WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, June 6, to 08:00 GMT, June 7, 2017.

Daesh atrocities

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights says Daesh terrorists have executed 163 civilians in one day in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said the terrorists killed the civilians on June first to prevent them from fleeing western Mosul. He also said there are reports that a number of people have gone missing in the western part of the city. Mosul fell to Daesh in 2014, when the terror outfit began a campaign of death and destruction in the country. Iraq’s army and volunteer forces launched an offensive last year to drive the terror group from Mosul. They took control of eastern Mosul in January and launched the battle in the west in February.

Saudi planned executions

According to a report by two human rights groups, Saudi Arabia plans to execute 14 Shia citizens. The report by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch says the execution follows a "grossly unfair trial" linked to protests in 2011 and 2012. The Court documents obtained by the two groups show a total of 38 defendants are linked to the protests. Most of them were held in pre-trial detention for more than two years, many of them in solitary confinement. The rights groups also say the death sentences are based on coerced confessions that were later retracted. Since 2011, Riyadh has stepped up crackdown on anti-government protests in the Shia-dominated eastern province.

Paris church attack

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has been put on lockdown following a hammer attack that wounded an officer. Police stepped and cordoned off the area after an assailant attacked a police officer patrolling near the historic site. The officer who was attacked shot and wounded the assailant. The attacker, who is said to be an Algerian national shouted this is for Syria when he ran toward the officer. French authorities have urged people to stay away from the site in central Paris. The French capital remains under high security following a string of terrorist attacks.

US Syria attacks

US warplanes have once again attacked pro-government troops in Syria advancing against militants near the country’s border with Jordan and Iraq. The Syrian army and allied forces were reportedly approaching al-Tanf base in southern Homs province where the US military is training militants. In a statement, the so-called US-led coalition claims its forces had warned the convoy a number of times before carrying out airstrikes. It is the second time in less than a month Washington has hit government and allied troops in the area. Last month Syria slammed the attack on its forces by “illegitimate powers” and vowed to defend its entire territory from terrorists.

Qatar diplomatic crisis

A diplomatic row in the Arab world is deepening with Jordan announcing it is reducing diplomatic representation with Qatar. The Jordanian government said it had decided to revoke al-Jazeera TV channel’s license. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has also insisted that Qatar must change its policies and stop supporting “extremist groups” and act like a normal country. Meanwhile, some countries have urged dialogue to alleviate the tensions. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said isolating Qatar, including the use of sanctions would not resolve any problems. The Emir of Kuwait also held a meeting with the Saudis which was described as brotherly by Kuwaiti media. Earlier, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah urged Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to prioritize diplomacy. The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with the ruler of Qatar by phone, urging dialogue to resolve the dispute.

Israeli oppression against Palestinians

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, saying it is essential for peace. In a speech at a three-week session of the UN Human Rights Council, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said a halt to the occupation would benefit both sides after half a century of hostility. The UN top official also condemned 2,000 years of Jewish suffering resulting in the “colossal crime” of the Holocaust. He added that maintaining the occupation will prolong immense pain for both Palestinians and Israelis. US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, also addressed the Geneva forum, calling on the UN rights council to remove what she called "chronic anti-Israel bias”.

Amnesty's Turkey head arrested

Turkish authorities have arrested the head of Amnesty International in the country as part of a massive crackdown on dissent, following the 2016 failed coup attempt. According to the rights group, Taner Kilich was arrested along with 22 other lawyers in the city of Izmir over suspected links with US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen. Amnesty International said the arrests prove how arbitrary Ankara’s post-coup crackdown had become. It also called on Turkish authorities to immediately release the detainees and drop all charges against them. Over 100,000 people have been sacked or suspended over suspected links with Gulen since last year’s failed coup, which Turkey blames on cleric. Gulen denies all charges.

Brazil’s Temer in hot water

Brazil’s top electoral court has concluded the first hearing session on whether President Michel Temer should be removed from office over allegations of illegal campaign financing. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal will hold three other sessions over the issue. There is no immediate indication of which way the seven-judge panel will vote, but the voting is expected to begin, judge by judge, later on Wednesday. They will decide whether the re-election of President Dilma Rousseff and her then-vice president Temer should be invalidated because of corrupt funding. Both Temer and Rousseff have denied the charges. As the first session was underway, protesters held a rally in the city of Sao Paulo, calling for the resignation of President Temer.

Attacks in Tehran

A bloody shooting at Iran’s parliament; gunmen have opened fire inside the legislature, causing casualties. At least three attackers armed with automatic rifles and pistols made their way through the parliament shooting indiscriminately. The gunfire has reportedly left one security guard dead and several other people injured. Authorities have shut down the legislative chamber. In another incident, gunmen attacked the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini with firearm in southern Tehran. Some media reports say an attacker has blown himself up after the shooting rampage. There are reports of causalities there.

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