'On the drive to the airport, the streets are lined with men in battle camouflage carrying assault rifles and bearing familiar faces -- Tamilians, Bengalis, Punjabis, feared by the locals and in turn fearing them,' notes Aakar Patel during a visit to Srinagar.
In her 17-page bail plea moved through her lawyer, the former media executive said that her medical condition is deteriorating and she has lost 18 kilograms in four months.
Incumbent Hassan Rouhani faces stiff competition from hardline cleric Raisi.
'The Pakistani move to ban militant outfits and placate international opinion and Islamabad's openness to a UN security council resolution on Azhar -- instead of beseeching China to cast yet another veto -- enables Islamabad to occupy the high ground,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
If Godse's brother could be released in the Mahatma Gandhi assassination case, then why should the doors be closed for assassins of Rajiv Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Government on Thursday asked the Supreme Court.
'His contributions in setting up transparent precedents of governance are still basically intact despite the cynicism of several of his successors,' notes Jamini Bhagwati.
Khawaja said Pakistan has been open and transparent throughout the meeting, offered in good faith.
Three police vehicles were damaged by agitators during bandh call in Saran district on Wednesday over the death of 22 children due to eating poisonous mid-day meal in a government school, police said.
Jaspal Bhatti's feel for the grime, the confusions, and the madness in our system was so complete that he could take on every kind of woman or man God ever gave to the institutions of India, feels Sreehari Nair.
'Saudi Arabia's standing internationally and in the West is going to take a big hit even if MBS is dethroned.'
United States President Donald Trump is set to sign several executive orders, including one on building a border wall with Mexico, this week to crack down on immigrants -- one of his central campaign promises -- and could suspend immigration from some Muslim nations, media reports have said.
"Pakistan's story is solely based on rhetoric and not facts," said Harish Salve, who was representing India.
A special court on Tuesday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to complete its investigation in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case in the next 10 days and also allowed prime accused Indrani Mukerjea's plea to get copies of statement of witnesses recorded before the magistrate.
In a historic decision, President Barack Obama announced a series of steps aimed at normalising relations with communist-ruled Cuba, with which the US had severed diplomatic ties decades ago imposing a series of sanctions on its island neighbour.
'Indrani said she had some things to discuss with Peter, which he digested with minor surprise.' 'He looked mildly dismayed. And refused to sit down next to her, in spite of her welcome.' In spite of months of wariness from Peter's side, the ice was broken.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Thursday
A British judge has insisted that a burqa-clad woman must show her face in court to confirm her identity, saying the "principle of open justice" could not be subject to religion.
'India in 2020 is a lot better prepared than in 1962.' 'It is no longer a pushover; and anything other than a crushing Chinese military victory will be a major loss of face for China,' observes Rajeev Srinivasan in the first of a three part column.
'Agreements signed between the Maldives and China have seriously worried India.'
United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday vowed to relentlessly hunt down terrorists from Pakistan to the streets of Paris and called on Congress to approve new war powers against Islamic State militants.
'This is not a time for bruised egos, face, shows of state power, petulance, or PR spin. It is a time for big-tent action across a table -- no matter how acrimonious -- with transparency, and with the media present,' notes Vijay Verghese.
'You can't go on creating division and rhetoric of hate.' 'It comes to roost. We are seeing the first glimpses of that in the state elections.'
The Sri Lankan government on Friday reached out to fishermen community of Tamil Nadu as President Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother and economic development minister Basil met their delegation here with a promise of addressing their concerns.
Five persons, including founder of local terror group Tehreek-Ghalba-e-Islam Viqaruddin Ahmed, were on Tuesday killed in an encounter with the police in Telangana's Warangal district.
For the moment, Siwan is once again Shahabuddin's home.
"My judicial custody in Tihar jail and being confined to a prison cell with just the basic amenities definitely came as a rude shock."
'Gandhi turned his life into a counter-intuitive experiment in old ideas like non-violence and swadeshi.' 'He offered numerous universal ideas that talk to the human condition.' 'His ability to take risks was outstanding,' says Sopan Joshi, explaining why the Mahatma's ideas are as relevant as ever.
Sarbjit does indeed deal with a story worth telling, but does so in the most obvious and uninspired fashion, writes Raja Sen
'I have nothing more to lose. My three sons were killed. I am not going to sit silent.'
Vernon Gonsalves, who spent nearly six years in jail after being labelled a Naxalite by the security agencies, recounts in detail his arrest, the case against him and his future plans in an exclusive interview.
Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who suffered a heart attack in May, has been registered by the club to play in this season's Portuguese league.
When Pakistan announced that the ten gunmen behind the bloody assault on Malala Yousafzai, who spoke out against Taliban oppression of female education, had been sentenced to 25 years in jail, many thought justice had been served. But that wasn't the case.
The controversial Pakistan Protection Bill, which gives sweeping powers to security agencies, was on Monday passed in the National Assembly amid protest and walk out by opposition parties.
Pakistan's Mohammad Amir got a muted reception at Lord's on the second day of the first Test on Friday as he bowled for the first time in a test since being banned for spot-fixing.
The unofficial results were expected by Monday morning which would be announced by the commission headquarters in the capital.
'That winsome smile is a key asset. And says a lot about her too.'
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday
'Indira Gandhi proved herself a great war leader, but failed as a statesman,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
Unless the judges factor in the ungovernability of technologies and their beneficial owners, present and future Presidents, prime ministers, judges, legislators and officials handling sensitive assignments may become redundant with reference to their age-old roles for securing 'national resources and assets', warns Dr Gopal Krishna.
'Is it not a crime to physically harm children?' 'Piercing children with needles is a crime.'
