In a letter released on the opening day of the Winter Olympics, the pontiff, a sports enthusiast, offers his thoughts on the value of sports, citing the prolonged rally of tennis as an example of the ability to improve oneself through such activities. At the same time, he warns against undue competition that sidelines the culture of encounter, as well as doping and the use of technology that focuses solely on improving performance while losing sight of the individual.
The latest settler attacks in Palestinian areas include uprooted olive groves, torched cars, insults sprayed on the walls of houses, and attacks on students. “Attention only comes when there is a serious attack or a tragic event!” Father Bashar laments. However, “the situation is difficult for us every day.” Lebanon accuses Israel of spraying toxic substances on fields and farmland in its southern villages.
Despite the tariff war in 2025, China broke through the trillion mark in its trade surplus, 45% of which is now generated in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, this wealth is not driving domestic consumption, because the fall in producer prices in the name of competitiveness is also squeezing wages and incomes. This is an issue that the new five-year plan due in March does not seem likely to address.
A delicate ecosystem covering only 6% of the Earth's surface, but home to up to 40% of animal and plant species. Their presence is also essential as natural barriers against flooding. Urbanisation and mega-infrastructure risk causing irreversible damage. 2 February is World Wetlands Day, coinciding with the adoption of the Ramsar Convention.
Today's headlines: direct meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister and US envoy Witkoff in Oman today; Jimmy Lai's sentence to be announced on 9 February in Hong Kong; In the Indian state of Meghalaya, the death of 18 workers in an explosion brings illegal mining back into the spotlight; China orders review of psychiatric institutions after reports of confinement; Duma elections set for 20 September in Russia.
Just as Modi discusses tariffs and oil purchases with Trump, the Valdai Club conference between Russia and India was held in the Indian capital to take stock of relations. Putin's men are focusing on long-standing relations with Delhi, calling for alliances with BRICS countries to be prioritised today.
