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 21, 2017.

Syria base liberated

Syrian troops in coordination with allied units have fully liberated a strategic military airbase in the country’s northwest. In a statement, the army said the vital Abu Duhur military airport in Idlib province had been fully captured following what it called a string of special operations against terrorists. Damascus added that engineering units are now dismantling and clearing mines, explosives, and bombs planted by terrorists. With its capture the Syrian army secured a key route leading from the neighboring Aleppo province south to the capital Damascus. Foreign-backed terrorists seized Abu Duhur in September of 2015, after overrunning the vast majority of Idlib province.

Half of Americans doubt Trump’s mental health: poll

A new poll shows that almost half of the people in the US think President Donald Trump is not mentally stable. According to the joint ABC-Washington Post study, 47 percent of respondents think Trump is not mentally stable. Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of 73 percent opposed Trump’s repeated claim that he is a genius. They said this is partly clear from his inability to acquit himself in a way that is fitting for a president. The poll comes amid growing concerns about Trump’s mental health following the publication of a book that focuses on his first year in office. Fire and Fury reveals concerns among top White House aides over the US president’s psychological fitness. Yale University professor and psychiatrist, Bandy Lee, also warned Congress last month about the risks posed by Trump’s war-mongering and verbal aggressiveness.

Turkey Syria offensive

Ankara says Turkish troops have crossed into northern Syria on the second day of the Afrin offensive. Turkish officials say ground troops with support of the armored division entered the Kurdish-held region without any serious resistance. Turkish military also stated that 153 targets were hit in northern Syria during operation ‘olive branch’. The Kurdish YPG, however, rejected the claim, saying Turkish forces failed to enter Afrin. Earlier in the day, ten people, mostly civilians, were killed during air raids by Turkish fighter jets. 25 wounded civilians were also reportedly being treated in the city’s central hospital. Meanwhile, Turkish media say four rockets fired from Syria hit the southern border town of Kilis, damaging two houses. Turkey’s launch of fresh operations against Kurdish forces in Syria comes despite strong opposition from Damascus and international warnings.

US VP in Jordan

US Vice President Mike Pence is in Jordan amid protests over Washington’s policies in the Middle East. Pence, who had held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi before arriving in Amman, has met with Jordan's King Abdullah. Pence's 4-day visit to the region is part of attempts to convince Middle Eastern countries that the US is “committed” to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Several dozen Jordanians gathered outside the US Embassy in Amman ahead of Pence’s arrival to voice their anger over a number of issues, including the Trump administration's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel. The decision, which was announced back in December, sparked outrage and forced the US to postpone Pence's visit to the region.

Pontiff rebuked

A key advisor to head of the Roman Catholic Church has rebuked the pontiff’s defense of a Chilean bishop accused of covering up sexual abuse. Cardinal Sean O'Malley said the Pope’s remarks were a source of great pain for victims of sexual abuse by the clergy. O’Malley underlined that expressions of doubt about the survivors' testimonies abandon those who have suffered reprehensible criminal violations of their human dignity. During his visit to Chile, Pope Francis dismissed allegations against Bishop Juan Barros as proof-less slander. Chileans were furious over the 2015 appointment of the Bishop, a close ally of Reverend Fernando Karadima, whom the Vatican found guilty in the historic case of minors’ abuse. The victims say Barros knew about acts of abuse perpetrated by the condemned reverend, but did nothing.

‘Yemenis dying’

The United Nations has once again raised the alarm over the dire humanitarian situation in war-battered Yemen. The UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen describes the number of those in need as quite staggering. Jamie McGoldrick raised the issue during a press conference in the Yemeni capital Sana’a. He said the UN and its partners have appealed for three billion dollars in aid to Yemen to provide “the only lifeline” for millions. The UN official added that the aid would be given to those in urgent need including communities at risk of famine, diseases, and protracted displacement. Jamie McGoldrick then highlighted the fact that many of the Yemenis die of preventable diseases.

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