News brief: Big stories of the day

Beginning outreach, Mohan Bhagwat says RSS wants sabka saath, sabka vikas

The RSS kicked off its three-day lecture series in New Delhi on Monday with a talk by its chief Mohan Bhagwat. A number of celebrities attended including the actors Annu Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Bhagyasree but there was no sign of Congress President Rahul Gandhi. There had been reports that Gandhi would be invited. 

Government says it will merge Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank and Bank of Baroda

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The government said Monday that it has decided to merge Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank, and Bank of Baroda. The announcement was made by the Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar who said the new entity would become the country's third-largest bank. 

With blessings of 11 Hindu priests, Rahul Gandhi kicks off Congress campaign in MP

Congress president Rahul Gandhi began his roadshow here on Monday after taking blessings from 11 Hindu priests as he kick-started his party's campaign in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

Army still rules Pakistan: VK Singh on Imran Khan

Minister of State, External Affairs and Former Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh on Monday attacked Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan over infiltration incidents at the Indo-Pak border and said that the army still rules Pakistan despite the election of new PM.

Philippine president repeats desire to ''close all mining'' after landslides

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated on Monday to shut all mines in the country following the deadly landslides that killed over 54 people. The decision had come after some government officials and large miners claimed that the consequences of the disaster were aggravated by illegal small-scale mining.