WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, April 29, 2019.

Indonesia floods

The death toll from severe floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island rises to 29, with more than a dozen people still missing. According to the national disaster agency, thousands of people are taking shelter in make-shift camps after rivers burst their banks and several settlements were inundated. Hundreds of buildings have been damaged, along with roads and bridges, with two districts cut off by landslides. Officials have warned of further landslides amid risks that floods could resume. Authorities have also warned of the risk of diseases spreading due to the lack of clean water and poor hygiene in flood-hit areas. Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April.

No to ‘deal of the century’

Palestinian officials are set to launch an international campaign in a bid to thwart the US president’s upcoming plan for peace with Israel known as deal of the century. Officials say they will send out delegations to a number of countries to gain support to oppose Donald Trump’s plan. The delegations will also brief world leaders on the measures Palestine intends to take in response to the scheme. President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials hinted that the measures would include revoking Palestinian recognition of Israel and suspending security coordination with Tel Aviv in the West Bank. Palestinian resistance movement Fatah also urged Hamas movement to join hands to foil Trump’s plan. The so-called deal of the century would give Israel parts of the West Bank which are considered as occupied territories under the international law.

US sanctions fallout

The International Monetary Fund says the United States’ anti-Iran sanctions are among the major factors behind a gloomy outlook for the economy of the Middle East. In its bi-annual report, the IMF said Iran's economic woes have a knock-on effect on the regional figures. The organization said rising unrest in the Mideast and North Africa, as well as oil price volatility are other reasons that could drag the regional economic growth. The international lender added that the prospects for the region are “clouded by elevated levels of uncertainty”. The IMF said such uncertainty may increase investors' perception of risk for the whole region, leading to capital outflows and exchange rate pressure.

Libya crisis

The UN warns that the humanitarian situation in Libya continues to worsen amid fierce fighting between rival forces for control of the capital, Tripoli. The UN official said indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas have made it very difficult to be optimistic about resolving the conflict peacefully. Libya’s crisis began to escalate on April 4 when forces loyal to renegade General Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive against Tripoli. According to the WHO, the fighting has killed 278 people and wounded more than 1,300 others. Tripoli is the seat of Libya’s internationally recognized government. Libya plunged into chaos after the overthrow of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Brexit uncertainty

The British government says it has yet to find a way forward in talks with the opposition Labour Party on how to reach a Brexit deal. A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May added that cross-party Brexit talks are set to resume soon. The official dismissed claims that the two sides are killing time, saying talks are serious but difficulties remained. Meanwhile, a group of Labour lawmakers have urged the party’s leader to campaign for a fresh Brexit poll regardless of whether a deal is clinched with the government. Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement has effectively been rejected three times by the MPs. The EU has set a new deadline of October 31 for the UK’s departure.

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