WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, June 16, to 08:00 GMT, June 17, 2017.

London protest

UK police say the number of people who died in London’s deadly tower fire has risen to at least 30. Cundy added that the death toll is expected to rise as many of the injured are in critical care and many others remain unaccounted. Cundy said all fires at the building have been extinguished and that there is nothing yet to suggest that fire was started deliberately. He however noted that an investigation will look into what criminal offences may have been committed in the blaze that erupted at London’s Grenfell Tower on Wednesday. There are reports that the materials used for renovating the high-rise could have caused the massive blaze. Pressure is mounting on the British Prime Minister over the fire with former cabinet minister Michael Portillo criticizing the premier for failing to show humanity toward the families of the victims.

US-Russia ties

The US president has once again rejected allegations that he colluded with Russia to tilt the 2016 presidential election in his own favor. In a tweet, Donald Trump said nobody has been able to show any proof about his alleged collusion with Moscow after months of investigations. He acknowledged that he is being investigated as part of the inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the US presidential election. Trump has been facing accusations that Russia’s support helped him win last November’s election. He, however, rejects the claims. Trump is currently under investigation by Congress and the FBI. The US president is also being investigated for possibly obstructing justice which is a potentially impeachable offense.

West Bank killings

Israeli soldiers have shot dead three Palestinians over a stabbing in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds. The Israeli military says the three were shot after they attacked soldiers with knives and weapons in Old City. A female soldier was taken to hospital with a stab wound and later succumbed to her injuries. Israeli forces have killed scores of Palestinians in recent months for what they claim attempts to run over or stab regime forces. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in a wave of unrest that broke out in October 2015. The violence erupted after Israeli forces and settlers stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and restricted Palestinians' access to the holy site.

Italy strike

A nationwide public transportation strike has paralyzed a number of Italian cities, causing huge delays in airports and railway stations and severe disruption to road traffic. The walkout has been launched to protest against the privatization of the transport sector and to call for better job conditions for workers. Press TV’s Max Civili reports from Rome.

Daesh human shields

The UN refugee agency says the Daesh terror group may be holding up to 150 thousand civilians as human shields in the Iraqi city of Mosul. The agency also says Daesh terrorists have been capturing civilians in battles outside of Mosul, forcing them into the areas that are still under their control. According to the UN refugee agency, the civilians are being held in Mosul’s Old City district where they’re facing a worsening situation of penury and panic. The statement also says Daesh snipers kill anyone who tries to leave the area. The northern Iraqi city of Mosul has been the scene of fighting for eight months now, with the Iraqi army trying to recapture it from the terror group. Most parts of Mosul have already been liberated. The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Castile’s killer acquitted

A jury in the US state of Minnesota has dropped all charges against the police officer who fatally shot African American Philando Castile during a traffic stop last July. Officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted of manslaughter in the death of Castile, who was shot just seconds after informing Yanez that he was carrying a gun. Yanez testified that Castile was pulling his gun out of his pocket despite his warning. His attorneys also argued the victim was high on marijuana and said that affected his actions. However, prosecutors said the officer over-reacted and that Castile who had a permit for the weapon was not a threat. The verdict has infuriated the victim's family who had gathered outside the courthouse in the Saint Paul city.

US hostility toward Havana

Cuba has denounced the US president’s decision to cancel parts of the deal between the two countries, which was reached during the presidency of former American president Barack Obama. In a statement, the Cuban government said Donald Trump's speech was loaded with hostile rhetoric that recalled the times of open confrontation. President Raul Castro's administration, however, maintained that it is willing to continue respectful dialogue with the US on topics of mutual interest. Earlier, Trump described the deal with Havana as terrible and misguided, saying that he was canceling parts of the agreement.

US destroyer collision

The US Navy says Seven sailors are missing and at least three, including the captain, injured after a US destroyer collided with a merchant ship off the coast of Japan. The collision between the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald and the ACX Crystal took place southwest of the city of Yokosuka, which is home to the 7th Fleet. The US Navy says the USS Fitzgerald has suffered damage on starboard side above and below the waterline which resulted in some flooding. It added that the destroyer is sailing under its own power but on limited propulsion. It isn't clear yet what caused the nighttime collision between the two vessels.

US tensions

Demonstrators take to the streets of Saint Paul in the US state of Minnesota in protest at a police officer's acquittal in the killing of a black motorist. A jury in Minnesota has dropped all charges against the police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop last July. Officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted of manslaughter in the death of Castile, who was shot just seconds after informing Yanez that he was carrying a gun. Yanez testified that Castile was pulling his gun out of his pocket despite his warning. His attorneys also argued the victim was high on marijuana and that affected his actions. However, prosecutors said the officer over-reacted and Castile who had a permit for the weapon was not a threat. The verdict has infuriated the victim's family who had gathered outside the courthouse.

South Sudan Refugees

The overwhelming burden of hosting the now over 900,000 South Sudanese refugees in Uganda is taking new dimensions. In the Kiryandongo refugee settlement, inadequate facilities are raising serious health challenges for delivering mothers. Our correspondent in Daniel Arapmoi has spoken to some of the mothers in the refugee camp and filed this report.

British Airways strike

British Airways cabin crew have decided to go on a two-week strike in a long-running dispute over pay and benefits. The striking staffs are employed by BA’s Mixed Fleet operation, which serves around 70 domestic and foreign routes. According to the Unite union, they will stop working during the busiest summer period, from 1 to 16 of July. The union is also planning legal action against the airline for the blacklisting of staff who had taken part in the previous 26 days of industrial action. The pay dispute began late last year with Unite and BA having differences over the average annual earning of employees. British Airways has called the proposed strike extreme and completely unnecessary. The airline says most fights will be unaffected by the action.

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