News Digest: Ahead of Obama visit, US rules out embargo, lets India off IPR hook

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, December 14, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Ahead of Obama visit, US rules out embargo, lets India off IPR hook The fear of US sanctions over India’s intellectual property rights regime has lifted, at least for the moment, with Washington giving a clean chit after a special review. Indian men like four-play on their honeymoons: Survey A recent survey has now confirmed what Indian women always knew: that Indian men have the oddest sense of romance. When music made history A film on Girija Devi documents her struggle to become a professional singer More India News»

		Business
		CMs cross swords over dismantling of Planning Commission Uttarkhand chief minister Harish Rawat today criticised the move to dismantle Planning Commission saying it has created uncertainty in the country, a view countered by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis who claimed the new framework will give more rights to states. Ex-PwC staffer charged over leaked tax documents A Luxembourg judge has charged a former PricewaterhouseCoopers employee suspected of leaking documents about secret corporate tax deals with theft and giving away business secrets, the Luxembourg public prosecutor's office said today. Mallya seeks exemption from court appearance The Esplanade court on Friday gave Mallya and the airline CEO Sanjay Aggarwal a "last chance" to appear in court on January 9. More Business News»

		Environment
		Pak court extends stay against construction of nuclear plants A local court here has extended for another week its stay order restraining the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) from carrying out work on the two nuclear power plant projects in Karachi without adhering to environmental laws. Kerry appeals to all to share burden of climate change US secretary of state John Kerry on Friday appealed to the countries at UN climate talks to jointly share the burden of combating climate change and draft their energy policies around renewable sources. US rules out China-like climate deal with India in near future the US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of a wide-ranging deal to cut greenhouse gas emission with India on the line of the recent US-China deal. More Environment News»

		World
		Thousands rally in US over police killings Thousands of people marched in Washington and New York today to demand justice for black men who have died at the hands of white police, the latest in weeks of demonstrations across the United States. US Senate tussles over spending bill as shutdown looms The US Senate convened a special session today amid deep divisions over a $1.1 trillion spending bill that lawmakers must pass to avert a government shutdown. Japan heads to polls with Abe on course to retain power Voters began casting ballots in Japan on Sunday for a general election likely to return Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to power, and billed as a referendum on his economic policy. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Was KSG drunk at the trailer launch of Alone? KSG's gestures suggested he was in an inebriated state. Real-life cheating boyfriends from TV industry There are many examples of cheating partners in the TV industry. The new serial kissers of Bollywood More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Even fat dogs can help you get in shape The chubby, inert pet dog has become a familiar household sight in richer countries. China develops invisible 'pain beam' to disperse crowds When the long-range beam hits a person, it heats water molecules just below skin, causing intense pain Men are the bigger idiots, says study Tongue-in-cheek study investigates "male idiot theory", finds they take ridiculous risks More Science News»

		Sports
		India take on Pakistan in Champions Trophy semifinal The Kalinga Stadium is all set to witness something that dreams are made of when India take on Pakistan in the semifinals of the 35th edition of the Champions Trophy on Saturday. Netherlands see off Belgium in FIH Champions Trophy The Netherlands eventually saw off Belgium in a penalty shootout to earn a fifth place playoff from the opening game of day five at the Champions Trophy. ISL: Kerala Blasters have task cut out against Chennaiyin FC Kerala Blasters' ride has been in sharp contrast to Chennaiyin FC's cruise. While the latter stormed into semifinals, Blasters made it by the skin of their teeth. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Lumia 535 review: The 'first' Microsoft Lumia Is the Lumia 535 the Microsoft Lumia we've been waiting for? Read our review. Xiaomi vows to fight HC order to resume India sales Xiaomi says it will comply with orders but remains determined to continue operations in the country after exploring legal options. 15 useful Google tools you probably didn't know about There’s hardly a day that goes by without most of us using at least one Google tool, be it search, YouTube, Maps, Translate, Gmail, Android, News or Analytics. More Technology News»

		Education
		IITs out of bounds for students born abroad Smriti Muralishankar, a Class 12 student in Coimbatore, has spent the last four years burning the midnight oil to prepare for one of the toughest exams in the country – the JEE. Now, take admissions to Vardhaman Mahaveer open universaty through e-Mitras The Vardhman Mahaveer Open University (VMOU) will now enroll students via e-Mitras from across the state. IIM-Udaipur starts deferred placement to encourage entrepreneurship Following the footsteps of IITs, the Indian Institute of Management-Udaipur has introduced 'deferred placements' aiming to promote entrepreneurship among its students. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		RBI file fraud case against Malad based Chartered accountant The Malad police station have registered a case of cheating and forgery against a chartered accountant after the Reserve Bank of India's officials approached them with a complaint. End of road for two Brit-era bridges on CR Two bridges that are among the city’s oldest landmarks will be demolished before the rains. Man arrested for strangling wife over tiff A man was arrested on Saturday on the charge of strangling his 38-year-old wife in a house at Bhatwadi chawl in Ghatkopar (W) on Tuesday. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Cops to help clear DDA land The Delhi high court on Saturday ordered police to provide adequate force to DDA for removing illegal encroachment on public land. Attack on Mercedes executive: 2 held Two men were arrested on Saturday from south Delhi’s Neb Sarai for the December 2 attack on a Mercedes Benz senior manager that left him critically wounded. Chinese 'Romeo and Juliet' wows capital It was a classic boy-meets-girl love story that unfolded on the stage at the Siri Fort auditorium on Friday evening. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		India must work on pain management: Atul Gawande He is described as the “renowned surgeon by day and public health journalist by night“. Atul Gawande, Indian-American surgeon and writer of bestselling books on the struggles and limitations of his profession, was in Bengaluru on Saturday. Bengaluru likely to get ICU hospital The government is contemplating setting up an intensive care hospital with 100 beds in Bengaluru, said minister for health and family welfare UT Khader on Saturday. Law to rein in developers on cards Property developers who mislead potential buyers on facilities in their projects may be in trouble now. The state government is set to bring in a legislation to check their activities. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Is Raju the driving force behind health services firm? In an otherwise sluggish job market, there's one city firm that seems to be on an aggressive hiring spree these days: CallHealth Services Pvt Ltd. Right from marketing and finance executives to doctors, nurses and nutritionists, to even administrative and technical support staff, this medical service provider, registered in November 2013, appears to be recruiting employees by the dozen every month. Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to add 5 new faces in cabinet Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to induct five to six new faces in the first expansion of his council of ministers on Tuesday, December 16. History-sheeter shot dead by friend A rowdy-sheeter was shot dead allegedly by his friend at Gunnampally village of Dwaraka Tirumala mandal in West Godavari district after a fight in a liquor shop. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Cops turn ticket delivery boys for 'Lingaa' release Chennai police weren’t on their regular beats on Thursday, the day the Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Lingaa’ released in theatres. Laptops go missing on omnibuses, Hyderabad, Bengaluru travellers targeted Laptops are going missing with disturbing regularity on interstate buses, with as many as 12 cases reported to the Koyambedu police in two months. Man gets 10-year RI for raping minor A city court on Friday sentenced a 24-year-old man to 10 years rigorous imprisonment for raping minor. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Ahmedabad youth gives breathing space to space Those who saw Hollywood blockbuster Gravity will remember the damage space debris accumulated over decades can cause, putting billion-dollar space projects in jeopardy. Obesity's sweet tooth biting more kids in state Neha Parmar never looked her age, because of the extra pounds the minor girl carried around her. Hiss and her: Snake girl tale A lizard used to scare her, but she now handles four-foot monitor lizards.She went down an 80-foot well and rescued an eight-foot python. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Board extends last date for exam centre list Madhyamik Siksha Parishad (UP Board) has extended the last date of submission of examination centre list by December 15 after around half-a-dozen divisions failed to submit it within the given deadline of November 30. Traders shut shops in protest against attack on former MP Trader community, on Thursday, closed their business establishments and shops including nursing homes, petrol pumps and chemist shops in protest against the recent assault on their leader and former MP Banwari Lal Kanchal in Lucknow. Work on technology to help paralytics Imagine a device which can help paralysis patients perform simple tasks like eating, switching on electrical appliances or operating a computer. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Awareness drive on Ponzi to go on AIR The Odisha police have decided to sensitize people about fraud non-banking financial companies via films and audio messages. The Crime Branch (CB) has decided to rope in All India Radio to spread awareness among tribals in their dialects. Chak De moment awaits India at Kalinga stadium The two hockey teams will clash against each other at the high-voltage Champions Trophy semi-final at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday. Separate infra body for MSMEs To provide infrastructure to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a timebound and transparent manner, the state government has decided to develop a separate entity in line with Idco. The new entity would be known as MSMEIdco, official sources said. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Radiation tests will be conducted for every mobile tower: MP minister The Madhya Pradesh government has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to test each and every mobile phone tower in the state for radiation Ruckus in MP assembly over death of tribal girls in boarding schools The call attention motion was raised by Congress MLA from Kukshi seat Surendra Singh Baghel who claimed that several unpleasant incidents have occurred in the tribal girls boarding schools in Dhar district after which students are feeling unsafe. Minister Mahdele reviews activities of fisheries federation Fisheries development minister Kusum Mahdele has directed officials to achieve targets of fisheries projects within time-limit. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		PU student uses mobile to cheat, held A 23-year old law student, Randeep, was arrested for using his mobile phone for cheating during the annual examination in Panjab University. After 14 years, Congress to see new reign The Congress would witness a change of guard at the helm after 14 years. Surgery fiasco: Captain Amarinder Singh demands police action Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that a criminal case should be registered against those responsible for the botched-up eye surgeries that led to several people losing their eyesight. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Despite Putin's visit, two pacts on military aircraft still in doldrums

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

		India
		Despite Putin's visit, two pacts on military aircraft still in doldrums President Vladimir Putin may have come and gone but stalemate largely persists over two key long-pending India-Russian defence projects, the fifth-generation fighter aircraft and military multirole transport aircraft. Saradha scam: Key aide gave away clinching details on Mitra A number of damaging magisterial statements by Madan Mitra's aides -prominent among them Rezaul Karim, alias Bapi --and some Saradha employees armed CBI with “enough evidence“ to arrest the minister. CBI charges former Jharkhand CM, ex-bureaucrats in coal scam case CBI on Friday filed charged against former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, his close aide Vijay Joshi, former coal secretary HC Gupta, ex-chief secretary A K Basu and four others in connection with allocation of coal blocks to Kolkata-based Vini Iron Steel and Udyog Ltd. More India News»

		Business
		Raghuram Rajan sounds caution on 'Make in India' plan With his former boss Manmohan Singh by his side, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan had some words of caution on the government’s “Make in India” initiative, saying the focus should be on domestic demand against the backdrop of slowing global growth. SC dismisses Bayer plea against generic drug In a move which will bring cheer to patients and generic companies pursuing affordable treatments, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Bayer’s appeal on the compulsory licence (CL) issued on kidney and cancer drug, Nexavar. SRK's loan to wife not sham deal to avoid tax: ITAT Shah Rukh Khan has obtained a clean chit from the Mumbai bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), which in its recent order has held that tax avoidance was not the motive behind the actor giving a substantial interest-free loan to wife. More Business News»

		Environment
		Kerry appeals to all to share burden of climate change US secretary of state John Kerry on Friday appealed to the countries at UN climate talks to jointly share the burden of combating climate change and draft their energy policies around renewable sources. US rules out China-like climate deal with India in near future the US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of a wide-ranging deal to cut greenhouse gas emission with India on the line of the recent US-China deal. Lima climate summit: Saarc stands up to be counted as one The Saarc bloc has finally emerged as a united force at the ongoing climate talks with ministers and key representatives of all eight member countries formally sealing the existence of south Asia as a common entity here as far as putting across their stand at the UN forum is concerned. More Environment News»

		World
		Three injured in new US school shooting Three teenagers were shot and injured outside a high school in the northwestern US state of Oregon, in a suspected gang-related incident. Brazil man claims to have killed 40 A man who allegedly confessed to the murders of more than 40 people since 2005 has been arrested in Rio de Janeiro and police are investigating the veracity of his claims. China opens grand canal to divert water to its arid north China’s decades old project of diverting river water from one end to the other saw the light of day on Friday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Sonam Kapoor changed 16 outfits for one scene Sonam Kapoor — who plays a runaway bride in 'Dolly Ki Doli' will be seen in 16 different bridal looks 'I don't like this Delhi vs Mumbai comparison' A lack of respect for women is a cultural issue, not just a ‘Delhi problem’, says Gul Panag, who’s lived in the capital and was once molested in the middle of a marathon here 'Dabangg 3 will definitely happen' Arbaaz Khan, 47, has always taken all major decisions of his life based on his own gut without consulting anyone, be it the decision to debut as a villain at 29, get married to Malaika at 30 or turn director for 'Dabangg 2' at 43 More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Possible dark matter signal spotted Astronomers have detected a possible signal of dark matter, the mysterious and elusive stuff thought to make up most of the material universe. Superbugs to kill 'more than cancer' by 2050 A British review commissioned by prime minister David Cameron on the impact superbugs will have on the world has concluded that drug-resistant infections will cost the world 10 million extra deaths a year and up to $ 100 trillion by 2050, if the global increase is not stopped. Rosetta fuels debate on origin of Earth's oceans In what is a major blow to a theory believed unanimously among scientists, the most anticipated results from the Rosetta space craft has shown that comets did not fill earth with water. More Science News»

		Sports
		Six best India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clashes As India and Pakistan prepare for a mouth-watering clash in the Champions Trophy semifinals on Saturday, we bring to you the six best matches between the two arch-rivals. Indian Aces beat Manila Mavericks 28-23 in IPTL Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna continued their good form as Indian Aces dished out another dominating show, beating Manila Mavericks in UAE leg of IPTL. Champions Trophy: Pakistan to unleash 9-11 attack on India Aiming to outwit India in the Champions Trophy semifinals, the Pakistan hockey team has devised a rather controversially-titled 9-11 strategy which they plan to unleash on Saturday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi VP Hugo Barra's letter to Indian buyers over sales ban The letter, posted Hugo Barra's Facebook page, acknowledges the sales ban and says that the company is evaluating its legal options. Man orders iPhones, Snapdeal delivers pieces of wood Fortunately for Kabra, he had chosen the ‘Cash on Delivery’ option while ordering the two iPhones, which are collectively worth Rs 40,508. The worst Android 5.0 (Lollipop) bugs and their fixes Android 5.0 Lollipop is here and while you might be rejoicing at all the new features you can take advantage of, you might also be cursing at the state that the new OS has left your device in. More Technology News»

		Education
		TCS, Manipal University signs MoU for new UG programme Department of Commerce, Manipal University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata Consultancy Services to launch a new undergraduate programme specializing in the area of business process servicing. Times Group to set up Bennett University in Greater Noida The Times Group on Thursday announced the setting up of the multi-faculty Bennett University in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh. CBSE introduces pre-examination activities In order to ensure smooth conduct of annual examinations scheduled in March 2015, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued pre-examination activities for schools. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		BMC notice for houseboats to get off Powai lake in 2 days Seventeen houseboats that are carrying out “illegal” operations at Powai Lake will have to wind up business within a couple of days. Octogenarians donate two dialysis machines to Shanmukhananda Two of Shanmukhananda Sabha’s oldest members have each donated a dialysis machine to its medical centre. N H Israni, who owns a pharmaceutical company, is 90 years old while S S Rajan, a former insurance consultant, is 86. Water to slums will encourage squatters: BMC Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) told Bombay High Court on Friday that directing it to provide water to all illegal slum-dwellers will only increase encroachments on private and public lands. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Man, kin held for double murder Sleuths from the crime branch were in for a surprise when they rounded up a person for questioning while investigating the Kamla Nagar heist. Cops scuttle stir for judicial reform A protest in front of Delhi high court by litigants demanding judicial reforms was scuttled by the Delhi Police at the last moment on Friday. Mercury dips to 5.1°C in Delhi Winter is finally here. In a first for the season, both the maximum and minimum temperatures fell below normal on Friday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Karnataka assembly bans using mobile phone during proceedings Use of mobile phones in the Karnataka Assembly was banned today, a day after the House was rocked by chaos over a BJP member watching a zoomed in picture of Priyanka Gandhi during proceedings. Rain bounty: Groundwater level goes up The water-starved city has something to cheer about — the groundwater level has shown a marked rise compared to last year. Also, all water bodies are filled to capacity. Ventilator trauma: Boys succumb to head injuries These kids lost precious time, and ended up losing their lives too. Akash, 3, and Anand, 8, who shuttled from one hospital to another in search of ventilators, died on Friday. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		EC's ban on candidates proves futile The delay in elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) seems to have come as a boon in disguise for 411 candidates, who have been debarred from contesting elections for three years for their failure to submit poll campaign expenditure details within the stipulated time. Youth stabs batchmate after online spat An online spat between two students of Deccan College of Engineering and Technology (DCET), Darussalaam, turned violent on Tuesday, with one ending up stabbing the other. New south zone Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation office remains on paper Though a proposal for moving the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s zonal office (south) was cleared more than a year ago, little or no progress has been made. As it turns out the project still finds itself in the tender stage. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Cops turn ticket delivery boys for 'Lingaa' release Chennai police weren’t on their regular beats on Thursday, the day the Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Lingaa’ released in theatres. Laptops go missing on omnibuses, Hyderabad, Bengaluru travellers targeted Laptops are going missing with disturbing regularity on interstate buses, with as many as 12 cases reported to the Koyambedu police in two months. Man gets 10-year RI for raping minor A city court on Friday sentenced a 24-year-old man to 10 years rigorous imprisonment for raping minor. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Cab firm dupes people of lakhs A Bopal resident, along with several others, approached Satellite police on Friday when they realized that they had been cheated by cab company owners who promised them good returns on investment made in the firm. Forest department circular bites snake rescuers More than 100 snake handlers staged a demonstration against the state forest department at Bodakdev Rescue Centre on Friday. ED unearths Rs 100cr illegal remittance scam Ahmedabad zonal unit of Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed Rs 100 crore illegal international remittance scam, carried out through a Mumbai bank. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Board extends last date for exam centre list Madhyamik Siksha Parishad (UP Board) has extended the last date of submission of examination centre list by December 15 after around half-a-dozen divisions failed to submit it within the given deadline of November 30. Traders shut shops in protest against attack on former MP Trader community, on Thursday, closed their business establishments and shops including nursing homes, petrol pumps and chemist shops in protest against the recent assault on their leader and former MP Banwari Lal Kanchal in Lucknow. Work on technology to help paralytics Imagine a device which can help paralysis patients perform simple tasks like eating, switching on electrical appliances or operating a computer. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Separate infra body for MSMEs To provide infrastructure to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a timebound and transparent manner, the state government has decided to develop a separate entity in line with Idco. The new entity would be known as MSMEIdco, official sources said. Bio-toilets on Puri beach The absence of public toilets in Puri has been a cause of concern for tourists. IT is looking up: Naveen Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said growth rate of information technology (IT) product exports from the state is on the rise. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Radiation tests will be conducted for every mobile tower: MP minister The Madhya Pradesh government has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to test each and every mobile phone tower in the state for radiation Ruckus in MP assembly over death of tribal girls in boarding schools The call attention motion was raised by Congress MLA from Kukshi seat Surendra Singh Baghel who claimed that several unpleasant incidents have occurred in the tribal girls boarding schools in Dhar district after which students are feeling unsafe. Minister Mahdele reviews activities of fisheries federation Fisheries development minister Kusum Mahdele has directed officials to achieve targets of fisheries projects within time-limit. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Conductor stops youth from 'harassing girls', assaulted in Bhiwani A fortnight after the attack on the Sonipat sisters on a moving bus near Rohtak, six students were arrested on Thursday night at Bhiwani for attacking a bus conductor, who later told local TV channels that he was attacked because he stopped the youths from harassing girls. 7 IPS officers transferred The Haryana government on Friday issued posting and transfer orders of seven IPS officers of the state. DGP (Crime) Surjeet Singh Deswal has been posted as DG (Armed Police), Madhuban. Deputy CM in talks with lawyers to skirt NGT stay With the National Green Tribunal ordering a stay on the release of new agriculture pumpset (AP) connections for farmers in Punjab for more than nine months, the state government has decided to consult senior advocates to end the impasse. More Chandigarh News»

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