News Digest: Fertile fundas for wannabe parents

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, September 17, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Fertile fundas for wannabe parents Recent research suggests modern lifestyles are affecting not only physical and mental health, but also the reproductive health of men and women. BJP B-team delivers a dud, vote share drops in most states If the BJP was banking on building on the momentum of the Lok Sabha triumph that clearly hasn't happened with the alliance's vote share declining by a massive 10.7 percentage points in these last four months. Beijing's secret weapon: The Chinese president's charming wife The glamorous Peng Liyuan, China's first 'first lady', who has added to husband Xi Jinping's foreign visits her `soft diplomacy' skills, may find it a tad difficult to go about her tasks on the couple's India tour. More India News»

		Business
		SBI rejigs term deposit rates The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has brought down its peak interest rate on domestic term deposits between one and three years to 8.75% from 9% earlier. Adani breaks into top 10 rich club A sharp 152% jump in his wealth saw Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani break into the list of 10 richest Indians even as Mukesh Ambani retained the pole position, according to a latest report. India largest 2-wheeler market for Honda India has become the biggest two-wheeler market in the world for Japanese major Honda, nearly three years after it decided to go solo following the split with Munjals of Hero. More Business News»

		Environment
		Of Himalayan blunders & rivers of muck Developmental gains will crumble if India follows a model of growth that is resource-and-energy-intensive. As it is, rivers are degraded, pollution is growing, forest cover's thinning. Overhaul of green governance is the need of the hour Bengal launches smart cage to trap tigers The forest department on Tuesday unveiled a scientifically-improved cage to trap tigers in the Sunderbans and leopards in north Bengal. Global wild tiger population to be counted by 2016 Thirteen countries with wild tiger populations agreed on Tuesday to take part in a global count to establish how many of the critically endangered big cats are left and improve policies to protect them. More Environment News»

		World
		US general is open to ground forces in fight against ISIS General Dempsey acknowledged that this would run counter to the president’s policy, but he said, “He has told me as well to come back to him on a case-by-case basis.” French parliament approves jihadist travel ban France's parliament on Tuesday approved a new anti-terror bill aimed at preventing potential jihadists from travelling to Iraq, Syria or elsewhere by confiscating their passports. US to fight its noblest war against Ebola Pilloried for fighting needless, provocative wars across the world, the United States is embarking on one of its noblest interventions – fighting the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'We don't go into frenzy on seeing SRK's 6-pack abs' So Deepika flaunted her perfect assets and some gawked and gaped, some others drooled and swooned, while some raised eyebrows and friends and feminists went into protest overdrive about the media coverage of it. Raja Chaudhary to marry another Shveta next year Raja Chaudhary, who recently said he will never get married again after his divorce with actress Shweta Tiwari, will actually be tying the knot soon. He is set to marry Shveta Sood, a Delhi-based Human Resources professional, in January next year. Pakistani actor goes shirtless Fawad Khan is excited about making his Bollywood debut with Khoobsurat. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		George the goldfish has brain surgery A goldfish called George was on the mend in Australia on Tuesday after undergoing a “high risk“ brain surgery. Water purifier made of foil chip packets Australian researchers have designed a low-cost drinking water treatment system using foil chip packets and some glass tubing. Study finds link between baldness, prostate cancer Compared to men with no baldness in their 40s, men with a specific pattern of baldness at age 45 have a 40% increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer later in life, claims a new research. More Science News»

		Sports
		Indian boxers cleared to fight under tricolour at Asian Games After giving provisional recognition to Boxing India, the sport's world body has now permitted Indian pugilists to take part in the Asian Games under national flag. Ganguly urges fans to support Atletico de Kolkata in ISL Sourav Ganguly struck three goals from the spot as he urged fans to turn up in huge numbers and support the city's newest team Atletico de Kolkata in the ISL. Indonesian Masters title is special: HS Prannoy Young Indian shuttler HS Prannoy is relieved to have ended his title drought with victory at Indonesian Masters. More Sports News»

		Technology
		First Impressions: Micromax Canvas A1 Android One smartphone Micromax Canvas A1 is the most expensive of the lot, priced at Rs 6,499. Here's what we feel about the phone... New sense of excitement in India: Google's Pichai Google's senior VP Sundar Pichai says, "India has always had potential but it’s now moving to have a big impact. The trends will only go in one direction from here." Android One phones in India: 8 things to know Google has launched Android One phones in India. Here are 10 things to know about the Android One phones... More Technology News»

		Education
		Delhi University's postgraduate English students want 3 teachers sacked "Muslims brought homosexuality to India and taught Indians how to cheat and gamble." This is not the rant of a fringe group activist but the faculty member of Delhi University's English department statement in class, if the students are to be believed. No takers for 25 MBBS seats in Chhattisgarh As the counseling for MBBS admissions in Chhattisgarh ended on Tuesday, nearly 25 seats from the government quota in private colleges of the state remained vacant. 4 of the world's top 5 universities in UK, 5 London universities in top 100 Four of the world’s top five universities are in UK with London being the only city in the world with five universities in the top 100, according to the latest global university rankings. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		No relief for sick companies in cheque-bouncing cases The Bombay high court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against plywood company Kitply and its directors in a cheque-bouncing case. Govt staffers to surrender official cars Several government employees will have to surrender their official vehicles for election duty. Share autos to cost Rs 1-3 more from today Fares for share autos in the city will go up from today by a minimum of Re 1. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Najafgarh Road: Here planners left no space for hapless pedestrians Najafgarh Road is one of the prime examples where government agencies have failed to implement urban road design norms. Loose screw in engine, flight back A loose screw in the engine of a Mumbai-bound SpiceJet flight led to a close shave for 175 passengers on Tuesday morning. HC sends girl back to school, raps mom The Delhi high court has come to the rescue of an anxious father who wants her daughter-currently living with his former wife-to study further and has invoked the Right to Education Act. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		6 years on, KIA is yet to get Metro link Six years after Bangalore’s flagship international airport was commissioned near Devanahalli, the much-talked-about Metro link between the city hub and the Kempegowda International Airport is still a mirage. Govt buildings not fireproof: Lokayukta The nerve centre of the state’s administration in Bangalore is not fireproof. Wanna be a kite runner? Wait till Dasara Don’t trip in wonder if you suddenly spot some Angry Birds and Chhota Bheems hovering above. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		More trains to be fitted with bio-toilets In a bid to improve cleanliness on trains and railway properties, South Central Railway (SCR) will implement a slew of measures, including increasing the number of bio-toilets on trains. India lags behind in using ozone-friendly products Hundreds of schoolchildren from several city institutions turned out on Tuesday for a mass pledge at an event hosted by Indian Tourism Development Corporation to mark the International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer-2014, with its theme being ‘Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On’. Most cellars illegal, unsafe for owners and neighbours If you are planning to buy an apartment which has a cellar, first check with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to acquire a clearance. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Man with drugs held at airport Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officers on Monday night arrested a man at Chennai airport from Andhra Pradesh for attempting to smuggle more than 1.3kg of heroin and methamphetamine to Dubai. CBI wants to join probe into ISI suspect's activities in Chennai The CBI is planning to enter the investigation into the antecedents of suspected ISI agent Arun Selvarajan who was arrested by National Investigation Agency last week in the city. The road to nowhere in Velachery Every time it pours in the city, most of Velachery drowns in a host of problems but none as severe as those facing residents of a road perpendicular to the one leading to the Velachery MRTS railway station. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		52 Tibetan students detained in Vadodara Two Tibetan students, Tensing and Sonam, studying at MS University in Vadodara, who had approached city police, seeking permission to hold a demonstration against the China president’s visit, were detained for questioning by crime branch sleuths. They were later shifted to Vadodara. Ahmedabad turns MaXimum City Strengthening ties between the Centre and states will ensure faster development for India, said Narendra Modi who landed in Ahmedabad on Tuesday for his first visit to Gujarat after being sworn in as Prime Minister. BJP concedes three seats to Cong in post-Modi Gujarat Congress wrested three out of the nine assembly seats from the BJP in Gujarat, queering the pitch for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived here on Tuesday, ahead of his birthday and the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping to Ahmedabad. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		SP workers celebrate with sweets, dance Samajwadi Party workers and leaders distributed sweets and danced to the tunes of dhols at district party office. The workers also burst crackers near Subhash crossing to express their joy over the party’s victory in the bypolls. Bicycle rides to victory in Sirathu bypoll The Samajwadi Party rode on its ‘social engineering formula’ to bag the Sirathu assembly seat for the first time in last five assembly polls. It’s candidate Vachaspati Pasi defeated BJP’s Santosh Singh Patel by 24,522 votes. Family tussle: Locals beat 4 Etah residents Panic gripped High court road and adjoining areas under Cantt police station on Tuesday after a group of people along with lawyers chased and thrashed four persons who had come from Etah district to take their daughters back to home. The agitators also ransacked vehicle brought by Etah residents. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Special police unit to tackle highwaymen in Cuttack Perturbed by rising incidence of truck loot and hijack on highways in the state, police on Monday decided to set up a special unit to curb such crimes and track criminals. Odisha Govt bid to start flight service from Rourkela To resume regular flight service from Rourkela airstrip, the state government on Monday asked the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) officials to submit a fresh proposal, official sources said. Man held for faking as CBI inspector in Bhubaneswar Police on Monday arrested a 35-year-old man on charges of impersonating as CBI inspector and extorting money from gullible people. The accused was identified as Satyajit, alias Rajat Panda, belonging to Bhadrak district. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Railways approach cyber cops to track fake job website Railway recruitment board (RRB) Bhopal has approached state's cyber cell to trace a recruitment racket whereby fraudsters created a fake website similar to board's official site to trick job aspirants. Ananth, ministers flout PM's diktat on austerity, take chartered jet Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah asked Union ministers and party leaders to travel by regular airlines. Two IAS officers among 3 booked for PCPNDT Act violations A district court in Madhya Pradesh on Monday ordered registration of case against three top bureaucrats including state's principal secretary and secretary health and former director, health for violation of pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic (prohibition of sex selection) (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 and 1996. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Man held for posing as Rajnath's son-in-law The accused took Kaur for a ride but eventually landed in a soup after Rajnath's personal assistant clarified that he was not the minister's son-in-law. Prohibited zones: Contempt notices to DCs for illegal construction The officials have been asked to explain as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to stop illegal encroachments around the defence establishments. One lakh houses for poor by 2016 in Punjab: Sukhbir Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday announced construction of one lakh houses for economically weaker sections (EWS) at affordable prices. More Chandigarh News»

		To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Top Headlines | Tech | Entertainment | Movie Reviews | Life & Style