Press TV's newsheadlines

Condemning sacrilege

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has strongly condemned desecration of the Holy Qur'an under "the slogan of freedom of speech". The Leader said the insane desecration of the Quran, shows the Arrogant Powers’ attacks are aimed at Islam itself and the Qur'an. Ayatollah Khamenei added that the Quran is shining more brightly every day and the future belongs to Islam despite the Arrogant Power’s plots. He also called on the world’s freedom-seekers to stand by Muslims in confronting the wicked plot of insulting sanctities and spreading hate. The Leader’s remarks came after the notorious Swedish-Danish extremist, Rasmus Paludan, was allowed by Sweden’s government to burn Islam's holy book in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm. Paludan was protected by the Swedish police while committing the sacrilege, which has opened the floodgates of protests in the Muslim world.

UNESCO’S ‘political’ decision

Russia has decried a decision by UNESCO to add the historic center of Ukrainian port city of Odessa to its World Heritage List. Moscow says the world body’s decision is politically motivated and violates its standard procedures. The Russian foreign ministry said UNESCO’s decision was prepared hastily, stressing that just six countries voted in favor. Russia said the only threat Odessa faced came from "the nationalist regime in Ukraine". It accused Ukraine of destroying monuments in the area it sought to protect. The reaction came after UNESCO’s decision was approved by its members with six votes in favor, one against and 14 abstentions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had requested the listing in October, claiming that it would protect the city from Russian bombardment. 

Peru political crisis

In Peru, shortages of basic products, including food and fuel, are exacerbating an already tense situation over a month into violent anti-government protests. Dozens of roadblocks erected by protesters have hindered freight deliveries to the country’s southern regions. These are parts of Peru where protests have been more violent since the ouster of former president, Pedro Castillo. Liquefied petroleum gas has also become scarce in several regions. Meanwhile, prices of basic food items, such as potatoes and tomatoes, have tripled. Peru's transportation ministry says 85 roadblocks are still in place throughout the country. President Dina Boluarte has urged Congress to approve an early general election as soon as possible. Her call came amid heavy pressure following the worst wave of protests in at least two decades in the Latin American country. More than 50 people have so far been killed in clashes with police and blockade of roads.

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