WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, October 24, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, October 25, 2017.

Israel systematic abuse

A new report by two Israeli NOGs has accused Israeli authorities of systematically abusing Palestinian minors in detention. The report is based on interviews with dozens of boys suspected of stone throwing in East Jerusalem al-Quds. It says most of the teens were taken into custody in the middle of the night from their bedrooms and handcuffed. It also says they were interrogated without access to a lawyer and in the absence of their parents which is against Israeli law. According to the report, mistreating teenagers is “the primary mode of conduct adopted by Israeli police, prison guards and judges”. The study has found that such behavior is part of a larger policy to force Palestinian families to leave the city.

Kuwait warns of GCC collapse

Kuwait has warned that a dispute between Qatar and a Saudi-led group of Persian Gulf countries could escalate, leaving the door open to foreign interference. The emir of Kuwait says foreign intervention would have serious consequences for the security of the region. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah added that his country’s goal was to prevent the collapse of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. In June, Saudi Arabia and three of its regional allies severed all diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar. They accuse Doha of supporting terrorism, an allegation that the Arab country strongly rejects. Kuwait has been the main mediator that has tried to resolve the crisis over the past five months.

Blasting Trump

Another US Republican senator has taken a swipe at President Donald Trump, accusing him of debasing the American nation and degrading its values. Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Jeff Flake accused Trump of “flagrant disregard for truth” and denounced his controversial tweets. Flake also blamed his GOP comrades for turning a blind eye to the undermining of American norms and values. The Arizona senator announced he would not run for re-election next year citing he would not be complicit with a reckless presidency. Senator Bob Corker, who has already said he wouldn’t seek re-election, called Trump a liar who has damaged the United States’ standing in the world.

Catalonia tensions

Spain’s justice minister has called on Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to renounce his decision to unilaterally declare independence. Rafael Catala’s remark comes as the Spanish senate is set to vote on constitutional powers on Friday. Once the senate allows central government to apply article 155 of the constitution, Madrid will be able to impose direct rule on Catalonia. Catalan separatists have threatened to challenge the decision, saying all civil servants, including the police, will follow the regional government’s orders against those of Madrid’s.

Eradicating Daesh

The Iraqi army is to launch an offensive in Anbar province to dislodge Daesh from the region. Government forces say this will be their final operation against the Takfiri terrorists in Iraq. The offensive is aimed at pushing out the remaining Daesh members from the entire desert region of Anbar. Meanwhile, Iraq’s air force has dropped leaflets on the western parts of al-Qaim and Rawa towns, calling on residents to stay away from the terrorists. This comes as four regiments of Iraqi Special Forces have moved toward Rawa and al-Qaim to take part in the operation. Daesh has lost most areas it captured in Iraq in 2014 and it is on the verge of total defeat in the country.

China politics

Chinese President Xi Jinping has secured a second five-year term as the head of China’s Communist Party. Xi was elected in a closed-door vote, with Premier Li Keqiang retaining his seat on the ruling council alongside five new members. Speaking after the vote, the Chinese president promised to work hard, press ahead with his reforms and modernize the country. Xi secured a second mandate a day after his political theory was enshrined in the Communist Party constitution, making him the most powerful Chinese leader in decades. This puts him in the company of communist China's founder Mao Zedong, and Deng Xiaoping, the architect of its economic reforms.

Ukraine conflict

Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed on Tuesday which marks the bloodiest day of fighting since August 25 when a new truce between Ukraine and pro-Russia forces in the east was declared. The Ukrainian military said two soldiers died in clashes near the eastern port city of Mariupol. Another two died after stepping on a mine near the city of Donetsk. Kiev and Moscow have been locked in a dispute since 2014, when Crimea declared independence from Ukraine after holding a general referendum and formally applying to become part of Russia. The crisis has so far left over 10,000 people dead and more than a million others displaced.

Kurds suspend vote results  

The Kurdish Regional Government has announced it’s willing to freeze the results of last month’s secession vote from Iraq. According to a statement issued by the KRG, all military actions will also be halted in the entire region in order to avoid disarray and chaos in the country. The statement also proposed to begin an open dialog between the Kurds and the Iraqi federal government on the basis of the constitution. The Kurdish government held a secession vote on September 25 which drew international condemnation especially from Iraq, Iran and Turkey. They also threatened to cut their ties with the semi-autonomous region.

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