WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

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

Rawa liberated

Iraqi troops have fully liberated the town of Rawa, the last stronghold of the Daesh terrorist group in the country. Army forces launched an offensive to recapture the town in western Anbar province early Friday. A few days ago, army troops, the Popular Mobilization Units and Sunni tribal forces mounted a large-scale operation to free the provincial Ramana area. Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, announced recently that Anbar province would be fully liberated soon. Iraqi forces had already managed to retake Mosul, a former stronghold of Daesh, the town of Tal Afar west of Nineveh, the town of Hawija in Kirkuk, as well as Annah and Qaim in Anbar.

UN Myanmar vote

The UN General Assembly’s human rights committee has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Myanmar to put an end to its military operations against Rohingya Muslims. Myanmar’s authorities are also asked to ensure the voluntary return of Rohingya refugees from neighboring Bangladesh. The Third Committee’s resolution says 60 percent of the Muslims, who fled violence in the northern Rakhine state, are children. It also slams disproportionate and sustained use of force by the country’s security forces against the minority group. The draft text was put forward by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The resolution now goes to the General Assembly for a final vote in December.

Zimbabwe political crisis

Embattled Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has made his first public appearance since military generals seized power on Wednesday. Mugabe has participated in a university graduation ceremony on the outskirts of the capital Harare. Accompanied by presidential security staff, Mugabe joined the crowd in singing the country’s national anthem. The appearance comes as a series of political unrests have plunged the president’s future into uncertainty. Zimbabwe’s military says negotiations are underway to persuade the president to give up power.

Hariri resignation

The Lebanese foreign minister has called for Saad Hariri to return to Lebanon before deciding whether to step down as prime minister. Gebran Bassil said Saad Hariri must be allowed to return to Lebanon without any conditions or restrictions on his freedom. He warned that some forces are trying to oust Hariri. Bassil made the comments after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. During the meeting, Lavrov said Lebanon should resolve its internal problems without outside interference. He said Moscow backs Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. Lebanon’s foreign minister is visiting world capitals as part of a tour to clarify his country’s position following Hariri's surprise resignation in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Lebanese President, Michel Aoun, has also said Hariri has been under arrest in Saudi Arabia and that there's proof that the prime minister’s family is also being held by the Arab kingdom.

Cambodia US accusation

Cambodia has slammed the United States for siding with the country’s recently outlawed opposition party, saying the ban was in line with the law. A spokesman for the ruling party says the United States is supporting an alleged coup plot by the Cambodia National Rescue Party. Sok Eysan also says Cambodia could replace the US and the EU with other trade partners like China and Russia. On Thursday, Cambodia dissolved the main opposition party, a decision that was later slammed by the US and EU which are the country’s major trade partners. Washington says the decision by the Cambodian government has essentially stripped next year’s election of credibility. The Cambodia National Rescue Party was expected to pose a serious challenge to Cambodia’s prime minister, who has been in office since 1985.

Saudi blockade of Yemen

Saudi Arabia continues its deadly airstrikes on Yemen, killing more civilians in its southern neighbor. At least 17 people have been killed in the latest Saudi air raid in Hajjah province. It was the second Saudi attack to hit Yemen on Friday. Earlier in the day, Saudi fighter jets targeted a bus in Hudaydah province. At least six people were killed and several others injured in the air raid. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross has said three cities in Yemen have run out of clean water as a result of the Saudi-led blockade on the country. The ICRC also said nearly one million people are deprived of clean water and sanitation in Taiz, Sa’ada and Hudaydah.

Ireland Brexit warning

Britain is facing yet another problem as it prepares to kick-start trade talks with the European Union amid a deadlock over Brexit. Now, Ireland says it is not ready to let the Brexit talks on trade move on next month. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, in a meeting with his visiting British counterpart, Boris Johnson, showed an amicable tone but the two remained far apart on several key aspects. Coveney said Dublin wants other serious matters, particularly the border issue, to be resolved before moving the talks further. The border between Ireland and Northern Ireland will be the UK's only land frontier with the EU after its departure. Brussels wants the issue to be broadly solved before it will decide in December whether to go to the second phase of negotiations over trade. Dublin demands assurances in the conclusions of the first phase.

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

www.presstv.co.uk