WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

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

Zarif slams US 

Tehran recognizes the International Atomic Energy Agency as the only source to asses Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, dismissing any other person or organization passing judgments on the issue. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks in an exclusive CNN interview held on the occasion of the second anniversary of the nuclear deal signed between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries. Zarif noted that Washington should stop accusing Tehran of violating the deal and instead take responsibility for its commitments under the JCPOA. The top Iranian diplomat explained that the US president during a recent G20 meeting tried to dissuade countries from establishing business ties with Iran. He reminded that the policy violates the very terms of the nuclear deal. Zarif also spoke about Trump's recent trip to Saudi Arabia and the policy of bolstering an anti-Iran alliance in the region.

Kashmir tensions

Tensions are running high in Kashmir, following deaths of four Pakistani soldiers during cross-border shelling in the disputed region. In a statement, the Pakistani army said its soldiers were killed after their vehicle came under attack on Pakistan’s side of the disputed border. The statement said the deceased soldiers drowned in the river following the assault. It also said that the body of one of the victims was retrieved, while a search operation to find the other three is underway. The Pakistani army blamed India for the deadly incident. The South Asian neighbors have fought two wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part.

Venezuelan opposition referendum

Venezuela’s opposition party says a woman has been gunned down as polls are closed in the country’s unofficial referendum against the constitution. The opposition party said paramilitary gunmen also shot and injured four other people in the capital Caracas. Nearly 20 million people were expected to cast their ballots in the referendum that aims to challenge the government’s bid to rewrite the constitution. The Venezuelan government has described the opposition-organized plebiscite as an act of disobedience. Maduro however called for a peaceful participation in the political event.

Greece protest 

Thousands of Greek workers and syndicators have taken to the streets of the capital Athens to protest a law that allows for Sunday trading and the opening of shops on the day. Staging a nationwide 24-hour walkout, workers say the inhumane law will most likely fail to revive the trading sector or protect their labor rights. PressTV’s Constantine Venizelos has more in this report from Athens.

Israeli arrests

A report has suggested that Israel detained nearly 400 Palestinians in the occupied territories during the month of June. The report published by a number of Palestinian rights groups said 70 minors and 13 women were among the detainees. It also estimated that a total of 6300 Palestinians were held in the regime’s jails. More than 480 of these detainees are languishing behind bars under the so-called administrative detention. The measure allows Israel to extend the jail term of inmates indefinitely without any charge or trial. Rights groups have widely condemned Tel Aviv for practicing the measure against the prisoners.

Deadly US floods

At least nine people have died in flash flooding in the US State of Arizona. Officials said crews were still searching for another person who was missing after a wall of water swept through an area inside a national forest in central Arizona. The deaths include at least two children. More than a hundred people were in a popular swimming hole when a severe thunderstorm pounded down on a nearby area that had been burned by a recent wildfire.

Inter-Korean talks

South Korea has proposed military talks with the North in order to ease tensions with its neighbor and bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. According to the Defense Ministry, the meeting could be held on Friday at the border village of Panmunjom. If the North Korean government gives a go-ahead on the proposal, it will be the first official inter-Korean talks since 2015. The two sides have recently engaged in war-mongering rhetoric over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. Tensions escalated further after Pyongyang launched an inter-continental ballistic missile this month that it said was capable of carrying a large nuclear warhead. Meanwhile, the offer of talks also come as the Red Cross has proposed a separate meeting to discuss reunion of families separated by the Korean War.

NHS failing patients

A report by the National Confidentiality Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death reveals a shocking number of unnecessary deaths due to poor medical care in the UK. The inquiry found that one in three patients requiring emergency oxygen treatment are dying mostly due to sub-standard non-invasive intervention care and staff and equipment shortages. The report inferred that variation in the organization of acute NIV services and the clinical care, and delayed or inappropriate treatment were common occurrences. Downing Street is already under criticism over its National Health System policy. The British Medical Association has warned that the health service in the country is at breaking point with concerns being willfully ignored by the government.

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