WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, September 23, 2018.

Russia plane downing

Russia’s defense ministry says a minute-by-minute account of the downing of its military plane in Syria further shows that Israel is entirely to be blamed for the incident. The ministry accuses Israel of criminal negligence and disregard to ties with Russia. It says Israel gave misinformation to the Russian plane, preventing it from moving timely to a safe area. The Russian ministry also says the Israeli military used the Russian plane as a shield against anti-aircraft missiles by the Syrian air defense force. Last week Moscow said the aircraft was shot down and crashed in northern Syria, at the time when Israel was conducting air raids in the country. Moscow also said 15 Russian servicemen were killed because of what it called Israel’s irresponsible action. Israel says it bears NO responsibility, and has blamed Syria for the incident.

Israel demolition policy

Israeli authorities have issued an eviction deadline for the residents of a Palestinian Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank. A notice issued to the residents of Khan al-Ahmar says they have until the end of the month to leave. Tel Aviv’s plan to demolish the village has drawn international condemnations. Critics say the Israeli move is aimed at making room for more illegal settlement. Major European countries have also issued a rare joint statement, warning Israel against its planned demolition of the Bedouin village. Israeli authorities regularly carry out demolitions of Palestinian homes, claiming they've been built illegally.

UK Brexit row

The British government has rejected a snap election, demanded by the opposition Labour party over the government’s chaotic Brexit negotiations with the EU. Brexit Minister Dominic Raab said London will stick to its current Brexit plan as no other credible alternative is on the table. He also rejected the EU proposal for post-Brexit customs union with Northern Ireland, saying London will not be dictated to on the issue. Meanwhile, the Labour leader has vowed to vote down any Brexit deal based on the government’s current proposals. Jeremy Corbyn said he wants a snap election to send the government back to the negotiating table. Corbyn’s deputy had earlier said the government is on the verge of collapse over Brexit and that a new election could serve as a second referendum on how it is handling the matter.

UAE terror attack stance  

Iran has summoned the United Arab Emirates' charge d’affaires over remarks made about the terrorist attack in the southwestern city of Ahvaz. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran voiced its strong objection to “irresponsible and insulting comments” a UAE political advisor wrote on Twitter. Bahram Qassemi said the envoy was warned that expressing support for terrorists by figures close to the Emirati government is not acceptable. In a tweet short after the incident, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said an attack by militants on a military parade is not an act of terror. Abdulla who is a university professor used to serve as an advisor to Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince. Earlier, Iran also summoned the British, Dutch and Danish envoys over the terrorist attack. At least 25 people, among them women children, were killed when terrorists targeted a military parade in Ahvaz.

Macron’s popularity ‘low’

A recent poll in France shows the popularity of President Emmanuel Macron has hit its lowest level since the start of his term. The poll was conducted by Ifop research group. According to the survey, only 29 percent of respondents are stratified with Macron’s performance. The figure is down from 34 percent last month. A separate poll by another group showed that only 19 percent of French people had a positive view of the president’s job performance. Macron’s approval rating began to fall sharply following a scandal involving one of his security aides in July.

Pessimism over peace deal

Uganda has expressed optimism that a recent peace agreement signed between rival factions in South Sudan will ensure peace in the African country. But many South Sudanese refugees, who have fled the conflict in the country, remain skeptical on whether the peace agreement will hold.

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