WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, September 25, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, September 26, 2017.

Dismissing secession vote 

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says Baghdad will not pay any heed to the outcomes of Monday’s secession referendum in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

Abadi said that those who were responsible for the Kurdish referendum would be duly punished and reiterated that the vote was illegal. He said the officials who called for the vote, announced the results too, casting doubt on their impartiality. The Iraqi premier, however, noted that the secession vote would not affect the army’s resolve to defeat Daesh, saying Baghdad will soon announce the liberation of remaining areas under the control of the terrorists. Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government held a split referendum on Monday amid strong regional and international opposition. Israel was the only supporter of the vote. Neighboring Iran and Turkey have already taken countermeasures against the bid.

North Korea-US tensions

China has warned against serious repercussions of the latest war of words between the US and North Korea.

The Chinese ambassador to the United Nations described as too dangerous and disastrous the escalating rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang. He stressed that the only way to resolve the standoff is to resort to dialogue. Meanwhile, North Korea has once again criticized the US president’s speech at the UN, saying it was a clear declaration of war against Pyongyang.

Catalonia tensions 

Spain's chief public prosecutor says the arrest of Catalonia’s president is possible amid growing tensions between Madrid and Barcelona over a planned independence referendum.

Jose Manuel Maza said Carles Puigdemont could be charged with civil disobedience, abuse of office and misuse of public funds for pressing ahead with preparations for the October first vote. Spanish authorities have already arrested several Catalan officials over their involvement in preparations for the planned plebiscite. Barcelona is vehemently pushing to hold the referendum even if it is against the constitution. Madrid says the vote is illegal and has begun a crackdown on supporters of the secession bid..

Israel shooting 

A Palestinian gunman has shot dead three Israeli guards and severely wounded another near a West Bank settlement.

The incident happened in the town of Har Adar near Jerusalem al-Quds. The assailant was gunned down after an exchange of fire with Israeli forces. Police say the attacker was approaching the town’s gate when security forces there grew suspicious of him. The assailant then pulled a gun and opened fire. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas hailed the attack as a new chapter in the uprising against Israeli occupation. The incident comes amid a wave of unrest in which around 350 Palestinians and more than 50 Israelis have been killed since October 2015.

UK double standards 

The UK opposition party accuses the government of double standards, saying Downing Street falls silent when countries regarded as friends commit violations.

Thornberry made the remarks during a speech at the annual Labour Party conference. The shadow foreign secretary slammed the government for ignoring human rights violations in Yemen and Myanmar. She said British-made weapons are being used to flagrantly attack civilians. Thornberry denounced the government’s arms exports, saying licenses are being granted behind closed doors and shrouded in secrecy. 

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