WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, April 25, 2019 to 0800 GMT, April 26, 2019.

Macron speech

The French president has pledged to cut taxes as he delivered his response to months of anti-government protests. Emmanuel Macron said he wanted a significant cut in income tax, which would be financed by closing loopholes and squeezing government spending. He also said future increases in the lowest pensions would be indexed to inflation. Macron added that he wanted to simplify rules for referendums to make people feel more involved in the democratic process. Macron is under pressure to deliver policies to quell the five-month old yellow vest protests.

Florida police officer jailed for killing black man

A Florida police officer has been handed a 25-year prison sentence for shooting dead a black man. It is the first time in nearly three decades a Florida officer has been sentenced for an on-duty fatal shooting. Ex-officer, Nouman Raja, of Pakistani descent, received the sentence for shooting dead Corey Jones, in 2015. Last month, a jury found Raja guilty of first-degree attempted murder and manslaughter. Family members of Jones have argued that Raja should spend the rest of his life behind bars. In a letter they said the case was filled with questions of racism, legal procedure and police brutality.

Chile protest

Thousands of Chilean students have clashed with police in Santiago during a protest to demand sweeping education reforms. The march started peacefully with students carrying signs and banners. But it turned violent when riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse rock-throwing protesters. The march was the first for 2019 and included high-school and university students demanding an end to student debt.

North Korea warns US

The North Korean leader has said that the US acted in bad faith when he met with President Donald Trump in Vietnam in late February. According to North Korean media, Kim Jong-un made the comment in his first summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian port city of Vladivostok. Kim also warned that the situation on the Korean peninsula has reached a critical point. He said that peace and security on the peninsula will entirely depend on the US attitude in the future.

Iran-India oil sale

Opposition parties in India have expressed their opposition to the government’s stance on US sanctions against Iran. They say Prime Minister Narendra Modi should urge Washington to reconsider the Iranian oil ban due to its negative impact on the Indian economy.

Morocco protest

In the Moroccan capital, police have used water cannon to disperse thousands of teachers protesting over their employment terms. The teachers had come to camp out in front of parliament in the center of Rabat, but their rally was broken up by police. Moroccan teachers on temporary contracts have held major demonstrations to demand permanent employment status that would improve their rights and benefits. The dispute involves some 55,000 teachers recruited since 2016 on fixed-term contracts.

Sri Lanka terror threats

Sri Lanka remains on high alert five days after suicide bombings at several churches and hotels killed 253 people across the country. Sri Lanka's main Islamic religious body, urged people to pray at home on Friday and not attend mosques or churches. Christian authorities have issued a similar warning, amid fears of more attacks. Officials say nearly 10,000 soldiers have been deployed across the country to carry out searches and provide security to religious centers. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena says police are looking for around 140 people with links to the Daesh terrorist group. The extremist group claimed responsibility for the Sunday attacks that also left about 500 people wounded.

US separation policy

A US judge has given the Trump administration six months to identify the children who have been separated from their families at the Mexico border. District Judge Dana Sabraw says he has established a firm date, although it is likely that he would consider an extension past the current deadline. The US government has, however opposed any deadlines. It says it follows the goal of six months, but the process could take as long as two years. Thousands of children were separated from their parents last year at the US border with Mexico, under an executive order by President Donald Trump. He revoked the order later, in the face of widespread criticism. But, rights groups say a large number of children remain in detention centers, under Trump’s tough immigration policies.

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