WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, April 30, 2019 to 0800 GMT, May 1, 2019.

Venezuela coup attempt

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has addressed the nation following a failed coup attempt against his government. Maduro appeared on state television alongside his defense minister and senior military officers. He vowed not to surrender to US imperialism. Maduro denounced the opposition for causing violence, using dangerous weapons and attempting to stage a coup. Maduro accused a retired general of being behind the failed coup. Meanwhile, opposition figure Juan Guaido repeated his call for Maduro’s ouster and mass anti-government rallies on Wednesday. Guaido claims Maduro does not have the support of the country's armed forces. But the president and his defense minister say the army is loyal to the government. The opposition’s call to topple the government drew thousands of government supporters to the streets to slam the coup attempt.

Reactions to coup attempt  

Reactions are pouring in from around the world following an opposition-led coup attempt against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Russia has accused the opposition of drawing the country’s armed forces into clashes and provoking public disorder. The Russian Foreign Ministry urged the opposition to refrain from violence. Iran called for dialogue under the country’s legal government, saying chaos cannot be a solution to the political tensions in Venezuela. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also urged restraint and immediate restoration of calm in the Latin American country. Mexico and Turkey criticized the violence in Venezuela, with the Turkish president condemning the coup attempt there. Meanwhile, Brazil's government said it would NOT allow its territory to be used for a potential intervention in Venezuela. This came after the United States repeated its call for a regime change in Venezuela.

Sudan political tensions  

Sudan’s main opposition group says the ruling military council is not serious in its talks over transferring power to a civilian administration. The Sudanese Professionals Association warned about the council’s growing powers, describing it as a big danger of the country’s revolution. The opposition also called on the Sudanese to stage mass rallies until their demands are met. Meanwhile, the transitional military council said that it is ready for more talks but urged demonstrators to end their protests and lift road blocks. The opposition has been in talks with the ruling junta to form a joint civilian-military body to oversee a power transition. But the two sides are at odds over the leadership of the new council.

US probe controversy

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has reportedly written a letter to US Attorney General William Barr, objecting to his description of the Russia investigation. The letter was written in late March after Barr released a summary of Mueller’s report. Barr’s version said the report had found no evidence of collusion between President Trump’s campaign and Russia. Mueller wrote that the summary did not fully capture the context, nature and substance of his probe. He warned that Barr’s description of the report threatened to undermine public confidence in the outcome of the investigation. Barr's four-page summary was released more than three weeks before a redacted version of Mueller's 448-page report was released to the public on April 18.

Japan new emperor

Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito has formally taken the throne, one day after his father announced his abdication. Naruhito officially became emperor at the stroke of midnight. But the process was formalized on Wednesday morning, which was off-limit to female royals. He vowed to stand with the Japanese people and swore to act according to the Constitution. With Naruhito taking the throne, a new imperial era called Reiwa has begun, which means beautiful harmony. The era will last throughout Naruhito's reign. The new emperor will make his first public appearance on Saturday when he will again address the people of Japan. Naruhito’s father, Akihito abdicated on Wednesday, ending 30 years of his reign.

Daesh threat

The Iraqi Prime Minister says the Daesh terrorist group has been militarily weakened but has yet to be defeated. Abdel-Mahdi was speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in Berlin. The remarks came after Daesh released a propaganda video with a purported appearance of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Iraqi Premier said the video appeared to show Baghdadi in a very simple and isolated location. Abdel-Mahdi said it was in vast contrast to the terror leader's last appearance in 2014, when he addressed his supporters in public in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Abdul-Mahdi warned that Daesh is trying to restore the Takfiri group's confidence to carry out new operations.

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