A look at the headlines right now:

  1. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh says situation is ‘very serious’ in Kerala: The minister appealed to all political parties, social and cultural organisations to help the state government.  
  2. Congress asks Modi not to hoodwink people, Trinamool Congress questions him on NRC implementation: The prime minister asked the Opposition not to politicise mob lynchings. 
  3. Bihar Police investigating deaths of inmates at state-run shelter for women with mental disabilities: On Friday, the police arrested an employee of the shelter home in Patna for allegedly helping some inmates escape.
  4. NIA arrests two men in Hyderabad for alleged connections to Islamic State group: The agency identified the accused as Mohammed Abdullah Basith, a resident of Hafeezbaba Nagar locality, and Mohammed Abdul Qhadeer from Chandrayan Gutta. 
  5. President approves law providing death penalty for rape of girls below 12: The amended law has also increased the minimum punishment for rape of women from seven years to 10 years.
  6. Movie exhibitor PVR to acquire South India-based SPI Cinemas for Rs 633 crore: After the acquisition, which is expected to be completed within a year, the company’s screen count will increase to 706 across 60 cities. 
  7. Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh alleges he was beaten up for trying to enter a mosque after joining Kanwar Yatra: The police in Baghpat district have arrested three men and are looking for another accused. 
  8. ‘Boston Globe’ leads coordinated reply to US President Trump’s ‘dirty war on free press’: More than 100 news publications have agreed to publish editorials on August 16 protesting against the ‘assault on the media’.  
  9. Bangladesh SC upholds High Court’s order granting Khaleda Zia interim bail in 2015 arson case: The 72-year-old former prime minister will have to remain in jail as she is an accused in other cases.  
  10. Delhi government orders schools to report ‘untoward incidents’ before information reaches media: This will help authorities take appropriate action in time and avoid embarrassment, the Directorate of Education said in a letter to principals.