WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, April 2, 2019 to 0800 GMT, April 3, 2019.

US's Iran policy

The US special representative for Iran says Washington is not looking to grant any further waivers to countries importing Iranian oil. Brian Hook says three of the eight countries that had been granted exemptions have already cut their imports to zero. Hook did not specify the countries in question. He stressed that oil market conditions are now prepared for the US to ramp up pressure on Iran's oil sector. The threats come as the International Atomic Energy Agency once again reaffirms Iran’s compliance with the country’s 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA. The agency says its inspectors have full access to all the sites they need to visit in Iran. Last May, United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, re-imposing sanctions that had been lifted following the accord.

US aid cuts

Leading rights groups and charities have warned that the US government’s decision to cut aid to three Central American countries will make matters worse. International aid groups, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, World Vision International and Oxfam say the move is likely to backfire and fuel rather than stem the flow of migrants. They denounced President Donald Trump’s decision as counterproductive, warning that the move will add to violence, poverty and insecurity in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. On Saturday, the US State Department said it would carry out Trump's repeated threats to halt aid to the three Central American countries, also known as the Northern Triangle.

Mozambique cholera

A cholera outbreak in central Mozambique has killed two people and infected hundreds of others. According to health officials, 376 new cases were reported on Tuesday. This takes the total number of infected people to one thousand 428 since the first case was reported last week. Most cases have been registered in the central city of Beira, which has been recently struck by a deadly cyclone. Officials have launched a major vaccination campaign to limit the rapid spread of the disease.

Trump border move

The US president says he is prepared to close the southern border but that Mexico's recent measures have made a big difference in the immigration situation. Trump said the US immigration system is completely maxed out and cannot accommodate more immigrants. The US president said Mexico was a big trading partner but insisted that security was his priority. Senate Republican and Democratic leaders have reacted to Trump’s statement, warning that a border shutdown would have catastrophic consequences for the US economy. Also responding to Trump’s remarks, Mexico’s foreign minister has said his country is ready for any scenario. On Friday, Trump threatened to close the border with Mexico this week if it did not stop the flow of illegal migrants into the United States.

Guaido stripped of immunity

Venezuelan lawmakers have stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido of his parliamentary immunity. The lawmakers also authorized the Venezuelan High Court to criminally prosecute Guaido for declaring himself as the president of the South American country. The decision follows a request by the Supreme Court to the Constituent Assembly to remove Guaido’s immunity. The opposition leader has dismissed the decision, saying he recognizes neither the court nor the Constituent Assembly. He said “Nothing is going to stop us”. Guaido declared himself as interim president in late January, saying President Nicolas Maduro's May 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Maduro, who calls Guaido a puppet of the US, says he should “face justice”.

Iran floods

In Iran, relief operations are underway in flood-stricken areas to assist communities affected by heavy downpours. The armed forces have brought in equipment to make it easier for aid workers to reach the affected people in the provinces of Khuzestan and Lorestan. Evacuation orders have been issued for dozens of villages in both provinces. Authorities say nearly forty villages in Lorestan are still surrounded by water. The situation is critical in the cities of Pol-e Dokhtar and Mamulan that were partially inundated, forcing people to stay on rooftops. Many provinces across Iran were hit by torrential rains over the past two weeks. Nearly sixty people have been killed and hundreds of others have been injured. Many houses and agricultural farms have been destroyed.

Brexit crisis  

The British prime minister says she will ask the European Union for a new Brexit extension to avoid a no-deal departure from the bloc. May noted that extending the Brexit deadline is in the interest of all Britons. The premier called for more unity between her government and British lawmakers. She also offered to work with the opposition Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to end the Brexit impasse. Corbyn welcomed May’s offer of talks but warned that he reserved his party the right to try to bring the government down if it is incapable of getting a parliament majority. Meanwhile, Ireland has urged the British government to present clear reasons for its request for an extension to the Brexit deadline.

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