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'Stopping Israel crimes'

Iran's president has called on the Islamic countries to form a united front in order to stop the Zionist regime's criminal acts against Palestinians. Ebrahim Raeisi made the remark in a phone call with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the eve of the international Quds Day. He expressed deep concern over the latest developments in the occupied territories, especially the Zionist regime’s desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Sharif, for his part, strongly condemned Israel’s crimes, saying his country will remain a permanent supporter of Palestinian people. He also expressed hope that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation would take steps to establish a united front to prevent continuation of the regime's crimes.

North Korea missile test

North Korea says it has fired a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, called Hwasong-18, during the test launch that took place early Thursday. According to the country’s official KCNA news agency, the test was aimed at boosting Pyongyang’s nuclear counterattack capability. The KCNA said the test proved the new ICBM’s military efficiency as a strategic attack capability. The report added that the missile will dramatically improve North Korea’s strategic deterrence and nuclear counterattack readiness. The launch came after the North's leader Kim Jong Un called for strengthening the country's war deterrence in a more practical and offensive manner to cope with aggression by the US and South Korea. It also took place following joint drills by the US and the south, which are considered by Pyongyang rehearsals for invasion of its territory.

Slamming dollar dominance

The Brazilian president has lashed out at the US dollar’s dominance in the world economy, while on a visit to China to boost bilateral trade. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made the remark in a ceremony held to inaugurate his political ally Dilma Rousseff as president of the BRICS development bank. He said the BRICS nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, should have their own bank to finance their trade transactions. He also took a jab at the International Monetary Fund, accusing the world body of forcing harsh spending cuts on cash-strapped countries. Lula said the IMF asphyxiates the economies of countries like Argentina and Brazil. Lula’s Beijing visit is aimed at resetting bilateral relations after a frosty four years under his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. Last month, the two countries reached a deal to use their own currencies in trade transactions, ditching the US dollar as an intermediary.

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