Other news of the day: Khamenei would have ordered the transfer of 4,000 million euros to an account of his son in Venezuela; Sri Lanka and India plan to connect power grids and strengthen their trade partnership; Tokyo Authorizes Army to Shoot Down Balloons and Unidentified Flying Objects; The Philippines and the United States are preparing massive anti-Chinese military exercises; Seoul hosts two Russian citizens who fled Putin’s mobilization.
MYANMAR
A famous Protestant pastor has been accused under the coup military junta’s “anti-terrorism” law and could be sentenced to up to 13 years. Hkalam Samson was charged in an open trial in Myitkyina prison, Kachin State, under article 52 (a) of the Penal Code. The “fault” is having met and prayed with members of the democratic government in exile.
IRAN
The Iranian Supreme Leader has ordered the transfer of more than 4,000 million euros to his son’s account in a Venezuelan bank. The complaint is from the founder of the Ahwazi Liberal Party, a group that opposes the ayatollahs. The request contained in a document bears the signature of Ali Khamenei’s chief of staff and is addressed to the governor of the central bank, Ali Saleh-Abadi.
SRI LANKA – INDIA
Sri Lanka and India intend to connect the networks utilities and begin negotiations to strengthen their trade partnership within two months, a diplomatic source in Colombo said. The country is seeking solutions to the worst crisis in decades. The idea is to develop forms of renewable energy in the north, to transport power to south India and with a cross-border connection.
JAPAN
Tokyo authorized the army to shoot down balloons and unidentified and unmanned flying objects invading airspace. In recent days, “strong suspicions” of incursions of Chinese objects, including three spy balloons, have been admitted since 2019. This is a turning point that marks the end of the “pacifist” approach that prohibited the use of weapons except for reasons defense against imminent danger. .
PHILIPPINES
The Philippines and the United States have decided to hold this year the joint military exercises largest since 2015, at a time of rising tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea. The decision confirms the improvement of relations between Washington and Manila with Marcos and the common interest of the two countries in countering the “aggressive” policy of the dragon in the region.
SOUTH KOREA
South Korea has admitted into the country two of the five Russian nationals who fled mobilization through Mongolia and the Philippines, and were stranded for more than four months at Seoul-Incheon International Airport. Seoul has granted them refugee status, which was denied to a third member of the group, while the latter two are awaiting a decision.
RUSSIA – CHINA – INDIA
The Russian oil company Urals increased its crude exports to China in January, reaching 1 million tons compared to December 0.3, 2022. Competition intensifies with India, which imports large quantities at low prices. Asian companies are less and less afraid of falling into secondary sanctions, obtaining the coveted discounts from Moscow.
