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 16, 2017.

May failing to show ‘humanity’

British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing mounting criticism over her government’s response to a tragic blaze that burnt a London tower block on Wednesday. A former cabinet minister has taken a jab at May over her refusal to visit the survivors of the fire and talk to families of the victims. He says the premier only met with emergency workers in order to be in an entirely controlled situation and avoid people’s emotions. The British prime minister also faced harsh criticism from the public and the media, with many saying that the rescue efforts were not adequate. On Wednesday, a massive fire erupted at London’s Grenfell Tower. So far 17 people have been confirmed dead with reports saying over sixty others are missing or feared dead.

Bahrain crackdown

UN human rights experts have denounced what they call a sharp deterioration in the human rights situation in Bahrain. Five rights experts say Manama has resorted to drastic measures to curb dissent including torture, arbitrary detention, death threats and travel bans. The group adds that the repression by Manama took a new turn last June after authorities dissolved the country’s main opposition party, al-Wefaq. Since then, the regime has intensified its pressure on the group’s Shia leader Sheikh Salman, who is in jail, and other opposition parties. The rights experts have also slammed Manama for using excessive and lethal force last month to disperse peaceful protesters in Diraz, the hometown of Bahrain’s top Shia cleric whose house is under a military siege.

Kashmir violence

Clashes have broken out at a protest rally in Indian-controlled Kashmir after people take to the streets to denounce the killing of a young man by security forces. Police fired tear gas to disperse stone throwing protesters in Srinagar. Demonstrators were out on the streets to oppose the police version of the killing of the young man in Arwani. They say he was killed when Indian forces fired live ammunition to disperse marching protesters. Indian police have blamed crossfire in the southern Arwani village for his death and the injury of several others. Similar demonstrations have also been held in other parts of Kashmir.

China kindergarten blast

Chinese police say Thursday’s kindergarten blast that killed eight people and injured scores more was caused by a makeshift bomb. The public security ministry added in a statement that the suspect was a 22-year-old man with mental health problems, who had made the bomb at his nearby residence. The suspect, who was killed during the incident, was identified through matching DNA testing collected at the blast scene. Police said the attacker’s last name was Xu, but did not provide a complete name or a motive.

US anti-Iran sanctions

Iran’s foreign ministry has slammed the US decision to impose further sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has described the sanctions, which are said to be related to Tehran’s missile program, as unjustified and illegal. He says the missile program is in full compliance with international law and that no one can prevent Iran from defending itself. Qassemi also said the US government has certain obligations under the nuclear deal also known as the JCPOA and it cannot pass such legislation to dodge its responsibilities. The Iranian diplomat noted that Tehran will take appropriate measures in this regard to secure its national interests. Earlier, a senior adviser to Iran’s leader, Ali Akbar Velayati also condemned the anti-Iran sanctions. On Thursday, the US Senate approved the new measures against Iran over its ballistic missile program and what Washington calls support for terror groups and human rights violations.

Bahrain cleric health

Bahrain’s main opposition party, al-Wefaq, has slammed the ruling Al Khalifah regime for the continued harassment of top Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim. In a statement, the group condemned the decision to place the cleric under military siege, pointing to his deteriorating health condition. It accused the regime of dragging Bahrain into a terrible situation in terms of human rights. According to al-Wefaq, this includes the prohibition of the right to peaceful assembly, the elimination of freedom of political action and the enabling of the military judiciary to put civilians on trial. In late May, regime forces stormed Sheikh Qassim’s home as part of their bloody attack on Diraz, which left several people dead. Bahrain has been the scene of anti-regime protests since 2011.

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