ASIA TODAY Israel’s “precise and selective” attack against Iran. Tehran: limited damage

Today’s news: Tokyo and Seoul (and Washington) express “serious concern” about the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. By 2050, the snow leopard in Nepal is in danger of extinction. For Taipei, no “external force” can change the island’s democratic future. Hanoi builds a landing strip on an artificial atoll in the Spratlys, disputed by Beijing.

ISRAEL – IRAN

Overnight came the Israeli retaliation against Iran (and Syria) for the launch of missiles on October 2 in response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader, Hasan Nasrallah. In the attack, which consisted of three phases, the air forces participated and targeted the missile production centers, the defense batteries of the military bases located to the west and southwest of the capital, but avoiding the leadership or the interests of ayatollahs, nuclear sites and oil and gas facilities. Tehran (like Baghdad) closed its airspace for a few hours and downplayed the fact, speaking of “limited damage» and claiming to be «prepared» to respond «proportionately» to the aggression. The United States, alerted to the operation, asks Iran to reduce tension.

KOREA – JAPAN – USA

Tokyo, Seoul and Washington express their “serious concern” about the deployment of north korean troops in Russia to use them in the war against Ukraine. Pyongyang’s military presence is just the latest confirmation of its growing military ties with Moscow, also characterized by the transfer of weapons and missiles in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

NEPAL

The snow leopards are at risk of disappearing from Nepal by 2050 due to severe climate change, rising temperatures and shrinking habitats. These are the conclusions of a recent investigation carried out by local and Australian experts, according to which felines could disappear “completely” in less than 30 years. The scenario is “alarming” and the impact “worse than expected.”

TAIWAN

Taiwan values ​​its freedom and its democracy and noneexternal force» can change your future. This was stated yesterday by President Lai Ching-te, visiting a group of islands (Kinmen and Matsu) advanced towards Chinese territory, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory over the communist army. Meanwhile, the US State Department approved a possible sale to Taipei of missiles and radar systems worth 2 billion dollars.

VIETNAM

Hanoi is building a clue landing and taking off of planes on an island located in a disputed area (with Beijing) in the South China Sea. Satellite images show the construction, which is taking shape on Barque Canada Reef, an artificial atoll developed by Vietnam in the Spratlys. Experts believe it will expand maritime patrol capabilities.

RUSSIA – CHINA

Russian imports of products from China are increasingly expensive, growing by 20% to 30% due to increased tariffs. This is a consequence of the tightening of Chinese banks in their trade with Russia, as well as of Turkish banks, and due to sanctions, which force Russian businessmen to seek increasingly complex payment schemes.

UZBEKISTAN – TAJIKISTAN

According to the report on the assessment of air quality in Central Asia, commissioned by the World Bank, the most polluted country in the region appears to be Uzbekistan, with more than 3 thousand premature deaths per year from polluted air (100 per 100 thousand population). In second place is Tajikistan, with 78 per 100 thousand, due to various diseases.