WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, February 17, 2019 to 0800 GMT, February 18, 2019.

Assad warning

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned the Kurds that the United States will not protect them against any threat from Turkey. Addressing the Kurds, Assad said that no one will defend them except the Syrian Arab Army. The US president announced the withdrawal of American forces from Syria last year without specifying an exact date. The announcement has sparked fear among Kurdish militants since they will be exposed to an attack by neighboring Turkey, which views them as terrorists.

Berlin's Brexit policy

Germany has notified the European Union that it will stop the extradition of its citizens to Britain immediately after Brexit, even if the UK leaves the EU with a deal. Germany has strict limits to the extradition of its nationals. The only exceptions permitted under its constitution are for requests from other EU countries. Since 2010, the UK made requests for extradition of 15 German nationals, who were sought for crimes such as money laundering and child sexual abuse. The German decision underlines the challenges Britain and the EU face in maintaining security cooperation at current levels after Brexit. In addition to Germany, other EU countries like France, Romania and Slovenia have the same relevant limits on extradition. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29.

Yemen agreement

The UN says Yemen’s Ansarullah movement and the former government have agreed on the first phase of a pullback of forces from the key city of Hudaydah. The United Nations said in a statement that the redeployment from the city is a critical part of an earlier deal. The two sides finalized the agreement after two days of UN-sponsored talks in Hudaydah. The world body is hoping that de-escalation in Hudaydah would allow badly needed food and medical aid to reach millions in Yemen. The Yemeni warring sides agreed during peace talks in Sweden last December to cease fighting in Hudaydah. Under the truce deal, they also agreed to the withdrawal of their troops and the deployment of UN monitors to the port city.

Israeli atrocities

Nineteen Palestinians are wounded during clashes in the northern Gaza Strip. They were injured by live ammunition used by Israeli forces. One Israeli soldier was also wounded during the violence. In response, Israeli tanks struck two Hamas military posts in Gaza. More than 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza in less than a year. Most of them lost their lives during protests, in airstrikes or by tank fire. Palestinians have for nearly a year staged protest rallies at least weekly, demanding their right to return to their homeland and calling for an end to the Israeli occupation.

Washington's Venezuela policy

A US delegation including Senator Marco Rubio has visited the Colombian border city of Cucuta where American aid is being stockpiled for planned delivery to Venezuela. The Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called for volunteers to bring in the US aid to the country. This comes as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is refusing to allow in the U-S aid. Maduro said the aid is not needed; stressing that there is no humanitarian crisis in the country. He dismissed the opposition move as a "political show" and a cover for a US invasion. Washington earlier endorsed Guaido as the Latin American country’s interim president and threatened to attack Venezuela and topple the government of Maduro.

Russia urges Kurds to hold talks with Damascus

Russia says Syria's Kurdish militants should begin dialog with the Syrian government as their supporter, the United States, is preparing to withdraw from the war-torn country. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Vershinin, said negotiation with President Bashar al-Assad is the best solution if there are no foreign troops on the ground in northeastern Syria. Most of the Kurdish militants there are members of the YPG, a US-backed militant group that forms the backbone of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF set up a semi-autonomous administration in northern Syria during the war. Ankara regards the YPG as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party in Turkey. Syrian Kurds, in January, showed willingness to work with Damascus.

US keeps up hostile North Korea policy

The United States has reportedly blocked efforts by a UN agency to improve civil aviation in North Korea. The International Civil Aviation Organization has been working with Pyongyang to open a new air route that would pass through the two Koreas' airspace. The US move is seen as a tactic to maintain pressure on North Korea ahead of a second summit between the two countries' leaders in Vietnam later this month. Pyongyang has demanded that Washington lift sanctions, while the US has called on North Korea to demonstrate its commitment to denuclearization. North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has warned that his country has no option but to explore a new path if Washington continues to push ahead with its measures.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk