News Digest: Centre asks states to verify open defecation free status of villages

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, September 15, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Centre asks states to verify open defecation free status of villages As more gram panchayats become open defecation free (ODF), Centre wants the state government to verify the status in order to ensure that sanitation in villages improves significantly. India suggests list of VVIPs to be included for expedited US immigration clearance India has proposed inclusion of its VVIPs including former Presidents and Prime Ministers, apart from celebrities and businessmen, as beneficiaries of the US Global Entry programme that entitles pre-approved, low-risk travelers from select countries to expedited immigration upon entry into the US. Trucks and lorries claimed 98 lives every day last year A truck killing 18 in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh on Monday morning was another gory addition to the statistics of high number of deaths caused by trucks, lorries, multi-axle vehicles and tractors in India. More India News»

		Business
		Gujarat tops in biz reforms: Report Gujarat has topped the list of states in rapidly implementing business reforms, a study conducted by the World Bank and the government's Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has shown. IndiGo's Rs 2,500-crore IPO gets Sebi nod Low cost airline IndiGo's parent firm InterGlobe Aviation has received approval from market regulator Sebi for its Rs 2,500 crore initial public offer. India to sign FTA with Australia, Chile soon India is likely to sign the comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia and Chile soon following a renewed push to the pacts. More Business News»

		Environment
		2016 will be among hottest years on record Over a decade-long 'pause' in global warming to end; El Nino to cause dry conditions in Asia, Australia. LMDCs' representatives assemble in India for preparatory talks ahead of Paris climate summit As the world continues to struggle to find a common ground on key issues ahead of the Paris climate summit, official representatives of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), including China, met here on Monday to discuss how to push their joint negotiating stand during crucial rounds of negotiations in the run up to the conference of parties (COP21) in December. Experts predict 2016 will be even warmer than 2015 The slowdown in global warming is likely to end within two years as the Earth’s climate system undergoes a radical shift that could push temperatures to record highs this year and next, according to the Met Office. More Environment News»

		World
		Hollande says air strikes against IS in Syria 'necessary' French President Francois Hollande, whose country is carrying out surveillance flights over Syria, said today it would be "necessary" to carry out air strikes against Islamic State militants there. Abbott ousted, Australia gets 5th PM in 8 yrs Malcolm Turnbull, a multi-millionaire ex-tech entrepreneur, wins party vote. Russia successfully launches satellite with Proton rocket Russia today successfully launched a Proton rocket, carrying a Russian telecoms satellite, from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in the second successful launch since the disastrous loss of a Mexican satellite in May. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Kareena doesn't want to be referred as star wife There’s an uprising in Bollywood. Exclusive: Ranveer from 'Bajirao Mastani' song The first look of Ranveer Singh from the Gajanana song from Bajirao Mastani. Tanishaa Mukerji to play a Pakistani in her next Tanishaa Mukerji has moved miles away from her personal relationship with Armaan Kohli and is concentrating fully on her acting career. Trade gup has it that the spunky actress’ next has her playing a Pakistani woman in a social drama that revolves around terrorism, directed by South-based ad man, Eshwar Gunturu. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Asiatic cheetah, tiger embryos cloned from frozen skin cells Argentinian scientists have successfully produced embryos of endangered species such as Asiatic cheetah, tiger and Bengal cat using frozen skin cells, in order to preserve the planet's biodiversity. 2016 will be among hottest years on record Over a decade-long 'pause' in global warming to end; El Nino to cause dry conditions in Asia, Australia. Take 10 grams of tamarind a day, keep fluorosis away Lab experiments at the NIN on eight groups of mice have showed positive results of the consumption of tamarind. More Science News»

		Sports
		Pakistan will have to apologise: Batra on HIL participation Batra admitted that while he would love to see that happening, but the Pakistan players would need to improve their code of conduct. Brian Close: The 45-year-old who stood up to Windies in '76 For true, proper fans of cricket, the name Brian Close will perhaps be synonymous with the Old Trafford Test of 1976 when, at the age of 45, the recalled England batsman was made to weather a hostile spell of fast bowling from Michael Holding. Ravi Shastri stresses on consistency against South Africa India and South Africa square off for the first time in a four-Test series, in addition to playing five ODIs and three T20s. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5 best smartphones you can buy under Rs 10,000 The sub-Rs 10,000 Android smartphone market has become so saturated in the last one year that it has become difficult to keep track of the best models in the segment. Telcos, activists, govt in fight over mobile towers Three cases challenging proliferation of mobile towers to come up in Bimbay HC while in Delhi, telcos complain MCD has sealed about 200 towers in last two months. iPhone 6S, 6S Plus have more RAM than any previous iPhone The developer confirmed via Twitter that the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus would come packing the long-rumoured spec, after it was revealed by the iOS development tool, Xcode. More Technology News»

		Education
		Panel to probe school fee hike in Pune The state has formed an inquiry committee comprising officials from the government and the regional deputy director of education to look into complaints about schools that have hiked fees beyond 10%. In a first, two Indian institutes make it to world's top 200 Two Indian institutes have for the first time made it to the top 200 list of the world’s best universities. CBSE directs its schools to include mother tongue in admission forms Instructions have also been given to obtain information relating to the preference of languages for study under the three-language formula. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Iraqi teen walks again after rare operation in Mumbai An Iraqi teenager, bedridden for the past eight years due to a genetic condition that makes her bones extremely brittle, has been able to stand and walk again after treatment at an Andheri hospital. NCP on jail bharo stir without Ajit, Tatkare Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule led the NCP’s jail bharo stir on Monday to “protest against the failure of the Devendra Fadnavis government to tackle the worst-ever drought in the Marathwada region”. 7-storey passenger terminal for catamarans to Mandwa A multistory terminal with restaurants, shops and conference centres is being planned at Ferry Wharf for roll on/roll off (ro-ro) services to Mandwa and Nerul. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi running out of hospital beds as dengue cases cross 1,800 Patients struggled get admission in overcrowded hospitals as this year's dengue outbreak headed to be one of the two worst seen in the capital. Clash over dog poop in South Delhi, 1 hurt in firing A fight between two youths over dog poop snowballed into a major clash in south Delhi's Humayunpur village, with 30-40 men going on the rampage in the neighbourhood and firing about a dozen rounds, in which a mentally challenged man suffered injuries. 85% kid abuse cases pending in Delhi courts In a shocking finding, the average pendency in Delhi's children's courts during the financial year 2013-14 of cases registered under Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act has been revealed to be as high as 85%, with West district recording the maximum of 93%. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		HC asks Karnataka industrial board to release compensation with in a fortnight to land owners The Karnataka high court has directed the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to pass the consent award to release payment to petitioners within a fortnight in lieu of the lands that were acquired for BMIC project. Oral cancer eats up tobacco addict's face Imagine having to live without a cheek, upper and lower jaws, parts of eyes, nose, sinus and the base of the skull. That's the story of Adil (name changed), a mouth cancer patient from Shivamogga who lost a portion of his face due to tobacco addiction. Bandemutt Layout not a part of BBMP but residents voted in polls A month ago, the entire city was busy with the BBMP election but not Bandemutt Layout in Kengeri, off Mysuru Road. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Hyderabad Muslim group vows to protect cows A Muslim group in the city has entrusted itself with the task of protecting cows from being slaughtered, days ahead of Bakrid. AP second best for doing business: Report Andhra Pradesh has stood second in the list of states in rapidly implementing business reforms, a study conducted by the World Bank and the Union government’s department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) has shown. Couple in Warangal turn chain-snatchers to buy earthmover A husband and wife team of chain-snatchers, on a mission to collect enough gold to buy an earthmover to ensure a steady income from its rentals, were nabbed by police here on Monday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		CJ under siege from lawyers, Madras HC to get CISF cover September 14, 2015 will be marked as a black day in the annals of the Madras high court. 80-yr-old complains against cop son for deserting her A wheelchair-bound 80-year-old woman complained to city police commissioner S George on Monday against her three sons, including a sub-inspector of police, for selling off her property and deserting her. Cops crack highway heist, six arrested A police team on Monday claimed to have solved the highway robbery that took place at Panapakkam near Kancheepuram, 120km from Chennai, on Wednesday by arresting six suspects. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Hardik march now Ekta Yatra, to start from September 19 The first-ever marathon meeting of Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel with 20 key Patidar representatives, including Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Hardik Patel and Sardar Patel Group convener Lalji Patel, on Monday remained inconclusive. After high drama, Patidar leaders meet CM, but stalemate continues The first-ever marathon meeting of CM Anandiben Patel with key 20 Patidar leaders including Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel and Sardar Patel Group convener (SPG) Lalji Patel on Monday evening remained inconclusive. Social media profiles nail 50 candidates A 28-year-old candidate for the post of police sub-inspector lied during the interview about his marital status. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lord Krishna comes alive at Dadhikando Fair The Dadhikando Fair was organized with zeal and devotion at Salori here on Saturday. The fair, first in the series of six, is annually organized on weekends to celebrate ‘shasthi’ of Janmashtami. Special train between Nasik and Darbhanga for Kumbh For the pilgrims participating in the ongoing Kumbh Mela at Nasik, railway administration will run a special train between Nasik and Darbhanga. 5.43 lakh students to be covered under NCHP Around 5.43 lakh students aged between six and 16 years and studying in 3,461 schools and 3,954 Anganwari centres under National Child Health Programme (NCHP) would be given iron syrup (twice a week) and de-worming tablets (twice a year). More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha school holds meeting to `mourn' Vajpayee, probe ordered condolence meeting was held and a holiday was declared on Saturday at Budakhunta UGME School in Odisha's Balasore district to mourn the `death' of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. BJD to spruce up image in padayatra Cornered by opposition leaders over a number of issues that have made Home dept official evades action in 2014 cheating case Even as the mega chit fund scam sparked a huge public outcry in the state and the CBI is probing it, an employee of the home department has managed to dodge police action in a cheating case registered against him in 2014. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Jhabua blast: 400 blasting gelatine rods confiscated from Kaswa's driver Jhabua twin blast investigators recovered as many as 400 blasting gelatine rods from the residence of accused Rajendra Kaswa’s driver -- Babu, on Monday evening. School girl attacked with acid, stabbed in Madhya Pradesh A 20-year-old schoolgirl was attacked with acid and stabbed by her cousin in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh on Monday afternoon. Money alone can't make Hindi official language at UN A day after Congress MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi said India has enough money to bear expenses for making Hindi an official language of United Nations, ministry of external affairs said it takes more than money to make Hindi an official language of the UN. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Kashmiri Pandits observe 'Balidan Divas' in Chandigarh The displaced Kashmiri Pandit community observed the 26th Balidan Divas, the day on which in 1989 the militants had started the "selective killings" of Pandits in the Valley, and vowed to continue its struggle for having separate homeland within the Valley. AAM to fight for reservations on economic status Arthik Arkshan Manch (AAM) - an outfit that came to existence after Independence Day last month - held its state level meeting in the hill town Sunday to mull over its strategies. Dengue self-medication risking lives, say docs This season's first dengue death in the city has brought to fore the practice of people relying on self-medication and questionable private clinics for treatment. More Chandigarh News»

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