WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom’s headlines from 18:00 GMT, July 7, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, July 8, 2017.

Anti-G20 protest

Violent clashes have intensified in the German city of Hamburg as anti-capitalist protesters clash with police. Protesters who rallied against the summit of the world’s major economies, known as G20, set cars alight across the city and tore down street signs to block several key roads and intersections. Police fought back with water cannon and pepper spray. Over 150 police and several protesters were injured in the scuffles. Police sealed much of the city center off, closing down all bus services and U-Bahn lines. Hospitals issued urgent calls for all staff to report to duty. An urgent call has been issued by police for reinforcements from across Germany.

Persian Gulf diplomatic Standoff

Qatar has rejected as baseless allegations by a Saudi-led bloc that the Persian Gulf country is meddling in the affairs of other states and funding terror. A senior Foreign Ministry official has been quoted as saying that Doha is ready to cooperate and review all claims that do not contradict the sovereignty of the country. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain said Qatar’s refusal to accept their demands was proof of its links to terrorist groups. The four Arab states who have cut diplomatic ties with Doha had urged the emirate to meet their demands to end the diplomatic row. Meanwhile British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is in Saudi Arabia in a bid to settle the dispute.

Civilian casualties

A report by the US-led coalition operating in Iraq and Syria estimates that the coalition airstrikes have killed some 600 civilians in the two countries. The report has described as unintentional the deadly air raids which happened between August 2014 and May 2017. This comes as “Airwars” monitoring group has put the death toll at over 4300 during the same period. The civilian casualties, however, are expected to rise as the coalition is still engaged in an operation against Daesh in the Syrian city of Raqqah. The United Nations has already voiced concern about possible civilian casualties due to the operations there. Washington and its allies have been pounding Syria without consent from Damascus or the UN.

Deadly Sinai attacks

The Daesh terrorist group has claimed deadly coordinated attacks on soldiers in Egypt’s volatile Sinai region. The violence left 23 soldiers dead and two dozen more wounded. The terrorists blew up explosive-laden cars at two military checkpoints close to each other near the town of Rafah. There was also gunfight at the checkpoints. The violence is the deadliest against Egyptian armed forces in the Sinai in two years. The Egyptian army says it killed 40 militants and destroyed their vehicles in an operation following the blasts. Iran has condemned the terrorist attacks and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

Kashmir Tensions

The Indian government has deployed more security forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir ahead of pro-freedom commander Burhan Wani’s first death anniversary. The government has also imposed strict security measures to avoid any pro-freedom activity in the region. Our correspondent Shahana Butt reports.

Less sanctions, more chances

Iran says it’s negotiating a line of credit with Austria’s Oberbank to finance projects in the country. During a summit in the Austrian capital, Iran’s deputy minister of economy said the negotiations have entered their final stage with Italy, Denmark, South Korea and China, enabling Iran to benefit from lines of credit to implement various projects. From Vienna, Press TV’s Homa Lezgee reports.

Russia denial

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reassured his US counterpart Donald Trump that the Kremlin had no role, whatsoever, in the 2016 US presidential election. That came in a meeting between the two leaders at the G20 summit in the northern German city of Hamburg. During the talks, Putin assured Trump that Moscow did not run a hacking and disinformation effort to sway the voting, and dismissed the entire US investigation into the Russian role. US intelligence agencies claim that Putin last year ordered a campaign of cyber-attacks and propaganda aimed at undermining the American presidential election and helping Trump by discrediting his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Russia has denied any such involvement.

Tower tragedy

British media say lack of suitable equipment slowed down rescue efforts during a recent deadly blaze in London’s Grenfell Tower. According to the report, firefighters suffered radio problems and low water pressure. A high ladder also did not arrive for more than 30 minutes after the fire got out of control. The London Fire Brigade says it has improved its procedures since the incident. More than 200 firefighters and 40 fire trucks battled to contain the inferno that engulfed the Grenfell Tower on June 14. About 300 people are believed to have lived in the block most of whom got out on their own. The fire brigade rescued 65 people but at least 80 people are thought to have died.

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