WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, June 22, to 08:00 GMT, June 23, 2017.

Battle for Mosul

The Iraqi prime minister says Mosul will be declared fully liberated in a few days. Haider al-Abadi made the comment as Iraqi forces are continuing to fight Daesh terrorists in their last stronghold in Mosul's Old City. Special Forces are now pushing into the Bab al-Beed neighborhood which appears to be the final major battle with the Takfiri group. Earlier, Daesh terrorists blew up Mosul's landmark Nuri Mosque and its famous leaning Minaret. The explosion occurred as the forces advanced to within 50 meters of the 840-year-old Mosque. In the summer of 2014, Daesh used the historic landmark to proclaim its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Government troops have cornered the terrorists in the Old City, having recaptured all the districts they once held in Mosul.

Somalia bomb attack

At least seven people, mostly civilians, have been killed in a car bomb blast in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Several others have also been wounded in the attack targeting a police station in Waberi district. According to officials, the bomber was trying to drive into the police station's gate but detonated against the wall instead. The Al-Shabab militant group has claimed responsibility. The attack comes just two days after an explosives-laden minibus drove into local government offices in Mogadishu killing 10, most of them civilians. Tuesday’s blast was also claimed by al-Shabab. The group has vowed to step up attacks after the recently-elected government launched a new military offensive against terrorists.

Iran’s support for Palestine

The special advisor to Iran’s parliament speaker has underlined the Islamic republic’s full and unwavering support for the Palestinian people. Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a televised address to an international conference in support of Palestinian Intifada in the besieged Gaza strip. He stressed that the Israeli regime is leaving no stone unturned to dupe people into forgetting the Palestinian cause. He said Tel Aviv seeks to make divisions in the Muslim communities by sowing the seeds of sectarian differences. Amir-Abdollahian noted that the Israeli regime is the main cause of regional crises. The comments came on the eve of international Quds day. The annual event rallies global support for the people of Palestine in their resistance against the Israeli occupation.

US-Russia ties

Russia’s foreign minister says new sanctions imposed by the United States will lead to further deteriorating relations between the two countries. A Russian Foreign Ministry statement says Sergei Lavrov conveyed the message in a phone call to his US counterpart Rex Tillerson. Lavrov said the punitive measures put the entire sphere of Russian-American relations at serious risk. Earlier this week Washington announced fresh sanctions on 38 Russian individuals and firms over alleged Russian activities in Ukraine.

Saudi strikes on civilians

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Yemen has slammed Saudi airstrikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Jamie McGoldrick urged parties to the conflict to show respect for international law and immediately resume peace talks. Press TV correspondent Mohammed al-Attab reports:

Civilian casualties in Syria

Injured Syrians who were forced to flee Raqqah described their first hand experiences of the US-led air-strikes against the Daesh in their hometown. UN war crimes investigators have denounced a “staggering loss of civilian life” caused by the US-backed campaign to reclaim Raqqah. The investigators said the intensification of airstrikes by the US-led coalition had led to the deaths of at least 300 civilians in the city. The Raqqah operation began earlier in June with a ground assault by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The umbrella group is comprising Kurdish and Arab militiamen armed by the US and supported by coalition airstrikes.

Qatar under pressure

Kuwait has given Qatar a list of demands from the Arab states boycotting it. Saudi Arabia and its allies have given Doha 10 days to fulfill the requests. According to the document, the countries demand that Qatar shut down Al-Jazeera News Network, cut diplomatic ties with Iran, close a Turkish base inside the country and end military cooperation with Ankara. They also ask for an unspecified sum of compensation from Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar in early June. They also put an airspace ban on Qatar Airways. Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Doha of fomenting regional unrest and supporting terrorism. Qatar denies the allegations.

Catalan independence

Spanish lawmakers have thrown out a Catalan bid to hold an independence referendum which a court had already ruled illegal. Pro-independence regional president Carles Puigdemont presented a bill calling on Madrid to "respect" Catalonia's attempt to hold a vote in October. Majority of pro-independence lawmakers in the Catalan regional assembly back Puigdemont. However, parliamentarians in Madrid voted down the move. Madrid has also rejected the move as unconstitutional. The Catalonia region has a population of almost 7.5 million and according to new polls only 44 percent of the residents support holding a referendum for independence.

US drone strikes

Pakistan has slammed US drone strikes on its soil as a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Zakaria’s remarks come after US officials reportedly suggested that Washington would ramp up drone strikes inside Pakistan as part of its new policy for fighting the war in Afghanistan. Washington claims Islamabad provides safe havens for Taliban and other militants opposed to the Afghan government. Pakistan has strongly denied the allegations.

International Quds Day

Millions of people across the globe are set to attend International Quds Day rallies in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people and to condemn Israeli atrocities. Pro-Palestinian groups have called for a massive turnout. Anti-Israeli sentiments are high around the world over Tel Aviv’s discriminatory policies in the occupied territories. Calls for boycotting Israel remains the main theme of this year’s demonstrations. Each year, millions of people hit the streets on the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan to voice their support for the Palestinians and repeat their call for an end to the occupation of Palestine. The event was initiated by late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 to rally international support for the Palestinians.

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