WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, April 8, 2019.

Catalonia independence row

The Spanish prime minister has vowed to oppose any independence bid by Catalonia IF his socialist party wins the upcoming general elections. Pedro Sanchez insisted there will be neither independence nor any referendum for independence in Catalonia. Sanchez emphasized that the Spanish constitution in Catalonia will not be violated in any manner. The socialist premier announced snap general elections, set for April 28, following a parliamentary vote that rejected his budget proposal. A new poll finds that his ruling party would win the election with over 30 percent of the votes, lacking a parliamentary dominance. The poll by GAD-3 indicates that a coalition of center to far-right parties would garner over 45 percent of the ballots which is also short of an absolute majority.

Saudi war on Yemen

Iran has condemned as inhumane Sunday’s airstrikes by Saudi Arabia on the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, which killed over a dozen civilians, including schoolchildren. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said the countries that provide weapons for Saudi Arabia in its war on Yemen are complicit in the kingdom’s crimes. Bahram Qassemi also slammed the international community for its silence on what he called the atrocities perpetrated against Yemeni people. He demanded that the UN make increasing efforts to stop the Saudi aggression.

Closure ahead of vote

Tel Aviv has announced that all access points to Israel from the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank will be closed from Monday midnight for 24 hours. The announcement comes as Israel prepares to hold a parliamentary election on Tuesday. In a statement, the Israeli army said the decision was based on what it called security evaluations. Over 40 parties are battling for the 120-seat Knesset. Opinion polls show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud is neck and neck in the race with the centrist Blue and White party of former military chief, Benny Gantz.

India’s BJP manifesto  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling right-wing party has pledged to remove special constitutional rights given to the people of Kashmir IF it wins the upcoming general elections. The Hindu Nationalist right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party made the pledge in its election manifesto that was released in New Delhi on Monday. Article 370 of the Indian constitution prevents outsiders from buying property in the disputed Kashmir region. Modi’s BJP argues that such a law hinders the Himalayan region’s integration with the rest of the country. The call has angered Kashmiris, with pro-independence leaders condemning Modi and his party for exploiting the situation to gain more votes.

US Iran enmity

The US president has formally designated Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. In a statement, Donald Trump accused the IRGC of financing and promoting terrorism. He also branded Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. Earlier, the IRGC warned that the US military will no longer have calm in West Asia if it labels the elite force as a terror entity. The Iranian parliament has also prepared a motion against the decision. The IRGC has provided advisory support to Syria and Iraq in their battle against Daesh terrorists. It is also actively cooperating in construction, infrastructure and relief projects.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk