[wanabidii] News Digest: Centre taking a relook at free trade agreements: Nirmala

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, September 07, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		Business
		Centre taking a relook at free trade agreements: Nirmala The Centre is reviewing free trade agreements that India has signed with trading partners after the industry voiced concerns about benefits of these pacts for domestic players. Commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman said many FTAs have not benefited Indian companies in the past India on path of becoming pivot for hi-tech manufacturing: UN India is on the path of becoming a "pivot" for high-tech world manufacturing even as global manufacturing growth is expected to remain low in 2016 due to weakened financial support for productive activities, a new UN report said. China's state-owned banks cut thousands of jobs China's biggest state-owned banks retrenched thousands of staff members as the country's banking industry faced its most challenging year amid a slowdown in the world's second biggest economy. The 2.3 million strong Chinese military too is set to retrench three lakh personnel by next year. More Business News»

		Environment
		Warmer oceans have caused changes in Earth: Report Four out of six great apes near extinction: Report Four of the six great apes, including the Eastern Gorilla, the largest living primate and one of our closest cousins, are now 'Critically Endangered' and just one step away from extinction due to illegal hunting, according to a new report. Giant panda is no longer endangered, experts say International Union for Conservation of Nature's report said that the panda is now classified as a "vulnerable" instead of "endangered" species, reflecting its growing numbers in the wild in southern China. It said the wild panda population jumped to 1,864 in 2014 from 1,596 in 2004 More Environment News»

		World
		Japan pledges $440 million to bolster Asia's anti-terrorism steps Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged $440 million on Wednesday to help Asian countries strengthen counter-terrorism measures, a government spokesperson said, as the region sees a surge in large-scale attacks. Conducted strikes against Somalia last week: US The US military conducted two strikes in southern Somalia early this week that killed four al-Qaida-linked al Shabaab militants involved in attacks on Somali government troops, a US military spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Car containing gas cylinders found near Paris's Notre Dame cathedral Two suspects were in custody on Wednesday after French police found several gas cylinders in a car near Notre Dame cathedral, sources close to the investigation said. Anti-terror prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation, the sources said, adding that no detonators were found in the car. More World News»

		Science
		Isro starts countdown for GSLV-F05 launch The countdown for the launch of Isro's advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR on-board GSLV-F05 commenced at 11.10 hours on Wednesday, the space agency said. Earlier, the Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorization Board cleared the countdown. Antibiotics to infants ups risk of allergies in later life Exposure to antibiotics at an early age increases risk of developing allergies like eczema and hay fever later in life according to new research presented on Tuesday at this year's European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in London. Lost comet lander Philae found lying in a ditch More Science News»

		Technology
		Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: All we know so far The D-Day has finally arrived. Apple will today unveil its latest iPhones -- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Like all Apple devices, the new iPhones too have been ruling the tech rumour mill since past many months. Sennheiser PXC 550 headphones review: Jack of all, master of none There are some people for whom listening to music using any random pair of headphones just doesn’t do it. GOQii 2 review: A fitness band with a coach GOQii recently launched the second version of its popular GOQii fitness band. Christened the GOQii 2, the band is an extension of the earlier version in terms of services and options. More Technology News»

		Education
		After scam, Bihar to link exams to Aadhaar The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is set to become the country’s first state board to link students’ examination forms with their Aadhaar numbers to avoid duplication and facilitate easy access to documents. Foreign students slam Hindi institute for dirty hostels HRD ministry has sought a detailed report from Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra, on allegations by many foreign students that the institute has turned a blind eye to pathetic living conditions in the hostel. NCERT seeks Institute of National Importance status from govt the HRD ministry is considering a demand of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for granting it 'Institute of National Importance' status so that it can confer degrees and start courses on teaching. IITs and IISc have been granted this status by an act of Parliament. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Fire breaks out at Mumbai's Byculla building Shah visits Mumbai Ganesh pandals; Oppn needles Sena-BJP Mumbai, Sep 7 () The Opposition in Maharashtra today took a jibe at the BJP-Sena ruling alliance saying the former has "no respect" for its ally as Amit Shah visited Ganesh pandals in the city but did not meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who resided just "10 minutes away". Jacqueline excited for debut appearance at NYFW Mumbai, Sep 7 (IANS) Actress Jacqueline Fernandez is "super excited" to make her debut appearance at the New York Fashion Week (NYFW). She says she is ready to spot some "beauty and fashion trends" at the gala. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Now, access driving licence on your mobile using DigiLocker New Delhi, Sep 7 () Citizens will now be spared from the hassle of carrying physical driving licences and vehicle registration certificates (RCs), which can be accessed online or on their mobile phones using DigiLocker. Govt taking a relook at free trade agreements: Nirmala New Delhi, Sep 7 () Government is reviewing FTAs that India has signed with trading partners after the industry voiced concerns about benefits of these pacts for domestic players. People may search online for weeks but they buy what they found on first day Online buyers seem to go in for what they discover on the first day of their search even though they may continue to browse and search for the product for as long as a month. This is the startling conclusion of a study of online searches and final buys from three major online retailers. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Trichur Brothers perform in Bengaluru Fresh Face auditions at Acharya Institute of Management & Science Times KAFTA awards night in Bengaluru More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		NMDC to revise down production target due to slowdown Hyderabad, Sep 7 () Bogged down by macroeconomic situation, state-run miner NMDC is in the process of revising its ambitious target, 'Vision 2025', which envisages the mining capacity to be increased to 75 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2018-19 and 100 MTPA by FY22. Injured in the Valley, getting treated in Hyderabad Baby born mid-air christened 'Haven' More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Rajendran is Tamil Nadu DGP, George returns as Chennai city police commissioner The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday appointed Chennai city police commissioner T K Rajendran as the director general of police. DGP of the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board S George has been appointed as the new Chennai city police commissioner in place of Rajendran. TCS partners with Sastra University to train 2,000 teachers in modern teaching techniques More than 2,000 school teachers from educational institutes across tier two and tier three cities in Tamil Nadu will be trained at the centre, a joint press release issued by TCS and Sastra has said. Onam: It's a govt holiday in Chennai district on Sept 14 The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday declared September 14 as local holiday in Chennai district in view of Onam. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat HC issues notices to developers of 'Pokemon Go' Ahmedabad, Sep 7 () The Gujarat High Court today issued notice to developers of location based-augmented reality game 'Pokemon Go', following a PIL seeking ban on the game in India alleging that it not only hurts religious sentiments but it is also a threat to national security. Does Pokemon GO 'hurt' religious sentiments? Gujarat HC asks Centre, state government Ahmedabad leads in atrocity cases: RTI City And Rural Areas Here Had Similar Number Of Cases In 15 Yrs More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Now, priests offer online 'pind-daan' Priests in major spiritual centres, including Allahabad, are using social media to compile a list of devotees who are seeking guidance to perform virtual pind-daan, a post-death ritual for the ultimate relief of their ancestors' souls. Allahabad varsity authorities focus on holding student union polls Cops recover 41 missing mobiles A team of district police officials recovered and handed over 41 mobile phones, reported to be lost or stolen by city residents between July and August. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		396 IOCL to take Ujjawala to panchayats At a time when the Centre-state slugfest continues over Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), oil major Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has said it would take up the scheme to the panchayat level. Exempted from green nod, small industries pollute city Many small and micro industries in the city are contributing to water pollution, taking advantage of them being counted as green category industries. Heavy rain fuels flood alert Bhubaneswar/ Incessant rainfall for the past 48 hours and rise in water level of Subernarekha and Jalaka rivers have triggered a flood-like situation in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts on Tuesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Country's first: Bhopal to have separate public toilets for transgender community Deadly sting: 2 more test positive for chikungunya Two more people tested positive for chikungunya in Bhopal on Monday.The new cases come exactly a week after first case of chikungunya in almost past five years was reported from state capital. Education trust demands quashing of Kaliasot catchment demarcation report HK Kalchuri Education Trust has demanded quashing of state government's demarcation report with regard to encroachment on 33-metre 'No construction area' in catchment of Kaliasot river. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Spring Dales wins best school award ASI declares confiscated coins as antique Kejriwal to start Punjab tour tomorrow Chandigarh, Sep 7 () Arvind Kejriwal will undertake a four-day visit to poll-bound Punjab beginning tomorrow and hear out the grievances of party workers in the state, a visit which at a time when AAP is facing "crisis" over several issues including sacking of Sucha Singh Chhotepur as Punjab More Chandigarh News»

		Unsubscribe | To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Breaking News | Top Headlines | Tech | Entertainment | Movie Reviews | Life & Style