News Digest: 5.3 magnitude earthquake felt in Lakshadweep

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, October 12, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		5.3 magnitude earthquake felt in Lakshadweep A medium intensity earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale on Wednesday morning hit the Lakshadweep Sea region. There were no immediate reports of loss of lives or property. Zojila tunnel fails to get bids; govt to fund it? Construction of the strategically important, all-weather tunnel at Zojila Pass on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway is likely to be undertaken with full government funding. Bill to amend Electricity Act put on back burner More India News»

		Business
		Govt keen 2017-18 budget should not clash with polls: Jaitley Having decided to advance the budget presentation, the government is keen that it is not presented in the middle of Assembly elections in five states, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Government plans big push to rid banks of rotten assets These 3 strategies are - asset swaps, a bank-by-bank cleanup and a bad bank. The matter is likely to be discussed later this month, a senior official said. PNB makes home, auto loans attractive for govt staff To cash in on the 7th Pay Commission payout to government employees, state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) is offering them home and auto loans at attractive rates of 9.3-9.8 per cent beginning this month. More Business News»

		Environment
		Online sales of threatened cacti an open door for illegal trade Unregulated sale of endangered species of plants such as cacti on major e-commerce websites like eBay and Amazon has threatened their survival, a new research has found. These plants are also offered via online stores based in the US, France, Germany, Australia, the Czech Republic, the UK & others. India, EU sign MoU to clean rivers "I have seen in Europe how beautifully water is flowing there. I hope our country would learn from it," Water resources minister Uma Bharti said at an MoU signing ceremony at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). NGT directs Delhi govt to shut pickling units in city Noting that pickling units fall under prohibited list of industries as per Master Plan 2021, the National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to shut down such industries units located in the national capital with immediate effect. More Environment News»

		World
		Gunmen attack Shiite shrine in Kabul, 14 killed Gunmen targeted Shiite pilgrims in Kabul on Monday, killing at least 14 people as they gathered to celebrate Ashura, one of the most important festivals on the Shiite calendar. Some 36 people were wounded in the attack. Europe's prisons 'breeding ground' for jihadists: Study Prisons in Europe are becoming "breeding grounds" for jihadist groups, with some criminals seeing violent extremism as a form of redemption for their crimes, a report by a British think tank published on Tuesday said. Donald's lewd talk gives Hillary the edge in polls Hillary Clinton is tightening her stranglehold on the US Electoral College despite her relatively passive performance in the second debate, with polls showing she is now leading in most battleground states, including Florida, Pennsylvania, and marginally in Ohio too. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Pic: Katrina Kaif during her modeling days Katrina Kaif has come a long way ever since she made her Bollywood debut with the film ‘Boom’ in 2003. 'Motu Patlu' director eyes Big B for sequel Suhas D Kadav, the director of 3D animation flick 'Motu Patlu — King Of Kings', is an alumni of Sir JJ School Of Arts. Then and now: Amitabh Bachchan as a school boy Amitabh Bachchan is the biggest superstar of Bollywood at present who has made age seem nothing but just a number. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'About 80% population above 65 years of age suffers from osteoarthritis' Gene therapy may treat Alzheimer's: Study Injecting a specific gene directly into the brain may offer a potential new therapy for halting the progress of Alzheimer's disease, especially when treated at an early stage, a new study has claimed. Lab-grown stem cells regenerate monkey hearts: Study In a step forward for organ regeneration, stem cells grown from a single monkey's skin cells revitalised the damaged hearts of five sick macaques, scientists reported on Monday. More Science News»

		Sports
		3rd Test: R Ashwin seals 3-0 series whitewash Ravichandran Ashwin's career best match figures of 13/140 guided India to a massive 321-run win – their second biggest in terms of margin - over New Zealand on the fourth day of the third and final Test in Indore that helped pocket the series 3-0. Good enough to win on any surface, says Virat Kohli "We knew before the series that people will start talking about pitches. We knew our abilities and we knew we should be good enough to do well on any surface and against any team," Virat Kohli told mediapersons. 153 wickets and counting, R Ashwin a colossus at home With a match haul of 13/140 in Indore, India's bowling spearhead extended to 153 his tally of wickets in 22 home Test matches. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus price details revealed, goes up to Rs 92,000 The iPhone 7 Plus 32GB, 128GB and 256GB will cost Rs 72,000, Rs 82,000 and Rs 92,000 respectively Apple slashes prices of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus by up to Rs 22,000 Apple has announced biggest-ever price drop for its smartphones in India. Under the new pricing, iPhone 6S (128GB), carying an MRP of Rs 82,000, will now be available at an MRP of Rs 60,000. iPhone 6s Plus (128GB) will now be available at an MRP of Rs 70,000, the smartphone too has received a price cut of Rs 22,000. Apple's 4-inch smartphone iPhone SE, too has got a price cut. The 64GB version of iPhone SE will now be available at Rs 44,000. WhatsApp privacy policy challenged in Delhi High Court: 5 things to know A public interest litigation in the Delhi High Court (HC) challenges the change in WhatsApp's privacy policy. More Technology News»

		Education
		University can deny admission to students not carrying docs, says Delhi HC The students, who secure a rank in an entrance exam but fail to produce the required documents at the time of counselling, cannot fault the university for denying admission, Delhi high court has held. Fate of several foreign students in medical colleges uncertain after SC's ruling on NEET Hundreds of foreign students who had enrolled this year for undergraduate programmes in private medical colleges in India now face an uncertain future due to a "tricky" domestic legislation regarding entrance examination for them. Foreign students in India come to pursue MBBS or BDS courses either through an institutional quota system, like in government colleges, or by directly applying to private colleges. UGC seeks public feedback on establishment of world class institutions More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Hiranandani doctors told donor his kidney would regrow: Chargesheet Three doctors and a social worker associated with Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, had tried to convince a kidney donor that the organ would regrow within 18 months, says the chargesheet in the kidney racket case. Sainiks assault BJP workers at Dussehra gathering in Mulund Time to deliver final blow to Pakistan: Uddhav Thackeray More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		90-year-old found living with dead wife in Delhi An ailing nonagenarian was found living with the corpse of his wife in his Kalkaji house on Sunday night. Police said the body had decomposed beyond recognition and it was lying on the floor. Alert woman foils abduction bid To save robbers, women attack cops More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Govt to tackle muck using software park template Karnataka, which is grappling with a garbage glut, has mooted 3R Environmental Parks for the 219 urban local bodies, including Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). 10 institutions could get world-class tag In an effort to bring higher education institutions on a par with global universities, the University Grants Commission has published on its website draft regulations guidelines to set up `world class institutions' and invited suggestions from academicians and stakeholders. St+art: Month-long street art festival to brighten Bengaluru walls Cubism to graffiti, street art is on show in Bengaluru for the rest of the month. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Road projects on fast track, Andhra to lay 1000km roads in 3 years In an attempt to give push to the infrastructure development, the government has decided to revamp the road network in the state. The development of roads is expected to help the government counter the opposition campaign about too much of concentration on the capital city construction as new road network linking the rayalaseema districts with the capital city is being put on the fast track. The roads and buildings department has been mandated to launch the works cleared by the government on war footing basis and finish as per the schedules. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials of R and B to complete at least 400 km of work in the first year itself. Fake cops, TTEs taking passengers for a ride In View Of The Festive Rush, Imposters Duping People On Pretext Of Getting `Confirmed' Tickets Dasara gift: 21 new districts Mega Celebrations To Usher In `New Telangana' Today More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Special officers for civic bodies: Tamil Nadu in legal bind 2 held for posts on CM, search on for mimic As school fees go through the roof, parents tap the app to secure loans More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Demand for gold jewellery rises The festive season has brought good news for city-based jewellers, as the demand for gold jewellery has improved in the last one week. Gujarat University alumni garba on Oct 13 The alumni association of the Gujarat University will hold its first event at the GMDC ground on October 13.The association has organized garba on Thursday for its members and GU students. First metropolitan planning panel election held The first metropolitan planning committee election on Monday was full of confusion and blunders. On Tuesday, election officers claimed that some of the 29-odd BJP councillors of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) each cast 30 ballots each, instead of the mandated 29. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Constable 'rapes' 60-year-old pilgrim on boat at Sangam Poor children to get 5,000 aid Children from weaker sections of the society studying in private schools under Right to Education Act (RTE)-2009 would be given Rs 5,000 for purchasing books and uniforms for the ongoing academic session. Dhakis find their new home in Sangam city For years, many dhakis from various villages of West Bengal have been thronging Allahabad during Durga Puja with their dhaks (drums) slung across their backs. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Rains affect efforts to contain JE outbreak In an attempt to contain the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) which has already claimed 44 lives in a single month, the Malkangiri district administration has decided to provide additional nutritional support to children aged between 6 months and 6 years and pregnant women from Monday. Corporator held for threatening rape survivor Police on Sunday arrested Prasant Patnaik aka Tuna, the corporator of ward 21 of Berhampur Municipal Corporation on charges of threatening a rape survivor to give false evidence in a case occurred two years ago here. Girl returning from puja falls off railway bridge A 10-year-old girl went missing on Sunday after falling into the Budhabalanga river while crossing a railway bridge near Belabaria village under Sadar police limits in Balasore district. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Worms found in anganwadi food at Sheopur The news recently over malnourishment deaths. Under state government's initiative, nutritious food is served to children through the anganwadis. Sangh skips 'path-sanchalan', keeps it for October 23 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday broke its tradition and cancelled the Vijayadashami 'path sanchalan' programme in the state capital. 23-year-old youth found hanging A 23-year-old youth was found hanging at his house in the early hours of Tuesday. The incident was reported from Press Complex area of MP Nagar. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Hooda pics removed from Congress office Move 2 Days After Clashes At Delhi Rally Builder made just Rs 1 crore profit, couldn't have paid bribe: VB AIT CASE | Drops Corruption Charges Against All 18 Accused AIT exemption case: 3 top IAS officers had differed with government Punjab's vigilance bureau may have given a clean chit to former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and 17 others in the 2005 case of 32 acres of land being exempted from acquisition by the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT). More Chandigarh News»

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