Threat to 2022 World Cup in Qatar as Arab states cut travel links

Qatar has been engulfed by a diplomatic crisis, with Saudi Arabia and four other Arab countries severing their ties with the energy-rich nation.

The tiny Gulf state is accused of supporting terror organisations that "aim to destabilise the region" - but Doha has long denied supporting militant groups.

Saudi Arabia, along with Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, have begun to cut off land, sea and air routes to the international travel hub.

There was panic buying in supermarkets after Saudi Arabia closed off its land border with Qatar - a major source of food imports.

Extensive travel disruption is also expected, as regional airlines including EgyptAir, Etihad and Emirates have suspended flights to and from Doha.

:: Oil prices wobble amid diplomatic rift

Image:A man stands outside a closed Qatar Airways branch in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh

Qataris living in the four countries have been given 14 days to return home, with Qatar's diplomats also set to be ejected.

The crisis could also have consequences for football's World Cup, which is due to be hosted in Qatar in 2022.

Experts say Qatar's insistence that it is one of the most stable countries in the Middle East was a key reason why it was controversially chosen.

Officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, maintain that Qatar has "embraced" groups including al Qaeda, Islamic State, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

However, Qatar insists that the crisis has been fuelled by "absolute fabrications" - with the foreign affairs ministry saying there is "no legitimate justification" for the decision.

:: Investors watch Gulf spat with unease

In a statement, the Qatari government vowed to "thwart attempts to influence and harm the Qatari society and economy".

As the row deepened, Qatar's Stock Exchange fell by more than 7% - and there has also been volatility with oil prices.

US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has urged representatives from across the Gulf to "sit down together and address their differences".

Turkey has also called for dialogue - with the country's foreign minister saying he is "saddened by the current picture".

On state television, Saudi Arabia announced it has shut down the Riyadh bureau of Al Jazeera, an influential Qatari broadcaster.

Wallace And Gromit star Peter Sallis dies aged 96

Peter Sallis, who was the voice of Wallace in the beloved clay animation Wallace And Gromit, has died aged 96.

The actor also starred in the long-running sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine, playing Norman Clegg between 1973 and 2010.

Sallis died peacefully with his family by his side on 2 June, his agents announced.

His role as Wallace, a loveable inventor with a penchant for Wensleydale cheese and a canine companion called Gromit, made his voice famous around the world.

He first became involved with the show after its creator Nick Park wrote to Sallis when he was a student in 1983 - and asked him to voice the clay character.

Sallis agreed, on the condition that £50 was donated to his favourite charity.

Image:Wallace And Gromit received critical acclaim around the world

The cartoon went on to scoop several Academy Awards - with Sallis speaking of his delight at becoming an unlikely Hollywood star and enjoying success so late on in his career.

Sallis said: "It is pleasing knowing millions are going to see your work and enjoy it.

"To still be involved in a project like this at my age is heart-warming.

"To have a legacy like this is very comforting. I am very lucky to have been involved."

However, the actor insisted he was pleased that his voice rather than his face had become internationally recognisable, adding: "No one stops me when I speak or when they see me in the street. That's the way I like it."

Image:Peter Sallis (R) filming Last Of The Summer Wine Michael Aldridge and Bill Owen in 1987

After leaving school, Sallis had gone to follow his father into the world of banking - but when World War Two began, he signed up for the RAF and became a radio instructor.

He caught the acting bug in 1943 after being asked to star in a performance of Hay Fever, and went on to win a scholarship at RADA in 1946.

Sallis' first TV role came a year later - and during the 1950s and 1960s, he went on to gain minor roles in episodes of Doctor Who, The Avengers and Z Cars.

Trump renews feud with London mayor over terror attack

US President Donald Trump has again lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan over his assurances to Londoners following a terror attack.

Mr Khan had said people should not be alarmed by an increased police presence on the streets.

But Mr Trump on Sunday accused him of playing down the threat and on Monday said the mayor's clarification of his statement was a "pathetic excuse".

Seven people were killed and 48 injured in the attacks on Saturday night.

After the tragedy, the mayor said: "Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days. No reason to be alarmed."

The US president criticised Mr Khan for this but failed to provide the context, writing: "At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!'"
Is Trump's thin skin to blame?
A skateboard, a crate: How London fought back.

 In response to Mr Trump's attack, a spokesman for the mayor said on Saturday that Mr Khan "has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context" the mayor's remarks.

Mr Trump's attacks on Mr Khan have drawn condemnation from both sides of the Atlantic.His critics have accused him of being insensitive and twisting the mayor's words. Several London Labour Party candidates and parliamentarians called for Mr Trump's state visit to the UK later this year to be cancelled.

"Try to imagine the UK prime minister attacking the Mayor of NYC the day after 9/11," said European Parliament cabinet member Simon O'Connor.

Mr Khan, a Muslim, has previously criticised the president's travel ban.

That ban is against people from six mainly-Muslim countries and is stalled in the courts.

After Mr Trump as a presidential candidate announced his plan to ban Muslim arrivals, Mr Khan told the BBC that he hoped he would "lose badly", adding that he was a "buffoon".
He also called Mr Trump's views on Islam "ignorant", leading the New York billionaire to challenge him to an IQ test.

Anti-terror barriers installed on three key London bridges

Large concrete barriers have been installed overnight at Waterloo, Lambeth and Westminster bridges.

Police have also been guarding the capital's main bridges in order to stave off any potential "copycat" attacks.

:: LIVE: Irish ID card found on one London attacker

Image:The sturdy concrete structures stand at both ends of the bridge

The increased measures to protect the public come just 24 hours after seven people were killed and 48 injured in a terror attack in London Bridge and Borough Market.

The white van used in the attack was able to reach speeds of more that 50mph before it was driven into victims on the bridge.

:: What we know about London Bridge killers

:: Corbyn calls for May to quit over police cuts

The three male attackers then jumped out of the vehicle and stabbed people with foot-long knives.

It has been reported that London's municipal governing body, City of London Corporation (COLC), ruled out installing anti-terror bollards in the London Bridge area just 24 hours before the attack.

After the Westminster Bridge terrorist atrocity in March, which killed five and left more than 50 injured, security barriers were installed outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Following Saturday's rampage, Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick has increased patrols on London's streets, including armed officers.

Gulf diplomatic crisis: Qatar's reaction in full

Qatar foreign ministry expressed deep regret at the diplomatic rift with its neighbours [File:Reuters]

The following statement was posted online in Arabic by the Qatari foreign ministry on Monday.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar expressed its deep regret and surprise at the decisions by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain to close their borders and airspace, and sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar, bearing in mind that these measures are unjustified and based on false claims and assumptions.

The State of Qatar has been subjected to a campaign of lies that have reached the point of complete fabrication. It reveals a hidden plan to undermine the State of Qatar.

Qatar is an active member of the Gulf Cooperation Council and is fully committed to its charter. Qatar respects the sovereignty of other nations and does not interfere in their internal affairs, and it has fulfilled its role in fighting terrorism and extremism.

It is clear that the media campaign of fabrications has failed to sway public opinion in the region, and among Gulf countries in particular, and this explains the continued escalation against Qatar.

That reasons were fabricated in order to take action against a brotherly GCC nation is clear evidence that there is no legitimate justification for such measures, which have been implemented in coordination with Egypt.

Their purpose is clearly the imposition of guardianship over Qatar, which is in itself a violation of its sovereignty, and is rejected outright.

The Qatari statement pointed out that the allegations contained in the statements by the three GCC nations announcing the severing of relations clearly confirms the existence of a planned and clandestine media campaign, which has included fabrications and fake news.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that these measures will not affect the normal course of life of citizens and residents of Qatar. The Qatari government will take all necessary measures to ensure this and thwart attempts to influence and harm Qatari society and economy.

Finally, Qatar's Foreign Ministry expressed its regret that the three countries have determined, at this critical time for the region, that there are no greater threats to their people that require their attention, and have instead decided to target and cause harm to the State of Qatar."

Trump pledges support for UK after London terror tweet barrage

Donald Trump has said he will do "everything in our power to assist the UK" following the London terror attacks.

However, he avoided mentioning his earlier outbursts on Twitter that had used the London attacks to push for the reinstatement of a travel ban from mainly Muslim countries and another that criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Speaking at an annual fundraiser for Ford's Theatre in Washington DC, the US President said he had spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May and "expressed our unwavering support for our allies in the United Kingdom".

Standing on stage with his wife and First Lady Melania, he added that the US "will do everything in our power to assist the United Kingdom and its citizens as they work to protect their country and to bring those that are guilty to justice".

"America sends our thoughts, our prayers and our deepest sympathies to the victims of this evil slaughter and we renew our resolve stronger than ever before: To protect the United States and its allies from a vile enemy that has waged war on innocent life and it's gone on too long.

"This bloodshed must end, this bloodshed will end."

Image:Seven people were killed and dozens injured in London on Saturday night

The words came just hours after a barrage of London-related tweets to his 31.5 million followers that offended and embarrassed some on both sides of the Atlantic.

Shortly after three terrorists had deliberately hit pedestrians on London Bridge before getting out of their van to stab people, Mr Trump tweeted: "We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the travel ban as an extra level of safety!"

The ban has been blocked by US courts but last week, Mr Trump's administration formally asked the Supreme Court to allow it to take effect, arguing that restricting immigration by refugees and visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen is necessary for national security.

A few minutes after his first tweet, he seemed to have had a re-think and opted for a more diplomatic tone instead, tweeting: "Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there - We are with you. God bless!."

Tackling terrorism top of election campaign agenda

Fighting terrorism will be the main focus as full campaigning resumes ahead of Thursday's General Election.

In a speech on Sunday evening, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn blamed Prime Minister Theresa May for denying police and security services the resources they needed to protect Britons.

Mr Corbyn has already promised to recruit 10,000 police officers and said that, if he wins the election, he will commission a report from security services on the terror threat.

He has accused Mrs May of trying to "protect the public on the cheap", cutting 20,000 police officers, despite warnings from the Police Federation that this would affect public safety.

He also said he backed the "full authority for the police to use whatever force is necessary to protect and save life as they did last night, as they did in Westminster in March".

Mr Corbyn said: "Our priority must be public safety and I will take whatever action is necessary and effective to protect the security of our people and our country."

Responding to Mr Corbyn, Conservative security minister Ben Wallace said: "Voters will judge him on his views and actions in the last 30 years, not his desperate promises and evasive soundbites three days out from polling day."

There were seven people killed and dozens injured when three terrorists drove a van onto the pavement on London Bridge on Saturday night and then got out to begin stabbing people.

There have been reports of the heroic actions of people in the area, who did their best to fight off the attackers, and of the police who took just eight minutes to reach the scene.

The attack follows a suicide bombing at a Manchester concert less than two weeks earlier which killed 22 people and a car and knife attack in Westminster in March, which killed five.

Speaking after the London attack, Mrs May said the three attacksrepresented a "new trend" of people and small groups inspired by the same "evil ideology of Islamist extremism".