WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, August 30, 2017.

Israeli ‘Provocation’

The Palestinian Authority has strongly denounced the entry of two Israeli Knesset members to the al-Aqsa mosque compound. The Palestinian Authority called the visit a provocative move and warned Tel Aviv of repercussions. The Knesset member toured around Al-Aqsa Mosque is a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party. He was accompanied by another Knesset member from the far-right Home party. The two were using a one-day break in a ban on visits to the holy Muslim site by Israeli lawmakers. In 2015, Netanyahu barred MPs from visiting the holy compound. Tel Aviv claimed that the ban aimed to ease anti-Israeli sentiments in the occupied east Jerusalem al-Quds. Israeli peace activists have also urged Tel Aviv to avoid politicizing the issue.

Hajj Pilgrimage

More than two million Muslims from across the world are descending on the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The spiritual journey begins in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, where white-clad pilgrims perform certain rituals. Among them is a special walk around Islam’s holiest site, Ka’aba, which is located in the heart of the mosque. The next day, the faithful set off for the Arafat plain near Mecca. They will stay there until evening, reciting prayers and supplications. This year, the largest Muslim pilgrimage reaches its zenith on Friday, when the worshipers arrive in the tent city of Mina. That’s where they go through key Hajj rites, including the symbolic stoning of the devil. The day marks Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, which is considered a major occasion on the Islamic calendar.

‘Non-Cooperating’ Countries

The Qatari foreign minister has denounced the Saudi-led blockade on the small Persian Gulf country. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani made the comments in a press conference with his Russian counterpart in Doha. He said Qatar seeks to lift the illegal embargo imposed by the country’s Arab adversaries. The top diplomat stressed the necessity of dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis, saying the blockading countries have adopted a policy of none-cooperation with mediating parties. The Russian foreign minister, for his part, said Russia is working toward resolving the Persian Gulf diplomatic crisis. The Saudi regime, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar. They accuse Doha of supporting terrorist groups such as Daesh, an allegation that Qatar denies as baseless.

Army of Mosquitoes

Brazilian scientists have released millions of specially modified mosquitoes to combat the spread of dengue and Zika viruses in humans. Scientists infected the mosquitoes with bacteria that prevent them from transmitting the dengue virus to humans. They hope the lab-grown insects will become the predominant mosquito, gradually lowering the insects' ability to transmit viruses like dengue and Zika. The dengue virus causes fever, rash and nausea. It can also be fatal in some cases. Zika has also been proven to be responsible for serious birth defects.

‘Prevent Ethnic Cleansing’

Iranian Foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized what he calls the global silence on violence against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims. Zarif further said international action was crucial to prevent what he called further ethnic cleansing in the Southeast Asian nation. The top Iranian diplomat also called on the UN to do more to stop the violence. Scores have been killed in Myanmar’s Rakhine state amid unprecedented violence in recent weeks. An estimated 5,000 Rohingya Muslims have so far crossed the border into Bangladesh over the past few days alone, amid a harsh crackdown by authorities.

US Killing Afghans

Dozens of civilians have been killed in a US airstrike in Afghanistan’s Logar province. Witnesses say at least 28 people including women and children perished in the air raid. Local officials confirm the attack but insist the victims were Taliban militants. The Taliban has rejected the claim, saying a group of civilians have been killed in the raid. The US conducts airstrikes in several Muslim countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. They claim the air raids hit militants but reports show that civilians are the main victims.

Iraqi Forces Advances

Iraqi forces have made advances against Daesh terrorists in Ayadiya, a small town near the northern city of Tal Afar. Troops recaptured half of the town from the terror group. Heavy fighting still continues in Ayadiya, the only town left before the Iraqi government can declare complete victory over Daesh in their former stronghold of Tal Afar and its nearby areas. The army says Daesh is putting up fierce resistance. Terrorists took refuge in Ayadiyah last week after the Iraqi army forces seized full control of the city of Tal Afar near the Syrian border. The city of Hwijah in Kirkuk province and some areas along the border with Syria are the only territories the Daesh terrorist group still controls.

‘Provocative’ Move

Iran has warned the Iraqi Kirkuk region against taking part in the upcoming referendum in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman has described taking part in the vote as wrong, provocative and unacceptable. The comments by Bahram Qasemi come a day after the council in Kirkuk voted in favor of joining the secession vote. On Tuesday, Iraq slammed the council’s decision as illegal and unconstitutional. Turkey also called the policy a mistake, saying going down this dangerous road will not serve the interest of Iraq or the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and will not be recognized by the international community. Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region plans to hold an independence referendum on September 25 despite numerous warnings that it could lead to conflict.

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