Gauri murder probe unravels conspiracy
This year began with scepticism over the probe into the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh on September 5, 2017, with the SIT having failed to make any headway even three months after the crime.
However, a major breakthrough unravelled the plot behind a series of four murders of rationalists and writers Dr. Narendra Dabholkar (2013), Govind Pansare and M.M. Kalburgi (2015), and Gauri Lankesh (2017) in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
I don’t think we should be talking to Naxals: Bhupesh Baghel
Bhupesh Baghel, the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, is considered one of the architects of the Congress’s victory in the recent Assembly election. In a free-wheeling interview over nearly an hour, he talked about how he rebuilt the Congress after being appointed president of the party State unit in 2014, his agenda for governance, and approach to tackling Maoist violence.
Draft rules to regulate social media echo SC order
The draft rules proposed by the government to curb “unlawful content” on social media that make it mandatory for intermediaries to trace the “originator” of such content have drawn strong criticism from the Opposition. The latter contend that the state is expanding the scope for surveillance of citizens.
However, a close look at the draft Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Amendment Rules, 2018, shows that the proposed changes are largely in line with developments on this front in cases before the Supreme Court in recent months.
Pregnant woman tests positive for HIV after blood transfusion
A 23-year-old pregnant woman has tested positive for HIV after the blood of a donor, who had the virus, was given to her to treat anaemia at a government hospital in Sattur, Tamil Nadu, earlier this month.
The donor was not aware of his HIV-positive status when he gave blood. Three employees of the government hospital in Sivakasi, which collected the blood, have been placed under suspension for negligence.
Take steps to shelter destitute cows, says Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to make "immediate arrangements" for proper care of destitute cows in the state and ensure strict action against land mafia who have encroached upon grazing areas.
Mr. Adityanath has also asked the topmost official in the state, chief secretary Anup Chandra Pandey, to set up a committee to consider measures for providing better shelter facilities for destitute cows and present its recommendations in a week.
Opinion | Elections in an embattled democracy
With a first-past-the-post system, Bangladesh’s elections come down to a choice between coalitions led by the two major political parties: the secular-centrist Awami League and the quasi-Islamist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The Awami League has governed since 2009, delivering economic growth and rolling back extremist militancy.
Trump takes ‘tracking Santa’ calls from kids
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump took calls from children anxious to find out where Santa is on his gift-giving journey.
In one conversation, Mr. Trump asked a seven-year-old named Coleman, “Are you still a believer in Santa?” He listened for a moment before adding, “Because at 7, it’s marginal, right?”
Banks under PCA sitting on cash pile
Commercial banks, under the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), are sitting on a pile of cash as they don’t have too many options to lend, even as the banking system is scrambling for liquidity.
The 11 public sector banks under the PCA, enjoying 25% market share among commercial banks, are facing restrictions on lending while their deposit mobilisation has been healthy.
Agarwal stays solid on debut
Making a confident start to his Test career, opener Mayank Agarwal took India to 57 for one at lunch on the opening day of the third Test against Australia at the MCG, here on Wednesday.
Cheteshwar Pujara (10) was unbeaten alongside Agarwal (34 off 68 balls) after India lost make-shift opener Hanuma Vihari (8).
Badminton women’s singles scenario has changed
Fernando Rivas faces another challenge from his most famous trainee — three-time World and reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin. For, the champion shuttler from Spain has said she is gunning for two more World titles and another Olympic gold.
