NATO wants to open a representation in Japan, the first in Asia

Today's headlines: Three Palestinians killed in Nablus in Israeli security forces operation; Delhi, with Beijing, wants roadmaps - not fixed deadlines - for reducing carbon emissions; Burmese court rejects appeal by Christian leader convicted of terrorism; Elective seats on district councils in Hong Kong reduced to 20%, strict controls on candidates; Islamic finance forecast 10% growth.

JAPAN
Nato plans to open a liaison office in Tokyo, its first in Asia. According to Nikkei Asia, the Atlantic Alliance office will allow regular consultations with Japan and key partners in the region including South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, in open opposition to China (and Russia). The plans are confirmed by NATO and Rising Sun officials. 

ISRAEL - PALESTINE
This morning at dawn the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), together with the Shin Bet internal security services, carried out raids in several cities in the West Bank. In Nablus, the military killed at least three Palestinians, two of whom were accused of involvement in last month's attack in Hamra, in the Jordan Valley, in which a mother and her two daughters were killed. 

INDIA - CHINA
India, supported by China, is trying to build a consensus in the G20 to allow countries to choose a roadmap for reducing carbon emissions, without imposing a deadline for ending the use of fossil fuels. Delhi, chairman of the group, wants to introduce 'multiple energy pathways' that allow the choice of resources by working to zero emission plans. 

MYANMAR
A Burmese court rejected the appeal of one of Myanmar's most influential Protestant religious leaders, one month after he was sentenced in first instance to six years in prison under the anti-terrorism law. Judges in Myitkyina, Kachin State, rejected the request of Hkalam Samson, who was on trial for terrorism, illegal association and inciting opposition to the military.

HONG KONG
The seats democratically chosen by citizens in the local elections scheduled for November in Hong Kong will be reduced to 20 per cent to a maximum of 88, while another 179 will be appointed by the local leader. This was announced by Chief Executive John Lee in recent days, a drastic cut from the 452 in the previous round of elections. Strict controls on candidates announced. 

S. ARABIA - M. EAST
Islamic finance is expected to grow by around 10% in 2023/24, despite the general crisis situation, after a similar expansion in 2022 led mainly by the Gulf countries. According to the S&P Global Ratings report, however, there remain "structural weaknesses" that limit the sector's "geographic and market appeal". 

RUSSIA
The Rosstat Institute of Statistics released data showing that the number of Russian citizens below the poverty line fell below 10% of the population in 2022, the lowest in 30 years, with 14.3 million people, 1 million fewer than in 2021. Behind the drop, however, would also be changes in the way poverty parameters are measured in the country. 

KAZAKHSTAN
The Ministry of Labour of Kazakhstan reported that since the beginning of 2023, already 6144 ethnic Kazakhs have been granted the status of kandas, citizens 'returning' from other countries to their historical homeland. Of these, more than half are from Uzbekistan, 20% from China (Xinjiang) and others from Russia, Mongolia and other countries, most of them settled in Almaty and Mangustau.

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