WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, September 11, 2017.

UN warns of ethnic cleansing of Rohingya

The UN human rights chief has slammed Myanmar's deadly crackdown on its ethnic Muslim minority, warning that “ethnic cleansing seems to be underway there”. Speaking to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein highlighted reports and satellite images showing Myanmar’s security forces and Buddhist extremists burning Rohingya houses. He criticized Myanmar’s army for what he called disregarding basic principles of the international law. The UN rights chief said there were numerous instances of extra-judicial killings in Rakhine state. He called on the Myanmarese government to end its cruel military operation and reverse all violations including widespread discriminations that have occurred against the Rohingya population. According to the United Nations, nearly 300,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought refuge in Bangladesh, escaping from the ruthless military crackdown at home.

Catalonia’s referendum row

The president of Spain’s Catalonia says the region’s government is fully prepared for the October first independence referendum that has been outlawed by the central government and Supreme Court. Speaking on the eve of Catalonia’s national day, Carles Puigdemont said everything was ready for all Catalans to vote in total normalcy. Puigdemont insisted that the referendum was legal according to the laws approved by the Catalan parliament. He defied Madrid authorities by claiming that no judicial or political body could disqualify his government except for the region’s parliament. The pro-independence campaign has organized a rally in Barcelona on the so-called Diada day in what is hoped to be a massive show of support for separation from Spain.

Lebanon Israel complaint

Lebanon says it will file a complaint to the United Nations after Israeli jets violated the country’s airspace. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said the complaint would be for the material, moral and sovereign damages caused by Israeli jets. The prime minister’s office also issued a statement saying the complaint concerns Israel’s planting spy devices on Lebanese land and continuous breach of country’s airspace. Israeli warplanes flew with low altitude over the city of Sidon on Sunday, causing at least one sonic boom and spreading panic among local residents.

Iran nuclear deal

The head of the UN atomic agency has once again confirmed Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 group of countries. Yukiya Amano says the IAEA has been monitoring and verifying Iran's nuclear commitments since the deal was signed. Amano added that assessments regarding undeclared nuclear activities and materials are still ongoing. The IAEA’s secretary general also noted that the agency will continue to implement the Additional Protocol, including additional access to nuclear sites, as in other countries.

Battle for Dayr al-Zawr

A UK-based monitor says the Syrian army has dispatched massive reinforcements to the city of Dayr al-Zawr in preparation for a major anti-Daesh offensive. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the offensive is aimed at liberating the eastern part of Dayr al-Zawr from the terror group. The army has already regained control of the strategic al-Tharda mountains in the southern part of the city. Government forces are also advancing from other directions toward Dayr al-Zawr. The Syrian media says troops have managed to recapture posts on the border with Jordan. The army recently broke Daesh’s siege of Dayr al-Zawr where 100,000 civilians had been trapped after three years. Dayr al-Zawr province served as a main supply corridor for the Takfiri group operating in Syria and neighboring Iraq.

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