WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, February 7, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, February 8, 2017.

US attack in Syria

The US-led coalition has carried out fresh airstrikes in Syria. US officials say the air raids hit government forces in Dayr al-Zawr province. They also say the strikes were in response to what it calls an unprovoked attack against the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the east of the Euphrates River. The coalition has been conducting airstrikes in Syria since September 2014. Many civilians have been killed in the attacks that purportedly hit the positions of Daesh terrorists in the country. Damascus has repeatedly said the US military presence on its soil is an act of aggression and a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

The Iran deal

A senior Iranian official says the US will further damage its international credibility by walking away from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group. In an interview with the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the US seeks to mislead Iran into pulling out of the deal also known as the JCPOA, but the Islamic Republic will not fall into this trap. Araqchi said the only realistic choice after signing the JCPOA is to maintain the accord. The senior diplomat added that if the US decides to scrap the historic deal, nobody will trust Washington anymore. Last month, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to his European allies to “fix the nuclear deal” or he would pull Washington out of the agreement.

‘Dreamers not protected’

The US House of Representatives' Democratic leader has said expressed regret that young immigrants brought to the country as children are not protected as part of a bill drafted by Congress to extend federal government funding. In an eight-hour speech on the house floor, Nancy Pelosi said she will not support a budget caps agreement unless House Speaker Paul Ryan promises to advance legislation to protect the young illegal immigrants known as Dreamers. Pelosi also said the deal currently includes increases in defense and non-defense spending, as well as funding for disaster aid. Congress must approve the spending bill by Thursday to avert a second government shutdown this year.

Canada's NAFTA concern

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his country will not join a new North American Free Trade Agreement pact if renegotiation leads to a bad deal. Trudeau added he expected a good deal from the talks to modernize the NAFTA deal. He also said that the accord has been beneficial to all members. His comments came after trade negotiators from the United States, Canada and Mexico met to update the deal. US President Donald Trump has long called the treaty a bad one that hurts American workers. He has also threatened to withdraw from the trade pact unless Canada and Mexico agree to major changes.

Taiwan earthquake toll

Rescue workers race against time to pull out dozens of people still trapped under the rubble in the earthquake-hit coastal city of Hualien in Taiwan. Emergency personnel comb through collapsed buildings as hopes of finding possible survivors fade away. Authorities say 600 police officers along with 1,300 soldiers have been deployed for the operation. However, rescue efforts were hampered late Wednesday as multiple aftershocks hit the area. The magnitude 6.4 quake killed ten people and injured some 260 others on Tuesday. About 40,000 people have been left without water and nearly 2,000 homes without electricity.

North Korea snubs US

North Korea rules out any meeting with top American officials during the Winter Olympics that start in South Korea on Friday. According to North Korean media, Pyongyang's senior delegation headed by Kim Jong-un’s sister is in the South to take part in the winter games only. The announcement comes a day after US Vice President Mike Pence described North Korea as the world’s most tyrannical regime. Pence also revealed that his country is soon to slap the toughest and most aggressive sanctions on Pyongyang ever. South Korea hopes to use the international event as a platform to re-engage with its northern neighbor.

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