News Dabba 23 September: Five stories across the web for a balanced news diet

Anushka Vani brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from Ukraine's Moscow-held region beginning referendums, PFI facing Karnataka ban, to Central banks worldwide tightening policies to cool inflation.

Al Jazeera's live updates on Russia Ukraine: Moscow-held regions begin referendums

Voting has begun in Moscow-held regions of eastern Ukraine in referendums to become a part of Russia, reports Al Jazeera. The results of this are seen as a foregone conclusion in favour of annexation. However, Ukraine and its allies have made it clear that they will not recognise the outcomes. Read the full report on Al Jazeera.

NDTV reported that Popular Front faces ban

The Kerala High Court (HC) has initiated a case on its own against leaders of the Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) over calls for flash strikes in the state protesting against the raids on the arrest of over 100 of its top leaders, reports NDTV. The report has shared a ten-point guide insight to the story. The state government has been directed by the court to take strict actions against those who violated its order. The Kerala High Court had in January said that nobody can call for a protest shutdown in the state without a prior notice of seven days. In Karnataka, state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has said the process to ban PFI has already started. Formed in 2006, the PFI claims to work for the empowerment of marginalised communities in India. Read the full report on NDTV.  

The Print's report talks about why court finds POCSO’s section 19 problematic

The Print reports about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Amendment Act of 2019. It talks about a teenage abortion case arising in the Delhi High Court. A hospital had refused to carry out the medical procedure on a teenage girl, rejecting the request of a woman who wanted to terminate her daughter’s pregnancy which arose from a consensual relationship. The reason was that the women refused to inform the police. Section 19 of the POCSO makes it compulsory for anyone including the authorities to inform the police in case they come across any incident of alleged sexual assault on a minor. The petition has raised a pertinent question over the applicability of the POCSO to teenagers engaged in a consensual relationship, particularly those in the age-bracket of 16 to 18 years. The woman has argued Section 19 violates the right to privacy of young girls. Read the full report on The Print.

AP News reports that Central banks worldwide tighten policies to cool inflation

After the US Federal Reserve hiked up the interest rate, Central banks from Asia to England followed suit to varying degrees and used different economic tools to tame the rising prices that are not isolated to the US, reports AP News. The report has also shared the steps taken by worldwide central banks with Turkey lowering the benchmark rate by 1 percent point to 12 percent, while the United Kingdom raised its key interest rate by another half percentage point, which is the highest level in 14 years. Read the full report on AP News.

Ashok Gehlot confirms he is contesting for Congress Presidential poll, Free Press Journal

With the Congress Central election authority issuing notifications for the AICC presidential polls, Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot has confirmed that no one from the Gandhi Family will be contesting the presidential polls. The polls will be held on October 17 and 19. Gehlot has already given indication to enter the Congress president's poll fray after meeting Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday. Read the full report on FPJ.