News Digest: Air force employee held for 'spying'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, September 01, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Air force employee held for 'spying' An IAF employee based at Pathankot in Punjab was arrested on charge of passing on strategic information about the air force station to a Pakistani woman, police said yesterday. Eligible for marriage only if you have an elite education A series of matrimonial sites have been launched to pair the academically privileged as more youngsters find a common college experience is key to compatibility. Consumer as king: 'No depreciation on reinstatement policies' Depreciation cannot be made applicable to policies issued on reinstatement basis, as per a recent ruling of the national commission in the New India Assurance vs Kamboj Ultra Sound & Diagnostic case. More India News»

		Business
		Govt ready with ONGC share sale The government is set to show the green light to ONGC disinvestment over the next few days as the petroleum ministry has decided to rework the subsidy sharing formula that will help the state-run explorer improve its earnings. Sebi allows govt room to lure retail investors The Securities & Exchange Board of India has decided against giving any immediate relief to the government to boost share sales through follow-on public offers (FPOs), even as it has provided some flexibility in offer-for-sale (OFS) on stock exchanges to boost retail investor participation in the disinvestment programme. Sivasankaran seeks bankruptcy protection NRI businessman C Sivasankaran who rode the telecom wave for two decades is officially bankrupt. More Business News»

		Environment
		Gujarat National Law University to draft two key laws on deep sea mining The US, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea lead this race for the natural wealth that lies untapped beneath the seabed. Obama administration says no deal reached on climate change The Obama administration has strongly refuted reports that it has reached any international agreement to combat the critical global issue. Elusive marbled cat sighted in Buxa Tiger Reserve The recent sighting of an elusive clouded leopard is not the only good news coming in from Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) at the moment. There’s more in store. More Environment News»

		World
		Top US senator urges weapons for Ukraine' The head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee called on Monday for supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight what he called a "direct invasion" of the country by Russia. ISIS recruits planning 26/11-type attack in UK An ISIS attack on Europe is not just a wild fantasy of Islamic State militants anymore. Obama faces bipartisan criticism over foreign policy President Barack Obama faced criticism over his foreign policy from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Sunday as he wrestled with crises in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Ukraine. More World News»

		Entertainment
		When SRK, Alia Bhatt made fun of themselves Many Bollywood celebrities take themselves far less seriously than you’d like to believe — Alia Bhatt’s appearance in a video that parodies her ‘dumb’ image, shows that she’s sporting enough to laugh at herself. OMG: Armaan Kohli to copy Elvis Presley Armaan Kohli will be seen sporting an Elvis Presley-like Pompadour hairstyle in a forthcoming film. Hottest pin up girls of Bollywood With her bold and bindaas approach Poonam Pandey has surely made a special spot for herself in the list. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		More parents comfortable outsourcing parenthood Many modern-day parents are comfortable off-loading traditional parental duties to professional care-givers, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have found. Artificial micro-humans to replace animals in lab tests Scientists are creating artificial micro-humans that will eliminate the need for using animals in laboratory testing. Women more addicted to cellphones than men: Study Women may be more inclined to use cellphones for social reasons such as texting or emails to build relationships and have deeper conversations, the study suggested. More Science News»

		Sports
		Balotelli misfires but Liverpool wins at Spurs Liverpool's speedy attacking unit produced a 3-0 victory at Tottenham on Sunday though Mario Balotelli failed to score on his return to the EPL. Chen inflicts more world title woe on Lee China's Chen Long won the men's badminton world singles title inflicting Malaysia's world number one Lee Chong Wei's third successive defeat in the final. Marc Marquez wins British MotoGP Runaway world championship leader Marc Marquez made it 11 wins from 12 races this season on Sunday as he won the British MotoGP at Silverstone. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Tech toys for motorcycle heads Here’s a bunch of ways of bringing Tech into your lonely motorcycle commutes or to spice up long rides out of town. 7 gadgets that are great investments As opposed to the norm, these are halo products that will not get easily obsolete — they will continue to function well (sometimes over several years) though they may be more expensive to purchase initially. Oracle loses bid to restore $1.3bn SAP verdict Oracle failed to revive a $1.3 billion verdict in its dispute with SAP as a US court said Oracle must choose to accept a lower amount or face a new trial. More Technology News»

		Education
		A renewed interest S Ayyappan, secretary, department of agricultural research and education and director general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who won the GM Modi award for science and technology 2014, talks to Rahat Bano about the scope in his field. Grievance redressed? Every university has to appoint an ombudsman under the UGC (Grievance Redressal) Regulations, 2012, Union human resource development minister Smriti Irani told the Rajya Sabha recently. But will this help students? The price of success A survey by a UK varsity reveals the incentives parents offer to their children for examination success. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Environmental nod must for rehab sites, state panel says All rehabilitation sites must have an environment clearance before a rehabilitation project is approved, the state environment appraisal committee-I (SEAC-I) has recommended. 35 Indians dive 13,500 feet down the sky in tandem to set world record At 55, gem and jewellery businessperson Anju Bansal was the second eldest in the group, but neither her age nor a fresh injury on her leg deterred her from taking the plunge, literally. Woman attacked, robbed of bag A 44-year-old homemaker, Farida Shaikh, was attacked by a thief who slashed her with a blade on her back and shoulder and snatched her handbag near the railway station in Seawoods. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Monsoon magic returns to Delhi, wet week ahead Delhiites enjoyed a wet weekend after suffering a long dry spell in the middle of the rainy season, as monsoon magic returned to a parched northwest India. 4-year-old sexually assaulted in Delhi A four-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a minor in outer Delhi's Begumpur area Rain slows down traffic in Delhi Waterlogging and traffic jams were reported from various parts of the city on Sunday More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		He shelters stray horses Ganesha, an abandoned horse, wandered on the streets of Banashankari for 10 years. In 2011, he was rescued and sent to a shelter — a six-acre Rare Earth Farm, off Kanakapura Road. Around 20 years old, Ganesha horses around in the farm now. Banker wins fight against transport firm Banker Madhava VP was in for a rude shock when he opened the consignment of his household goods transported from Faridabad, Haryana to Bangalore. His treadmill was damaged. So were three dining chairs and the computer table. Want compensation for dog bite? Show voter ID If you are bitten by a stray dog and want the BBMP to compensate you, keep your voter ID card handy. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Employees in a quandary: To shift out of Hyderabad or not, that is the question The recommendations of the Sivaramakrishnan committee have further compounded the confusion among government employees over shifting to the proposed temporary capital of Vijayawada. Artist, film director Bapu no more Born Sattirajuin Lakshmi Narayana in 1933, Bapu spent his childhood years in Narsapur in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. My son was murdered, IPS officer's father says Manu Mukt Manav, the trainee IPS officer who mysteriously drowned at the National Police Academy’s pool on Friday, was an expert swimmer. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Plastic waste as industrial fuel: New plan may hold garbage fix People in the city started an active civic movement to clean the city’s beaches and roads in the ’90s. With the garbage problem completely out of hand 20 years later, and Corporation of Chennai’s plan to close the city’s dump yards at Kodingaiyur and Pallikarnai likely to be delayed by a full four years, a coalition of voluntary organisations has come up with a plan to help the civic body sort out the mess. Corporation ducks RTI queries on disease, deaths The tenacity of Corporation of Chennai’s health department — down with a severe and apparently incurable type of noinformationitis — is formidable to say the least. No matter how many requests for data it receives on diseases or deaths, it will not capitulate. Family kills two of its own in six months for property A man who was picked up for a drunken brawl on Saturday spilled the beans about two murders, mistakenly assuming that he was nabbed by police for the murders, leading to the arrest of six people. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Baby python kept in captivity rescued from Navrangpura A one-year-old Indian Rock Python found in captivity at a tea stall a few metres away from Navrangpura police station was rescued on Saturday night by animal rights activists. Crowdfunding helping budding entrepreneurs realize their dreams In 2007-08, Karan Pujara, 15, set out to study diploma from a premier institute in the city, he found it difficult to buy high-priced books for his studies. ISI conspiracy case of 2003: I was arrested for poll reasons, Maulana Abdul Kavi says Maulana Abdul Kavi, 58, the Hyderabad cleric recently granted bail in the ISI conspiracy case of 2003, said on Sunday that he had been falsely implicated in the case. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		SRTC scraps concession to physically disabled The Uttar Pradesh state road transport corporation (UPSRTC) remained unfazed of the pleas by physically challenged seeking revocation of the decision of scrapping the concession provided to them due to heavy losses to the corporation. However, the 100% physically disabled persons have been given free of cost travel as oppose to 40% concession provided earlier. Water-borne diseases spreading in Manda, Koraon blocks Supply of contaminated water is the key reason behind spreading of water-borne diseases in villages falling under Manda and Koraon blocks. Health teams visited several villages after death of eight children and revealed that villagers have no source to get pure and fresh potable water. AU prof designs cost-effective solar-based system to overcome power crisis Even as the entire state is reeling under acute power shortage, a professor of Allahabad University and his students have come up with a cost-effective solar-based system to overcome the power crisis. The prototype has shown encouraging results promising of harnessing more solar power from the same solar cells as compared to conventional method. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Students in state to miss date with Modi on Teachers' Day Teachers' Day this year will be different for schoolchildren across the country as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address them live. Villagers give stolen bikes to cops People of a politically-sensitive village in Puri district handed over 50 stolen motorcycles, worth over Rs 20 lakh, to the police on Saturday. NIFT to promote Odisha art and craft The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar, opened the new department of fashion design on Saturday and decided to promote the state's rich art and culture through it. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Entry of vehicles banned from main gate at Habibganj station anticipating Shatabdi rush From Monday parking arrangements at Habibganj would change and no vehicle would be allowed entry to the station from the main gate that would be used for exit. BDS scam: BU ex registrar changed centre Special Task Force (STF) probe into BDS scam held former Barkatullah University (BU) registrar Sanjay Tiwari accountable for deciding change of centre a day ahead of examination. MP second in ragging, number up by 2 times in one year In yet another dubious distinction, Madhya Pradesh stood second in the number of ragging complaints filed from the state on the anti-ragging portal of University Grant Commission (UGC) filed so far this year. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		BJP flouted coalition code: Shanta Within days of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal voicing his displeasure over the induction of former state DGP and SAD leader Paramdeep Singh Gill into BJP in Jammu, BJP's Punjab affairs in charge Shanta Kumar ticked off his party for flouting the coalition code. Security cover proves costly for man who spilled beans on Punjab Police Jagjit Singh, who filmed Punjab Police officials thrashing a woman in Tarn Tarn in 2013, after which he was given security cover, has concluded he was better off without protection. Campaign rolls on, PUSU heads for Kasauli Student parties in Panjab University are going all out to win the elections.On Sunday, Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) organized a trip for students. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Why we need a little sunshine?

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, August 31, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Why we need a little sunshine? Happy to staindoors in this torrid heat? Well, here's a good reason to step out: your body needs the daily dose of vitamin D that comes from exposure to the sun. Kyoto will help Modi's Varanasi 'smarten up' Describing Japan as “one of India’s closest and most important partners”, the Prime Minister spoke about his own admiration for the country and his high hopes from the relationship. 8 new trains through Visakhapatnam from September 1 Eight new trains are all set to pass through Visakhapatnam railway station More India News»

		Business
		Too many products can't be kept out of GST: Jaitley The Centre on Saturday asserted that too many products cannot be kept out of the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST) even as states are clamouring for more products including liquor, tobacco and petroleum to be excluded. Rona Fairhead to become next BBC Trust chairman Rona Fairhead, former boss of the Financial Times Group, will become the new chairman of the BBC Trust, the body which oversees the publicly-funded British broadcaster, the BBC reported on Saturday. Coal block decision to shake investor confidence: Assocham Stating that cancellation of coal blocks will shake investors confidence, industry body Assocham has suggested a two-pronged strategy as a remedial measure on the issue. More Business News»

		Environment
		Elusive marbled cat sighted in Buxa Tiger Reserve The recent sighting of an elusive clouded leopard is not the only good news coming in from Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) at the moment. There’s more in store. Snails help scientists investigate rise, fall of Tibetan Plateau A new research has helped scientists investigate the rise and fall of the Tibetan Plateau by using snail shells. Two-third of Uttar Pradesh districts face drought More than two-third of the districts in Uttar Pradesh are facing an acute drought, officials said on Saturday. More Environment News»

		World
		Ukraine crisis: EU threatens Russia with more sanctions The decision on new sanctions will depend on the evolution of the situation on the ground. Donald Tusk takes Poland to Europe's top table Donald Tusk, 57, is a history graduate and avid soccer fan who has been prime minister since 2007. UN peacekeepers in Golan Heights safe: Report "Everyone is in a safe position. We left our (old) position but we brought all our arms," said Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala. More World News»

		Entertainment
		RGV apologizes for his tweet on Ganesh Chaturthi Siblings Siddhanth and Shraddha Kapoor seek Ganesha's blessings Bollywood celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi Singham Returns collects Rs 136.14 Crores in 15 days More Entertainment News»

		Science
		A robotic arm to help neurology patients? What’s more, robotic devices and other technologies are also being developed which will be used in assisting these patients in re-learning their movement behaviour. Knee defender: Gadget that caused a flight to divert Last week, a United Airlines flight was forced to divert after two passengers got into an argument over the Knee defender, a $22 gadget that stops the person in front of the user from reclining. From Kerala to France: Brainwaves emailed Here's a story that sounds like science fiction but actually happened. A man in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, thought the words `hola' and `ciao' (hello or goodbye in Italian) and another man in Strasbourg, France, received the two greetings in his brain. No hands, no speaking, no typing, no gestures -just mind-tomind communication. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sindhu settles for second bronze in World Championship Sindhu suffered a heartbreak at the World C'ship as she had to settle for a second consecutive bronze medal after succumbing to Carolina in straight games. Stoke City stun Manchester City 1-0 in Premier League Mame Diouf scored a spectacular solo goal to give Stoke City a surprising 1-0 victory over defending champion Manchester City in the Premier League. Qualifier Krunic stuns Wimbledon champ Kvitova Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova became the fifth top 10 seed to exit US Open in first week when she was knocked out by qualifier Aleksandra Krunic. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Oracle loses bid to restore $1.3bn SAP verdict Oracle failed to revive a $1.3 billion verdict in its dispute with SAP as a US court said Oracle must choose to accept a lower amount or face a new trial. Samsung 'shuns' Google, licenses Nokia's Here Maps Nokia has partnered Samsung to provide its maps and location services to Tizen-powered smart devices by the Korean electronics giant. 7 gadgets that are great investments As opposed to the norm, these are halo products that will not get easily obsolete — they will continue to function well (sometimes over several years) though they may be more expensive to purchase initially. More Technology News»

		Education
		Hyderabad sends more students to US than Delhi, Mumbai The report on foreign student population in the US, published by Brookings Institution for the period 2008-2012, offers some remarkable insights on India. All schools will now have a minimum benchmark to meet Schools across country will now be evaluated on the basis of an agreed set of standards. HRD ministry has agreed with a proposal by National University for Educational Planning & Training to launch a nationwide programme of evaluation. Opt out of MBBS, face Rs 1 lakh fine In a move to check malpractices in allotment of medical college seats, the NTR University of Health Sciences has decided to impose a hefty penalty of Rs 1 lakh on candidates who opt out of studies after taking admission. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra to take back 100 hectares allotted to Videocon The City Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) has been allowed to take back 100 hectares allocated to Videocon at Navi Mumbai in 2008 to set up a TFT-LED plant. Downsize diktat in Rajasthan villages trims big fat Marwari weddings in Mumbai Big fat Marwari weddings are slimming down as rules imposed by community elders in towns and villages of south Rajasthan domino down to families from there settled across the country. 500 AAP volunteers quit party in Maharashtra Claiming to be dissatisfied with AAP’s functioning in the state, over 500 volunteers from the party’s Maharashtra unit resigned on Saturday. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Two of family killed in hit & run on NH-24 In a freak hit-and-run accident, a man and his 5-year-old daughter were killed and the man’s wife and son were critically injured after their motorbike was hit by an unknown vehicle on NH-24 near Ghazipur on Saturday evening. Bus speeds to overtake, bikers hurt Two persons travelling on a bike sustained grievous injuries after they were sandwiched between a DTC bus and another which was hit by the first bus in a bid to overtake it. Delhi high court refuses to put off DUSU polls The Delhi high court has refused to stay the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election on the plea of a students' body that the current procedure results in "unfair advantage" to a select few. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bangalore doctors turn saviours for five Indonesian kids Five Indonesian kids suffering from congenital heart defects have got a new lease of life. 3-yr PG in public health comes under UGC scanner In a notification on July 5, the UGC had specified nomenclatures and the duration of degree programmes in higher educational institutions Retired police officer locked in house for 17 days The ordeal would have continued and become worse had it not been for his younger brother V Ramachandra who started searching for him. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Committee rules out single capital as feasible option An expert committee tasked by the Union home ministry to study alternatives for a new Capital for Andhra Pradesh has ruled out a single capital as a "feasible option for now" and instead suggested "distributed development" of capital functions and institutions among the Vizag region in Uttarandhra, Rayalaseema Arc and along Kalahasti-Nadikudi railway line. Kin seek probe into IPS officer's death A day after a trainee IPS officer drowned in a swimming pool on the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) campus here, the young officer’s family has demanded a thorough inquiry into the incident. Wary of Singapore, S Korean models: Sivaramakrishnan committee Sivaramakrishnan committee in its report has cautioned the Andhra Pradesh government against following the Singapore and South Korean models for the development of the state. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Row over Stalin fest greeting “Greetings to all on the occasion of Vinayaka Chathurthi.” This could pass off as just another festival greeting. Instead, it has kicked up a storm in political circles as it appeared in a Facebook post of DMK heir apparent M K Stalin. Many want to know how an atheist could have committed such an act. 2 of UP gang held for Tamil Nadu train robberies Two members of an Uttar Pradesh-based gang were arrested on the outskirts of Delhi on Friday for their alleged involvement in two incidents of robbery on trains in Erode and Dharmapuri in April and May. 2 workers die after inhaling poisonous gas in sewage pit Two workers died after inhaling toxic gas in a sewage pit at a Metrowater facility in Kodungaiyur on Saturday morning during maintenance. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Senior citizen robbed of Rs 22 lakh Inspector K D Champawat said that they are probing various angles of the case. Gujarat University defers result of PhD entrance test Gujarat University has once again failed to announce the results of the entrance examination for MPhil and PhD which were to be declared on Saturday. A free kick from heaven Heavy rain lashed many parts of the city till Saturday evening.The rains led to several traffic blocks and literally threw the city out of gear till 1.30 pm on Saturday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Water-borne diseases spreading in Manda, Koraon blocks Supply of contaminated water is the key reason behind spreading of water-borne diseases in villages falling under Manda and Koraon blocks. Health teams visited several villages after death of eight children and revealed that villagers have no source to get pure and fresh potable water. AU prof designs cost-effective solar-based system to overcome power crisis Even as the entire state is reeling under acute power shortage, a professor of Allahabad University and his students have come up with a cost-effective solar-based system to overcome the power crisis. The prototype has shown encouraging results promising of harnessing more solar power from the same solar cells as compared to conventional method. MP-PMT accused nabbed In a joint operation, crime branch sleuths and Gwalior special investigation team (SIT) arrested one Gyanendra from Gaughat on Saturday. He was wanted in connection with the MP PMT (Pre-Medical Test) scam. The MP police had declared a cash reward of Rs 15,000 on his head. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		CDA resumes temple demolition After a brief lull, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday resumed temple demolition drive in the city and razed Subhadra Khetra Temple at Sector 9 of Markat Nagar here. Leadership drive to ensure quality education In a bid to infuse quality in school education, a school leadership programme will be launched in the state. CBI to probe custody death The Orissa high court has ordered a CBI inquiry into the alleged custodial death of Kuldeep Mohapatra, 27, at Saheed Nagar police station in Bhubaneswar in 2012. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		No UP's Azam, but he fought alone to get buffaloes back A middle-aged man from a village in Bhopal's outskirts may not be as lucky as powerful UP minister, Azam Khan, who mobilized the entire police machinery to search for his stolen buffaloes. But he was equally passionate about his cattle flock. Three of family attempt suicide outside police HQ in Bhopal As a person accompanying them went inside to meet an official, Babybai, Sanjay and Sunil, who were waiting in the parking lot, suddenly drank insecticide. Institute of Hotel Management celebrates 25th anniversary in Bhopal The Institute of Hotel Management recently organised its alumni meet on the occasion of completing 25 years More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Badal to raise Punjabis' detention in Kuwait with Sushma Swaraj Parkash Singh Badal said that he would talk to the Union minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj for immediately providing all possible help to the Punjabis in distress. Drought in state: Haryana seeks special package To meet the drought-like situation in state, Haryana government has sought a special package of Rs 4,829.25 crore from the Centre. Sonipat public distribution system riddled with loopholes Major irregularities have been detected in the Union government's flagship food security programme in Sonipat ahead of Haryana assembly elections. More Chandigarh News»

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