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Yemeni supporters of the Houthi Ansarullah movement wave flags during an anti-US protest in Sana'a on May 20, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, June 22, 2017.

US Yemen Interrogation

A new investigation reveals the presence of clandestine prisons in the south of Yemen, run by the United Arab Emirates with the help of American interrogators. The probe by the Associated Press found that most of the two-thousand detainees in at least 18 secret centers are people who went missing all of a sudden in the cities of Mukalla and Aden. According to witnesses, beating, flogging, sexual assault and extreme torture such as grilling have been common practices in the UAE-run prisons. Senior American defense officials have acknowledged that they are aware of torture allegations and that US forces are involved in the interrogation of detainees. The UAE denies all the allegations. The United Arab Emirates is an ally of Saudi Arabia and supports Riyadh in its aerial campaign against Yemen that began in 2015.

Kashmir Killings

The Indian army has killed at least three Kashmiri militants during an operation in southern Indian-controlled Kashmir. The militants were killed following a night-long exchange of fire between the two sides in Kakpora village. An Indian army officer was wounded in the clashes. As the news of the killing spread, hundreds of residents defied a security lockdown around the village to hold funerals for the slain militants. At least one protester was killed and three others injured in the ensuing clashes with the Indian forces. Similar clashes were also reported in the neighboring areas. Militants have been fighting against the Indian government in Kashmir since 1989. Nearly 70-thousand people have been killed in the conflict in the disputed region.

Afghan Bomb Blast

A huge car bomb blast in the Afghan city of Lashkargah has left at least 29 people dead and dozens of others wounded. Officials say the blast occurred outside a bank where civilians and members of the security forces were waiting to collect their salaries. The death toll is expected to rise as around 50 people have been rushed to hospital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, the Taliban militants have carried out similar attacks in that region in the past.

Ethiopia Famine

Ethiopia says it will run out of emergency food aid for nearly eight million people hit by severe drought by next month. The aid agencies have also warned that donor fatigue has fastened the process as starvation looms in the drought-hit East African country.

World Population Prediction

The current world population of nearly 7.6 billion will increase to 8.6 billion by 2030 and 9.8 billion by mid-century. That’s according to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' Population Division. The UN report says roughly 83 million people are added to the world's population every year. The upward trend is expected to continue even with a constant decline in fertility rates in certain regions of the world. The Department forecast adds that by 2050, half of the world's population growth will be concentrated in just ten countries mostly in Asia and Africa. It notes that the 10 most populous countries with low fertility levels are almost developed states. Iran is also among the latter group with a population of roughly 80 million.

London Fire Fallout

The British government has admitted that hundreds of buildings in England have cladding similar to the Grenfell Tower block that was engulfed by a deadly blaze last week. A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said that approximately 600 high rise buildings bear same revetment, three of which have so far tested positive as combustible. Downing Street is under harsh criticism for minimal fire safety standards and failure in curbing the Grenfell tower blaze. Premier May has apologized for shortcomings in response to the tragedy and pledged to provide more support for the victims. At least 79 people were killed in the incident.

Daesh Leader Killed

The Russian Foreign Ministry says there is a high degree of certainty that Daesh leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in one of its airstrikes in Syria. Moscow said last week that the airstrikes on the outskirts of the city of Raqqah on May 28 may have killed the terror group’s leader. Russia's Defense Ministry said it targeted a meeting of Daesh leaders including Baghdadi, who had gathered to discuss the routes for their exit from their de-facto capital. The ministry said 330 Daesh members, including 28 top terrorist commanders were also killed in the attack.

Koreas Tension

The South Korean president has called on China to do more to exert pressure on North Korea for its nuclear program amid intensifying tensions in the region. Moon Jae-in said that without Beijing’s cooperation in pressurizing Pyongyang, the UN Security Council sanctions would not bear any fruit. The South Korean president also called on other regional countries, and the US, to join hands in order to fend off North Korea’s provocations. Tensions have already been high in the region ever since Washington stationed its THAAD missile system in South Korea. North Korea has time and again stressed that it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward the East Asian country.

Church of England Sex Abuse

The Church of England has admitted covering up the long-term sexual abuse of young men by one of its bishops. In a statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said the institution colluded with and helped to hide Bishop Peter Ball. The statement came as the church published a review of how it handled the case of former bishop, who was convicted and imprisoned after pleading guilty to sexual offenses in 2015. An independent review of the case has found that the Church at its most senior levels supported him unwisely and displayed little care for the victims. During his time as Bishop, Ball chose 18 vulnerable victims to commit acts of debasement in the name of religion.


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