WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, October 12, 2018 to 0800 GMT, October 13, 2018.

Saudi journalist’s case

The president of the World Bank pulls out of a Saudi investment conference as questions mount about the kingdom's role in the disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Jim Yong Kim had been listed as a speaker at the three-day event scheduled to start October 23 in Riyadh. Multi-national company Virgin Group also said it’s cutting investment ties with Saudi Arabia because of the Khashoggi case. Media outlets have also dropped out of the event. Bloomberg is the latest to withdraw from the conference in Saudi Arabia after the New York Times and the CNN followed suit. Journalists and anchors from some other major media groups have said they will not participate in the event either. The Future Investment Initiative conference 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.

Palestinian plight

Israel has halted fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip as the regime puts more pressure on the already-besieged coastal enclave. The order was issued by Israeli minister of military affairs Avigdor Lieberman. He gave the order following intense clashes between Israeli soldiers and anti-occupation protesters. This comes only days after a United Nations-brokered deal to supply the territory with fuel came into effect. The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in the standards of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and poverty.

US China policy

US National Security Adviser, John Bolton has tough words for China: adjust your behavior in trade, international, military and political arenas or else! Bolton says President Donald Trump has pledged to ramp up his administration’s pressure on China. He says the president believes China is the major issue of the century and that Beijing has long taken advantage of the international order without objections from the US. Washington and Beijing are currently engaged in a bitter trade war. The Trump administration has also accused China of trying to undermine the president ahead of next month’s congressional elections, something Beijing has denied. The US also accuses China of reckless military actions in the South China Sea.

UNHCR appeal for asylum seekers

The United Nations refugee agency has urged Australia to evacuate asylum seekers from the islands of Nauru and Papua New Guinea to safeguard their physical and mental health. Stubber-field called on Australia to halt its offshore detention policy. She stressed that the Australian government must be held accountable for the life of refugees, especially children. According to the U-N, more than fourteen hundred asylum seekers are still being held on Nauru and Papua New Guinea. The UN warns that these people live in a dire humanitarian situation. Doctors Without Borders has recently said over 70 refugees attempted or contemplated suicide in the past 11 months.

No-deal Brexit impact

The British government has admitted that a no-deal Brexit will end agreements that produce 12 percent of the UK’s total trade. The government added that Britain’s trade accords with other countries will fall under World Trade Organization’s rules in the event of no-deal Brexit. Earlier, the UK’s fiscal watchdog warned the country’s withdrawal from the European Union without a deal will lead to shortages and hoarding of some imported products. The Office for Budget Responsibility also said a no-deal scenario will result in higher prices. The warnings come as senior officials from both sides have ruled out the possibility of clinching a deal in October. Britain is nearing a March 2019 deadline to leave the EU.

Yemen displacement crisis

The Saudi offensive on the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah started on July 3rd. The raids, which have intensified in recent weeks, deteriorated the dire situation of the residents. Thousands of families fleeing Saudi bombardment are now spread in different parts of the country. The city of Ibb has become one of the few safe destinations for the internally displaced people. Press TV’s Mohamad al-Attab, has traveled to Ibb and filed this report.

EU refugee row

Rights groups criticize moves aimed at reinforcing the European Union Border and Coast Guard Agency amid claims the 28-nation bloc is doing all in its power to keep refugees out. EU home affairs ministers have agreed on a range of proposals that campaigners describe as anti-immigrant and contrary to the bloc's values. Press TV's Jerome Hughes reports.

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