WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, July 24, 2017.

Hezbollah-Syria gains

The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has made fresh gains in its battle against terrorist groups along the border with Syria.

Backed by the Syrian army, Hezbollah fighters have driven out militants from several directions around the newly liberated Wadi al-Khalil in the Arsal region. The offensive that started on Friday is aimed at targeting Nusra Front terrorists. Arsal has been a major hub for terrorists crossing the Lebanon-Syria border since 2011. The region fell to the terrorists in 2014, but the army later managed to recapture it.

Iran against Kurdistan referendum

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman says the idea of holding a referendum on the independence of Iraq’s Kurdistan region runs counter to the country’s territorial integrity.

Speaking at a weekly news briefing, Bahram Qassemi said Kurdistan’s independence could pave the way for certain elements to further destabilize Iraq and the whole region. He reiterated that Tehran attaches great importance to Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Elsewhere in his remarks, the spokesman took a swipe at the United States for the antagonistic approach it has adopted toward Iran. He Washington’s actions show it is not reliable, and the wall of distrust will get higher if the US maintains its hostile policy on Iran. The spokesman also touched upon Washington’s breach of promises under the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group, and expressed hop the US will fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

Turkey trial

The trial for journalists and staff from a Turkish opposition newspaper has started in the city of Istanbul.

Journalists and activists who support the paper have marched to the courthouse from the daily's headquarters. They are demanding justice for the seventeen defendants, including Jumhuriyet's editor-in-chief, Murat Sabuncu. They have been charged with sponsoring outlawed organizations. Prosecutors seek up to 43 years in jail for the Jumhuriyet editorial staff for allegedly targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The government has accused the journalists of being linked to Kurdistan Workers’ Party and US-based opposition figure Fethullah Gulen. Gulen is blamed for masterminding last year’s failed coup. Ankara has purged more than 113,000 people from the police, judiciary, military and other state and non-governmental organizations and closed over 130 media outlets since the coup attempt. The move has stirred harsh criticisms from international rights organizations.

Poland veto

Polish President And-rey Dooda said on Monday he will veto two of three bills reforming the country's judiciary system

He made his decision after extensive consultations with legal experts at the weekend, when thousands of people took to the streets across Poland. The reforms would force the current Supreme Court judges into early retirement, allowing the country’s justice minister to appoint new judges. They were introduced by the ruling party Law and Justice, which has strong ties with the government. The proposed reforms prompted concern inside the country, as well as the European Union. The EU had warned to deny Poland its voting right in the bloc if the Supreme Court reforms are implemented.

Afghanistan blasts

Afghanistan is witnessing another round of violence as more than 60 people lose their lives in two separate attacks.

Twenty six people were killed in a car bomb explosion that ripped through western Kabul on Monday morning. It happened in a district of the city which is home to many Shia Hazaras. Fourteen others were also injured in the attack that targeted a bus carrying a group of the Mines Ministry employees. The Taliban militants claimed responsibility of the bombing. Meanwhile, reports out of the central province of Ghor indicate that at least 35 have been killed when the Taliban launched an offensive against a local hospital on Sunday. All of the victims were civilians but it is not clear whether they were hospital staff or patients.

Iran urges US to free inmates

Iran’s Judiciary chief has called on the US to immediately release imprisoned Iranian nationals as well as billions of dollars in Iranian frozen assets.

Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani said US officials have jailed Iranian nationals in violation of international law. He added that the US has also confiscated Iranian assets on false pretexts, which as he said is considered open robbery. The top judge also dismissed a recent statement by the White House that called for the release of Iranian-American nationals held in Iran. Larijani said Tehran does not recognize dual nationality. He stressed that the detainees have stood fair trials according to Iran’s law. He added that the US is in no position to lecture Iran on human rights, given its own record including torture in Guantanamo Bay prison.

Lahore explosion

At least 25 people have been killed in a blast in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.

The explosion hit near a half-demolished building and left scores of people wounded. Reports say most of the casualties were police officers and some bystanders. Ambulances immediately rushed to the scene taking the wounded to hospital. Security forces have now cordoned off the area. Pro-Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials say the death toll could still rise.

IMF’s UK projection

The International Monetary Fund has downgraded its economic forecast for Britain as the country tightens its belt ahead of departure from the European Union.

In the latest update of the World Economic Outlook, the IMF has predicted that the UK’s economy would grow by 1.7 percent this year. That is 0.3 percent down from former projections in April. The financial body indicated that although the UK’s economic growth is still higher than the rates in France, Italy and Japan, the ultimate impact of Brexit on the British economy remains unclear. The world’s fifth-biggest economy saw weak growth figures in the first quarter of 2017 and grew only 0.2 percent.

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