WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, December 15, 2018 to 0800 GMT, December 16, 2018.

Turkey Syria action

The European Union foreign policy chief has asked Turkey to stop its planned military operation in Syria against US-backed Kurdish militants. Federica Mogherini said the EU is concerned about the possible offensive. She called on Ankara to refrain from any unilateral military action that risks further instability in Syria. On Wednesday, Turkish President Rejep Tayyip Erdogan said his country will launch a new operation in Syria within days against Kurdish People's Protection Units or the YPG. Any Turkish military move against the YPG would be complicated by the likelihood of Ankara's army coming face to face with US troops. Turkey views the YPG as a terrorist organization and insists to clear the group from the border city of Manbij.

Climate agreement

Delegates from nearly 200 countries have finalized a deal to implement the Paris Climate Agreement. The announcement was made during the 24th Conference of Parties or COP 24 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in the Polish city of Katovit-se. The deal includes a common rulebook for all countries, with flexibility for poorer nations. The agreement obliges its signatories to increase their carbon cutting commitments by 2020. The deal came in the wake of a report, which said the world needs to take drastic steps to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Greece protest

Thousands of Greek pensioners from across the country have gathered in the capital to protest against the government’s austerity measures. Blocking Athens central avenues, the protesters voiced their anger at the pension cuts and falling living standards. They also called for the full restoration of their pensions. The demonstrators said they will not stop protesting until their demands are met.

Italy protest

Thousands of people have gathered in central Rome to stage an anti-government rally. Demonstrators protested against what they criticized as unfair anti-migrant policies designed by far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. Press TV’s correspondent in Rome Max Civili has more in this report.

Obamacare ruling

A US court ruling to declare former president's signature healthcare program, Obamacare, unconstitutional draws angry reaction from democratic lawmakers. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for taking the case to the court while pretending to care about those protected by Obamacare. He pledged to use democrats’ new power in Congress to hold Republicans responsible and expose their lies. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi said the ruling exposes what she called the monstrous endgame of Republicans' all-out assault on people with pre-existing conditions. She also said the ruling will be appealed immediately. Pelosi vowed that when Democrats take control of the House in January, lawmakers will move swiftly to uphold Obamacare. Meanwhile, the US president welcomed the verdict.

Condemning Pakistan attack

Iran has condemned Friday’s terrorist attack in Pakistan that left several people dead. Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi expressed condolences to Pakistan’s people and government as well as the victims’ families. He also said Tehran is fully prepared to take part in any joint campaign against terrorism in the region. Six paramilitary soldiers were killed in an ambush by unknown gunmen in Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan province near the border with Iran. Fourteen other soldiers were wounded. A militant group calling itself the Baluch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan’s Baluchistan province is home to militant groups linked to Daesh terrorists and the Taliban.

‘Terrible’ Trump

The US president’s pick to be acting chief of staff is in hot water over an insulting remark about Donald Trump during his election campaign. Back in 2016, Mick Mulvaney called the then-presidential candidate "flawed", saying he would support Trump despite the fact that he is a terrible human being. The videoed remarks, published by the Daily Beast, were made during a debate between Mulvaney and Democrat Fran Person in South Carolina. Following Trump’s election win, Mulvaney became a key part of the administration, at one point being both the budget director and the head of the Consumer Protection Bureau. On Friday, Trump tweeted that Mulvaney will replace his current chief of staff, John Kelly at the end of this year. The president also announced the departure of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and said a replacement will be announced next week.

Brexit warning

A senior British cabinet member has warned that the UK risks hitting an impasse in its bid to exit the European Union, with less than one hundred days left before the Brexit deadline. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd says there would be serious trouble, if the MPs and the prime minister fail to agree on the government’s Brexit deal. Rudd says the prospect is a no-deal Brexit, which must not be allowed to happen. Last week, British Prime Minister Theresa May delayed a parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal amid fears that it would be voted down by the MPs. Most of the lawmakers want the deal renegotiated because it partially ties Britain to EU regulations. But the bloc says it will not renegotiate the deal.

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