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 12, 2017.

Qatar’s economy

A week into the beginning of a Saudi-led embargo on Doha, the Qatari finance minister says the country’s economy feels the pinch but it can easily withstand it. Ali Sherif al-Emadi made the remarks during an interview with the American news channel, CNBC. He warned the Saudi-led group of countries that Qatar is not the only economic loser of this sanction saga and they would also lose money as a result of their embargo. Emadi also touched on food security, adding that the top natural gas exporter can import foods from Turkey, the Far East or even Europe and will respond in long-term by diversifying its economy. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain plus Egypt last week cut their ties with Qatar and imposed harsh economic sanctions as well as travel and transport bans on the country and its nationals.

Brazil protest

In Brazil, protesters stage a fresh rally calling for the resignation of President Michel Temer. The demonstrators in Sao Paulo said they were against what they called Temer's illegitimate administration. They said the current government in Brazil protects the rich and does not care about working-class or minority voters. The Brazilian president is under fire over an alleged corruption scandal.

Afghanistan shooting

Three civilians are shot dead by American troops in eastern Afghanistan. The dead included a man and his two sons who were killed in their home in Nangarhar province. The incident happened when US forces opened fire after their vehicle struck a roadside bomb. The US military command in Kabul said it was investigating the incident. According to the UN, civilian casualties are running at near record highs as fighting spreads to more areas of Afghanistan. This comes as US President Donald Trump's administration is considering deploying more troops to the war-torn country.

Battle in Dara’a

Militants holding parts of the Syrian city of Dara’a say the army and its allied forces have intensified their attacks on the southern city. The Western-backed militants of the Free Syrian Army say the attacks are mostly targeting the strategic southern part of Dara’a which is located on the border with Jordan. The army is particularly pounding the Manshiya district which fell to the militants in February after heavy street battles. The liberation of the neighborhood would cut the militant lines in the eastern and western sides of Dara’a. It would also provide the government a direct route to border areas with Jordan. The government is reportedly sending troops and heavy vehicles to areas near the city. The Syrian army has not commented on the escalating attacks on Dara’a.

Iran kills four terrorists

Iranian security forces have killed four armed bandits suspected of being Daesh members in the south of country. They were killed during the operation that took place in Rudan region of Hormuzgan province. According to officials, a number of guns, live rounds, explosives and a black flag of the Daesh terrorist group were found at their hideout. Two of them were foreign nationals and the identity check for the other two is underway. Security is tight across Iran since last week’s twin terrorist attacks in the capital Tehran that left at least 17 dead. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attacks. Scores of suspects and Daesh-linked armed men have been arrested following the terrorist attacks.

Brexit talks

Britain’s Brexit minister has once again threatened to walk away from the divorce negotiations with no deal. David Davis also said it is important to make the best deal over the terms of Britain’s exit from the European Union. He referred to the status of the EU and UK citizens as the first issue to be dealt with. Britain’s Brexit minister hinted at disagreements with EU leaders over immigration control and single market membership. The UK government plans to start the Brexit talks as scheduled despite the ongoing political turmoil in the country.

Morocco protest

Streets of the Moroccan town of Imzouren have witnessed yet another anti-government protest. The demonstrators rallied against corruption, misuse of authority and police brutality. They also expressed solidarity with jailed activist Nasser Zefzafi and called for his immediate release. The protesters also expressed solidarity with the country’s neglected Rif region, where tensions have been simmering over the death of a fisherman last year. This is the latest in a series of anti-government protests over the past month.

US anti-Iran sanctions

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed the recent US Senate push to impose fresh sanctions on Iran as a short-sighted move. Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Norway to attend the Oslo Forum, Zarif called the Senate’s anti-Iran bill a wrong policy and a clear violation of the nuclear deal with Tehran or the JCPOA. The Iranian foreign minister who’s set to meet with EU Foreign Policy chief, Federica Mogherini said he has already discussed the matter with her and that he’ll follow up their talks in the planned meeting as well. On June seven, the US lawmakers voted for moving forward a bill to impose new sanctions on Iran over its missile program. Iran has repeatedly said the nature of its missile program is defensive and non-negotiable.

Russia protest

Over 200 people have been arrested in the Russian capital during clashes between police and supporters of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Video footage showed police pulling handcuffed protesters along as demonstrators chanted slogans. Media reports put the number of the detainees at nearly 1,000 nationwide. Police confirmed that the opposition leader was also arrested before joining the protesters. The scuffles broke out as demonstrators defied a police warning and gathered on an access road to the presidential palace. Authorities said such a rally would be provocative and disruptive to national day festivities at the Kremlin. It came as several thousands of Navalny’s supporters heeded his call to hold nationwide rallies. He aimed to repeat the anti-government protests that drew an estimated 60,000 participants across Russia on March 26. Navalny is set to run for president in the 2018 election. He accuses the government of corruption.

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