India

India crowns its first transgender beauty queen

Miss Transqueen India aimed to celebrate gender fluidity and enhance the profile of India's trans community, with the winner being presented with an opportunity to represent India at the International Queen pageant in Thailand in March 2018.

Like other pageants, the event featured plenty of glitter and rhinestones, but unlike other pageants, Miss Transqueen India made a point of declaring all the participants "winners," in recognition of their struggle for acceptance and recognition.

India swine flu death toll rises above 1,000 this year

The last three weeks have seen the highest number of fatalities, at 342.

A total of 22,186 cases have been reported across the country.

The number of deaths this year is four times more than fatalities recorded over the equivalent period in 2016, which itself saw a dip in occurrences of the disease.

The western state of Maharashtra is the worst affected, where the death toll stands at 437, according to data revealed by the Union Health Ministry. Neighbouring Gujarat follows closely with 297 deaths, reported news agency PTI.

England win Women's World Cup

India, chasing a modest 229 to win, was cruising to victory in the final as it reached 190 for three. But a late collapse, sparked by five wickets in 19 balls from Anya Shrubsole, saw England snatch an unlikely victory on home soil.

"It was just an unbelievable game. We looked for minute like we were out of it," Shrubsole said. "But one of the great things about this team, we never give up. We never let the run rate get away from us, even though we weren't getting wickets. We knew if we got a couple we'd be right in the game and all was well in the end.

India internet shutdowns 'violate human rights'

The organisation said state governments had imposed 20 temporary internet shutdowns in 2017.

Authorities say they shut internet and telecommunications services to stop rumours during times of unrest.

But the rights group said arbitrary internet shutdowns "violated India's obligations under international human rights law".

Indian authorities frequently shut telecommunication services in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Earlier this month, the government in the western state of Maharashtra shut down internet services after protests led by farmers turned violent.

Kohli: Run outs the turning point

South Africa were looking solid at 140-2 at The Oval on Sunday before captain De Villiers was caught a yard out of his ground, with Miller exiting in the next over after a disastrous mix-up with Faf du Plessis.

India took the last eight South Africa wickets for 51 runs and a serene Kohli was unbeaten on 76 as his team cruised home with 12 overs to spare to set up a likely semi-final with neighbours Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Sri Lanka chase stuns India

Shikhar Dhawan's 10th ODI hundred and half-centuries from Rohit Sharma (78) and MS Dhoni (63) had taken India up to 321-6 but it proved insufficient after a remarkable Sri Lankan batting effort.

A stand of 159 between Danushka Gunathilaka (76) and Kusal Mendis (89) set the platform for the victory and, after both were run out, captain Angelo Mathews (52no) guided the side home - making light work of it in the end as they completed the win with eight balls to spare.

India has joined the world's space heavyweights

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to hail the launch, describing it as a proud moment for the country.

To date, only the United States, Russia, China, Japan and the European Space Agency have successfully launched so-called "heavy" satellites weighing over three tonnes.

India: Six killed over child kidnap rumours

Three people were beaten to death in Seraikela district on Thursday morning and three more were killed in Jamshedpur district in the evening.

A senior police official told BBC Hindi that the incidents happened because of "rumours that a child-kidnapping group was active in these areas".

Police have not yet arrested any suspects in the two cases.

It is not clear when and how the rumours started. But RK Malik, a spokesperson for the state police, said people had become increasingly worried by them.

India doctors allow 10-year-old rape victim to abort

Dr Ashok Chauhan told the BBC the termination would be carried out "anytime now".

The girl became pregnant about five months ago. She alleges rape by her stepfather, who has been arrested.

Indian law does not allow terminations after 20 weeks unless doctors confirm the woman's life is in danger.

The decision to allow the child to abort was taken after a local court told doctors at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) in the town of Rohtak that it would accept their recommendation.

 

India schoolgirls on hunger strike to fight sexual harassment

The girls, aged between 16 and 18, told the BBC that men often made sexual remarks when they travelled to school in a neighbouring village.

The teenagers said local officials in Rewari district had failed to protect them.

Police have now promised to provide better security for the girls.

The government has also promised to upgrade the existing school in their village to higher-secondary level so they no longer have to commute to school.