Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, March 27, 2019.

Iran floods

Aid and relief operations are underway in several Iranian provinces which were battered by unprecedented flash floods in decades. People have been accommodated in temporary shelters in the southern city of Shiraz where the flooding claimed the lives of nearly twenty people. Relief workers and volunteers are also operating in Aq-qala where torrential rains turned the city into a big pool last week. Members of the military are helping the relief workers to bring the situation back to normal. Similar operations are underway in the provinces of Khuzestan, Lorestan, and Kermanshah where the disaster claimed more lives. The flash floods hit Iran as people were celebrating the Persian New Year. Authorities have advised people not to take unnecessary trips as further extreme weather is forecast for the coming days.

Thailand politics

Thailand’s main opposition party forms a political alliance with six other parties. The move is to prevent the ruling junta from forming a government following Sunday’s disputed general elections. The Pheu Thai Party says it has secured support from 255 constituency MPs, which gives the alliance a slim majority in the 500-seat Lower House. Partial results from the elections show the pro-army Palang Pracharat party took the lead by winning 97 seats. Unofficial results have been delayed until Friday amid allegations of vote-buying and irregularities in ballot counting. The pro-military party wants to keep junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha as premier. The general led a coup in 2014 and overthrew an elected government which was linked to former premier Thaksin Shinawat.

US Golan recognition

Syria asks for a UN Security Council urgent meeting on the US decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. Damascus made the request in a letter to the Council. If agreed, the meeting would possibly focus on a resolution adopted in 1981 over the Golan. Resolution 497 had rejected the Israeli decision to impose sovereignty over the Syrian territory. The regime occupied the Syrian land in1967 and has defied the UN calls to withdraw from the region since then. On Monday, US President Donald Trump recognized the Golan as part of Israel in a major shift in Washington’s policy.

Israel West Bank killing

Israeli soldiers have killed a Palestinian medic in the occupied West Bank. The victim, identified as Sajid Mezher, was shot at a refugee camp in the city of Bethlehem and later succumbed to his injuries. Israeli troops targeted the 17-year-old Palestinian man even though he was wearing his paramedic uniform. The Palestinian Health Ministry condemned the killing as a war crime. The shooting happened after Israelis stormed the refugee camp. Four people were injured in the ensuing clashes between Israelis and the residents of the camp.

Rouhani in flood-affected areas

Iran President Hassan Rouhani says his government will spare no effort to help the people in flood-stricken areas north of the country. Rouhani said he has ordered the relevant organizations to fund the reconstruction of the affected properties, and stand by all those hit by the flash floods in the province of Golestan. Rouhani made the remarks during a visit to the flood-ridden regions in the province. Meanwhile, rescue efforts are underway in several Iranian provinces as floods have struck much of the country in recent days. The situation is now getting better in some areas as torrential rains have let up and water levels subsided. Nearly two dozen people have been killed across the nation. The weather office has forecast more heavy showers, warning of deluges and landslides.

Palestinian resistance

The leader of Palestine’s resistance movement, Hamas, says his fellow countrymen will not give up resistance in the face of the Israeli aggression. Ismail Haniyeh made the comments as violence has eased in the besieged Gaza Strip following two consecutive nights of heavy Israeli bombardments. The violence began on Monday after a rocket hit a house near Tel Aviv. Since then, the Israeli military and Hamas have launched retaliatory attacks against each other despite declaration of a ceasefire. The United Nations has issued a stern warning about the catastrophic consequence of a new outbreak of violence in Gaza.

Anger at US Golan move

Syrians have rallied in several cities across the country to slam the US president’s decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. In the northeastern city of Hasakah, protesters held signs and chanted anti-US slogans. They argued that Donald Trump’s decision will not change the historical facts. In the western province of Tartus, demonstrators also gathered to denounce the move. Similar rallies were held on Tuesday with protesters reaffirming their country’s sovereignty over the territory. The protesters said the US move has no legal value and contravenes all international accords.Source: presstv.com