WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, January 2, 2019 to 0800 GMT, January 3, 2019.

Israel to harshen conditions for Palestinian prisoners

An Israeli official has announced a number of plans to worsen conditions for Palestinian prisoners. Gilad Erdan’s plans include rationing water supplies, limiting prisoners' access to television and reducing the number of family visits. Speaking at a press conference, Erdan also said there will be clear limits on the amount of water a prisoner consumes each day. Erdan added, Israeli authorities are likely to begin implementing the plan in the coming weeks, once it has been approved by the cabinet. According to official statistics, the number of Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s jails has reached 5,500, including 230 children and 54 women.

Trump says government shutdown can last a long time

US President Donald Trump warns that the partial shutdown of the government could last a long time. Trump made the remarks before meeting top Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the White House. Speaking after the meeting, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said Trump asked congressional leaders to return for talks on Friday. He said the US president wants to find a solution to the shutdown. The crisis that has entered its 12th day was triggered by Trump's demand for 5.6 billion dollars in funding for a border wall with Mexico. Meanwhile, Democrats, who will regain control of the House of Representatives on Thursday, have pledged to challenge the president on multiple fronts.

Kurds withdraw from Manbij

Syria says Kurdish militants have withdrawn from the northern city of Manbij. In a statement, the Syrian defense ministry said at least 400 militants from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG, have left Manbij. The statement added that, the pull-out was in line with an agreement for the return of normal life to northern Syria. On Friday, the Syrian army entered Manbij for the first time in six years and raised the country’s flag there. Government forces and their allied units entered Manbij after the YPG militants urged Damascus to protect the city from possible Turkish attacks. Turkey has pledged to clear the area from the YPG after the United States said it will leave Syria.

Iran oil exports will never stop: President Rouhani

The Iranian president says the United States will under no circumstances be able to stop the Islamic Republic from exporting its oil. Hassan Rouhani said Iran’s oil exports will go ahead as planned. Rouhani hailed Iran’s economic activities as promising despite what he called the enemies’ pressure. The Iranian president also pointed to his US counterpart’s recent trip to Iraq. Rouhani said Donald Trump’s whirlwind visit to a US base in the war-battered country proves Washington’s policies have failed to bear fruit.

Displaced Syrians return home

Nearly 500 internally displaced Syrians have returned home to areas liberated by government forces in the country's east. The displaced have returned to villages and towns in Dayr al-Zawr province. They have made their way via a crossing that links the eastern bank of the Euphrates with the West. A number of former army deserters, who took advantage of a government amnesty, have also returned home. The locals had been forced to flee after Daesh terrorists occupied the region. In November 2017, Damascus declared the province liberated from the Takfiri group.

France arrests leader of anti-government protests

French police detain a leader of anti-government demonstrations for organizing a protest in central Paris. According to a police source, Eric Drouet was arrested while heading to the Champs-Elysees, the site of the recent protests. Meanwhile, a few dozen protesters gathered near France's famous Arc de Triomphe war monument, waiting for Drouet to arrive early Wednesday evening. The Paris protests, known as "yellow vest" demonstrations, began in November over a rise in fuel taxes. They expanded into a wider revolt against French President Emmanuel Macron's policies. After weeks of violence, Macron eventually scrapped the fuel tax rise and promised extra cash for minimum wage earners and tax cuts for pensioners.

Niger kills some 290 militants in offensive

Niger’s army says it has killed nearly 290 Boko Haram militants during an offensive in the country’s southeast, near the border with neighboring Nigeria. The army said more than 200 militants were killed in air strikes and some 90 others by ground troops. It said the offensive started last week on the Island of Lake Chad, and along the Komadougou Yobe river. Meanwhile, Boko Haram militants have attacked at least three military posts in the northeastern Nigerian State of Borno. The militant group has intensified attacks in Nigeria in recent months. It began its campaign in Nigeria in 2009, but the militancy soon spilled over neighboring countries. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and some two million other have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the militancy.

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