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 23, 2017.

Iraq Kurdistan vote

Iran and Turkey have reiterated their opposition to a planned referendum on the independence of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has re-emphasized Tehran’s opposition to the plebiscite. He stressed Tehran's strong support for Iraq’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and national unity. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has also warned about the diplomatic, political, economic and security dimensions of Ankara's actions in response to the controversial vote. Yildirim says Turkey will take the steps in close cooperation with Iraq, Iran and other neighboring countries. The Turkish President’s spokesman also called the referendum a terrible mistake with serious consequences in the region. Tehran and Ankara have underlined, time and again, the vote will jeopardize Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Germany campaigns

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her main rival Martin Schulz are making their last-ditch efforts to woo voters ahead of Sunday’s federal elections. Merkel is garnering support for her Christian Democratic Union and Schulz rallies for the Social Democrats. The two established parties support Germany’s current pro-refugee policies. They’re both concerned about the rising popularity of anti-immigration parties. Latest opinion polls show that the Alternative for Germany or AFD, a right-wing populist and Eurosceptic political party is enjoying the support of some 13 percent of the electorates. This means the party could gain about 60 seats in the parliament. It would be the first time an anti-immigration party enters the German parliament since World War II.

Myanmar atrocities

Human Rights Watch has criticized Myanmar’s army for planting landmines on its border with Bangladesh, saying it poses a grave risk to Rohingya Muslims fleeing atrocities. The rights group called on Myanmar’s security forces to immediately stop using such banned weapons against civilians. It said the dangers faced by Rohingya fleeing violence in Myanmar are deadly enough without adding landmines to the mix. HRW says it has photos and video recordings of Myanmarese soldiers laying anti-personnel landmines at key crossing points on the border with Bangladesh. It added that military personnel have also planted mines on roads inside northern Rakhine State where the persecuted Rohingya Muslims live.

Brexit row

French President Emmanuel Macron says Brexit cannot proceed unless the UK provides more clarity on the issue. Macron said the UK needs to clarify the rights of EU nationals living in the UK, the financial terms of the exit bill, and the Irish border question before Brexit talks move forward. Macron made the remarks following British premier Theresa May’s speech in Italy. May tried to unblock Brexit talks by suggesting a two-year transition period after March 2019, and that the UK pay the EU for previously made commitments. Macron, who is the first European leader to react, said May’s speech signaled progress but further clarification is required for “only openings that have been made”.

Catalonia crackdown

Catalonia’s regional government has slammed the Spanish government’s takeover of security forces' coordination in Catalonia to prevent next week’s independence referendum. Catalonia's State prosecutor says all local and national police forces have been temporarily placed under a single chain of command reporting directly to the Interior Ministry in Madrid. Up to 4,000 police officers from other Spanish regions have already arrived in Catalonia. Madrid has however denied allegations that the measure includes the withdrawal of powers from Catalan security forces. Meanwhile, members of the Young Farmers and Ranchers of Catalonia union rallied in the town of Lleida in protest at what they called the Spanish government’s crackdown.

North Korea quake

A quake has been detected in North Korea's northeast, raising fears that the tremor has been likely caused by a suspected explosion. The quake was detected in an area near Kilju County where Pyongyang conducted its latest nuclear test. According to Chinese and South Korean officials, the 3.5 magnitude temblor was recorded at a depth of zero kilometers. They are analyzing the nature of the quake and their initial view is that it was a natural earthquake. The US Geological Survey however says it’s unable to confirm whether it was natural or caused by an explosion. The quake comes after days of increasingly heated rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang over the country’s missile and nuclear programs.

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