WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, December 23, 2018 to 0800 GMT, December 24, 2018.

Indonesia tsunami

The president of Indonesia has called for calm in the aftermath of a deadly tsunami. Joko Widodo says he has ordered a check of all tsunami detection equipment. Meanwhile, experts have warned coastal residents that the increased activity of the Anak Krakatau volcano could trigger another tsunami. On Sunday, a powerful tsunami smashed into buildings along Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands, killing at least 222 people and injuring more than 800 others. The death toll is likely to climb higher, as rescue workers search through the debris. The tsunami was the second to hit Indonesia this year. The previous one killed over 2500 people in September.

Sudan protest

Sudanese police have fired tear gas at anti-government protesters after hundreds of demonstrators blocked a road in the center of the capital. The clashes came amid an uneasy calm in Khartoum five days into protests against rising prices. Clashes were also reported in several other cities between riot police and protesters who called for the fall of the government. The opposition says at least 22 people were killed during the unrest. The government, however, put the death toll at eight. The protests erupted last week after the government increased the price of bread from one Sudanese pound to three. The opposition coalition says several of its members were arrested. Sudan is mired in economic difficulties including soaring inflation and an acute foreign currency shortage.

US government shutdown

The White House budget director says the partial US government shutdown could extend into the New Year. Mick Mulvaney said it’s very possible that the closure continues until January 3 when the new Congress convenes. He played down the impacts of a shutdown, noting that the federal government is effectively closed until Wednesday anyway because of the Christmas holiday. Mulvaney said the White House has moved down from its demand for 5 billion dollars in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border. Democrats have so far refused to approve any new budget for the wall. However, they have offered one-point-three billion dollars for border security in general. The impasse has created a stalemate that forced several key US agencies to cease operations as of Saturday.

Planned US withdrawal from Syria

The US military says the order for the withdrawal of American troops from Syria has been signed. A military spokesperson announced the news without providing further details. President Donald Trump said last week there was no reason for the US troops to remain in Syria following what he called victory against Daesh. There are over 2,000 US troops in Syria. Trump’s decision sparked widespread domestic and international reactions, chief among them the resignation of Pentagon head James Mattis. Since 2014, the US and its allies have been carrying out airstrikes in Syria without consent from Damascus. The US-led coalition has been under fire for targeting civilians and its ineffectiveness in anti-terror operations.

Turkey-Israel row

Turkish President Rejep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have exchanged verbal spat as the war of words between Ankara and Tel Aviv gathers steam. The row began after the Turkish president slammed Israeli settlers for beating defenseless Palestinians and threatened to teach them a lesson. The verbal feud intensified when Netanyahu branded Erdogan as the occupier of northern Cyprus. His comments also led to an angry reaction by the Turkish foreign minister who called Netanyahu a cold-blooded killer of modern times. Israel and Turkey were once close allies, but relations have grown tense over the years. The exchange came just days after the US announced its troop withdrawal from Syria, where both Israel and Turkey are involved in a seven-year conflict.

Rohingya plight

Rohingya refugees in India have begun fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh or have tried to keep a low profile in fear of deportation. This happened after the Indian government began collecting their personal information, raising fears among the Rohingya that they may be forced out of the country. Munawar Zaman reports from New Delhi.

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