WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, October 19, 2018 to 0800 GMT, October 20, 2018.

UN chief ‘deeply troubled’

Reactions are pouring in following Saudi Arabia’s confirmation of Khashoggi’s death with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying he is deeply troubled. Amnesty International called for a new, independent, fair and transparent probe into the case. The White House also said it is saddened by the confirmation of Khashoggi's death. President Donald Trump, however, reiterated that he would not cancel huge arms deals with Saudi Arabia as a punishment over the journalist’s case.

Honduran massive migration

Mexican riot police have clashed with Honduran migrants after they broke fences and pushed their way through a migration checkpoint at the Guatemala-Mexico border. Police used pepper spray to block the migrants from entering Mexico and arrested a number of them. However, dozens of the migrants managed to push their way through the border line. The violence broke out after various caravans of migrants gathered at the Guatemala-Mexico border. The migrants hope they can obtain transit visas to proceed to the United States or seek asylum in Mexico. This is while the United Nations has called on the US to take into account its human rights commitments.

Ditching demand on Brexit?

The British Prime Minister is reportedly ready to compromise on a key Brexit demand regarding the border between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Theresa May’s attempt aims to make it easier for the two sides to finalize Brexit talks. May’s decision means she will accept the EU’s proposal on an open border between the Republic of Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The move could leave the UK in the EU’s customs regime indefinitely. London previously insisted on keeping the EU’s so-called backstop solution time-limited. The issue has been the main cause of a deadlock in the talks between London and the bloc. The UK and the EU seek to reach a transitional deal before Britain leaves the Union in March 2019.

Saudi Arabia admission

Saudi Arabia confirms, for the first time, that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. The statement by Saudi public prosecutor added that Khashoggi was killed after fighting with people who met him in the consulate. It announced that several high-ranking Saudi officials including intelligence chief Ahmed al-Asiri and Royal Court advisor Saud al-Qahtani have been sacked from their positions. According to the statement, the investigations are still underway and 18 Saudi nationals have been arrested so far. The Saudi media reported that King Salman ordered the formation of a committee headed by the crown prince to restructure the country’s intelligence agency.

Reaction to Khashoggi murder

A group of US senators question Riyadh’s explanation about the death of Jamal Khashoggi. The US president says he wants to protect Washington’s arms sale to the kingdom.

Afghanistan elections

Polls have opened in Afghan parliamentary elections amid heavy security across the war-torn country. More than 2500 candidates are vying for 250 parliamentary seats. But more than 30 percent of polling stations are shut because of security concerns. The voting has also been postponed in southern Kandahar province for a week after the provincial police commander was killed in an attack by Taliban militants on Friday. The violence is on the rise in Afghanistan after the Taliban pledged to disrupt the election process. 10 candidates have been killed and several others were kidnapped in the lead up to the vote.

India train accident

A train accident in the Indian province of Punjab has left more than 60 people dead. The crowd is said to have failed to hear the sound of the approaching train due to firecrackers’ noise. Rescue operations are underway and the injured have been rushed to hospital. Punjab authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident. India has many unattended railway crossings that frequently cause accidents. Nearly 15,000 people die in train accidents across the country every year. Meanwhile, the Indian prime minister has expressed condolences to the families of the victims. In a tweet, Narendra Modi called on officials to immediately provide required assistance.

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