News Digest: Why PM Modi set aside time for tiny St Vincent

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, September 26, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Why PM Modi set aside time for tiny St Vincent Taking a break from his economic agenda, PM Modi turned to diplomacy for a while on Thursday to further India's goal of a permanent UN Security Council seat, holding meetings with leaders of Guyana and St Vincent and Grenadines. PM Modi's digital pitch with media bosses in US Top global media CEOs, who met the PM in New York on Friday, sought faster digitization of Indian systems as Modi pitched it as a force which would change the face of democracy. PM Modi in US: Suggestions and kudos from CEOs If PM Narendra Modi was looking for feedback on his government's steps to ease rules, he couldn't have asked for a better audience than 41 CEOs from top US corporations, who he met over an Indian dinner on Thursday. More India News»

		Business
		RBI may cut rates by 25bps despite Fed, monsoon risks Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points in the monetary policy review on September 29. Medical inflation to hike insurance premiums Medical insurance premium may rise as insurers seek to pass on the rising medical inflation to policy holders. Braille-type notes to keep forgers at bay In a combined move to help both the visually challenged as well as to outsmart counterfeiters of currency notes, the Reserve Bank of India has turned to using Braille-like markings on Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. More Business News»

		Environment
		'No sand mining in north India till Sept 1 each year' The National Green Tribunal has directed the Union environment ministry not to grant environmental clearance for sand mining in the rivers of north India till September 1 each year and not during the rainy season. B'desh submits climate action plan to UN body Taking lead among South Asian countries, Bangladesh on Friday submitted its national 'climate action plan' to a UN body on climate change, promising to cut the country's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 'unconditionally' by 5% from 'business as usual' (BAU) levels by 2030 based on its existing resources. Air pollution may increase Alzheimer's risk Higher levels of air pollution may increase risk of Alzheimer's disease in those who carry a gene associated with the debilitating brain disorder, suggests new research. More Environment News»

		World
		Saudi airstrikes, fighting in Yemeni city kill 13 Airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition targeting the country's Shiite rebels as well as fighting on the ground between rebels and pro-government fighters in the southern province of Taiz have killed at least 13 people and wounded dozens, Yemen officials said Friday. Ukraine to ban Russian airlines from flying into country Ukraine's prime minister says Russian airlines will be banned from flying into the country, the latest attempt to put pressure on Russia as the conflict in eastern Ukraine grinds on. Dalai Lama cancels US trip on doctors' orders The Dalai Lama on Friday canceled a US trip next month after doctors advised him to rest, a decision sure to heighten concerns among the 80-year-old Tibetan leader's supporters. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Salman, Kareena top Times Celebex Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, the lead pair of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, take the top positions in Times Celebex powered by zoom for the month of July 2015 Aishwarya: Aaradhya is sensitive like me While she was born in Mangalore, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has lived all her life in Mumbai. Dhoom 3, DDLJ: Must watch deleted scenes More Entertainment News»

		Science
		WHO advocates mass dog vaccination drives The World Health Organization has advocated implementation of mass dog vaccination campaigns, management of canine population and improving accessibility to post-exposure vaccination to check rabies cases. New chip-based technology to detect Ebola virus Researchers have developed a chip-based technology that can be integrated into a portable instrument for use in field situations where rapid, accurate detection of Ebola infections is needed to control outbreaks. Turla hiding in the sky: Russian speaking Cyberespionage group exploits Satellites to reach the ultimate level of anonymity While investigating the infamous Russian-speaking cyberespionage actor Turla, Kaspersky researchers have discovered how it is evading detection of its activity and physical location. More Science News»

		Sports
		Indian batsmen must play Tahir properly: Sachin Tendulkar Sachin stressed that the talented Indian batting line-up must play leg-spinner Imran Tahir properly in the forthcoming home series against South Africa. Swiss police interrogate FIFA head Sepp Blatter As the corruption probe at FIFA widened, OAG representatives interrogated Blatter after FIFA's executive committee met in Zurich, the OAG said in a statement. Sania-Martina enter Guangzhou Open final The top seeds took just an hour and 12 minutes to beat the Israeli-Swedish combination of Julia Glushko and Rebecca Peterson 6-3, 6-4. More Sports News»

		Technology
		7 hidden Instagram features you don't know about But while Instagram's interface is simple to use, there are hidden features that can enhance the overall experience. Let's take a look at the 7 Instagram features that you probably don't about... PM Modi in Silicon Valley: IT Inc's wishlist PM Narendra Modi is all set to dazzle the mecca of information technology. Indian IT industry is keenly looking up to the PM's visit. TOI Tech spoke to a few to gauge their expectations from the PM's visit. Apple fans brave rains to buy iPhone 6S, 6S Plus The new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus hit stores on September 25, with dozens of people -- and a robot -- queueing in Sydney to kick off a global sales cycle. More Technology News»

		Education
		Why such huge grants for B-schools, asks Mani Shankar Aiyar The country has to decide how much it invests in IIMs and how much in primary education, former minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said on Friday. Centre allows Jharkhand to retain 100 MBBS seats The state government has finally succeeded in retaining the 100 MBBS seats, which were cancelled by the Medical Council of India in August last year, with the Union health ministry’s mediation. Assam girl selected for Commonwealth Scholarship in UK Sneha Khaund, a 22-year-old from Jorhat district, is an english graduate from St Stephen's College in Delhi. She was recently selected for the award in United Kingdom for the year 2015-2016. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai resident among haj stampede victims Navi Mumbai resident Saleem Yusuf Shaikh was among the 14 Indians who perished in the Haj stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. ACB head is likely to helm state police High-profile AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) director general Praveen Dixit is all set to take over the reins of the state police on October 1 when the present incumbent Sanjeev Dayal retires after putting in more than three-and-ahalf decades in the Indian Police Service. Vasai green mandal hosts cricket match for its women Residents of a Vasai township not just host an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav, they are a woman-friendly mandal. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Full ferment Dinesh Kumar, who sells kanji vada - from an alcove in a wall, which he shares with a chaiwala -said he would grant me a three-minute interview. They killed kid to be dancing stars on TV He is an electrician’s son, she is a daily wager’s daughter. Both are 17 years old, juveniles as per law. Obsessed with the idea of becoming dancing stars, they allegedly abducted and killed a 13-year-old for money. Teen dies waiting for liver, gives life to two after death Akansha Joshi, an 18-year-old student with a failing liver, died last month waiting for a liver donor. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		With Karnataka government support, it will be a total bandh today Karnataka is set for a dawn-to-dusk shutdown on Saturday. The Karnataka bandh, called by pro-Kannada organizations, is likely to be total as it has got the tacit approval of the state government and the support of more organizations. CET sports-quota seats likely to see a big jump Sports-quota seats in professional courses allotted through Common Entrance Test will see a big jump if Karnataka green-lights a proposal being prepared its two departments. One missed call lands thieves in police net A thief recently swept a techie's house clean but made the cardinal mistake of giving a missed call from a stolen SIM to his own phone. On the call's trail, HAL police were soon knocking on his door. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Phone records not edited: FSL In a major development in the cash-for-vote case, the Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory (TSFSL) has confirmed that the voice conversation records in accused Bishop Harry Sebastian's cell phone are unedited. Andhra Pradesh to offer 24x7 water to industries After providing 24x7 power supply to all industries in the state, the AP government has now decided to offer 24x7 water supply to major industries. Andhra Pradesh to get east coast's 1st floating LNG terminal The first Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in the east coast will come up in Andhra Pradesh. On Friday, the AP Gas Development Corporation, Gas Authority of India, GDF Suez and Shell signed two MoUs to set up a floating LNG terminal at Kakinada deep water port. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		IIT bridge champ who wowed world K R Venkatraman remembers taking to the card game as an IIT student, his travels round the world and even giving up his job to pursue his passion. Security off rails as police play truant at MRTS stations Thursday night's attack on 50-year old Chinthama ni, a pointwoman at Ve l a ch e r y MRTS station, has once again laid bare the lack of security at the 19 stations between Beach and Velachery . Bar Council action illegal: TN lawyers A day after the Bar Council of India placed 15 lawyers from the state under suspension for laying siege to courts and creating ruckus at the Madras high court, the lawyers said the Bar Council had erred in the decision by not issuing notice before suspending them. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Rs 1K crore package echoes CM's scholarship scheme The much-hyped Rs 1,000-crore package announced by chief minister Anandiben Patel to placate Patidars and other non-quota castes seems to have repeated many aspects of the scholarship scheme announced by he CM in her maiden budget n July 2015. 'Human donkey' to curb peeing menace in Vadodara Those peeing in public will soon be in for some embarrassment. Graffiti likening them to donkeys will greet all those relieving themselves on roadside and outside public urinals. Haj crush: 9 of 14 Indian pilgrims killed from Gujarat Gloom descended on the festival of sacrifice as news about the death of nine Gujarati pilgrims in the Haj stampede reached their families on Friday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Namaz timings The timings for the special Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) prayers in various mosques have been announced. 'Pomp and show with fleet of SUVs is to attract crowd' Power Show At AUSU Polls By Candidates HC seeks reply on secy's posting The Allahabad High Court on Thursday directed the chief secretary to file reply (counter affidavit) in response to a writ petition challenging the appointment of SP Singh as secretary urban development. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha government brings 438 high schools under GIA policy The state government on Friday brought 438 eligible high schools across the state under the Grant-in-Aid (GIA). People block road, burn tyres over poor water supply People belonging to Chandramanipeta of the town on Wednesday blocked a road in the area protesting against inadequate water supply to the locality. Youth held for killing aunt in Mayurbhanj Badampahar police on Wednesday arrested two persons from Dhangidimuta village in Mayurbhanj district for allegedly killing a 60-year-old woman a couple of days ago on the suspicion that she was practising sorcery. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Aishbagh police picks 3 persons in connection with alleged flesh trade Three people were picked up from a house in Subhash Nagar area on Friday afternoon on suspicion of their involvement in flesh trade. MP government identifies land for fertilizer plant State government has identified land measuring 500 acres for fertilizers plant at Jabalpur and 10 acres at Bhopal for vocational training centre. At highest bid of 1.25L, sellers fail to make killing More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Amritsar to have state's highest tricolour of 170 feet Amritsar will have Punjab's tallest National Flag with a height of 170 feet. The flag will be hoisted on September 27 at local Amrit Anand Park by local bodies Minister Anil Joshi. Be torch bearers to make Swachh Bharat Mission a great success: Punjab local bodies minister Punjab local bodies minister Anil Joshi on Friday launched state wide Swachh Bharat Mission fortnight to mark the first anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's, one of the key mission, and extended an appeal to elected representatives across the state to play role of torch bearer for witnessing the Swachh Bharat in reality. HC lets carriers manage ground ops at new terminal More Chandigarh News»

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