WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, October 12, 2018.

Missing Saudi journalist

US media say Turkey has told American officials it has audio and video recordings that prove Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. According to the Washington Post, the recordings show that a Saudi security team detained Khashoggi in the consulate after he entered there on October 2. The report said the security team killed the journalist and dismembered his body after torturing him. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump ruled out the possibility of stopping arms sales to Saudi Arabia following Khashoggi’s disappearance.

US Pastor on trial

A US Pastor who is jailed in Turkey on terrorism charges has appeared before a court in the city of Aliaga. Andrew Brunson arrived in the courthouse under high security. Brunson’s fourth appearance at the court comes as media reports suggest that Washington and Ankara reached a deal over his release. US Vice President Mike Pence has expressed hope that Brunson will be released soon. The pastor was jailed in October 2016. He is charged with links to Kurdish militants and supporters of self-exiled opposition figure Fethullah Gulen, who’s blamed by Turkey for a failed coup attempt in 2016. The arrest of the pastor has soured relations between the two NATO allies.

Uganda deadly landslide

A massive landslide and sweeping floodwaters claim the lives of at least 34 people in eastern Uganda. The disaster happened on the slopes of Mount Elgon in Bukalasi area. The heavy rains dragged boulders into the river, posing more serious danger for those caught in the path. Many homes and livestock were buried under the mud and a lot of trees were uprooted. Rescue and relief teams have been dispatched to the area. Such landslides and also avalanches have occurred more frequently in the area in recent years. The problem is blamed on deforestation caused by the locals.

Slamming US Syria strikes  

Amnesty International says the real number of casualties in the US-led offensive on the Syrian city of Raqqah is way more than what the coalition had earlier announced. Neisat says the majority of the victims are believed to be civilians. She says the findings are the result of a thorough investigation by the Amnesty team whose members have spoken to thousands of witnesses. The Amnesty official noted that the findings have been presented to the US-led coalition authorities, but they have not still admitted to the facts and figures. Speaking of the post-offensive Raqqah, Neisat said the situation in the city is quite shocking.

Boycotting Riyadh conference

Media companies are dropping out of a Saudi investment conference as questions mount about the kingdom's role in the disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The New York Times and the CNN are among the news outlets that have so far pulled out of the three-day conference scheduled for October 23 in Riyadh. Journalists and anchors from some other major media groups have also said they will not participate in the event over Khashoggi’s disappearance. Companies beyond the media industry are also rethinking their participation. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has said he will not take part in the conference. Virgin Group also said it is cutting investment ties with Saudi Arabia because of the Khashoggi case. The Future Investment Initiative is hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is part of his Vision 2030 plan to end the country's dependence on oil.

Brexit negotiations

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer says Brexit negotiations with the European Union have become more positive over the past week. Philip Hammond says there has been a measurable change in pace from both sides. However, he says there are still some big differences left to resolve. Negotiators are working against the clock as they try to reach a breakthrough over the Northern Irish and Irish border issue by Monday. Britain is scheduled to leave the EU in March 2019.

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