WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, September 21, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, September 22, 2017.

Iraqis advancing on Daesh

Iraqi forces have retaken 20 villages near the Daesh-held town of Hawijah in the northern province of Kirkuk. Meanwhile, in the neighboring province of Salahuddin, Iraqi forces have liberated several villages in al-Shirqat district, completing the first phase of an operation that was announced early on Thursday. Iraqi forces now control over 80 percent of Hawijah district. The Daesh terror group captured the district in 2014. The town of Hawijah is one of the last pieces of land in Iraq that is still under the control of the Takfiris.

Yemen cholera outbreak

The World Health Organization says the number of people infected by a cholera epidemic in Yemen has surpassed 700,000. According to the United Nations’ agency, over 2100 people have also died since the outbreak of the disease in late April. In a report, the organization says the deaths had been recorded in 22 out of the country's 23 provinces. The report adds that the most number of cases registered have been in western Hudaydah province. Saudi Arabia, which has waged a war and imposed a blockade on Yemen since 2015, has come under criticism from rights groups for fuelling the outbreak.

Riyadh ‘supports terrorism’

Former US democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, has slammed Washington’s relationship with Riyadh. Speaking to news organization The Intercept, Sanders labeled Saudi Arabia an incredibly undemocratic country supporting and funding terrorism around the world. The independent senator accuses Riyadh of spreading an extremely radical Wahhabi doctrine across many countries saying the Kingdom has incited a lot of hatred. According to Sanders, Saudi Arabia is not an ally of the United States. The Vermont senator also called on the US to rethink its foreign policy vis-a-vis Iran and Saudi Arabia. US administrations have long considered Saudi Arabia to be an ally. Washington and Riyadh have huge oil and weapons contracts.

US ‘illegitimate’ sanctions on Iran

Russia has slammed unilateral sanctions by Washington on Tehran saying they undermine the Iran nuclear agreement. Speaking at the United Nations general assembly, Sergei Lavrov said US sanctions against Iran were both ineffective and illegitimate. The Russian foreign minister added that they undermined the collective nature of international efforts. Meanwhile Germany has also thrown its full weight behind the landmark nuclear accord.

Bangladesh proposes ‘safe zones’ for Rohingya

Bangladesh's prime minister has accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims and laying land mines to prevent those who fled to Bangladesh from returning. Sheikh Hasina demanded that the Rohingya be able to return to Myanmar in safety, security and dignity. Hasina told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that Bangladesh was sheltering more than 800,000 Rohingya. She called for safe zones to be created under UN supervision in Myanmar's strife-hit Rakhine state. The prime minister said Bangladesh was making diplomatic efforts to persuade Myanmar to take back the refugees. Myanmar considers the Rohingya illegal migrants and refuses them citizenship, even though they have lived there for decades.

North Korea warning

The US president’s recent threat to annihilate North Korea has provoked an angry reaction from Pyongyang. In a statement, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called Donald Trump mentally deranged, describing his anti-Pyongyang comments at the United Nations as the most ferocious declaration of war in history. Kim said North Korea was considering the highest level of hardline countermeasure in response to Trump’s threat. Earlier on Thursday, the US president issued an executive order to impose fresh sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs. Tensions have dramatically intensified between Washington and Pyongyang with both sides warning of military strikes.

Iran military parades

Iran has marked the 37th anniversary of the eight-year, Iraqi-imposed war on the country. Nationwide parades were held all across Iran. The parade in Tehran was held near the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini. Military units from the army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as well as the police force took part in the parade. Various military hardware, including a number of missile defense systems were showcased during the ceremony. The Khoramshahr ballistic missile with a range of two thousand kilometers was also unveiled during the parade. It is capable of carrying several warheads. Meanwhile, large-scale naval parades were held in Iran’s southern waters, near the port city of Bandar Abbas. They featured vessels, submarines and other military equipment. In September 1980, the regime of slain Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein launched a war against Iran. Since then, Iran has held annual military parades to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the battle.

Iran defense power

Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani says no country can stop the Islamic Republic from strengthening its defense and missile programs for deterrence purposes. Rouhani stressed that Iran’s defense power has never been used for aggressive acts. He further slammed certain world powers for exporting deadly weapons to the Middle East. The Iranian president said Tehran is playing a key role in restoring peace and stability to the region. Rouhani also slammed Washington and Tel Aviv’s recent anti-Tehran statements at the UN General Assembly. He said the US and Israel have isolated themselves by expressing opposition to the nuclear agreement which is cherished by the entire world. Rouhani once again reiterated Iran’s full commitment to the landmark nuclear deal reached between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015.

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