Israel launches a 'precise and targeted' attack on Iran, which claims limited damage
Today's headlines: Japan and South Korea (and the US) express "grave concern" over the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. By 2050 Nepal’s snow leopard might be extinct. For Taiwan, no "external force" can change the island’s democratic future. Vietnam is building an airstrip on an artificially expanded reef in the Spratlys, claimed by China.
ISRAEL – IRAN
Israel carried out air strikes against Iran (and Syria) overnight for the missile attack on 2 October, which came in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The three-phase attack targeted missile production sites, as well as defence batteries at military bases west and southwest of the Iranian capital Tehran, while avoiding targeting Iranian leaders and their interests, nuclear sites, and oil and gas installations. Iran (like Iraq) closed its airspace for a few hours. Tehran downplayed the attack, acknowledging “limited damage”, adding that it was ready to respond “to the aggression” in a “proportional” way. The US, informed of the operation, is urging Iran to de-escalate.
KOREA – JAPAN – UNITED STATES
Japan, South Korea, and the United States have expressed "grave concern" over the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia, in the war against Ukraine. The presence of North Korean troops confirms the growing military ties between Russia and North Korea, which includes the transfer of weapons and missiles in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
NEPAL
Snow leopards are at risk of disappearing from Nepal by 2050 due to severe climate change, including rising temperatures and habitat reduction, this according to recent research by Nepali and Australian experts, according to whom the big cats could “entirely disappear” in less than 30 years. The scenario is "alarming" and "worse than predicted".
TAIWAN
Taiwan values its freedom and democracy, and no “external force” can change its future, said Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, during a visit yesterday at a group of frontline islands (Kinmen and Matsu) near the Chinese mainland, to mark the 75th anniversary of a key victory over communist forces. Meanwhile, the US State Department has approved a potential sale of missiles and radar systems worth US billion to Taiwan.
VIETNAM
Vietnam is building an airstrip on an island in a disputed area in the South China Sea (claimed by China, among others). Satellite images show construction underway on Barque Canada, an artificially expanded coral reef held by Vietnam in the Spratlys. For experts, this will boost Vietnam’s maritime patrol capabilities.
RUSSIA – CHINA
Imports of products from China in Russia are becoming increasingly expensive, with prices rising by 20-30 per cent due to higher customs tariffs. This follows the decision of Chinese and Turkish banks to refuse payments from Russia due to sanctions, which is forcing Russian businesses to use increasingly complex payment schemes.
UZBEKISTAN – TAJIKISTAN
According to a report on air quality in Central Asia, commissioned by the World Bank, the most polluted country in the region appears to be Uzbekistan, with over 3,000 premature deaths per year due to polluted air (100 per 100,000 inhabitants). In second place is Tajikistan, with 78 per 100,000, because of various diseases.
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