WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, December 17, 2018 to 0800 GMT, December 18, 2018.

Hudaydah truce

A UN-brokered ceasefire has taken effect in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah as agreed upon by warring sides in Sweden last week. Minutes after the truce came into force at 2100 GMT, sporadic clashes were reported in Hudaydah. Earlier, however, an Ansarullah spokesman said they will remain committed to the agreement to reduce tensions. The truce includes the city of Hudaydah and several surrounding ports. According to the UN, international monitors would be deployed after Saudi-backed forces and Ansarullah fighters withdraw from the city within 21 days. A UN-chaired committee will oversee the withdrawal of forces. The truce was reached in Stockholm last week after days of negotiations between warring parties.

Brexit ballyhoo

British Prime Minister Theresa May has rejected calls for another Brexit referendum in an address to parliament. May warned that if her deal with the European Union is rejected by parliament, Britain risks leaving the bloc without a deal. The British Prime Minister set January 14th as the new date for the parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal. The decision was slammed by the leader of the opposition Labour Party, who proposed a no-confidence vote.

US government shutdown?

A partial government shutdown is looming in the United States if congress does not agree on funding for a border wall with Mexico. President Donald Trump is facing resistance from both Democrats and Republicans for five-billion-dollars to construct the wall. If a resolution is not reached, parts of the federal government will shut down at midnight on Friday. Trump has met with senior aides to discuss his spending strategy. Some congress members are still hopeful that a compromise can be reached to keep the government open.

Ex-FBI director accuses Trump

Former FBI director, James Comey, has accused US President Donald Trump of undermining the rule of law. Comey was speaking following a five-hour closed door session before two House of Representatives committees. He said lawmakers had enquired, among other issues, about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. The former FBI chief also slammed Republicans, saying they are too weak to stand up for the truth.

Global compact on refugees

The UN General Assembly has adopted a Global Compact on Refugees aimed at better handling of global migrant and refugee flows. The compact was approved by a wide majority, with 181 countries in favor of it. UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa said the agreement will help strengthen the protection of 25 million refugees across the world. She added that refugee-hosting countries and communities must be supported internationally. Hungary and the United States were the only countries that voted against the compact.

US travel ban

US authorities have prevented a Yemeni mother from seeing her dying son in California; as part of President Donald Trump's travel ban. Relatives of two-year-old Abdullah Hassan say his mother wants to see the toddler before they take him off life-support. Abdullah was born with a brain disease that doctors say he will not survive. The boy’s family moved from Yemen to Egypt when he was eight months old. The boy’s father, who is an American citizen, then took him to the US for treatment. He is now pleading with authorities to allow his wife to join them.

Catalan leaders on hunger strike

Four jailed pro-independence Catalan leaders currently on hunger strike have sent letters to more than 40 European political leaders to protest what they see as mistreatment by Spanish courts. The Catalan leaders said in their letter that Spain's courts are unduly delaying their demands to prevent them from appealing at the European level. The four signatories went on hunger strike earlier this month to protest their treatment by the Spanish judiciary. A total of nine Catalan leaders are behind bars awaiting trial for their role in the region's failed bid to split from Spain last year. The dispute between Catalonia's pro-independence regional government and Madrid has worsened in recent weeks as negotiations have reached an impasse. Pro-independence protests are planned across Catalonia on December 21.

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