WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, April 23, 2019 to 0800 GMT, April 24, 2019.

US anti-Iran policy

Iran’s foreign minister says Washington should rectify its mistake of withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal if it seeks to re-enter negotiations with Tehran. Mohammad Javad Zarif was speaking to reporters upon arriving in New York, where he will attend the UN General Assembly’s meeting on International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. Zarif said that the US contempt for international law and its own agreements shows that Washington is not a credible negotiating partner. Zarif described the United States as “an outlaw state” that has violated almost any agreement it has signed. The US abandoned the 2015 nuclear deal last year despite international criticism. The International Atomic Energy Agency however has repeatedly attested to Iran’s compliance with the accord’s requirements.

Slamming Saudi executions

Saudi Arabia has executed 37 of its citizens on terrorism charges amid a crackdown on political dissent in the kingdom. The Saudi interior ministry accused the victims of adopting extremist ideology, forming terror cells and provoking sectarian strife to destabilize the kingdom. It also accused them of cooperating with “hostile parties” against the interests of the Saudi regime. Most of the executed people were from the Shia community that has long complained about discriminations in Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International slammed the executions as callous disregard for human life. It said the killings show that the kingdom uses the death penalty as a political tool to crush dissent.

Trump tax returns

The US Internal Revenue Service has failed to meet a congressional deadline for turning over President Donald Trump's tax records to lawmakers. The deadline had been set for 9 pm GMT by Richard Neal, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Neal says he will consult with his counsel about the next steps. The missed deadline could prompt Neal to subpoena Trump's tax records. The ensuing legal battle may ultimately have to be settled by the Supreme Court. Earlier, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he couldn’t comply with Neal’s demand until it is determined to be consistent with the law. Democrats want Trump's tax returns as part of their investigations into possible conflicts of interest. Republicans accuse Democrats of trying to dig up dirt on Trump.

Sudan protests

Hundreds of protesters have travelled to Sudanese capital Khartoum by train to demand military rulers step down. The protesters came from the central town of Atbara to join a sit-in protest outside the army headquarters. The city is known as the birthplace of an uprising that resulted in the military ouster of Sudan's former President Omar al-Bashir. Protest leaders suspended talks with the military on Sunday, branding them as remnants of Bashir’s regime. They also rejected military rulers’ promise for freedom and change, raising doubt about its sincerity to hand over power. Sudanese protesters are calling for a democratic transition within 3 months.

Sri Lanka blasts

Sri Lanka’s police say the death toll from the Sunday coordinated bomb blasts has increased to nearly 360. Police say the new deaths were the result of the wounded dying of their injuries. Around 500 people were injured in the attacks. Overnight, police carried out fresh raids, detaining 18 people. That brings to nearly 60 the number of the people held in connection with the bombings. The attacks targeted hotels and churches in several cities including the capital Colombo. The Daesh terror group has claimed responsibility.

South Africa floods

Heavy rains have hit parts of Africa, causing numerous fatalities and destroying homes and crops. South African authorities say floods and mudslides have killed 33 in the port of Durban. They say 10 children are missing and feared dead. Roads have been flooded and a number of buildings have collapsed. Heavy rains have lashed South Africa in recent days, with the southern and eastern parts of the country affected worst. South African Weather Services have warned that more downpours are expected until Wednesday. Also, in Uganda, 18 people mostly children have been confirmed dead. Local officials say the death toll is expected to rise as some were hit by debris and collapsing walls.

Kim's Russia visit

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin. The summit is set to take place in the Pacific coast city of Vladivostok on Thursday. That will be Kim’s first face-to-face talks with another head of state, since his last negotiations with US President Donald Trump collapsed in Vietnam in February. They failed to reach an agreement over North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, after Trump rejected a complete sanctions relief. The Hanoi meeting was the second summit between Trump and Kim.

Israel demolition

Israeli authorities have blown up the house of a Palestinian teen killed during an armed clash in the occupied West Bank last month. Israeli forces accompanied by bulldozers stormed the northern village of Zawiya in the early morning to raze Omar Abu Laila’s home. Young villagers confronted the soldiers to prevent the demolition but they couldn’t. The troops fired gas and sound bombs at journalists to keep them away from the area. Then, they evacuated Abu Laila’s family and detonated explosives to bring down their house. The 19-year-old boy was killed in a shootout with Israeli troops near Ramallah on March 19. He was accused of killing two Israelis outside a West Bank settlement. Israel regularly demolishes Palestinian homes in the occupied territories; a practice that rights groups see as a collective punishment.

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