Iranian activists: over 500 dead in protests. Flights from Tehran to Moscow

Today's headlines: in Hong Kong, the “mitigation hearing” begins in the trial of Jimmy Lai, who is feared to face life imprisonment. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi may call early elections. Second phase of elections in Myanmar called for by the coup junta. Nepal and Bangladesh ready to resume trade talks frozen since 2020. Pyongyang asks Seoul for explanations regarding a southern drone that allegedly violated North Korean airspace.

IRAN - RUSSIA

There are said to be over 500 victims of the crackdown on protests by the police and Pasdaran, but the numbers are uncertain due to internet blocks and difficulties in independent verification. US President Donald Trump says he is ready to intervene in defence of the protesters, while Tehran threatens to strike US and Israeli military bases and announces that the situation is “under control”. Meanwhile, since the beginning of the uprising, there has been an increase in private flights from Tehran to Russia, which is offering technical and military support to the Iranian leadership while preparing to evacuate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family and assistants. This is according to The Moscow Times, which reports that gold reserves have also begun to be transported to Moscow, as was the case with the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, flying over the Caucasus and avoiding NATO-controlled airspace.

HONG KONG

The Hong Kong High Court today began the “mitigation hearing” in the trial of Jimmy Lai, the last step before sentencing in one of the most important cases related to “national security”. The case has attracted international condemnation and could end with a life sentence. Last month, the 78-year-old pro-democracy Catholic tycoon was found guilty of “collusion with foreign forces” and “sedition”.

JAPAN

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call early general elections. This was announced yesterday by the leader of a coalition ally party, confirming rumours reported in the press in recent days about a possible vote in February. It would be the first time that the conservative Takaichi, the first female prime minister and a fan of Britain's Margaret Thatcher, has faced the electorate with the aim of capitalising on the consensus since her appointment as the country's leader in October.

MYANMAR

The second round of the controversial vote in Myanmar took place over the weekend. International activists, Western governments and opponents have called it a farce in a nation torn apart by war and ruled by the military since the coup in February 2021. In the first round, the most significant figures were the low turnout (just 52%) and the expected dominance of the party linked to the army. The military also claimed victory in the seat once held by Aung San Suu Kyi.

NEPAL - BANGLADESH

Nepal and Bangladesh are ready to resume talks at the level of trade ministers in Dhaka, addressing long-standing issues including the proposed bilateral preferential trade agreement (PTA) and the list of goods contained therein. The two-day meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, will be co-chaired by Nepalese Minister Ram Prasad Ghimire and his Bangladeshi counterpart Mahbubur Rahman. The last meeting - virtual due to Covid-19 - was held in October 2020.

KOREA

Tensions between the two Koreas are rising again: Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Pyongyang leader Kim Jong Un, has demanded a detailed “explanation” from Seoul regarding a South Korean drone that allegedly flew over North Korean territory. The drone reportedly flew from the Ganghwa border area to the North Korean city of Kaesong in early January. Seoul has rejected the accusation, stating that the drone is not a model operated by its military.

INDIA

Delhi is reportedly ready to ask smartphone manufacturers to share their source code and make changes to their software as part of a series of security measures. These provisions have already met with opposition, albeit behind the scenes, from industry giants including Apple and Samsung.

The companies have countered that the package of 83 security standards, which would also include a requirement to notify the government of major software updates, lacks any global precedent and risks revealing sensitive details. The plan is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to defend citizens' security and combat online fraud in the world's second-largest market, with nearly 750 million devices.

GEORGIA - ARMENIA - AZERBAIJAN

Georgia has imposed a tariff on the transit of petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia, according to Karen Ajriyan, the Armenian director of the company Mega Trade. Not only Premium petrol is expected to be imported, but also Regular; the price of crude oil in Armenia will be set based on various factors dependent on the international market, while the new tariffs ‘will not have a decisive impact on the total cost of transport’.