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 22, 2017.

Iran army drills

The Iranian Army has launched its two-day annual drills near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials say navy forces along with air and ground troops are participating in the drills. Meanwhile, in the early hours of the maneuvers, Iranian warplanes warned off two US-led coalition vessels that approached the area. Officials said the vessels were identified by Iranian drones and left the area following the warning.

Saudi atrocities

At least seven Yemeni civilians have been killed following fresh Saudi airstrikes in the northwestern province of Sa’ada. According to Yemeni media, five children and a woman were among the victims. 5 civilians were also wounded as Saudi jets targeted a home in the area. Reports say the death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition. Saudi aircraft also conducted multiple airstrikes on Mahda districts near the city of Sa’ada, but no casualties have been reported there so far. Nearly 14,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, have lost their lives since the Saudi aggression began in March 2015.

EU al-Quds policy

The European Union foreign policy chief has reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to the international consensus on the status of Jerusalem al-Quds. Mogherini underlined the EU’s determination to work within an international framework to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The top European diplomat added that talks are underway with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on ways to increase the EU’s role in finding a solution to the issue. Mogherini also pointed out the bloc’s invitation for Arab league representatives to take part in the next EU foreign affairs council to discuss ways of mutual cooperation on the issue of Palestine. Foreign ministers of the 28-member bloc are set to meet with the Palestinian leader in Brussels later today. Abbas reportedly plans to ask for official recognition of the state of Palestine while seeking an association agreement with the European bloc.

US Israel embassy

US Vice President Mike Pence has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the occupied territories, amid the controversy caused by Washington’s al-Quds policy. Pence told Netanyahu that it was a great honor to be in Israel’s capital Jerusalem al-Quds, and that they were witnessing the dawn of a new area of discussions to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine. Netanyahu in return thanked Pence for the US decision to recognize al-Quds as Israel’s capital, noting that the American-Israeli alliance has never been stronger. Earlier, Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas condemned the visit by the US vice president to the Middle East, calling for a general strike in the occupied territories to protest the trip.

Stoking Syria separatism

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accuses the United States of stoking separatism among Syrian Kurds. The top Russian diplomat said Washington is actively encouraging separatist sentiment among the Kurds. Lavrov noted that the US either lacks understanding of the situation or is provoking it consciously. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated that his country will not take a step back from the ongoing operation. Erdogan says Moscow and Ankara are in agreement regarding the military offensive against the US-backed Kurdish militants. According to Erdogan, Turkish armed forces plan to take control of the city of Afrin. They are already into control of the cities of Jarablus, al-Rai and al-Bab.

Germany coalition deal

Germany’s Social Democratic Party, SPD, says it seeks more concessions from Chancellor Angela Merkel over a coalition government deal. Schulz also says he will meet Merkel and her Bavarian allies later to discuss how to move the negotiations forward. The SDP wants improvements on an initial agreement to convince reluctant party members who will be balloted on any final coalition deal. Earlier, the party narrowly voted in favor of starting formal coalition negotiations with Merkel's conservatives. The chancellor's ruling party has been trying to form a government ever since Germans went to the polls in September.

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