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 7, 2017.

Myanmar’s Rohingya exodus

The UN says around 165,000 Rohingya Muslims, fleeing Myanmar’s deadly crackdown, have crossed into Bangladesh in the last two weeks. Aid agencies are struggling to cope with the non-stop flow of Rohingya refugees. Almost 80 per cent of the refugees are women and children. The agencies have pleaded for 18 million dollars in aid to help feed and shelter the new arrivals. Bangladesh is planning to build at least one more camp for the refugees. Some 100,000 refugees have already been sheltered into packed camps in Bangladesh. Many others are stranded in no-man’s land between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Some 400 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by the Myanmar army and extremist Buddhists since a new wave of violence erupted two weeks ago.

Israel Syria attack

Syria says an Israeli air raid on a military position in the western province of Hama has killed two soldiers and caused material damage. The army said in a statement that the attack occurred early Thursday and hit a facility near the town of Masyaf, close to the Mediterranean coast. The army said the Israeli warplanes fired several missiles from Lebanese airspace. Syria warned of dangerous repercussions of such hostile acts on the security and stability of the region. Israel has carried out attacks on military positions in Syria before.

Russia against militarism

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the North Korea crisis could be resolved through diplomatic means as he calls for avoiding military hysteria. Speaking on the sidelines of an economic forum, the Russian President expressed hope that common sense would prevail in the US approach towards North Korea. Putin also reiterated that North Korea will not stop the development of its nuclear and missile programs as it sees them the only means for self-defense. Last week Pyongyang tested a hydrogen bomb, drawing condemnation from around the world. The US and its allies have urged North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programs or face more sanctions. The North, however, says the country’s missile and nuclear developments are essential to counter US threats and aggression.

Aid for Rohingya Muslims

Iran has prepared an aid package for delivery to the persecuted Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The country’s Red Crescent made the announcement after President Hasasn Rouhani ordered the relief organization to help the Rohingya. The package includes emergency equipment, food, and hygiene products. A spokesman for Iran’s Red Crescent said the shipment delivery is awaiting permission from the International Committee of the Red Cross. Tehran is highly critical of the Myanmar government for its inaction over the army’s deadly crackdown against the minority Rohingya Muslims. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has called on the United Nations and the Muslim world to take immediate measures to stop the bloodshed.

China protests missiles

Beijing has lodged a diplomatic protest with South Korea over the deployment of four remaining launchers of an US anti-missile system known as THAAD. The Chinese foreign ministry says it has urged Seoul to heed China’s security concerns and interests. It also asked South Korea to halt the deployment and withdraw all the relevant equipment. Seoul, however, says the deployment is necessary due to North Korea’s increasing missile tests. Earlier on Thursday, Beijing announced that due to Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test, it would support necessary measures against North Korea at the United Nations Security Council. However, it called for renewed efforts to begin negotiations between all sides.

Plight of Rohingya Muslims

The death toll from Hurricane Irma is rising as the storm churns toward the US while leaving a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. The hurricane has killed at least 10 people, including eight in French island territories. Irma has also injured dozens and left thousands of others homeless. Earlier, Irma blacked out much of Puerto Rico and battered the US territory with heavy winds and rains. The US state of Florida is also on high alert for the expected arrival of the storm. The UN says up to 37 million people could be affected by Hurricane Irma. The storm is the most powerful ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

Korean Peninsula crisis

Iran’s foreign minister has called on the international community to take immediate action to stop the violence against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims. In a tweet, Zarif said the international community has no excuse to allow the continuation of what he described as genocide against Rohingya Muslims. He said urgent action is needed before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Iran’s Red Crescent has prepared an aid package for delivery to the persecuted Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The package includes emergency equipment, food, and hygiene products. Tehran is highly critical of the Myanmar government for its inaction over the army’s deadly crackdown against the Rohingya Muslims. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has called on the United Nations and the Muslim world to take immediate measures to stop the bloodshed.

Anti-THAAD protest

Dozens of South Koreans have been injured in clashes with police during a rally against the deployment of the US THAAD missile system. The clashes have erupted in the village of Soseong-ri, where four THAAD launchers are being stationed. Many of the wounded have been hospitalized. The residents of the village say the missile system has disrupted their daily lives with military vehicles and helicopters moving in the area every now and then. Many South Koreans vehemently oppose Washington’s deployment of THAAD on their country’s soil. They are critical of its adverse environmental effects. The South Korean citizens also say the deployment of the missiles further escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

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