WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, September 16, 2018.

Backing Iraq ‘democracy’

Iran has hailed the appointment of Mohammed al-Halbusi as Iraq’s new parliament speaker. Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Qasemi congratulated the people of Iraq and the country’s lawmakers on the selection of al-Halbusi. Qassemi said Iran has always put its support behind Iraq’s democracy and sovereignty. He added that the political breakthrough with a new speaker in the war-torn country is a significant step toward forming a new government in Baghdad. The official also expressed hope for an early election for Iraq’s president and prime minister. Al-Halbusi who previously held governorship of Anbar Province was elected with majority votes. The Iraqi parliament held its session on Saturday after lawmakers failed to elect a speaker and two of his deputies during the first two sessions earlier this month.

Philippines typhoon

The world's strongest storm this year, Super Typhoon Mangkhut, has left nearly 50 people dead in the northern Philippines. Officials say most of the deaths were caused by landslides and the fall of houses. The victims include a mother and her infant. Rescue workers have already begun clearing roads from the debris. The tropical cyclone has now swirled toward densely populated Hong Kong and southern China. Authorities have raised highest storm warnings in these areas, moving nearly half a million people to shelters from seven cities. An average of 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people and leaving millions in near-perpetual poverty.

False flag attack

Russia has once again warned that militants are preparing to stage a false-flag chemical attack in Syria. The Russian Defense Ministry says the al-Qaeda-affiliated militants have transported chlorine-filled canisters to a village in Idlib Province to carry out the gas attack. The ministry said the assault is aimed at accusing the Syrian government of using chemical weapons against its people. Damascus and Moscow have already warned that the militants are planning to launch a chemical attack in Idlib to provoke military action by the West against Syria. In April, the US, the UK and France unleashed a bombing campaign against Syria in response to an alleged gas attack in the city of Douma. They blamed the Syrian government for the raid. Damascus denied the claim.

Israeli aggression

A Palestinian teenager has died of injuries sustained during anti-Israeli demonstrations in southern Gaza Strip last month. The Palestinian health ministry said Saheeb Abu Kashef died late Saturday. The boy had been shot east of Khan Yunis early in August. Palestinians in the besieged enclave have been holding weekly anti-Israeli protests since March 30th. According to Palestinian sources, more than 180 Palestinians have been killed since then.

US tropical storm

The death toll from tropical storm Florence, that's been battering the US states of North and South Carolina for less than a week rises to at least 13. Rescue operations are underway to help stranded people. Florence initially emerged as a category 3 hurricane but later was downgraded to a tropical storm. It has so far inflicted heavy damage on public and private sectors. The storm has knocked out electricity in some 900,000 homes and businesses.

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