WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, October 7, 2017.

Iran nuclear rights

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has once again warned the US about the consequences of unilaterally scrapping the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries. Rouhani said nobody can render the nuclear deal null and void. He said the world has accepted the legitimacy of Iran’s nuclear activities and its nuclear rights. The Iranian president noted that Tehran had succeeded in shattering the international consensus against Iran. Rouhani made the comments amid reports suggesting that US President Donald Trump intends to decertify the Iran nuclear deal known as the JCPOA. Trump faces a mid-October deadline to report to Congress whether Iran has complied with the deal.

Russia Syria airstrikes

Russia says 120 Daesh terrorists and dozens of foreign mercenaries have been killed in its airstrikes in Dayr al-Zawr province in Syria. Russia's Defense Ministry said a number of Daesh commanders, who were hiding for a long time, were among the dead. It also added that a number of vehicles and equipment used by the terrorists were annihilated in the raids in Mayadin and Abu Kamal cities. The Syrian army and its allied forces, backed by Russian air raids, are currently battling to liberate Mayadin, which is the main stronghold of Daesh in the war-torn country. Syria has been the scene of a years-long foreign-backed conflict, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Polls: Trump unpopular president  

A majority of Americans disapprove of Donald Trump’s performance as the country’s president. That's according to a joint new survey by Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll suggests that nearly 70 percent of Americans believe Trump isn't level-headed, and that he's not honest or a strong leader. Just 24 percent of those surveyed said the country was heading in the right direction under Trump. That's a 10-point drop since June, amid a series of controversial moves by Trump including his threat of war with North Korea, stormy complaints about hurricane relief and his comments in favor of white supremacists. The latest poll also shows that more than 60 percent of the US citizens disapprove of the president’s handling of race relations, foreign policy and immigration.

Spain rallies

A member of Catalonia's separatist-led government has called for dialog with Spain amid tensions over a disputed referendum on Catalonia’s independence. Santi Vila, Catalonia's regional chief for business, said he's pushing for talks under “a ceasefire” with Spanish authorities. Vila said he is against Catalonia unilaterally declaring independence at this moment. The official said he wants to see a committee of experts from both sides be set up to work toward a solution to the political crisis. In the meantime, a huge demonstration is underway in Barcelona to demand both Spain and Catalonia hold talks and refrain from any confrontation. A pro-unity demonstration is also underway in Madrid. Pro-independence Catalans say they won the October 1 plebiscite, but Spain says the vote was illegal, invalid and unconstitutional.

Turkey Idlib operations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country’s forces are assisting the so-called Free Syrian Army in a major operation in Syria’s Idlib province. Erdogan says the operation is aimed at stopping the formation of a “terror corridor” along the Turkish border. He added that Russia will back the incursion from air. The FSA, which has been fighting the Syrian government since 2011, has confirmed the beginning of the operation, saying they are in full readiness to enter Idlib and the surrounding area with the support of the Turkish troops. Idlib province has been the destination of many militant groups who were relocated under deals with Damascus in the past year. Terrorist alliances, however, are still operating in the province, controlling a considerable swath of land.

Rohingya camp warning

A top UN official expresses concern over Bangladesh‘s plans to build the world’s biggest refugee camp for Myanmar’s Rohingya. Robert Watkins warns the concentration of too many people in a very small area will increase the risk of disease infections. The UN resident coordinator in Dhaka also says managing health and security issues would be much easier with a number of different camps. Watkins has urged authorities to look for new sites and construct more shelters instead. Bangladesh had said it plans to build a mega refugee site for more than 800,000 Rohingya Muslims. This week the government reported between 4 and 5,000 Rohingya were crossing the border daily. Another 10,000 are waiting at the frontier in a bid to escape a military crackdown in Myanmar.

Disapproving Brexit talks

A new opinion poll shows distrust among Britons about Theresa May’s government’s handling of the Brexit talks has hit an all-time high. The study conducted by ORB International research organization found that nearly two thirds of people disapprove of the conservative government's Brexit negotiations. The data suggest that despite May’s bold rhetoric, Britons worry her leadership in the divorce negotiations with the European Union will not bring success. The findings indicate public opposition to May’s continued leadership as prime minister following her party’s defeat in the June snap elections. The British premier is under pressure from her own party and activists to move out of office.

UNESCO nomination protest

A group of civil rights activists have called on UNESCO to reject the candidacy of Egypt's nominee to head the organization. They allege Moushira Khattab has been complicit in Cairo’s violations of the UN agency’s principals. Six Egyptian rights groups accuse Khattab of being silent on the state's closure of several libraries and attacks on other cultural institutions in Egypt. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and Nazra for Feminist Studies are among the groups. Khattab has a record of serving in Egypt’s diplomatic missions. The board of the UN's cultural body is vetting candidates to head the agency which is responsible for forging international cooperation in education, science and culture. UNESCO's Executive Council will hold meetings until October 18 to pick the next General Director.

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