Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, February 12, 2019 to 0800 GMT, February 13, 2019.
Trump impeachment push
A key congressional committee investigating the US president has announced that Donald Trump faces numerous allegations of corruption and obstruction of justice. The House Judiciary Committee says it is hiring two outspoken lawyers who have urged Trump's indictment and impeachment. Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler says the investigation could prove a critical point in the history of the US. The move by the Democratic-controlled House could signal that the committee does not plan to wait for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his legal case against the president. Trump has repeatedly rejected the allegations against him.
Russian warning to US
The Russian foreign minister has warned the United States against meddling in Venezuela’s internal affairs. Sergey Lavrov issued the warning in a phone conversation with his American counterpart, Mike Pompeo. Lavrov said Russia is ready to facilitate the process of finding ways to resolve the political crisis in Venezuela. Earlier, during a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart in Moscow Lavrov accused the US of lying about Russia’s draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council.
Trial of Catalan leaders
President of Spain’s Catalan region has condemned the trial of twelve pro-independence leaders as shameful for Europe and democracy. Torra added that the Catalan people should not be punished for defending ballot boxes against batons. He criticized Madrid for what he described as intolerance toward Catalans for putting themselves at risk for a better future. Catalonia’s former president Carles Puigdemont also denounced the trial of his fellow compatriots at a press conference in the German capital, Berlin.
Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula
A top US military commander has expressed doubt about North Korea’s intention to completely denuclearize. Admiral Philip Davidson said it is unlikely that North Korea will give up all of its nuclear weapons or production capabilities. Davidson added that Pyongyang seeks to negotiate partial denuclearization in exchange for US and international concessions. The head of the US Indo-Pacific Command made the remarks days ahead of an upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. US intelligence agencies had reported earlier that Pyongyang’s activities were inconsistent with pledges to denuclearize. In June last year, Trump and Kim agreed to work toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Later, Pyongyang said it needs security and other guarantees to do so.
Australian refugee policy
Australia has announced the reopening of a controversial migrant detention center on Christmas Island. The reopening of the remote facility was approved by Prime Minister Scott Morrison. He argues that new laws passed by the parliament would increase the number of people that come to the country illegally. Meanwhile, Australian lawmakers passed legislation allowing refugees detained on offshore centers on Nauru and Manus Islands to travel to Australia for medical treatment. The Australian government forces asylum seekers who arrive by boats to stay in detention camps in the remote islands for years. The strict refugee policy has been widely criticized by the United Nations and human rights organizations.
Trump's shift of tone on his border wall
US President Donald Trump says he is not happy with the bipartisan border security deal struck in Congress. Trump, however, said chances are low for another government shutdown. The US president again blamed Democrats for allowing what he called huge crowds of criminals to enter the country. Trump’s remarks come after Republican and Democratic lawmakers clinched a deal to offer nearly 1.4 billion dollars for wall construction as well as other border security measures. The amount is significantly less than the 5.7 billion dollars initially asked by Trump. The Senate democratic leader says the president should sign the border security deal.
Maduro slams US
The Venezuelan president has rejected as a charade the humanitarian aid supply by the United States. Nicolas Maduro made the comments in an exclusive interview with the BBC. He said the US is manufacturing a so-called humanitarian crisis to justify its military intervention in Venezuela. Maduro stressed that the Venezuelan people’s dignity does not allow them to accept what he called the American toxic food and leftovers. Last week, the first trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Venezuela arrived at the Colombian border. Caracas has denied entry to the trucks.
Eastern Ukraine situation
European members of the UN Security Council have expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in eastern Ukraine. In a joint statement, they accused Russia of fueling tensions there. The UK’s deputy representative to the UN said Europe is alarmed by the suffering of civilians in non-government-controlled eastern Ukraine. Allen said some three and a half million people require humanitarian assistance there. He also urged all parties to the conflict to re-establish full access of all international organizations and accelerate delivery of aid in line with international law. The comments came ahead of a Security Council meeting held at Russia’s request to mark the Minsk agreement. During the session, however, the Russian Representative rejected the European accusations and blamed the West for Ukraine’s crisis.
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