WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, October 26, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, October 27, 2017.

Civilian casualties in Syria

The US-led coalition confirms another 51 civilian casualties in its airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, raising the overall death toll to seven-hundred-eighty-six since 2014. The coalition has said in its monthly report that it assessed 127 reports and that the 51 additional deaths occurred in 16 incidents going back as far as February. However, the coalition’s official report on casualties is far below the death toll confirmed by independent organizations. UK-based monitoring groups such as Airwars and the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights are among those which say the civilian casualties from the attacks are much higher. The US-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes in Syria and Iraq since 2014. The coalition has been frequently condemned over the issue.

Iran calls for nuclear disarmament

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has called for the disarmament of countries possessing nuclear arms. Gholamali Khoshroo was speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the UN General Assembly. Khoshroo, along with other Iranian officials, has time and again called for a global nuclear disarmament. Iran is critical of world’s nuclear powers, including the US, for their refusal to scrap the weapons of mass destruction.

EU urged to stop Saudi arms sales

Political groups in the European Parliament have urged the European Union foreign policy chief to propose arms embargo on Saudi Arabia over its war on Yemen. The leaders of four political groups in the European Parliament told Federica Mogherini that the Saudi campaign had left 20 million Yemenis in need of humanitarian aid. The MEP leaders accuse the EU of flouting its own rules, by selling weapons to Riyadh. The latest call for a ban ran into immediate opposition from the British defense secretary Michael Fallon. He urged MPs on Wednesday not to criticize Saudi Arabia in the interests of a fighter jet deal. Mogherini has the right to propose an arms embargo, provided that she wins the backing of EU member states including the UK.

Israeli settlements

The Israeli prime minister has vowed to pay 230 million dollars for infrastructure projects in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli media reported that Benjamin Netanyahu announced his plan during a meeting with the leaders and heads of settlements. The funding is aimed at building new roads to connect settlements, as well as improving security measures in the units. The plan is expected to go into effect at the start of the next fiscal year. All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. However, ever since US President Donald Trump took office in January, Tel Aviv has stepped up settlement activities in the occupied territories.

Iran-Uganda ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has held talks with Niger Prime Minister Brigi Rafini as part of the third leg of his African tour. During the meeting, the two officials discussed international developments. They also stressed the need for promoting relations in all fields, particularly in the area of economy. The Iranian foreign minister, who is accompanied by political and economic delegations, is also scheduled to hold talks with Niger’s foreign minister. Zarif has so far visited South Africa and Uganda.

US 'not cooperating with Cuba'

Cuban investigators say the United States is not cooperating with them to settle a case regarding Washington’s claims that American diplomats came under sonic attack in Havana. Cuba has already dismissed Washington’s allegation as science fiction. Chief Cuban investigator Colonel Ramiro Ramirez accused the US government of slander, saying the White House is unwilling to fully help with the probe. According to the US State Department, 21 individuals have been medically confirmed to be affected by the attacks that have harmed their hearing, cognition and vision in recent months. The US says Cuba failed to protect the Americans from the attacks.

Russia ballistic missile tests

Russia has successfully conducted several ballistic missile tests in a massive military drill involving fighter jets and submarines. The exercise saw missiles fired from land, sea and air in Moscow's latest show of force amid tensions with the West. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the drill was an exercise to “manage its Strategic Nuclear Forces”. During the war game, Russia test-fired a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a new advanced warhead. It is designed to penetrate the missile defenses of a potential enemy more effectively.

US accuses N Korea

The US Secretary of Defense has accused North Korea of building a nuclear arsenal to threaten others with catastrophe. Jim Mattis made the comment in South Korea where he also discussed with his South Korean counterpart ways of countering the North’s nuclear weapons program. The Pentagon chief expressed Washington’s unwavering support for Seoul in confronting what he described as threats posed by Pyongyang. Mattis stressed that the US government was fully committed to pressure the North to accept complete nuclear disarmament. North Korea has time and again said that it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence unless the US ends its hostile policy toward the country.

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