WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, April 4, 2019 to 0800 GMT, April 5, 2019.

Turkey-US row

The Turkish foreign minister reiterates that Ankara will not cancel the purchase of Russian S400 missile system. Mevlut Cavusoglu noted that Turkey's relations with Russia are not an alternative to its alliances with NATO or the European Union. The US and other NATO allies have time and again warned Ankara against buying the system. This week, Washington suspended Turkey's participation in the F35 fighter jet program. It has also threatened to impose sanctions on Turkey over the issue. American officials fear the Russian system has the technology that will allow Moscow to gather data from NATO aircraft.

Libya mounting tensions

Forces loyal to Libya's Khalifa Haftar are marching toward the capital under the renegade general’s order. They have reportedly reached a security barrier 27 kilometers from Tripoli. Haftar’s loyalists say they seized the checkpoint without any fighting. In the meantime, armed groups from the city of Misrata, who oppose Haftar, are marching toward Tripoli to defend it against the advance. The United Nations secretary general raised the alarm over escalating violence in the African nation.

New Zealand mosque attacks

A New Zealand judge has ordered a mental health assessment for the Christchurch mosque shooter to determine if he is fit to face trial for murder. Cameron Mander has ruled that the accused attacker, Brenton Tarrant, must be seen by two specialists to determine his sanity. On March 15, the 28-year-old opened fire on Muslims in two mosques in the city of Christchurch, killing 50 people and injuring scores of others. Tarrant live-streamed his killing spree on social media. The incident was New Zealand’s worst ever mass shooting.

Rohingya refugees in India

India has once again deported several Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. The UN has condemned the move, however India remains adamant on the approach. Our correspondent in Indian-controlled Kashmir Shahana Butt reports the fear that has gripped Rohingya refugee camps, as a result.

Iran floods

Aid and rescue operations are underway in several Iranian provinces which have been recently hit by record flash floods. Hundreds of aid workers and military personnel have been dispatched to the affected areas. Officials say that relief supplies have been sent to all the affected regions by boats, helicopters and amphibious armored carriers. Basic items, including mineral water and food packages have been dispatched to the town of Pol-e Dokhtar which was hit the hardest by the disaster. Over 60 people have died since the start of lashing rains that triggered flooding and wreaked havoc across the country.

Afghanistan attack

Afghan officials say the Taliban militants have killed over thirty government forces in western Badghis province. Officials said the militants began their raids on a district on Wednesday night and captured several security checkpoints. Thirty Taliban militants have also been killed in the fighting. Afghan authorities said the government forces chose to retreat tactically from the checkpoints to prevent civilian casualties. The defense ministry has called for airstrikes on the Taliban positions. Every year, the Taliban militant group ramps up its attacks on government forces in its so-called Spring Offensive.

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