News Digest: Bihar's 'grand alliance' discusses ties over dinner

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, September 09, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Bihar's 'grand alliance' discusses ties over dinner Leaders of Bihar’s ‘grand alliance’ of JD (U), RJD and Congress met over dinner. They discussed many issues including possible expansion of the state cabinet. J&K floods: Wall of water barrelled down silted rivers The J&K floods are as much a result of unprecedented rainfall over a week as of neglect in desilting major rivers like Jhelum and Chenab, and their tributaries. Govt trying to restore road links, rushes wireless sets Central and state agencies plan to step up rescue and relief and restore the Jammu-Srinagar road link and communication on war footing. More India News»

		Business
		SC gives Roy 15 more days to sell hotels abroad The Supreme Court on Monday gave Sahara chief Subrata Roy a last chance to sell three hotels abroad by extending his stay in the makeshift office room inside Tihar Jail by 15 more days. Birla arm to buy Jayshree Chemical unit for Rs 212 crore Aditya Birla Chemicals (India), a subsidiary of the $40 billion Aditya Birla Group, on Monday said it will acquire the chlor-alkali division (CAD) of Jayshree Chemicals for a cash consideration of Rs 212 crore. M-cap over $1.6tn, markets at new peak It is party time on Dalal Street. While shares of about 120 companies have touched their life-time highs, scrips of over 400 firms hit their 52-week highs as markets rose to a new peak yet again on Monday. More Business News»

		Environment
		More adoption schemes in Alipore zoo soon The Alipore zoo will announce new adoption schemes immediately after the Pujas. Seychelles snail, thought to be extinct, found alive The once-plentiful snail's population declined exponentially between 1970 and 1990, and the last juvenile snail was found in 1976. New plan avoids mud dumping in Barrier Reef Park The government of Australia's Queensland state has approved a plan that will prevent 3 million cubic meters (106 million cubic feet) of seabed mud from being dumped in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. More Environment News»

		World
		Iraqi parliament approves partial new cabinet Lawmakers approved all of the candidates proposed for the new government, with the exception of a few posts, namely the defense and interior ministers.Al-Abadi requested an additional week to name them. Obama to broaden US effort to combat militants President Barack Obama will go on the offensive against the Islamic State group with a broader counterterror mission than he previously has been willing to embrace, US officials said on Monday. Ebola infections set to soar in Liberia: WHO The World Health Organization warned Monday that Liberia is set to see a huge spike in infections from the Ebola epidemic ravaging west Africa, with thousands of new cases imminent. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'It is unfair to say that Salman was partial to me' Actress Mahek Chahal on her experience in reality shows, journey as an actor and more in a quick chat 'I don't need to go out and ask for work' Her last outing in Bollywood not only won her many accolades for a strong portrayal of a corrupt politician alongside Madhuri Dixit, but also won her many an award OMG: Priyanka Chopra makes Shilpa Shetty cry Actress Priyanka Chopra is responsible for making Shilpa Shetty cry! And no, it's not because the former hurt the latter in anyway. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		NASA seeks ideas to find life on Europa mission In the light of recent news that there may be giant plates of ice shuffling around Jupiter's moon Europa - much as plates of rock do on the Earth - NASA is seeking ideas for instruments that could fly on a mission to Europa. Flour main cause of occupational asthma: Study German researchers have identified flour as the main cause of occupational asthma, closely followed by cleaning products. Doctors' new weapon: Drug that fights flu in single dose Doctors could soon have a new weapon to fight the flu virus as US researchers have found a single-dose influenza drug that can safely and effectively relieve influenza symptoms. More Science News»

		Sports
		Djokovic's absence improves India's chances, Somdev says Somdev said the absence of Novak Djokovic from the Serbian team will definitely improve India's chances of winning the Davis Cup World Group play-off. Serena not yet thinking about 22 Grand Slam titles Serena Williams, who won her 18th Grand Slam title after beating Caroline Wozniacki in US Open final, isn't sure if she's willing or able to reach 22 titles. Abhinav Bindra misses World C'ships finals berth Ace marksman Abhinav Bindra belied expectations after failing to qualify for the finals of men's 10 air rifle event in the 51st ISSF World Championships. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Meet the new 'rebel' in the smartphone market OnePlus started out with the dream of creating the perfect smartphone. Apple invites fashion journalists to 'iPhone 6 launch event' Apple Inc has invited top fashion editors and bloggers in unprecedented numbers to its Tuesday launch gala, further evidence that the iPhone maker is preparing to take the wraps off a smartwatch. Moto G2 vs Asus Zenfone 5 vs Xolo 8X-1000 vs ZTE V5 Following hot on the heels of the uber successful Moto X, the Moto G was the one-two punch Motorola needed to get ahead in the smartphone fight. More Technology News»

		Education
		5,000 govt scientists to teach in schools, colleges The government has decided to make it mandatory for over 5,000 scientists to undertake 12 hours of lecture classes in an academic year in public-funded schools and colleges across the country. Rudderless UGC worries review panel n the first meeting of the UGC’s Review Committee the overwhelming view was that the regulator is facing a leadership crisis for the past one decade or so. HRD minister, 39 university VCs to draw new vision for higher education HRD minister Smriti Z Irani will be in a retreat with vice-chancellors of 39 central universities in Chandigarh for two days, September 12-13, to discuss ministry’s new vision on higher education, take stock of their function and prepare the road ahead. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Queer India stands up for other 'minorities' The same colour, vibrance and bawdy humour with which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community discussed alternate sexualities is now being put to use to talk of other matters that lie buried within a closet. Mumbai colleges have up to 135 students in a class this year Some of the top city colleges affiliated to Mumbai University this year have more than 135 students in a classroom, especially the commerce classes. Deepika Padukone, Arjun & Sonam at the second edition of Fashion's Night Out in Mumbai This evening of indulgent retail therapy with a cause was attended by celebs like Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Neha Dhupia to name a few. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Action against encroachment begins from Vikas Marg Following TOI’s campaign to free pavements of encroachment, the enforcement authorities have swung into action. On Monday, the Delhi government’s District Task Force took action against encroachment on Vikas Marg. 65-year-old woman killed in NW Delhi A 65-year-old woman, mother of a Karol Bagh-based jeweller, was murdered at her house in northwest Delhi's Keshavpuram on Saturday. DoE suggests fresh steps for student safety Seat students in a way that "dignified distance is maintained" between them; no student should be permitted to use empty classrooms; teachers shouldn't leave classrooms before students do and there should be "strict monitoring of toilet blocks." More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		CM late, patients wait for 8 hours Chief minister Siddaramaiah arrived two-and-a-half hours behind schedule and inaugurated the labs around 2pm. Till then, the staff were handling only critical cases. BBMP cutting a sorry figure: HC A high court division bench headed by Chief Justice D H Waghela on Monday pulled up BBMP on the tardy progress in clearing footpaths in Bangalore. Maid gang-raped twice within hours, four held A 30-year-old domestic help was allegedly gang-raped twice within a few hours in NRI Colony, Ramamurthynagar, East Bangalore, on Sunday. Four men, including two watchmen, were arrested on Monday for the crime. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Techie death: Chief Justice's intervention nails friends Six months after two software professionals died in a car accident in Kukatpally, the Cyberabad police told the high court that they already filed a chargesheet against the vehicle owner and another person (both friends of the deceased) for trying to hoodwink the cops by saying that one of the victim was driving the car at the time of accident. Rowers optimistic of their chances The Indian rowers will arrive in Incheon for the Asian Games in Incheon, beginning Sept 19, with a heavy heart.For, it was here that their famed senior, Late Dharmesh Sangwan, won gold at the Asian Championship in 2007. Old City comes alive as thousands gather to bid adieu to Lord Ganesha The Old City skyline burst into varying hues of saffron on Monday as lakhs joined the Ganesh immersion procession. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Man skips own wedding, held for cheating bride The invitations were printed, the hall booked for the 'weeding' and the bride's family had arrived. The guests, too, were there at the hall in MKB Nagar. But the groom and his family were missing. Petition seeks fresh admission process to fill up pvt med seats Raising the entire spectrum of maladies - such as demand of capitation fee, unapproved courses and non-transparent admission procedures - dogging admission for MBBS courses in Tamil Nadu, a PIL has sought fresh admission process for filling management quota seats in private medical colleges. Biometric attendance, new thumb rule in Chennai corporation Punctuality, like charity, should begin at home, Chennai Corporation has realised. In a bid to ensure promptness and discipline among its employees, the corporation will introduce biometric attendance system for its 30,000-odd employees across 26 department next month. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		CID crime to probe hate case against Togadia Investigation of the complaint registered against VHP leader Praveen Togadia for allegedly delivering a hate speech in Bhavnagar during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, has been handed over to CID (Crime) to ensure a "focused probe" into the matter. Cops get phone access to city's CCTV cameras Top cops will now be able to see live footage from CCTV cameras installed in malls, multiplexes and clubs on their cellphones. Kid found by cops given to real mom The mystery behind real parents of two-and-a-half-year-old Sagar has finally been solved by Madhavpura police which arrested a woman named Hansa who had stolen Sagar when he was 14 days old. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Villagers block highway against power project Hundreds of villagers in Kachri villages blocked Jhansi-Mirzapur Highway for several hours on Sunday, demanding compensation as per new acquisition policy for the land acquired to construct the proposed 1,320 MW power plant in Karchana. 5 IERT students expelled for ragging Five students, including three girls of Institute of Engineering and Rural Technology (IERT), were on Sunday expelled for two years after a fresher lodged a complaint with the anti-ragging helpline of University Grants Commission (UGC). Cops fail to crack auto-theft riddle The cops, on Sunday, have decided to put auto-theft prone areas under scanner to curb the rising cases of auto-theft in the city of Sangam. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Five suspended in Bonda school The state government on Sunday suspended five teachers, including headmaster, for dereliction of duty at Mudulipada sevashram in Malkangiri district due to the ongoing impasse. CBI sleuths 'ad' agency to hit list The CBI has zeroed in on a city-based advertising agency allegedly having close links with controversial Artha Tatwa (AT) Group and some BJD politicians. 5 industries, Jajpur police showcaused for land grab The state-owned Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) on Saturday served showcause notices on five industries and the Jajpur district police for allegedly encroaching around 85 acre government land in Kalinganagar industrial complex in Jajpur district. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Man held for raping minor daughter in Gotegaon A 35-year-old man was arrested from Gotegaon town of Narasinghpur district for raping his minor daughter while in another shocking incident a Class VIII boy made a rape bid on a 5-year-old girl at the district headquarters. Now, jailbirds feast on hot rotis in MP jails Jailbirds would shudder before sinking their teeth into rock-hard rotis with burnt brittle edges or dip them into stale runny yellow dal in dented utensils.Now, all that changed in Madhya Pradesh this week. Pond near Shahpura Lake another spot for idols' immersion In keeping with directives from National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is leaving nothing to chance in matters related to eco-friendly immersion of idols this Ganesh festival. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		'Voice of Tobacco Victims' asks Punjab govt to make cigarettes costlier With Punjab cabinet deciding to take a relook at the value added tax (VAT) structure in Punjab last week, ‘Voice of Tobacco Victims’, which is an anti-tobacco campaign fighting against the menace of tobacco, has asked the state government to make cigarettes costlier. Ragnis pull in crowd for netas' recital With assembly polls dates expected to be announced soon, the folk artists of Haryana are already in high demand. Rains bring misery for farmers, claim first victim Missing from his native Chahlaan Wali village since Saturday, his body was found on a rail track near Maur Mandi, where he had thrown himself in front of an approaching train. More Chandigarh News»

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