WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, July 25, 2017 to 09:00 GMT, July 26, 2017.

Iran reacts to new sanctions bill

Iran says the new anti-Tehran sanctions passed by the US House of Representatives are a clear hostile act, which will definitely meet the Islamic Republic's response. Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the new US bill is a conclusion of past sanctions over non-nuclear issues, but could affect the successful implementation of the nuclear deal. Araqchi added that the new sanctions are incompatible with parts of the deal, which oblige the US to implement the agreement in a constructive atmosphere and avoid any measures affecting the accord. On Tuesday, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to slap new sanctions on Iran over its missile program and what the lawmakers called the country’s support for terrorism. The measure still needs to be passed by the Senate.

Russia denounces US bans

A prominent member of the upper house of Russia's parliament has taken a swipe at the United States over the new anti-Moscow sanctions approved by the US House of Representatives. Konstantin Kosachyov says Moscow’s response to the measure should be "painful". He noted that there will be no breakthrough in US-Russia relations given the new sanctions. The Russian lawmaker also warned that a further degradation of bilateral cooperation is becoming inevitable. The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to slap new sanctions on Russia over its alleged role in America’s 2016 presidential election. Washington and Moscow are also at loggerheads over the 2014 reunification of Crimea.

Libya deal

In Paris, leaders of Libya’s warring factions have agreed to call a ceasefire and holding elections in Spring 2018. Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar, the military commander who controls the country’s east agreed on the ceasefire in talks mediated by French president, Emmanuel Macron. In a statement, both sides pledged to stick to the ceasefire and to refrain from any use of armed force that does not strictly constitute counter-terrorism. Macron, for his part, praised the leaders’ "historic courage in reaching the agreement". The French-brokered diplomatic effort aims to finalize a roadmap for an end to the Libya crisis that began in 2011.

IRGC 'foils' US provocation

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says its naval forces have thwarted what it called an act of provocation by a US warship in the Persian Gulf. The IRGC said the US warship fired warning shots while an Iranian vessel was on a routine patrolling mission. The IRGC did not heed the shots that were "aimed at provoking and harassing the Iranian sailors". Earlier, an official in Washington claimed the US Thunderbolt fired two warning shots toward an Iranian vessel which was some 140 meters away from the American ship. The US Navy has accused the Iranian vessel of ignoring radio calls and whistles. The incident took place near the northern edge of the Persian Gulf.

Crackdown in Turkey

Amnesty International staff members have rallied outside the European Council building in the Belgian capital calling on the European Union to pressure Turkey to release the activists it keeps in detention. Amnesty head Salil Shetty says the arrest of the local chairman and director of the group signifies a step change in the human rights crisis in Turkey. He also urges the EU to get bloc membership candidate Turkey back in line and reset relations with Ankara if it continues its violation of human rights. The Amnesty chief also says that Ankara is using last year’s coup as an excuse to lock up people. The Turkish government launched a massive crackdown in the country following last July’s failed coup.

A Democrat defends Sessions

US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh twitter attack against Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Trump said early in the morning that Sessions was very weak in pursuing intelligence leaks. He accused the attorney general of failing to go after former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton over her emails. Later in the day, Trump said he was disappointed with Sessions for recusing from the Russia probe. White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci says a decision will soon be made about Sessions’ fate. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has slammed Donald Trump for his public criticism of Sessions.

Palestinians attacked

Israeli soldiers have attacked Palestinian worshippers and journalists in Jerusalem al-Quds, leaving over a dozen people injured. The violence broke out at al-Asbat gate outside the Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds. Israeli soldiers resorted to force to disperse Palestinians protesting against Israeli restrictive measures at al-Aqsa mosque. A 10-year-old kid and several journalists were among the wounded. Palestinians say all the Israeli measures at al-Aqsa Mosque compound are unacceptable, even after the removal of metal detectors at the entrances.

Scandal at the Vatican

Australia's top Catholic cleric Cardinal George Pell makes his first court appearance on sex abuse charges. Pell appeared before Melbourne Magistrates' Court to formally receive his charges of historical sexual offenses. Pope Francis' top financial adviser was charged last month with sexually abusing multiple people in Australia’s southeastern state of Victoria. The 76-year-old is the most senior official ever charged in the Vatican sex scandal. Pell has vehemently denied the allegations as the result of a quote relentless character assassination. Pell had long been accused of mishandling cases of clergy abuse when he served as archbishop of Melbourne and later Sydney. The clerical sexual abuse scandal first hit the Vatican in 2002. Bishops are accused of covering up the abuse of children by priests to protect the reputation of the Church.

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