WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, January 27, 2019.

The costs of US shutdown

Standard and Poor’s global ratings say the 35-day record-long partial government shutdown in the US has cost American taxpayers at least 6 billion dollars. The financial rating agency says the loss was driven by a fall in productivity as well as the economic anxiety which spread from the shutdown into the business sector. S&P has also warned about the end of shutdown, saying lack of agreement on Capitol Hill will likely weigh on business confidence and financial market sentiments. Nearly 800,000 employees in nine federal agencies were furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown. The impasse was triggered by President Donald Trump’s demand for 5.7 billion dollars to fund a border wall along the southern US border with Mexico.

Venezuela’s Maduro rejects calls for new election

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has rejected an international ultimatum for calling early elections. In an interview with CNN Turk, Maduro said opposition leader Juan Guaido has violated the constitution by declaring himself as Venezuela’s leader. The Venezuelan president added, he is open to dialogue, and that even a meeting with Donald Trump would not be impossible. Maduro has also praised Saturday’s UN Security Council meeting on his country, saying it has been a great victory for his government.

Idlib agreement

The Kremlin says an agreement between Russia and Turkey on a de-escalation zone in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib has NOT been fully implemented. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Moscow and Ankara are troubled by the situation in Idlib. Russia earlier said the situation in Idlib was rapidly deteriorating and that it was almost under the full control of Nusra front militants. Moscow and Ankara planned to take steps to stabilize the situation in the Syrian province. The two countries tried to create a de-escalation zone in the region last year to allow the return of thousands of displaced Syrians to their homes

Khashoggi murder probe

The UN says it has made a request to get access to the crime scene of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, who was killed in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. UN special rapporteur on executions, Agnes Callamard, says she has also requested to visit Saudi Arabia, but has not received any reply yet. Callamard will begin a week-long mission to Turkey on Monday upon an invitation by Ankara. The expert said last week that a three-member legal and forensic panel would seek to establish whether individuals have been responsible for Khashoggi’s death or the Saudi government. The Washington Post columnist was murdered at the Saudi consulate in October 2018. CIA believes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder, but Riyadh denies any such involvement.

Italy to sue rescue ship crew  

The Italian interior minister has threatened to sue the crew of a rescue ship for bringing migrants to the country. Matteo Salvini says the captain and crew of the ship have put the lives of those on board at risk. Salvini accused the crew of the Dutch-flagged vessel of a crime and a clear desire to use the immigrants in a political battle. He said evidence will be handed to judicial authorities. Italy is refusing to open the ports to some 50 rescued migrants that were brought to the country over a week ago by the ship. Rome says the vessel had a chance to disembark them in other countries. Rights groups are calling on Italy to let the migrants in.

West Bank funeral

People in the occupied West Bank have held a funeral for a Palestinian man who was on Saturday killed by Israeli settlers. Hundreds of people took part in the procession, while chanting slogans against Israel. 38-year-old Hamdi Naasan was shot dead near the West Bank city of Ramallah. The settlers claim an Israeli man was stabbed by Palestinians and they fired in the air while chasing away the attackers. Israeli settlers usually kill Palestinians in the West Bank with impunity. Those who are put on trial rarely face consequences for their actions.