News Digest: Death-trap roads in Madhya Pradesh: State highways bloodier stretches than national highways

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, September 04, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Death-trap roads in Madhya Pradesh: State highways bloodier stretches than national highways Every hour, one life is lost in a road accident in Madhya Pradesh, while at least eight suffer critical injuries. This is part of the damning report of the Union ministry of road transport and highways. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott arrives in IndiaPt India is not a signatory to the NPT, but Abbott has stressed that Australia will ensure adequate bilateral safeguards before any deal is signed. Yogi Adityanth: Pied Piper of polarization From a brash rabblerouser to a seasoned crowd-puller from the saffron family, Yogi Adityanth has grown up steadily as a politician. What however has not changed is his fetish for hate speeches targeting a 'particular' community. More India News»

		Business
		RBI norms may hit co-operative depositors In its latest circular, the RBI has said that under the new guidelines, the acquiring bank should not incur any loss arising out of the said merger or transfer of assets and liabilities of cooperative banks. Murthy invests in realty, Premji to follow suit Property has always been a major investment avenue of the rich. Now, some of the people one would expect to focus on enterprising ventures are also looking at rent-yielding property. Deficit, inflation limit rating upgrade: Moody's India’s fiscal deficit and stubborn inflation limit any upgrade in the country’s sovereign rating but economic recovery is expected to sustain, global ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service said in a report on Wednesday. More Business News»

		Environment
		Wastewater plants blamed for Mexico mass fish death The death of 3.2 million fish at a lagoon in western Mexico this past week was caused by poorly functioning wastewater treatment plants that failed to filter out untreated material, authorities said. SC: Use radars to stop jumbo deaths on tracks The apex court asked the ministries to make optimum use of available technology to detect presence of elephants on tracks and forewarn train drivers to push the brakes to avoid crashing into the herd. Govt set to open 'creches' for lion cubs These creches will nurse injured, abandoned and vulnerable lion cubs and tigers and mechanisms will be formed to save these endangered animals. More Environment News»

		World
		Ebola death toll exceeds 1,900 The United Nations said $600 million in supplies would be needed to fight West Africa's Ebola outbreak, as the death toll from the worst ever epidemic of the virus topped 1,900 and Guinea warned it had penetrated a new part of the country. France suspends delivery of warship to Russia President Vladimir Putin outlined plans for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday but Ukraine's prime minister dismissed the proposal, while France expressed its disapproval of Moscow's support for separatist forces by halting delivery of a warship. Biden: US will follow terrorists to 'gates of hell' Vice-President Joe Biden on Wednesday said America will follow the terrorists who posted videos showing the beheading of two journalists "to the gates of hell." More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I am the most successful person in my family' Omung Kumar Bhandula, 46, or OK as he was popularly referred to, became a household name after anchoring the show Ek Minute on Zee Television many years ago. OMG: Actress caught in a prostitution racket Shweta Basu Prasad, the cute girl who charmed one and all with her performance in 2002 film 'Makdee is in trouble after being arrested for being involved in a prostitution racket. Rashami-Nandish give their marriage another shot Small screen couple Rashami Desai and Nandish Sandhu, who had tied the knot in February 2011, started staying separately after their marriage hit a rocky patch in early 2013. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Nasa seeks tweets for 'time capsule' Nasa is inviting people around the world to submit short messages and images on social media that could be placed in a time capsule aboard a spacecraft launching to an asteroid in 2016. Diabetes triggering India's TB burden, says WHO study Diabetes has now been found to be fuelling India’s tuberculosis burden. 'Sitting for hours can shorten our lifespan' The amount of time you spend sitting has now been confirmed to be one of the biggest contributors to your lifespan. More Science News»

		Sports
		It did not make sense to play Asian Games: Somdev Somdev defended his decision to skip the Asian Games, saying "it did not make any sense" at a time when he was striving hard to get back into top-100. Atletico de Kolkata face Mumbai City FC in ISL opener Atletico de Kolkata will take on Mumbai City FC in the opening game of the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) at Kolkats's Salt Lake Stadium on October 12. Sebastian Vettel backs Nico Rosberg in Hamilton row Sebastian Vettel has backed compatriot Nico Rosberg in his row with teammate Lewis Hamilton over their crash in Spa 10 days ago. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung launches Galaxy Note 4, Edge Samsung has announced its next-generation phablet, Galaxy Note 4, along with three new devices – Galaxy Note Edge, Gear S and Gear VR – ahead of the IFA 2014 tech expo in Berlin. Apple on nude photos leak: Our systems weren't breached Apple said that hackers obtained nude photos of Jennifer Lawrence and celebrities by pilfering images from individual accounts rather than through a broader attack on the company's services. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Note 3: What's new Samsung has announced the fouth avatar of the Note. Let’s see how it’s grown up to be better than Note 3. More Technology News»

		Education
		'50% kids lack skills for grade they're in' About half of all Indian students were perceived by teachers as lacking the skills required for the class or grade they were entering, despite the same teachers also believing that the learning environment had improved over the last decade. 50% students lack skills for their current grades: Survey Fifty per cent of students entering any class lack the requisite skills like academic, cognitive and vocational for that level, said teachers in a survey. Leading Jamia Jamia Millia Islamia scholar accused of plagiarising in her thesis A shocking case of plagiarism has come out involving Janaki Rajan, a leading educationist teaching in Jamia Millia Islamia's Department of Teacher training & Non-formal Education. Rajan, also a member of the National Council of Teacher Education, whose work among teachers in Delhi and elsewhere has received wide acclaim is accused of lifting portions of her 1991 PhD from Jadunath Sinha's book Indian Psychology: Cognition, a 1958 publication of Sinha Publishing House. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Power situation in Mumbai is precarious: TPC The blackout that swept large parts of Mumbai on Tuesday may recur if the city’s transmission system, currently at a “precarious point”, is not bolstered, Tata Power CEO and MD Anil Sardana warned on Wednesday. Bombay high court sets up panel on NSEL funds The Bombay high court has set up a committee of three, headed by retired Justice V C Daga, to determine money to be paid by alleged defaulters in the Rs 5,600-crore National Spot Exchange (NSEL) scam. Consider setting up special tribunal, scrapping caste scrutiny panel, Bombay high court tells Maharashtra government The Bombay high court has directed the state government to consider constituting a special tribunal for issuing caste certificates and scrap the caste scrutiny committee More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Crores spent on Pusa Road pavements gone waste The erstwhile MCD spent crores of rupees on rebuilding pavements along Pusa Road before the Commonwealth Games in 2010. To match international standards, it even laid tactile warning strips on pavements, for the visually impaired. Cops, corporations promise to take action Following TOI’s special series on encroachment of pavements in the city, Delhi Traffic Police has started a drive to clear pavements. Special CP (Traffic) Muktesh Chander has directed all local units to take action against encroachment in their respective areas. Modi's speech: Activists protest against govt circular Over 60 academics, journalists and activists have issued a statement saying they are “disturbed” by the circulars issued by a variety of government bodies regarding screening of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on teachers’ day. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Schools get high court rap over safety norms The court was hearing petitions by schools against guidelines by police and other government departments. Isro prepares to test—fire orbiter for September 24 rendezvous with Mars Less than three weeks before India's first date with Mars, Isro' s spacecraft authorization committee will meet on Thursday to plan a crucial test—firing of the Mars orbiter's main engine before its rendezvous with the red planet on September 24. Supreme Court directs Nityananda to take potency test Controversial godman Nityananda Swamy was on Wednesday directed to take potency test in a 2010 rape case by the Supreme Court, which also criticized the Karnataka police for the "lackadaisical approach of prosecution" in the case. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		National Award winning actress in sex racket Lack of opportunities and financial woes pushed a 23—year—old National Award winning actress from Mumbai into sex—work. Principal, teacher booked for corporal punishment Kukatpally and Banjara Hills police registered separate cases against a school principal and a teacher for indulging in corporal punishment.No arrests were made in both cases. Secunderabad Cantonment Board may seal Begumpet airport over tax dues With the Begumpet airport yet to clear property tax arrears of over Rs 12 crore, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has threatened to seal the airport premises after the 30-day deadline. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Unlicenced meat shops in Chennai stay put, Ambattur tops the list with 90 The city has a way with its illegal slaughter houses. Ambattur tops the list of such places in the city, according to an action-taken report on unlicenced meat shops, submitted before the southern regional bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Travelling before long weekend to cost a bomb Travelling home for the weekend starting on October 1 for puja holidays is going to be a hassle for hundreds of people as tickets for trains are sold out and bus fares are rocketing due to the huge demand. Elderly woman killed in Chennai, gold missing Robbers strangled a 63-year-old LIC agent, dumped her body in a toilet in the first floor flat of an apartment complex in Ganga Nagar, Jafferkhanpet, and made away with gold jewellery and a pair of diamond ear studs. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Teenage girl's body found in Surat village The body of a 19-year-old woman, Draupadi Vora, studying physiotherapy in Ahmedabad, was found from under a bridge in Amroli village of Surat district. 2 held with gold bars strapped to their waists Last year, the central government imposed restrictions on gold imports which led to scarce imports of the yellow metal in the country. Deputy collector surrenders in bribery case After remaining elusive for well over a month, deputy collector Ghanshyam Chavda surrendered in the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) office on Wednesday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Music maestros get a 'stamp' of recognition India Post has paid tribute to legendary maestros of Indian classical music by releasing a set of stamps featuring eight of them on Wednesday. On the very first day, music lovers booked and purchased the precious stamps worth Rs 25,000 in Allahabad. Pitra Paksha spl train to Gaya from Sept 10 Railways would operate a ‘pitra paksha special train’ for people keen to perform ceremonies for the departed souls at Gaya. The train would ply between Jabalpur and Gaya passing through Chheoki. ontempt case: HC frames charges against Gr Noida officials The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday framed charges against chief executive officer and ADM (land acquisition) of Greater Noida Rama Raman and Shishir Kumar respectively on a contempt petition alleging disobedience of the order passed by it in a land acquisition case. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Govt cancels lease of land given to 200 industries He added, "Many leases had already been cancelled.In some other cases, the allottees moved court after show-cause notices were issued.". Money woes for elderly Around 80% of the elderly in Odisha work because of economic and other compulsions, while the rest do it out of choice, said a latest United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report on the status of elderly in Odisha. An elderly woman found dead in her bedroom An elderly woman was found dead with hands and legs tied in her bedroom at Badapalagada village in Kendrapada district on Tuesday morning.She was identified as Swaranalata Samantray, 75. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Indore-Bhopal double decker becomes India's smallest train Indore-Bhopal AC double decker train, struggling to be on rails owing to poor passenger load, seems to have created some sort of a record, albeit unknowingly. MP pollution board 'unaware' about state of MNCs in state When it comes to multinational companies (MNCs), Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) appears to be totally ignorant about action taken against under green laws or the number of MNCs operating in the state. Booked for embracing Islam, Tularam may now lose wife whom he forcibly converted While Tularam Jatav alias Abdul Kareem, booked for embracing Islam in violation of conversion laws, claimed he would remain a Muslim, he may lose his wife whom he had forcibly converted. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Snow, cold force shepherds to leave mountains Continuous spells of snowfall and sharp dip in temperature have forced hundreds of shepherds to leave the mountains along with their lakhs of sheep and goats. PM's address: Whose guidelines do we follow, schools ask education department Modi government's statement clarifying that the Prime Minister's Teachers' Day address is not mandatory for schools to organize and students to attend has brought good news for private schools. Observers ask PU parties to rein in expenses Students for Society, which has fielded only a presidential candidate, has spent the minimum, with just Rs700 so far.SFS did not take up the allotted space for party tent and saved on expenses. More Chandigarh News»

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