WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, November 04, 2018.

Iran anti-US rallies

Nationwide anti-US rallies are being held across Iran to mark the national day against world arrogance. In Tehran, the protesters gathered outside the former US embassy. They held signs and chanted slogans denouncing the US hostilities against the Iranian nation and vowing resistance against Washington’s plots. The protests are held annually on November 4 to condemn the hegemonic policies of the US. The day also marks the anniversary of the takeover of the US embassy in Tehran by university students 39 years ago.

Trade in local currencies

Turkey urges members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation, D8, to conduct trade in local currencies in order to tackle economic threats. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the best response to trade wars is for countries to use their national currencies. Cavusoglu said Ankara is planning to do the same thing in its business transactions with countries like China, Russia, Iran and Ukraine. He also proposed to form a clearing house within D8. The Turkish top diplomat made the comments in a meeting of D8 Council of Foreign Ministers in Antalya province.

New Caledonia referendum

The French territory of New Caledonia has gone to the polls in a referendum, as the islands' indigenous population push for independence. The French overseas territory is making a momentous decision over its sovereignty, after years of tensions between its European and indigenous residents. The latter has long objected to the existence of racial discrimination in the Pacific territory, saying the country’s high GDP has only benefitted the white population. The indigenous inhabitants are plagued by chronic unemployment, high rates of school drop-out and poor housing conditions.

Bahrain crackdown

Bahrain’s appeals court has sentenced jailed opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman to life in prison on charges of spying for Qatar. Salman who headed the now-outlawed al-Wefaq movement, had been acquitted by a court from the same charge in June. But the verdict was then appealed by the public prosecutor. Amnesty International has described Sunday’s ruling a “travesty of justice”. The rights body says it demonstrates the Bahraini authorities’ relentless and unlawful efforts to silence any form of dissent. Salman and two others were accused of communicating with Qatar to commit hostile acts. They all vehemently deny the charges. Salman has been languishing behind bars since 2014, serving a nine-year sentence on charges of inciting hatred against the regime, particularly during the massive anti-Manama protests in 2011. The Bahraini regime has cracked down on dissent since then, defying international calls to release political prisoners.

North Korea warning

North Korea has threatened to reinstate the country’s nuclear program should the US continue with economic sanctions against Pyongyang. The North's foreign ministry said Pyongyang will seriously consider reverting to the former state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons. The ministry noted in a statement that improvement of relations is not compatible with sanctions. Pyongyang urged Washington to display corresponding replies to the North’s conciliatory measures instead of making what it called gangster-like demands. North Korea accuses the US of wanting a complete annihilation of its nuclear program without giving any concrete security guarantees. Pyongyang has also warned that Washington's confidence-destroying measures will negatively impact denuclearization talks. The US, however, insists that sanctions will remain until Pyongyang implements complete denuclearization of the Peninsula.

Murder of Khashoggi

Turkish media say Saudi Arabia transferred the dismembered body of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the Saudi consul’s residence in Istanbul. Reports suggest that Saudi hit-men put Khashoggi’s body parts into five suitcases after strangling him at the kingdom’s consulate. The revelations came as reports suggest those behind the killing of Khashoggi have close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government. Riyadh initially denied Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate but it later admitted that the Saudi journalist’s death was premeditated murder.

Italy floods

In Italy, flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed at least twelve more people including nine members of a family. The bodies of the victims were found in their house in Palermo on the country’s southern island of Sicily. They include children. A number of people are also missing following the heavy floods. Rescue workers have been dispatched to the area to find possible survivors. The flooding has forced authorities to close schools and public places. The heavy storms and floods across Italy have claimed the lives of more than 30 people so far. Authorities put a number of regions on high alert in the wake of the floods.

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