WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, July 1, 2017.

Qatar UN call

Qatar has called on the United Nations Security Council to help end a Saudi-led blockade on the Persian Gulf country. The Qatari Foreign Minister made the call during a meeting with non-permanent members of the Security Council in New York. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urged the 15-member council to speak out publicly on his country's behalf. That’s a day before a threatening 13-point ultimatum to Qatar by Riyadh and its allies comes to an end. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 over allegations of supporting extremism, a charge Doha has repeatedly denied. The four Arab states later issued a list of demands to Doha to comply with in exchange for the end of the measures. Qatar has rejected the demands as unreasonable.

G20 security

German authorities are beefing up security in Hamburg as the city prepares for the upcoming G20 summit. More than 20 thousand police officers from across Germany have been deployed to the city along with 40 water cannons and 3 thousand police vehicles. Authorities expect an outbreak of violence as dozens of rallies are planned over the course of the summit week from July 1 to 9. One of the biggest police concerns will be a rally organized by left-wing radical groups dubbed Welcome to Hell which is expected to draw some 5,000 protesters. G20 is an international forum for governments and central bank governors of 20 major economies.

Campaign against chemical

Iran’s foreign minister says certain countries which accuse others of carrying out chemical attacks are culprits themselves. Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined that those who claim Syria conducted a chemical strike inside the country were accomplices in the 1987 Iraqi gas attack on the residents of the western Iranian town of Sardasht. He said supporters of former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein turned a blind eye to Baghdad’s use of weapons of mass destruction and violation of wartime rights during the imposed war on Iran in the 1980's. Zarif called on the international community to tap into their full potential to counter the production, proliferation and use of WMD's and react to the use of, or threats to use such weapons by terror groups and their supporters. Zarif made the remarks in a message marking the 30th anniversary of Iraq’s deadly chemical attack on Sardasht.

Kashmir clashes

At least four people have been killed during the latest violent clashes in the disputed Kashmir region. Two civilians, including a woman, and two pro-independence fighters were killed and several others injured after Indian security forces launched an operation against the militants in the southern Dialgam village. Government sources say the woman was killed in crossfire after the militants took refuge inside a home where some civilians were trapped. The region has been the scene of mass protests and violent clashes since last year when a top militant figure was killed in a shootout with Indian troops. Nearly 90 people have lost their lives and more than 12 thousand wounded in crackdown since then.

Hong Kong protest

China's President Xi Jinping has warned against challenges to Beijing's authority over Hong Kong. The Chinese leader made the comment after the swearing-in of Hong Kong's new leader Carrie Lam. Lam’s oath taking of office under China's national flag coincided with the 20th anniversary of the territory's handover from the UK. Despite Xi’s clear warning, tens of thousands of protestors in Hong Kong demonstrated a high-profile show of dissent to what they called Beijing’s fake democracy and erosion of their autonomy. Marching from Victoria Park towards Hong Kong’s financial center, participants and organizers of the annual rally said they want to show Xi that he cannot ignore the real voice of Hong Kong people.

London protest

Thousands of Britons have gathered in central London to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May. The demonstrators protest against the government’s commitment to austerity cuts and privatization. Organizers say the march is a show of solidarity and strength and a demand for decent public services, more jobs and better living standards. Opposition labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is set to give a speech at the rally. Several prominent politicians and union leaders will also join the march at Parliament Square. Pressure has mounted on the British premier to step down following her coalition deal with the Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party and a string of terror attacks in the UK.

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