WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, October 24, 2018 to 0800 GMT, October 25, 2018.

Murder of Khashoggi

The British Prime Minister has called on Saudi Arabia to cooperate with investigations into the murder of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. Speaking to the Saudi Crown prince on the phone, Theresa May said the Kingdom’s current explanation lacks credibility. May expressed concern over Khashoggi’s murder. The French president has also talked to Mohammad bin Salman on the phone. Emmanuel Macron said his government’s ready to support international sanctions against anyone responsible for the death of Khashoggi. The French government has already called for talks on halting arms sales to Riyadh. Earlier, the Turkish president said he will not allow those responsible for Khashoggi’s murder to escape justice.

Iraq politics

Adel Abdul-Mahdi has been sworn in as Iraq's new prime minister as parliament votes on the formation of the country's new government. Abdul-Mahdi has submitted his list of cabinet ministers for approval by lawmakers. 14 cabinet members including foreign, electricity and oil ministers have been approved. Lawmakers will vote on the remaining eight ministers at a later date. Each minister must win a vote of confidence to secure his or her position. Abdul-Mahdi has named ministers from different political blocs to form a coalition government. Earlier, some lawmakers from leading parties walked out over disputes between Iraq’s political factions. During the country's elections in May, no single party won a parliamentary majority.

Myanmar genocide

The head of a UN-backed fact-finding mission says the Myanmar army has committed war crimes against Rohingya Muslims. Marzuki Darusman made the remarks during a UN Security Council session. Darusman condemned what he called systematic rape, massacre and gang rape of Rohingya Muslims. He noted, the Myanmar army officials must be held accountable for their crimes. Darusman said the ground for the safe return of Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh to their homeland is not prepared. Meanwhile, the Myanmar envoy to the UN rejected the findings as one-sided.

Israel bombs Gaza

Israeli warplanes have carried out new airstrikes against the besieged Gaza Strip. Israeli fighter jets hit a target belonging to the Hamas resistance movement. The warplanes also targeted several other areas in Gaza. No casualties have been reported yet. Israel claims the attack was in response to a rocket attack from Gaza. On Wednesday, Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian man during a dawn raid in the occupied West Bank. Tel Aviv bombards Gaza from time to time. The territory has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented unemployment and poverty.

‘Trump dividing Americans’

Top US Democratic lawmakers accuse President Donald Trump of dividing Americans with his words and actions. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement, Trump repeatedly condoned physical violence. They also criticized Trump for branding the press as the enemy of people. This comes as the US Secret Service intercepted a number of suspicious packages containing explosives addressed to the residence of former President Barak Obama and a number of other Democrats. President Donald Trump strongly condemned the attempted attacks.

Arba’een march

Millions of Muslims from across the world are descending on the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to commemorate the Day of Arba’een. The pilgrims, most of them Iranians, are travelling on foot toward the city to take part in the annual gathering. They are set to reach Karbala on October 30. Thousands of security forces have been deployed along the routes leading to the holy city. Arba’een is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It marks 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. He was martyred along with dozens of his companions during the battle of Karbala more than thirteen centuries ago.

Against Taiwan separation

China says it will not compromise on its territorial integrity, warning that its military will foil attempts to separate Taiwan which Beijing claims as its own. Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said the Taiwan issue is related to China's sovereignty and touches upon the country’s core interests. Addressing the opening of a security forum in Beijing, Wei also referred to recent joint war games by the US and other countries in the region. He warned that such a show of force is provocative. China has been angered by the US sanctions on its military for buying weapons from Russia, and by what Beijing sees as stepped-up US support for Taiwan. Tensions mounted on Monday after the US sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait in the second such operation this year. Beijing, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, views US overtures as contradictory to the one-China policy.

Korea demilitarization

South Korea says Seoul and Pyongyang have agreed to demilitarize a border village as part of an agreement to ease tensions on the peninsula. The South Korean defense ministry announced that the two Koreas will remove all firearms and guard posts from Panmunjom, also known as the truce village. The disarming process of the Joint Security Area is set to begin from October 26. As part of an inter-Korean military pact, the zone will then be guarded by 35 unarmed personnel from each side. Freedom of movement will also be allowed for visitors and tourists. The US has expressed unease over the measure saying there is reasonable degree of risk. Washington says inter-Korean talks should move in tandem with US-led efforts to denuclearize the North.

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