News Digest: Lawmakers from over 170 countries are urged to push on nutrition commitments

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, November 21, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Lawmakers from over 170 countries are urged to push on nutrition commitments United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation Director-General José Graziano da Silva urged lawmakers from around the world meeting in Rome to play their part in transforming into positive results the commitments to provide healthier diets for all people which governments are expected to adopt at this week's global nutrition conference. Bengal, Bihar home to most homeless As many as 4.3 crore families in rural India do not have a house, with West Bengal leading the table followed by Bihar in yet another evidence of the eastern region’s backwardness. IIT-B breakthrough may cut dialysis cost by half Scientists at IIT-Bombay have developed a special membrane that promises to reduce the cost of dialysis by 50%, cut down time taken for the process by half and be safer for the patient. More India News»

		Business
		Tech Mahindra acquires US company for $240 million India’s fifth-largest IT services company Tech Mahindra said it will acquire Virginia, US-based Lightbridge Communications Corporation (LCC) for $240 million (over Rs 1,400 crore), making it the largest overseas acquisition it has ever made. RBI revises minimum balance norms The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has placed curbs on the charges imposed by banks for not maintaining minimum balance requirements. Britannia to e-launch its premium cookie Britannia Industries, the over 100-year-old biscuit manufacturer, is testing the waters of the fast-unfolding Indian e-commerce story. More Business News»

		Environment
		Cut emissions to zero by 2070: UN body The timeline for desired emission cut was suggested by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its annual emission gap report, released in Washington on Wednesday. 3-year-old jumbo rescued from well in Nilgiris after four-hour operation After a four-hour operation, a three-year old elephant that fell into a well in Pandalur taluk in Nilgiris district was rescued by forest officials on Thursday. Disposal of solid waste near Ganga: NGT seeks Centre's reply National Green Tribunal has sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking directions for disposal of solid wastes on the bank of the river accumulated during Kartik Poornima fair in Uttar Pradesh. More Environment News»

		World
		Toll rises to 10 in killer northeast US snowstorm The death toll from a rare pre-winter snowstorm rose to 10 in the northeastern United States on Thursday, paralyzing communities for days and dumping more than six feet of snow near Buffalo. Ebola vaccine running into patent cover in Canada? A Canadian patent protection may be blocking an Ebola vaccine even as the world is struggling to stop the spread of the deadly virus. US increasing non-lethal military aid to Ukraine The United States plans to increase non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine, including deliveries of the first Humvee vehicles, having decided for now not to provide weapons, US officials said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Kim Kardashian cancels her Bigg Boss 8 plans Kim Kardashian, who was all set to make her first visit to India, has cancelled the trip. Bigg Boss: Contestants who did not get along with Salman Khan We take you through some of the celebs (in their own right) who did not seem to gel well with Salman. Bigg Boss: Biggest breakups and friendships of the house The house has always been a place where relationships don’t sustain the test of time. Strangers become friends and good friends turn strangers after spending some time in the house. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Knights more likely to rescue damsels in heels: Study Ladies, if you want a man on his knees, try wearing high heels! Men are more likely to help a woman wearing high heels than one in flats, a new French study suggests. Horses and rhinos originated in India: Researchers The study was carried out by a team of John Hopkins researchers and colleagues, and published on November 20 in the online journal Nature Communications. Complex jobs may protect your brain: Study Complex jobs that require a lot of difficult analysis or social interaction such as management and teaching may protect the brain from mental decline, according to a new research. More Science News»

		Sports
		I still have some chances, says Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan Anand said he was fine with an easy draw in the ninth game and insisted that he still has a chance of posting a win in World Chess C'ship match. Kohli confirms he is seeing Anushka, asks for privacy India's top batsman Virat Kohli has asked the public to use common sense on his much talked about relationship with actress Anushka Sharma, saying they indeed are seeing each other and their privacy should be respected. Roger Federer set to face France in Davis Cup final Switzerland's Federer, who has been trouble by back spasms, has been named to play in second singles of Davis Cup final against France's Monfils on Friday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Leading retail stores refuse to sell Android One phones Google's pet project to drive up adoption of smartphones in emerging markets seems to have hit a hurdle in India with leading mobile retailers refusing to stock Android One handsets. Infosys BPO irregularity on Apple account? Several junior and mid-level employees are said to have participated in the overbilling of the client. Infosys said disciplinary action had been taken against all employees concerned. 15 Android apps to make iPhone owners jealous From an app that lets you message your friends while still watching Netflix to an app that lets you hack your smartphone's LED lights for custom notifications, you're guaranteed to find something new. Here's our pick of Android apps that will make your iPhone-owning friends jealous. More Technology News»

		Education
		Madras HC puts onus on SC for delay in MBBS admissions A single judge of the Madras high court on Thursday said the Supreme Court, which had laid down a strict schedule for MBBS admissions, allowed high courts to breach it several times. Shivaji University, Kolhapur revised syllabus of 146 courses in 4 years: Report As many as 146 academic courses (23%) were revised between 2009 and 2012 at the Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK), a university report has revealed. 60% of schools named for aid in Maharashtra found ineligible The state school education department has found that over 60% of the 469 private unaided secondary schools that were recommended for aid from the government were actually ineligible for it. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Bhatt third time lucky It was sheer luck that helped film producer Mahesh Bhatt dodge a planned third attempt on his life on November 15. Had the crime branch officials been late by four hours in reaching the producer’s office and nabbing the three shooters, they may have succeeded in firing at him. Times Celebrate Bandra festival: The queen of suburbs to provide a platform for Mumbai's musical acts With more than 30 popular artists to choose from over nine days, the Times Celebrate Bandra festival could stand on its own against a premier music festival. Times Celebrate Bandra festival: Feast on Bandra's best bites and coolest drinks If you celebrate a prominent part of the city and exclude food from it, it will be bitingly bland and boring. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Dhabas, India's culinary signposts In our gastronomic memory, dhabas aren’t just eateries by the highway; they are bookmarks of unforgettable experiences. Green panel not formed as per norms: RTI reply An RTI enquiry has found that a high-level committee, formed by the ministry of earth sciences and climate change to review environmental laws, was not constituted according to requisite administrative procedure. MP Parvesh adopts Najafgarh village Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, BJP MP from West Delhi, has adopted Jharoda in Najafgarh to develop it as a model village under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		3 held for attack on Manipuri student; kin call it 'hate act' Wednesday's attack on a Manipuri youth in the city was a hate crime, his family has alleged. Police said Samuel T Haokip, 22, was attacked by three labourers at Byrathi Cross, near Kothanur, after he objected to them harassing his woman friend. However, Samuel's family and a witness to the attack said there was no girl on the scene. Cubbon Park continues to shrink: Survey Cubbon Park, the city's premier lung space, is shrinking at a frightening pace. The %240-acre park is believed to have dwindled to 192 acres, according to the horticulture department. A recent survey has found further shrinkage of the park, which is yet to be quantified. Karnataka HC stays closure notice to international school The advocate further submitted that the Bengaluru city police commissioner who visited the school found it had complied with 80% of the safety requirements. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Naidu plans unique irrigation project Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said that the state government will soon come up with a comprehensive water resources plan to provide irrigation water to all drought-hit areas in AP. Draft bill vests CRDA with supreme capital powers The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) will be supreme in the state capital region comprising the limits of Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority which straddles Krishna and Guntur districts. AP neta rules out shifting of capital location Agriculture minister Prattipati Pulla Rao on Thursday ruled out shifting of the proposed capital city from Tulluru mandal in Guntur district. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Despite Centre nod, monorail project in Chennai remains stuck The Union ministry of urban development has approved the monorail project in the city, with a set of conditions. Sagayam seeks HC clarification on mining probe ambit IAS officer U Sagayam, who has been handpicked by the Madras high court to probe mining irregularities, has sought to know whether the investigation would cover all 32 districts in the state and all forms of mining, including sand and granite. Realtor told to refund Rs 72 lakh to NRI couple for stalled project State consumer disputes redressal commission has slapped a fine of 10.5 lakh on a Coimbatore-based realtor for shirking his liabilities on a false pretext. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		'Missed' bail adds to banker's misery Dipak Kumar Kohli, 64, has spent more time in jail as an undertrial than he would have if convicted. He was arrested in a Rs 3.5 crore fraud case and would have got a maximum of 10 years’ jail if found guilty. IPS officer Rahul Sharma seeks retirement In an unexpected development, IPS officer Rahul Sharma has sought retirement from service with effect from March 1, 2015. Drainage mapping of main cities soon: IMD official Mapping of drainage will be carried out in all cities of the country as it is necessary if flooding is to be prevented in these places, said LS Rathore, director general of meteorology, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), on Thursday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Two elderly women killed in road accident Two elderly women were hit by a speeding container near Sashoon Crossing under Sarayinayat police station, in the wee hours of Thursday. Drive against illegal school vehicles from Nov 26 In a fresh attempt to ensure safety of schoolchildren and also to tighten the noose around vehicles flouting the set norms, the joint teams of district administration, police, RTO, and education department are all set to launch a special checking drive from November 26 to December 9. District magistrate, Bhavnath Singh said, “the drive would be held on November 26 and 29, December 2, 5 and 9.” ADM (city) SK Sharma has been entrusted to lead the drive. Allahabad corporators apprise Dy EC of anomalies A delegation of corporators met deputy election commissioner Sudhir Tripathi at Circuit House on Thursday and apprised him of anomalies in voter’s list. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Keonjhar project oustees threaten to stop work People displaced by Kanpur Irrigation Project (KIP) have threatened to stop construction work from December 15 if their demands of resettlement and other issues are not solved. No OJEE for engineering: Govt It is official. The first year engineering (BTech) admission in state will be through the national-level JEE Main and not Odisha joint entrance examination (OJEE). 23 colleges running without principals While schools in the state are grappling with acute shortage of teachers, several colleges are running without principals. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Drunk MANIT grad enters girls' hostel, triggers ruckus A passout of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) entered into girls’ hostel on the campus and created ruckus under the influence of liquor on Thursday. Tiger Pataudi's daughter Saba recasts Auqaf-e-Shahi Board Saba Sultan, daughter of Tiger Pataudi, the only women custodian of royal endowment properties in Saudi Arabia, appointed a new secretary and member, here on Monday. 400 Kendriya Vidyalaya students in Bhopal hit by German switch, unhappy Union human resource development ministry’s decision to scrap German as third language in schools and make Sanskrit compulsory has hit nearly 400 students of Kendriya Vidyalayas in Bhopal. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		10 passages in Sector 17 to be razed The engineering wing of Chandigarh municipal corporation has decided to demolish as many as 10 connecting passages in Sector 17. Returning from Barwala, scribe dies in accident A 24-year-old reporter, who worked with a news channel, died late on Wednesday night when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with stray cattle and went off the road on the highway near Kaithal. Baba's backers back out In the past few days, thousands of acolytes formed a formidable human network to help him escape his nemesis. But when he finally met it, Baba Rampal found that he will have to plough a lonely furrow in the court, where he was made to appear on Thursday. More Chandigarh News»

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