WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, September 23, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, September 24, 2017.

Syria slams US-led coalition

Syria's foreign minister has criticized the serious human rights violations and destruction of Syria’s infrastructure by the US-led coalition against Daesh.

Muallem who was addressing the United Nations General Assembly also reiterated that any effort to end the crisis in Syria should respect the Arab country’s sovereignty. He rejected any external interference in the country’s political decisions. The Syrian foreign minister also lashed out at Israel for continuing its aggression against civilian population in Syria and Palestine.

North Korea hits back at US

The North Korean foreign minister says the country’s nuclear program is just a few steps away from completion in an address at the United Nations General Assembly. 

Ri Yong-ho called on the US and its allies to think twice before provoking North Korea. He stressed that Pyongyang’s nuclear force was to counter US threats and prevent US invasion. He slammed US President Donald Trump’s speech at the General Assembly where he called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a “rocket man”. Ri said the insult made North Korean rockets’ visit to the entire US mainland inevitable all the more. He also called the American president a mentally deranged person full of megalomania. Tensions have recently intensified between Washington and Pyongyang. The situation has raised alarms, with regional countries calling for restraint.

Catalonia tensions 

Catalonia’s regional government has slammed the Spanish government’s takeover of security forces' coordination in Catalonia to prevent next week’s independence referendum.

Catalonia's State prosecutor says all local and national police forces have been temporarily placed under a single chain of command reporting directly to the interior ministry in Madrid. Up to four thousand police officers from other Spanish regions have already arrived in Catalonia. Madrid has however denied allegations that the measure includes the withdrawal of powers from Catalan security forces. Meanwhile, members of the Young Farmers and Ranchers of Catalonia union rallied in the town of Leiada in protest at what they called the Spanish government’s crackdown. 

Germany elections 

In Germany, people are heading to polling stations to elect a new parliament that will determine the new government in Europe's biggest economic powerhouse.

Over 61 million Germans are eligible to cast their ballots for new members of the federal parliament, known as the Bundestag. Around 88-thousand polling booths will remain open until 18:00 GMT. Economy, immigration and the future of the EU remain the top decisive issues in this year’s election. Recent opinion polls suggest that Chancellor Angela Merkel is likely to secure a fourth term, but her party has taken a last-minute dip in public support. Merkel’s conservative CDU slipped to 34 percent, while Martin Schulz’s Social Democrats were polling at 21 percent. The Alternative for Germany or AFD, a right-wing populist and Euro-sceptic party, was also enjoying the support of some 13 percent of the electorates. 

US threat against North Korea

The war of words between US President Donald Trump and North Korean officials runs more intense, raising fears that the verbal conflict may just get out of hand. 

Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to once again threaten North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho and leader Kim Jung-un. He said they won’t be around much longer if they keep echoing what he called thoughts of the little rocket man. Trump was responding to the North Korean foreign minister’s latest remarks. During his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Ri warned that Trump's constant insults to Kim made the North Korean rockets' visit to the US inevitable. He also boasted about the rapid development of Pyongyang’s nuclear program, saying it’s just a few steps away from completion. 

Trump's 'divisive' remarks

US President Donald Trump has come under attack over his seditious and divisive comments—this time from the country’s top sports stars.

Trump became the subject of strong abuse after his speech on Friday night and a series of tweets the day after. The president announced in his Alabama rally speech that he had withdrawn an invitation for Stephen Curry of the NBA champion-Golden State Warriors to visit the White House. He also criticized national football league players protesting against racial injustice and said players, who kneel for the national anthem, should be fired. Trump’s two-day rant brought swift condemnations, with Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and Buffalo Bills’ LeSean McCoy using abusive language against the president. James also released a video, saying Trump has tried to divide the country and that it's not something he can be quiet about. 

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