Capital control fears trigger stock market plunge, steep fall in Re
New Delhi, August 16
It was a carnage on Dalal Street as the Sensex plunged 769 points — its biggest fall in four years — as the perfect storm engulfed Indian markets on Friday. The rupee plummeted to an all-time low of 62 to the dollar on concerns over capital controls reminiscent of 1991 kicking in and fears of withdrawal of the monetary stimulus in the US.

After 14 yrs, Pak opens its guns in Kargil, Drass
New Delhi/ Jammu, August 16
For the first time since the 1999 Kargil War, Pakistani troops fired on Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Drass sector on Thursday night and four days ago in Drass and Kaksar areas of the Kargil sector in the Ladakh region. Indian troops gave a calibrated response, Army sources said. A high alert has been sounded along the 740-km LoC that divides India and Pakistan.

Congress steps in to resolve rebellious mood in Haryana
Chandigarh, August 16
Almost a year ahead of the Vidhan Sabha election, Haryana is witnessing hectic political activity that may see emergence of new alignments. The ruling Congress that has seen considerable infighting in the recent past is now beginning to show signs of calm. This comes after the Congress high command issued a strong warning to those trying to dent the party’s image.

60 killed across Egypt on ‘Friday of Rage’
Protesters demand end to military-backed government
Cairo, August 16
At least 60 persons were killed in Egypt today in fresh clashes between security forces and ousted President Mohamed Morsi's supporters, who took to the streets after Friday prayers to protest the killing of over 600 in a crackdown by the military-backed government.

Opinion page: The awakening of Egypt