North Asia

By 2015 a billion Asians will still live on less than two dollars a day. British PM Blair made the assertion in London at a conference on poverty in Asia. Asian leaders say the international community is making considerable efforts to overcome poverty in Africa, whilst Asia is not getting the attention it deserves.

This was proposed by Ban Ki-moon, South Korean foreign affairs minister. The forum would seek to solve problems between north-east Asian countries.

Moscow and Tehran are displaying optimism officially, but many claim Iran is only playing for time while seeking to create an Islamic front.

If found guilty could face a maximum sentence of life. On Jan. 11, the young man, wielding a knife and shouting "Heil Hitler" attacked worshippers, slashing and stabbing at least 9 people.

France says Iran's nuclear programme is a cover for clandestine military nuclear activity. US announces a diplomatic offence, but Russia warns against any use of force.

Moscow Archbishop: important the reaffirmed distance from proselytism and the call to charity in a society which is still experiencing the failure of the Marxist model. Russian press amazed by Benedict XVI's "courage".

Iranian government envoy in Beijing today expresses qualified support for a plan that would see Iranian uranium enriched on Russian territory. China backs the plan. On the eve of a meeting with the EU3 in London, the United States is pressuring India to back efforts to address concerns over Iran's nuclear programme in the UN Security Council.

The first 2 thousand copies in circulation were printed in Moscow with the help of the Hong Kong based Brotherhood of Sts. Peter and Paul. It contains both morning and evening prayers, as well as the divine liturgy of St John Chrysostom.

Today the Russian Orthodox Church marks the baptism of Christ. Alexy II presides over the liturgical celebration in the Cathedral of the Epiphany. More than 2 thousands people gather in Moscow for the traditional vigil swim at -30°.

Ways of reining in Iran's nuclear escalation are being assessed after the London meeting.

The crisis was set by the MPRP, which has half the seats in parliament and is getting ready to form a new government. The people are holding rallies against the crisis.

An attack three days ago in a synagogue in Moscow highlighted the problem of unimpeded nationwide circulation of extremist, xenophobic material which eggs young people on and has not spared even the political class. Already last year, some surveys revealed that Russia was the most anti-Semitic of Christian countries.