News Digest: 'India and United States: Please Be BFFs'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, October 01, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		'India and United States: Please Be BFFs' An article by Bloomberg editors cheekily titled, “India and US: Please Be BFFs“, says that “before US companies begin to invest seriously , they'll need to see more action from policy makers in New Delhi." BFF is part of teenage slang for best friends forever. Gifts with touch of Gandhi and Martin Luther Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal gifts for President Barack Obama were both very special. US slaps sanctions on two Pakistan terror groups for helping LeT The US has targeted two Pakistan-based terrorist organisations and frozen the assets of their leaders for providing financial support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) held responsible for the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. More India News»

		Business
		Microsoft to set up cloud data centres in India Microsoft will have local data centres for its commercial cloud services in India by the end of 2015, CEO Satya Nadella announced in the capital on Tuesday. SBI reduces fixed deposits rates Deposit rates have started moving down even as Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan on Tuesday kept rates unchanged. Wiring Fault - Maruti recalls 70k units of Swift, Dzire & Ritz Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s biggest carmaker, said on Tuesday that it would voluntarily recall 69,555 diesel cars, including models of the Dzire, the Swift and the Ritz manufactured between March 8, 2010 and August 11, 2013, to repair a faulty wiring harness fitment. More Business News»

		Environment
		Greenland ice sheet more sensitive to climate change than estimated A new study has revealed that despite its apparent stability, the massive ice sheet covering most of Greenland is more sensitive to climate change than earlier estimates have suggested. Global wildlife populations down by half since 1970: WWF A shocking report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has found that 52% of the world's animals have vanished in 40 years. World Land Trust raising funds for the 'ambitious' Chilkiya-Kota elephant corridor World Land Trust is an international conservation charity, which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. More Environment News»

		World
		Britain carries out first air strikes against IS in Iraq British fighter jets on Tuesday bombed an artillery post and an armed truck used by the Islamic State group in Iraq in the Royal Air Force's first strikes in the US-led air campaign. Islamic State uses grain to tighten grip in Iraq For Salah Paulis, it came down to a choice between his faith and his crop.A wheat farmer from outside Mosul, Paulis and his family fled the militant group Islamic State early last month. Hong Kong protests approach potential National Day flashpoint Thousands of pro-democracy protesters thronged the streets of Hong Kong early on Wednesday, ratcheting up pressure on the pro-Beijing government that has called the action illegal, with both sides marking uneasy National Day celebrations. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Bigg Boss 8: Gautam Gulati abuses Karishma Tanna Ranbir Kapoor undergoes surgery day after birthday Katrina Kaif reportedly threw a surprise birthday party for Ranbir Kapoor on September 28. Promising actresses: Why did they disappear? Diana Penty: Supermodel Diana Penty became an instant star with her 'to die for' looks and natural acting skills. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		A hospital where patients feel they are on a cruise A Russian billionaire has designed a huge boat-shaped hospital for the new Dubai-style Tunisia Economic City. An apple a day may keep obesity away An apple a day could help to keep the doctor away, at least as far as obesity is concerned, according to a new study. Opioid painkillers carry high risk of addiction, even death A new research has revealed that opioid painkillers carry higher risk of death, overdose, addiction or serious side effects than benefits in chronic, non-cancer conditions like headache, fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain. More Science News»

		Sports
		Live Blog: Incheon Asian Games 2014, Day 12 Indian women's boxing icon Mary Kom will try to add Asian Games gold to her collection of world titles when she contests the flyweight final. Vikas Gowda's silver helps India stay inside top-10 Ace discus thrower Vikas Gowda was the country's top performer with a silver as India added four medals to maintain their 10th position in the overall standings. India set up revenge clash vs Pakistan in hockey final India men's hockey team stormed into the finals of the Asian Games after a gap of 12 years with a 1-0 win over hosts South Korea on Tuesday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Microsoft announces Windows 10, skips version 9 Microsoft says the next version of its flagship operating system will be called Windows 10, as the company skips version 9 to emphasize advances it is making. Apple continues to dilly-dally over iPhone 6 launch in India Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino and its management in India are locked in a tussle over the launch of the new iPhone devices in India. The incredible life of Bill Gates More Technology News»

		Education
		Government to set up innovation labs in every district: Smriti Irani Innovation labs will soon be set up in every district for students to think of new ideas which will be funded by the government under an ambitious scheme to encourage research at both school and university level. IIM-I suspends PGP at its Dubai campus Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I) has decided to suspend admissions to its 2014-16 batch of post graduate programme (PGP), at Dubai campus due to unforeseen reasons. MA lectures in toilet at Gurgaon college A government college in the heart of the Millennium City has been forced to convert a toilet into a makeshift classroom for its MA students in sociology after it ran out of space. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Stepdad gets 6 yrs jail term for sexually abusing minor girl A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSOA) court on Tuesday convicted a 45-year-old man, Pappu Kale, for repeatedly sexually abusing his minor step daughter. Revellers with a cause at college culture fests The IIT-Bombay annual cultural festival, Mood-Indigo, plans to reach out to younger students this year to help them deal with depression. The festival organizers have decided to address the issue of rising cases of suicide among younger students. Constables earning less than peons: HC Constables earn less than peons working in any other establishment, the Bombay high court observed on Tuesday while directing the state to inform it about their pay scale and whether they have assured career progression. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Corporation rapped for closing parking The Delhi high court on Tuesday summoned North Delhi Municipal Corporation commissioner to explain why he shouldn't be charged with contempt for flouting court orders to keep surface parking in Chandni Chowk and nearby areas functional. Placement agencies to be registered The Delhi government on Tuesday told the high court that it has issued an order for compulsory registration of private placement agencies providing domestic workers while making it clear that all unregistered firms will have to shut down after October 25. Parking, waiting hit traffic on road The right turn from the BRT corridor is the first bottleneck on the 4-km-long Press Enclave Road. A regional transport office (RTO) is located on the right-hand corner and many vehicles remain parked on the main road in the first half of the day as people await their turn to take a driving test. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Jaya's shift to hospital is more about power play Former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa could go the way of all convicts – into the comfort of a hospital jail ward. If sources are to be believed, preparations are on to convert a jail ward in Victoria Hospital and Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology for Jayalalithaa to shift in any time. Money trail of tea estate deal led to conviction The conviction of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa is based on a “paper trail of money" placed before the special court by prosecutors, in buying the picturesque Kodanad tea estate close to Udhagamandalam, in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Karnataka cautious on SPP's appointment Keeping in mind the strange nature of the case, the government has adopted a wait-and-watch approach with regard to the appointment of a special public prosecutor (SPP) to represent the case in the high court. Jayalalithaa and her three associates have moved the high court for bail and quashing of their conviction by the special court. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Woman looted at knifepoint in Hyderabad Robbers threatened a vegetable vendor and stole Rs 1 lakh worth valuables from her a vegetable vendor after threatening her at knifepoint at Hayathnagar on Monday night. Man creates fake FB profile to 'defame' friend Cyberabad police arrested a private employee from Attapur on Tuesday for creating a fake online profile of his female friend and posting her personal number along with defamatory content on the page after the latter had started avoiding him. Army delivers final blow, full ban on civilian traffic Just a day after stating that traffic restrictions will be enforced in a "gradual manner" on five road stretches near AOC Centre, the Army authorities have told representatives of residential welfare associations that civilian vehicles will be banned completely on these roads from January 1, 2015. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Cop rewarded by Jaya attempts immolation A police constable, who received a cash reward and certificate from former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2003, attempted self-immolation at the DGP’s office in Chennai on Tuesday, apparently upset over her imprisonment. AIADMK targets judge as attacks sharpen In a shocking onslaught on the judiciary, AIADMK cadres and sympathisers gave vent to their anguish over the verdict against AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in the assets case by putting up banners and raising slogans against special court judge John Michael D’Cunha. Plea against OPS attracts Rs 25,000 fine Throwing out a PIL which opposed appointment of O Panneerselvam as chief minister, as he owed allegiance to a “convicted person”, the Madras high court imposed an exemplary cost of Rs 25,000 on two petitioners on Tuesday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Thara Ahmedabad's first woman civic chief The 1995-batch IAS officer, D Thara, is the new municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad. Thara will be the first woman civic chief in the history of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The state government made the announcement on Tuesday. Pradeep Sharma's wife owned 30% of Welspun arm: ACB A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached his properties worth Rs 1 crore, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) early on Tuesday morning arrested suspended IAS officer Pradeep Sharma in an alleged corruption case. To fight local polls, toilet must at home No toilet, no eligibility to contest in any local body election. This will soon be the norm in the state. The Gujarat government has decided to introduce an ordinance to amend the Gujarat Panchayat Act 1993. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Police get anti-riot weapons Police have been equipped with latest weapons to control riots in the communally sensitive Bahraich district. Weapons like 12 bore pump action guns, tear gas grenades, anti-riot and pepper guns have been made available at all the police stations. Special premium train between Indore, Patna In view of the heavy rush of passengers, railway administration has decided to run a special premium train between Indore and Patna. Back home from far off places to celebrate puja As the festivity of Durga Puja begins across the city, this is an occasion when people who have moved to various parts of the country and aboard, come back home. Enjoying the stay, dominated by nostalgia of their childhood memories, they can be spotted in every barware, laughing and sharing their experiences. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Govt increases seats in 12 colleges The state government has increased the number of seats in Plus-II and degree classes in 12 aided colleges under Bhubaneswar and Berhampur regions. Man posing as CRPF inspector arrested Nayapalli police here on Monday arrested a man on charges of impersonating as a CRPF inspector.He was identified as Balaram Das, 29. Oppn dubs BJD nominee foreigner With campaigning for October 15 Kandhamal Lok Sabha (LS) byelection gathering heat, Congress and BJP on Monday targeted BJD, dubbing its candidate, Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh, as a 'foreigner'. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MPBSE to tweak exam pattern to suit disabled students Taking a leaf out of CBSE, MP Board of secondary education is in talks with NGOs like Arushi to collaborate with them to make board examinations more disabled-friendly. No northeast actor in Mary Kom lead role unfortunate: Aamir Khan Bollywood actor Aamir Khan said it was really unfortunate that an actor from the North East was not cast as lead for recent blockbuster Mary Kom. 24X7 power will continue despite coal blocks cancellation: Shivraj Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said despite cancellation of coal blocks by Supreme Court, the state will continue to supply 24x7 power under its flagship Atal Jyoti Abhiyan scheme. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Flag politics in Haryana polls While covering the stretch of national highway-10 from Rohtak to Hansi, TOI walked down to some villages to know about "flag politics" and found that displaying of party flags was a major factor in the poll-bound state. SD college students' documentary wins award With over 300 young widows of drug addicts, the village Maqboolpura near Amritsar has infamously earned the title of 'Village of Widows'. Barricade IAF restricted zone entry points, HC tells Gurgaon, Faridabad administrations The court has also directed the commissioners of Gurgaon and Faridabad to share their personal phone numbers so that the air force authorities can immediately alert them about the illegal activities through SMS. More Chandigarh News»

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