WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, February 19, 2019 to 0800 GMT, February 20, 2019.

India-Pakistan tensions

The United Nations expresses deep concerns over increasing tensions between Pakistan and India in recent days. The last Thursday bomb attack killed 44 Indian security personnel in Indian-controlled Kashmir. New Delhi blames Islamabad for the attack that was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group. Pakistan has condemned the bombing, but denied any complicity. Islamabad has also offered to cooperate in investigating the attack. But, at the same time, it has threatened to retaliate, if India attacks in response to the bombing. Islamabad has also asked the UN to intervene. The two neighbors are at odds over Kashmir for decades now. Both claim the region in full, but control it in part.

US's North Korea sanctions

The US president says Washington wants North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program but it has no pressing time schedule for Pyongyang’s denuclearization. Donald Trump added that he expects positive outcomes from his second meeting with the North Korean leader on February 27th and 28th in Vietnam. Separately, the US State Department has underlined that sanctions on Pyongyang will be maintained until the full verified denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The remarks come as the US special representative for North Korea has headed for the Vietnamese capital Hanoi to continue preparations for the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.

Trump ‘fabricating’ crisis

The attorney general of the US state of California says President Donald Trump fabricated a border crisis to justify his push for the construction of the Mexico border wall. Xavier Becerra said Trump would be taking away the American taxpayer money that could be used for other important projects. The California attorney general noted that Trump is trying to act against over two centuries of constitutional authority.

US-Saudi nuclear cooperation

A US congressional committee has launched an investigation into the Donald Trump administration’s plan to transfer sensitive nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia despite objections from national security officials. The House oversight committee said in a report that several top Trump appointees, including his son-in-law, promoted the idea while having strong private commercial interests. The report noted that an inquiry is particularly critical because the administration's efforts on the subject appear to be ongoing. The committee warned that the move is a potential violation of the law. The White House has made no comments so far but the president’s intention to give Riyadh access to US nuclear technology is no secret. Last week Trump met with nuclear power developers to discuss building plants in Saudi Arabia.

China-Iran relations  

China has reiterated that it will continue its trade ties with Iran despite US pressures. The remarks come as an Iranian delegation, led by the foreign minister and parliament’s speaker is visiting the Chinese capital.

Aid shipment row  

Venezuela has ordered the closure of its air and sea borders with three neighboring Caribbean Islands. A regional military commander has confirmed the suspension of air and sea links with Curacao and the nearby islands of Aruba and Bonaire. Curacao is planning to host American aid shipments that the Venezuelan government has described as a smokescreen for a US invasion. Meanwhile, the country's military has once again pledged its loyalty to President Nicolas Maduro.

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