Eutelsat IRIB suspension
The French satellite operator, Eutelsat, has taken the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting off the air. The operator says its move to cease its activities with IRIB is under a European Union regulation passed earlier this month. The EU has imposed sanctions on dozens of Iranian individuals and several entities over the country’s response to the recent riots. Eutelsat informed Tehran that it would remove Iranian channels, including English language PressTV, shortly after the ban was announced. Tehran had strongly condemned the decision, saying the move further reveals the true colors of false advocates of freedom of expression and the free flow of information. Meanwhile, Europe continues to host TV channels which foment violence and terrorism in Iran.
Response to Ukraine accusations
Tehran has condemned repeated accusations by Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky of sales of Iranian drones to Russia to be used in the Ukraine war. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani reiterated that Iran has not provided drones to any side in the war in Ukraine. He said the Islamic Republic respects the sovereignty of all countries, including Ukraine. Kan’ani said Zelensky needs to learn the lesson from the fate of countries that relied on the United States for support. The spokesman’s remarks are in response to the Ukrainian president’s speech in the US Congress on Wednesday. Zelensky again accused Iran of sending drones to Russia in hundreds, threatening the country’s critical infrastructure. Tehran dismisses the allegations, calling them part of Washington’s propaganda campaign against Iran.
UK economic woes
The cost of living crisis coupled with rising inflation is taking a heavy toll on Britain’s economy. New official data shows the country’s economy contracted in the third quarter more than it was estimated. According to the Office for National Statistics, GDP dropped 0.3 percent in the July to September period, up 0.1 percent estimated previously. The fall in manufacturing and production has been blamed for the contraction. The figures also show the country is lagging further behind other advanced economies. It comes as Britain is already teetering on the brink of recession amid sky-high inflation that rose at the fastest rate in 40 years in May. A wave of strikes across the country since the summer has also impacted the growth. People are fed up with the government’s failure to raise their wages to keep pace with inflation.