WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, January 20, 2017.

Syria army gains

Syrian government forces are pressing ahead with their offensive, liberating more areas from the terrorists across the country. In their latest operation, troops managed to enter a strategic airbase in Idlib province. The Abu Zuhour air base has been under the control of foreign-backed militants since 2015. The advancement is part of the army’s ongoing operations to liberate Idlib from terror groups. Elsewhere in Idlib province, Syrian forces have regained full control over the village of Om Tineh following heavy clashes with Nusra Front terrorists. Troops also dismantled explosive devices and booby traps planted in the village by the terrorists.

Germany stops arms sales to Saudi Arabia

The German government says it has halted arms exports to Saudi Arabia and its allies over their involvement in the deadly war in Yemen. A spokesman for the German Chancellor said on twitter that the decision is in line with last week’s coalition talks between Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats and the center-left Social Democrats. Steffen Seibert said the Federal Security Council was no longer issuing licenses to export arms to anyone participating in the Yemen war. Saudi Arabia buys hundreds of millions of Euros in military equipment from Germany each year. More than 13,700 Yemenis, including women and children, have been killed since Riyadh launched its military campaign against Yemen in March 2015.

Turkey Syria shelling

The Turkish army says it has launched new cross-border strikes on the positions of Kurdish militant groups in Syria's north-western region of Afrin. Turkey’s army said in a statement that its forces shelled several shelters and hideouts used by militants from three groups, namely the Kurdistan Workers' Party, PYD and YPG. There have been no reports of casualties so far. Ankara has for months said it would clear YPG fighters from Afrin. Turkey considers the Kurdish group a terror organization and the Syrian branch of the outlawed PKK group. Syria has warned Turkey that any combat operation inside the war-torn country would be considered an act of aggression.

India-Pakistan tensions

Two civilians and a soldier are killed as Pakistani troops open fire along their volatile frontier in Kashmir in the latest escalation of violence in the disputed region. At least 10 civilians and a paramilitary soldier were also injured. Pakistani soldiers were reportedly targeting Indian border posts and villages with mortar shells and automatic gunfire for the fourth straight day in Jammu region. Islamabad did not immediately comment. Pakistan on Friday accused Indian troops of initiating cross-border fire and targeting Pakistani villages. Both countries have accused the other of initiating past border skirmishes and causing civilian and military casualties amid a long-running dispute over Kashmir.

Pence Middle East trip

The United States’ Vice President has headed for Egypt to begin a Middle East trip amid anger in the Muslim world over Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital. Mike Pence will hold talks with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi before leaving for the Jordanian capital to see King Abdullah on Sunday. Pence will also meet Israeli leaders during his four-day tour. The US Vice President, will give a speech at the Israeli Knesset too. Pence was supposed to travel to the region in December but his trip was cancelled due to US President Donald Trump’s controversial decision on Jerusalem al-Quds. President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas has said he won’t meet Pence. The American VP will meet no Palestinian official during his visit.

US shutdown

US President Donald Trump has blamed Democrat Senators for the government shutdown which went into effect on Saturday. In a Tweet, Trump lashed out at the Democrats, accusing the party of “playing shutdown politics” and putting what he called illegal immigrants first. The US President went on to suggest that more influence from his Republican Party was needed in the Senate to prioritize Americans. A bill to fund the federal budget failed at Friday midnight after the Senate did not agree on its terms. Essential services and military activities WILL continue but many public sector workers will be sent home without wages until a deal is reached to reopen the US government.

Australia fire

In Australia, firefighters are battling to contain a blaze burning out of control in Sydney’s Royal National Park. The Australian Rural Fire Service says the bushfire threatens the main access road to the park in Sydney's southern outskirts. An emergency warning has been issued with evacuation measures being put in place for around 1,000 visitors inside the park. Water-bombing helicopters are used to slow down the fire while rescue teams struggle to arrange a sea escort for hundreds of people. Authorities have not yet concluded the cause of the blaze.

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