North Asia

More than a Eurasian NATO, it is an instrument for Russian control of Central Asia. In 2020 it had a budget of 7 million dollars: Nato's was over 1 trillion. The outcome of the war in Ukraine will tell whether the organisation has a future.

For the Orthodox Patriarch Emeritus, Ukraine will defeat Russia. Attack on Moscow Patriarch Kirill, guilty of supporting Putin's intended invasion. To Pope Francis: we have nothing to fear from NATO. In future there will be only one national Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Bishop Mumbiela Sierra of Almaty, Kazkistan, was elected a few weeks ago as the first president of the new Conference of Catholic Bishops of Central Asia. He speaks to AsiaNews: 'An experience of fraternity that is important for the growth of our communities. We are a periphery that bears witness to God's love for the whole world".

Beyond the actual military conquests, and the destruction of population centres, to what extent do the people of the so-called 'independent republics' wish to reunite with Russia?

Worst figure since 1994. However, Putin keeps repeating that the country will resist Western sanctions. Underground deals to circumvent US and allied restrictions. Return to Soviet planning would be the real defeat of the "special military operation."

The Diocese of Hong Kong: "Concerned for his safety. We trust that we will continue to enjoy religious freedom on the basis of the Basic Law." Father Gianni Criveller, PIME missionary: "Intimidating and inhumane act: this is the business card of the new Chief Executive John Lee. After political, economic and cultural spheres now religions are being targeted."

Washington expects Beijing to invade the island by 2030. War in Ukraine has not deterred Xi Jinping, but it has had an impact on "how and when" the mainland will make its move. The Taiwanese are taking notes of the damage inflicted by Ukraine’s military on the Russian giant. Tensions are rising between Washington and Beijing after US warship transits through the Taiwan Strait.

In Putin's rhetoric, war can be "remade" if necessary. The memory of the graffiti left by Soviet soldiers on the walls of the German Bundestag in 1945. Invasion of Ukraine seen by Russians as defensive reaction to external pressure.

The invasion of Ukraine ordered by the Russian president is running out of steam. The Kremlin has little to celebrate today, the day of the victory over Nazi Germany. Kiev on the counterattack. Moscow's general mobilization is impossible. Time is in favor of the Ukrainians.

Rushism is the new ideal of conquest in the post-global world. Instead of cultural levelling, everyone is trying to win against everyone. After almost a century of laying in the background, weapons are heard again, like at the end of La Belle Époque, a time when the invention of electric lighting, radio and cars seemed to have definitively let humanity out of the caves.

The hacktivist collective warns China against invading Taiwan, urging Beijing to avoid Russia’s mistake in attacking Ukraine. After picking Russian targets, the hacker group is ready to go after Xi Jinping and associates. Noting the sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva, Anonymous warns that China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning could suffer the same fate.

Today's headlines: sandstorms in Iraq provoke a health emergency, one victim and 5,000 hospitalizations; the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh receives the title of "friend of Buddhism"; Russia bombs Kiselevka destroying the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception; 53 official victims in the collapse of a squat in central China; in Israel the hunt for "terrorists" who killed three people yesterday, during Independence Day celebrations.