WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, April 5, 2019.

Libya crisis

Libya's UN-backed government forces push back troops loyal to Khalifah Haftar near Tripoli after the renegade general ordered an advance toward the capital. Government forces say they’ve retaken a key checkpoint from Haftar’s loyalists some 30 kilometers from the capital. They've also captured scores of prisoners and confiscated some 60 vehicles. The UN chief has raised the alarm about the escalating violence in the African nation. Antonio Guterres is set to meet general Haftar after he held talks with the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli. The UN Security Council is to discuss the Libya crisis at a closed-door meeting shortly. Meanwhile, Russia has expressed hope that the ongoing crisis will not lead to renewed bloodshed. Over the past years, Libya has been divided between the UN-backed government in Tripoli and a parallel administration allied to Haftar in the east.

Brexit extension

British Prime Minister Theresa May has asked the European Union to delay Brexit until June 30th. In a letter to the European Council president, May said the extension is to allow the divided British lawmakers to agree on a withdrawal deal. Downing Street also said the country will prepare for the upcoming European Parliament elections. It noted that if an agreement was reached before June 30th, Britain will propose to end the extension earlier. British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt says the UK has no choice but to accept a long delay to its departure from the EU if parliament fails to agree on a solution.

EU economy woes

The EU economics commissioner has sounded the alarm over the threat of recession in Italy and a slowdown in Germany. Pierre Moscovici described Italy's economic situation as delicate, warning that the country could plunge into recession this year. He added that the economic situation in Italy needs to be monitored closely. Moscovici also noted that the new EU forecasts will acknowledge the current economic slowdown that is most affecting Germany and Italy. France's finance minister also expressed the same concerns. He warned that the eurozone's future was at stake if reforms were not agreed on quickly to reduce divergences among the bloc’s economies.

Algeria protests

Thousands of Algerians have held a fresh anti-government protest in the capital Algiers despite the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Protesters gathered to push for the removal of the entire political structure built around the ruling party and Bouteflika’s loyalists. They called for the resignation of the prime minister, the parliament speaker who is set to act as the interim leader, as well as the head of the Constitutional Council. The protesters say the three officials have long served Bouteflika and that’s why they have to go, too. Protesters demanded new transitional institutions be set up to implement reforms and organize free elections. Bouteflika resigned late on Tuesday after weeks of demonstrations triggered by his bid for a fifth term in office.

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