A look at the headlines right now:

  1. Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia with guidelines: The bench issued framework in governing the execution of living wills.  
  2. Three die after series of explosions rips through chemical factory in Maharashtra’s Tarapur: The blast reportedly took place at 11.10 pm in a chemical factory in the town’s MIDC area, and then spread to four other nearby factories. 
  3. Donald Trump accepts invitation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un: The unprecedented talks are likely to be held by May.
  4. India can reveal a few details of Rafale deal to clear Opposition’s doubts, says French president: Congress President Rahul Gandhi had accused Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of going back on her word to reveal the price of the fighter jets.
  5. CBI moves Supreme Court challenging Talwars’ acquittal in the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case: The Law Ministry had granted the agency permission to appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s verdict from October.
  6. Donald Trump signs order levying high steel, aluminium tariffs, but leaves wiggle room for allies: Many in the president’s own Republican Party and US allies such as the United Kingdom have opposed the decision.
  7. Narendra Modi speaks to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu amid row over special status for state: The Telugu Desam Party’s two MLAs resigned from the Union Cabinet earlier on Thursday, leading to reciprocal action by BJP ministers in Naidu’s Cabinet.
  8. Senior BHEL executive shot dead near his Noida apartment: The police suspect it to be a case of murder for robbery since Amit Pandey’s watch, wallet and mobile phone were reportedly missing.  
  9. RJD warns of protests if Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar does not renew demand for special category status: The party praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for making such a demand, saying Bihar should also ‘speak up’.
  10. Mobs continue to run amok in Sri Lanka, authorities lift curfew in Kandy for a few hours: The military claimed that the city was quiet on Wednesday night and early Thursday, but local residents said otherwise.