Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, February 3, 2019.
Slamming Venezuela sanctions
A former senior UN human rights official has blamed western sanctions for the sufferings of the Venezuelan people. Alfred de Zayas made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Press TV. He said sanctions have also prevented the Venezuelan government from purchasing essential medicines and medical equipment. The former UN official noted, sanctions have directly caused the deaths of hundreds of people in Venezuela. He said this constitutes crime against humanity. De Zayas also said the west has undermined its credibility by recognizing Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.
West Bank mission shutdown
The European Union and the United Nations have expressed support for the international observer force in al-Khalil, also known as Hebron. This, after Israel unilaterally ended the force’s mission in the occupied West Bank city. The EU warned that ending the Temporary International Presence in Hebron risks deteriorating the situation there. The bloc said the TIPH has prevented violence between settlers and Palestinians, stressing that Israel is legally obliged to protect Palestinians in occupied territories. Earlier, the UN secretary general called on Israel to clinch an agreement with the observer force to ensure its continued role in protection of Palestinians. The force was created after the massacre of 29 Palestinians by settlers in 1994. The Israeli prime minister ended the TIPH mission on Monday, saying it is biased against Israeli settlers.
UK-EU Brexit row
The UK trade minister calls irresponsible the European Union’s refusal to reopen negotiations over Britain’s exit deal with the 28-member bloc. In an interview, Liam Fox blamed Brussels for putting London in a no-deal position with its reluctance to renegotiate the deal. He particularly criticized Ireland for refusing to discuss alternatives to the northern Irish backstop. The remarks came as Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking changes to the agreement with the EU before March 29, when Britain is set to officially leave the bloc. British lawmakers want May to renegotiate arrangements for the Irish border and the future customs union. But several EU countries, including Germany, are against plans to renegotiate the deal. Meanwhile, British media reports say officials have revived emergency plans to relocate the royal family in the event of civil disorder caused by a disruptive Brexit.
US intervention in Venezuela
US President Donald Trump once again threatens to militarily intervene in Venezuela. In an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation program, Trump said sending the military to Venezuela is an option. Trump also said he has turned down a meeting request with President Maduro because the two leaders are very far along the process. Earlier, US National Security Advisor John Bolton called on the Venezuela military to join the opposition and support its leader Juan Guaido. Turkey has reacted to that, saying those recognizing Juan Guaido as president are fueling crisis there and punishing millions of its people. On Saturday, rival rallies once again happened in Venezuela. Addressing his supporters in the capital, Caracas, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called for holding congressional elections in order to re-legitimize the National Assembly.
Yemen peace talks
Yemen’s warring parties have met to discuss the implementation of the Hudaydah ceasefire agreement. Representatives from Ansarullah movement and Saudi-backed forces met on a UN ship in the Red Sea to discuss troop withdrawal from the port city. The warring sides were supposed to withdraw their forces by the seventh of January, but they failed to do so because they disagreed on who should control the city and ports in Hudaydah. Sunday’s meeting is the third one between the two sides since the UN-brokered deal was forged in December.
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