WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, June 5, 2017.

Push to isolate Qatar

Tensions are rising in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt break diplomatic ties with Qatar. The three members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and Egypt have accused the sheikhdom of supporting and funding terrorism. Riyadh and Manama blame Doha for backing extremists as well as what they describe as Iranian-backed groups in Saudi Arabia’s restive Eastern Province and in Bahrain. Egypt claims Qatar is supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and Sinai militants. The Arab countries also closed their transport hubs and airspace to Qatar. In reaction, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the decision by the four countries is “unjustified and aimed at putting Doha under political guardianship”. It added that accusations against Doha are neither based on facts nor they can solve the regional crises. Qatar Airways has also suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia.

London arrests

British police have made more arrests in connection with Saturday’s deadly terror attacks in the capital, London. Officers from the Counter Terrorism Command unit are said to have detained a number of people after raiding two properties in the east of the city. Earlier, a dozen people were arrested in Barking after raids at a flat believed to be the home of one of the attackers. London's Metropolitan Police chief has also reported the seizure of a huge amount of forensic material during the search in connection with the attacks claimed by the Daesh terror group. Three men rammed a vehicle into crowds on London Bridge on Saturday night before moving out to target revelers in the Borough Market area with knives. The attacks left seven people dead and 48 others injured.

Mosul children

The UN children's agency has warned that the children are the main victims of the ongoing battle in the Iraqi city of Mosul. UNICEF representative in Iraq, Peter Hawkins, said that the agency has received alarming reports of civilians being killed including children, with some caught in the crossfire while trying to flee. He also added that there are currently 100,000 children trapped in the Daesh-held parts of Mosul, living in extremely dangerous situations. The agency has called on the warring sides to protect the children and keep them out of harm. Iraq’s army and volunteer forces launched an offensive last year in a bid to drive the Takfiri group from Mosul which has been in the hands of Daesh since 2014.

Brazil rally

Thousands of Brazilians have once again poured into the streets of Sao Paulo to protest against President Michel Temer. The protesters, who described Temer as a liar and illegitimate president, called for his immediate resignation. The Brazilian president is under fire over an alleged corruption scandal. Temer is accused of obstructing justice based on a tape that revealed he had allegedly approved hush money for a former politician. Temer denies the allegation, saying the evidence against him is decorated.

UK PM supports shoot-to-kill policy

Britain’s prime minister has thrown her full weight behind the shoot-to-kill policy of London police in the wake of Saturday’s terror attacks in the British capital. Theresa May added that the police have identified all London bridge attackers. She pledged to do more to fight extremists linked to terror groups such as Daesh and al-Qaeda. May went on to say that counter-terrorism police were protected from austerity cuts to police staff. This comes as opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said May should resign over the cuts she oversaw as Home Secretary.

Iran urges dialog on Qatar

Reactions are pouring in after Saudi Arabia and some of its regional allies cut ties with Qatar. Iran has urged all sides to resort to dialog and help ease tensions. Russia and Turkey have also called for resolution of the row. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain plus Egypt announced the break of diplomatic relations with Qatar earlier on Monday. The dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar that has been simmering for a while led to a series of reactions that even dragged Qatar Airways and the UAE’s Etihad Airways into the row. Meanwhile, Saudi and Emirati media have begun attacking Qatar’s rulers and has claimed a coup against the Qatari emir is possible.

Turkey intensifying crackdown

Turkey says it will revoke the citizenship of 130 people suspected of having links to militants unless they return to the country within three months. The interior ministry named US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen and a number of opposition parties’ lawmakers. Gulen is accused of being the mastermind of Last year's coup against Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ankara also says the lawmakers are linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK. Since the failed coup in July 2016, authorities have arrested 50,000 people and sacked or suspended 150,000 state employees. Gulen and other opposition figures have denied any involvement in the coup or links to militants. They are however critical of Erdogan’s crackdown on dissent.

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