News Digest: SC to hear plea against Maharashtra dance bar ban

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, September 13, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		SC to hear plea against Maharashtra dance bar ban In a setback for the Maharashtra government, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a challenge to the renewed ban on dance bars and issued a notice to the state. Single-phase assembly poll in Maharashtra on Oct 15, results on Oct 19 Maharashtra’s over 8.28 crore voters will vote in a single-phase, one-day poll on October 15 to elect its 13th 288-member assembly and its 18th chief minister. Kunal Ghosh drags Bengal education minister into Ponzi muddle Suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh dropped another bombshell in the Saradha case on Friday, dragging education minister Partha Chatterjee's name for the first time. More India News»

		Business
		IIP growth slows to 0.5% in July Industrial production slowed to a four-month low of 0.5% in July mainly due to a fall in manufacturing output. Govt plans Rs 2 lakh crore infra projects this year Government will roll out infrastructure projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore within a year, a move aimed at pushing economic activity and growth. Housing for all: Govt in overdrive to remove hurdles The government is working on slew of measures like increasing the ceiling for necessary environmental approvals, self certification and bring down of interest rates. More Business News»

		Environment
		NGT bans tyre burning in the open, re-use of tyres as fuel The western zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has prohibited the burning of tyres in open areas and also the reuse of old tyres as fuel in industries and brick kilns. India, EU stress need for global pact on climate change He said India is looking forward to this month's New York dialogue on climate change, UN climate conference in Lima and continuous dialogue in Paris next year "to have a real corrective roadmap for green environment". Govt launches an exclusive portal for river Ganga Government on Friday launched an exclusive website on the river Ganga. The move will provide a digital platform to people to extend their suggestions and tips, More Environment News»

		World
		ISIS has over 31,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq: CIA The new estimates came from the CIA, which said it was based on a new review of all-source intelligence reports from May to August. Scottish nay-sayers regain lead Supporters of keeping Scotland in the UK have clawed back a tiny lead over separatists less than a week before Scots vote in an independence referendum that is balanced on a knife edge, opinion surveys showed on Friday. Taliban gunmen who attacked Malala held: Pak Pakistan’s army said on Friday that it had arrested the gunmen involved in the attack on schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai in the country’s northwestern Swat valley in 2012. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Happy New Year promotions will happen on Bigg Boss: Salman Bollywood's friend turned foes Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan's relationship has always been the talk of the town. Shweta sex scandal: Nothing wrong, says Deepika It seems Deepika Padukone is not just a beautiful face. The pretty actress has joined the likes of Karan Johar, Vishal Bharadwaj and Sakshi Tanwar to lend her support to beleaguered actress Shweta Basu Prasad. 'People are interested in my wardrobe & boyfriends' Sonam Kapoor talks about her need for personal space, her co-stars and More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Scientists invent device that detects anaemia in 60 seconds A new invention could tremendously help India which often finds itself in the bottom of the world’s nutrition barometer. First swimming dinosaur found-it was bigger than T. rex Scientists have discovered the first dinosaur which was able to swim and feed on underwater creatures. Fossil remains of this 15-meter (45 feet) long giant, called Spinosaurus, were discovered off the eastern coast of Morocco. '3D-printed' WikiHouse 4.0: £50,000 house you can download from the internet A modern take on traditional prefab housing may be the answer to Britain’s housing crisis, with the launch of a two-bedroom home which anyone can put together in just a few days, according to experts. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sania Mirza to play Asian Games: AITA The All India Tennis Association confirmed on Friday that Sania has revoked her decision to pull out of the quadrennial event owing to her WTA commitments. Rape charge against Pinki Pramanik dropped The Calcutta high court on Friday dropped all criminal charges against Asian Games gold medallist athlete Pinki Pramanik. Davis Cup: Serbia take 2-0 lead against India on Day 1 Even second-string Serbia proved a mighty opponent as Yuki and Somdev suffered defeats to leave India trailing 0-2 in Davis Cup World Group playoff tie. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple Watch: Timely idea or clocked out? Apple is a habitual party crasher, but can the company's history of arriving late and making a big splash in various gadget categories continue with the Apple Watch? US threatened to fine Yahoo $250,000 a day US authorities threatened to fine Yahoo $250,000 a day if it failed to comply with a secret surveillance program requiring it to hand over user data in the name of national security, court documents showed Thursday. Apple iPhone 6 launch: The wait begins Apple has taken the covers off iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but it’s more than a week before you will be able to buy them. Here’s a look at people around the world who have already lined up outside Apple Stores: More Technology News»

		Education
		26K answer-sheets yet to be revaluated as Oct exams near The Mumbai University’s October exams will begin in less than three weeks, but 26,397 answer-sheets are yet to be reassessed. The university, which received applications to revaluate 48,786 papers, has completed only 22,389 till Friday. Cambridge University to help India improve primary education The University of Cambridge will soon partner with India to improve its primary education system, its vice-chancellor said on Friday. BPSC and education department to have greater say in lecturers' appointment Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and state education department will now have greater say in appointment of lecturers (assistant professors) in colleges and universities of the state. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Salman's trial on Sept 24, all except 1 paper submitted The prosecution in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving actor Salman Khan on Friday submitted all but one of the "missing" case documents before the sessions court. No need to form panel to monitor Bandra Fair: HC The Bombay high court on Friday declined a plea to constitute a committee to monitor the Bandra Fair, which begins on Sunday. Burglars ask kid for water, flee with valuables Four persons made away with Rs 1.25 lakh valuables from a Kalyan house after gaining access into a flat under the pretext of wanting a glass of drinking water. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Woman, son murdered in Rohini flat A 62-year-old woman and her 40-year-old son were found murdered in their house in Rohini, northwest Delhi, on Friday.The two had been bludgeoned to death with a hammer and stabbed multiple times as well, police said. Man jailed for sodomizing minor Observing that unnatural sex between two persons is an offence "whether consensual or non-consensual", a trial court sentenced a 30-year-old man to three years' rigorous imprisonment for sodomizing a minor. Brandon Stanton: Star shutterbug has city in frame It wasn't difficult spotting him in the considerably large Central Park in Connaught Place. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Knew actor, but didn't marry or cheat her: Karthik Gowda Karthik Gowda, who appeared before police on Friday after evading them for two weeks, was grilled for more than 10 hours regarding the complaint filed by an actress accusing him of kidnapping, marrying by force and raping her. 80% Karnataka tourists rescued from Kashmir Of the 560 saved, 389 people have been evacuated from of the Valley, while the others are at safe sites and relief camps in Kashmir. Have deserving kids got RTE seats? There is another side to the Right to Education story which private schools would want to narrate. While opposing quota for underprivileged kids, one of the reasons is this: their skepticism on who gets those coveted seats. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Realty mafia threat rises The Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority officials have cautioned people against purchasing house sites in Vijayawada and Guntur areas. Rs 1 cr cash seized ahead of bypolls The Chief Electoral Officer said that Rs 75.24 lakh cash was seized in relation with Medak constituency, while Rs 27.30 lakh was seized in connection with the Nandigama constituency. Restoring heritage sites an empty promise Three years ago, the GHMC had floated proposals to restore and conserve heritage sites. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Cancer expert says India needs more oncologists It is estimated that there would be one million new cancer cases in India soon and this figure is likely to double in the next 25 years. Railway staff gives stranger ride, gets robbed of chain for trouble Venkatesan, 48, a Southern Railway employee, is unlikely to give a stranger a ride on his motorbike again. Criminal proceedings can be quashed if it's not a grievous offence: SC A bench of Justice Sudhanshu Jyoti Mukhopadhaya and Justice Prafulla C Pant said quashing criminal proceedings would be fine if the nature of offence was not grave and parties had entered into a settlement. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Ancient Khedbrahma set to create cyber history Tribals of ancient Khedbrahma are set to make history. This part of Sabarkantha district will become the first WiFi-enabled taluka of Gujarat. A billionaire club of canines! They don't lead a dog's life! From dry fruit laddus to rotis coated with a thick layer of desi ghee and milk cream, their opulent lifestyle can make anybody envious. Vadnagar on menu for Modi's b'day meet with Xi In May this year, when Chinese premiere Li Keqiang called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his election victory, the conversation had veered towards the memoirs of the famous seventh century Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Flood-hit Balha villagers deprived of voting right Had Lost All Documents in Flood; Admin Fails To Issue New IDs Fate of contestants to be locked in EVMs today Tight Security Measures Put In Place To Ensure Free & Fair Polls Now villagers protest against Meja thermal plant The plant is a joint venture of National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPCL) and UP Rajya Vidyut Nigam Limited (UPRVNL). More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Trader rescued, two held In less than three hours of the incident, Rayagada police rescued a kidnapped trader and arrested two persons for their alleged involvement in the crime. Students in a fix over deferred dates for job fair, many cancel reservations The postponing of a special recruitment drive for technical and professional graduates by the state government, which was scheduled to begin on September 17, has exposed the government's lack of planning for the move. Odisha pinning hopes on Mamata-traders meeting With the price of potato skyrocketing in Odisha, all eyes are on the Friday meeting between West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and potato traders of the neighbouring state. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Bhopal gas tragedy: Give facilities to empowered panel, says Madhya Pradesh high court During the last hearing committee's chairman had highlighted several problems.Principal secretary of the said department has been asked to resolve the committee's problem and file status report within three weeks. Tree census: MANIT gives reply, seeks 1 more mnth MANIT is learned to have requested National Green Tribunal (NGT) to give another month's time to complete tree census. Why let off ministers & babus, HC to Lokayukta Madhya Pradesh High court (MPHC) has asked Lokyukta Justice P P Naolekar to submit a report for grounds on which bureaucrats and ministers were let off from alleged charges of corruption against them. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Woman thrashes cop for sending obscene SMS A 40-year-old woman thrashed a constable inside a police station in Karnataka’s Shimoga district for sending her an obscene text. Godman declared clinically dead, son asked to give proof he was his father The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday asked Dilip Jha to furnish documents supporting his claim that he is son of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan founder Ashutosh Maharaj, declared clinically dead. Survey reveals high incidence of anemia among women, children in Punjab The food bowl of the country, Punjab, has higher incidence of anemia than some other states. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Govt questions transgender definition in SC verdict

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, September 12, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Govt questions transgender definition in SC verdict The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court recognizing transgender persons as a “third gender“ has come under a cloud. Transgender raped by cops fights for justice A Mumbai-based transgender, who went to Ajmer to offer prayers to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, in June first week, was allegedly gang-raped by three police officials at the Dargah police station. Facing attacks during day, NDRF takes to more night rescues With desperate flood victims attacking rescue teams, NDRF has slowed down its day operations and intensified the same during nights. More India News»

		Business
		Suzuki to make India a manufacturing hub for bikes Suzuki Motorcycles India is developing four new products, including a 100cc motorcycle, which would be rolled out over the next two years. ITC, L&T can help govt raise over Rs 43k crore The government has lined up big bang stake sale in blue chip public sector stocks — Coal India, ONGC and NHPC — to raise over Rs 45,000 crore but has so far done little to offload its shares in ITC and Larsen & Toubro, which can help it mobilize another Rs 43,500 crore. Insurance funds pile up for want of bank account Life insurers are seeing policyholder funds pile up unclaimed following the regulator’s diktat that all maturity benefits should be directly transferred to a bank account. Insurers are now hoping that universal bank accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana will help address the issue. More Business News»

		Environment
		Delhi zoo clueless as macaque dies, carcass rots for 3 weeks Zoo officials have found a badly decomposed carcass of a stump-tailed macaque in its enclosure recently after its keepers gave contradictory reports of whether the monkey was seen or not. New trade regulations for greater protection to endangered sharks More than 70 million sharks are killed worldwide every year, according to WWF, with high demand for shark fins in Asia the biggest driver of the overfishing. 3 square km of 'very dense' forest vanish from Agra A loss of 3 sq km 'very dense' forest cover in Agra has caught forest department off-guard. The Forest Survey of India's 2013 assessment report of forest cover in the country shows loss of 12 sq km of' 'very dense and moderately dense' forest cover in UP. Forest cover has increased by a dismal 0.01% from the last 2011 assessment. More Environment News»

		World
		Arab allies pledge to fight Islamic State group Key Arab allies promised on Thursday to "do their share" to fight Islamic State militants, but NATO member Turkey refused to join in, signaling the struggle the US. Scotland ready to make history: Alex Salmond Scotland's pro-independence leader Alex Salmond said the "eyes of the world" were on a momentous referendum next week as officials reported record numbers registering to vote on breaking away from the United Kingdom. China snubs Dalai Lama, says it can appoint his successor Rejecting the Dalai Lama’s views on ending the system of reincarnated Tibetan spiritual head, the Chinese government on Thursday said it will preserve the centuries old tradition among Tibetan Buddhists, saying it has the powers to appoint the next Dalai Lama. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Movie Review: 'Creature 3D' A scary creature and a girl find themselves inhabiting the same jungle. And both battle it out for supremacy. 'Had to get into red light area and in middle of hookers' Homi Adajania, 42, is in the truest sense a mad, bindaas Parsi Bawa. Celebs we do not want inside the Bigg Boss house The Bigg Boss season 8 is just about to begin and speculations are rife about the celebrity contestants. We list celebs who we would love and hate to see on this season’s Bigg Boss. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Alien-like giant water-living dinosaur unveiled The beast, called Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, was already known to scientists from a long-ago fossil discovery, but most of those bones were destroyed in Germany during World War II. Double solar storms headed to Earth raise disruption concerns rare double burst of magnetically charged solar storms will hit Earth on Thursday night and Friday, raising concerns that GPS signals, radio communications and power transmissions could be disrupted, officials said on Thursday. Lab-generated stem cells set for human trial in Japan The Japanese team will now use iPS cells to treat the patient with degenerative eye disease. More Science News»

		Sports
		Vijay Amritraj disagrees with Somdev Devvarman Amritraj disagreed with Somdev's take that India's Davis Cup chances against the mighty Serbia will hinge on doubles pair of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna. Upset Dipika considering Asian Games pull-out Upset with the "manipulative" Asian Games singles draw, India's top squash player Dipika Pallikal is "seriously considering" pulling out of the Asian Games. Gagan Narang misses Olympic quota by a place Gagan Narang missed out on an Olympic quota by just one place as he finished sixth in the finals of 50-metre rifle prone at the 51st Shooting World C'ships. More Sports News»

		Technology
		iPhone 6: Is Apple delaying India launch? Apple has removed the availability date for the iPhone 6 from its India website. 4.93 million Gmail passwords leaked by hackers Russian hackers have leaked the email IDs and passwords of as many as 4.93 million Google accounts. Apple iPhone 6 vs Galaxy Alpha, HTC One (M8), others Here's a feature-to-feature comparison of the all-new iPhone 6 with Samsung Galaxy Alpha, HTC One (M8), Sony Xperia Z3 and Microsoft's Nokia Lumia 930. More Technology News»

		Education
		JNU presidential debate: Visiting the last 'Red Fort', again Many believed those days that the JNUSU debate had at least more passion, if not better quality, than US presidential debates. India needs a new educational policy: Smriti Irani Irani also added that a review of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and RTE will be soon carried out. Manipal University-Association of Chartered Certified Accountants sign MoU Manipal University signed a memorandum of understanding with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a global body for professional accountants incorporated by Royal Charter in accordance with the laws of England and Wales here on Wednesday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Now, govt to fast-track criminal cases against netas : Legislators against whom criminal charges have either been framed or are under prosecution in various courts are in for a tough time. Bank woman who aided heist has a corrupt husband too Police probing the August 25 heist at Canara Bank's Ghatkopar branch said the arrested bank official's husband, a class-I BMC officer, was caught in June by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while accepting a bribe from an octroi agent. NGO: Corporators' attendance slid by 7%, new mayor's report card best Shiv Sena's newly elected mayor Snehal Ambekar was ranked first among the 227 municipal corporators in a report card, prepared by an NGO, that revealed the average 6.7% drop in councillors' attendance. Ambekar was ranked 44 last year. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Footpaths nowhere to step: Roles not fixed, agencies pass buck What action should be taken, and which agency should take it are questions that don't get resolved due to lack of coordination TOI's series on encroachment of pavements has got a tremendous response from people, as the issue affects everyone. Snatchings could rise as Haryana gangs shift base, Delhi cops worried In a year that has seen a four-fold increase in the number of snatchings in Delhi, a stern law against the crime in Haryana has got police worried. UD ministry orders drive against debris, encroachments The Delhi government and other civic agencies will undertake a joint drive to remove encroachments from roads and footpaths. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		This Comic Con promises to be bigger and better Jatin Varma is a happy man. Comic Con has gone from strength to strength over the course of three years. But the CEO of Comic Con India is also anxious. Design college done in by head's high-handedness The high-handedness of the chairman proved to be the final straw for Sharada School of Architecture (SSA), which was bedevilled with poor infrastructure. Jayalalithaa withdraws petition Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and three other accused in the multi-crore disproportionate assets case on Thursday withdrew their petition with the Karnataka high court. It had challenged the August 20 order of a special court in Bangalore. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Jal Vayu maid case: Cops seek 'autonomy' to file FIR Despite repeated appeals from multiple civil society groups, the city police on Thursday refused to file a First Information Report (FIR) in the alleged gang-rape case of a minor girl at Jal Vayu Towers, Lower Tank Bund, last month. HC seeks Tenlangana's response on hate campaign According to the petitioner, the university will be common entity and its bifurcation between the two states will be decided by both AP and Telangana governments within one year. This Haj season, it's going to rain politicians Pilgrims would be inconvenienced if leaders from both states arrive on the same day. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Where teen love spurs marriages among minors Sumathy (name changed), a resident of Usilampatti in Madurai district, lost her parents when she was young. “I stayed with my aunt, who got me married within blood relations when I was 14 years old,” she says. Up or across? Debate on Chennai's growth hots up Lack of basic infrastructure and public transportation in the expanded city limits has once again led to a clamour for higher floor space index (FSI) in inner Chennai — FSI being the ratio of built up area allowed by the government to the plot area available. Nurse injects poison, dies after boyfriend breaks up A 22-year-old nurse injected poison into herself and died after she broke up with her boyfriend at Semathamman Nagar in Koyambedu on Wednesday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		A billionaire club of canines in Ahmedabad They don't lead a dog's life! From dry fruit laddus to rotis coated with a thick layer of desi ghee and milk cream, their opulent lifestyle can make anybody envious. These pampered street dogs not only look prosperous, but also are sole residents of land worth more than Rs 150 crore - thanks to an army of pooch lovers in Chandkheda. Khedbrahma set to create cyber history Tribals of ancient Khedbrahma are set to make history.This part of Sabarkantha district will become the first WiFi-enabled taluka of Gujarat. Lion visits common in six out of 10 Gir villages Lion visits are a regular feature in six out of 10 villages in the Gir region spread out in three districts of Saurashtra - Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		BJP alleges SP of damaging helipad meant for Hema BJP MP Hema Malini said law and order is at its nadir under Akhilesh government in UP. “Goons of SP dug up the helipad so that I could not land and address the meeting,” she said. Indo-Nepal border to remain sealed for bypolls In view of by-elections in Balaha Reserved (Bahraich) and Ninghsan (Lakhimpur Kheri) districts on September 13, Indo-Nepal border will be sealed from September 11 to September 13 to prevent illegal movement of people and arms. Keen contest on cards in Sirathu ;BJP, SP in direct fight; Cong may dent their prospects Thursday was the last date for campaigning in Sirathu heading for intense electoral battle for ballots on Saturday. In the absence of wave in favour of any of major political party, the bypoll is likely to witness a close fight between Samajwadi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Auditorium ready for makeover Kabisurya Ranga Manch, one of the oldest auditoriums in the town, will get a facelift.The state government sanctioned Rs 1 crore in the budget for renovation of the building. Artha Tatwa scam: CBI interrogates BJD MLA The CBI interrogated Pranab Balabantray, BJD MLA and son of Rajya Sabha member Kalpataru Das, in connection with the Artha Tatwa (AT) Group scam late on Wednesday, sparking speculation that the central investigating agency is close to unveiling the political nexus in the fraud. The quizzing continued till early Thursday. BJP: Government stopped land settlement Reiterating its demand for CBI inquiry into the controversial land acquisitions, the BJP on Wednesday sought to add spice to the issue in focus alleging that the government abruptly stopped land settlement work in areas surrounding the capital city in 2010 ostensibly to help the vested interests. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Shubha Mudgal performs during Badal Raag at Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal Bhopalites enjoyed Badal Raag, a cultural programme organised at Bharat Bhavan from September 5 to 8. NHRC begins open hearing of cases National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday started a three-day open hearing to examine about 100 complaints related to human rights violations.Complaints have been filed from different parts of the state. All Saint's bar students from exam, parents create ruckus Parents of more than a dozen students created ruckus at All Saint's School, Idgah Hills when students of three schools were not allowed to sit for half yearly exams for failure to get their no dues certificate signed. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		In Panjab University hostels, everyday is a battle they face A day after members of the Panjab University Campus Students Council took oath, TOI went back to students and asked them what they expect of their leaders. DAV's charity club donates Rs 50k to 15-year-old NavSankalp, the charity club run by students of DAV College, Sector 10, on Thursday came forward to help a 15-year-old boy suffering from craniopharyngioma or brain tumour. Students posing as CBI sleuths extort money from auto drivers, held Two students impersonating as CBI sleuths were arrested while they were challaning auto-rickshaw drivers and extorting money from them in the city on Wednesday night. More Chandigarh News»

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