WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, February 18, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, February 19, 2018.

Iran's reaction to Israel

The Iranian foreign minister has warned Israel of a crushing response in case it carries out its threats against the Islamic Republic. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the comments during an exclusive interview with the NBC news channel on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. The remarks came in response to earlier comments made by the Israeli prime minister who described Tehran as the world’s greatest threat. Benjamin Netanyahu also threatened to act against Iran and its proxies in the region.

Iran plane search

Search operations for an ill-fated Iranian passenger plane have been stalled due to bad weather conditions and the impossibility of the hunt in the mountainous areas. The plane is believed to have crashed in the Zagros Mountains near the southwestern city of Semirom. The ATR-72, twin-engine turboprop was operated by Iran Aseman airlines. It was en route from the capital Tehran to the southwestern city of Yasuj. It vanished from radar screens some fifty minutes after taking off Sunday morning. The victims include 60 passengers and six crew members. The cause of the incident is not known yet. Experts from the ATR company have been invited to help find out the reason behind the crash. Iran’s Leader and president as well as other senior officials have expressed their condolences over the crash, calling for a thorough investigation into the tragic incident.

Trump attacking FBI

The US president has attacked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for missing many signals about the Florida school shooting, adding that the agency was spending too much time on a Russia probe. Donald Trump noted that if the FBI hadn’t missed signs due to its excessive focus on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election; it could have prevented the Florida massacre. He also said that Russia has been successful beyond its wildest dreams in sowing discord in the US. Trump’s comments about the FBI’s Russia inquiries drew swift criticism, including from the Republican governor of Ohio, who said it was an absurd statement. Trump, who was funded by the National Rifle Association during his campaign, made the comments as he faces calls to act on gun control.

Israel Gaza strikes

Israeli warplanes have once again pounded the besieged Gaza strip. This time, an area east of the city of Rafah was targeted. There are no reports of casualties in the barrage of missiles. The flare-up of tensions comes after an explosive device wounded four Israeli troops near the buffer zone on Saturday. Israeli jets have been bombarding the besieged territories since then. Also on Sunday, Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinian teenagers in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military frequently bombs Gaza, with civilians being the main target of such attacks.

US gun violence

Survivors of the recent school shooting in the US state of Florida, where seventeen people were killed, are planning a nationwide rally on March 24th, dubbed as March For Our Lives. Student organizers from Marjory Stoneman Douglas made the announcement on Sunday morning in a television interview. They called for similar protests to be held simultaneously in other cities on the same day. They pointed out that they do not feel safe to go to school and that the march aims to demand that children and their families become a priority to US lawmakers.

Ukraine protests

Thousands of Ukrainians have rallied across the country to demand the impeachment of President Petro Poroshenko. The rally in the capital Kiev was the biggest since the pro-West Euromaidan protests. Our correspondent Lena Savchuk reports from Kiev.

North Korea warning to US

North Korea has warned the US against resuming joint military drills with Seoul. Pyongyang said Washington should be blamed for any deterioration of the recent rapprochement between the two Koreas as a result. It said Washington wants to throw cold water on any signs of détente that emerge between Seoul and Pyongyang with its war rehearsals. A rare reconciliatory mood between the two Koreas set in after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accepted Seoul's request to participate in the Pyeong-Chang Winter Olympics. Seoul and Washington have delayed their annual military drills until after the games. Pyongyang sees the drills as a rehearsal for invasion.

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