In significant remarks, the Supreme Court asked the Centre on Wednesday whether it can legalise prostitution if it is not practically possible to curb the world's oldest profession with punitive measures.

40-year-old Aktara is a former sex worker. However, the flesh trade still sustains her as she supplies girls and arranges customers. The trade has not just given her money but has also infected her with the HIV virus.

After getting a journalist arrested, The South Indian Film Artistes' Association Thursday said it was ready for talks with a prominent Tamil daily, whose News Editor was detained.

The Italian PM has been under fire for months, ever since his wife denounced his fondness for younger women in announcing she was divorcing him.

Police in the North-East are worried about an increase in prostitution in the region. They say sex rackets are being operated from private apartments and residential areas, making it difficult to control the menace.