WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, June 25, to 08:00 GMT, June 26, 2017.

Terrorists arrested in Iran

More than fifty supporters and elements linked to terror groups have been arrested in Iran’s western province of Kermanshah. According to the provincial general prosecutor, a considerable number of suicide belts, electronic detonators, and weapons have been seized from the detainees. Iran launched a large-scale anti-terror operation after Daesh carried out two deadly attacks on the Iranian parliament and the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic’s founder earlier this month. The attacks left 18 people dead. Since then, Iran has dismantled numerous terror cells and arrested scores of terrorists across the country.

Forest fire in Spain

Authorities have been forced to evacuate 1500 people as fires rage in southern Spain. Many of those evacuated are staying at a camp site as firefighters continue battling the blaze. Windy conditions have been hampering efforts and there are fears that the blaze would reach a National Park famous for its biodiversity. Dozens of planes, helicopters and land vehicles have been deployed to help extinguish the fire. The blaze was first spotted in the Moguer region on Saturday night. Authorities have not ruled out arson. Some areas of Spain are at a maximum risk of fire as the country battles drought.

Militant attack in Afghanistan

At least ten police officers have been killed in Afghanistan's western province of Herat. Authorities say three people were also wounded as a result of the attack. The attack happened when militants began firing on Afghan security forces. A number of attackers were killed. Taliban militants are blamed for carrying out the assault for which no one has claimed responsibility yet. Afghanistan has recently been the scene of violent insurgency as the Taliban have expanded their reach throughout the country.

'Iran to stand by Qatar'

President Hassani Rouhani says it’s Tehran’s policy to expand ties with Qatar as far as possible. Rouhani made the comment in a telephone conversation with Qatar’s emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Iranian president also referred to the Saudi-led blockade on Qatar. He said pressure and sanctions are no solution to disputes. Rouhani stressed that Iran will stand by the Qatari people and government and Iran’s airspace and its land and maritime borders are open to the country. The Qatari emir said his country is ready for cooperation with Iran. Sheikh Tamim thanked the Iranian government and people for supporting Doha, saying relations between the two nations have always been friendly.

Battle for Mosul

The Iraqi army and its allied units have repelled a new wave of attacks by Daesh terrorists outside the Old city of Mosul. Military officials said they foiled the terrorists’ bombing attempts in the Hay al-Tanak neighborhood. The new development came as government troops are pressing ahead with operations to fully liberate the flashpoint city. The army has so far managed to claw back two thirds old Mosul, with only a few hundred Daesh terrorists now believed to be holed up in the old city area. Daesh has already been pushed out of numerous districts in western Mosul. The terrorist group already lost eastern Mosul to the Iraqis in January. Mosul’s full liberation will see Daesh lose its last major stronghold in Iraq.

Eid al-Fitr in Yemen

Yemenis are celebrating Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. That comes as Saudi Arabia continues to bomb the country amid international silence. Mohamed al-Attab reports.

UK fire safety fears

The official combustibility test of buildings in England reveal that at least sixty high-rise towers are unsafe in several council areas of the country. The government confirms that the potentially dangerous blocks, containing flammable materials, lie in 25 areas across England, including London and Manchester. The announcement came after the British communities secretary, revealed that all of the buildings that had so far submitted cladding samples have failed combustibility tests. The tests were conducted in the wake of the Grenfell Tower inferno in London which left 79 people dead and many more displaced. The flammable cladding used in the 24-storey building is believed to have caused the rapid spread of the fire.

Protests after death of black man in UK police custody

Furious crowds have taken to the streets of east London to vent their anger over the death of a black man in police custody. Protesters clashed with riot police and set trash bins on fire. They blamed the police for the death of 25-year-old Edir Frederico Da Costa. The victim was arrested in mid-June when he was in a car and died six days later. Da Costa’s family says he suffered extensive injuries during the arrest. A police commission has rejected the narrative but acknowledged that officers used force and CS gas spray to apprehend Da Costa.

Italy bails out banks

Italy says it has decided to inject some 19 billion dollars into the country’s two bankrupt banks that have posed a threat to its banking system. The prime minister described the measure as urgent; voicing hope that the parliament would back an emergency decree to kick start liquidation proceedings of the banks. Finance Minister, Pier Carlo Padoan also said on Sunday that the decree would help stabilize the Venetian economy. The decision came after the European Central Bank warned that the two Veneto-based lenders were likely to fail as they lacked enough assets to meet regulatory requirements.

Iranians mark Eid al-Fitr

Iran is celebrating Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Millions of people across the country mark the occasion with the Eid prayers in mosques and public venues. The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei leads the Eid al-Fitr prayers at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds, known as Mosalla, each year and delivers a keynote speech. India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Oman also observe the Eid on Monday. It was celebrated in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and some other countries on Sunday. The timing of the occasion differs in Muslim countries depending on the sighting of the new moon crescent. Eid al-Fitr, which is the first day of the lunar month of Shawwal, is an official holiday in all Muslim countries.

Boat sinks in Colombia

At least six people have lost their lives after a tourist boat capsized in Colombia. According to police, some 30 others also went missing after the boat with 150 people on board tore apart near the Colombian city of Medellin. A rescue operation involving the Colombian air force and firefighters is underway to locate possible survivors. It's unclear what caused the vessel to sink. However, survivors said that the boat appeared to be overloaded with the passengers.

Leader urges support for oppressed nations

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on the Islamic community to support the oppressed Muslim nations. The Leader said that lots of injuries have been inflicted to the world of Islam. He said the Muslim world should support Muslims in Yemen, Bahrain and Kashmir among others. The speech was made after Ayatollah Khamenei led the Eid al-Fitr prayers in the Iranian capital. The procession was held at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds, known as Mosalla. Millions of people across Iran are celebrating Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Oman also observe the Eid on Monday. It was celebrated in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and some other countries on Sunday. The timing of the occasion differs in Muslim countries depending on the sighting of the new moon crescent. Eid al-Fitr, which is the first day of the lunar month of Shawwal, is an official holiday in all Muslim countries.

Rescue ops continue in China landslide tragedy

Rescue teams are racing against time to find over 90 people still missing in a landslide in southwestern China. Ten bodies have already been recovered as rescue workers are searching for signs of life. This comes as hope of finding survivors is fading. Industrial excavators are also removing rubble at the site of the landslide triggered by torrential rains. Huge piles of rock and mud crashed down on a mountain village in Sichuan province on Saturday. Landslides are a frequent danger in rural and mountainous parts of China, particularly at times of heavy rains. Back in January, 12 people were killed when a landslide crushed a hotel in central Hubei province.

Airbag faults lead to bankruptcy

Japan’s crisis-hit car parts maker Takata has filed for bankruptcy protection following deadly faults in its airbags. The Tokyo-based firm filed for a chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States, with similar action taken in Japan. American auto parts maker Key Safety Systems will take over all of Takata’s major assets for 1.6 billion dollars. The company chief executive has also announced his resignation following the completion of the handover. Takata is facing billions of dollars in liabilities over defective airbags, which have been linked to 17 deaths worldwide. More than 100 million cars with Takata airbags have been recalled since concerns emerged in 2007.

'Coup plot' in Venezuela

The Venezuelan president says an unspecified number of people have been detained over an alleged coup plot. Nicolas Maduro said the detainees would face military trial. He added those arrested were backed by Venezuelan opposition leaders and intended to precipitate the US intervention in the country. This came as thousands of Venezuelans marched in the capital, Caracas, and other cities in a new flare-up of protests against Maduro. They demanded the president step down and new elections be held. The protesters blame Maduro for the country’s economic woes. But the president denies the allegation. He says the US has orchestrated the unrest in Venezuela in a bid to topple him.

Health dispute in Britain

The British Medical Association has strongly criticized Downing Street over its National Health System policy. The BMA said that the health service was at breaking point and concerns were being willfully ignored by ministers. The leading doctors blamed the British government for a health system running on fumes in the absence of necessary health spending. The association warned that the deteriorating access to NHS care belittled and bewildered patients. A new BMA poll found that 82 percent of respondents were worried about the future of the NHS. The poll also found that 43 percent were dissatisfied with public health service.

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