WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, February 24, 2019.

Israel al-Quds arrests

Israel has arrested two senior clerics of the Islamic custodian of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known as Waqf. The head of the Islamic authority, Sheikh Abdel-Azeem Salhab and his deputy were arrested early on Sunday. Palestinian media say they will remain in custody for a week. They’re accused of allowing Palestinian worshippers into the al-Aqsa mosque, despite Israeli restrictions. Jordan, which shares the administration of the al-Aqsa mosque, has condemned the arrests as a serious escalation. The country has urged Israel to release the clerics, saying Tel Aviv is playing with fire. The arrest of Sheikh Salhab and his deputy comes as Tel Aviv has increased restrictions on Palestinian worshippers in recent days.

Afghanistan civilian deaths  

A new report by the United Nations has blamed increased terror attacks and stepped up US airstrikes for the record high civilian deaths in 2018. In its annual report, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said some 11,000 civilians were killed or wounded last year. It is highest number since the international body began tallying figures in 2009. The report said 63 percent of civilian casualties were caused by attacks carried out by different terrorist groups, including the Taliban and Daesh. It noted that an increase in airstrikes by the US and Afghan forces also led to 500 civilian deaths in 2018. The UN report comes amid evolving talks between the Taliban and Washington, 18 years after the US invaded Afghanistan under the pretext of eliminating the militants.

Iran naval drills

The Iranian navy has successfully tested a submarine-launched missile during the third and final day of its major drills in the country’s south. According to the drills spokesman, this is the first time that Iran launches an anti-surface cruise missile from deep under the sea. He said the missile was fired from a domestically-built Qadir-class submarine, adding that two other Iranian submarines also have the capability. The spokesman said Iranian forces also conducted electronic eavesdropping and reconnaissance operations in the area of the drills. The navy has carried out missile and torpedo launches and commando operations during the maneuvers. The exercises cover an area of two million square kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz to the northern part of the Indian Ocean.

Slamming arms sales

Iran’s foreign minister has slammed European countries for creating tension and insecurity in the Middle East by selling weapons to the countries in the region. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks during a speech at the University of Tehran. Zarif noted that Washington’s struggles to gain anti-Iran international support have failed on numerous occasions. The top Iranian diplomat underlined that the Islamic Republic is not seeking domination in the Middle East, nor will it allow any country to dominate the region. Zarif stressed that none of the global challenges can be settled unilaterally and that international challenges require global solutions.

Child abuse summit

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has called for “an all-out battle” against abuse of minors. Speaking at the end of a landmark conference at the Vatican, Pope Francis said such crimes are abominable and should be erased from the face of the earth. He pledged that the Roman Catholic Church would spare no efforts to bring abusers to justice and will not cover up or underestimate abuse. Also speaking at the conference, Archbishop Mark Coleridge said the Church has become its own worst enemy for covering up sexual abuse and not listening enough to victims. The Roman Catholic Church has been under fire for child abuse cases and cover-up efforts by bishops.

Iran hacks US drones

A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says Iran’s hacking of US drone command and control centers was a response to Washington’s impudence. Head of IRGC’s Aerospace Division, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh says the Islamic Republic wanted to tell the Americans that they did not achieve their goals. This came after the US said it supplied Iran with faulty parts to sabotage the country's missile program. On Friday, the IRGC released footage of an American reconnaissance flight over Daesh centers. It said up to 10 US-made drones which flew over Iraq and Syria were taken control of. Iran says US military aircraft bombed the hacked drones out of fear that they might end up in the hands of Iranian armed forces.

Syria explosion

In Syria, a powerful blast has ripped through the province of Hama, leaving over 20 civilians dead. The explosion occurred when a car carrying workers hit a landmine left behind by Daesh terrorists in the Salamyieh countryside. Earlier this month, another landmine planted by the Takfiri terrorist group went off in the same countryside, killing at least seven civilians. Syrian troops have defeated Daesh, but the group's remnants have been trying to re-group.

May delays Brexit vote  

British Prime Minister Theresa May has delayed a parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal, saying the early vote would have been meaningless. Upon her arrival in Egypt for the EU-Arab summit and further meetings with EU leaders, the British Prime Minister added that it is within the government’s grasp to leave the bloc with a deal. The country’s opposition Labour party has called May’s postponement an irresponsible act and a desperate attempt to force lawmakers to choose between her deal and no deal. Britain is set to leave the EU on March the 29th. EU has however repeatedly declared it will not renegotiate the withdrawal agreement with London.