WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, July 2, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, July 3, 2017.

Raid in Ramallah

Israeli soldiers have stormed the Palestinian city of Ramallah, arresting a dozen people, including Palestinian Member of Parliament Khaleda Jarrar. The raids were staged against former Palestinian political prisoners affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Mohammad Hamayel reports.

Noose around Nusra’s neck

The Syrian army has advanced against Nusra Front terrorists in the Quneitra countryside, regaining all positions it lost in the past week. The area was the scene of Israeli attacks against Syrian army positions. Our correspondent Mohamad Ali accompanied the Syrian army to the last point restored in Quneitra and filed a report.

Trump-media feud

In his latest attack on media, US President Donald Trump has posted on twitter a 2007 video of himself in a wrestling hall where he knocked down a man, whose head is covered by the logo of the American news channel CNN. The channel was quick to slam the tweet, describing the move in a statement as juvenile behavior. CNN added that the tweet was far below the dignity of the presidential office. Elsewhere in the statement, Trump was also accused of encouraging violence against journalists. A conservative commentator at the magazine The Weekly Standard said Trump’s action resembled the behavior that caused the fall of the Roman Empire. Earlier on Saturday in Washington, Trump addressed a crowd at an event honoring veterans, saying the media had tried to stop him from going to the White House.

Saudi-led states extend Qatar deadline

The Saudi-led Arab quartet, who boycotted Qatar last month, has agreed to extend the deadline for its demands for 48 hours. This came after Kuwait said it received a response by Qatar to a list of demands by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Doha had stressed that it would not bargain away what it called its sovereign rights. The Arab alliance has asked Qatar to shut down its flagship broadcaster Al Jazeera and cease its cordial ties with neighboring Iran among other things. On Wednesday, Egypt’s foreign minister will meet with his Saudi, Bahraini and Emirati counterparts in Cairo to discuss the crisis. The four countries cut diplomatic and travel ties with Qatar last month, accusing it of supporting terrorists, a charge Doha strongly denies.

China-US tensions

China says it has dispatched its military vessels and fighter jets to warn off a US warship that sailed near a disputed island in the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the U-S for infringing China’s sovereignty. Beijing stressed that the move was in violation of international law and a serious political and military provocation. The Chinese government further urged the White House to immediately stop its provocative and threatening operations in the region. Beijing further reiterated that it would exert all efforts to defend its national sovereignty and security. The comments came after an American missile destroyer entered China’s territorial waters off the Zhisha islands without Beijing's approval.

Calls for Trump impeachment

Thousands of people have rallied across the United States, calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. In New York City, protesters marched on Trump International Hotel and Tower, chanting slogans against the president. The demonstrators slammed Trump as racist and sexist and compared him to Adolf Hitler. Similar rallies were also held in Georgia, Texas, and California as part of a nationwide protest against the 45th president of the US. The organizers accuse Trump of lying and violating the Constitution from the first day he took office.

Slamming threats, isolation

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has slammed policies of threat and isolation, calling them clear mistakes in today’s international relations. Speaking during the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms held in Tehran, Rouhani called on all countries to join hands in combating international issues including environmental problems. The Iranian president added that no country should secure its own interests at cost of other states’ well-being and that only win-win strategies can be pragmatic solutions. In an indirect reference to US president’s policies and Qatar's crisis, Rouhani stressed that building walls and isolating oneself or others will not work in today's interwoven international arena. Rouhani also addressed terrorism as a main international problem that affects all nations and urged all countries to strengthen their efforts in combating groups such as Daesh Takfiris.

Final push for Mosul

Iraqi forces continue their operations to dislodge Daesh terrorists from their few remaining hideouts in the western part of the city of Mosul. The Iraqi army is in the final stages of an assault to drive Daesh from Mosul's historic center. According to senior commanders, the battle is ongoing in narrow alleys where the terrorists have been using civilians as human shields. Earlier, the Iraqi forces recaptured the Makawi neighborhood, further limiting Daesh’s hold on the Old City. They have already retaken a series of districts and facilities, including the remains of al-Nuri mosque, where the Daesh leader had declared the so-called caliphate. The Takfiri group blew up the mosque as Iraqi forces were closing in on them. The defeat of Daesh sparked jubilations among locals and the Iraqi forces.

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