News Digest: Give details on call to lift visa ban on Modi: US court

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, December 13, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Give details on call to lift visa ban on Modi: US court A US federal judge has ordered the State Department to produce all documents by February 2016 related to Obama administration's decision to lift a ban on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's entry to the US. MCI not to make public its ethics panel proceedings The Medical Council of India, the apex regulatory body for the medical profession expected to protect patient interests, has become more opaque in its functioning by deciding that it will not be making public the minutes of any of its ethics committee meetings. Justice Shah: SC failed to protect rights of LGBTs Former Law Commission Chairman A P Shah, who as a chief justice of the Delhi HC had authored a historic judgment decriminalizing homosexuality, on Saturday criticized the Supreme Court for reviving IPC’s penal provision of Section 377 against gay sex and said the apex court showed “excessive” deference to the 155-year-old colonial law and neglected the rights of LGBTQ community. More India News»

		Business
		Hero eyes 20% market share in scooter segment With the launch of new scooter 'Duet', Hero MotoCorp is expecting to increase market share in the segment to 20 per cent from 14 per cent now, a senior company official said on Saturday. Gold surges by Rs 290 on global cues Gold prices jumped by Rs 290 to regain the Rs 26,000-level at the bullion market on Saturday on the back of a firm trend overseas and pick-up in buying by jewellers to meet wedding season demand. Jaitley rules out including GST rate in Constitution Bill Finance minister Arun Jaitley today ruled out including the GST rate in the Constitution Amendment Bill saying tariffs can't be cast in stone. More Business News»

		Environment
		Negotiators in Paris up all night to clinch deal Negotiators huddled through Wednesday night and most of Thursday, racing against the clock to resolve key differences between the rich and developing nations in an attempt to stitch together an international pact to fight climate by the self-imposed deadline of Friday. Pollution on the rise as temperature dips in Delhi Overcast skies and a distinct layer of smog marked another highly polluted day in Delhi which saw further increase in the level of suspended particulate matter, with the average reading of PM 2.5 touching 204 microgram per cubic metre, keeping the air quality 'very poor'. Global warming could cause fall in oxygen: Study Earth's oxygen could dramatically fall due to change in ocean temperature of just several degrees, which may likely result in the mass mortality of animals and humans, a new study has claimed. More Environment News»

		World
		Baghdad protest against Turkey reveals Iraqi divisions Thousands of Shiite militiamen and supporters rallied on Saturday and demanded that Turkish troops immediately withdraw from Iraqi territory, a show of strength by the country's powerful militia groups and the Shiite political rivals of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Car bomb near hospital in central Syria kills at least 16 A car bomb exploded Saturday in a government-held neighborhood in the central Syrian city of Homs, killing at least 16 people and wounding dozens, state media and an opposition monitoring group said. Pakistan army says it killed 3,400 militants since June 2014 Pakistan's military says it has achieved ``phenomenal successes'' in the war against terrorism by killing 3,400 ``terrorists'' since 2014, when it launched a major operation in a tribal region near Afghanistan. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Real Dhoni meets the reel Dhoni  The cricketer who has stumped us with his monster sixes on-field is currently quite bowled over himself. Here’s why. Yuvraj, Hazel to attend Rohit Sharma's wedding today This seems to be the season of weddings for many Indian cricketers. After Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik, it is Rohit Sharma’s turn to tie the knot. The batsman known for his stylish strokes and a couple of double tons, has been bowled over by his friend, Ritika Sajdeh. Ranveer Singh serenades Deepika Padukone in Punjabi Ranveer Singh is undoubtedly one of the most charming Bollywood actors till date. The handsome hunk sure does know how to make the ladies go gaga over him, especially one lady in particular - his alleged lady love and Bajirao Mastani co-star, Deepika Padukone. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		In session: Classes on etiquette, chivalry Middle schoolers are not generally known for their good manners. But Cord Ivanyi, a teacher in Arizona, said that he was fed up after seeing “the sheer rudeness and carelessness the boys showed“, especially during parties when they would shove their way to the front of food lines. Should we fear the rise of the robots? Anyone who's had the pleasure of watching the blockbuster film I, Robot starring Will Smith could be forgiven for not taking the “robots could take over the-world“ argument too seriously. 'Stress precursor to pre-Alzheimer's condition in elderly' Feeling stressed out increases the chances of elderly people developing mild cognitive impairment - often a prelude to full-blown Alzheimer's disease, a study found. More Science News»

		Sports
		Our batting on turners needs massive improvement: Shastri Despite crushing South Africa comprehensively in the recent Test series, Team Director Ravi Shastri feels that current crop of Indian batsmen need "massive improvement" when it comes to facing spinners on tracks that offer turn. Federer, Nadal steal limelight as Aces tops Royals Nadal overcame the Federer challenge in tremendous manner as Indian Aces trumped UAE Royals 30-19 to maintain top spot with a winning percentage of 57.7. Sachin's technical inputs helped me in Ranji: Shreyas A session with Sachin Tendulkar before the start of the Ranji Trophy season proved to be of "immense help" for young Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer, who is being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. More Sports News»

		Technology
		10 must-have apps to boost your productivity Mobile payment systems: All you need to know  Which ones should you use and how safe are they? Here's a look at mobile payment systems and how they work. Apple Maps vs Google Maps vs others  Here's a look at how Apple Maps, Google Maps and a few smaller rivals stack up in this respect. More Technology News»

		Education
		IIT Roorkee introduces new grades in its marking system The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R), which was in the eye of a storm recently over the expulsion of 71 students from the institute for not scoring the minimum 5 CGPA, has now introduced two new grades in its Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) grading system. IIIT to start in Jharkhand from the academic year 2016-17 A IIIT in Ranchi would begin offering courses from academic year 2016-17. Admission in IIIT would be carried out through Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in the academic year 2016-17. The institute will have 120 seats, 60 each for information technology and electronics and communication stream. HRD ministry signs MoU to set up 3 IIITs on PPP mode The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding with some private players for setting up of three Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) in Ranchi, Nagpur and Pune on public-private partnership (PPP) mode. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Crisis as drought flattens state's kharif crop, pulses output halved Even as the state reels under a shortage of pulses, estimates for the drought-hit kharif season which just ended show that the crisis could worsen. Muslims urged to keep Eid-e-Milad fest peaceful Preparations are afoot for two major festivals in the city: Eid-e-Milad or Pro phet Muhammad's birth anniversary on December 24 and 10-day Mahim Fair to pay tribute to Sufi saint Makhdoom Mahimi beginning on December 25. Aussie gospel band to star at India's largest Xmas festival Every year for the last five decades, Christmas in Mumbai has been he ralded by the Prabhu Yeshu Janmotsav (PYJ), the largest Christian festival in the country held on Girgaum Chowpatty beach. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Thampu slams almuni MPs move St Stephen's principal Valson Thampu on Saturday attacked alumni MPs of the college for their decision to raise issues, including the move to amend the 102year-old Constitution of the premier academic institution, in the Parliament. Winter's officially here, hits flights, worsens pollution The capital woke up to a chilly and bleak Saturday morning. Temperatures dipped suddenly — the maximum fell seven degrees below normal to 15.7°C — as icy winds from snowed-out areas of Himachal Pradesh and J&K changed the weather overnight. 58% of government schoolkids have tooth decay As many as 58% of children studying at eight Delhi government-run schools suffer from dental caries, or tooth decay, a recent survey has revealed. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		They give tech vision to the blind Until three years ago, learning Braille was a tormenting experience for Poorna Chandra, who was born visually challenged. Tiger tourism up by 230% as travellers take forest breaks At 26, her favourite break is going deep into a tiger reserve. “It was a four-day trip with friends in Tadoba tiger reserve in Maharashtra, and we couldn't spot a tiger's tail till the last day. For 72 yrs, Shetty Gowdaru has been giving life lessons 10.30am, Thursday . The rumble in class 9 of Government High School, Nagaranahalli, Holenarasipura taluk, near Hassan, makes way for pindrop silence. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Cops' love for media coverage came handy for smugglers Police's overenthusiasm and obsession for media coverage after busting a gold smuggling racket recently seems to have allowed `black sheep' working for international gangs at the RGI Airport escape from the clutches of law. Heritage activists lament govt apathy Activists from the city lamented state government's order to dismiss the heritage regulations that were put in place in 1955 to provide legal protection to the listed structures. Students hold their own beef fests in varsities In a show of solidarity with the organisers of beef festival at Osmania University, students in various universities across the state ate beef at mini food fests on Thursday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Relief, relax, recharge As he readies for his stand-up solo show on Sunday evening at Museum Theatre in Egmore, Karthik Kumar admits he is a little nervous. In pursuit of happiness Rain hammering on the windows, flooded roads, intermittent power supply and indefinite holidays. 'Ready to form alliance to defeat Dravidian outfits' Blaming not just the AIADMK government but successive Dravidian regimes for the flood calamity, Vijayakanth, in a chat with Julie Mariappan, lays out the broad contours of his poll strategy even as he rules out aligning with DMK. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Dalit leaders denounce HC judge's anti-quota remarks Dalit leaders on Saturday demanded action against Justice J B Pardiwala while an MP vowed to bring an impeachment motion in the Parliament against the high court judge for his remarks against the reservation system. `Climate change will make Kutch hotter, wetter by end of century' Climate change will seriously affect living in Kutch before end of the century, claims Gujarat's first micro-level climate change study by Indian meteorlogical department (IMD). Cold wave in state, mercury levels in Ahmedabad touch 8.8°C For the second consecutive day, cold wave conditions swept across the state with Naliya town in Kutch, which was the coldest place in Gujarat, recording a minimum temperature of 6.8°celsius. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Milk for child on train was just a tweet away Satyendra Yadav had no idea how to pacify his 18-month-old baby when he began crying inconsolably after not getting milk for a long time, stuck in a train for hours on Thursday somewhere between Allahabad and Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh. Congress plan to regain Nehru-Gandhi bastion of Phulpur Basking in the glory of its recent electoral success in Bihar assembly polls and Gujrat civic polls, the Congress has embarked upon a mission to regain its lost political glory and stature in UP, with special focus on Allahabad – once known as the cradle of Nehru-Gandhi bastion. This winter season, traffic cops issue advisory to minimize road mishaps Acknowledging the fact winter season is infamous for road accidents, both under fatal and non-fatal category, the traffic police authorities have issued an advisory for commuters with an objective to ensure safety of drivers and commuters on streets, state and national highways. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		WB mafia lifting sand from river bed in Odisha The district administration on Friday shot off a letter to its counterpart in West Midnapore district of West Bengal (WB) urging it to take action against the people involved in illegal lifting of sand from Odisha portion of the Subarnarekha river bed. Train arson accused was petty criminal in Chennai: Police Subhash Ramachandran, a Tamil Nadu resident accused of setting ablaze a series of empty trains in Puri on November 12 and other places in the country, was involved in petty offences in Chennai, police confirmed. Congress, BJP shun house panel on project Five Congress MLAs, who were members of the assembly committee on the Polavaram project, on Friday resigned from the panel in protest against the "cheap politics" of the ruling BJD. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Shivraj Singh asks babus not to be unheeding, insensitive After repeated complaints against bureaucratic insensitivity and high-handedness, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday reprimanded officials for being stubborn while dealing with the public. Former minister's security man gets life term for killing youth, injuring four Personal security officer (PSO) of former minister and Congress MLA from Garoth Subhash Sojatia, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting a person dead and injuring several others in a bus two years ago. Chhattisgarh CM announce 11-point programme for vulnerable tribal groups Completing 12 years in office, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on Saturday unveiled an 11 point programme for integrated development of particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG, promising it to implement it within next two years. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Chandigarh mayor focuses on woman power at seminar The time has come for women to rebuild relations. Woman power can be utilized in a constructive way. They have a major role in stopping female feticide, and need to take strict action against gender exploitation, said Chandigarh Mayor Poonam Sharma at a seminar on The Role of Women in Rebuilding Relations. Power workers' demands to be fulfilled soon, official says Adviser to the Chandigarh administrator Vijay Kumar Dev on Saturday assured the employees to fulfil their demands soon. Mohali has highest share of graduates, Panchkula 2nd Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, better known as Mohali, the cricket venue near Chandigarh, has the distinction of having the highest share of graduates in its population among all Indian cities. Nearly 44% of its residents are either graduates or above. More Chandigarh News»

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