News Digest

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, December 22, 2014
		Today's Headlines

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		Business
		Sebi probes money laundering at companies Over 50 companies are being investigated by the Securities & Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for what the market regulator suspects are activities aimed at money laundering and tax evasion in unheard of shares, which have seen sharp price spikes in recent months. Modi to meet secretaries on 'Make in India' At a time when the ambitious 'Make in India' strategy is under attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet secretaries dealing with the 25 focus sectors and seek their inputs for the action plan for the next two to three years. DLF looks to monetize Rs 3,000cr office space India’s largest real estate developer DLF has explored options to monetize some commercial assets worth about $500 million or Rs 3,000 crore, with a clutch of global investors to allay concerns about the company’s fund-raising flexibility in the face of a regulator ban, multiple sources directly aware of the matter said. More Business News»

		Environment
		Mattewara forest to be developed as nature reserve The Punjab government plans to develop the Mattewara forest as a nature reserve with an aim to conserve natural resources around Ludhiana for the benefit of people and develop the industrial town as a green city. Scientists call for pro-active role to protect coral reefs Scientists have stressed on a pro-active role by concerned agencies for conserving coral reefs that are currently facing wrath of human and environmental interventions. Vultures on way back to UP? Critically endangered vultures might be on their way back to the state. At least 900 vultures have been counted in 13 districts in the first ever vulture census conducted in the state. More Environment News»

		World
		2 NYPD cops shot in black revenge attack Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley crept up behind a NYPD patrol car in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbourhood and shot the two officers several times in the head and torso as they were eating their lunch. Renowned British actor Billie Whitelaw dies aged 82 British actress Billie Whitelaw, famous for her intense collaboration with playwright Samuel Beckett who wrote several roles for her, died on Sunday aged 82, her son told the BBC. Obama says Sony hack not an act of war US President Barack Obama moved to prevent US anger at North Korea from spiraling out of control on Sunday by saying the massive hacking of Sony Pictures was not an act of war but instead was cyber-vandalism. More World News»

		Entertainment
		PK: 5 Lessons we learn from the film Rajkumar Hirani's PK is full of life's invaluable lessons. Here are the ones that are worth imbibing. Sexy hosts of television The small screen has a lot of amazing hosts anchoring interesting shows including Sunny Leone and Mandira Bedi to name a few. Actresses caught with funny expressions​ Several Bollywood actress are captured by the paparazzi in weird, funny expressions, take a look at some of them. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		ISS crew gets new ratchet — over email There may be no corner hardware store at the International Space Station, but that doesn't mean the astronauts can't get what they need. A carnivorous plant that is turning vegetarian If you think that only humans are turning vegetarian, here is a new study that has found certain carnivorous plants are also becoming vegetarians. 4D printing to create shape changing structures In a first, researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology have used a technology called four dimensional (4D) printing to create a structure that can change shape without external intervention. More Science News»

		Sports
		Golfer Atwal wins Dubai Open to end four-year title drought Arjun Atwal held his nerve to hole an up-and-down for a birdie on the 72nd hole and end a four-year title drought as he won inaugural $500,000 Dubai Open. Champions Atletico de Kolkata return to hero's welcome Christmas came early to the 'City of Joy' as the inaugural Indian Super League champions Atletico de Kolkata returned home to a hero's welcome. My appetite for chess has recovered: Viswanathan Anand Buoyed by winning the London Chess Classic, five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand said he is looking forward to play games in 2015 with renewed zeal and enthusiasm. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Mitashi Play Thunderbolt review: The gaming smartphone Is Mitashi Play Thunderbolt a good gaming smartphone? We try to find out. Google plans to open own campus in Hyderabad Google plans to open its own "permanent and big" campus in Hyderabad and is set to sign an MoU with Telangana government. Buying a fitness tracker? 5 things to know Here’s a guide to help you pick up what’s best for you… More Technology News»

		Education
		Research roundup - The gun frenzy Stanford University research shows a US law which allows citizens to carry handguns leads to higher crime rates Student speak - Beyond the curriculum Kritika Bhardwaj, Final year LLB student at Campus Law Centre, DU, speaks to Sarah Zia A lawyer's choices With an increasing number of companies hiring law professionals, the scope for niche specialisations in the field is expanding More Education News»

		Mumbai
		8,000 people march in Sikh guru Gobind Singh's honour Over 8,000 people participated in a procession on Sunday to celebrate the 348th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. Sena worker, aides slap kissing couples A video showing a group, led by Shiv Sena worker Naresh Pakhle, slap young couples for kissing in public on the Ulhasnagar skywalk has gone viral on social networking sites Bijlani took 5hrs to travel 5km from home to jail Hearing Lahoria murder accused’s excuse for being late, judge rejects second short-break application More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Metro museum coming up in northeast Delhi The Delhi Metro Museum, touted as South Asia’s ‘first modern Metro Museum’, will get a dedicated complex at northeast Delhi’s Shastri Park that would serve the twin purpose of “entertainment and education”. Amit Shah to lead poll charge in Delhi Miffed with infighting and lack of coordination among Delhi BJP personnel, party president Amit Shah has decided to take charge of the election machinery in the capital from December 25, said a top source. Hope for illegal colonies may help BJP shine In a political deft move in Parliament last week, the Centre sought to give BJP a big leg up in the Delhi elections by moving the cutoff for unauthorized colonies from 2007 to 2014, a move intended to enhance the party’s appeal in a voter segment where it has often lagged. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Choirs add new beats, connect to GenNext Christmas concerts, the quintessential part of the festive spirit, is becoming bigger in the city and evolving itself over the past two decades to suit the tastes of youngsters. 7-year-old girl raped by 4 schoolboys in Karnataka In a shocking incident, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by four schoolboys - three of them studying in class VI and the other in class VIII - at Aranakalkindi tanda in Chittapur taluk of the district on Friday evening. Chennai pips Bengaluru in crossword contest In this war of words, Chennai beat reigning champs Bengaluru on Sunday. The Tamil Nadu capital bagged the first two places at the second edition of the Indian Crossword League, which organizers claim is only growing in popularity. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		AP plans to convert garbage into energy Naidu chalks out strategy after Singapore visit Docs turn away 5-year-old bitten by dogs, suspended Decline even first aid in absence of anti-rabies vaccine City to host S Asia's biggest surgery meet After a gap of 10 years, Hyderabad will host the 74th annual conference of the Association of Surgeons of India (ASICON 2014) – South Asia’s largest annual Congress for surgeons. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		No respect, safety gear for cleaners It's a dirty job that nobody wants to do. The fact that people look down on the task of cleaning toilets and those who wield the brush makes it hard to find sanitary staff and caretakers for toilets. After years, Chennai to get new toilets Under fire for poor sanitation standards, Chennai Corporation has finally issued long pending orders to four firms to set up and maintain public toilets across the city. Contracts have been awarded to Namma Toilet, Saraplast, Eram Scientific Solutions and Wockhardt. No rain, nippy weather to continue for few days There will be no rainfall in the city for next few days, said Met officials on Sunday.According to weathermen, it will be a partly cloudy sky, and days will be colder for the next 48 hours. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Every Gujarat household has bank account Gujarat has become the fourth state after Kerala, Goa and Madhya Pradesh to achieve 100% target of opening bank accounts in each household under Pardhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). Cops scan Ahmedabad for Wi-Fi loopholes With Gujarat hosting a number of big-ticket events in January and February, the state police are leaving nothing to chance as far as security is concerned. Abducted youth rescued, 3 held A youth abducted by his former business partners over a financial dispute has been rescued within hours by a team of Naranpura police officials.Three persons have been arrested for the crime. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Several trains delayed, many cancelled Railways have decided to fully/partially cancel many passenger trains due to fog. Many trains moving on New Delhi-Howrah route are running seven to twelve hours late, causing problems to passengers. City reels under intense coldwave Mercury Plummets To 6 Degrees Celsius On Saturday Magh Mela: Fissures in forum of saints hit land allocation Allocation of land to seers’ organization – Khak Chowk – has been hit hard by the fissures in the organization. On Saturday, head of Khak Chowk Mahamandaleswar Mahant Madhav Das threatened a hunger strike if mela authorities failed to allocate equal land to all seers. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Aviation experts to voice ozone concern Concerned over the depleting ozone layer because of the emission of aviation fuel, civil aviation experts and environmentalists here will discuss measures to be taken to check pollution on Saturday. AT scam: Nayagarh DSP in CBI net The CBI on Friday arrested a DSP-rank officer, identified as Pramod Panda, in connection with Artha Tatwa (AT) Group Ponzi scam. Ponds in Ward 44 gasp for fresh air Three natural ponds in Ward 44, Badagada, have become victims of neglect with sludge and weeds overflowing in them and surrounded by overgrowth, making them unsuitable for bathing. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Namesake spends 2 months in jail, demands relief Irfan, a resident of Shukla colony of Harda town who was acquitted by court in January this year has now demanded from government compensation for harassment and moved district court. 'PWD built 3,000 km of new roads in MP' Public works department (PWD) minister Sartaj Singh said his department exceeded all physical targets and constructed 3,086 km of new roads in the first year of BJP’s third term in the state as against a target of 2,500 km roads. "State most favoured for investment destination": CM Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the most favoured state for investment in the country because of its favorable law-and-order situation which always helps in creating positive atmosphere for development, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said here on Saturday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Panchkula lit fest ends With Panchkula getting a literary festival of its own, many known faces and residents of the Tricity converged to Satluj Public School in Sector 4 on the second and closing day of the two-day literary treat organised by Rumour Books India. Sun will brighten up the city on Xmas eve If the chilling cold has been giving you the blues, here is some bright news. Flu scare to blow over if no case in 5 days If not a single case of H5N1 is reported in humans for another five days, the scare of bird flu that has 60% mortality will fade away from Chandigarh, according to WHO surveillance guidelines. More Chandigarh News»

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