News Digest: PM arrives in Varanasi today, people keep fingers crossed

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, July 16, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		PM arrives in Varanasi today, people keep fingers crossed Amid fear of weather god once again playing spoilsport, residents of the holy city on Wednesday eagerly look forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Thursday visit when he would dedicate, lay foundation stone and announce several development schemes for his parliamentary constituency. Ganga, Yamuna water level on rise, low-lying areas under threat The water level of Ganga and Yamuna rivers increased on Wednesday after 1.32 lakh cusecs of water released from Haridwar and Kanpur started reaching here. UP, MP terror Balkhadia dead, claim police The police on Wednesday put a lid on the mystery of dacoit Sudesh Patil alias Balkhar alias Balkhadia’s whereabouts with Allahabad zone IG Brij Bhushan confirming his death in encounter with police on July 2. More India News»

		Business
		Manipal to buy diagnostic chain in Rs 1,000-cr deal Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), spearheaded by billionaire Ranjan Pai, is set to acquire Medall Healthcare, a southern diagnostics chain, in a deal valued at about Rs 1,000 crore ($180 million), two people directly familiar with the matter said. Boeing inks pact to 'Make in India' with Tatas Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and US-based aircraft maker Boeing on Wednesday signed a strategic framework agreement here to collaborate in the sphere of aerospace and defence manufacturing as well as explore the potential of developing integrated systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles. I-T department starts probe against 90 companies The tax department has launched an investigation against 90 companies for possible evasion, money laundering and for converting black money into “white” through a series of transactions in little-known shares, commonly called penny stocks. More Business News»

		Environment
		Dense development can cut car use, clean up Delhi air Transit-oriented development (TOD) can improve Delhi's air quality considerably by reducing the number of vehicle-miles travelled, the way it has done in several cities worldwide. 'Antarctica will get three degrees hotter by century-end' The temperature in Antarctica may rise by as much as three degrees by the end of the century, an expert has said, adding this could be the tipping point as far as the fight against global warming is concerned. Humans will go extinct if plant life not secured: Study The continued destruction of the plant life on Earth has put humans in jeopardy, a study says. More Environment News»

		World
		'Iran nuclear deal best way to avoid more Mideast war' President Obama, seeking to sell the Iran nuclear deal to sceptical U.S. lawmakers and the American public, insisted that the landmark agreement was the best way to avoid a nuclear arms race and more war in the Middle East. Iran will no longer be called a world threat: Rouhani The nuclear deal with world powers is a political victory for Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, adding that the agreement meant Tehran would no longer be regarded as an international threat. Some 2,700 migrants rescued at sea: Italy coast guard Around 2,700 migrants were rescued from 13 boats near the coast of Libya on Wednesday, Italy's coastguard said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Katrina was in two minds to do Kabir Khan's film Kabir Khan, 45, is shy and introverted and may not show it, but he is deeply emotional and secure. He may have started as a documentary filmmaker, but is today working with the biggest stars of our country. Vipul Shah and Saif to do a romantic thriller Vipul Shah had bought the rights to adapt the Hollywood romantic thriller Before I Go To Sleep that is based on the book by the same name. The Piku trio in the top 10 in Times Celebex While Kangana and Madhavan make it to the top 5 thanks to Tanu Weds Manu Returns, the Dil Dhadakne Do boys, Ranveer and Farhan, get a place in the top 10 in Times Celebex powered by zoOm! for the month of May 2015. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Trip to dentist leaves man with 90-min memory In a 'never-before-seen case', reminiscent of the film "Momento", a man in the UK has been left with just 90-minutes of memory after a root-canal treatment at a dentist, researchers say. 4 types of drunk personalities identified. Which one are you? Do you know which type of drunk you are - a menacing Mr Hyde or a friendly Mary Poppins? Air pollution kills 9,500 in London every year: Study Nearly 9,500 people are dying in London each year due to long-term exposure to air pollution, more than twice as many as previously thought. More Science News»

		Sports
		We have to protect interest of players: Shukla Shukla did not elaborate on the format of the tournament after the suspension of the two teams which will take the number of teams in the League to six. Champions League Twenty20 to be discontinued: BCCI A day after the Lodha Committee gave its verdict on the Indian Premier League betting scandal, the BCCI, Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Australia (CA) decided to discontinue the Champions League Twenty20 with immediate effect on Wednesday. Bangladesh register historic ODI series win over SA Bangladesh reached home with nine wickets and 83 balls to spare, registering their first ever series win over South Africa. More Sports News»

		Technology
		9 smartphones that got price cuts recently Planning to buy a smartphone? It couldn't have been a better time, with many top smartphones having recently got official price cuts. Here's over to 9 smartphones that just got cheaper... Watch out for these 7 handy smartphone accessories A fresh bunch of startups are concentrating on mobile tech to build innovative accessories for your smartphone. All of these are set to hit the market within the next few months. The good thing is they're available for pre-order --­ and yes, they all ship to India. Satya Nadella reveals Microsoft's 'one big mistake' Microsoft's India-born CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged that "one big mistake" the company made in the past was to think the personal computer will reign supreme forever. More Technology News»

		Education
		UP Board shuns CCTVs for 2016 The UP Board has decided to do away with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in high school and intermediate exams in 2016. 28.52% students clear supplementary exam in Odisha Only 4,563 of the total 16,129 students passed the matriculation supplementary examination, registering a pass percentage of 28.52. 2 of 73 expelled IIT-Roorkee students were considered 'weak' Getting into the IITs after cracking the gruelling JEE may be tough. Even tougher is passing from the tech schools. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mandatory for govt schools to hold tree plantation drives It is now mandatory for government schools to hold tree plantation drives on campus. Private schools will also have an option to undertake the programme. HC disposes of BJP MP's dam scam probe plea The Bombay HC on Wednesday disposed of a PIL filed by BJP MP Kirit Somaiya seeking a probe into the irrigation projects scam after the state informed it that the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) had started investigations and would submit a report on it. Shopping markets buzz with fervour before Eid The lyrical marvel that is Surah Ar Rahman is described as the ornament of the Holy Quran with good reason. Its 78 verses list each of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon mankind, rounding off repeatedly with the refrain, “Then which of His bounties do you deny.” More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Plea seeks end to toll collection, questions hike The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued notices to the Delhi government and Noida Authority on a plea questioning the hike in toll of DND Flyway. 37-year-old killed in mishap in Delhi A 37-year-old died after he rammed the road divider with his motorcycle near Geeta Colony flyover on Tuesday night. Police said Chandra Prakash, a resident of GTB Enclave, had been returning from the airport when the mishap took place. Delhi minor dies after rape A nine-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by her neighbour, died on Tuesday evening in northeast Delhi's Khajoori Khas area. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Ambareesh seeks clarification from finance department Rebel Star MH Ambareesh may have fended off many punches and kicks in his screen avatar but the knocking he got from chief minister Siddaramaiah has not gone down well with the housing minister. Bank loses Bengaluru man's documents The 55-year-old hasn't got back the original property documents for his 2,400-sqft house in Kaval Byrasandra near RT Nagar. What's worse is that the State Bank of India's Residency Road branch, where he pledged the documents for a loan, is unable to trace them. Farmer attempts suicide outside Vidhana Soudha A 38-year-old Mandya farmer allegedly attempted suicide in front of the Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday afternoon. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		3,000 cusecs released from Sriramsagar With 3,000 cusecs of water released from the Sriramsagar Project on Wednesday, pilgrims thronged the ghats at Kaleshwaram. AP government wakes up a day late A day after tragedy struck at Pushkara Ghat, killing 29 persons, the state government finally seems to have woken up to the importance of improving facilities at various bathing ghats. Dry river forces closure of ghat in Warangal The swell of pilgrims increased at all the bathing ghats along river Godavari in Telangana on Wednesday, the second day of the 12-day Pushkaralu. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Friendship with BJP only in Delhi, says Anbumani Clarifying his party's stand on an alliance with the BJP, PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss said the tie-up would continue at a “national” level. In search for earthworms, prawn hatcheries exploit workers and damage ecosystems Two days after 30 bonded labourers were rescued from a man who had engaged them to collect earthworms in Tiruvallur, the incident has now opened a can of worms. Turned down by railways, diabetic woman to get job with HC help Court says disorder doesn’t make one unemployable More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Fire at Nava Vadaj school, students unhurt A major fire broke out in the administration office of Navjyot Secondary school located near Vyaswadi in Nava Vadaj on Wednesday morning. Woman commits suicide in Gandhinagar Purvi Patel (30) committed suicide by hanging herself at husband’s rented house in Sector -8 Gandhinagar on Wednesday morning. Boyfriend strangulates girl to death A 20-year-old college student was found strangulated to death in room no 107 of Hotel Kings Palace located near RTO on Ashram Road on Wednesday morning. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Two killed, 2 hurt in three road accidents in Allahabad Two persons, including principal of an intermediate college, were killed and two others injured in three separate road mishaps reported in the city on Wednesday. Vedic Vidyalayas catch people's fancy in Allahabad Vedic Vidyalayas are emerging as the latest fad among parents and kids alike. It's official: Balkhariya is dead Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday said that dreaded dacoit Sudesh Patel alias Balkhar alias Balkhariya is dead. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJD, Cong demand Pradhan's resignation The BJD and Congress on Wednesday demanded oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation following media reports alleging that his tour expenditures were paid by one Sudhir Sharma, said to be a kingpin in the Vyapam scandal in Madhya Pradesh. Workers call off stir at Berhampur Tata plant Work on the proposed ferro-chrome plant of the Tata Steel at Chamakhandi in Ganjam district resumed after contractual workers called off their agitation after five days on Wednesday. Puri jail products to be sold in fest A stall to sell products made by jail inmates will be opened near the Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra.It will sell oil, sofas, phenyl and bedsheets, apart from other products. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Sewage farming: Green panel summons horticulture officials State's horticulture department is yet to finalize horticulture plan for different cities in the state including state capital Bhopal. State fails to comply with PUC MP government has failed to comply with pollution under control (PUC) checking of all vehicles in the state despite orders from National Green Tribunal (NGT). Patwari, SI in Lokayukta net for taking bribe In two separate incidents, two government officials were caught on Wednesday by lokayukta police in Jabalpur and Rewa districts while taking bribe. A patwari was caught taking bribe of Rs 5,000 from a farmer in Rewa district. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Vivek school students build drone Students of classes VII to X from aeromodelling and robotics club of Vivek High School in Sector 38 have constructed a drone with GPS during their robotics camp organized by the school. School buses challaned for violating road rules Tightening noose on traffic violations, Mohali traffic police issued over 70 challans on school buses at several places on Wednesday. Road rage death protest rocks Mauli Jagran A group of residents of Mauli Jagran on Wednesday staged a protest outside Mauli Jagran police post after a person involved in a road rage case died under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday. More Chandigarh News»

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