WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, January 14, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, January 15, 2017.

‘Slap of the century’

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has once again slammed the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel. Abbas also criticized the UK for its role in the creation of Israel. Mohammad Hamayel reports from Ramallah.

Iran sailors tragedy

The giant Iranian oil tanker which floated ablaze after a collision with a cargo ship off China’s coast for over a week finally submerged, leaving the Iranian nation in grief. Days of intense multi-lateral operations failed to save any of the 32 crew members due to ultra-high temperatures and consistent blasts on the vessel. The Iranian government has declared a national day of mourning on Monday.

DACA ‘probably dead’

The US president has said a program to protect immigrants brought into the United States illegally as children is probably dead. In a tweet, Donald Trump blamed Democrats for a stall in talks on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. Earlier, Trump had rejected a bipartisan deal over DACA because he said the compromise did not include enough money for the border wall with Mexico. His comments cast doubt on the fate of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the US illegally as kids, known as Dreamers. Last year Trump had threatened that he would end the program unless Congress would come up with a solution by March 2018.

Inter-Korean talks

A South Korean delegation has held talks with North Koreans to discuss the North's participation in the Winter Olympics in Pyong-chang. A senior official from South Korea’s Culture Ministry has attended the talks at a border village. The negotiations revolved around the possibility of the North sending a group of artists to the South ahead of the games. Discussions on athletes, officials and other participants will follow at a later time. The Winter Olympics will be held from February 9th to 25th. Last week, the two Koreas held rare talks in a border village after a two-year break.

Tunisia tensions

Clashes have erupted between Tunisian police and people protesting against the government's approved increases in the budget bill for 2018. The violence broke out in the capital Tunis when police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who set tires alight. Tunisia has been the scene of nationwide protests over the past week against deteriorating economic conditions. The protests kicked off on Monday after the government announced austerity measures and tax increases. Hundreds of people have reportedly been arrested during the protests. Foreign creditors including the International Monetary Fund are pressing Tunisia to cut its deficit and create jobs. Tunisia has lost part of its tourism revenues following a bout of terrorist attacks against tourists in 2015.

Baghdad blasts

At least 26 people have been killed and scores wounded as double explosions rip through a busy square in the Iraqi capital. Security officials say two bombers detonated their explosives in al-Tayyaran Square, in central Baghdad. The rush-hour blasts hit an area, where laborers seeking work usually gather; making the death toll likely to rise. This is the second such attack to rattle Baghdad in three days. On Saturday, a bomber blew himself up near a checkpoint in a northern neighborhood, killing eight people. No group has claimed responsibility but such attacks are usually carried out by Daesh terrorists. The number of bombings in Iraq has fallen overall since the country announced the end of the war against the terror group.

Anti-Israeli rally in Kashmir

Thousands of people have held a rally in Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir region to denounce the Israeli Prime Minister’s state visit to India. Braving sub-zero temperatures, the protesters marched through Kargil, a remote city in the disputed Himalayan territory. They held placards and chanted slogans such as -Netanyahu Go Back and Resistance till victory. Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in India on Sunday for a six-day visit aimed at further expanding trade and military ties with New Delhi. India’s right-wing nationalist Prime Minister, Narendra Modi personally received Netanyahu in a move described by the Indian foreign ministry as a departure from protocol. Netanyahu’s trip has sparked anger across India, with protesters demanding the government sever ties with Israel over its occupation of Palestine and atrocities against Palestinians.

Trump on the defensive

The US president has told a number of journalists that he is not a racist, in an attempt to make up for his recent derogatory comments about immigrants coming from African and Latin American countries. Donald Trump made the denial on Sunday at Trump International Golf Club in the state of Florida. On Thursday, the US president, who was in a meeting with lawmakers to discuss immigration, used profane language to describe African nations, Haiti and El Salvador. The remarks were offensive enough to trigger a global firestorm of criticism.

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