WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, January 2, 2018.

US government shutdown

US President, Donald Trump, has called for a meeting with Congress leaders to seek an end to the federal government's partial shutdown. The meeting is due on Wednesday, a day before Democrats plan to approve a spending package meant to end the shutdown, now in its second week. They’re at odds with Trump over the money he wants for the construction of a wall at the Mexico border. Trump wants five-billion dollars to build the wall, which he says is needed to curb illegal immigration to the United States. Democrats have not contained the funding demanded by him in the spending package. They’re critical of the president’s tough immigration policies. The dispute has caused a quarter of the federal government to shut down, affecting nearly 800,000 workers.

Sudan political tension

Opposition parties and groups in Sudan say they want President Omar-al-Bashir to resign amid the dire economic crisis in the country. The opposition includes former allies of the president and breakaway groups and traditional parties. In a press conference on Tuesday, the dissident groups asked for a sovereign council to set a suitable date for democratic elections. They said they look for a government that would offer freedom and democracy and would bring peace to the country’s conflict-ridden areas. The groups expressed their demands in a memorandum that is expected to be presented to Bashir on Wednesday. Sudan has been rocked by deadly anti-government protests during the past few weeks.

Philippines floods

The death toll from Philippines’ devastating landslides and floods has climbed to 85. Authorities say twenty people are still missing. Rescue teams are slowly reaching remote areas around the Bicol and eastern Visayas regions where a tropical depression caused the disaster on Sunday. Bicol was the hardest hit, as intense rains destroyed agricultural products. Rescuers use heavy-lifting equipment to clear roads leading to landslide sites. Officials put three close provinces under a state of calamity to give them access to emergency funds in case a similar situation happens.

Lebanon political impasse

Officials from the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, say a solution to the current impasse over a new government formation in Lebanon is very close. The officials say the government formation is beneficial, particularly, in light of what they called the Israeli dangers. Earlier, Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said he and President Michel Aoun were determined to form a government. Lebanese politicians remain divided since the general election in May. Rival parties have competed over the allocation of cabinet positions. Hezbollah and its political allies secured over half of the seats in the election.

Israeli settlement

New figures show Israeli settlement constructions have witnessed a dramatic rise under US President Donald Trump’s administration. The data obtained by the Associated Press indicate a record high number of settler units could be built in the following years due to huge number of approvals made.

Denmark train accident

At least six people have lost their lives during a train accident in Denmark. Over a dozen others also sustained injuries. The incident took place on a bridge connecting the two islands of Zealand and Funen. The bridge is now closed for both trains and vehicles. Police say debris from a passing freight train caused the accident. The train was heading towards the capital with 131 passengers on board. Witnesses say a loud crash was heard and windows started to smash.

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