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Iranians hold banners bearing messages that call for the release of US-born journalist Marzieh Hashemi, in front of the Swiss embassy in the capital, Tehran, on January 20, 2019. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, January 19, 2019 to 0800 GMT, January 20, 2019.

Press TV anchor in US jail

The family and friends of jailed Press TV anchor Marzieh Hashemi have called for her immediate release, saying that she must be allowed to testify as an ordinary witness since she has not committed any crime. This comes as a US court confirmed that Hashemi has been detained as a material witness in an unspecified investigation. Hashemi has been in jail since Sunday. The FBI and the US Justice Department have refused to offer explanations for her arrest. The 59 year-old African American has appeared in court twice for testimony. Her three children are also set to appear in court next week. A US government source also said that a grand jury is examining whether Press TV is a propaganda outlet.

Rejecting Trump offer

The US president has proposed a deal to end a partial government shutdown, offering compromise with Democrats on immigration but sticking to his demand for a border wall. Trump’s proposal also includes eight-hundred million dollars in humanitarian assistance and 2700 more border agents. Democrats have dismissed the proposal as inadequate. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the offer unacceptable and not a good faith effort. She said the president's bid was unlikely to gain the votes needed to pass the House or the Senate. The government shutdown that began on December 22 is now in its 29th day. The standoff has seen about 800-thousand federal employees either sent home or, if their jobs are deemed essential, working without pay.

Congo court ruling

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s top court has confirmed the victory of Felix Tshisekedi in the presidential election held on December 30th 2018. The Constitutional Court rejected an appeal over the outcome of the election by runner-up Martin Fayulu. The court ruled that Fayulu failed to prove that the results announced by the election commission were false. The court ruling comes after the African Union, in an unprecedented move, asked Congo to delay announcing the final election results, citing serious doubts about the vote. Fayulu claimed that Tshisekedi made a power-sharing deal with outgoing president Joseph Kabila in what he calls an electoral coup.

Saudi war on Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition has carried out fresh deadly attacks on Yemen’s Sana’a. According to Yemeni media, Saudi fighter jets raided a workshop, killing two civilians and injuring several others. The fighter jets launched four air raids on different areas of Sana’a. Meanwhile, the Saudi media reported that there were also major raids on the Ansarullah movement’s offices. Secretary-General of Ansarullah political bureau, Fadhel Abutaleb has condemned the aggression saying such attacks are directly masterminded by the United States. The Saudi war on Yemen, which started in 2015, has so far left over 15 thousand people, mostly civilians, dead.

Iranians slam US detention of Press TV's Hashemi

A protest rally has been held in the Iranian capital Tehran to condemn the detention of Press TV anchor Marzieh Hashemi in the US. The protesters rallied outside the Swiss embassy, which represents US interests in Iran. They slammed what they called the illegal detention of Hashemi and violation of her basic rights. The protesters also chanted anti-US slogans, and held placards, calling for the immediate release of the American-born journalist.

Damascus explosion

Several people are killed and wounded in an explosion near a military intelligence office in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The blast occurred in the south of the city. It was unclear if the blast was caused by a planted bomb or whether it was the result of a suicide attack. The blast was followed by shooting. Meanwhile, the Syrian TV described the explosion as a terrorist act. No person or group has claimed responsibility yet.

New refugee deaths at sea

Some 170 people have died or gone missing after two boats carrying migrants got involved in accidents at the Mediterranean Sea. The UN refugee agency says more than 50 migrants on a boat from Morocco died following a collision. In another incident, a vessel from Libya capsized in rough waters with 120 migrants onboard. An Italian military plane spotted the boat and dropped two rafts for its passengers. But it had to leave due to lack of fuel. Later, an Italian helicopter was dispatched and rescued three migrants. A German charity group says it has rescued 47 migrants, but it’s not known if they belong to the same group. According to the UN migration agency, more than 80 people have drowned so far this year, trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.

