WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, September 15, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, September 16, 2017.

UNSC condemns Pyongyang

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's highly provocative launch of a missile that flew over Japan, demanding Pyongyang immediately halt such actions. Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, also stressed the need for diplomatic and political solution to the crisis. The launch was carried out just three weeks after a first missile overflew Japan and less than two weeks after Pyongyang's sixth and biggest nuclear test. The US and its allies argue that tougher sanctions can force North Korea to curb its nuclear and missile programs. The North, however, says it needs the technology to respond to US provocations in the region.

London terror attack

The British prime minister announces that the national threat level has been raised to critical from severe after Friday’s terrorist attack at the London subway. Theresa May also said that as a result of the attack the public will see more armed police on the transport network and on the streets, providing extra protection. She also described terrorism as the great challenge of our time. Earlier she met senior government officials and the country’s top anti-terrorism police officer in the wake of the incident. In a statement, the Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the bomb attack, saying that the explosion was carried out by an affiliated unit. Britain’s top counter-terrorism police officer also made comments on the incident.

US police immunity

In the US state of Missouri, hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of city of Saint Louis after a judge ruled that a white former police officer was not guilty of murder in the 2011 shooting of a black man. Protesters marched peacefully in downtown chanting “No justice, no peace” and “Shut it down.” Authorities put the National Guard on standby and appealed for calm. Local schools planned early dismissals and businesses shut down. Jason Stockley was acquitted of first-degree murder for killing the 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. The former policeman was accused of planting a gun in Smith's car but testified he acted in self-defense. The case has drawn intense attention in St. Louis, where racial tensions have been high since the 2014 killing of a black man in the suburb of Ferguson by a white police officer.

US support for Daesh

A top Iranian commander says the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has been monitoring Washington’s activities in Iraq and Syria. The top commander added Washington created Daesh and managed it over the recent years. He said the Americans ought to know they should take the IRGC seriously as it is the number one power in the region. He said no army in the world is on a par with the IRGC.

Turkey rapping Kurdish referendum

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a decision by Iraq’s Kurdistan region to go ahead with a planned independence referendum is wrong. Erdogan said Turkey would announce its official position on Kurdistan’s plebiscite after its National Security Council and cabinet convene on September 22. Massoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, said earlier the vote would not be delayed. This comes as most countries, including Iran, are opposed to the referendum, saying it would jeopardize Iraq’s territorial integrity. Protests have also been held in different Iraqi cities against the upcoming vote.

North Korea defiance

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to complete his country’s nuclear weapons program despite sanctions by the United Nations Security Council. The North's state media carried Kim's comments on Saturday, a day after US and South Korean militaries detected the missile launch from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. The missile traveled 3,700 kilometers before landing into the northern Pacific Ocean. Pyongyang has also threatened to fire a salvo of these missiles toward Guam. Kim Jong-un’s comments come after the United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea's highly provocative launch of a missile that flew over Japan, demanding Pyongyang immediately halt such actions.

Syria’s fight against terror

The Syrian army has made further gains in its battle against Daesh terrorists in central parts of the country. The government forces managed to take full control of the villages of Duhour al-Khenzir, al-Shindakhia al-Janobia, and Abu Tarraha in Jub al-Jarrah in the eastern countryside of Homs province. Meanwhile in Hama province, the Syrian army units supported by allied forces took control of the town of Qalib al-Thor. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that more than two weeks of fighting in central Syria have left hundreds dead on both sides.

Venezuela rejects US talks

Venezuela has denounced US President Donald Trump’s plans to meet with Latin American leaders to discuss the unrest in Caracas. Venezuela’s Foreign minister denounced the planned talks and called on Trump to solve domestic issues. Jorge Arreaza also lambasted the planned meeting as rival dialogue. Earlier Washington announced Trump would meet with several Latin American leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, without elaborating on which leaders the talks will include. Meanwhile the Dominican Republic says the government and opposition have agreed to study proposals for negotiations which will be mediated by friendly Latin American countries. The country has witnessed deep political and economic crisis with government and opposition accusing each other of stoking instability.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk