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Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, May 26, to 08:00 GMT, May 27, 2017.

Battle for Mosul

A top commander of Iraq’s volunteer forces battling the Daesh terror group says the so-called US-led coalition is hampering efforts to liberate Mosul. Hadi al-Ameri has criticized the coalition, saying it offers very little assistance to the Iraqi armed forces. The commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi added that the paramilitary force will not allow any foreign powers to dictate their battle plans. Hashd al-Sha’abi is assisting the Iraqi army to liberate Nineveh province by fighting Daesh West of Mosul in territory that stretches to the Syrian border. The volunteer forces have liberated some strategically important areas from Daesh including Sinjar military base.

Fading consumer confidence

Consumer confidence in the UK has reportedly fallen to its lowest level since the month after the Brexit referendum. According to the latest data from a top economic consultancy, the economic indicator has dropped by 2 tenth to hit 107.9. The most notable fall came in the British households’ financial status over the past month, when it hit its lowest level since December 2014. The report, however, shows that homeowners’ expectations for house value remained unchanged over the past month. They have also become slightly more optimistic about property prices for the coming year. Consumer confidence is a financial indicator that measures the consumers’ overall satisfaction and optimism about a country’s economic status.

Bahrain uprising

Bahraini clerics have praised protesters resisting the Al Khalifah regime, saying their struggle to save their religion has just started. In a statement, the clerics also said the brutal crackdown backed by the US and some regional countries only strengthens the Bahraini demonstrators’ will to defend their rights. The clerics added that the parents of those killed in the regime crackdown have an inalienable right to hold a decent funeral for their loved ones. They also said denying bereaved people their right to do so would amount to a betrayal of God. At least five Bahraini protesters have been killed and more than 280 arrested after security forces raided Diraz, the hometown of prominent shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim. The raid that led to massive anti-government protests came only days after a court in Manama sentenced Sheikh Qassim to one year in jail.

Venezuela turmoil

In Venezuela, riot police have once again clashed with anti-government protesters in the capital, Caracas. The police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Venezuela has been the scene of violent anti- and pro-government protests in the past two months. Anti-government protesters are calling for ouster of President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of seeking to cling to power. Maduro, however, rejects the allegations, blaming a stagnated economy on the opposition and its foreign supporters. Both the government and the opposition admit that the protests are out of control. The fresh demonstrations come as Maduro has tasked a constituent assembly with drafting a new constitution.

No to oppression

Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets of Tehran in solidarity with Bahrain’s prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim whose house is under a military siege in the Persian Gulf kingdom. The protesters condemned Manama’s crackdown on the supporters of the cleric and on dissent. Our correspondent Ghanbar Naderi has more.

Slamming US arms deal

Iran’s foreign minister says the massive arms deal between the US and Saudi Arabia is unable to bring peace to the Middle East. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remark in an article published in The New York Times. Zarif also said responsible leaders in the world should step up their efforts and tackle the momentous challenges at hand to avoid the spread of terrorism and militant extremism. He added that the 110 billion dollar deal between Riyadh and Washington will not reduce the burden on the American military or as the state department argues, will not support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia. Zarif noted that the US president is either milking the Saudis for money or trying to turn the US into Saudi Arabia’s mercenary in the Middle East. The Iranian foreign minister underlined that the last time Riyadh spent such a large sum was in the 1980’s when it gave Iraq’s former dictator Saddam Hussein billions of dollars to arm itself against Iran.

Boehner on Trump

Fellow Republican and former US House speaker John Boehner has harshly criticized President Donald Trump, saying his time in office has so far been a complete disaster. Boehner said that he never thought that Trump would occupy the White House. He also criticized the Republicans’ efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The former Ohio congressman noted that Trump is still learning to be president. Boehner, however, praised Trump’s steps against Daesh terrorists and his measures in international affairs. He also rejected calls to impeach the president. Democratic Representative Al Green has formally introduced articles of impeachment for Trump, but such an effort has not been embraced by most Democratic lawmakers as the investigation continues.

Saudi repression of dissent

A court in Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced over a dozen activists to death over their participation in anti-Al Saud protests in the restive Qatif region in recent years. Lebanese media says the activists were tried at the criminal court which deals with terrorism-related cases. Some of the defendants say they were forced into false confessions through physical and psychological torture. Qatif region in the kingdom’s Eastern Province has recently witnessed a flare-up in violence. Tension, which claimed civilian lives, began in mid-May after Saudi armored vehicles stormed Awamiyah and razed several residential buildings for alleged renovation. The security forces have blocked humanitarian aid and entrance roads to the Shia-majority area.

Condemning attack in Egypt

The terrorist attack in Egypt has drawn condemnation from world countries and organizations around the world. Egypt’s top religious authority, Al-Azhar said the shooting is unacceptable to both Muslims and Christians. Iran expressed sympathy with the victims. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said such acts of terror are an example of sectarianism promoted by such governments as Saudi Arabia. The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the attack, stressing that terrorism in all its forms constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Germany, Russia, Iraq, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Arab League also condemned the attack in separate statements.

US killing civilians

A monitoring group says the latest round of US-led airstrikes has killed at least 106 civilians in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says over 40 women and children are among those killed in the bombardments of the city of Mayadin on Thursday and Friday. A large number of people are also believed to be missing or trapped under the rubble. According to the UK-based monitoring group, most of the victims were displaced families seeking refuge in the city's municipal building. Nearly a dozen Daesh terrorists are also among the dead. The US-led coalition frequently pounds towns and cities in Iraq and Syria. Washington says the strikes target terrorists, but facts on the ground show many civilians have died in the attacks.

Kushner's Russia links

A new US media report has surfaced suggesting that President Donald Trump’s son-in-law had proposed establishing a secret line with Russia ahead of Trump inauguration. According to the Washington Post, Jared Kushner and the Russian ambassador discussed setting up a secret and secure communications line between Trump’s transition team and the Kremlin. The president’s advisor also suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the US to protect such a channel from being monitored. The report says the request was made in December at Trump Tower in New York. Since his victory in the November presidential race, Trump has been accused of being supported by the Kremlin to sway the election in his favor. The New York billionaire, however, rejects allegations of having any ties with Moscow.

Deadly fighting in Libya

In Libya, fierce clashes between forces loyal to the UN-backed unity government and rival militia have left at least 28 people dead. According to the Health Ministry, nearly 130 others have also been wounded in the violence in the capital, Tripoli. It has not been confirmed if civilians were among the casualties. Elsewhere in Tripoli, an armed group loyal to the unity government also attacked a prison holding senior officials of the former government of dictator Muammar Gaddafi, including his ex-prime minister and intelligence chief. Two guards were reportedly killed during the raid.

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