WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, November 3, 2017.

Dayr al-Zawr liberated

Syria says the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr has been fully purged of Daesh Takfiri terrorists. According to Syrian media, government forces along with allied army units have been bombarding Daesh-held areas in Dayr al-Zawr and advancing into the city. Earlier, army officials said Syrian forces were on the brink of retaking the al-Hawiqa district, the last Daesh-held area in Dayr al-Zawr. Syrian forces started the battle for Dayr al-Zawr in September to end the terrorists’ nearly three-year siege on government-held parts of the city. The Takfiris had been in control of most areas since 2014.

Iraq army operation

Iraqi forces have launched the second phase of an operation to push Daesh terrorists out of al-Qaim, the largest town still held by the terror group in Anbar province. Iraqi troops backed by the Popular Mobilization Units entered several areas on the outskirts of al-Qaim while moving towards the town. Newly-arrived soldiers and military equipment have entered the town through its southwestern areas. The Iraqi army has also opened safe corridors to evacuate civilians from West of Anabr Province. Daesh terrorists swept through Iraq’s northern and western parts in June 2014. They then committed crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq.

Pakistan corruption trial

Pakistan’s deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appeared in court over corruption charges. Sharif arrived in court with his daughter amid tight security. His lawyer has asked judges to merge three corruption cases against him into one. His next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, when the decision on the defense's plea will be announced. Sharif and his family are accused of owning offshore assets which they allegedly used to buy luxurious properties in London. The allegations came following the large-scale document leak known as the Panama Papers. The former premier was indicted last month and has pleaded not guilty.

Saudi deadly airstrikes

Saudi Arabia continues its relentless airstrikes on Yemen as the civilian death toll from the military campaign mounts. The latest air raids targeted a residential area in Sa’ada province, killing at least 7 civilians, including women and children. On Wednesday, Saudi warplanes attacked a market in the same province, killing nearly 30 civilians. Saudi Arabia has been bombing Yemen since March 2015. The aggression has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 Yemenis, many of them women and children. Riyadh remains defiant in the face of international calls to halt the assault.

Spain tensions

A Spanish court is expected to issue an arrest warrant for Catalonia’s ousted leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers over their role in a controversial independence referendum. The move comes after the group failed to show up for a High Court hearing in Madrid on Thursday. Puigdemont's lawyer said the climate was not conducive for testifying. Eight of Puigdemont's ministers were remanded in custody after the hearing, pending trial for alleged sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds. Puigdemont has called for their release in a statement, and demanded the international community “realize the danger of such actions”. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dismissed Catalonia’s government last Friday after the regional parliament declared independence from Madrid.

Manus detention camp

Hundreds of refugees barricaded inside a shuttered Australian detention camp in Papua New Guinea continue to defy official orders to leave for the fourth consecutive day. The refugees are still dealing with a dire situation in the facility, where food, water and electricity have been cut off. They are struggling to find ways to collect water as supplies dwindle. Papua New Guinea closed the Manus Island camp on Tuesday based on a court ruling. But, 600 men are refusing to leave citing safety concerns among locals. Meanwhile, refugee advocates have blocked the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade building in Sydney to show support for the refugees in the camp.

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