WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, February 16, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, February 17, 2018.

Trump rejects Russia collusion

The US president has rejected the allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election after prosecutors charged new people in their probe. Donald Trump said the result of the voting was not impacted by Moscow. He said his campaign did nothing wrong and there was no collusion between his camp and the Kremlin. The US president said Russia started its anti-US campaigns in 2014 long before he declared his candidacy. Federal prosecutors have charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies over their alleged interference in the US presidential race.

Qatar’s blockade

The emir of Qatar has played down the effectiveness of an ongoing blockade of the Persian Gulf emirate by a Saudi-led group of countries. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was speaking during a security conference in the German city of Munich. He further described as futile the boycott of his country by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. Sheikh Tamim also urged Middle Eastern states to put their differences aside and adopt a European Union-style security pact.

Bahrain clashes

Bahraini regime forces have attacked protesters in several regions across the Persian Gulf Kingdom. The demonstrators called for the release of political prisoners and expressed solidarity with prominent opposition cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim. The rally comes several days after Bahraini people marked the seventh anniversary of their popular uprising with massive protests. The 2011 uprising in Bahrain began with peaceful protests, but snowballed into a full-fledged movement sweeping the whole country. The movement turned deadly when Manama backed by Saudi troops, used an iron first approach to put down the protests. The pro-democracy protesters demand political reforms and equality.

Fatal FBI failure

In the US, the FBI chief is under mounting pressure to step aside following revelation that the federal law enforcement agency knew about a Florida school shooter. Florida Governor Rick Scott demands that FBI Director Christopher Wray resign, saying the failure to take action is unacceptable. The Federal Bureau of Investigation admitted Friday that it failed to act on a tip about Nikolas Cruz who killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland. The FBI said the information from the caller should have been assessed as a potential threat to life. Attorney General Jeff Sessions also ordered a review into how the Cruz tip was missed.

Palestinian protests

Fresh clashes have broken out across Palestinian territories, where Israeli forces have fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse Palestinian protesters. The Palestine Red Crescent Society says the clashes have left 125 protesters injured across the West Bank. According to Palestinian health officials, 23 other Palestinians have also been wounded in the Gaza Strip. The anti-Israeli protests were held to denounce the Israeli regime’s aggression and its settlement expansions in the occupied Palestinian territories. The protesters were also angry at the US decision last December to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel. 26 Palestinians have been killed and over four-thousand others injured in the clashes caused by the controversial US move.

Iran-India ties

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has been received by Indian president Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a ceremonial welcome in New Delhi. Rouhani inspected a guard of honor at the presidential palace after he arrived in the Indian capital for the second part of his India visit. The Iranian president also laid a floral wreath at the memorial of India's independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. During Rouhani’s visit, Iran and India are expected to sign several memorandums of understanding including on trade and transport. The two countries are also expected to discuss the development of Iran’s southeastern port of Chabahar. The president’s visit to New Delhi follows his two-day stay in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad which he used to promote Muslim unity.

Warning of US plot

The Russian foreign minister has once again accused the United States of planning to keep its forces on the ground in Syria on a permanent basis. Sergei Lavrov made the remarks during an interview with a European media outlet. He also accused Washington of violating Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Lavrov said US forces are planning to separate a large part of Syria from the rest of the country. The top Russian diplomat added that the Pentagon is playing a dangerous game by trying to establish a separate Kurdish autonomous region in the Arab state. Lavrov also touched on Turkey's military offensive against US backed Kurdish YPG militants in Syria.

Nigeria protest

Supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have staged yet another peaceful protest to demand the release of their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. Press TV’s Correspondent in the Nigerian capital was at the protest site and sent this report.

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