News Digest: MEA's sought 55 sedans: Mercedes

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, October 23, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		MEA's sought 55 sedans: Mercedes Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz today said India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has placed an order to lease 55 top of the range E 250 CDI luxury sedans. Congress files complaint against Shiv Sena for 'insulting' President Pranab Mukherjee The state unit of Congress today filed a complaint against Shiv Sena for "insulting" President Pranab Mukherjee through an "objectionable" poster, which claimed that he "bowed" before the late saffron party supremo Bal Thackeray. Bank of Baroda, OBC cases bring spotlight back on 'legal hawala' Four years ago a team of Enforcement Directorate raided a private vault service, similar to bank lockers, in the Connaught Place, B Block in New Delhi and recovered Rs 10 crore, all in Rs 1,000 denominations. No one owned the money but fading trails led to a top UP politician. More India News»

		Business
		Cess bites into crude earnings on low prices Globally, oil producers have fallen on hard times as they lose revenue due to the big drop in prices since July last year. But in India, government cess is taking an additional bite from their reduced earnings. Companies remain relevant with constant change Changing consumer tastes and profiles are not only transforming how businesses are being done but are also pushing organizations to tweak their business models. Equity MFs see record rise in retail investor accounts Continuing the uptrend for the fourth consecutive quarter, retail equity mutual fund (MF) folios or investor accounts rose by a record 11.5 lakh to 3.28 crore in the second quarter of 2015-16 (July-September). More Business News»

		Environment
		Climate change may lead to severe water shortage in Nepal Climate change, increase in agricultural land use and population growth may lead to severe water shortage in Nepal in the coming decades, according to a new study. Tibet sees receding glaciers, shrinking permafrost The Roof of the World, as Tibet is also known, is also facing desertification. Path to climate ambition must be paved with equity: India India's submission of its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) is a reflection of its utmost sincerity in contributing with its full might to the global fight against climate change. More Environment News»

		World
		Cameron takes Xi to the pub for fish and chips Chinese President Xi Jinping headed for a traditional British pub on Thursday, during his state visit, indulging in a beer and a portion of traditional fish and chips with Prime Minister David Cameron. Pentagon: American killed in raid to free Iraqis held by IS Acting on word of an "imminent mass execution" by Islamic State militants, dozens of US special operations troops and Iraqi forces raided a northern Iraqi compound Thursday, freeing approximately 70 Iraqi prisoners in an operation that saw the first American killed in combat in the country since the US campaign against IS began in 2014, officials said. Masked man kills two in sword attack at Sweden school A masked man brandishing a sword and reported to have far-right sympathies killed a teacher and a student and seriously wounded two other people at a school in Sweden Thursday before police shot and killed him. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Aman Trikha thrilled to sing for 'PRDP' null Singer Aman Trikha is thrilled to be the voice of Salman Khan for two solo songs in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo Manoj Tiwari: I miss sitting and talking to my mother Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari talks about how life has changed after entering the political arena, singing for Bollywood films and more. To know more go to follo.co.in/ManojTiwari Blockbusters Shah Rukh Khan rejected Shah Rukh Khan could have been Kabir Khan's tiger if he had not rejected the film. Kabir had approached King Khan for the film. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Frequent use of antibiotics may make kids fatter' Children who regularly use antibiotics gain weight faster than those who have never taken the drugs, according to new research that suggests childhood antibiotics may have a asting effect on body weight well into adulthood. Major aspirin anti-cancer trial launches in UK The world's largest ever clinical trial into whether taking a daily dose of aspirin can stop five common cancers from recurring was launched in Britain on Thursday. Bats important for survival of rare frog, other species Until now, virtually everything that was known about the little frogs' natural history came from studies in breeding pools, where they congregate in spring. More Science News»

		Sports
		4th ODI: Virat Kohli ton outweighs AB de Villiers assault Virat Kohli's 23rd ODI century formed the basis for India's total of 299, which proved out of grasp for South Africa despite a sensational 112 from AB de Villiers. Turning points: India v South Africa, 4th ODI TOI Sports looks at the key moments from India's 35-run win over South Africa in the fourth ODI of the five-match series in Chennai. ISL: FC Goa beat Kerala Blasters, take top spot Gregory Arnolin's 84th minute strike helped FC Goa edge past Kerala Blasters 2-1 in a keenly contested ISL game and take top spot in the league table. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple iPhone 6S review: The best gets better With the iPhone 6S, Apple is trying hard to change the perception that its new flagship is merely an iterative update to its predecessor. So much that its tagline for its new iPhones is ‘the only thing that’s changed is everything.’ We try to find out if the iPhone 6S is the best smartphone money can buy… 10 richest Indian tech billionaires We sift through the list to zero in upon the 10 Indian tech billionaires and how much their fortunes have increased or decreased compared to the last year. YouTube paid version launched: 6 things to know After months of speculation, Google has announced YouTube Red, a paid service based on the company’s free video-sharing platform, and music streaming app YouTube Music. Here are 6 hings you should know about the two new versions of YouTube... More Technology News»

		Education
		Students will stay put at UGC, won't allow it to function on Friday Students sacrificed their holiday and even festival so that the issue is kept alive. The UGC decision has brought the researchers to the brink of desperation. Students from all across the country are protesting in solidarity," says a statement issued by AISA. HRD 'ironing out' hurdles to bringing single engg exam Days before an expert committee gives its report on ‘one exam, one rank, one counselling’ for admission into IITs/NITs/IISERs and other engineering colleges, HRD ministry is working towards making it a reality and finding ways to remove the possible roadblocks. Delhi govt to launch 2-year homoeopathy pharmacy diploma course The Delhi government is all set to launch a two-year diploma course in homoeopathy pharmacy which will enable aspiring pharmacists in this field to take up jobs in government hospitals as well as operate state-run dispensaries in the national capital. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		All junior college admissions may go online next year From the next academic year (2015-16), all students who pass Class X exams may have to register for the online admission process for first year junior college. CCTV camera yields no clues in 2.4 crore jewellery heist A day after five armed men allegedly waylaid a courier delivery boy and robbed gold ornaments and diamonds worth Rs 2.47 crore in Vile Parle, the police said that they had no leads from closed-circuit cameras set up near the spot of crime. Officials of the local police and crime branch said they are trying to procure details of a white car bearing registration number MH-04-DY-6064 that the robbers had used in the crime. For ailing writers in need of funds, city NGO sets up dole Even as support pours in for writers and poets who return their Sahitya Akademi and other awards to protest “growing intolerance” in society, many writers are in dire need of help. Now an NGO, The Pen Foundation, has come out to support writers, poets and journalists, especially those who are critically ill and in need of urgent medical help. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Air cleaner as few vehicles run Restricting cars on a 5-km stretch for a few hours may have been too limited an exercise to make any visible difference in Delhi’s air quality, but Thursday, the day when the capital had its first Car Free Day, did prove that road traffic adversely effects the atmosphere. There was dramatic reduction in measured pollutants, though the main reason for this was the thin traffic due to the day being a holiday for Dussehra. Make roads safer for us, say cyclists It was symbolic perhaps that the capital’s first Car-Free Day was ushered in with a bicycle rally. Indeed, the humble two wheeler was the focus of much thought on the day in the context of Delhi’s high vehicular pollution and congested public roads. Cab rape case: Police to seek life term for convict A trial court on Friday is likely to decide the quantum of sentence for the cab driver convicted in the Uber cab rape case.He was held guilty of raping a 25-year-old woman executive in his taxi. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Woman all set to withdraw case against Amit Mishra 27 days after filing a complaint against Indian cricketer Amit Mishra, the female friendn of Mishra is all set to withdraw the complaint against him. Police sources said that she has expresses her wish to withdraw the complaint, once Mishra in the city. Rahul Gandhi is misprojected: Sam Pitroda “Rahul Gandhi does not need training, he has been completely misprojected. His time will come” this was the answer given by father of telecom revolution Sam Pitroda on being asked whether Rahul Gandhi needs training during the launch of his book here in the city on Wednesday. Doctor came to OT only after 1 hour: Kin When Aparna S checked into Motherhood Hospitals on Tuesday evening, the family was overjoyed. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Modi lays stone for AP's new capital Amaravati Extending his warm greetings to Telugu people on Dasara, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Andhra Pradesh has entered a new chapter with the birth of Amaravati on Vijaya Dasami day on Thursday. KCR showers praises, goodies on cops Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao showered goodies on the men in khaki during the Police Commemoration Day parade at the Goshamahal Police Grounds on Wednesday . With no infra, docs specialise in referrals Scores of state-run hospitals functioning under the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) within the city limits are in a complete mess. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		No live feed between airports delays flights Every second counts in aviation, but it takes up to four minutes for Chennai airport to find out if a flight is grounded at Mumbai airport causing delays and disruptions, as a planned live monitoring system is yet to take off. This, aviation experts feel, leads to avoidable diversions. Parents in a fix on Vijaya Dasami A difference in the Tamil and Malayalam almanacs has created confusion about when the 'aksharabhyasam' (first lesson), usually on Vijaya Dasami, should be held. Health department on toes to keep dengue away The monsoon is just a week away and directorate of public health officials are in the process of expediting dengue control measures and are roping in volunteers from schools and colleges to help in clearing waste. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		DFS gets Thane builder's suicide note for analysis The 18-page suicide note of Thanebased realtor, 46-year-old Suraj Parmar, has arrived at the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS) in Gandhinagar for handwriting analysis. 15K vehicles delivered on Dussehra More than 5,000 cars and over 10,000 two-wheelers were delivered across automobile showrooms in the state on Dussehra, making it one of the biggest one-day sales in recent years. Stray dogs rule roads across state Every day, an alarming number, 735 people, are bitten by dogs lurking in villages, small towns and cities.In some cases, the canines have even claimed lives. Joggers carry sticks to chase them away , while bicyclists fill pockets with stones to pelt them. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Katra Ramdal procession attracts large crowd The Ramdal procession of Katra Ramleela Committee was taken out with grandeur from Ram Vatika late on Tuesday night. Suresh Kumar Singh takes over as UPPSC secretary Suresh Kumar Singh, a 2005 batch IAS officer, took over the charge of secretary, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) on Tuesday night. Artists in Allahabad turned to chemicals in 90s for shine As the city celebrates Durga puja in a grand way, the TOI team traced the legacy of making idols in the city. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Congress flays govt over farmer suicides The party will launch ‘save farmer’ demonstrations in every block on November 6. Celebration of alternate Durga The festival is so named because the region where the tribal culture flourished was called Patkhanda, spreading from Sankhemundai in Ganjam district of Odisha to Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. Jarasingha is considered the abode of Patkhanda, the presiding deity of the village. Ravana Podi: Meet the family that shapes the demon king's effigies Earlier, Ravana Podi used to be held only in three or four Durga Puja pandals in the city. But, over the years, the number of Ravana Podi programmes has increased to at least 25. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Farmer kills self in MP, wife ingests poison A couple of hours after a farmer committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district, his wife allegedly consumed poison after finding her husband's body. Young farmer bleeds to death after offering tounge to Goddess in Madhya Pradesh A 25-year-old farmer died of excessive bleeding after he slashed his tongue and offered it before idol of Goddess Durga in Satna district on Thursday morning. Seven die as bus rams into a busy market in Madhya Pradesh Seven people were killed and several others injured after a mini bus lost control and rammed into a busy market area in Jabalpur district on Thursday evening. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		SGPC President's decision to suspend Akal Takht 'Panj Piare' draws flak The decision of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee President Avtar Singh Makkar to suspend Panj Piare (five beloved ones) of Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs, has stated attracting strong criticism from Sikh leaders and groups. Another dalit killed in Haryana, cops booked Two days after two dalit children were burnt alive in a Haryana village, a 14 year-old boy was allegedly killed by cops hours after he was questioned for theft of pigeons in Sonipat’s Gohana police station on Wednesday. UT administrator Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki Dussehra message: Let's give amity a chance UT administrator Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki on Wednesday extended Dussehra greetings to the people of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. More Chandigarh News»

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