News Digest: Separatists slam move to call off talks

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, August 19, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Separatists slam move to call off talks Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Monday described India’s move to call off talks with Pakistan unfortunate and said it vindicates his stand that New Delhi has a “confrontationist’’ policy on Kashmir. Bengaluru FC, Bopanna rise to Ice Bucket Challenge After Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Cristiano Ronaldo and Oprah Winfrey, I-League champions Bengaluru FC and doubles ace Rohan Bopanna have taken up the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has gone viral on social media. Pakistan violates ceasefire again, villager injured Pakistani troops on Sunday night resorted to heavy mortar shelling and fired with automatic weapons at 20 border outposts and civilian areas along the international border in Jammu sector, leaving a villager injured. More India News»

		Business
		Key posts vacant for months in telecom PSUs At a time when the NDA government is talking about efficiency and pace in decision-making, most crucial arms of the telecom ministry are headless. JSW Steel to buy Welspun Maxsteel Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel has entered into a definitive agreement with Welspun Enterprise (WEL), to acquire the entire equity shares held by the latter in Welspun Maxsteel (WMSL) for an enterprise value of Rs 1,000 crore plus net current assets as of August 31. Colgate-Palmolive rejigs top level management In a top level management reshuffle, oral care major Colgate-Palmolive has appointed Issam Bachaalani as the new managing director of India, while the current incumbent Prabha Parameswaran has been elevated to a regional role as president — Africa/Eurasia, in what marks yet another addition to the growing league of Indian managers occupying key roles in leading multinational companies. More Business News»

		Environment
		Lesser Floricans tagged to trace migration pattern Two Lesser Florican (males) birds were fitted with satellite transmitters in Ajmer by a team of scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for tracing their migration pattern. Wildlife body voices concern over leopard poaching in India India has made progress in conserving tigers but leopards are killed in high numbers in the country for illegal trade, says a global study on four species of Asian big cats including lions in Gujarat's Gir forests and snow leopards in the Himalayas. Kanpur zoo to get new animals In the near future, the Kanpur zoo will have new additions in its animal kitty. More Environment News»

		World
		US aircraft hit 90 Isis targets in 3 days: Pentagon US military aircraft have carried out 35 air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq over the past three days, destroying more than 90 targets, the Pentagon said Monday. Chinese purchases push up property prices in Oz Panic sales by graft-tainted Chinese officials have resulted in the realty market tanking in several cities. One such official from Guangzhou, Cai Bin, nicknamed “Uncle House” in the Chinese social media, owned 20 homes. Deng Xiaoping's biography highlights China's ordeals in Mao era China has published the official biography and collected works of Deng Xiaoping which for the first time throw light on trials and tribulations the reformist leader underwent during Mao Zedong's leadership. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Salman Khan says NO to Sonakshi Sinha? Salman Khan, who will be seen in Sooraj Barjatya's next, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo had reportedly advised the director to not cast Sonakshi Sinha. Later, the role was grabbed by Sonam Kapoor. PICS: What you will find in a Salman Khan film Salman Khan is back to greet his fans this Eid as he turns Devil in the Sajid Nadiadwala film Kick. 'My ex-boyfriend cheated on me with four women' Muskan Arora lashes out at Manish Naggdev and reveals how she wants to file a mental harassment case against him More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Two new satellites for Europe's Galileo space network Europe is set to launch two satellites on Thursday for its Galileo navigation system, boosting the number in the Earth-orbiting constellation to six and bringing the network a step closer to becoming operational after a long delay. Ebola could be a result of biological warfare: Scientist from DRDO The Ebola outbreak could be part of a biological warfare unleashed on the world, feels M Durgaprasad, scientist from DRDO. Indian-origin student discovers and measures mysterious black hole Dheeraj Pasham will begin a post-doctoral research position at Nasa Goddard in late August. More Science News»

		Sports
		Holder Rafael Nadal out of US Open with wrist injury Rafael Nadal will not defend his US Open title this month after failing to recover fully from a wrist injury, the world No. 2 said on Facebook and Twitter. Neymar set to feature in Suarez's Barcelona debut Neymar has been given the all clear to play his first game since suffering a broken vertebra in his back during World Cup when Barca play Leon on Monday. Resurgent Federer books ATP World Tour Finals berth Federer, 33, claimed his sixth Western and Southern Open title in Cincinnati with victory over David Ferrer, the last key tune-up event for the US Open. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung is India's No. 1 smartphone maker: IDC IDC said Korean handset maker Samsung still continues to lead the smartphone market with 29% share, followed by Micromax at 18%. Vishal Sikka's 5-point strategy for Infosys Sikka has taken five key steps, early signs of which seem to suggest that there has been a change in mood, from near-despondency to excitement. 8 things iPhones can't do that Android, WP phones can iPhone 5S is Apple's best as of now. However, there are a few egregious omissions here — features that we want in our iPhone. More Technology News»

		Education
		Those appearing for civil services prelims cannot join foundation course The government on Monday said candidates allocated to IAS, IPS and other central services on the basis of Civil Services Examination 2013, who are now re-appearing for CSE prelims this year, would not be allowed to join the mandatory foundation course. IIM Calcutta first to enter elite B-schools club Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta is now in the elite list of 716 B-schools globally as Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business announced the new members of this exclusive club. Candidates for CS prelims cannot attend foundation course: Govt Candidates who have been allocated IAS, IFS and IPS among others and are also appearing for this year's civil services preliminary examination cannot attend Foundation Course, the government has said. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		CR gets commando unit to fight terror To deal with terror alerts, the Railway Protection Force of Central Railway has formed a specialized unit of 30 commandos, the focus of which will be largely on CST. Teachers wary of assembly election duty With the state gearing up for assembly polls, school teachers have once again raised concerns of polling duties disturbing the academic calendar. City cops undergo training in US to combat digital piracy A team of 13 state police officers who had gone to the US for a week for training in combating digital piracy and violation of intellectual property rights returned to the city on Monday. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Nurse gang-raped in a Delhi 5-star hotel A 27-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped by two men in a suite at Oberoi Hotel, central Delhi, on the night of August 15. 1 Nigerian clears Ebola screening The government on Monday denied reports of a Nigerian admitted at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital testing positive for Ebola Virus Disease. Schools to list best ways to solve issues Education department officials have just wrapped up a round of school inspections and decided it’s time they and the heads of schools put their heads together and work toward solutions. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bengaluru FC, Bopanna rise to Ice Bucket Challenge After Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Cristiano Ronaldo and Oprah Winfrey, I-League champions Bengaluru FC and doubles ace Rohan Bopanna have taken up the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has gone viral on social media. CID: Mangala called candidates 450 times Mangala Sridhar, the suspended KPSC member chargesheeted by the CID in the cash-for-jobs scam, was in telephonic contact with at least 20 candidates before and after the exams for the recruitment for 362 gazetted probationers Group A and B posts. Karnataka Pollution Control Board failed to curb pollution, has no right to exist: HC Lambasting the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) for failing to control air and sound pollution in Bangalore, the high court on Monday asked the state government why the watchdog should not be superseded by the Central Pollution Control Board. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Move to link Aadhaar to benefits slammed Like the K Chandrasekhar Rao government’s move to hold a comprehensive household survey in Telangana, supposedly to weed out bogus beneficiaries of welfare schemes, his AP counterpart Chandrababu Naidu’s decision to link all social benefits to Aadhaar has drawn flak from various sections. Farmer attempts suicide Vexed with the failure of officials to restore his encroached land, a farmer attempt suicide outside the district collectorate here on Monday. New Vijayawada police commissioner promises better traffic management Keeping in view the growing traffic congestion in the city, particularly after it was declared the temporary capital of AP, the city’s new police commissioner AB Venkateswara Rao said that the traffic situation will be eased within three months. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Central agency says south India power shortage set to worsen Power shortage in the four southern states, including the erstwhile composite Andhra Pradesh, is likely to almost double from 6.8% in 2013-14 to 12.7% in the current financial year, says a report by the Central Electricity Authority. Man murders brother with grinding stone in Chromepet Police have launched a hunt for a construction worker who murdered his brother in a drunken brawl with a grinding stone at his house in Chromepet on Sunday. Rumours of girl's rape, murder in school bathroom spark fear Tension prevailed at St Theresa’s Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Pallavaram on Monday morning, after rumours that a girl had been raped and murdered in the school bathroom a few days ago spread and angry parents staged a protest. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Rs 22.8 lakh fine for breaking marriage deal Amid euphoria of Independence Day celebrations, Urmila (24) finds herself a prisoner of archaic social practice. 10 months' water supply pledged for floating restaurants The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) has promised 10 months of water to the interested operators for the proposed floating restaurants. 10 months' water supply pledged for floating restaurants The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) has promised 10 months of water to the interested operators for the proposed floating restaurants. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Hectic preparations afoot for Janmasthami celebrations Twenty-four hours before the Janmasthami, city markets on Sunday wore a crowded look as denizens were busy making hectic preparations for the birth of Lord Krishna. 'Gate mitras' for unmanned crossings soon North Central Railway is all set to appoint ‘Gate Mitras’ (counselors) who will be present at unmanned crossings. Facebook page of Allahabad cops a virtual police station The Facebook page of Allahabad police seems to have turned into a virtual police station for net savvy citizens. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		See the village through new eyes The Odisha Progressive Artists' Group, a group of young artists, have organized a unique exhibition ? Think Village ? at the Modern Art Gallery here. Norms soon to restrict inter-college transfers To check inter-college transfers of students under Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) in covert ways, the state government has decided to introduce stringent norms. Jyotivihar college teachers demand regularization Demanding regularization of services, both teaching and non-teaching staff of Jyotivahar Junior college of Sambalpur University have resorted to strike for an indefinite period from Monday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP Congress candidate booked for abduction Madhya Pradesh Congress candidate for Bahoriband assembly by-polls, Saurabh Singh, has been booked for abducting two tribals on Sunday night. Dumper crushes man to death in Bhopal A 32-year-old man was crushed to death by a speeding dumper near Union Carbide Factory in Nishatpura under Gautam Nagar Police station area late on Sunday night. 2 held in Kolar shooting case Two persons, who shot at and a woman in Kolar area on Sunday leaving her critically injured were arrested on Monday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Bishnoi not invited for Modi rally The BJP has not invited Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) chief Kuldeep Bishnoi for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Kaithal on Tuesday. RSS has a women wing? Gul sparks Twitter debate “Also, can women join the RSS (largest voluntary cultural organisation in the world, not like ‘RSS feed’)?” This seems like an innocuous question but it has taken on a completely different twist on Twitter given that it has come from actress and AAP leader Gul Panag. Protests planned against film on Indira's killers Punjabi film 'Kaum De Heere' (Diamonds of the Community), which portrays the lives of former prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassins and is finally set for release this Friday, has caused a political storm even before it comes up on the big screen. More Chandigarh News»

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