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Israeli security forces fire teargas during clashes with Palestinians in the village of Qusra, near the West Bank City of Nablus, Dec. 1, 2017. (Photo by AP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, March 18, 2017.

 

Palestinian shot

Israeli forces have shot and killed a Palestinian in Jerusalem al-Quds. Israeli police say the victim stabbed an Israeli man before being shot. The shooting comes amid mounting Palestinian anger over the US recognition of al-Quds as Israel’s capital. The move by US President Donald Trump has also triggered almost daily protests in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip. Israeli troops have killed many Palestinians since December the sixth when Trump announced his decision to move the US embassy to al-Quds. A number of Israelis have also died during the period.

Assad in Ghouta

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has paid a visit to government troops in Eastern Ghouta amidst an all-out offensive to dislodge terrorists from the region. The visit comes as the Syrian army has so far managed to retake 80 percent of Eastern Ghouta. Meanwhile, the militants in the region are discussing a ceasefire with the United Nations. Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said 20,000 civilians have left Eastern Ghouta since Sunday morning. The ministry said the civilians have escaped the Damascus suburb to safety through a humanitarian corridor established by the Syrian government. Moscow says a total of 68,000 people have left the besieged areas since the corridor was set up earlier this week.

Iran Yemen warning

Iran’s president has warned about the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, expressing hope that the massacre of the Yemeni people will end. Hassan Rouhani was speaking at a meeting with the visiting Omani foreign minister in Tehran. The Iranian president underlined the need for sending humanitarian assistance, including medical aid to the Yemeni people. He said he hopes the cooperation between Iran and Oman will help establish peace and security in Yemen. The top Omani diplomat, for his part, spoke of his country’s ties with Iran. Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah said both Tehran and Muscat should make efforts to further boost bilateral relations.

Battle for Afrin

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey-led forces have taken control of the center of Syria’s northern town of Afrin. Kurdish militants reject the claim. Erdogan says Turkish flags have been raised in Afrin, adding that many Kurdish militants have withdrawn from the flashpoint town. However, according to a senior Kurdish official fighting is still underway. Kurdish forces say they’ve evacuated civilians from the town because of what they call the massacres by Turkish forces and their allies. The so-called Free Syrian Army reportedly entered the Kurdish-majority town before dawn on Sunday. The Afrin offensive began on January 20 with the proclaimed aim of pushing back Kurdish YPG militants from border areas. Ankara brands the Kurdish forces as terrorists. Damascus has slammed the Turkish operation as an act of aggression.

Eastern Ghouta evacuation

The Russian Defense Ministry says 20,000 civilians have left terrorist-held areas of Syria’s Eastern Ghouta since Sunday morning. The ministry said the civilians have escaped the Damascus suburb to safety through a humanitarian corridor opened by the Syrian government. Russia says a total of 68,000 people have left the besieged areas since the humanitarian corridor was set up earlier this week. The Syrian army has also been pushing an offensive to recapture Eastern Ghouta. On Saturday, army forces regained control of two more towns in the Damascus suburb. The army says it has retaken 80 percent of the flashpoint region so far.

Russia election

Voting is underway in Russia’s presidential election with incumbent Vladimir Putin expected to win a historic fourth term in office. Polling stations opened in the Russian Far East in early morning hours and will close in the western Kaliningrad along the Baltic coast at 18:00 GMT on Sunday. Seven other candidates are contesting Putin with none polling more than eight percent. The popular leader used the election run-up to emphasize Russia's role as a major world power. Official pollsters predict a turnout of around 65 percent.

Anti-Suu Kyi lawsuit

Australia has rejected a legal bid against Aung San Suu Kyi, saying Myanmar's de facto leader has immunity from prosecution. Five Australian lawyers had filed a lawsuit against Suu Kyi in order to prosecute her for Myanmar's mistreatment of Rohingya Muslims. The legal action coincided with the Nobel laureate attending a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Sydney. But Attorney General Christian Porter said Suu Kyi cannot be tried in Australia because she has complete immunity. The Australian lawyers say Suu Kyi has committed crimes against humanity by forcing nearly 700,000 Rohingya to flee into neighboring Bangladesh. Her trip sparked a protest in downtown Sydney.


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