WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, October 16, 2018 to 0800 GMT, October 17, 2018.

Saudi Arabia under pressure

The group of seven advanced economic countries has called for a transparent and prompt investigation into the disappearance of missing Saudi journalist. The G7 said it is very troubled by the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. It also said those responsible for the outspoken journalist’s disappearance should be held accountable. Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for waiving diplomatic immunity of anyone involved in the disappearance of Khashoggi.

Ahvaz terrorist attack's mastermind killed  

Iran says the mastermind behind last month’s terrorist attack in the country’s southern province of Khuzestan is killed. Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says the Daesh commander, identified as Abuzoha, has been killed in a raid by resistance forces in Diyala province of neighboring Iraq. Four other Takfiri terrorists were also killed in the operation. At least 25 people were killed on September 22, when terrorists opened fire on a military parade in the city of Ahvaz. Daesh Takfiri terrorists and a foreign-backed terror group calling itself al-Ahvaziya claimed responsibility. Iran had promised to give a crushing response to those behind the attack.

US Somalia airstrike

The United States claims a recent airstrike in Somalia has killed nearly 60 al-Shabab militants. The US military says this is the largest attack against the terrorist group that happened last week near Harardhere in the central part of the country. The attack was carried out as part of a joint operation with Somali forces. The last air raid in November 2017 killed more than 100 al-Shabab fighters. The United States carries out air strikes in a number of countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia. Washington says its attacks target militant groups. But reports on the ground show civilians are usually the main victims of such attacks.

War on Yemen

Yemeni officials have released a new death toll 1,300 days after the start of the Saudi war on its neighbor. Yemen’s legal center for rights and development says 15,185 Yemeni people were killed in Saudi attacks since March 2015. The number includes some 2,300 women and over 3,500 children. The center also put the total number of Yemeni people injured in the war at 23, 822.

Palestine UN status

The United Nations General Assembly has voted in favor of granting Palestinians a better status at the world body. The Palestinian envoy hailed the vote. Riyad Mansour has also thanked members who voted in favor saying Palestine will spare no effort to prove worthy of the trust bestowed upon it. 146 countries voted in favor of the Egyptian-drafted resolution. The United States, Israel and Australia voted against. The vote allows Palestinians to act more like a full member when they chair the group of 77 developing nations next year. The United States has expressed its strong opposition to the move.

Israel attacks Gaza

One Palestinian has been killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Eight people, including children, were also injured. Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes on Gaza since early hours of Wednesday. The regime has also closed its crossing with the besieged territory. Tel Aviv says the strikes were in response to a rocket attack from Gaza on occupied territories. But, Palestinian factions say they launched no rocket attack. They also say Israel seeks to derail ongoing anti-occupation protests in Gaza from achieving their goals. Palestinian factions say they’re ready to respond to the Israeli aggression.

Missing Saudi journalist

Reports say the suspects behind the disappearance of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, in Turkey have close ties with the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. New York Times says one of the suspects, identified by Turkey, is Salman’s frequent companion. Three others are linked to his security detail and a fifth is a high-level forensic doctor. The report and a similar account by The Washington Post cast doubt on claims by Saudi officials that they don’t have any knowledge of Khashoggi. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who visited Saudi Arabia to discuss the issue on Tuesday, says the Saudis have promised to hold anyone responsible accountable.

US-Honduras migrant row

US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off aid to Honduras if its government does not stop a migrant ‘caravan’ from heading north toward the US border. Trump was responding to reports that a group of 1,600 or more Hondurans hoping to reach the US crossed the border into Guatemala on Monday. They plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States. Members of the caravan have said they are fleeing poverty and violence in their home country in search of a better life. Trump warned the migrants that the United States will separate the families if they step on US soil.

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