The 170 cardinals chose synodality and evangelisation as the main themes. There was no written document at the end, but listening and sharing are “the way” to follow. For Leo XIV, the Church can “offer a model of collegiality”. The relationship with local Churches must be boosted since it is harder to consult them. The College is called to be a “community of faith” rather than “a mere group of experts.”

Despite a ceasefire in effect since 27 December, tensions remain high along the border between Cambodia and Thailand. Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler slams the world's indifference to the violence affecting civilians, citing destruction, displacement, and the indiscriminate use of force. Cambodia accuses Thailand of illegally occupying parts of its territory, while Thailand complains of fresh Cambodian violations of the ceasefire and threatens retaliation.

A video that went viral has reignited the spotlight on the violence of Hindu nationalists who, in the name of protecting “sacred animals”, actually target people from marginalised communities. This highlights the contradiction of a country like India, which is one of the world's largest exporters of beef.

The general in charge of the Kawthoolei Army (KTLA), one of the militias fighting against the military junta, recently announced the birth of the ‘Republic of Kawthoolei’ on the border with Thailand. The move divides the Karen people and has been criticised because it risks weakening the anti-junta front in the civil war, at an already very delicate moment for the resistance.

Thanks to funding from the Asian Development Bank with Japanese cooperation funds, Tajikistan will strengthen its monitoring of glaciers and snow cover to prevent disasters linked to climate change. A loan has also been approved for Uzbekistan to improve water resource management.

Today's headlines: Trump ready to further raise tariffs on India for Russian oil imports; Iranian protests against the high cost of living in 111 cities, death toll rises to 34; Japan to launch plan to reduce textile waste from disposable clothing; China is studying rules for virtual “boyfriends” generated by artificial intelligence.