WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (Photo by Reuters)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, September 22, 2017.

 

US drone strikes

Reports coming out of the White House indicate that the US administration is considering a dramatic increase in its drone strikes. A New York Times report says the Trump administration is planning to relax an Obama-era rule on the use of drone strikes and commando raids. The new changes will pave the way for what is said to be more operations against Daesh and other terrorist groups. The former rules limited the attacks to high-level militants only. This comes as reports on the ground indicate that civilians, including women and children, are mostly killed by such attacks. Prominent international human rights groups have on a number of occasions called on the US to stop such attacks and prevent civilian casualties. The US conducts drones strikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia.

US race protests

In the US state of Missouri, demonstrators have taken to the streets of the city of St. Louis in a fresh protest against the systemic racial discrimination in the country. Hundreds of mostly-white protestors gathered in the city’s downtown area while chanting slogans such as “white silence is violence” and “no justice, no profit”. At least 100 police officers, some in riot gear watched the demonstrators closely from inside a metal barrier. The protest was the latest of several rallies held over the acquittal of a white cop charged with killing a black suspect in 2011. Some of the previous demonstrations had turned violent, with security forces arresting several people and using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

Iranians hold rally to protest Trump’s speech

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Iranian capital to denounce the US president’s recent anti-Tehran rhetoric. People from all walks of life attended the rally after Friday prayers. The protesters gathered in central Tehran and chanted slogans against the US government and Donald Trump. They also condemned as baseless accusations the US president leveled against the Islamic Republic during his much-criticized speech at the UN General Assembly. Trump has accused Iran of “supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region”. He also called Iran’s nuclear deal an embarrassment for the US.

Rohingya refugee crisis

Doctors without Borders has warned that Bangladesh’s refugee camps are on the brink of a public health disaster from the influx of Rohingya refugees. The MSF says there are dire shortages of nearly all forms of relief, calling for a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid. According to the organization, filthy water flows through shanties that are bursting with displaced people. The MSF’s emergency medical coordinator says many Rohingya are only eating one meal a day and are sleeping out in the open despite regular monsoon rains. The organization has also warned that the risk of an infectious disease outbreak is very high. More than 420,000 Rohingya have fled an army-led crackdown and entered neighboring Bangladesh since August 26. The United Nations has estimated that 200 million dollars will be needed over the next six months to help the Rohingya refugees.

Catalonia vote tensions

People in Spain’s Catalonia have held a fresh demonstration against Madrid’s crackdown on supporters of the planned independence vote. The demonstrators picketed outside the High Court to demand the release of dozens of people arrested by Madrid on Wednesday. Spain is on the brink of a political crisis as Catalan leaders are adamant to go ahead with a planned independence referendum on October first. The central government has banned the vote, arguing that it is against the constitution. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called on Catalan leaders to engage in talks, but has already signaled at Madrid’s low flexibility with the northeastern region.

France labor law

French President Emmanuel Macron has signed a contested labor reform package into law, sealing a signature reform four months into his presidency. Macron lauded the changes and said the first measures would be implemented next week. The reforms will give French firms more power in negotiations with their employees and make it easier for them to hire and fire. The French government, however, says the changes are necessary to make the country more competitive in the global market and bring down unemployment rates. The divisive reform package has contributed to Macron’s waning popularity and caused mass protests across the country.

May Brexit speech

In a speech in the Italian city of Florence, the British Prime Minister has laid out her plan for the future ties between the EU and the UK. Theresa May says although Britain is determined to leave the EU, it will not turn its back on Europe. She says the UK will remain true to the commitments it made during its EU membership. May also promised legal protection for EU citizens living in the UK. The British Premier said, however, that her country wanted a new security deal with the EU. May’s speech comes after the EU demanded more clarity from Britain on key divorce issues, including the rights of EU citizens and London’s financial commitments.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku