Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) A Bangladeshi minor girl, subjected to brutal sexual abuse and violation for three months across Maharashtra, was rescued by the Maharashtra police and at least 12 persons with direct involvement in the flesh trade racket were apprehended. The racket, operating from Naigaon near Vasai, about 50 km from Mumbai, sent shockwaves across the city as shocking details emerged about her sexual exploitation and torture for over three months, reportedly by more than 200 men.The prost…

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13 (IANS) The office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed as “baseless propaganda” the allegation that it is imposing restrictions on media freedom in the state, insisting that no such move has ever been made.In a statement issued here on Wednesday, it said the clarification is in the backdrop of controversy over a confidential World Bank communication regarding the ‘Kera’ project being leaked to the press.The government said it has ordered an inquiry …

New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) The State Bank of India (SBI) will revise Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) charges for retail customers from August 15, introducing nominal fees for certain online high-value transactions while keeping small-value transfers free.All customers will continue to receive free online IMPS transfers up to Rs 25,000 under the new arrangement.According to media reports, charges will apply, though, for amounts over Rs 25,000: Rs 2 + GST for transactions over Rs 25,000 and up to R…

Thrissur, Aug 13 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and former Kerala state president K. Surendran on Wednesday ridiculed both the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF over their allegations of large-scale voter list manipulation in Thrissur, where Union Minister Suresh Gopi is the MP. Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, Surendran questioned how the state’s two dominant political fronts remained silent if, as alleged, a party without even a single MLA in Kerala managed to add 60,000 “illegal” votes.”If you …

New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) The Supreme Court has overturned the election of the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Buana Lakhu in Haryana’s Panipat district after a court-monitored recount found the appellant securing the highest number of votes.A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and N.K. Singh ordered the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Election Officer, Panipat, to issue a notification within two days declaring the appellant, Mohit Kumar, elected, and allowing him to assume office immediately.The…

Lucknow, Aug 13 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday began discussions on the state’s Vision Document-2047, outlining long-term plans for development. The debate, on the theme “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Uttar Pradesh (Developed India, Developed UP) – 2047”, will continue until 11 a.m. on Thursday.The ruling BJP has assigned specific ministers to respond to different subjects, while the opposition sought to corner the government over its performance during the past eight-and-a-half years….

Chennai, Aug 13 (IANS) AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday expressed shock over the explosion of what he described as a “country-made bomb” allegedly brought in by students of the Government Polytechnic College in Thoothukudi.He accused the DMK regime of presiding over a deteriorating law and order situation and urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to “step out of his denial zone” and respond to questions on public saf…

Chennai, Aug 13 (IANS) A dramatic incident unfolded at the 32nd convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tirunelveli on Wednesday, when a PhD graduate refused to receive her degree from Tamil Nadu Governor and University Chancellor R.N. Ravi, and instead accepted it from the Vice-Chancellor. The convocation ceremony, attended by more than 650 graduates, was proceeding as scheduled, with each recipient going up to the Governor to collect their degree and exchange greetings.Howeve…

South Pacific Foods Distributors Pty Ltd has issued an urgent recall of Deep Sprouted Moong…

Wellington, Aug 13 (IANS) The 2025/26 Plunket Shield, New Zealand’s domestic first-class competition, will begin on November 18. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed it will be the 100th season of the tournament, with the eighth and final round to start from March 27.Plunket Shield was first introduced in 1906 and has been played in a round-robin format since 1921/22. “The Plunket Shield was first awarded in 1906, by the Governor of New Zealand, Lord Plunket, and was given to Canterbury as th…