WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, February 03, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, February 04, 2017:

Justifying presence 

Syria has slammed recent US accusations of chemical weapons use as lies.

In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the allegations are based on stories made by those that Washington calls sources on the ground. The statement added that the so-called sources are the same terrorists that shed the blood of the Syrian people to justify the presence of US troops in Syria. It said such accusations come whenever efforts for finding a political solution to the Syrian conflict get more serious. US officials at the Departments of State and Defense have recently accused the Syrian government of using chemical arms against civilians in Damascus countryside.

West Bank violence

A Palestinian man who was wounded in clashes with Israeli forces has died of his injuries near the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

Earlier, Israeli forces raided the village of Burqin, to the west of Jenin in a manhunt for a Palestinian who Tel Aviv accuses of being involved in the killing of an Israeli soldier last month. According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, three Palestinians were injured by rubber-tipped bullets and five were treated for the inhalation of tear gas following the clashes. Israeli troops and undercover forces also arrested a number of people from the village.

Memo controversy

The US president says a controversial memo attacking the FBI vindicates him in the investigation of alleged Russian meddling in the 20-16 presidential election

In a tweet, Donald Trump said “the Russian Witch Hunt goes on and on. There was no Collusion and there was no Obstruction.” Trump also called the investigation “an American disgrace.” Trump’s strong embrace of the memo once again raised the possibility that he may use it as justification to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting the investigation, or Deputy Attorney Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller. The White House said there would be no changes at the Justice Department as a result of the conclusions of the memo which was prepared by congressional Republicans.

Slamming US nuclear policy 

Moscow has condemned the bellicose and anti-Russian nature of the new US nuclear policy that calls for developing new smaller nukes. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed deep concern over the strategy calling it confrontational. He warned that his country will take necessary measures to ensure Russia’s security. China’s Defense Ministry also slammed the US for portraying Beijing as a potential nuclear adversary in its nuclear strategy review. The Pentagon released the document on Friday. It contains plans to revamp US nuclear arsenal to diversify its options against potential enemies. In the summary of the nuclear review, US Defense Secretary James Mattis named China and North Korea as potential threats. He has noted that the focus of the program will be on countering Russia's nuclear activities. 

Palestinian stance

The Palestine Liberation Organization has called for preparations to pave the way for cutting ties with Israel. 

The call by the top body’s executive committee came after a meeting chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas. The PLO has urged the Palestinian Authority to immediately draw up plans to disengage with Israel at all levels. It has also said a panel will be set up to mull over ending the PLO’s recognition of Israel. The measures follow a decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital in December. Palestinians consider the eastern half of the city as the capital of their future state. The PLO has also slammed the US for blackmailing Palestinians, urging Washington to stop threatening them.  

Turkish fatalities 

Turkey has vowed revenge after eight Turkish soldiers were killed during Ankara’s cross-border military offensive in northern Syria. 

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the country’s army will continue to carry out retaliatory strikes to avenge the soldiers’ deaths. The troops lost their lives on Saturday amid Turkey’s operations against a Syrian Kurdish militia in the enclave of Afrin. The Eurasian nation launched the offensive on January 20, codenamed Olive Branch, against the YPG, which it considers a terror group. In aggregate, 13 Turkish troops have died since the operation began. 

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