News Digest: Won't cave in to pressure to dilute black money law, PM Modi says

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, August 16, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Won't cave in to pressure to dilute black money law, PM Modi says After weeks of being under opposition attack for not acting against his allegedly corrupt colleagues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Independence Day speech to return fire. PM Modi thanks people for giving up LPG subsidy worth Rs 15,000 crore It is not the rich but the common people in “Team India” who have come forward to help fire up kitchens in lakhs of poor households and shut out blackmarketeers and middlemen, Modi said in his I-Day speech. After divisive House session, Modi bats for Team India Days after a bitterly divisive monsoon session of Parliament, the PM in his Independence Day address invoked a vision of 'Team India' targeting key political constituencies. More India News»

		Business
		Steel industry facing challenge from China: Tata Steel The government should sort out internal challenges at a time when the domestic steel industry is facing challenges from China, Tata Steel Managing Director (India and South East Asia) T V Narendran said today. SBI to focus on e-commerce and SME lending "The idea is to define all processes digitally whether it be a loan against fixed deposit or shares. This will be a major thrust area for the next two years," managing director of the bank, B Sriram said. '108' emergency service to be launched overseas GVK-Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI), which operates '108' ambulance service, will launch operations in Sri Lanka and other countries, a top official said today. More Business News»

		Environment
		UN agency monitors El Nino's impacts on food production The World Food Program (WFP) is closely monitoring the El Nino weather pattern and preparing for the possible impacts it will have on food production, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said here late Friday. Stagnant, warm deep sea helped end last Ice Age The build-up and subsequent release of heat from stagnant water of Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas played a role in ending the last ice age within the Arctic region, says new research. Government to provide solar devices in rural areas The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) on Friday said it will distribute devices like solar cookers and lamps in rural and tribal areas, to provide clean cooking and lighting benefits to the population. More Environment News»

		World
		Hundreds of US flights canceled over traffic glitch Hundreds of flights out of major airports in New York and Washington were delayed or canceled today because of a computer problem at a regional air traffic control center, aviation officials said. Islamic State affiliate consolidates hold over Sirte A witness says Islamic State fighters have consolidated their hold over the city of Sirte in central Libya, calling on residents to pledge allegiance over loudspeakers from its main mosque and desecrating bodies of their adversaries. Bombs in and around Baghdad kill 22 people A car bomb at a popular auto dealership Saturday killed 13 people and injured 52 in eastern Baghdad's volatile Sadr City neighborhood, where a market bombing two days earlier killed dozens, police said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		When Tina Munim turned down Anil Ambani Actors who will look bald and beautiful Had a boyfriend when I was 18: Athiya Athiya Shetty, 22, is not just stylish but she is also simple, genuine, quiet, affectionate and sensitive. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Cells that re-generate liver without cancer risk Scientists have discovered new type of cells which are an important part of liver regeneration. Why our brain hates tough grammar Ever wondered why you are not good at adapting Sanskrit but find Hindi learning a comparatively easy task? Blame your brain as it always opts for an easy route, say scientists. Warming threatens tourism in Spain, Italy The tourism industry in southern European, countries like Spain and Italy, could be under threat due to climatic change, an European Union report has warned. More Science News»

		Sports
		Saina first Indian to reach World Badminton final Ace India shuttler Saina Nehwal defeated local favourite Lindaweni Fanetri in 21-17, 21-17 in the last-four to reach her maiden final of the Badminton World Championships in Jakarta on Saturday. Abhishek Verma earns India gold in Archery World Cup Abhishek Verma gave India a perfect Independence Day gift by clinching the gold medal in the compound men's individual section to open their account in the Archery World Cup Stage 3 on Saturday. Stop talking and focus on playing good cricket: Gavaskar Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday said that it's time the team management stops the "aggressive and tentative talk" and focuses on playing good cricket. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Meet 10 Indian-origin CEOs of global tech giants Here's a look at 10 India-born CEOs of global tech giants. Why Google and Larry Page created their own Alphabet With the launch of its new holding company, Alphabet, Google is trying its hardest not to be Microsoft. Government extends deadline for comments on net neutrality There has been a sudden surge in public comments on the proposed framework and the submission of views was earlier scheduled to close today. More Technology News»

		Education
		Short of an acre, Mysuru likely to lose out on IIT bid Mysuru may lose the opportunity to be the site for the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Karnataka, all because the state allocated 1 acre less than what the guidelines stipulate. US institutions dominate China ranking of top universities US universities ruled the top 10 spots in a global ranking conducted by a Chinese research centre with Harvard taking the crown for the 13th year. Society should create rather than just consume knowledge: VP Hamid Ansari Pitching for popularising science and technology among people, Vice President Hamid Ansari today favoured making a society that progresses, builds and creates rather than one that becomes mere consumers of knowledge. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Losing Facebook internship was a learning experience: Harvard student Little did this Potterhead know that pages from his favourite book would leap out and merge into his own life when inspired by the wildly imaginative Harry Potter books, 21-year-old Harvard student Aran Khanna, decided to craft his own Marauder’s Map and revealed one of Facebook’s chamber of secrets. LGBT kin share stories of pride and prejudice It was the second edition of the Acceptance Meet on Saturday, an initiative of Yaariyan - the youth wing of The Humsafar Trust to bring together family, friends, teachers and bosses of those from the LGBT community. In 7 years, Mumbai suburb sees 400 Santharas Wrapped in a white linen cloth, Ratanshi Samji Savla’s forehead is smeared with sandalwood powder as he lies listlessly on the floor of his tiny apartment in Mumbai suburb, Dombivli. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi CM Kejriwal trolled for making it 'I' Day Arvind Kejriwal’s first Independence Day as chief minister ended in controversy after his law minister, Kapil Mishra, tweeted a photograph of schoolchildren standing in formation to depict the CM’s name at Chhatrasal Stadium. IITian Kejriwal tells kids to study hard like Sundar Pichai Sundar Pichai, Google’s new chief, joined IIT Kharagpur in 1989, the year chief minister Arvind Kejriwal passed out. Security checks, rain cause jams Waterlogging due to rain and security barricades slowed down traffic in several parts of the city on Saturday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Ministers face ryots' fury in districts Even as chief minister Siddaramaiah struck a sombre note that he was in no state of mind to enjoy the Independence Day celebrations due to farmers’ suicides, ministers had to face the ire of farmers on the issue in the districts on Saturday. Karnataka CM: Can't enjoy I-Day with farmers committing suicide Stressing that the agriculture sector would always remain his priority, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said he is unable to enjoy the Independence Day celebrations when farmers in the state are committing suicides. ORR is the ring that divides Bengaluru There’s a ring around the city, clearly demarcating older and newer parts of Bengaluru and delivery of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) services seem to follow this division as well, going by the results of the BPAC-Daksh survey on citizen’s perceptions of the city. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Makhdoom —poet of labour and love The year 1908 is known in the history of Hyderabad as the Year of Tughyani or the Great Flood of Musi River.The flood was so devastating that all other major events of that year seem to have lost their importance. City madrassas celebrate I-Day with fervour The Tricolour was unfurled and as it fluttered in a gentle breeze, as many as 80 students, accompanied by their teachers, all donning traditional kurta-pajamas and skull caps, at a city madrassa looked up at it in reverence. Soon they saluted it with the perfection, that of a police or army officer. Power plant buyout hits a roadblock The proposed buyout of GVK’s 216 MW Jegurupadu power project by the AP Genco has hit a roadblock as both parties stuck to their stand. While the GVK group insists on payment of Rs 800 crore for the buyout, the AP Genco has offered Rs 321 crore to take over the 18-year-old power plant. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Cumbum Valley farmers reap rich harvest with off-season grapes Grape farmers in Cumbum Valley are reaping thrice as much as their usual harvest and selling the fruits at huge margins even in offseason, thanks to new farming techniques The state stands fourth in terms of grape cultivation in India, but is first in terms of production because the farmers in Cumbum Valley in the district are able to harvest the fruits five times in two years. Amma locks prohibition in cellar, says cheers to welfare With assembly polls just months away and political rhetoric on prohibition reaching a new high, chief minister J Jayala lithaa on Saturday chose to highlight infrastructure and development issues, from power generation to industrial growth, during the four years of AIADMK governance in the state. British fare, with an Indian touch Country captain chicken curry, railway mutton curry or mulligatawny soup -Anglo-Indian food is a perfect blend of two cultures and cuisinesIndian cuisine has been an integral part of the British food scene ever since the East India Company took over the sub-continent in the mid-18th century . More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		The Clean & ClearTM Ahmedabad Times fresh face 2015 starts at Shanti Business School in Ahmedabad Our destination on day four Clean & ClearTM Ahmedabad Times Fresh Face 2015 was a campus full of enthusiastic youngsters from Shanti Business School (SBS). Man held for giving client fake HC order City police on Friday arrested Homi Maratha, a resident of Ambavadi, for creating a fake Gujarat high court order by forging the signature of the then judge, Justice HK Rathod. Crime branch officials said Homi’s father, Navinchandra Maratha, who is a suspended advocate, is also an accused in the same case. Woman dies of H1N1 in city A 45-year-old woman from Aravalli district died of swine flu at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Friday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Charred bodies of two women, 2 kids found in separate incidents Charred bodies of two women and their kids were recovered in two separate incidents in Kaudhiyara and Dhoomanganj police circles in last 24 hours. Educational institutions to have gender champions The champions will facilitate an enabling environment within their schools and colleges where girls are treated with dignity and respect. Security beefed up in city Security has been beefed up in the city, specially at Allahabad railway junction and adjoining stations in view of Independence Day celebration to be held on Saturday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		65% engineering seats vacant in Odisha The spectre of empty classrooms haunts the private engineering colleges in the state with the worst-ever admission nightmare staring them in the face. IPS officers unlikely to support Gajbhiye The IPS officers’ association in Odisha is unlikely to throw its lot behind disgraced Kendrapda SP Satish Gajbhiye, who was suspended on Thursday for alleged misconduct. Odisha CM approves to open more courts The state government on Friday approved to set up nine more courts in the state. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik cleared a file in this regard, said an official statement from the chief minister's office. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		CM Shivraj finally meets Dornier crash victim's kin Forty-eight hours after deputy commandant, Coast Guard, Manoj K Soni's remains were brought to Bhopal, Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan finally visited their home and offered tributes. Former MP shoots himself dead in Madhya Pradesh Sources said that Kushwaha shot himself to death in his house in Satna town. After Vyapam, Cong mulls to rake up more scams, corner CM Enthused by party's success in highlighting Vyapam scam across the country, state Congress unit decided to unearth more issues involving chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his family. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Armymen at Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre celebrate I-Day A fortnight-long spree of Independence Day celebrations at Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre (PRC), Mohali, culminated on Friday with the wheelchair-borne inmates singing patriot songs with zeal and enthusuiam. CBI faces tall order in Rs 40L bribe case The CBI could have a tough time in proving its charge that the Rs 41 lakh bribe was to be distributed among the entire 62-member economics offences wing (EOW). Mysterious object found in car, 3 rounded up Police rounded up three persons on Friday evening after finding a bomb-like object inside a car which had skidded off a road near Guru Hargobind thermal power plant at Lehra Mohabbat in Bathinda district. More Chandigarh News»

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