October 4, 2022

*) North Korea fires ballistic missile over Japan North Korea has fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan, prompting Tokyo to activate the country's missile alert system and order people to take shelter. South Korea's military said it detected the launch of the missile, which flew around 4,500 kilometres at an altitude of about 970 kilometres and a speed of around Mach 17. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the launch was "an act of violence following recent repeated launches of ballistic missiles" by the North. *) Ukraine forces break through Russian defences in south, advance in east Ukrainian forces have broken through Russian defences in the south of the country while expanding their offensive in the east, seizing back more territory in areas annexed by Russia. Making their biggest breakthrough in the south, Ukrainian forces recaptured several villages in an advance along the strategic Dnipro River on Monday. The southern breakthrough mirrors recent Ukrainian advances in the east even as Russia has tried to raise the stakes by annexing land and ordering mobilisation. *) Iran supreme leader blames US, Israel for Mahsa Amini protests Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the United States and Israel of fomenting the wave of nationwide protests after the death of Mahsa Amini. Public anger has flared since authorities announced on September 16 the death of Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian who had been held for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an improper way. In his first public comments on Amini's death, the 83-year-old Khamenei said some people have resorted to vandalism and stressed that the police must stand up to them. *) Deadly Al Shabab attacks target Somalia's Hiran region Over a dozen people have been killed after two explosions targeted local government headquarters in the capital of Somalia’s Hiran region. The Al Shabab terror group has claimed responsibility for Monday's attack that killed government officials, civilians and security