WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, September 8, 2018 to 0800 GMT, September 9, 2018.

Germans hold protest rally

Germans have taken to the streets of Hannover, protesting against a proposed bill that would increase police surveillance. The rally was organized by more than 120 movements and activist groups. Demonstrators called on lawmakers to withdraw the draft legislation that is asking for increased police power in the state of Lower Saxony. The bill would grant police greater surveillance powers on individuals and public places. It was proposed by the local governing coalition between the Social Democratic Party and Christian Democratic Union. The measure has received heavy criticism from German civil societies.

San Francisco march

Thousands of people have held worldwide rallies calling for action to control climate change. People in the US city of San Francisco took to the streets demanding government implement policies to contain global warming ahead of next week’s climate change summit in the city. They also criticized the US president for his decision to scrap the Paris climate agreement in 2017. People in the Australian city of Sydney also held a demonstration to raise awareness about the consequences of global warming. Similar rallies were held in the French cities of Marseille and Paris.

US aid cut

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry slams the US for cutting aid to Palestinian hospitals in occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds. The ministry issued a statement, saying the US crossed all lines and launched a direct aggression against the Palestinian people by freezing the already-allocated funds. It said the new US policy aims to destroy the Palestinian cause under false pretexts through the so-called Deal of the Century. On Saturday, the US announced that it plans to cut 25 million dollars in aid to six hospitals primarily serving Palestinians. An official with the US State Department said the decision goes in line with President Donald Trump’s directive to make sure such funds are being spent in accordance with US national interests.

US meetings with Venezuelan officers

US officials have reportedly held secret meetings with Venezuela’s military officers to discuss plans to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro. According to CNN, American officials met with renegade Venezuelan military officers several times over the last year. CNN said Washington however later decided against supporting the coup. The White House has so far declined to comment on the meetings, but it said Washington continues to support a peaceful orderly return to democracy in Venezuela. Meanwhile, Caracas has denounced any efforts to interfere in the Latin American country’s internal affairs. Venezuela has been the scene of pro- and anti-government protests in the past several months. Caracas has time and again described the anti-government protests as a coup attempt orchestrated by the US.

EU far-right plans

Italy’s far right interior minister says he wants to be at the forefront of a movement to salvage Europe. Matteo Salvini says that next year’s elections for the European Union are the last opportunity to save the continent. Salvini says right wing groups are working to be the main European parliamentary group. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference attended by leaders of other European far-right parties in Cernobbio, he blamed socialists for the unemployment and insecurity across the continent. Salvini has joined a foundation set up by US president’s former adviser Steve Bannon called the movement. Bannon says the movement intends to link far-right elements across Europe to form a decisive front. The increasing wave of asylum-seeking migrants has boosted far right political factions in the West.

Israeli violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque

Dozens of Israeli settlers have once again stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem al-Quds. They were accompanied by Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel. This is not the first time Israeli settlers have encroached upon the holy Muslim site. Back in July, over a thousand settlers raided the mosque. Hundreds of them forced their way into the site under the tight protection of Israeli soldiers and special police forces. The settlers performed acts deemed provocative by Palestinians at the mosque’s courtyard to commemorate a Jewish holiday. The move is considered an incursion under a 1967 deal between Israel and Jordan that is custodian of the mosque. Tel Aviv often allows settlers to enter the site and carry out religious rituals in defiance of the pact.

Sweden elections

Swedes go to the polls in legislative elections dominated by concerns over immigration and welfare. More than seven million people are eligible to cast their ballots. The anti-immigration right-wing Sweden Democrats Party is predicted to win between 16 and 25 percent of the votes. That’s up from 13 percent the party garnered in the last elections in 2014. The traditionally two biggest parties, the ruling Social Democrats and the conservative Moderates, are together predicted to win around 40 percent. Sweden Democrats have called the Sunday vote a choice between immigration and welfare. Opinion polls suggest Swedes are unhappy about issues including, shortages of doctors and teachers as well as police’s failure to contain gang violence. Sweden Democrats also want the country to leave the European Union. This adds to a growing chorus of euro-skepticism in the bloc.

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