World news digest of February 14, 2022

Some news around the world, in short:

• India Ministry of Home Affairs recommended the ban on 54 mobile apps, mostly Chinese ones. Garena Free Fire, a Singapore-based gaming app that is very popular in India, is part of the list. The app has already been removed from the app stores. In 2020, India already banned TikTok, Xiaomi Mi Community, Clash of Kings, Weibo, and another mobile game PUBG among a list of now 273 prohibited apps. This usually happens when India considers them a threat to its security or sovereignty.
• The former chief of India’s largest stock exchange was fined nearly $400,000 after a probe found she had shared confidential information with an unnamed guru who regulators say influenced her decision-making.
• Sudan’s military authorities have again arrested a former senior government official, his party said, as pro-democracy groups on Monday readied more protests against a military coup that plunged the country into turmoil.
• An enraged mob stoned to death a middle-aged man for allegedly desecrating the Quran inside a mosque in a remote village in eastern Pakistan, police said Sunday. Three police officers also were injured, and more than 80 men have been detained.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet has extended South Africa’s national state of disaster, which may end next month.
• Belgian police filtered traffic around Brussels during Monday’s morning rush hour in an attempt to keep a vehicle protest from France inspired by Canada’s freedom convoy against coronavirus restrictions in check.
• Colombian economy grew by 10.2% in 2021 according to the president Iván Duque. It would be the highest growth rate in Colombia’s history. GDP dropped by 6.80% in 2020 but 2021’s economic activity could be higher than in 2019.
• Only seven months after his election as the president of Peru, Pedro Castillo’s approval rating among the population dropped to 25% in February, down from 33% in January, according to Ipsos Peru. It’s lower than the last four presidents at the same time of presidency over the last 20 years.
• To combat inflation, Turkey reduced VAT on basic food products from 8 percent to 1 percent.