WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, May 1, 2019.

Iran oil sales

President Hassan Rouhani has once again played down efforts to drive down Iran’s crude exports to zero, saying the US is unable to do so. Rouhani says the US power to halt Iran’s oil shipments is far limited than what America boasts about. He says Iran will continue to sell its oil despite US sanctions. The Iranian president has urged the nation to make the US back off from its anti-Iran policies through unity and resistance, and bring Washington to its senses. Rouhani has also warned that Iran will not stand idle in the face of plots hatched by US regional allies, saying the Islamic Republic will hit back. The remarks come as the US is set to end sanction waivers granted to eight major buyers of the Iranian crude as of Thursday.

May Day rallies

Protesters take to the streets across the world to mark International Workers’ Day, known as May Day. Clashes have broken out during the rallies in Turkey. Police in the city of Istanbul arrested twenty people who defied a ban and took to the streets. In Paris, more than 7,000 security forces have been deployed, as yellow vest protesters and labor unions are expected to join the May Day rallies. Protests, however, have been peaceful in other countries including Russia, Taiwan, South Korea, Denmark and the Philippines. The demonstrators demand better working conditions, more jobs and higher wages. In the meantime, Berlin, Beijing and Seattle are on alert and have ramped up security measures amid fears of violence.

Venezuela coup attempt

In Venezuela, a group of army members staged a coup on Tuesday, following a call by opposition leader Juan Guaido for a final push against President Nicolas Maduro. The president said the attempt failed, and declared victory over the US-backed opposition. The coup attempt was the peak of the political crisis that has gripped Venezuela for months now.

US Venezuela intervention

The US Secretary of State has once again called for military action as an option to resolve the political crisis in Venezuela. Mike Pompeo made the remarks in an interview with Fox News. He however added that Washington would prefer a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. The United States has been calling for regime change in Venezuela ever since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country’s president.

Slamming US plan

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad, Javad Zarif has slammed a US plan to designate the Egyptian-based Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization. Zarif said Iran rejects any blacklisting attempts by Washington. The top Iranian diplomat added that America is not in a position to name others as terrorist organizations. He said the US itself is supporter of the biggest terrorist in the region that is Israel. On Tuesday, the White House said the administration of President Donald Trump is working to blacklist the Muslim Brotherhood. The move has reportedly caused a rift between administration officials and the Pentagon.

Mueller report hearing

The US attorney general has defended his decisions on Special Counsel, Robert Mueller’s report on the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Testifying before a Congressional panel, William Barr said he tried to make as much of the report available to the public and Congress as possible under the law. Barr added, all the redactions were made in coordination with the special council’s team and the country’s intelligence apparatus. The top attorney also underlined that the justice department will not block Mueller from testifying before the congress. Mueller has reportedly written a letter to Barr, objecting to his description of the Russia investigation for undermining public confidence. Top congressional democrats have agreed to have Mueller testify before Congress on his probe.

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