WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, April 20, 2019.

Vote on Sisi’s rule  

Egyptians are voting in a referendum on constitutional changes that will potentially allow President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to stay in office until 2030. Some 55 million people are eligible to cast their ballots in the plebiscite, which is being held from Saturday through Monday. Egypt's parliament, dominated by Sisi's supporters, approved the amendments on Tuesday. Observers say the size of the turnout will be seen as a test of Sisi's popularity, which has been dented by austerity measures since 2016. Sisi's supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms. Critics say they concentrate more powers in Sisi's hands and return Egypt to an authoritarian model. Earlier, a coalition of Egypt’s opposition political parties called on voters to reject the proposed constitutional amendments.

Kabul attack

An explosion followed by gunfire has rocked one of the main commercial districts of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. Police say the blast happened close to the ministry of communication. It was followed by gunfire after attackers stormed the ministry building. Officials say at least two of the gunmen were shot dead. No group has yet claimed responsibility. The violence comes a week after Taliban militants announced their spring offensive. Scheduled talks in Qatar between the militants and Afghan representatives have already been postponed. The talks were aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan, after more than 17 years of the US-led war there.

Yellow vest protests

Yellow vest protesters have once again taken to the streets of the French capital, demanding social and economic reforms. This is the 23rd consecutive weekend of anti-government demonstrations. This time protesters are angrier than ever, since the government plans to spend millions of Euros on reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral which was damaged during a fire last week. They say this money can go to the poor instead of a building. Similar protests are set to take place in other cities across France. The yellow vest protests started in mid-November as a series of rallies against President Emmanuel Macron’s planned fuel price hikes. But soon it turned into a national movement, rejecting Macron's policies and his leadership.

Bashir corruption case  

Sudan's public prosecutor has begun investigating ousted president Omar al-Bashir on corruption charges. Bashir is accused of money laundering and having earned large sums of money without legal grounds. Bashir was deposed in a military coup on April 11. He was moved to a prison in the capital, Khartoum days after. He is said to be in solitary confinement. The former military chief is also sought by the International Criminal Court over allegations of genocide in the country’s Darfur conflict which began in 2003. Meanwhile, people in Sudan continue their protests to call on coup leaders to hand over the power to a civil administration. Protest leaders are planning to unveil a civil body to take control of the country’s affairs.

Libya anti-US protest

People have staged demonstrations in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in protest at renegade general Khalifa Haftar's offensive against the city. They chanted slogans against Haftar and dismissed the possibility of any military rule in the conflict-ridden North African country. Wearing yellow vests, the protesters waved the Libyan flag while carrying signs against the interference of foreign countries. Some of the placards read – Leave us alone – and –We want our children for construction, not war. Demonstrators said foreign powers are hatching plots against Libya.

London climate protests

The number of those arrested during days of environmental protests in the UK has risen to nearly 720. Demonstrators continue to block several routes in the British capital, causing transport disruptions. An activist who had superglued his hands to the mast of the pink boat occupying London's Oxford Circus was removed and consequently detained by the police. London metropolitan police has called the rallies illegal, warning to take further protesters into custody. The rallies are part of what Extinction Rebellion group has described as non-violent civil disobedience for immediate action on climate change. Protesters want the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

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