Today's headlines: dozens of arrests in Russia among those demonstrating against the war in Ukraine; Russian companies relocate to Armenia to escape sanctions, hundreds more are waiting; Armenian MPs donate blood for Ukrainian hospitals; an Indonesian priest who made an "invaluable" contribution to the development of liturgy has died at 84; new Israeli air raids in southern Syria. 

 

 

CHINA - RUSSIA

Senior Chinese officials reportedly asked their Russian counterparts in early February not to invade Ukraine before the end of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. The New York Times reported that Beijing was already aware in principle of the Kremlin's plans to attack Kiev. The Chinese Embassy in the US speaks of "speculation" without foundation.  

RUSSIA

The General Prosecutor's Office imposed limits on access to the websites of the historic radio station Ekho Moskvy and the TV channel Dozhd, for "systematic and tendentious dissemination of information with appeals to extremist activities, violence and false news". The reference is to the Russian military in the special operation in the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Dozens of arrests among peace demonstrators. 

UKRAINE

In various cities of Ukraine invaded by the Russians, the population is complaining because the soldiers sent from Moscow are looting shops in search of food, entering with weapons and demanding everything they want at gunpoint. According to Kiev's counter-intelligence, the young soldiers only had a ration for three days. More than one million refugees have already fled since the invasion began. 

ARMENIA

Several Russian companies are trying to relocate to other countries because of Western sanctions. The Minister of Economy of Yerevan Vaan Kerobyan reports that about ten big Russian companies have already moved to Armenia, hundreds more are trying to do the same. 

GEORGIA

At least 65 members of parliament and many parliamentary staff in Tbilisi donated blood in aid of Ukraine, both majority and opposition representatives. The operation was led by the Georgian Institute of Haematology, according to the Novosti-Gruzja news agency. The blood will be brought to Ukraine by the International Red Cross.

TAIWAN

Several cities in Taiwan, including the capital Taipei, have experienced widespread power outages, caused by an accident at one of the island's most important power plants. Experts are working to repair the incident at the Xingda plant, while the national giant Taipower has activated alternative sources of energy to meet the need. 

PAKISTAN

A bomb exploded near a police vehicle in Quetta, capital of Baluchistan, in the southwest. Three people died in the attack, including an officer and two civilians, at least 27 were injured, mostly bystanders. The explosion hit shops in the area, which caught fire. At the moment there are no claims, but the matrix seems to be that of the Pakistani Taliban. 

INDONESIA

Indonesian Catholics are mourning the death of Fr Antonius Soetanto, a Jesuit priest famous in his homeland for composing religiously inspired music and songs. He died in a hospital in Semarang at the age of 84, following a stroke. For many, he was one of the leading figures of the local Church, having made an "invaluable" contribution to the liturgy. 

SYRIA

Several explosions were reported overnight in southern Syria in a new air raid by Israeli fighter jets against army targets. A centre for monitoring and gathering information was also targeted. At the moment, there are no reports of casualties or injuries. Yesterday at the UN, the foreign minister denounced the attacks of recent weeks. 

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