-The Business Standard Oil minister says Parikh report sound but government has to take realities into account; to proceed with Direct Benefits Transfer in 291 districts from January despite SC order Union petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily said there'd be no raising of the present cap on the number of subsidised cooking gas (LPG) cylinders a household was entitled to in a year. In the wake of severe electoral reverses for the ruling...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The law to check Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace came into force this week, about eight months after it received the president's assent. Union minister for women and child development (WCD) Krishna Tirath told Parliament that the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, came into force from December 9. The ministry also informed the House that complaints of sexual...

-The United Nations The United Nations human rights chief today voiced her disappointment at the re-criminalization of consensual same-sex relationships in India, calling it "a significant step backwards" for the country. In a decision announced yesterday, the Supreme Court upheld a colonial-era law, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which provides for the punishment of those found guilty of "unnatural offences." "Criminalising private, consensual same-sex sexual conduct violates the rights to privacy...

-The Telegraph In a rare alliance, Hindu, Muslim and Christian leaders today spoke in one voice - to welcome the Supreme Court verdict upholding a law that criminalises gay sex. "Homosexuality represents a threat to traditional Indian culture. We are very happy with the verdict as homosexuality is a mental disorder and it is against our rich culture," said Zafaryab Jilani, member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board. VHP general secretary Champak...

-Outlook New York: Founder of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal is among Foreign Policy magazine's leading Global Thinkers of 2013, a list of 100 people who have made "measurable difference" and are "pushing the boundaries of the possible". Activists Urvashi Butalia and Kavita Krishnan have also made it to the list that has been topped by US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden. Kejriwal, 45, who figures on the 32nd spot, is a...