News Digest: Fadnavis discusses his cabinet and Sena with PM, Amit Shah

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, October 31, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Fadnavis discusses his cabinet and Sena with PM, Amit Shah CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis held protracted negotiations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday. More than 17,000 people evacuated as cyclone Nilofar nears Gujarat More than 17,000 people living near the coastal areas in Gujarat have been evacuated by authorities in view of the approaching tropical cyclone Nilofar which, however, has gradually weakened and is expected to hit the state merely as a "depression". ADR faults format for declaration of assets The NGO said that while certain ministers have declared the value of assets on prevailing rates, others have not, leading to discrepancies. More India News»

		Business
		Moody's cheers govt reform moves The economic, fiscal and financial measures undertaken by the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), if successfully implemented, are expected to sustain higher growth and tackle constraints on India’s sovereign rating, global ratings agency Moody’s said on Thursday. US economy grows 3.5% in July-September An improving economy led the Fed on Wednesday to end its stimulative bond buying program. Roche-Cipla patent row mediation fails Efforts to end the long and bitter patent tussle between domestic pharma company Cipla and multinational Roche over a lung cancer drug have come to a naught, with the Delhi high court-appointed mediator submitting its “failure” report in the case. More Business News»

		Environment
		Panel reviewing green laws gets one-month extension A high level committee, which has been reviewing green laws to suggest appropriate amendments to bring them in sync with the government's development goals, has got another month to finalize its report. Leopards flourish in Bhadravati forests: Study Here are some new insights into why leopards stray into human habitats regularly. A study taken up in the Bhadravati forest division of Shimoga district shows there are 44 leopards in the area: Meaning as many as 11 leopards in a 100-sqkm area. Land, water management resources are need of the hour: Javadekar Union minister for environment and forests Prakash Javadekar on Thursday stressed on the importance of land and water management resources and called for new perspectives to protect the environment. More Environment News»

		World
		EU, Russia, Ukraine sign gas supply deal Ukraine, Russia and the European Union signed a deal on Thursday on the resumption of Russian natural gas supplies to Ukraine for winter after several months of delay during the conflict in Ukraine. Army seizes power in Burkina Faso after protests Burkina's army seized power Thursday, with the head of the armed forces announcing the dissolution of government and parliament and the creation of a transitional body to run the country after violent protests against the president's 27-year-rule. US urges restraint after Israel vows to reopen Al-Aqsa mosque The United States on Thursday urged all sides in Jerusalem to exercise restraint amid spiralling tensions in the holy city, and said it was working with Israelis, Palestinian and Jordanians to try to restore calm. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Exclusive: Big B gets a family-pack for Piku While some superstars are obsessed about the number of packs they have, it takes only a legend to work towards a family-pack Promising actresses: Why did they disappear? Diana Penty: Supermodel Diana Penty became an instant star with her to-die-for looks and natural acting skills. 5 cult Hindi films that flopped More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Misconceptions delay detection in many breast cancer cases: Doctors Thirty-year-old Aabha developed a tumour in her breast during her pregnancy. Both her family members and also doctors assumed it was a milk lump and didn’t ask her to undergo any investigations. Supersonic laser-propelled jets get a step closer Scientists and science fiction writers alike have dreamt of aircraft that are propelled by beams of light and not fuel. Anti-HIV pill is 90% effective when taken during sex A pill which can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 90% is most effective when used at the same time as sex, French researchers have said. More Science News»

		Sports
		ISL: Kerala Blasters beat Pune City 2-1 Goals from Sabeeth and Orji helped Kerala Blasters register their first win in the ISL as they beat hosts Pune City 2-1 at the the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium. No one can question my patriotism, Leander Paes says Indian tennis legend Leander Paes reacted to sports ministry diktat on choosing the country-over-career stand, saying nation always comes first for him. Murray qualifies for Tour Finals with Dimitrov win Andy Murray continued his recent resurgence when he qualified for the ATP Finals by reaching quarterfinals of Paris Masters with a win against Grigor Dimitrov. More Sports News»

		Technology
		First impressions: Oppo N3, the phone with a motorized swivel camera We got a chance to spend some time with the Oppo N3 and here are our first impressions… US report puts Indian IT in the dock US-based The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) has alleged that several Indian IT companies, including large ones, are imposing restrictive employment contracts on employees they send to the US. 8 biggest flops in tech history Technology is tough to create and even tougher to predict. What can seem like a breakthrough product today can quickly turn into a nightmarish mistake. More Technology News»

		Education
		Smriti Irani, Sangh-affiliates discuss govt's education agenda As part of the three meetings scheduled this week between RSS functionaries and ministers in the Narendra Modi government, HRD minister Smriti Irani attended an interaction with Sangh affiliates who have been working in the field of education. MHRD to review Ignou The ministry of human resource development has decided to review Indira Gandhi National Open University following growing allegations of administrative mismanagement and other issues. Chinese and South Korean students face fallout from suspicions of SAT cheating The announcement by administrators of the SAT college entrance test that scores are being withheld for students from China and South Korea who took the exam earlier this month has infuriated many and raised anxiety about what for a number of them is a high-stakes college application process. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		School cries foul as BMC razes its rooms Four classrooms of Shree Ganesh Vidyamandir, Dharavi, were demolished by the BMC on Thursday. School authorities have alleged that in spite of the paperwork being in place, the BMC conducted the demolition without any notice. Rape accused babu gets interim relief from arrest The Bombay high court on Thursday extended till November 12 the interim protection from arrest granted to Vivek Dahiphale, a joint secretary in the state irrigation department, who is facing allegations of rape under the pretext of marriage. Retail prices of tomato stay high in Mumbai Prices of tomato may have dropped to Rs 5-6 per kg in mandis like Navi Mumbai and Nashik, but consumers in Mumbai are yet to get relief. Retail prices remain around Rs 25-30 per kg in several localities, an average of Rs 10 higher than normal. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		No buses to ferry DPS kids The transport department of Ghaziabad on Thursday seized all 15 buses used by DPS Raj Nagar for plying without necessary permits, and some for not paying taxes, officials said. Badal raises pressure on Centre Escalating further the cold war with its alliance partner BJP, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch Parkash Singh Badal has given out signals that the he is willing to take on the saffron party via issues like transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab and minimum support price (MSP) of wheat. Cyclone to hit Delhi air quality The air quality in Delhi is likely to worsen from November 2 due to cyclone Nilofar which is likely to hit the Gujarat coast on Saturday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Engineering student found dead in hostel room A 19-year-old engineering student of a college here was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his hostel room on campus on Thursday. Bangalore school's fate hangs in limbo Parents, hoping for some word on the fate of the North Bangalore school where a child was allegedly raped, will have to wait till Saturday. Doctors give African pastor new 'face' Simon Basedeke, a pastor from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has a second god now. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Rats feast on relief letter sent by ordinary post When 55-year-old Veeranga Yellaiah from Kodakantla village in Gajwel mandal of Medak district committed suicide on June 24 this year, his devastated wife did find some succour when local revenue divisional officer visited the family. They sow seeds, reap sorrows The grim dance of death continues unabated in the agricultural fields of Telangana. With a state government that is trying to cut its losses, both on the political and economic fronts, the issue of suicides by farmers in the new state appears to be one that is not likely to end anytime soon. Andhra Pradesh formation day to be on June 2 Andhra Pradesh state will celebrate its formation day on June 2 in place of November 1. This was decided by the state cabinet that met at the Secretariat on Thursday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Minor girl sold to businessman for Rs 12 lakh in Chennai In a shocking incident, a minor Muslim girl from Salem was sold to a rich businessman for Rs 12 lakh. Tamil Nadu CM, leaders pay tributes to Muthuramalinga Thevar Chief minister O Panneerselvam on Thursday led the state in paying homage to freedom fighter, Muthuramalinga Thevar, on his 107th birth and 51st death anniversaries at his memorial in Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram district. At wedding, MK Stalin talks about beginning of new alliances After attempts by M K Stalin to strike a rapport with PMK and MDMK on Wednesday at a wedding reception hosted by PMK leader S Ramadoss in Mahabalipuram, it was the turn of his father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi to attend the wedding and showcase bonhomie with the PMK leader. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		More than 17,000 people evacuated as cyclone Nilofar nears Gujarat More than 17,000 people living near the coastal areas in Gujarat have been evacuated by authorities in view of the approaching tropical cyclone Nilofar which, however, has gradually weakened and is expected to hit the state merely as a "depression". Pandiyan is new Gujarat chief secretary D Jagatheesa Pandiyan, additional chief secretary (ACS), industry and mines department, on Thursday evening took charge as Gujarat chief secretary from outgoing chief secretary Varesh Sinha. Did KK swing CS race away from Nanda? Till the last moment, most bureaucrats were expecting ACS home, SK Nanda or ACS, Finance, Hasmukh Adhia to succeed Varesh Sinah as Gujarat chief secretary. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		HC seeks report on black bucks at Akbar's tomb Taking serious note of consistent deaths of black bucks in the garden of Akbar’s tomb at Sikandara in Agra, the Allahabad High Court has directed UP’s chief wildlife warden to prepare a plan in consultation with the National Board for Wildlife for protecting the endangered species and submit a report within six weeks before the court. Mysterious explosion in shop leaves 1 injured An explosion in a tea shop at Bangad Dharamshala near Madhwapur under the Kydganj police station on Wednesday morning turned into a major puzzle for the police. Till the filing of the report, the bomb disposal squad and forensic experts were struggling to ascertain the nature and cause of the explosion that left a labourer injured and damaged three adjacent houses. AU students can now access British history online Students and teachers of the Allahabad University’s arts faculty, who want to access the records or proceedings of the British and Irish history, can now get it online. The Central library of AU would soon be getting an online access to the English Historical Document (EHD), one of the most comprehensive collections of documents on British history. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Baliyatra insured for rupees 3.5 crores The district administration has insured the seven-day Baliyatra for a whopping Rs 3.5 crore.The amount is almost Rs 1.5 crore more than that last year. Baliyatra insured for rupees3.5 crore The district administration has insured the seven-day Baliyatra for a whopping Rs 3.5 crore.The amount is almost Rs 1.5 crore more than that last year. Man buries body against heavy odds Till Tuesday, Indrajit Dora of Kharamunda village in Bargarh district had no claim to fame.But he has now become the talk of the western Odisha town after turning into a Good Samaritan. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Burglars having a field day, encore in Bagh Sewania Burglars are having a free run in state capital. Three incidents came to light on Thursday where in cash, jewellery and house hold goods worth lakhs were burgled. Katara Hills, Bagh Mugalia residents easy meat for thieves A spate of thefts in Bagh Mugalia Extension and Katara Hills on early Wednesday morning has once again brought into focus vulnerability of residents living on city outskirts. HC seeks status report on probe against ex min aide Shukla made a fresh appeal for bail after his earlier bail plea was rejected in April this year.He was arrested for his alleged role in Pre-Medical Test (PMT) 2012 examination scam by STF on February 6. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		AAP to hold candlelight vigil on Nov 1 Punjab AAP convener Sucha Singh Chottepur said party volunteers would hold candlelight vigils at all possible places to “awaken the sleeping government” and demand justice for victims of the 1984 riots. Will raise stalled yellow fever drug yield issue: MP As the Kasauli-based Central Research Institute (CRI), lone producer of yellow fever vaccine, has failed to produce even a single drug in the past two years, BJP MP from Shimla has decided to raise the issue in Parliament. Khattar picks clean-image babus as aides Meanwhile, the state government has appointed BJP state spokesperson Jawahar Yadav as officer on special duty (OSD) to the CM. More Chandigarh News»

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