WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, January 20, 2019.

US ‘illegal’ move

Iran’s parliament speaker has lashed out at the United States for detaining an Iranian journalist, dismissing the move as illegal. Ali Larijani said the arrest of Press TV anchor Marzieh Hashemi shows Washington only wants others to abide by human rights and does not comply with human rights itself. He said such double standards are nothing new as was the case with the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He said the US easily turned a blind eye to Khashoggi’s murder and ignored rights violations by reactionary governments. The speaker said such a move is a sign of the West’s deceitful behavior.

Syria thwarts Israeli attack

The Syrian military sources say the country’s air defense systems have thwarted an Israeli airstrike. They say the attack was aimed at targeting a region in southern Syria.

Afghanistan attack

At least eight Afghan security forces have been killed in a Taliban-claimed car bomb attack in the southern Logar province. Local officials say a bomber detonated an explosive-laden car close to a convoy of the provincial governor on a major highway between Logar and the capital Kabul. Ten people were also injured in the attack, but the governor and the provincial chief of the intelligence agency were not harmed. A Taliban spokesman said, in a statement, that the blast killed and wounded a large number of Afghan Special Forces. Logar, which is known as a strategic gateway to Kabul, is vulnerable to attacks due to the Taliban's active presence there.

Arab League summit

Lebanon’s president has emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity to overcome regional crises. Speaking at the Arab League’s summit in Beirut, Michel Aoun urged world powers to make every effort to help Syrian refugees return home regardless of any political solution to the war in their country. Aoun said he would offer solutions to the Syrian refugee crisis in the final statement of the conference. The fourth Economic and Social Development Summit of the Arab League is being held amid divisions over the decision to re-integrate Syria in the organization. Several heads of state have only sent representatives, while some member countries have not taken part in the summit at all. Some countries, including Lebanon and Iraq, insist that Syria should return to the organization after being suspended for seven years.

Border wall row

US President Donald Trump attacks House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after she rejected a deal on immigration and the Mexico border wall that would end America’s government shutdown. In a tweet, Trump described Pelosi’s stance as irrational and called her a radical Democrat. Earlier, Trump proposed a deal to end the 30-day-old government shutdown, offering a compromise with Democrats on immigration but sticking to his demand for a border wall. His proposal includes extending legal protections against deportation of undocumented migrants who arrived in the US as minors. It also includes 800 million dollars in humanitarian assistance for the migrants. Pelosi called the offer unacceptable and not a good faith effort.

Sudan protest

Sudanese security forces have clashed with anti-government protesters ahead of a planned march against the government’s economic policies. Riot police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who gathered in parts of the city of Omdurman. Ralliers chanted freedom, peace and justice as they marched through the streets. They are to hold a rally later on Sunday in front of parliament where they will call on President Omar al-Bashir to step down. Sudan has been the scene of violent protests since December following the government’s decision to raise the price of bread. Rights groups say some 40 people have been killed since the protests started.

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

www.presstv.co.uk