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Indian rescue workers look for survivors in the debris of a collapsed building in Mumbai on August 31, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, August 31, 2017.

Mumbai Collapse

In India, rescue workers are searching for dozens of people feared trapped beneath a collapsed building in a Mumbai neighborhood. Police officials say nine people have so far lost their lives and more than a dozen survivors have been pulled from the rubble. They suspect the recent heavy rains that lashed the city could have weakened the building. The downpours in Mumbai halted public transport and caused flights to be diverted. This week, India was battered by deadly torrential rains in what has been described as the heaviest monsoon in years. Devastating floods across a swathe of South Asia have killed more than 1200 people in recent weeks.

Tribute to Victims

People have taken to the streets in the Venezuelan capital Caracas to pay tribute to those killed during months-long tensions across the country. Protesters carried banners with the names of those who lost their lives during protests for and against the government. Demonstrators also called for the release of all political prisoners and demanded freedom of expression in the Latin American country. Over 120 people, including members of Venezuela’s National Guard, were killed during a series of anti- and pro-government protests and the post-election violence. The government conducted a constitutional assembly election last month in a bid to appease its critics. But the opposition accused the government of manipulating power. President Nicolas Maduro, however, argued that creating the assembly was crucial to end months of political turmoil.

Hajj Rituals

More than two million Muslims from around the world are on Arafat plain just outside the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the annual five-day Hajj pilgrimage. The major part of the pilgrimage that has already started in Arafat will continue through Sunday. Pilgrims will stay close to Mount Arafat and perform prayers aimed at erasing past sins and proximity to God. They will then leave Arafat at the sunset for the tent city of Mina. According to the Saudi Central Hajj Committee, at least 1,750,000 foreign pilgrims and around 230,000 Saudi nationals and expatriates are attending this year’s Hajj. The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the world’s largest gatherings of Muslims. Every Muslim is required to perform it at least once in a lifetime.

Nineveh Liberated

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has officially announced the full liberation of the town of Tal Afar and the entire Nineveh province from Daesh. Abadi hailed army and volunteer forces for their efforts to smash the terrorists. The declaration came a day after Iraqi forces took full control of Ayadiya, the only town left under Daesh’s control in Nineveh. Tal Afar, about 150 kilometers east of the Syrian border, sits along a major road that was once a key Daesh supply route. The operation to liberate Tal Afar began on August 20. The town of Hawijah in Kirkuk province and some areas along the border with Syria are the only areas in Iraq still under the control of terrorists.

Iran Nuclear Compliance

The latest quarterly report by the International Atomic Energy Agency shows that Iran’s nuclear activities have remained in compliance with the 2015 JCPOA deal. The UN atomic agency report showed Iran’s stock of low-enriched uranium, used for peaceful purposes, did not exceed the limit agreed by the P5+1 group of countries. The report added that Iran has not enriched uranium above low purity levels and its stock of heavy water also remained below the ceiling imposed by the world powers. The IAEA report comes as Washington has been trying to manipulate the UN regarding its report on Tehran nuclear activities, with the US President Donald Trump promising to dismantle the landmark accord. However, European countries, China and Russia have frequently announced their support for the deal.

Qalamoun Victory

The Hezbollah chief has hailed Lebanese forces’ victory over Daesh in clearing border areas from terrorists. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the success shows that Israel's and US’s projects in the region are collapsing. Nasrallah described the US as the real threat to stability in the Middle East. He said Washington wants to create conflicts in the region to control gas and oil resources. The Hezbollah leader said Washington is not seeking to get rid of Daesh. He hailed Lebanese army’s decision to participate in the operation. He said the US pressured the military not to go ahead with the operation and it even threatened to cut assistance to the army. He said Daesh was seeking to create a strong foothold in Lebanon and planned to attack two villages in border areas.


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