WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, October 8, 2018.

Missing Saudi journalist

Ankara has asked permission to search Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, a week after the country’s journalist Jamal Khashoggi went missing following a visit to the mission. Turkey has also summoned the Saudi ambassador for the second time to ask for full cooperation during an investigation into the case. Turkish police believe that the Saudi journalist has been murdered, but Riyadh rejects this. Now, calls have grown on the Saudi consulate to determine Khashoggi’s fate. The United Nations has demanded an immediate independent probe into his disappearance and alleged murder. On Monday, a group of journalists also gathered outside the Saudi consulate to protest Khashoggi’s disappearance. Khashoggi was a critic of the Saudi government, and a contributor to the Washington Post. On Sunday, the American daily criticized the United States for keeping silent about Khashoggi’s case.

Iran US complaint

The International Court of Justice has begun its first hearing session on a complaint filed by Iran against the United States for seizing 2 billion dollars of the country’s assets. US officials have confirmed that their lawyers are present at the hearing. The hearing session will continue until Friday. Iran lodged the lawsuit in 2016 after the US Supreme Court ruled that the money should go to victims of terror attacks blamed on the Islamic Republic. Iran has roundly rejected the allegations. This comes a week after the UN top court, in a separate case, ordered Washington to ease sanctions re-imposed on Tehran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Both cases are based on the 1955 Treaty of Amity between the two countries. On Wednesday, the Trump administration blasted the ICJ ruling and announced that it was withdrawing from the treaty.

Scotland independence referendum

The Scottish first minister says she will pursue a second referendum bid on the country’s independence from Britain. Nicola Sturgeon added, the time of the fresh referendum depends on the relationship between the UK and European Union after the Brexit deal. Sturgeon noted, Britain’s exit from the EU is against the will of the Scottish people who backed remaining in the bloc by 62 to 38 percent. Scotland’s first minister said her party is looking for options to keep the country in the single market and customs union. In 2014, Scotland voted to stay in the UK. But Sturgeon and her party believe the result of a second referendum will be different. They say Brexit proved the Scottish people have no control over their life.

Qatar-Iran ties  

Qatar Airways says US sanctions on Iran will not impact its flights to the Islamic Republic. The airline's boss, Akbar al-Baker, says aviation is not a sanctioned industry. He says flights will continue to operate into Iranian cities. The state owned flag carrier of Qatar flies to Mashhad and Shiraz. It also operates daily flights to the capital Tehran. The administration of US President Donald Trump has stepped up its attempts to isolate Iran. Trump slapped a series of sanctions on Iran after unilaterally withdrawing the US from the Iran nuclear deal in May. Washington will impose a second round of sanctions on Tehran next month.

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

www.presstv.co.uk