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 15, 2017.

Iran nuclear deal

Iran’s top nuclear official says Tehran will halt the implementation of the additional protocol of its safeguards agreement with the IAEA if the nuclear deal is annulled. Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, said the additional protocol is voluntarily implemented, but the parliament has not yet ratified it. Salehi refuted suggestions by US President Donald Trump to inspect Iran’s military sites. He reiterated that the Islamic Republic will honor all its commitments within the framework of the JCPOA, but other requests beyond the obligations will never be obeyed. The comments come after Trump openly refused to certify Iran’s compliance with the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries. This is while the other signatories to the deal as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency have repeatedly certified Iran’s compliance.

Hollywood scandal

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has expelled Hollywood mogul, Harvey Weinstein, over sexual assault allegations. The world’s top movie organization said the expulsion was voted for well in excess of the required two-thirds majority of the 54-member board. The academy denounced the issue as a deeply troubling problem that has no place in the American society. Weinstein's own brother has also supported his expulsion, describing him as sick and depraved. The 65-year-old Weinstein faces allegations of sexual misconduct from more than two dozen women and is accused of rape by five. He has apologized for “having caused a lot of pain”, but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Hollywood figures have called on the Academy to take similar action against other members, who still remain in good standing.

Vietnam deadly landslides

The death toll from rain-triggered floods and landslides in Vietnam has risen to 68. The Vietnam Disaster Management Authority says nearly 34 people remain unaccounted for in central and northern regions. At least 32 people sustained injuries and thousands of homes were damaged after Tropical Storm Khanun hit Vietnam on Tuesday. Hundreds of thousands of residents have been displaced. Authorities have deployed army and police personnel to deal with the fallout. Vietnam is prone to floods that kill hundreds of people every year.

Somalia deadly explosion

The death toll from Saturday’s twin blasts in the Somali capital Mogadishu has risen to 85. Security and medical sources say the death toll is expected to further increase as a number of injured remain in critical condition. The first explosion happened when a truck laden with explosives ripped through the city-center, lined with government offices and resorts. Officials say the blast caused nearby buildings to collapse, trapping dozens of people under the rubble. About two hours later, another blast in the city's Madina district left two civilians dead. No group has yet claimed responsibility. Police say they have arrested a man in connection with the second explosion. The al-Shabab terror group carries out regular bomb and gun attacks in Somalia with the aim of toppling the UN-backed government there.

US anti-Iran rhetoric

Iran’s Parliament Speaker says the US president’s anti-Iran speech on Friday showed strong traces of lobbying by Israel and Saudi Arabia. Ali Larijani also said that Donald Trump’s speech was confused, stressing that his comments about the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps were rude. Larijani added that Trump’s policy on the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries aims to stir up commotion and prevent economic ties with Tehran. Israel and Saudi Arabia were among a handful of governments that supported Trump’s refusal to recertify Iran’s compliance to the nuclear agreement.

Brexit controversy

British opposition Labour party says there is enough support in the parliament to prevent the government from leading the country to a divorce from the EU without a deal. Labour’s second most senior official John McDonnell said MPs will amend the current legislation to include a parliamentary veto on Brexit. The warning by the shadow chancellor comes as lawmakers are already preparing proposals that give the parliament the say on any final Brexit move. There are also separate proposals that demand a mandatory two-year transition period after Brexit during which EU regulations continue to apply in Britain. The proposals are backed by senior members of all major parties. The rising concerns come after talks with the EU on a Brexit deal deadlocked. The prime minister has already announced a 250 million-pound budget to make preparations if the talks fail.

Syria evacuation

Over 3,000 civilians have fled the Syrian city of Raqqah as part of a deal with Daesh terrorist to evacuate the remaining residents. According to the alliance of US-backed forces battling Daesh in northern Syria, only up to 300 foreign terrorists who refused the deal and decided to stay and fight until the end remain in the city. The Syrian Democratic Forces says relatives of those terrorists are also with them. However, the number of the staying civilians is not known yet. The evacuation comes after a deal was struck with the terrorists to protect thousands of civilians living in the former Daesh-held stronghold. Now, only ten percent of the city is in Daesh’s hands. The city has been under the control of the Takfiri group since 2014.

Iraqi Kurdistan standoff

Leaders of Iraqi Kurdistan reject Baghdad's demand to cancel the outcome of a controversial secession vote held late last month. KRG President Massoud Barzani says military threats are rejected and Peshmerga forces stationed in Kirkuk will resist any army attack. He once again called on the central government to resolve the issue through dialog. The president of the Iraqi Kurdistan region made the comments in a crisis meeting with Iraqi President Fuad Masum. The two talked about the standoff in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk. Baghdad has called on Kurdish forces to surrender key military positions in the provincial capital. Peshmerga forces have refused to do so. They defied an early Sunday deadline that was later extended by 24 hours.

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