WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, March 3, 2017.

Syria army advances

Terrorists in control of Syria's Eastern Ghouta continue to prevent civilians from leaving the flashpoint area. A humanitarian corridor established by the Syrian government has been largely ineffective as militants continue to target it with mortar shells. A small group of people have managed to reach a Syrian army shelter at the other side of the corridor where ambulances and medics are stationed. However, a salvo of mortar shells is preventing the vast number of civilians from escaping a dire humanitarian situation. Damascus says it has responded to the shelling by trading fire with the terrorists. This is the fifth day of a humanitarian ceasefire established for the safe exit of civilians.

Ukraine arrests

Riot police in Ukraine have clashed with anti-government protesters who set up a camp outside the country’s parliament. Police forcibly dragged the protesters out of the tents and removed the camp. Officials say almost all the camp occupants were arrested. Several people, including three police officers, were also injured. Setting up tents in front of the Parliament building began last October, when several political parties and social movements began action in support of large-scale political reforms. They demanded to enact laws to limit parliamentary immunity, and called for reformed electoral and anti-corruption rules.

China-Taiwan ties

China says it wants to strengthen its ties with Taiwan. That’s a day after state media said Beijing could go to war if a US bill promoting closer ties with the Island state becomes law. A senior leader from China’s ruling party said Beijing will deepen solidarity and friendship with its compatriots in Taiwan. Yu Zhengsheng added that a parliamentary advisory body, which he heads, will spare no effort to work together for its greater national interests and the realization of the Chinese Dream. The developments come after the US Senate on Thursday passed a bill that calls for encouraging visits between the United States and Taiwan at all levels. China which considers the self-ruled island as its own warned that Taiwan will get burnt if it seeks to rely on foreigners.

Battle for Ghouta

The Syrian army and its allied forces have gained more ground in the violence-hit enclave of Eastern Ghouta. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, government troops took almost complete control of the town of al-Shayfouniya. Two areas and two military bases were also retaken from terrorists in the district’s southern parts. The Syrian army is meticulous in upholding the 5-hour daily humanitarian pause despite the major offensive it has begun. Terrorists, however, continue to prevent civilians from leaving the area by pounding an aid corridor established by Damascus. Only a small group of trapped people have so far fled the dire humanitarian situation there. Two young children managed to escape. One of them explains her plight.

Iraq toll ‘in decline’

A report by a UN agency in Iraq shows civilian casualties in the Arab country decreased in February this year. According to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, the absolute number of civilians killed in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in the second month of the year was 91. The figure is lower than the previous month when the UN reported 115 civilian deaths. In its latest report, UNAMI, however, says the capital Baghdad remains the most dangerous place in the country with 49 deaths in February. The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 paved the way for the rise of different armed groups who have been committing heinous crimes against civilians since then.

Demand for evidence

Russia’s president has asked Washington to present hard evidence about Russian citizens’ meddling in the US presidential election in 2016. Vladimir Putin said American authorities should send their official request to Russia’s general prosecutor. He reiterated that the procedure has to be conducted through official channels and not through yelling and hollering in US Congress. Putin added that Moscow cannot take action against the Russians accused of interfering in the US election if they don't break Russian laws. Last month the office of US Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three firms with meddling in the US presidential vote in 2016. They are accused of being part of a conspiracy to support Donald Trump in the election.

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