WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, February 27, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, February 28, 2017.

Saudi rights violations

Activists have once again raised alarm over Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record. They warn against interpreting Riyadh’s recent social reforms as heralding new freedoms. UK-based rights group Reprieve insisted that the “long overdue reforms must not be used to mask Riyadh’s crackdown on the exercise of fundamental rights”. The group highlighted serious allegations of torture as well as an unprecedented number of executions in the kingdom. The remarks come after the Downing Street confirmed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit the UK on an official trip in March. Rights groups such as Stop the War Coalition, Campaign Against Arms Trade, and the Arab Human Rights Organization have petitioned London to withdraw an invitation to the crown prince.

Deadly US strikes in Syria 

The US-led coalition has once again bombarded Syria, causing more death and destruction in the war-torn country. The latest airstrikes targeted a refugee camp in eastern Dayr al-Zawr province, killing at least 24 civilians. According to local sources, many civilians were also injured, several of them critically. Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Ministry has written a letter to the United Nations, calling on the world body to stop the massacres by the US-led coalition. The ministry says the coalition's only goal is to undermine Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and prolong the crisis. The US-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.

Christians protest in al-Quds

Christian leaders in Jerusalem al-Quds have announced they would reopen the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday after it was closed at the weekend in protest at Israel’s new tax laws and a proposed property law on churches. The announcement comes hours after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said a team would be appointed to resolve the financial dispute. Earlier, the Christian leaders had condemned the move as “a systematic and unprecedented attack” against Christians in Jerusalem al-Quds. The closure, the longest since 1990, has left thousands of Christian pilgrims stranded outside the holy church. On Tuesday, hundreds of Christians protested Israel’s measures.

US, UK ‘complicit in crimes in Yemen’

Tehran has condemned a UK-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution which accused Iran of violating an arms embargo on Yemen. In a tweet, Iran’s foreign minister slammed the move as a “desperate attempt” by the US and Britain to cover up their complicity in the Saudi and Emirati war crimes in Yemen. Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated Iran’s repeated calls for ceasefire, aid and a broad-based government in the war-torn country. Zarif insisted that dialog was the only solution to the crisis in Yemen and dismissed what he called a delusion of a military victory. Separately, Zarif described the draft, which was vetoed by Russia, as an ugly show in support of Yemen invaders. He regretted the loss of thousands of civilian lives in the ongoing Saudi-led war on its neighbor.

Saudi war on Yemen

More civilians have been killed in the latest Saudi airstrikes on its southern neighbor. Saudi jets targeted the northern Yemeni city of Sa’ada killing at least five civilians. Fourteen others, including children, sustained serious injuries. In a separate raid by Saudi warplanes, four civilians were killed in Fazah area in the province of Hudaydah. Saudi Arabia and its allies began their aggression on Yemen in March 2015. Nearly 14,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians have lost their lives since then.

New offer for Taliban

The Afghan president has offered to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate political group as part of a political process that could lead to talks aimed at ending the conflict. Ashraf Ghani made the proposal at the start of an international conference in a bid to create a platform for peace negotiations. He also offered ceasefire and the release of prisoners. Ghani noted that he would be ready to accept a review of the Constitution as part of a pact with the Taliban. He said the movement, in return, would have to recognize the Afghan government and respect the rule of law. The militant group has not yet commented on the offer, but it has never accepted to hold direct talks with Kabul.

Colorado anti-gun protest

Students at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, walked out of lessons in protest against gun laws and the National Rifle Association. The rally was one of many to have taken place in the wake of the incident. The growing ‘Never Again’ movement demands US congressmen to take practical steps in tightening gun laws despite strong resistance from the NRA. The US president is also under fire for his response to the Parkland school shooting which claimed the lives of 14 students and three staff members.

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