News Digest: Rupee remark leaves ex-Uttarakhand CM Pokhriyal red-faced

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, December 11, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rupee remark leaves ex-Uttarakhand CM Pokhriyal red-faced Haridwar MP and former Uttarakhand CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who recently waded into controversy by claiming that sci ence was a pygmy in front of astrology, had an embarrassing moment in LS on Wednesday. It seems as if Farooque Shaikh has stepped out and will soon return: Bharat Kapoor The past year has been a blur for fans of Farooque Shaikh, the well loved actor-philanthropist. Enforce food security law or lose subsidy: Paswan The food ministry will release grains for this category of beneficiaries at the minimum support price (MSP) rate, which would cost dear to the state governments, more than double of what they are paying now. More India News»

		Business
		Tata Power buys plant for 3,000cr Tata Power, the power generator led by Cyrus Mistry, is buying a 540-megawatt (MW) thermal power plant in Maharashtra to ramp up capacity, highlighting how a lot of India’s recent merger and acquisition (M&A) deals are being driven by the power sector. Germany bans 80 generic drugs for insufficient trials Germany’s drug regulator has banned the sale of 80 generic medicines with immediate effect on grounds of “deficiencies’’ in the clinical trials conducted by domestic pharma company GVK Biosciences. 'Huge opportunity for Uber-like services in India' Uber may be in the midst of a major controversy over a rape incident in India, but Infosys' CEO Vishal Sikka feels that digital services like this app-based taxi provider have huge potential in the country. More Business News»

		Environment
		Javadekar vows green bills in next session The environment minister on Sunday also announced that the government was planning to bring legislations in the next Parliament session to strengthen laws to protect the environment. 700-plus grossly-polluting industries asked to monitor effluent flow The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued directions to 794 grossly-polluting industries to ensure real-time monitoring of effluents by March next year, Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday. Javadekar begins his bilateral round at Lima climate conference With countries fine-tuning their positions for the high-level segment of the climate conference, Indian environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday had a bilateral meeting with the US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern where both the countries exchanged their views on issues concerning adaption, climate finance and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). More Environment News»

		World
		CIA report sparks prosecution calls A day after a Senate investigation report charged the CIA with using brutal torture techniques and lying about it, American torment was on full display with the US intelligence community closing ranks to defend its methods and liberal elements raging that such activities are un-American and has brought shame on the country. It's official: Verma is US envoy to India Richard Rahul Verma was on Wednesday was unanimously confirmed as the next US ambassador to India by the Senate, making him the first-ever Indian-American to hold the post. Palestinian minister dies after being hit by Israeli troops A Palestinian minister died shortly after being hit by Israeli soldiers during a protest today in the occupied West Bank, a Reuters photographer who witnessed the incident and a Palestinian medic said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I would drink 10 bottles at a time' Imran Khan, 30, sees colours when he makes music Celebs who welcomed their new borns in 2014 Bollywood's beloved on-screen and off-screen couple Genelia D'Souza and Riteish Deshmukh were blessed with a son, their first child, on November 26, 2014. 'This year has been extremely special for me' The year ends on a super-high for Priyanka Chopra More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Rhino species to die unless science can help The keepers of three northern white rhinos in Kenya — half of the world's remaining rhinos of that species — have begun saying publicly for the first time that their one male and two female rhinos will certainly not reproduce naturally. What makes champagne bubbly; decoded Researchers have decoded the science behind the formation of bubbles in a glass of champagne. Pill to curb obesity a step closer Scientists have made a significant start towards creating an obesity pill. A team of researchers from Imperial College London have discovered the exact brain mechanism that drives our appetite for foods rich in glucose and could lead to treatments for obesity. More Science News»

		Sports
		ISL: ATK sneak into semifinals after Fikru's equaliser Fikru struck an equaliser off a dubious penalty decision to force a 1-1 draw for Atletico de Kolkata against FC Goa and sneak into the semifinals of ISL. Champions Trophy: India eye Belgium scalp for semis berth Their morale lifted by a stunning win over the Netherlands, India would now eye a semifinal berth when they take on Belgium in the Champions Trophy quarterfinal . ISL: NorthEast play out draw with Mumbai to finish last NorthEast United FC played out a 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in an inconsequential ISL match to end at the bottom position in the tournament. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi banned from selling, importing phones in India: Report Delhi High Court has passed an ex parte order forbidding Xiaomi from importing and selling its smartphones in India. Twitter India trends for 2014: PM Modi, Amitabh Bachchan biggest gainers Twitter has revealed data related to trending conversations, topics and tweets for the year 2014. 12 ways to get the best online deals As the e-commerce market takes flight in India, getting the best deal is on everyone's minds. However, with hundreds of deals available on dozens of sites, it becomes a little difficult to zero in upon the ones that suit you the most. But worry not, as we bring to you 12 simple ways you can use to bag the best online deals. More Technology News»

		Education
		Dates, mgmt quota parents' main worries Despite all promises of transparency and self-regulation, parents aren’t pleased with the high court order. They have serious doubts about the private school bodies’ capacity to self-regulate, are unhappy about the possibility of differing schedules and the reintroduction of management quota, of course. Nursery admissions: HC ruling in schools' favour Private schools in Delhi can formulate their own criteria for nursery admissions. The Delhi high court on Wednesday refused to stay its earlier order granting autonomy to schools to devise their own norms. It also dismissed a plea filed by the state government seeking interim stay on the November 28 order. Restoration of B-school's buildings to cost over 50 cr The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), is seeking assistance from the corporate sector to raise Rs 50-75 crore it needs for restoration and conservation of its old buildings. In April 2014, the institute had roped in Mumbai-based Somaya and Kalappa Consultants as conservation architects for the Louis Kahn buildings, and had estimated that it would need Rs 50-75 crore for completing the project. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Bandra, Mumbai Central part of 50 stations to be spruced up Passengers visiting Bandra Terminus and Mumbai Central may soon get to see cleaner stations on a par with airports as the railways has decided to outsource the cleanliness and maintenance work to reputed agencies. Touts selling railway seats face extortion charges Touts caught illegally selling seats to commuters in general coaches of long-distance trains will now be booked on stringent charges of extortion. Islamic scholar to train peace volunteers Noted scholar and the face of moderate Islam in India Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is in the city for three days to hold lectures for peace volunteers; he will train them in spiritual development and ask them to eschew violence and focus on spreading the spiritual aspect of Islam. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Foreigner in drug net, held Two men, including a foreign national, were arrested with a huge consignment of drugs at Anand Vihar in city on Wednesday. Police said 1,200 LSD stamps worth Rs 8 crore were recovered. AAP: It's Kejri vs Mukhi, not Modi Aam Aadmi Party’s auto campaign has pitted party chief Arvind Kejriwal against senior BJP office-bearer Jagdish Mukhi, even though BJP has declared it will contest the forthcoming Delhi assembly election under the stewardship of prime minister Narendra Modi. Another sadhvi woos Dalits BJP’s public meeting at Sawan Park had yet another sadhvi addressing the crowd, but this time nothing controversial was said nor was there anything religious about it. The MP from Bahraich, Sadhvi Savitri Bai Phule, was there to woo Dalits by highlighting achievements of the Centre and asked for a clear majority for BJP to form a government in Delhi. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Ministers under fire at CLP meet The Congress legislature party meeting on Wednesday witnessed some plainspeak. MLAs of the ruling party once again expressed their dissatisfaction over the functioning style of some cabinet ministers and of the government at the CLP meet. Cabbies gives Uber the thumbs-up Why punish us for the actions of one man?’’ asks an angry Uber cab owner-cum-driver Nagesh. The uncertainty over the future of Uber cabs has hit over 1,000 drivers like Nagesh registered with the taxi aggregator in Bengaluru. “We’re hoping there won’t be a ban on the operator in Bengaluru Mobile video captures dwindling pelicans at Kokkarebellur The change at Bellur, around 80km from Bengaluru, worried Shravan Regret Iyer More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Lax tenant norms making Hyderabad terror haven? Until National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths swooped down on a house in Balapur and nabbed Myanmar national Khalid Mohammed, neither Cyberabad police nor the state intelligence agencies had any clue that a suspect associated with the Burdwan blast was staying at a rented accommodation on the outskirts of the city. Metro realignment divides traders With the Hyderabad metro realignment issue acquiring political colours after political parties entered the scene ahead of GHMC polls, the first casualty of the politicisation is the unity of Sultan Bazar traders who were together in their four-year long fight to save their shops from demolition. FCI official hit by dy CM's escort car awaits government aid Knocked down by deputy chief minister T Rajaiah’s convoy 10 days ago in a case of callous driving, the sole-bread winner of a Warangal family is pleading for government compensation after the freak accident confined him to a hospital bed. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Beachgoers relieved as bio-loo to move The bio-toilet complex on Elliot's beach that has been lying idle since June will finally be moved towards Urur Olcott Kuppam. Corporation officials and beach goers have been at loggerheads over its location along the promenade where people walk and sit on the parapet. Robot to help paraplegics walk Two young engineers have come up with a robot that could make paraplegics and arthritic patients walk easier. All they have to do is strap on the robotic legs like an exoskeleton and issue commands, and the device will pull the person’s weight. Malicious plea costs Kottur man 10,000 A Kottur resident, who filed a PIL and got construction of a building stopped besides exposing Chennai Corporation officials to some caustic criticism by the Madras high court, will now pay a case cost of 10,000 to the landowner within 15 days. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Cong rallies for better farm produce prices Gujarat Congress on Wednesday held a protest rally in Surendranagar district against the BJP-led Union and state governments to demand better prices of cotton, groundnut, paddy and other produce. Patel flays govt over sickle Ahmed Patel, Rajya Sabha Member from Gujarat and political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi while speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday demanded action to control the sickle cell anemia in the country. Jodhpur residents endure drainage, water pipeline leak For the past three days nearly 15 residential societies in Jodhpur have been suffering from drainage and water pipeline leak every morning. The place by 9 am floods as a local line has burst and residents from nearby societies have to wade through muck every morning. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		HCBA opposes strike by western UP lawyers Taking a note of on-going strike of lawyers of western UP demanding setting up of a bench of the Allahabad High Court in west UP, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Tuesday resolved to hold a massive meeting on December 17, to oppose any move to bifurcate the high court. Separate barracks for women cops at police stations All police stations across the state would have separate barracks, rest rooms, change rooms and wash rooms for women constables. Turing Award winner endorses Modi's idea of sharing energy resources At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pitching hard for the idea of sharing energy resources among the SAARC countries, his idea has been endorsed by experts like Prof Joseph Sifakis. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Youngsters game for international hockey As the youths turn ‘cheerleaders’ for Champions Trophy, the venue, Kalinga Stadium here, has become the new hangout zone. Cops put up complaint boxes in Puri Ahead of Nabakalebara, the Puri police have put in place a new system to receive complaints from people. Government to hold talks with Air Odisha for inter-state operations The state government is likely to take a final call on Wednesday on the proposed compensation of four seats for regional flier Air Odisha, which is keen to fly its small aircraft in five districts of the state . More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP govt makes GPS navigation mandatory for cabs Police verification of drivers working for car-on-rent and taxi service operators have also been made mandatory. MP Cong leaders differ on pursuing Vyapam scam Flustered with the series of political defeats of the party in the state, MLA and senior Congress leader Mukesh Naik told reporters in the state assembly that Vyapam was no longer the Congress' priority or concern. Accused MP BJP leader's name disappears from govt reply in assembly Senior Congress MLA Ram Niwas Rawat claimed that the name of a BJP leader accused in a Vyapam scam disappeared from the government's answer in the state assembly. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Local BJP, Dalit leaders drumming up support for DJJS The issue of cremation of Nurmahal-based Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan founder Ahutosh Maharaj, on the directions of Punjab and Haryana high court, has started taking a political hue with some local BJP leaders jumping in support of the dera, saying that its head's "samadhi" (deep trance) should not be disturbed while also giving it a communal tinge. Rewari farmers oppose land acquisition citing less compensation Farmers have decided not to accept the compensation amount as announced by the Haryana government for acquiring around 3,700 acres of land for multi-modal logistics hub at Bawal in the national capital region. Haryana police still persisting with vintage .303 rifles Manvir.Saini@timesgroup.Haryana police continue to be passionate towards the use of .303 rifles, which have been in use since late 19th century, for the purpose of ceremonial fires, drills and training. More Chandigarh News»

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