WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, October 16, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, October 17, 2017.

Kirkuk operation

People in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk have poured into the streets to celebrate after the army seized key installations outside the city from Kurdish forces. The Iraqi army, counter-terrorism troops and Popular Mobilization Units made rapid advances throughout the oil-rich region less than a day after the beginning of their offensive. They took control of the town of Tuz Khormatu, oil and gas installations, a power plant, a major military base and Kirkuk airport. Counter-terrorism forces took control of the governor’s office in central Kirkuk and a local police station in the center of the city. According to a spokesman, the PMU forces have achieved all their goals and they will remain on the western side of the city without entering Kirkuk. Peshmerga fighters have fled to the capital of the Kurdistan semi-autonomous region, Erbil.

Spain Catalonia ultimatum

Following Catalonia’s refusal to give a clear answer on its independence stance, Spain has extended the deadline for the region’s leader to clarify whether he has declared independence or not. Saenz De Santamaria stressed that Carles Puigdemont didn't give an adequate response about the region’s stance on secession from Madrid. She also said Puigdemont’s call for talks with the Spanish prime minister is not credible and the country’s parliament is the place for dialog. In the meantime, the Catalan TV has announced that the region’s authorities will not respond on Thursday to the Spanish government's order. Two weeks ago, Catalans staged an independence referendum that the Spanish government declared invalid

Threatening JCPOA

The US President has once again threatened to fully withdraw his country from the historic nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries. Speaking at a cabinet meeting in the White House, Donald Trump said the accord was “a horrible deal for the US”. Back on Friday, Trump refused to re-certify the 2015 pact, claiming that Iran had committed several violations of the deal. This is while all the other signatories to the deal as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency have repeatedly certified Iran’s compliance. They have also warned the US against taking any decision that could harm the agreement.

Iran US warning

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has warned the United States against withdrawing from the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries. Larijani said Tehran has a specific plan of action if the US pulls out of the landmark agreement also known as the JCPOA. He also stressed that Washington would regret if it decides to leave the deal. Larijani’s comments come after US President Donald Trump on Friday said Washington may withdraw from the JCPOA at any moment. He accused Iran of non-compliance with the accord. This, as European leaders, including the EU Foreign Policy Chief, have repeatedly said Iran HAS lived up to its commitments under the international accord.

Israel settlement

Israeli authorities have approved construction permits for settler buildings in the city of al-Khalil also known as Hebron for the first time since 2002. The permits for 31 buildings could trigger new tensions in the Occupied Palestinian territories. This, as Israeli authorities have begun the construction of 1600 hundred settler units in east Jerusalem al-Quds. The controversial project, which cuts in two the Palestinian-controlled territories in the occupied West Bank, was approved in 2014.

Nuclear war warning

North Korea says the situation on the Korean peninsula has reached to the point that a nuclear war may break out any moment there. North Korea's deputy UN ambassador Kim In-Ryong issued the warning as the US and South Korea launched one of their largest joint naval drills. Pointing to the war games, Kim said North Korea has the right to possess nuclear weapons in self-defense. He also accused the US of planning to stage what he called a secret operation to topple the North Korean leader. The comments are similar to other warnings Pyongyang has made over the past few weeks amid escalating tensions with Washington. US President Donald Trump has recently threatened to destroy North Korea. And, Pyongyang said it has the capability to strike the US with a nuclear weapon in order to deter an American attack.

Modern slavery in UK

A new report suggests the number of victims of modern-day slavery in Britain rose about 300 percent over the past six years. According to the report by a British charity, just under half of the victims this year were trafficked for sexual exploitation. The data reveals that 39 percent were trafficked into labor exploitation while three percent into domestic servitude. The charity estimates at least 13,000 victims of modern slavery in Britain, but police say the real figure is higher, with steep increases in numbers of trafficking victims from China, India and Pakistan. Victims are trafficked for exploitation on farms, in nail bars, private houses or prostitution. Anti-slavery campaigners say Britain could do more to establish a system of protection for victims, especially children.

Afghanistan attacks

In Afghanistan, the Taliban have attacked police stations and government buildings killing at least 25 people in several provinces across the war-torn country.The Interior Ministry has issued a statement saying a bomber detonated his car near a police training centre, trying to open its way into the attached headquarters in southern Paktia province. Officials have said policemen, women and children are among the victims. Earlier Taliban terrorists targeted a police station, killing seven police officers in Ghazni province in the south. Police said Taliban militants also killed three policemen in the country’s western Farah province.

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