WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, December 21, 2018.

Catalonia tension

Pro-independence supporters block roads and rally in the Catalan capital Barcelona to protest the Spanish government’s cabinet meeting in the city. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters. Friday’s rally follows similar protests which took place on Thursday when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held a meeting with Catalan leader Quim Torra. Sanchez and other ministers usually hold their weekly meetings in the capital Madrid. His initiative to act against the odds is apparently aimed at reducing tensions over Catalans’ push for independence. Last year, the Catalan parliament declared the region's independence from Spain following a referendum in which the majority of the people voted Yes for separation. The Spanish government didn’t recognize the declaration and quashed the drive by taking punitive measures including imprisoning Catalan leaders.

London airport chaos

Thousands of passengers are still stranded as London’s Gatwick airport reopens for a limited number of flights after a disruption by drone sightings overhead. Gatwick’s officials say there would still be delays and cancellations despite hundreds of planes ready to take off. Police continue to hunt for drone operators as the runway reopens. Police allowed shooting down a drone, calling it “a tactical option” while the measure had previously been ruled out by them, citing concerns over stray bullets. One of the UK's busiest airports was paralyzed for more than two days after the disruption.

US North Korea sanctions

The US special envoy for North Korea says Washington has no intention of easing sanctions against Pyongyang. Stephen Biegun spoke to reporters following a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Do-hoon, in Seoul. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June. In their summit, they issued a vague goal for complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, without describing when and how it would occur. Follow-up talks were stalled after the North insisted that the US-led international sanctions against the country be removed before any progress in denuclearization.

Daesh atrocities

Iraqi authorities say they have uncovered a new mass grave containing the remains of dozens of people. The grave is in the Hawijah district in the northern province of Kirkuk. An Iraqi security official says it contains the remains of civilians abducted and killed by Daesh terrorists. The region was once controlled by the Takfiri group. Last month, the United Nations said it has documented a total 202 mass graves in western and northern Iraq. Daesh occupied these areas between 2014 and 2017. The UN has warned that more mass graves could be uncovered in the coming months.

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