WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, November 06, 2018 to 0800 GMT, November 07, 2018.

US voter suppression fears  

Polls have closed in a number of US states as Americans voted in midterm elections. Early results have begun to come in as the decisive campaign comes to an end. It will take hours before a full picture emerges of how the legislative branch of the US will look but so far, two Senate races have been decided. Meanwhile, over 40 House of Representatives seats have also been accounted for. The Democrats are ahead in the House tally. They are favored by election forecasters to win the 23 seats they need to gain a majority in the House. But opinion polls show the Republicans maintain control of the Senate. Meanwhile rights groups say in at least 12 states, faulty equipment prevented citizens from voting. Critics say the restrictions are intentional because of the high turnout which is expected to vote Democrat. The Department of Homeland Security has dismissed the allegation.

Khashoggi murder saga

The United Nations human rights agency has called for an independent investigation into the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The agency’s spokeswoman also urged Saudi Arabia to reveal the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s body. Ravina Shamdasani said a forensic examination and autopsy are crucial elements in a probe into the “shockingly brazen crime” carried out in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Riyadh initially denied Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate but it later admitted that the Saudi journalist’s death was a premeditated murder.

Israeli bill

The Israeli Prime Minister has approved the advancement of a bill which allows death penalty to be used against those convicted of “terrorist activity”. The Israeli Knesset is now set to start discussions on the draft bill which Palestinians say will give Israel legal cover to target them.

Yemen children plight

The United Nations children's agency has warned that the battle for Yemen’s Hudaydah threatens the lives of dozens of children in the only operational hospital of the port city. UNICEF says medical staff and patients have reported heavy bombing and gunfire as fierce clashes rage on near Hudaydah. Over the past several months, Houthi fighters who control Hudaydah have been defending against Saudi-led forces that are attacking the city. On Tuesday, the UN said the conflict has displaced more than 570,000 people since early June.

UN Rohingya warning

A United Nations human rights expert urges Bangladesh to suspend plans to repatriate Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, warning that the refugees face a high risk of persecution back home. Lee insisted that the root cause of the crisis must be dealt with first, including the Muslim minority’s right to citizenship. Last month, Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed to begin sending Rohingya refugees to Rakhine state by mid-November. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighboring Bangladesh, escaping a deadly military campaign at home. The UN has described the crackdown on Rohingya as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

US midterm elections

Projections in the US midterm elections show Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives, in a blow to President Donald Trump. All 435 seats in the House were up for grab. The Democratic Party needed to take 23 seats to have the majority at the House. They have secured that threshold by picking up at least 25 seats so far. House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, has hailed the victory, calling it a new day for America.

US-North Korea talks delayed

The US secretary of state has cancelled high level talks with North Korean officials this week. In a statement, the US State Department says Mike Pompeo’s meeting will take place when each side’s schedule permit. Pompeo was expected to meet the senior North Korean delegation in New York on Thursday. Earlier, Pyongyang, warned that it could resume its nuclear weapons program if Washington does not lift economic sanctions. The North also accused the US of derailing commitments made by the two countries’ leaders at a summit earlier this year.

Israel-Oman ties

An Israeli minister has travelled to Oman days after a sudden visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Arab sultanate. According to Israeli media, transport and intelligence minister Yisrael Katz arrived in the capital Muscat on Sunday. Katz is reportedly set to discuss a project called Tracks for Regional Peace; a rail link connecting Saudi Arabia with the Mediterranean Sea. His trip comes less than two weeks after Netanyahu made a surprise visit to Oman; the first in over 20 years by an Israeli premier. Israel’s attempt to normalize ties with Oman was denounced by Iran and Palestinian factions.

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