News Digest: Small-town US politician emerges as unlikely foe of Modi

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, September 27, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Small-town US politician emerges as unlikely foe of Modi Joseph Whittington of Harvey, Illinois, worked with a group of New York lawyers to found a nonprofit and file a civil lawsuit that said Modi failed to stop anti-Muslim rioting in 2002. 94-year-old ex-CM awaits flat under freedom fighters' quota In recent years, there have been several stories of how politicians and bureaucrats have preferred to keep more than one government accommodation in the national capital. Narendra Modi meets Nobel Laureate Harold Varmus Interestingly, 74-year-old Varmus, currently director of the US National Cancer Institute, had done his apprenticeship in a mission hospital in Bareilly in 1960s. More India News»

		Business
		Sensex falls 102 points on capital outflows Falling for the fourth straight session, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell by another 102 points in early trade today on persistent capital outflows amidst a weak global trend. Rupee down 15 paise against dollar The rupee depreciated by 15 paise to trade at fresh seven-week low of 61.49 against the US dollar in early trade today, extending its losing streak for the fifth day due to sustained month-end demand for the American currency from importers. DHL to hike prices by about 10% in India from January Leading logistics services provider DHL Express on Friday said it will increase prices by an average of 9.9 per cent for Indian customers from 2015 to counter impact of inflation and rupee depreciation besides taking into account industry specific costs and investments. More Business News»

		Environment
		Maharashtra's Rajapur forest belt sees 20% rise in deer, blackbuck population The forest belt of Rajapur in Yeola, 104 km from here, has seen 20% rise in the population of deer and blackbucks in the past couple of years, according to forest officials. Land-ice decay behind fast sea level rise Land-ice decay at the end of the last five ice-ages caused global sea levels to rise at rates of up to 5.5 metres per century, according to a new study. Roads emerging critical threats to leopards in Madhya Pradesh An adult leopard was run over by a vehicle at Raisen district in Madhya Pradesh (MP) on Wednesday night. More Environment News»

		World
		UK to join US-led airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq The UK will join US-led air strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) terror network in Iraq as Britain's lawmakers today overwhelmingly voted in favour of joining the fight against the dreaded militant group. Lebanese prime minister calls for world's help In an emotional appeal to world leaders meeting in New York, Lebanon's prime minister on Friday said his country is facing a "fierce terrorist onslaught" and a national disaster created by more than a million Syrian refugees flooding the tiny nation. Pak SC admits petition for Sharif disqualification The Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday accepted a petition for hearing calling for the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif filed by Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, for allegedly misleading parliament last month. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Shilpa Shetty meets with an accident Shilpa Shetty’s car was involved in a minor accident with another car in Kapurthala, Punjab on Thursday evening. 'Not expecting my film to be a Kick or a Krrish' The angry man of Bigg Boss 4, who was called the diplomat of the house, Sameer Soni, was recently in town to impress Delhiites with his acting chops on stage. PICS: TV's highest paid actors! More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Ebola vaccine to be ready by 2015? Thousands of experimental Ebola vaccine doses from British GSK and US NewLink should be ready for use by early 2015 in countries affected by the epidemic, the World Health Organisation said on Friday. Weight loss operaption doesn't curb depression Bariatric surgery is not a magic wand to curb depression, say scientists who found that not all obese people feel better after undergoing weight loss surgery. Space enthusiast says he's spotted 'traffic signal' in Nasa's Mars photo A British space enthusiast claims to have spotted a 'traffic signal' in a photo of the red planet taken by Nasa''s Curiosity Mars rover. More Science News»

		Sports
		Live Blog: Incheon Asian Games 2014, Day 8 India slip to 16th despite a silver and a bronze on Day 7 The men's pistol team clinched a silver medal, while Sandeep Sejwal scooped a rare bronze in swimming but India slipped to the 16th position in the overall standings. Sandeep Sejwal fetches bronze in 50m breaststroke Sandeep Sejwal gave India's floundering swimming campaign a massive fillip by fetching a rare bronze in the 50m breaststroke event. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Microsoft keen to team up with India: Satya Nadella Nadella said businesses were looking forward to an accelerated growth phase in India and technology could play a pivotal role in spurring that growth. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact: The no-compromise mini We find out if Sony's new Xperia Z3 Compact is the perfect mini flagship phone available in the market. 9 hidden Gmail features you must know Almost all of us have a Google account, but very few of us have any idea how we can use many of its hidden features. It is time you use your Gmail like a boss. Here are 8 tips you can use to make your email experience better. More Technology News»

		Education
		SOL, colleges may get same courses Delhi University is likely to bring parity between courses offered at the School of Open Learning (SOL) with that of regular undergraduate syllabi from the next academic session. SC orders physical verification of red-flagged deemed universities Seven of the 41 deemed universities had agreed to subject themselves to fresh physical verification, and not clearance granted after scrutinizing photographs and videos of these institutions. SC order on 41 deemed universities creates a dilemma for UGC Supreme Court's order to carry out physical verification of 41 deemed universities has created a piquant situation for the University Grants Commission. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Uddhav is a gentleman, but he lacks maturity: Eknath Khadse BJP leader and leader of opposition in the assembly, Eknath Khadse, is emerging as a new force to reckon with in his party. He played a crucial role in seat-sharing negotiations with the Shiv Sena.  When it comes to growth of assets, ministers outstrip other legislators The assets of all outgoing MLAs rose from 2009 to 2014, but the assets of the ministers in the outgoing government grew more steeply, their affidavits show. Man held for funding 13/7 blasts discharged Over two months after a 50-year-old man was arrested at Goa airport for allegedly channelling funds for the July 2011 triple blasts, he was on Friday discharged for lack of evidence. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Gymkhana president faces poll in second year Many of the club members TOI spoke to seemed unhappy with the election this year since the club is breaking its convention. IIPM barred from offering MBA, BBA In a major blow to Arindam Chaudhuri and the Indian Institute of Planning and Management, Delhi high court on Friday restrained them from offering MBA, BBA courses or advertising as a management and business school. HC seeks response from zoo on safety Expressing concern over the incident of a tiger mauling to death a visitor in Delhi zoo, the high court on Friday asked for a response from the city zoo and Central Zoo Authority. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Wrecked city picks up the pieces On Friday morning, the sun was out and the fury of the previous night was clear. Self-defence is key to live like a Rani Training to defend oneself is the key to continue being a 'rani' (queen), actor Rani Mukherjee, fresh from her role as a tough police inspector implied on Friday. Chetan, the young boy, and his women Millions of young readers have turned him into a best-selling au thor, but the secret behind Chetan Bhagat's success is the 'young boy' who continues to live within him and the women who run his life. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Tata lauds KCR's vision After several corporate honchos, it was the turn of Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata to heap praises on Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday. Tigers go missing from Telangana, AP sanctuaries Poaching continues to be the key threat to tigers in north Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh. The big cats are mysteriously disappearing heightening concerns that they are being poached frequently and with impunity. 'Seek alternative routes in SCB' The Hyderabad High Court on Friday declared that Army was well within its powers to regulate traffic in Secunderabad Cantonment area but should ask civic authorities to make alternative arrangements before blocking the roads. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Madurai lad who wowed the nation It is not easy for a cricketer from a district like Madurai to make it to the national side but M Venkataramana belongs to a rare breed. Corridors of power fall silent as top brass head for Bangalore Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jay alalithaa and her associate Sasikalaa are scheduled to reach Bangalore on Saturday morning by a chartered flight to be present at the special court for the verdict in the wealth case. Why the case dragged on for nearly 18 years The disproportionate assets case involving CM J Jayalalithaa dragged on for nearly 18 years, partly due to the DMK's insistence on having the trial shifted out of TN and also due to umpteen petitions and appeals filed by the accused. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Vav ustad uncovers stepwell secrets Rani-ki-Vav was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in June this year. But there are a very few scholars who have been able to interpret the monument — archaeologist Kirit Mankodi is one among them. Smriti advises VCs to bolster research Union HRD minister Smriti Irani met vice chancellors of universities in Gujarat at Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar on Friday. She discussed the challenges universities face in higher education with them. Housewife-sleuth traces three missing minor girls Who would imagine that 35-year-old housewife Shivani, clad in a Gujarati saree, is a super sleuth for Gujarat police. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Gang of auto-lifters busted, 4 including kingpin arrested in Bahraich The police busted an international gang of auto-lifters and arrested four persons including the kingpin. Four bikes and fake registration certificates have been recovered from their possession. Railway staff to upload cleanliness drive photos online on Oct 2 Indian Railways galvanize its resources to make the cleanliness drive on Gandhi Jayanti a successful event on Prime Minister NArendra Modi’s directions. For this, the zonal railways and production unit of the Indian Railways have been instructed to upload photos and videos of the cleanliness drive. All the railway officers and staff except running and essential category staff will participate in the drive. Special arrangement at railway stations for pilgrims during Navratra Special arrangements have been made for pilgrims going to Vindhyachal and Maihar by North Central Railway (NCR) during Navratra festival. The NCR has provided stoppages of several trains for about two minutes during the mela period at Vindhyachal and Maihar stations till October 8. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Two candidates file papers for byelection Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh on Thursday filed her nomination papers before the returning officer at Phulbani as the BJD candidate for the forthcoming by-election for the Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat to be held on October 15. 'To be a good dancer, one has to be a scholar' Rahul Acharya is the first male Odissi dancer to be honoured with the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the government of India. One of the most promising male Odissi dancers, the artiste has performed in more than 30 countries across the globe at the age of 32. A scholar in Sanskrit, an expert in yoga, a prolific writer and also a post-graduate in bio-technology, Acharya shared his views with Minati Singha on his passion and profession. Power plant-affected launch hunger strike seeking jobs Families affected by Aditya Aluminium project at Sambalpur's Lapanga launched hunger strike in front of the collectorate here on Thursday, demanding jobs in the company. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Elderly man duped outside CM house An elderly man was allegedly duped outside chief minister’s house by a man on Friday morning. Raahgiri Day arrives with fanfare in Bhopal Raahgiri Day made its Bhopal debut at the Boat Club Road on Sunday morning, and what a debut it was! MANIT goes for e-waste clean-up Acutely aware of toxic metals in e-waste posing dangers to health, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) administration has decided to get e-waste off campus by selling it. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Police clueless about assailants who brutally killed Mansa woman, injuring 3 others "We have questioned several persons.However, we are still clueless about the identity of the accused.Investigations are going on," said Mansa deputy superintendent of police, Rupinder Bhardwaj. Cooperative society member 'abducted' by sarpanch to win election, alleges wife Wife of a member of the cooperative society of Sohal Khalsa village in Shahkot subdivision of Jalandhar has alleged that her husband Jeet Singh has been abducted by the village sarpanch. From house to the hustings, women go beyond skewed sex ratio This election season however, both INLD and BJP have nominated 15 women candidates each for the 90-member state assembly polls. More Chandigarh News»

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