India

While TikTok was banned in the United States and then reinstated, in India, Shein's fast fashion application has returned to digital stores after a five-year ban on condition that it sells garments made in India, India's minister of Commerce and Industry announced. However, neither India nor US companies have been able to create viable alternatives to Chinese apps.

Some 18 employees of Andhra Pradesh's main Hindu place of worship have been targeted for transfer to other government offices or voluntary retirement. The new state government is backing identity politics against the previous administration led by a Christian chief minister.

A small community of 5,000 Catholics in the Indian state will be able to celebrate the Eucharist in their native language. A sign of hope for the Indian State that has been wounded by violence for almost two years. The translation is the work of Fr Mark Aimeng, who more than forty years ago became the first local priest.

Archbishop Girelli's visit among the communities that were victims in 2008 of the most serious violence against Christians in India's recent history. "Happy and moved to find myself here praying before the memorial of the martyrs. Witnesses of peace, harmony, faith and love'. A letter to Pope Francis to include Fr Bernard Digal among the martyrs of the 21st century.

The two main parties are using the same tactic of handing out subsidies to attract the poorest voters. In recent years, support for Prime Minister Modi's party has grown, but several uncertainties remain. Voting takes place on 5 February with results on 8 February.

The Pontiff's message to the Assembly in Orissa that brings together the 204 bishops of the Latin Rite dioceses. Card. Ferrao: ‘Despite adversity and threats to religious freedom, the Church in India remains alive and firm in the faith’.

The legislation, which provides for the registration of marriages, divorces and cohabitation for members of all religions, officially came into effect today and will apply to Uttarakhand residents living in other Indian states. For law supporters, it is an important reform in favour of equality, but it abolishes several Muslim religious customs, and risks creating jurisdictional conflicts between the central and state governments.

Passing of the baton between the cardinal who had led the archdiocese since 2000 and the prelate designated as coadjutor by Francis last November 30. On 11 February the official installation. In a video message, Gracias' gratitude to the Church he led for almost 25 years. Rodrigues: ‘Coming after him I will have very big shoes to fill...’.

A racket involving doctors from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu was uncovered in Rangareddy district, with widows among those exploited. At least 200,000 patients in India are in need of a kidney transplant but only 7,500 ‘legal’ operations are carried out in a year due to the low number of donations.

Teachers and parents slam the decision by the BJP-led government as an attack on their community’s cultural and linguistic heritage, calling for Hindi to be instead included as an optional subject. For children, it is important to study in their native language. Fr Steven Rawat, victim of an attack over Christmas carols, also criticised the measure.

Bastar district village council's act of intolerance is upheld by the local high court following son's appeal for justice. He is not even allowed to bury him in his own land. Archbishop of Raipur: “Endorsement of such acts promotes lawlessness in the country.”

The Chapel of St Therese of the Child Jesus in the village of Chokragaon was set on fire, a few days after the ordination of two local priests. The authorities have opened an investigation. The bishop of Tezpur praises the "intense solidarity" and "unity" among Christians following the incident.