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 9, 2017.

Tehran funeral

Iranians hold a funeral service for the victims of the recent terror attacks in Tehran. People from all walks of life took to the streets at the heart of the capital after Friday prayers to honor the victims of the twin attacks. 17 people lost their lives and over 50 others got injured as gunmen stormed the parliament and the Mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, on Wednesday. The Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Brexit talks

The European Council president has urged the British prime minister to start Brexit talks as soon as possible to minimize disruption. Donald Tusk said the two sides have no time to lose on the withdrawal negotiations under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Tusk added that the talks should go ahead in the best possible spirit to secure the least disruptive outcome for EU citizens, businesses and countries after March 2019. Earlier, EU officials expressed concern about possible effects of the UK general election results on Brexit talks. EU Budget Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said a weak British negotiating partner would further complicate talks on London's exit from the bloc. France and Finland have also talked about uncertainties and complexities surrounding the negotiations. However, Britain’s Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has expressed optimism, saying Brexit discussions will continue regardless of which party forms the next government.

Catalonia independence vote

In a clear act of defiance against Spain’s central government, the president of the Catalonia region has declared October first as the day for holding an independence referendum. Carles Puge-demont made the announcement after chairing an extra-ordinary meeting of the regional government in Barcelona. Spanish Prime Minister and the central government in Madrid have repeatedly rejected any talks about Catalonia’s possible cessation, saying the move is against the constitution. The wealthy northern region of seven and a half million people has long been seeking separation. In 2014 Catalonia held a non-binding referendum in which more than 80 percent of voters chose independence. Then Catalan President Artur Mas was later put on trial for holding the vote against the rule of the constitutional court.

Iran arrests Daesh terrorists

Iran has arrested more than 40 members of the Daesh terrorist group in connection with Wednesday’s attacks in the capital Tehran. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry says the terrorists were arrested in three western and northwestern provinces as well as in Tehran. According to the ministry, a large amount of weapons, explosives, telecommunication devices and fake ID cards were seized from the detainees. Some safe houses were earlier identified and purged of Wahhabi Takfiri terrorists in Iran’s northwest. Iranian Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi has promised to take revenge against those behind the terror attacks in Tehran and their sponsors.

Saudi Qatar blockade

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdul-Rahman Al Thani has slammed the Saudi-led blockade against his country, calling it a clear violation of international and humanitarian law. The Qatari official made the remarks in a joint press conference with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel. He added that the terrorism allegations aimed at Doha are intended to mobilize international opinion against the Persian Gulf sheikhdom. The German foreign minister, on his behalf, called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, saying the aerial and naval blockade of Qatar should be lifted. Gabriel urged all countries to focus on “the real enemy” that is the Daesh terrorist group. A Saudi-led alliance of countries has cut all ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. It has also designated dozens of individuals and organizations affiliated with the sheikhdom as terrorists. Doha has dismissed the allegations.

UK politics

British Prime Minister Theresa May is said to be seeking a new term despite her party’s failure to regain a parliamentary majority in Thursday's general election. According to a party spokesman, May will meet with Queen Elizabeth shortly to seek her permission to form a new government. Conservatives won the most seats in the snap election, but lost their majority in the House of Commons. May had called the election in the hope of increasing her party's majority and strengthening her hand in Brexit talks. A conservative lawmaker has accused Theresa May of conducting a dreadful campaign. Meanwhile, Britain's Labor Party leader has called for May to resign, saying “politics is not going back into the box where it was before”. Jeremy Corbyn has also said that he is ready to serve the country.

Brexit talks fate

European Union officials have expressed concern about possible effects of the UK general election results on Brexit talks. EU budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger said a weak British negotiating partner would further complicate talks on the country's exit from the bloc. He added that it was unclear whether negotiations could be launched on June 19, as planned. Earlier, an economist with the global financial service firm, JP Morgan, also indicated that the Conservative Party’s loss may delay Brexit talks. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said that he expects the negotiations to be long and complex. Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila has also expressed concern, saying the situation remains uncertain. The reactions came after Britain's election ended in a hung parliament.

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