India

The Sri Lankan President met with the spokesperson of the Tamil National Alliance, who called for the early holding of provincial council elections and the implementation of powers delegated to them. He hopes for an agreement by 4 February 2023, when the nation marks the 75th anniversary of independence.

Sixteen children have died in the last two months, mostly in Mumbai’s slums. According to the World Health Organisation, almost 40 million children have missed at least one dose of immunisation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The skilled workers who have been laid off have up to 60 days to find a company that will sponsor them to stay in the United States. However, recruitment is blocked. For historical and cultural reasons, India produces thousands of graduates in STEM subjects every year. But the guarantee of employment is no longer certain.

Today's headlines: North Korean hackers exploited the Halloween tragedy to spread malware in the South; the Emirati passport is first in the world for mobility and freedom from restrictions; in Karnataka, a Christian ecumenical group calls for police protection for Christmas fearing attacks; Taiwan bans the installation and use of Tik Tok on communication devices in public; Uzbekistan rejects the Russian proposal for a 'union' on natural gas.

Today's headlines: Jakarta has released Umar Patek, one of the perpetrators of the 2002 Bali massacre, on probation; human rights in Vietnam are deteriorating; South Korea is emerging as Asia's main market for luxury cars; two people were killed in clashes between police and protesters in the streets against the conviction of an activist; Russia's birth rate is plummeting, birth incentives under study.

On 6 December 1992, the Babri mosque was destroyed by Hindu nationalists, who claimed the site as their own. This sparked a wave of violence that left 2,000 people dead. “Majoritarianism is today's rule,” said Fr Mathew. Christians are working to create an “environment of religious tolerance, peace, and communal harmony,” said Bishop of Lucknow Mathias.

Even after “City of Joy” became a worldwide success, the French journalist who died yesterday at the age of 91 continued to support many projects for the poor by the missionaries he had met. In the slums, he found people “with a smile, a dignity, an ability to share and celebrate that I have never seen elsewhere.” He felt a close bond with Mother Teresa.

The state’s ports minister is ready to deploy security forces to ensure the US$ 900-million project by the Adani Group gets done. Local priest is outraged by “police atrocity” and agents provocateurs acting on the company’s behalf. Despite threats, fishermen announce all-out action to defend the local economy.

The occupancy rate in Indian prisons is 130%, with the vast majority of prisoners awaiting trial. Mental suffering is on the rise: at least 150 suicides were recorded last year. An organisation run by Bishop Allwyn D'Silva helps prisoners by facilitating their rehabilitation.

Modi’s oligarch friend, one of the richest men in the world, has won the mega-contract to redevelop the huge neighbourhood home to more than 60,000 slum dwellers. The sweet deal is worth a fortune given the land value. Meanwhile, Hindu nationalists back the Adani group over the controversial Vizhinjam port development (Kerala), playing the religious card against the protest of fishermen backed by the local archdiocese.

Archbishop Netto, the prelate of Thiruvananthapuram, has been charged along with some of his priests by the police as the 'organiser' of the protests that erupted into violence after some Adani group trucks tried to force a blockade and enter the construction site. The local Church - which is calling for an independent investigation - stands by the fishermen against the project of a large international port of call that is likely to have a serious impact on the environment.

Migrants do not die only on sinking boats. In India millions of people from poorer states such as Bihar move to the big cities. As a result, almost every day, bodies are found along the tracks. To get the bodies back, families are asked to pay huge fees. For Fr Louis Prakash, nothing was learnt from the pandemic when people were forced to go through hell to walk home.