WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, September 2, 2018 to 0800 GMT, September 3, 2018.

Iraq political alliances

Iraqi political groups have announced the formation of rival alliances to form a coalition government. One alliance consisting of political groups, including those led by cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, claims to have the backing of 177 lawmakers. The rival coalition includes political groups such as the ones led by former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and secretary-general of Iraq's Badr Organization Hadi al-Ameri. The alliance says it has the support of 145 lawmakers. The Iraqi parliament, which has a total of 329 seats, is set to convene on Monday for the first time since the May elections. It will elect a new speaker and launch the process of forming the government.

Israel flotilla attack

Palestinians in Gaza have launched a new flotilla in a symbolic attempt to break Israel’s blockade on the territory. Israeli forces open fire at boats carrying activists who were trying to break Israel’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip. Press TV’s correspondent Ashraf Shannon has more details in the following report from Gaza.

Libya violence

Libya’s United Nations-backed government has imposed a state of emergency in the capital Tripoli and its suburbs in the wake of bloody clashes between rival armed groups. The Government of National Accord demanded that the parties stop the aggression and observe the UN-mediated ceasefire agreement. Nearly 40 people were killed and some 100 others injured over the past week after renewed fighting broke out between rival armed groups in and around Tripoli despite a newly-reached truce. Many civilians are among those killed. The two groups, the Seventh Brigade from Tarhouna and the Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigades, have been vying to take control of the capital. Libya descended into chaos in 2011 after the downfall of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi in NATO-led military operations.

US Pakistan aid cut

Ties between US and Pakistan have deteriorated after Washington announced cancelling of millions of dollars of aid to Islamabad. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says he will not bow down to US pressures. Our correspondent Javed Rana reports.

EU-UK Brexit challenge

The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator voices strong opposition to key parts of the UK’s proposals for a future trade deal. Michel Barnier said the proposals will spell the end of the single market and the European project. He warned that the EU will face consequences if it let Britain pick the raisins out of the bloc’s rules. In response, the UK government insisted its Brexit plans are precise and pragmatic and would work for London and Brussels. Earlier, Prime Minister Theresa May vowed not to compromise with the EU over her plans to leave the bloc. The UK is due to leave the EU on March 29 next year but has yet to agree how its final relationship with the bloc will work.

Myanmar media crackdown

Two reporters held by Myanmar’s authorities have been found guilty of violating the country’s rules. A judge sentenced each of the two Reuters journalists to seven years in jails for what he called breaching the country’s official secrets act. The reporters, however, denied the charges insisting they were set up while doing their jobs. Reuters news agency expressed disappointment over the verdict.

Brazil museum fire

Brazil is mourning the loss of thousands of years of its history. A massive fire has engulfed the country’s national museum in Rio de Janeiro. The disaster on Sunday burned down a collection of more than 20 million items, ranging from archeological finds to historical memorabilia. Authorities have not yet reported on the number of possible casualties or the exact scale of damage. President Michel Temer described the incident as incalculable loss for Brazil. The museum, once a royal residence, was founded in the early 19th century. It housed several landmark collections, including Egyptian artifacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil.

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