India

Today's headlines: after two years of Covid-19 closures, from 10 June international tourism resumes in Japan; Beijing rejects passport applications from Christians; drug use is rampant in the Kachin State in northern Myanmar; the Indian prime minister continues his protectionist policy on food, after wheat now sugar; from Bishkek a call "for unity" to the other Central Asian nations to counter the critical period.

Former Finance Minister Chidambaram calls for even stricter regulations in India on sale and possession. While in Karnataka, nationalist right-wing movements promote training camps for boys on guns and the trishul, India's traditional trident.

Today's headlines:Health chief fired as Covid cases rise in Beijing; a series of explosions hit Afghanistan, at least 16 killed; Aung San Suu Kyi's family lodge a complaint to the UN against junta imposed detention; in Kazakhstan the quarantine-related "baby-boom" continues.

Today's headlines: A famous Vietnamese hacker turns government agent; Seoul and Tokyo send fighter jets in response to an intrusion by Chinese and Russian jets during the Quad summit; Indian Catholic lay forum launches a call for an end to discrimination against minorities; 'one-way' airline tickets to Russia have reached 70% of sales.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity is not a free trade agreement. Its 13 members include India. Its focus is on international standards for investments in infrastructure, supply chains and the digital economy, but without tariff reductions it may not work. China speaks out against attempts to sow division and confrontation.

In the past three years, more than 6,000 children have died from malnutrition in Maharashtra, many from tribal families whose parents were victims of child marriages. A charity created by Fr Elenjimittamin in 1957 is playing a crucial role in providing education and welfare to such “angels in rags”.

Farmers selling abroad were benefiting from higher global prices. Critics say the government is not serving the interests of the poorest. China defends India against G7 criticism.

Hindu nationalists target a shrine in the diocese of Guntur falsely claiming that a cross was erected at the site of a Hindu idol. However, local police refuted the assertion, noting that the Hindu site is on a different hillock. Following the incident, local Catholics held a peaceful protest, supported by people from other religions.

Just hours after promising Archbishop Machado to look into the matter closely, the governor signed the ordinance as demanded by the BJP Hindu nationalists. It is now the tenth Indian territory to criminalise conversion to another religion.

The latest decision by India’s highest court puts the spotlight on a section of the penal code that dates back to the colonial administration, a rule widely used in recent years by Prime Minister Modi and state governments to suppress dissent. For Fr Prakash, this is an important step, but it is still a “provisional order”; instead, he wants to see the rule’s “total [. . .] repeal”.

The Indian Church's joy for the former 18th century dignitary that Pope Francis will canonise on 15 May. Killed because he preached the fraternity of the Gospel beyond caste barriers. Syro-Malankara native Baselios Cleemis: "Witness in society of a message that no one can stop".

The chief minister called on the governor to sign the bill without the assent of the Legislative Council (upper house). If it becomes law, the bill would make Karnataka the tenth Indian state to adopt such an anti-Christian measure. For the archbishop of Bangalore, the law will be used by “fringe elements and groups” to sow discord. Hence, he urges “the Governor not to give assent to the bill”. Many Indian States have adopted legislation dear to Hindu nationalists.