News Digest: Sponsors can track project progress through government portal

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, October 13, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Sponsors can track project progress through government portal Government looks to press ahead with GM mustard The government will be guided by scientific evidence and “larger interests“ of consumers and farmers in deciding commercial use of GM mustard even as it works to narrow the gap between opponents and supporters of the genetically engineered crops. India inks pacts to secure ships beyond its seas India is steadily stitching up “white shipping“ pacts with different countries for reciprocal exchange of information on merchant vessels to bolster its maritime domain awareness (MDA) and tackle threats emanating from the sea. More India News»

		Business
		Solar projects see surge in corporate funding in Q3 Bharti's debt to rise by US $2 bn on spectrum buys: Moody's Telecom major Bharti Airtel's debt will increase byover Rs 13,300 crore due to the recent spectrum purchase but cash flows from operations and monetisation activities are likely to reduce this level in next 6-12 months, Moody's Investors Service said today. IPOs in 2016 set to hit six-year high The year 2016 is turning out to be a blockbuster for IPOs with collections set to hit the highest level in six years. Until now, 50 companies have already raised $2.93 billion while another 22 are set to issue shares in the next two months, taking the estimated issuances to $5.8 billion. 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
		Two women say Trump touched them inappropriately Two women have accused Donald Trump of touching them inappropriately in the past, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, with one saying she was groped and another recounting him kissing her on the mouth, charges that the Republican presidential nominee hotly denied. Blast kills 14 Shiites in northern Afghanistan: Officials At least 14 Shiites were killed on Wednesday in a powerful blast at a mosque in northern Afghanistan, the second deadly attack on the minority in as many days during the major festival of Ashura. Moscow says US hacking claims 'flattering', but false Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shrugged off US allegations that Russia has directed cyber attacks against American political organisations in a bid to influence the November 8 vote. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Dwayne Bravo imitates Salman Khan's towel dance Dwayne Bravo grooved to songs from Salman Khan’s film. Katrina on her instinctive career choices Katrina Kaif has been the talking point of the industry ever since she received the famous Smita Patil Award for her contribution to Indian Cinema. Rakesh and Hrithik won't give up their 'K' connection Rakesh Roshan, who decided to title his films with K from 'Khudgarz' onwards, continues to stick to his favourite alphabet, even though Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor have stopped titling their productions with the same alphabet. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Government looks to press ahead with GM mustard The government will be guided by scientific evidence and “larger interests“ of consumers and farmers in deciding commercial use of GM mustard even as it works to narrow the gap between opponents and supporters of the genetically engineered crops. 'Earth's mantle swallowed massive chunk of India, Eurasia' Calcium supplements may damage your heart: Study Taking calcium in the form of supplements may raise the risk of plaque buildup in arteries and heart damage, although a diet high in calcium-rich foods appears to be protective, scientists have found. More Science News»

		Sports
		Ashwin stands tall as numbers reveal Indian domination It wasn't for anything that Virat Kohli termed New Zealand's 3-0 rout as a "proper team series win" and a simple piece of statistic will reveal why his observation seems to be so apt in the bigger context. Saha to rest for two Ranji matches on Kumble's advice Saha, who will be 32 in less than a fortnight, had kept wickets for more than 452 overs during the three Test matches against New Zealand. Add to it, two knocks of 50 plus in pressure situation at the Eden Gardens to win the Man of the Match award. Rafael Nadal crashes out of Shanghai Masters Rafael Nadal saved a match point at 4-5 down in the second set but he was well beaten in the tie-breaker as he suffered his first ever defeat to Viktor Troicki in the latest setback for the fading Spanish great. 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
		Left jobless by govt for 2 years, 60 who cleared MPSC on relay hunger strike After Shiv Sena's `surgical strike', BJP asks if their chief has 56-inch chest City's first cluster redevpt will see wider roads More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Where encroachers hold the fort as conservation takes a backseat At Delhi Congress get-together, pickpocket steals the show The Delhi Congress organised a high tea last week with the idea of giving its leaders and workers space for free interaction and bonding. Cracks in houses: BJP chief assures residents of help More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Karnataka will rely on willow power R Vinay Kumar and his men will look to get off to a winning start against a team which is high on confidence. TRIBUTE - Anita Kaul's role in reforming education system was vital The demise of retired IAS officer Anita Kaul early this week, who essayed a vital role in drafting the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, besides taking lessons on Nali Kali to government schools, has come as a shock to educationists in the state. MALNAD MARATHON - Runners conquer Western Ghats stretch to spread aroma of sustainable coffee After a 110-km run cutting through the slippery and rocky stretch of the Western Ghats in 14 hours with no break, Athreya Chidambi has shown he is one of the city's emerging fitness freaks. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Muharram observed in Old City State wakf board receives flak from Muslim community Law panel seeks opinion on ending 'evils' in three religions More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Reviving Ravanlila to counter 'racist' epic Crowdsourcing to help civic officials solve Chennai's problems Old world touch to next-gen metro stations More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Man held for allegedly extorting money from city-based trader MICA students celebrate Dussehra with villagers Dalits face boycott for not disposing of dead cow Dalits, who had pledged not to dispose of animal carcasses following the stir that erupted from the Una flogging incident, are now without of essential commodities. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Muharram processions taken out peacefully in Pratapgarh 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. 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
		23,000 job seekers wait for clearance 'Tererist' calls Bhopal residents from Afghan number, ahead of Modi visit A barrage of incoming calls from Afghanistan to hundreds of subscribers in Bhopal in the midst of a massive security exercise for the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, has sent intelligence and anti-terrorist squad (ATS) officials into a tizzy. Vyapam to conduct unified exam In yet another effort to improve the examination system, Vyapam has decided to organize unified exam for different departments. It will be implemented from the next year. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		27% Punjab cop aspirants failed dope test on marijuana Regional Saras Mela at Bathinda from Oct 14, rural development minister Maluka to inaugurate Legendary Olympian Balbir Singh (Sr) interacts with students at PEC More Chandigarh News»

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