WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, October 27, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, October 28, 2017.

Catalan crisis

Madrid has fired Catalonia’s government and dissolved its parliament following the region’s declaration of independence. The Spanish prime minister also sacks Catalonia’s police chief. Mariano Rajoy says ministers in the central government will assume powers of the Catalan regional government. This comes as the Spanish Senate has authorized the central government to rule Catalonia directly in an unprecedented move. The Spanish public prosecutor’s office says it will file rebellion charges next week against Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. Earlier on Friday, the parliament in Barcelona passed the independence motion with 70 votes in favor.

Italy strike

Workers in Italy’s transportation sector have gone on a strike causing disruption to traffic in some cities. In Rome, a demonstration was staged against the privatization of public services. Max Civili reports from the Italian capital.

Libya massacre

The bodies of 37 unidentified people have been found in the Libyan town of al-Abyar, some 50 kilometers to the east of the city of Benghazi. According to local sources, there were signs of torture and gunshots to the head and chest of the people. The security sources gave no information about the possible identities of the victims. The massacre comes against a backdrop of smaller numbers of bodies being found in and around Benghazi on several occasions in recent months. The city is under the control of the Libyan National Army, a force headed by Commander Khalifa Haftar. Libya has faced a power vacuum since a NATO intervention in 2011, which led to the downfall of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi and set-up of rival governments.

Iraq on PMU

Baghdad has rejected the remarks by US State Department’s spokeswoman in which she branded a top leader of the Popular Mobilization Units as a terrorist. Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asserted that Popular Mobilization Units including its Deputy Chief Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis are an important part of the Iraqi forces. The ministry added that the PMU had bravely fought alongside other Iraqi forces and made great sacrifices in Iraq's battle against terror. The ministry urged US State Department to reconsider making such remarks which are contradictory to reality. The Popular Mobilization Units have also called the US description of its deputy chief, a transgression against Iraqi security services.

US's Russia sanctions

The US has named 39 Russian defense and intelligence-related entities under a new sanctions law over Moscow’s alleged interference in last year's race for the White House. The list includes major Russian arms makers as well as a state-run Russian arms exporter. The state department says the action does not itself impose new sanctions, and determinations will be made on a case by case basis. The measure is taken as part of a law which President Donald Trump signed in August. It requires sanctions on individuals who engage in a significant transaction with the Russian entities. The Trump administration was supposed to announce the list by October one. Congress has complained that Trump has been tardy in enforcing the legislation. The Kremlin categorically denies involvement in the US presidential election.

Saudi Yemen killings

Amnesty International has called on Saudi officials to prove they are true in their public pledges to apply key reforms and modernize the kingdom. The UK-based rights group says authorities in Saudi Arabia urgently need to make some changes if they are really committed to reforms. It advised Riyadh to stop killing civilians in Yemen where the kingdom is accused of committing serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. The rights body said some of the Saudi attacks in Yemen should be investigated as war crimes. The Amnesty also called on the Saudis to stop cracking down on freedom of expression, stop persecuting the Shia minority and put an end to the systematic discrimination against women in the kingdom.

Korean Peninsula tensions

US Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis says Washington will never accept a nuclear North Korea, warning Pyongyang of a massive military response if it ever used its nuclear weapons. Speaking at a joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart, Mattis also said the threat of nuclear missile attack by the North is accelerating. He accused Pyongyang of pursuing illegal and unnecessary missile and nuclear programs. Mattis reiterated Washington’s military threats but said diplomacy remains the preferred way to resolve the issue with North Korea. The remarks followed top-level military talks between the US and South Korea amid heightened tensions with Pyongyang. North Korea has time and again said that it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence unless the US and its regional allies end their hostile policies toward the country.

Charges in the Russia probe

US media reports say a federal grand jury in Washington has approved the first charges in the probe into Moscow’s alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The move would mark a major step forward in the sweeping investigation into potential links between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia in the vote. It is unclear what the charges are but a federal judge ordered that the charges stay sealed. Reports also suggest that anyone charged could be taken into custody as early as Monday. The probe is led by independent prosecutor and former FBI director Robert Mueller. It is one of several ongoing investigations in relation to last year’s election and its aftermath. Meanwhile, the US has listed 39 Russian defense and intelligence-related entities under a new sanctions law over Moscow’s alleged interference in the election.

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