Press TV's news headlines

‘Normalizing ties with Israel betrayal’

Iran's Leader says the Muslim world can claim its rightful place in global geopolitics through unity, and overcoming the temptations of enemies, especially the US and Israel. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said, to have unity, Muslims should work together to preserve their common interests and thwart the plots of arrogant powers. The Leader also noted that the differences between the two major branches of Islam should not lead to disputes among Muslims. He said there are extremists among both Sunnis and Shias, but have nothing to do with either. The Leader stressed that those who inflame the sentiments of one faith in the name of support for another should be seriously confronted. According to Ayatollah Khamenei, the enemies have been seeking to drive a wedge among Muslims by creating and empowering Israel. He warned that divergence among Muslim nations has paved the way for intensified crackdowns and atrocities against people in Palestine, and other Islamic countries. The Leader also described the normalization of ties between some Muslim countries and the Israeli regime as one of the biggest acts of betrayal. He stressed, however, that unity is still possible among Muslim nations through hard work and perseverance in the face of difficulties. Ayatollah Khamenei cited the example of the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying it stood up to former world powers, the US and the Soviet Union, when it was a sapling. The Leader said now that the Islamic Republic has turned into a mighty tree, no one should even consider uprooting it. Ayatollah Khamenei was speaking at a meeting with the participants in the Islamic Unity Conference, which was held in Tehran in recent days.

Israel deadly raid

The streets of the occupied West Bank become the scene of a somber farewell to another young Palestinian killed by the Israeli military. Twenty-one-year-old Matin Zabaya was shot dead during an Israeli raid on the flashpoint refugee camp in Jenin earlier today. Also, a Palestinian doctor, identified as Abdullah Abu-Tin, was shot while attending to the injured. The doctor later lost his life. Eight others have been wounded. Separately, Muhammad Mahir Turkman, the Palestinian who carried out an operation injuring seven Israeli soldiers in September, has died of his injuries at the hospital. Israel has intensified its deadly crackdown in the occupied territories, killing more than 100 Palestinians so far this year.

UK finance minister sacked

Britain has appointed Jeremy Hunt as the new Chancellor. He will replace Kwasi Kwarteng, who was sacked amid market chaos sparked by the government's controversial economic growth package. In a U-turn, the prime minister also announced the scrapping of plans to cut taxes for corporations. Britain has been reeling from high inflation, a cost of living crisis, and soaring energy prices. Last month Liz Truss introduced key fiscal policy pledges that were laid out in Kwarteng’s so called mini-budget plan. The ex-chancellor was under pressure to reverse his fiscal plan after it shook markets and prompted a backlash among politicians. Among the pledges were vast amounts of unfunded tax cuts. These were meant to be financed through borrowing billions in bonds. Truss has already lost the confidence of some of her own party members who are reportedly plotting to oust her.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk