WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, December 24, 2018 to 0800 GMT, December 25, 2018.

Gaza flotilla

Palestinians have once again held a rally along the Gaza coast to protest against the Israeli blockade. They also launched a new freedom flotilla in a symbolic move against the siege. As our correspondent Ashraf Shannon reports, Israeli forces responded by opening fire on protesters.

US government shutdown

US President Donald Trump and top Democrats continue to lock horns over the partial government shutdown. Trump says he’s waiting all alone in the White House despite Christmas holidays, for Democrats to come and make a deal on what he called desperately needed border security. Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer and his House counterpart, Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement, blasting Trump’s approach. They said the president is plunging the country into chaos despite the arrival of Christmas. Nearly one-quarter of the federal government programs are now on hold after their funding expired on Friday. Trump wants lawmakers to approve funding for his plan to build a wall along the Mexico border. Beside the Democrats, he’s also critical of the Federal Reserve and the Central Bank. The feud caused US stock markets experience a drop on Monday like what happened last week.

Christmas Eve Mass

Christians from across the world have gathered in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. The crowds held celebrations and lined up to see the grotto where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. However, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been barred from attending the ceremonies in Bethlehem due to Israel’s siege on the enclave. Pope Francis also held the Christmas mass at the Vatican as Catholics celebrate the traditional birth anniversary of Jesus. Meanwhile, some cities including Barcelona are on alert amid fears of terrorist attacks during the Christmas holidays.

US's Syria presence

The Iranian foreign minister says the United States has done nothing to counter the Daesh terror group. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the statement in an interview with Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network. He said the presence of US troops in Syria is not in the interest of the Syrian people. The top Iranian diplomat stressed that the US presence in Syria was illegal from the beginning. Zarif also said Turkey must coordinate with the Syrian government before carrying out any military operation in the Arab country.

Sudan protests

Clashes have erupted between police and protesters in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, during the sixth consecutive day of anti-government demonstrations. Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. The security has been tightened further ahead of the country’s major trade unions' planned rally for Tuesday. Meanwhile, President, Omar al-Bashir, has warned citizens against attempts to instill frustration. The opposition claims that at least 22 people have been killed since the protests erupted last week. The official figure, however, suggests only 12 fatalities. The protesters are angry at the government’s decision to increase the price of bread.

Iranian president on US, sanctions

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says the US considers the Islamic Republic the main impediment to its hegemonic policies in region. Rouhani made the remarks as he was presenting next year’s budget to parliament. He criticized US sanctions on Iran as cruel and unjust. Rouhani stressed that Washington will not reach its goals. He said sanctions have caused problems for the Iranian people but that the nation will remain steadfast and vigilant and will finally overcome them.

Asian stocks plunge

Stock market indices have dropped sharply in Japan and China after major falls in Wall Street on Monday. In Japan, Tokyo’s main benchmark, Nikkei 225, closed after a nosedive of over five-percent. The plunge put Nikkei at its lowerst level in the past 20 months. Stocks in China also dropped sharply, with the Shanghai index approaching a four-year low. But the index recovered much of the two-point-four percent loss at the market close. This follows falls for the fourth straight day in the US stock market on Monday. The market woes are triggered by concerns over the US government shutdown and President Donald Trump’s dispute with the Federal Reserve. Trump has called the Federal Reserve the only problem of the US economy.

Indonesia tsunami

Search and rescue teams step up efforts to find survivors on the west coast of Indonesia, where a volcano-triggered Tsunami has killed more than 370 people. Rescuers use heavy machinery, drones and sniff dogs to search the tsunami-hit areas of Java and Sumatra islands. Officials say at least 128 people are missing and more that 1400 are injured. Rescue efforts were hampered for hours due to bad weather and low visibility. Thousands of people were moved to higher grounds as experts warn that the devastated region could be slammed by more deadly waves.

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