WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, June 20, to 08:00 GMT, June 21, 2017.

Iran anti-Daesh strikes

The Iranian president says Iran’s missile strikes on Daesh positions in Syria were absolutely necessary and appropriate; stressing that any action by terrorist groups will receive a decisive response. Rouhani added that if Iran was attacked again, the response would be more crushing. He, however, said the missile strikes did not mean the Islamic Republic had changed its global and regional policies. Rouhani noted that the decision to carry out the missile attack was made by the Supreme Council of National Security. He said, however, that after the June 7 terror attacks in Tehran; the Supreme Council gave new powers to the Armed Forces to better deal with terrorists. On Sunday, Iran targeted Daesh positions and gatherings with six medium-range missiles in response to the deadly terror attacks in Tehran.

Cholera epidemic in Yemen

Cholera has killed at least 1,100 people in Yemen and the number of suspected cases now stands at nearly 2,000 a day. The World Health Organization has warned that Yemen is suffering the world's largest cholera outbreak. Spokesman Tarik Jasarevic says WHO has registered more than 170,000 suspected cholera cases across 20 Yemeni governorates. Jasarevic warned that a quarter of a million people could fall ill with the disease by the end of the year. Riyadh has waged a bloody war on the country which has killed more than 12,000 civilians and devastated the country's infrastructure.

Congo violence

The Catholic Church says Congolese security forces and the militia fighting them have killed at least 3,300 people in the central Kasai region since October. The Church added that the army and a militia group have destroyed 14 villages in the region. Fighting surged when the army killed a chief who had demanded the army quit the region. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva is to investigate the Kasai violence. UN investigators say they have discovered 42 mass graves. Congo's government opposes an international investigation. It says that would violate the country's sovereignty. The United Nations says more than 1.3 million people have fled the fighting. It is feared that ethnic rivalry and claims over mineral resources would breed more violence in Congo.

Israeli settlements

The UN envoy to the Middle East has criticized Israel for the recent increase in settlements in occupied Palestinian territory despite a Security Council resolution. Nickolay Mladenov told the 15-member Council that Tel Aviv has taken no steps to end settlement activity. In his report, Mladenov said Israel is moving forward with plans for nearly 4,000 housing units and has issued 2,000 tenders for settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem al-Quds. This, as the Israeli prime minister has hailed the construction of a new settlement in the Palestinian territories. Benjamin Netanyahu said he had the “privilege” of building the first such settlement in about two decades. The UN considers all settlements to be illegal.

Brussels train station blast

Belgian police say they have neutralized a person wearing an explosive belt in the capital Brussels. Officials said the situation was immediately brought under control. Security forces were deployed to the capital city’s main square. They cordoned off the area and evacuated the people. The developments came after gunshots and an explosion were heard at a train station in the capital city. No casualties have been reported yet. Back in March 2016, three bomb attacks in Brussels left dozens of people dead. The incidents forced authorities in Belgium to place the western European country on high alert.

Russia slams US sanctions

The White House says US sanctions on Russia will remain in place until Moscow “withdraws” from eastern Ukraine. White House Spokesman Sean Spicer made the comments after the US imposed fresh sanctions on dozens of Russian individuals and organizations over what it called Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. The measure has provoked criticism from Russia with the country’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov calling it regrettable and part of Washington's “Russophobe obsession”. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has downplayed the importance of new US punitive measures stressing that they will not alter Moscow’s course. In 2014, the US and its western allies slapped Russia with sanctions over allegations that Moscow was trying to create a sphere of influence in Ukraine’s volatile east. The Kremlin rejects the accusations.

CAR deadly violence

Around 50 people have been killed in the Central African Republic after clashes broke out between rival militias despite a peace deal signed a day earlier. The clashes broke out near a camp that had been set up for displaced people in the flashpoint town of Bria. Witnesses say houses were looted and set on fire during the clashes. The country’s president had hailed the peace deal - which was signed less than 24 hours earlier- as a historic accord. About 300 people were killed in the town last month as a result of militia fighting. Armed conflicts in the African nation have taken the lives of thousands of people since 2013. The conflicts have also forced one fifth of the people from their homes.

Philippines crisis

Daesh-linked gunmen have stormed a village in southern Philippines, making the situation more volatile in the southeastern Asian country. The gunmen got holed up in a school in North Cotabato province, briefly taking some people hostage. Earlier, there were reports of heavy gun battle between the Filipino security forces and the militants. The pro-Daesh militants have unleashed an insurgency mainly in southern Marawi City. They’ve laid a siege on the city and fought government forces there.

Prince of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia gets a new crown prince as King Salman appoints his son to the royal position. In a decree, the Saudi monarch has named Mohammad bin Salman as his heir to the throne, dismissing Muhammad bin Nayef. The king has also sacked bin Nayef from his position as interior minister. The replacement completes a gradual removal of the 57-year-old prince from powers. Mohammad bin Salman used to be the second in line to the throne. According to the royal decree, the 31-year-old successor will continue to hold his post as defense minister.

US rally in support of refugees

A rally has been held outside the White House in Washington DC to mark World Refugee Day. The crowd chanted slogans in support of refugees in an attempt to send a message to the Trump administration. The speakers at the rally included refugees from Somalia, Congo, Pakistan, Syria and Liberia as well as faith leaders and representatives of around a dozen organizations that organized the rally. World Refugee Day is observed on June 20 each year and is dedicated to raising awareness about the situation of refugees throughout the world.

UK anti-Muslim terror attacks

Leader of the UK Labor Party Jeremy Corbyn has urged all communities in Britain to stay united following the recent terror attacks in the country. Corbyn made the comments at a vigil held for victims of Monday’s terror attack in north London. A large number of people attended the ceremony to pay tribute to those affected by the incident. They held signs and chanted slogans against Islamophobia. In the early hours of Monday, a van drove into Muslim worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque. One person was killed following the assault and nine others were taken to hospitals with injuries. The London Metropolitan Police said the incident was treated as a terrorist attack.

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