-The Times of India The opposition-sponsored Bharat bandh demanding a rollback of the government's decision to hike diesel prices, cap subsidised cooking gas cylinders and allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail has evoked mixed response across the nation. Besides the NDA and the Left, the Thursday shutdown has the support of parties like the Samajwadi Party, the TDP, the BJD and many others. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK, which is an ally...

-PTI DEHRADUN: A series of cloudbursts struck Uttarakhand since last night triggering landslides and flash floods that left 33 dead, 35 missing and several injured in parts of the hill state. Ukhimath area in Rudraprayag district was the worst hit as a cloudburst in the wee hours flattened dozens of homes in eight villages killing at least 29 people in their sleep. Over 35 people have gone missing in the disaster and...

-The Hindu Pitched battles at Kudankulam; one killed in Tuticorin police firing The hitherto-peaceful agitation against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu turned violent on Monday, with protesters attacking policemen, and police resorting to lathi-charge and the firing of teargas shells. The agitation, which was confined to Idinthakarai and surrounding villages, spilled over to the neighbouring Tuticorin district where one fisherman died when police opened fire. Battlefield In the morning, the Idinthakarai beach...

-The Hindu ‘Important to have dedicated website, to be networked across country’ Concerned over a large number of children going missing in the country, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought a report from the States on creation of websites for reporting cases. Pursuing the October 12, 2011 Supreme Court order, the Commission has said the issue of missing children and Trafficking in children within and across States requires...

-Outlook The West Bengal government today decided to financially compensate victims of crime against women, including rape and Trafficking. "The scheme is aimed at compensating victims of crime against women. The guidelines have been drawn up mainly to pay compensation to victims of rape and human Trafficking," Panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee told reporters after a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave approval to the scheme. The compensation included Rs...