WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, September 29, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, September 30, 2017.

Iraqi cleric opposing Kurdish secession

Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani expresses his opposition to the secession of the country's Kurdistan region. Sistani's representative Ahmed al-Saafi relayed his message during Friday prayers in the city of Karbala. Sistani warned against any attempts to divide Iraq, saying developments in Kurdistan region should not affect relationship between ethnic groups in Iraq.

Zarif on JCPOA's fate

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged Europe to defy US sanctions if the Trump administration scraps the international nuclear deal with Tehran. In an interview with the Guardian, Zarif warned if Europe followed Washington’s lead, the deal would collapse and Iran would come up with more advanced nuclear technology than before the agreement was reached in 2015. However, the top Iranian diplomat insisted that technology would not be used to make weapons, in line with Tehran’s obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Zarif said the only way Iran would continue to observe the limits on its civil nuclear program would be if the other signatories – Britain, France Germany, Russia, and China – all remained committed to its terms and refuse any subsequent US sanctions. Iran’s foreign minister added that walking away from the deal was just one option under consideration in Tehran.

Probe into Saudi war crimes

International human rights groups have welcomed the United Nations approval of a war crimes probe into Saudi abuses in its aggression against Yemen. Human Rights Watch said the compromise resolution by the UN Human Rights Council is still a turning point after more than two years of impunity for horrendous crimes in Yemen. Amnesty International also called the move as a breakthrough and a victory for suffering Yemeni civilians. The resolution tabled by the Netherlands had called for an international commission of inquiry. But that was toned down under Saudi pressure and now calls for an international eminent group of experts to carry out the inquiry. Riyadh initially sought to fend off an international investigation. The Saudi war has so far left nearly 13,000 Yemenis dead in what the UN has described as the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world.

Syria army gains

Syrian army forces have fended off a major offensive by Daesh terrorists on a key supply route to the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr. The army forces are now in full control of the road that connects the city to government-held territory of Palmyra. The highway is said to be now passable on both directions. Military sources had earlier said the road was only used when absolutely necessary. The three-year Daesh siege on Dayr al-Zawr was broken earlier this month in a major offensive by the Syrian army, backed by Hezbollah fighters and Russian airstrikes. Syrian government forces have ever since dealt major blows to the Takfiri terrorists in their push for full liberation of the city.

Catalonia referendum

In Spain, Catalonia’s president has renewed criticism of the central government’s crackdown on Sunday’s independence referendum, urging his supporters to take part in the vote. Carles Puigdemont was addressing thousands of people in the city of Barcelona where he officially closed secession campaigns. Puigdemont told Catalans that the vote would lead to the prosperity of the region. Meanwhile pro-independence Catalans are occupying schools, earmarked as polling stations, to ensure the vote declared illegal by Madrid, goes ahead.

US health secretary resigns

Embattled US Health Secretary Tom Price has stepped down amid a scandal over his use of private planes for multiple government business trips. The Department of Health and Human Services inspector general has launched an investigation into Price's costly travels. Price and his aides argue that the trips he took by private charter jets had been approved through the usual legal and ethics offices at the HHS. Prior to his resignation, President Donald Trump said he was disappointed at the issue of costly travels which undercut his promise to bring accountability to Washington. Price is the first member of Trump's cabinet to be pushed out. Nine months into Trump's presidency, the turbulent young administration has seen several high-ranking White House aides ousted.

Marking Tasu’a in Islamic world

Muslims around the world are holding ceremonies to commemorate Tusu’a, a day ahead of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hossain, the third Shia Imam and the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. Millions of Iranians hold street processions in remembrance of the sad occasion. As part of the ceremonies, people prepare large meals and distribute them among the needy and their neighbors. Each year, Muslims around the globe mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hossain on the onset of the first lunar month of Muharram. The ceremonies usually last ten days and culminate in Ashura which falls on Sunday this year. The Prophet Muhammad’s grandson and 72 of his companions were killed in an unequal battle with forces of tyrant ruler of the time Yazid in 680 AD. Imam Hossein and his brother Abbas are seen as emblems to liberty and the fight against oppression and tyranny.

Warning on Rohingya refugees’ health

The epidemic disaster is looming in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, as doctors and sanitation experts report a huge spike in waterborne diseases, especially among refugee children. Experts say the diarrhoea epidemic is a real and serious threat to people lacking clean water and toilets. They also warn about the spread of an illness like cholera in the densely-populated refugee camps. Aid workers say the heavy monsoon rain could accelerate the situation. The UN has already warned of a humanitarian nightmare in refugee camps, where over half a million Rohingya Muslims have taken refuge after fleeing violence in Myanmar. Thousands of Muslims continue to flee an ongoing violence by Myanmar’s army. The crackdown has been described by the UN and international rights groups as ethnic cleansing.

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

www.presstv.co.uk