News Digest: Mars orbiter mission spacecraft readies to hide behind Red Planet

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, August 21, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Mars orbiter mission spacecraft readies to hide behind Red Planet In about 34 days, India’s Mars orbiter mission (MOM) spacecraft will be hiding behind the Red Planet and not be visible from earth. Young diabetics ignore health, risk organ failure A study shows that seven out of 10 diabetics in India – particularly those in the 20-24 age group – don’t do enough to control their blood sugar level even after diagnosis. Our troops have not allowed Chinese to encroach: Jaitley The Army is taking “more than adequate” steps to prevent any encroachment of Indian territory along the Line of Actual Control with China. More India News»

		Business
		Dena Bank, OBC hit by Rs 436cr fraud The banking industry has been shaken by the discovery of a fixed deposit scam where Dena Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) are the latest victims to be defrauded of over Rs 256 crore and Rs 180 crore, respectively. RIL may not get to buy KG-D6 crude In another setback to Reliance Industries (RIL), the oil ministry is considering a proposal to block India’s biggest private oil company from buying crude from its own field, sold through an open bidding process, even after it bid the highest price. RBI panel to review taxes on savings Bankers say that one of the biggest distortions caused by tax is TDS on bank fixed deposits, which results in negative real returns to the depositor. More Business News»

		Environment
		Tripura to set up elephant reserve in Gomati district Tripura government will set up an elephant reserve at Gandhari in Gomati district for better conservation of the jumbos whose population was dwindling in the state. South Australia keen on 'Clean Ganga' project Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious 'Clean Ganga' project received a shot-in-the-arm with the South Australia government showing its interest in cleaning up the river, which is considered sacred by many Indians. Animal calls more like language: Study Many species of animals produce complex vocalizations such as the mockingbird which can mimic over 100 distinct song types of different species. More Environment News»

		World
		US official: More airstrikes in Iraq American fighter jets and drones continued to pound Islamic State militants in Iraq on Wednesday, and military planners weighed the possibility of sending a small number of additional US troops to Baghdad. Experimental Ebola drugs needed for up to 30,000 people Up to 30,000 people could have used experimental treatments or vaccines so far in the world's worst outbreak of Ebola currently plaguing West Africa, British scientists said on Wednesday. UN chief condemns American journalist's killing UN secretary general Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of American journalist James Foley by extremist Islamist militants, calling it "an abominable crime". More World News»

		Entertainment
		Arjun Kapoor saved Shruti Haasan Are you wondering who is Bablu? Well, it is none other than Arjun Kapoor. OMG: Arjun Kapoor dated Malaika Arora Khan? 'Mary Kom changes her hairstyles more than I do' Playing a sports icon is a tough task, as it involves not just acting but a physical change. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Now, beam your pictures to Mars A US-based space-funding company has launched a new project that will allow you to send messages and pictures to Mars. Switzerland now hot spot for 'suicide tourism' The first recorded case of an Indian travelling to Switzerland for ‘suicide tourism’ has now been confirmed. Drug for Ebola-like virus promising in ill monkeys Researchers in Texas are reporting that an experimental drug saved monkeys from a virus closely related to Ebola even after symptoms began. More Science News»

		Sports
		Pakistan stun arch-rivals India, level series Pakistan pulled off a surprise 2-0 win over India Wednesday, with a late goal from Saddam Hussain ensuring them a share of the spoils. Serena Williams seeded No. 1 at US Open; Halep 2nd Simona Halep is seeded second after reaching a career-best ranking this month. She has never advanced past the fourth round at the US Open. Fifa rejects Barcelona appeal against transfer ban Barcelona will be barred from signing any players in 2015 after Fifa rejected the club's appeal against a one-year ban for breaching transfer regulations. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google to mentor Indian companies Google Launchpad, as it is called, will be a 5-day programme between November 3 and 7 in Bangalore, and will see a number of senior Googlers coming down to mentor the startups in technology, product strategy, user interfaces, user experiences, and marketing. Moto G will soon be discontinued in India At present only the 16GB version of the smartphone is available in India, and Motorola and Flipkart will not replenish the inventory once its stock runs out. 11 Google Chrome extensions to boost your productivity To save you some trouble, we've found 11 Google Chrome extensions guaranteed to keep you focused and productive during working hours. More Technology News»

		Education
		Mercedes-Benz India launches LuxeFest 2014 Mercedes-Benz LuxeFest 2014 is a festival celebrating Modern Luxury in association with "likeminded luxury brands" like J W Marriott, Swiss International Airlines, and Carl F Bucherer across all Mercedes-Benz showrooms in India. HDFC Life, Manipal Education launch PG diploma in insurance On successful completion of the course, students will be offered a job at HDFC Life with a starting salary of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum along with performance-based sales incentives. Will try to get civil defence subject in school textbooks: Home ministry The home ministry will take the initiative to introduce civil defence as a subject in school textbooks and curriculum to inculcate knowledge of this important life-saving skill in young minds. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		6 Penguins for Mumbai zoo at Rs 2.4cr; upkeep Rs 19cr The arrival of Humboldt penguins at Byculla zoo inched closer with the municipal corporation setting aside Rs 2.40 crore to buy the flightless birds and another Rs 19 crore for their maintenance. Infertility clinics boom as demand for babies grows The rush to infertility clinics in the country grew annually at 15% between 2010 and 2012 as the number of such clinics rose by 20%, new statistics show. State okays 5% quota for cops' children The state cabinet on Tuesday approved reservation of 5% of police constable posts for the wards of policemen. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Identity lost, Pilanji a civic mess Behind the bustling Dilli Haat at INA, and in the heart of the planned city centre of New Delhi assembly constituency, exists a very congested cluster of over 230 buildings that is home to some 25,000 people. It’s called Pilanji Gaon. 'Use rainwater in big properties' Delhi Jal Board told the high court on Wednesday about the efforts to encourage rainwater harvesting. 'Cabbie' held for robberies A man offered lift to people by posing as a call-centre cab driver, only to rob them. He and his accomplices threw chilly powder on the victims, who would wait near offices after the shift hours. They have been nabbed. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Govt picks BU site for classical Kannada centre Six years after Kannada was accorded the classical language status, construction of an independent Kannada Classical Language and Research Centre in Bangalore is likely to begin soon. The rally that fizzled out even before it began It was supposed to be a show of strength, but eventually it turned out to be an apology for a rally that never really took off. Karnad agrees to inaugurate Dasara The government on Wednesday formally invited Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad to inaugurate the world-famous Dasara festivities that begin in Mysore on September 25. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Andhra budget mum on loan waiver sop, capital city Andhra Pradesh finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Wednesday presented the TDP government's first budget with an outlay of Rs1,11,884 crore, but came under fire for making no provision for the farm loan waiver scheme and allocation for the new capital city. 1.49 lakh households in city yet to be counted Despite an additional 24 hours, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) failed to complete the Telangana government-initiated Samagra Kutumbha Survey in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Seven dead as lorry rams auto Seven persons died and four others critically injured when a lorry hit an auto at Maganoor village in Mahbubnagar district on Wednesday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Drunk driver rams two pilgrims, autorickshaw driver A 28-year-old man lost control of his car and hit an autorickshaw driver and two pilgrims on their way to Vailankanni shrine on LB Road on Tuesday night. Panel to study state temple goshalas A three-member committee has been constituted to study the condition of goshalas run by temples under the control of the Tamil Nadu government, the Madras high court was informed on Wednesday. Two Gulf firms in race to clear garbage in four Chennai zones Come November, a new firm will collect garbage from households in four zones of the corporation - Alandur, Perungudi, Sholinganallur and Valasaravakkam. Two Gulf companies are among the three firms in the fray for the contract. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Diplomat spellbound US Ambassador charge d’affairs at New Delhi, Kathleen Stephens, visited the heritage marvel Sarkhej Roza on Wednesday evening and conceded that its beauty had her spellbound. Barack ben at Roza, thorns remain The interim US Ambassador to India, Kathleen Stephens, arrived in Ahmedabad on Wednesday and met CM Anandiben Patel on a mission to thaw a relationship with Patel’s mentor Narendra Modi, which had been frozen since 2005. Family spared 22.8 lakh Patel rap by community There is some relief for the family of Urmila Barsaniya, 24, who was fined Rs 22.80 lakh after she decided to marry a man of her choice instead of the person she was engaged to when she was only two-and-half-years old. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Water recedes but anger mounts Tempers rose even as flood waters receded in the flood-affected districts of Uttar Pradesh. Thousands of villagers in Nanpara tehsil with little or no access to food, potable water, roofs and electricity for five days took to the streets on Wednesday saying they will boycott the impending bypolls scheduled in the Balha assembly constituency on September 13. Complaint filed in court against Pak envoy A complaint case has been registered against High Commissioner of Pakistan Abdul Basit, alleging that he committed sedition by holding talks with Kashmiri separatist leaders despite the fact that the Indian government had asked him not to meet them. HC seeks selection records of last two years The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday directed Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) authorities to submit selection records of the last two years. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Model libraries in selected schools to boost learning In a bid to increase reading habits among children, the school and mass education department has decided to set up model libraries in selected schools, creation of libraries and strengthening of existing libraries in all schools. IG Park gymnasium to open soon The proposed gymnasium at Indira Gandhi Park here is likely to be completed in a month as the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) is giving finishing touches to the building. Programme To Start in Govt Schools Most students find mathematics a tough nut to crack. The state government has now taken it upon itself to change this by organizing a ‘math mela’ in government schools More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Traffic violations fail to match vehicles on road Likewise, when three people riding a two-wheeler is a common sight on any city road; barely 43 two-wheeler riders were made to cough up the fine. Many motorists violate traffic rules and many a times it lead to fatal road accidents. Criminal attacks cop with a sword, flees A police constable, who tried to arrest a habitual offender at Aradhana Nagar, was attacked and injured by the accused. Campaigning ends for bypolls in Madhya Pradesh Campaigning for the bypolls in three assembly constituencies of MP came to a halt on Tuesday evening. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		HC stays Haryana's Faridabad draft master plan 2031 Some residents of Faridabad had approached the high court against state government's move to finalize the master plan. PU likely to appoint CVO Panjab University is expected to appoint a chief vigilance officer (CVO) shortly, making it one of the few universities in the country to have such a post. BJP hopeful of 'realistic' seat sharing formula with HJC Amid prospects of improving the relations between alliance partners, BJP has put the ball in the court of HJC for an "alternative and realistic" seat sharing formula for the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana. More Chandigarh News»

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