WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, November 11, 2018.

Saudi war on Yemen  

Fighting has intensified between Ansarullah forces and Saudi-backed mercenaries in and around the city of Hudaydah. Military sources say the clashes have reached residential streets of the Red port city. They say the Yemeni army and Ansarullah forces are putting up fierce resistance. Saudi and Emirati jets are also pounding the city from air. Earlier, Ansarullah fighters took control of two strategic districts of Jabaliyah and Matineh. The Saudi-led coalition began a new operation on November 1 to take control of Hudaydah. Rights groups are worried that the attack may lead to high civilian casualties. Tens of thousands of people have already fled the city. Hudaydah is a vital lifeline for Yemenis as the majority of imports and humanitarian aid enter through its port.

No money for US arms

French President Emmanuel Macron snubs US arms amid a defense row with his American counterpart Donald Trump. Macron said his office portrayed as a misunderstanding Saturday’s agreement between him and Trump about better burden-sharing within NATO. He said the agreement means that Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense. Earlier, Trump slammed Macron after he called for a European army. Trump said the call was insulting and demanded that Europe pay “its fair share to NATO”. On Tuesday, Macron said a joint European Union force is needed to end Europe's reliance on US military might.

Plight of Rohingya Muslims

Myanmar’s government has expressed readiness to return Rohingya Muslims who have fled the country’s military crackdown to neighboring Bangladesh since last year. Myanmar’s officials say they have ordered all local security forces to be prepared for their return. Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed last month to repatriate hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who escaped deadly violence carried out by Myanmar’s security forces in August 2017. The repatriation of the minority group has faced strong criticism. The United Nations has called on Bangladesh to cancel the repatriation plans. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights said the Myanmar government has failed to provide guarantees that the Rohingya refugees will not suffer persecution and horrific violence again.

Armistice Day marked

Ceremonies are underway in countries around the world to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The focal point is Paris, where leaders of around 70 countries, including Russian and US presidents, have gathered for this year’s ceremony. The event will be followed by the Paris Peace Forum. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will deliver the opening speech. The event is expected to address conflict resolution and warn about the rising threat of far-right nationalism, especially in Europe. Armistice Day is also marked in several other countries, including New Zealand and Australia. The occasion marks the 1918 ceasefire agreement signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany in France.

US-bound migrants

Thousands of US-bound Central American migrants have resumed their march towards the United States despite the country’s tough security measures against their entry. After spending five days in Mexico, the migrant caravan is now heading towards America's southern border, in hopes of seeking asylum. Washington has vowed to stop what it calls a migrant invasion, with President Donald Trump issuing an order that bans illegal migrants from receiving asylum. The US has also deployed troops along its southern borders and secured border areas in Arizona State with razor wire. The migrant caravan started its march towards the US in early October. It has expanded in size since then, with thousands joining to flee violence in their home countries.

Eastern Ukraine elections

Polls open in the two self-declared republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine amid western opposition. The first results of the elections are expected on Monday. The Russian-backed polls are the first since the two regions voted for independence in 2014. The poll in Donetsk is also the first after the assassination of its former leader Alexander Zakharchenko in a bombing in August. On Saturday, the European Union said it considers the polls as illegal and will not recognize them. The EU and the US say the process will further undermine the prospects of peace in eastern Ukraine. Russia, however, rejects this, saying the votes are necessary to maintain order.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk