WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, February 28, 2019 to 0800 GMT, March 1, 2019.

UNSC Venezuela deadlock

Rival resolutions by the US and Russia on Venezuela have been rejected in the United Nations Security Council. The US-drafted resolution was blocked after Russia and China vetoed it. France, Germany and Britain were among nine countries that backed the proposed measure. The resolution called for new presidential elections in Venezuela and unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid. The Russian-drafted measure also failed to pass with only four votes in favor. Prior to the voting, Russia accused the US of seeking to topple President Nicolas Maduro through sending humanitarian aid to the country.

Saudi nuclear ambition

US lawmakers are debating a bill to ensure congressional oversight of any civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between Washington and Riyadh. The bipartisan legislation aims to control the Donald Trump administration’s plan to transfer nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia. The move followed a recent report by the House oversight committee that several top Trump appointees have promoted the idea while having strong private commercial interests. The report said whistleblowers had spoken of ongoing efforts inside the White House to rush the transfer of highly-sensitive nuclear technology to the kingdom. The committee has launched an inquiry into the issue. Democratic representative Brad Sherman said Quote a government that cannot be trusted with a bone saw should not be trusted with a nuclear weapon.

US-North Korea talks

North Korea says the US has rejected Pyongyang’s proposal on closing the Yongbyon nuclear plant in exchange for partial sanctions relief. Ri Yong Ho said North Korea proposed lifting five of the 11 UN sanctions resolutions. He rejected Trump’s claim that Pyongyang wanted all sanctions to be lifted. According to the North Korean foreign minister, Pyongyang also said it will permanently halt nuclear and long-range rocket testing. Ri Yong Ho added, this was the biggest denuclearization proposal that they could offer at the current stage in relation to the level of confidence between the two countries. This came after the US-North Korea summit ended abruptly without a deal. US President Donald Trump said he decided to walk away from the talks in the face of Kim Jong-un’s demands for the removal of sanctions.

Bashir delegates powers

In Sudan, thousands of anti-government protesters have taken to the streets of the capital to vent their anger at the establishment of emergency courts. Security forces used tear gas and live fire to disperse the protesters in some parts of Khartoum. The fresh demonstration comes after President Omar al-Bashir set up special tribunals under a state of emergency. The Sudanese Professionals' Association said over eight-hundred people were sent for trial on Thursday. It added that verdicts ranged from releases to jail time. Meanwhile, on Friday, Bashir delegated his powers as head of the ruling National Congress Party to its deputy head until the party's next general conference. The country has been the scene of almost daily protests after the government decided to raise the price of bread.

Israeli violations

Israeli forces have knocked down a Palestinian home in the occupied city of Lod. Israeli police and troops stormed al-Mahta neighborhood on Thursday. They cordoned off the home before starting the demolition. The building was home to a family of eleven members, including children. Israeli authorities claim the building lacked license for construction. They also alleged that the residents were given three months by a district court to leave the house. But, no independent source confirmed the claims.

Syria Golan sovereignty

The new UN special envoy to Syria says the solution to the war must begin by respecting the country's independence and territorial integrity. Speaking at the UN Security Council, Pedersen noted that the conflict was far from over. However, he said, there is a shared sense that battlefield developments might be winding down. Pederson has also proposed the creation of a common forum to bring together key countries and facilitate the peace process. He has also stressed that the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights belongs to Syria. Pederson noted a Security Council resolution that recognizes the permanent sovereignty of Syria over the area. Meanwhile, Russia's representative to the UN told the Council session that Moscow welcomes the aspirations of the new Syria envoy.

Failed summit

The US President has spoken about the wide differences between his administration and North Korea after talks between the two sides collapsed. Trump also praised the character of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, describing him as a real personality. The US Secretary of State has backed Trump's account. Mike Pompeo says Pyongyang had asked for full sanctions relief. North Korea disputes the claim. The second North Korean-US summit unexpectedly broke down in Vietnam. The two sides have provided conflicting accounts of what happened, raising questions about the future of the negotiations.

Rohingya refugee crisis

Bangladesh says it will no longer be able to take in refugees from Myanmar, urging the United Nations Security Council to take decisive action on the issue. The country’s Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque says the crisis over the repatriation of Rohingya refugees has gone from bad to worse. Around 740,000 Rohingya Muslims are living in camps in Bangladesh after a military campaign drove them out of Myanmar's northern Rakhine state in 2017. Myanmar has agreed to take back some of the refugees, but says it needs more time to prepare for their return. UN officials have warned that Myanmar's next year elections could worsen the crisis, insisting that the safety of the Rohingya should be a condition for their return.

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