North Asia

At the general audience, the pontiff issued a new call to prayer after the missile attack that caused death and damage to many civilian infrastructures. In his catechesis, Francis spoke of the desolation in our spiritual life that shakes the "aseptic serenity that makes one inhuman". Disquiet as "a response to the objection that the experience of God is a mere projection of our desires".

Although South Korea is one of the world's largest armaments manufacturers, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said that his country is only providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, not war materiel. Media reports suggest, however, that South Korean artillery pieces are reaching Ukraine via the United States. This comes at a time of renewed tensions with North Korea.

In addition to the head of the Republic of Chechnya, Duma deputy Adam Delimkhanov stands out. Nicknamed the 'commander of the TikTok' armies. After Putin's defeats in Ukraine, Kadyrov positioned himself to gain a central role in Moscow. The power games in the Kremlin have begun.

The 56th plenary assembly of the Bishops' Conference met in St Petersburg. Devote every effort to the defence of the Church's rights and religious freedom. Attention to the formation of candidates for the priesthood. The Church must be free from all forms of constraint and violence.

After the withdrawal from Kherson, the war on the ground would appear an entrenched standoff between the two banks of the Dnepr, returning to a condition similar to that experienced in 1480 in the so-called 'Confrontation on the Ugra'. At that time, the two forces of East and West chose not to continue the fight, instigating a period of revival in Russia to the point of its dream of becoming the 'third Rome'.

Rosatom has received permits to continue the atomic project. Having completed safety checks, the authorities have granted the go-ahead. Operational tests within the next four years. From Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh alarming numbers on disasters caused by weather events in Asia, with billions in damage.

Today's headlines: Chinese influence grows in Cambodia with compulsory Mandarin; Indian supreme court releases six people in jail for 30 years for Gandhi murder; after days of violence Manila and Milf sign ceasefire; ultraconservative Russian philosopher Dugin speculates 'ritual killing' of Putin in case of military defeat in Ukraine.

Summit of Turkish-speaking countries in Uzbekistan: Erdogan's creature for the rebirth of the "Ottoman dream". Ankara's pressure on Turkmenistan, still a mere observer. An integration process that has been going on since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The war in Ukraine could give the "Turkmen" bloc more relevance.

Nordic countries on the alert for Kremlin manoeuvres in the region. Norway targeted by Russian intelligence. Russia has long claimed much of the Arctic space. However, soldiers deployed in the north have been sent to fight in Ukraine. The weight of Sweden and Finland joining NATO.

Request for EU membership follows the similar one adopted in Ukraine. Approved in parliament at first reading amid protests from the opposition, which claims it is a weapon against politicians disliked by the government. Georgian Dream founder Ivanišvili excluded from its measures as a "patron and benefactor".

They gather in the woods to propitiate the end of the conflict in Ukraine. The authorities tighten controls on prayer meetings: they fear separatist drifts. For the Mari celebrants, "one can bless those who defend their land, not those who go out to kill the people of another people".

As they celebrate the ominous 17th century on 4 November, Russians find reasons to continue their great defensive war, now effectively mired in the late autumn mud of the annexed territories. Instead of selecting events from a past of imperial glory, it would be better not to suppress another symbolically charged date, 30 October, the day dedicated to the memory of Soviet dissidents, now wiped away by government order.