WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, April 8, 2019 to 0800 GMT, April 9, 2019.

Iran retaliation

The US has formally designated Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. In response, Iran’s top Security Council designated the US Central Command in the region, known as CENTCOM as a terrorist group. More in this report.

US-China trade war

The US is not satisfied about the progress in talks for a deal to end a months-long trade war with China. The White House says there are still issues standing in the way of a deal. It also says the two sides are trying to settle on how to handle existing tariffs on imports. US and Chinese negotiators wrapped up their latest round of trade talks in Washington on Friday. The next round is scheduled to resume remotely. US President Donald Trump has said a deal could be reached in the coming weeks. Washington and Beijing have been engaged in a costly trade dispute since last April. Both sides have slapped tit-for-tat import duties on each other's products.

Brexit law

The European Union chief negotiator for Brexit has urged the British government and the opposition to compromise in talks over the future of relationships with the bloc. Barnier added the hope is that the talks in London will produce a positive result for Britain’s departure from the EU. He made the remarks on an official visit to Dublin where he assured the Irish premier that the EU will fully support Ireland in any Brexit scenario. Meanwhile, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party has criticized the government’s lack of initiative to salvage Brexit. Jeremy Corbyn says there is no deal with Labour at the moment.

Libya fighting

The UN secretary general appeals for calm in Libya where fighting has been ongoing between rival groups for a week now. Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the military escalation in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli. He condemned a Monday airstrike on the city’s only functioning airport. The UN chief urged an immediate halt of all military operations to de-escalate the situation and prevent an all-out conflict. The fighting began after Libyan National Army forces, led by general Khalifa Haftar, launched an assault on Tripoli. More than 30 people have been killed so far. Haftar is based in eastern Libya, and has refused to recognize the UN-backed Government of National Accord in the capital.

‘Sowing dissent’ in Venezuela

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he is working with the US to sow dissent within the Venezuelan Army. Bolsonaro says Venezuela’s government cannot stay as it is. Bolsonaro also says in case of a military invasion in Venezuela, he would ask the parliament if Brazil should engage. US officials have already said they are in contact with Venezuela’s military personnel to encourage them to abandon President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela has accused the US of trying to orchestrate a military coup to overthrow Maduro’s democratically-elected government. The Latin American country has been embroiled in a political crisis ever since US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president in January.

Iran warning

The Iranian president says the US designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization shows its enmity, grudge, and failure. Hassan Rouhani says the move cannot hamper Iran’s military or technological progress. Rouhani slammed Washington’s blacklisting the military group as a mistake. The Iranian president said the unprecedented step will raise tensions in the Middle East. Rouhani stressed that the sole purpose of the IRGC has been fighting terrorists. He said the military force helped countries in the region like Syria and Iraq in recent years to defeat Daesh and end its caliphate. The Iranian president said the US is the main supporter of terrorists. He said Washington tried to use Daesh as a tool for its own agenda and still harbors the group’s leaders.

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

www.presstv.co.uk