WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, October 26, 2018.

Japan-China relations

In a rare visit to China, the Japanese prime minister has pledged to work with Beijing on the denuclearization of North Korea. Abe also spoke of his commitment to normalizing diplomatic relations with Pyongyang. However, he said several issues must be resolved for that to happen. Abe hailed relations with China, saying they are at a historic turning point. The Japanese premier said Tokyo and Beijing hold huge responsibility for ensuring the security of the region. This is the first visit by a Japanese leader to China in seven years. The Chinese prime minister spoke about the significance in improving ties between Asia’s two biggest economies.

‘Extrajudicial execution’

A United Nations special rapporteur says Saudi Arabia is responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi whether or not the rulers knew about the crime. Agnes Callamard said Khashoggi’s death was an extrajudicial execution. She said Turkey and Saudi Arabia have a responsibility to investigate the killing and prosecute those responsible. Meanwhile, the German chancellor has strongly condemned Khashoggi’s murder in a phone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. Angela Merkel urged Riyadh to launch a credible investigation and hold the perpetrators accountable. In a separate development, the European Parliament has passed a nonbinding resolution condemning Khashoggi’s murder and urging an EU arms embargo on Saudi Arabia in response.

Khashoggi murder

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Saudi Arabia to disclose the location of the body of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Erdogan called on Riyadh to reveal the identity of the operator who took Khashoggi’s body from Saudi agents. The Turkish president said the Saudi public prosecutor will meet with Istanbul prosecutor on Sunday to discuss the issue. Erdogan’s call on Saudi Arabia comes as the United Nations says Riyadh is responsible for the death of Khashoggi whether or not the rulers knew about the crime.

Denouncing US sanctions

The President of the International Court of Justice addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday on its judicial activities for the past year. He spoke in length about US violations against the Iran nuclear deal and the case which was brought to the ICJ by the Islamic Republic in this regard. This was also the first time Iran had the opportunity to address the UNGA regarding its case.

Arba’een march

Millions of Muslims from around the world are heading to the Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate the Day of Arba’een. The pilgrims, among them many Iranians, will at some point travel on foot towards Karbala. The majority of them will start walking to Karbala from the neighboring holy city of Najaf. They will reach Karbala on Tuesday on the day of Arba’een. Thousands of security forces have been deployed along the routes. 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 the Prophet Muhammad.

China-Japan currency swap deal

China and Japan have signed a multi-billion dollar currency swap pact against a backdrop of trade tensions with the United States. According to the Bank of Japan, the three-year arrangement will allow the exchange of up to 30 billion dollars worth of local currencies between the two country’s central banks. The agreement was sealed during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Beijing. The two countries pledged to further strengthen ties, saying they stood at a historic turning point. China has been actively seeking to bypass the US dollar by boosting the use of its currency in mutual trade settlements.

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