Russia

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.

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.

Tseng Sheng-kuang, 25, arrived in Ukraine in June. He was killed in combat in the disputed Luhansk region. About 10 Taiwanese volunteers are fighting for Ukraine. Xi Jinping warns Putin not to use nuclear weapons.

State requisition of assets privatised after the collapse of the USSR under consideration. The country is experiencing a crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine and related Western sanctions. Kaysin Khubiev and Ivan Tenjakov: return to centralised control the only way to promote the war economy desired by Putin.

According to supporters it is a prerequisite to preserve the local language and culture. Independents against the 'mad centralisation and militarisation' of Russia. Separatist sentiments also on the part of Bashkars, Hertzians, Buriates and Chechens.

The Russian 'tsar' speaks of a 'defensive' and salvific war to build a new world led by Russia. Moscow sees itself as the 'true West', the one of traditions. To survive, the Russian president hopes for favourable political changes in Europe and the US.

Today's headlines: Chinese evangelical Christian under police control for over a fortnight; Pyongyang has fired two more ballistic missiles; a new shipping route connects Pakistan with Oman via Qatar; Burmese and Thai Catholic volunteers to help displaced people in the border area; several Russian oligarchs under sanctions allegedly saved hundreds of millions in capital abroad.

Today's headlines: Israel starts extractions from Karish, expected to sign maritime border with Lebanon today; Asean summit on Myanmar opens; with 'honorary citizenship', Vientiane aims at rich foreigners to boost economy; Japan's coast guard uses sophisticated drones to patrol coasts; in Russia, cases of racial and religious hatred in the Armed Forces are on the rise.

Today's headlines: Chinese police continue to maintain restrictions against activists and dissidents imposed during the party congress; in Iran 'the world's dirtiest man' died at 94, almost 60 years without ever washing; Hanoi imposes a travel ban on a Redemptorist priest from the former Saigon; Russia's war in Ukraine blocks international studies on the melting of Arctic glaciers.

The comparison made by EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell sparks criticism. Hermitage Director: 'Everyone cultivates their own garden'. According to the academic, the war in Ukraine responds to a problem of survival: better the Soviet "greenhouse" than the capitalist jungle.

Ukraine sanctions relatives of the founder of the majority party in Georgia, suspected of links to the Russian leader. Georgians do not want to be dragged into the war. Cautious opposition in Tbilisi.