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 19, 2017.

Turkey Syria operation

The Turkish defense minister says Ankara will launch a military operation against what it calls terrorist elements in Syria’s north. Nurettin Canikli says Turkey has no options, but to clear “all terrorist elements” from the Afrin region. The announcement comes despite the Syrian government’s strong opposition to the plan. Damascus has warned that the Syrian army’s air defense system is on alert to repel such an attack. The Turkish army’s offensive is aimed at countering the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units, also known as YPG. The YPG controls key towns in northern Syria, but Ankara considers the group to be a terrorist organization.

African envoys demand US apology

African envoys at the UN have urged the US president to meet with African Union leaders during their two-day summit in late January. The ambassadors say the meeting might be able to diffuse tensions surrounding Donald Trump’s recent vulgar comments. The 54-nation African Group gave US ambassador Nikki Haley a specific recommendation during a closed meeting requested by Washington, on Friday. Haley reportedly expressed regret, but did not offer an apology. Last week, Trump referred to African nations as shithole countries during a White House meeting on immigration. In reaction, African ambassadors to the UN issued a joint statement, condemning the remarks and demanding an apology.

Pope defends notorious bishop

Pope Francis has arrived in Peru amid violence and protests over sex abuse scandals involving the Catholic Church. The pontiff was greeted by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the Peruvian capital, Lima. The head of the Roman Catholic Church is set to make public appearances in Puerto Maldonado and Trohio as well. Pope Francis faced harsh public protests while visiting Chile on the first leg of his South American tour. Chileans were furious over the 2015 appointment of Bishop Juan Barros, a close ally of Reverend Fernando Karadima, whom the Vatican found guilty in the historic case of minors’ abuse. The pontiff, however, dismissed allegations against bishop Barros as proof-less slander.

US Mideast presence

The Leader of Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah says the US is using Daesh terrorists and the fight against terror as an excuse to stay in Iraq and Syria. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah made the remarks during a speech commemorating Hezbollah fighters killed by Israel in 2015 while they were battling Daesh. He questioned the motive behind Washington’s decision to keep its forces in Iraq and Syria after declaring they have no interest to stay in the region beyond the end of Daesh. Nasrallah says the Americans were behind the creation of Daesh. He also says the terror organization or any other Takfiri groups will not come back if Washington instructs its allies in the Persian Gulf to stop funding them. Nasrallah added that the Iraqis and Syrians can prevent the resurgence of Daesh and they do not need the US help.

India-Pakistan tensions

Tensions have escalated along the India-Pakistan border as troops from both sides shell villages for a third day, with each side blaming the other for initiating the violence. Pakistan says the escalation on Friday killed a civilian and left nine others injured in Sialkot in the eastern province of Punjab. The clashes over the past two days have left four people dead on both sides. India and Pakistan have taken turns to accuse each other of starting the violence. The Indian Foreign Ministry says Pakistani forces violated the 2003 ceasefire deal with their unprovoked action. It has accused Islamabad of violating the truce by allowing terrorists to cross the border. Pakistan has in return summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner to condemn India’s “unprovoked ceasefire violations”.

Europe deadly storm

At Least eleven people have been killed as storm Friederike batters Western Europe. Eight people, including two fire fighters, died in Germany, where winds at a speed of up to 203 kilomteres per hour swept across the country. Germany’s railway operator, Deutsche Bahn has resumed operations but warned of possible delays. Hundreds of rail staff worked through the night to clear the tracks following an all-out suspension of long-distance services. Two deaths have been reported in the Netherlands and one other in Belgium. In Poland, dreadful weather conditions caused many accidents and left thousands of households without electricity. On Thursday, at least 260 flights were grounded at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and the Dutch train services were halted.

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