News Digest: Govt to appoint CEOs for smart cities

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, July 12, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Govt to appoint CEOs for smart cities For smart cities, the government will appoint CEOs, who will drive the concept and execution rather than leave these tasks to municipal bodies alone. Govt to upgrade highways much before they reach maximum capacity The expansion will be completed before the threshold capacity of the road is reached so that commuters have a smooth ride. Rahul Gandhi to visit Andhra Pradesh for first time after state's bifurcation Rahul's visit would at best have the salutary effect of showing the leadership's concern for the state unit. More India News»

		Business
		Vedanta hopeful of resuming iron ore mining in Goa Billionaire Anil Agarwal-led mining firm Vedanta Ltd on Saturday said it is hopeful of restarting iron ore mining in Goa from October. Gold ends steady; silver remains up Gold ended steady at Rs 26,330 per ten grams at the bullion market on Saturday on scattered buying by jewellers. Markets get the blues on China, Greece A sharp downward correction in Chinese stocks and uncertainties involving Greece kept Indian markets on edge, which ended the week in the red. More Business News»

		Environment
		Ambitious climate action plan on anvil, hints Javadekar Prakash Javadekar sought to drive home the point that India may be emitting more carbon as compared to many nations but it is still far behind the top polluting countries like the US and China. Dugongs on brink of extinction The Union government's Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) on Wednesday declared that dugongs among the five species to be the focus of conservation, but the marine mammals, ironically called the 'angel of the sea', continue to be poached for their meat. Sea levels to rise 20 feet due to climate change Sea levels could rise at least six metres or around 20 feet above current levels if current climate trends continue, says a study analyzing three decades of research on the historic effects of melting polar ice sheets. More Environment News»

		World
		Typhoon Chan-Hom lashes China Typhoon Chan-Hom was packing winds of 162 kph (101 mph) as it hit the city of Zhoushan, slowing from an earlier speed of 173 kmph. Mexico's 'Volcano of Fire' erupts Ash rained down from the so-called "Volcano of Fire" in western Mexico and people living in its shadow were evacuated after it spectacularly erupted. Iran's leader calls for continued anti-US struggle As negotiators at Iran nuclear talks labored to make headway, the country's supreme leader called Saturday for the struggle against the U.S. to continue. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Salman fans will celebrate Eid as 'Bhaijaan Day' Salman Khan is not just a megastar, but what makes him extra special is the unambiguous love that his fans have for him. Exclusive: First look of Athiya Shetty in 'Hero' The first look of Athiya Shetty from Nikhil Advani’s romantic entertainer Hero, being produced by Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai Films that earned Rs 100 cr without superstars Let's take a look at Bollywood films that entered the Rs 100 crore club without any superstar’s presence in it. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		`Mini ice age' coming in next 15 years There will be a “mini ice age“ in 2030, solar scientists have said. We are now able to predict solar cycles with far greater accuracy than ever before thanks to a new model which shows irregularities in the Sun's 11-year heartbeat. Now, people can live in grass houses While cannabis has had a long history as a fiber used in ropes, sails and paper products — Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew it — James Savage, a former Wall Street analyst, is among those who have instead turned to a novel application known as hempcrete. Beyonce inspires skyscraper  Just when you thought the world had hit peak Beyoncé, the hippest city in Australia is going to build a massive skyscraper inspired by… Beyoncé. More Science News»

		Sports
		Serena beats Muguruza to win sixth Wimbledon title Serena Williams completed a second "Serena Slam" with her fourth straight major championship, beating Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-4. England beat Australia in first Ashes Test Australia, set what would have been a new Ashes fourth-innings record winning total of 412, were bowled out for 242 after tea as England went 1-0. Sumit Nagal reaches Wimbledon boys doubles final Indian teenager Sumit Nagal teamed up with his Vietnamese partner Nam Hoang Ly to reach the boys doubles final with a three-set win at the Wimbledon. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple iOS 9 features already available on Android Apple has released the first public beta version of iOS 9, its upcoming mobile operating system. Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Dual review Sony’s new Xperia M4 Aqua Dual, priced at Rs 24,990, seems like a fish out of water compared to smartphones by Chinese brands that offer better hardware at much lower prices. Google releases second preview of Android M Google has released a new version of its new Android M operating system. More Technology News»

		Education
		UGC asks varsities to display all info on website Amidst the ongoing admission season, University Grants Commission (UGC) has instructed vice-chancellors to upload all vital information related to admission process, fee structure and accreditation ranking on the official websites of their universities. Artist opens fine arts college for the disabled in Tamil Nadu Any disabled student who has passed Class 10, can apply for the diploma course. Admission on, many clueless about choice-based credit system Most taking admission into Delhi University’s undergraduate courses are likely to be blindsided by the choice-based credit system (CBCS). More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Minor sexually abused by school teacher A four-year-old kindergarten student from Nalasopara was allegedly sexually abused by her drawing teacher in the school last week. Sanskrit is at home in these Mumbai households All that the Katiras have to do is speak. MNS workers meet NSCI officials in Worli Three Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers met the officials of the NSCI at Worli and discussed jobs for Worli residents at the NSCI club. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Parliamentary secretary posts: BJP fires salvo The Delhi government has passed a bill to safeguard the position of 21 parliamentary secretaries by making the posts not office of profit, but it has no information about the rule under which these posts were created, BJP said. Ensure timely reply to PILs: Govt's legal team to depts The Delhi government’s legal team has written to all department heads to streamline their system of filing appeals and responding to public interest litigation (PIL). Seven Delhi schools raided for EWS scam proof Crime branch sleuths have raided at least seven schools in south and central Delhi on Saturday and seized documents. The raids were conducted on the instance of Punita, who was arrested earlier by the crime branch. Police are interrogating Punita further to get more details. School authorities are also been questioned. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Few takers for longer legislature session There seem to be few takers for leader of the opposition in the assembly Jagadish Shettar's suggestion that the legislature session in Belagavi be held for 20 days or a month instead of reducing it to a token gesture of a 10-day session. BMRC worker kills his elder brother over bill A party to celebrate their younger sister's birthday ended in a tragedy when a BMRC factory worker killed his elder brother over picking up the tab, on Richmond Road late Friday night. Dates for BBMP elections may be out this week Ending uncertainty, the state government seems to have finally made up its mind on holding BBMP elections in August without seeking any more time or restructuring the civic body. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		A shift in the centre Once upon a time, every tale about Hyderabad began and ended with its lip-smacking `royal' biryani and elegantly ornate pearl jewellery. Convenience over quality A quick detour from the main roads that house towering buildings, home to several global giants, brings one to the bylanes of Hi-Tec City swarming with rows of densely-packed, freshly-painted flats. Osmania, Kakatiya face severe staff crunch In what could adversely impact thousands of students, two major state universities of Telangana ­ Osmania University (OU) and Kakatiya University (KU) ­ are staring at a severe staff crunch with 40% of its senior professors across various departments up for retirement in 2015-16. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Lawyers sell chicken biriyani on Madras HC campus in protest Questioning the more than century-old practice of any of the three canteens on the Madras high court campus not serving non-vegetarian food, a group of lawyers sold chicken biriyani for willing purchasers. Centre defers decision on study on proposed dam The 149 feet high dam to cost Rs 663crores Former minister Chendur Pandian passes away Former Tamil Nadu Hindu religious and charitable endowments minister and Kadayanallur AIADMK MLA P Chendur Pandian died of cardiac problems at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on Saturday. He was 64. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gun supplier to Goswami gang caught The man who supplied firearms and ammunition to Vishal Goswami gang, Satnamsingh Chiklikar, 37, was nabbed by an armed team of the city crime branch during the early hours of Saturday from Sindha village of Madhya Pradesh. Poor monsoon leaves villages in state parched With the monsoon playing truant in the state, a large number of villages in north, central and Kutch regions of the state are being forced to rely on tankers. Dry spell likely to continue for 2 more weeks in state, says IMD Amdavadis' wait for rain just got longer, with India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting that the prolonged break is likely to continue for two weeks. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Plaint against Allahabad University professor: MHRD seeks details The human resource development ministry has sought details from Allahabad University vice-chancellor about the action taken against professor and former head of the department of ancient history, archeology and culture department of Allahabad University, Ranjana Bajpai, on a complaint filed against her in February 2013. Fake currency racket busted in Allahabad, two arrested In a major breakthrough, Special Task Force (STF) arrested two persons with counterfeit currency worth Rs 5 lakh and claimed to have busted a gang involved in the circulation of fake currency. Rain brings temp down, but maroons city Mild to heavy showers accompanied by high velocity wind gave much needed relief to the citizens from the sultry weather conditions on Saturday, but it also exposed the preparations of the Municipal Corporation to deal with waterlogging in over half-a-dozen localities. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		River waters flood settlements in jharsuguda and Sundargarh The Ib river wrecked havoc on villages and towns on its banks in Sundargarh and Jharsuguda districts on Saturday as continuous rain pounded both the western Odisha districts. Gadkari highway plan may face land hurdle Even as Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari’s has announced that the Centre would spend Rs 10,000 crore on road projects in Odisha by December, the projects may drag on for years, given the slow pace of groundwork at the state government level. Odisha's support to PM LPG plan The state government has decided to popularize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘give it up’ movement, which encourages people not to avail themselves of LPG subsidy if they can afford refills at market price More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Cong writes to RSS chief on corruption Madhya Pradesh Congress on Saturday shot a letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat raising five questions on Vyapam irregularities and alleged corruption in the state. Congress gets ammo to bring down House Armed with Vyapam ammunition, Congress is preparing to launch a massive attack on ruling BJP in both Parliament and Madhya Pradesh assembly in the monsoon session. Vyapam trials on hold, outrage peaks After Vyapam scam investigations were handed over to CBI, hearing in cases relating to the recruitment fraud came to a standstill on Friday in all special courts in Gwalior. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		90-yr-old athlete struggles to gather funds for world masters meet in France Having proved his mettle in national and international competitions, 90-year-old veteran athlete Daulat Ram is now fighting a battle to arrange finances to participate in the World Masters Athletics Championship to be held in France from August 4 to 16. Readying girls to give them hell Once known as sword arm of the nation, Punjab is all set to create history again on July 25 with the commencement of the country's first armed forces preparatory institute for girls. Doctor held for illegal sex determination tests Following information, a team of Haryana health department, on Saturday, raided a nursing home in Ganaur, Sonipat, and caught the doctor who used to conduct illegal sex determination test. More Chandigarh News»

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