News Digest: Three dead in cloudburst in Uttarakhand

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, July 31, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Three dead in cloudburst in Uttarakhand Three people were killed in a cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Tehri district on Friday, according to TV reports. US brackets UP with Syria, Iraq A United States report on the status of religious freedom in countries across the globe has slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for choosing “not to combat discrimination on the basis of religion and intolerance.” Kumbakonam school tragedy: Angry parents will appeal verdict The parents of 94 children who perished in the 2004 school fire in Kumbakonam have decided to appeal against the Thanjavur court’s verdict that acquitted 11 of the 21 accused. More India News»

		Business
		US economy up 4% in Q2, surge in new jobs The US economy rebounded sharply in the second quarter as consumers stepped up spending and businesses restocked, putting it on course to close out the year on solid footing. US disappointed with India's WTO stand: Penny Pritzker With the new BJP-led government firmly in place at the Centre and prime minister Narendra Modi’s impending trip to the US in September, the US has decided to step up the dialogue to improve trade and cooperation between the two countries. 34% jump in job growth in 8 years: Census The number of people employed in the country rose by 34.35% to 12.77 crore in eight years to 2013, reveals the Sixth Economic Census-2013. More Business News»

		Environment
		India, US hold joint panel meet on climate issues New Delhi stuck to its stand of handling the refrigerant issue under the multilateral UN convention which safeguards the interest of developing countries. Global Tiger Day: Nature photographers chip in for the green cause India's leading nature photographers have contributed their pictures for a collection of mugs on the occasion of Global Tiger Day. The day is observed July 29. North Korea ship damages Mexican coral reefs A North Korean cargo ship damaged nearly an acre (0.37 hectare) of coral reefs off Mexico's eastern coast when it ran aground two weeks ago, Mexican authorities said on Tuesday. More Environment News»

		World
		Attack on Gaza school 'shameful': UN "Nothing is more shameful than attacking sleeping children," Ban said on his arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica."I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms." Libya Islamists seize Benghazi army base Islamist groups have seized the army special forces headquarters in Libya's Benghazi after days of fighting left at least 35 soldiers dead and plunged the country deeper into lawlessness. Ebola outbreak: Liberia's president closes schools Liberia's president is closing the nation's schools and ordering non-essential government employees to stay home as the country battles an Ebola outbreak. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Hrithik -Sussanne: No 400 crore alimony involved Rumours were rife that a shocking amount of 400 crore was involved in the divorce case of Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan. However clarifying the same, official sources state that there is no truth in it. Reasons that might have led to Hrithik-Sussanne divorce Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan have mutually filed for a divorce at a family court in Bandra. Sussanne subtly drops Roshan from her name Sussanne Roshan, whose divorce from Hrithik Roshan is expected to come through in October 2014, has been living apart from her superstar husband for the last eight months. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Blood test to spot suicidal tendencies Scientists may have developed world’s first blood test to predict if a person has suicidal tendencies. Milky Way not so massive The Milky Way galaxy is lighter than previously thought, according to new research published by UK-based scientists on Wednesday. First malaria vaccine may be ready next year The world’s first malaria vaccine will be available in the market by next year. More Science News»

		Sports
		Full coverage: Glasgow Games, Day 7 India are placed sixth in the overall standings, with a total haul of 41 medals with 10 gold, 19 silver and 12 bronze after seventh day of competitions in the CWG. Vijender packs a punch, wrestlers excel Vijender Singh assured himself of a medal after Indian wrestlers continued to excel winning four silver and a bronze on seventh day of competitions in the CWG. Indian wrestlers settle for silver medals The Indian wrestlers were left licking their wounds as all four grapplers in contention for a gold medal lost in the final, leaving India to settle for four silver medals. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Flipkart's Bansals nearly as rich as Infosys co-founders The Bansals of Flipkart — Sachin and Binny — now boast of a combined net worth in excess of $1 billion, inching closer to that of Bangalore’s iconic tech billionaires N R Narayana Murthy and Nandan Nilekani of Infosys. India set to become Amazon's fastest-growing market: Bezos Amazon will invest a further $2 billion in India just a day after Flipkart attracted $1 billion of fresh funds, raising stakes in e-commerce sector. 8 things Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablets can do that iPads can't Here's a quick look at the 9 things you can do with Galaxy Tab S that you can't do with an iPad. More Technology News»

		Education
		Smriti Irani defends FYUP move One of the reasons for reverting to the three-year undergraduate programme in Delhi University was to ensure that its students are not “put to any disadvantage vis-a-vis students of other universities”, human resource development minister Smriti Irani told Parliament Wednesday. Tamil Nadu moves bill, wants no more private law colleges Risking adverse judicial orders, Tamil Nadu government tabled a Bill in the assembly announcing its policy decision to prohibit establishment of private law colleges in the state. Government to formulate new education policy The government has proposed to formulate a new education policy to meet challenges posed by lack of quality, research and innovation in Indian educational institutions, parliament was told today. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		MNS wants 5-day school break for Ganesha, govt passes buck For a second year running, schools in the city are roiled by confusion over Ganeshotsav holidays, thanks to the government’s shilly-shallying. Trauma care centre continues to ail, patients move out Several patients took discharge on Wednesday even as the services at Bal Thackeray Trauma Care Municipal Hospital in Jogeshwari continued to suffer owing to lack of staff and ailing infrastructure. 75K pay, no evening duty to woo specialists to civic hospitals Can a monthly consultancy fee of Rs 75,000 plus the flexibility to practise privately in the evening appeal to super specialists? The BMC is certainly hoping so. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Smriti Irani defends FYUP move  One of the reasons for reverting to the three-year undergraduate programme in Delhi University was to ensure that its students are not “put to any disadvantage vis-a-vis students of other universities”, human resource development minister Smriti Irani told Parliament Wednesday. Criminals held in south west Delhi Two men have been arrested in the Chhawla area of southwest Delhi for their involvement in several cases of dacoity, car robbery and murder. BJP invites RWAs to talk budget with Jaitley While its national leadership analyzes Delhi’s political scenario, BJP is preparing to face all eventualities, including a fresh election. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Ayah, teacher on radar for hushing up crime An ayah and a teacher of the upscale school in East Bangalore where a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped on July 2 are now under the police scanner. Call it an apology for a road It’s a roller-coaster ride every day for close to 3,500 children up and about to school. But who cares? Residents of Thubarahalli in Whitefield are tired of appealing to the civic authorities to asphalt the 950-metre-long school road for the past many years. Miffed schools may not comply with cops' rules School managements in Bangalore on Wednesday came together to express discontent over guidelines proposed by police. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		All for solar power In order to turnaround the power deficit in newly-formed Telangana, its two distribution companies are wooing domestic power consumers with both subsidies and incentives to generate solar power under Solar Net Metering (SNM) scheme. Women power to the rescue? In a move that is expected to deal a death blow to the politician-backed sand mafia, the Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to entrust sand mining to time-tested women self-help groups (SHG) in the state. Forgotten promise! The Andhra Pradesh government's silence on cancelling the controversial Vanpic land deal left its original owners — the farmers fuming. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		It's official now: Ripon building to wear white Ripon Buildings, seat of the city corporation, will be seen in white after sporting an offwhite look for almost two years. Officials earlier were in a dilemma on whether to choose white or off-white and had even daubed sections of two adjacent pillars in the two shades. Rot within weakens building regulator Citing the fate of more than a dozen similar internal probes in the past which allowed corrupt officials to go scot-free, experts have also demanded immediate implementation of the Madras high court’s 2006 order directing CMDA to take action against illegal buildings and officers responsible for failure to enforce rules. HC orders ignored, erring officials let off Two years ago, the Madras high court asked the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to take action against 31 officials, including four IAS officers, who were found to have allowed building violations and irregularities. But no action has been taken so far. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		2 more drenching days ahead When it rains, it pours. Weather officials have said that the present spell of rains will continue and moderate to heavy rains are expected at many places across over Gujarat for the next two days — Thursday and Friday. Reign of chaos over city After a wild and wet night on Tuesday, rains continued to lash Ahmedabad till 9am on Wednesday. Rains kill at least six across the state; school kid drowns in flooded cave-in in Gandhinagar At least six people, including three young boys and a girl, were killed by the heavy rains that lashed the city as well as most of Gujarat on Wednesday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Kin seek action against doctor, nurse for negligence A nurse on duty in children's ward in district hospital allegedly kept on sleeping and two children died for want of treatment on Sunday. Markets abuzz with Eid shoppers The markets in the old city were buzzing with activity as people thronged shops for making purchase on Monday.There was enthusiasm among the people to see the streak of Eid moon. Ghaghra recedes, still above red mark The level of Ghaghra is receding but the river has started changing its course.Near Baundi, the river is flowing towards Belha-BehArauli dam.A distance of just 100 metres is left between the river and dam. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Nil admission in 43 junior colleges A total of 43 junior colleges and 14 degree colleges had zero admission in at least one stream, an analysis of the admission data after the second-round admission reveals. Three die after eating 'stale' food Three persons from the district have died after allegedly eating stale food.One of them was identified as Saraswati Dehury, 20, who died on Monday. Kalpataru clarifies 'who's family' Even as Rajya Sabha member Kalpataru Das here on Tuesday tried to justify legal and technical sanctity of availing more than one plot/quarters by his family members, excise and cooperation minister Damodar Rout chided him again on the controversy. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP to plant 7 crore saplings to increase forest area The Madhya Pradesh state government will observe a 'haryali mahotsav" for a week starting Thursday. MP asks Centre for Rs 59 crores to make home for Gir lions Prime Minister Narendra Modi as chief minister of Gujarat would not part with the state's Asiatic lions. MP Congress demands apology from BJP leader for remark on tomatoes India's leading nature photographers have contributed their pictures for a collection of mugs on the occasion of Global Tiger Day. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		CM okays land for defence institute Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday gave a nod for allotting two acres of land for setting up a Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI) at SAS Nagar (Mohali). 4-kg opium seized; 2 held The police on Wednesday arrested two persons on charges of possessing four-kg opium in Derabassi. Police hold no-poll gun to PU's head The central division of the UT police sent a letter to PU on Wednesday, writing that it would not grant permission for the elections if they fight shy of cracking down on "illegal" activities. More Chandigarh News»

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