durayhimi district, near the port city of Hudaydah. The source added that at least 29 Ansarullah-allied fighters were killed in the airstrikes and clashes. There were also reports of gunfire and shelling in the Red Sea city in the weekend. The attacks follow a hard-won truce agreement signed in Sweden on Thursday. The UN-brokered agreement called for a halt in fighting in Hudaydah and the withdrawal of all troops in and around the city.

Australia under fire

Malaysia’s prime minister has slammed Australia’s decision to recognize West Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital. Mahathir Mohamad says Australia has no right to divide the city. He made the comment during a visit to Thailand. His government has also rejected Australia’s announcement as a humiliation of Palestinians and their struggle for self-determination. On Saturday, the Arab League also slammed Australia’s decision as a dangerous violation of international law. That was an echo of the statement by the Palestinian Liberation Organization. It condemned Canberra’s move as illegal and a vote against Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Australia has remained adamant despite the backlash.

Sri Lanka new PM

Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe takes over the reins of government, ending a political crisis that engulfed the country with his ouster in late October. Wickremesinghe was sworn in by President Maithripala Sirisena in a ceremony on Sunday. The South Asian island nation plunged into instability after Sirisena replaced Wickremesinghe with Mahinda Rajapaksha in a surprise decision. But the presidential pick was twice sacked by parliament. Rajapaksha tendered his resignation a day after the ousted premier won a vote of confidence in parliament. President Sirisena agreed to reinstate Wickremesinghe amid fears of a government shutdown.

Hamas stance

Leader of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says the US efforts to advance its agenda through the so-called deal of the century will not bear fruit. Ismail Haniyeh made the comments during a ceremony marking the thirty-first anniversary of Hamas foundation in the besieged Gaza strip. Haniyeh stressed that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinians’ lands have failed to change the course of events in Gaza. He underlined the importance of unity in the face of the Israeli occupation. Haniyeh said the resistance movement will continue to hold on to its principles despite the Israeli atrocities and crimes. He hailed sacrifices made by the Palestinians to break the siege on Gaza. Haniyeh pledged that Hamas will free the Palestinians who are held in the Israeli jails in the foreseeable future.

Syria civilian deaths

The US-led coalition has launched a new deadly airstrike on eastern Syria. At least 17 civilians have been killed in the attack that targeted Bo Khater village in Dayr al-Zawr province. Since 2014, the United States and its allies have been carrying out airstrikes in Syria without the United Nations’ mandate or Syria’s consent. Damascus has repeatedly demanded a halt to the US-led bombing campaign, calling it a violation of its sovereignty.

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