Food Security Bill clears LS hurdle
House adopts UPA’s ‘game-changer’ by voice vote after day-long debate  
It’s only a beginning, says Sonia
New Delhi, August 26
The Lok Sabha tonight cleared the National Food Security Bill with near-unanimity amid Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s call for wiping out hunger and malnutrition from the country. The Bill provides for food subsidy to two-thirds of the population and cost the exchequer Rs 1.24 lakh crore during the current fiscal.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Kumari Selja leave Parliament for AIIMS on Monday. — PTI

Sonia admitted to AIIMS

Tension mounts in Gurgaon village over religious structure
Gurgaon, August 26
Some unidentified persons demolished part of a religious structure and beat up its caretaker late last night at Wazirpur village, triggering tension in the area.  Caretaker of the religious structure approached Commissioner of Police Alok Mittal and complained that the police did not act despite being informed that the religious place was being demolished.

Mumbai gang rape
Police set to file chargesheet, no accused a minor
Mumbai, August 26
Investigators probing the gang rape of a young photojournalist in Mumbai last week were all set to file the chargesheet in the case following the arrest of all accused, Police Commissioner Satypal Singh told reporters today. ”We are now focusing on filing the chargesheet as quickly as possible. We will ask for the strictest punishment for all accused,”  he said.
Protests continue against a photojournalist’s gang rape, in Mumbai on Monday. — PTI

Two securitymen killed in twin Valley attack
Anantnag, August 26
A CRPF man was shot dead in Shopian and a member of the Special Operations Group (SOG) lost his life in Arwani area of Bijbehara in twin militant attacks in the Valley today. In the evening, a CRPF personnel was killed and another injured after a visiting lawmaker’s security came under militant attack in Awneera village of Shopian district.

Bank confirms Punjab mortgaged PUDA assets
Chandigarh, August 26
Canara Bank today confirmed it had extended a loan of Rs 500 crore to the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) after the latter mortgaged its properties as collateral. The loan was sanctioned by the public sector bank on August 21 and the cheque was delivered to the PUDA authorities on August 23.

Cross-border skirmishes peak as Pak focuses on Afghan drawdown
New Delhi, August 26
Ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan have peaked in the past one month triggering apprehensions between two nuclear armed and mistrusting neighbours. The Indian Army estimates say that the LoC is volatile along 48 km or some 6 per cent of its 740-km length.