News Digest: Court to hear spectrum allocation case on January 28

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, January 13, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Court to hear spectrum allocation case on January 28 The special 2G court on Monday fixed January 28 for hearing the additional spectrum allocation scam case of 2002 after it was informed that the Supreme Court has quashed the order summoning Bharti Cellular Ltd CMD Sunil Bharti Mittal and Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia as accused. Pak Rangers, BSF exchange fire at international border in J&K Pakistani Rangers and BSF troops exchanged fire along the International Border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, a BSF officer said on Tuesday. BJD MP questioned by CBI in chitfund scam Ruling BJD leader and Lok Sabha member Rabindra Kumar Jena was on Monday questioned by CBI in connection with its probe into the chitfund scam in Odisha. More India News»

		Business
		Disinvestment in more than one PSU before fiscal end: FM Jaitley promises quick decisions, stable tax regime Cutting govt stake in PSBs to 52% not enough: RBI Banks need Rs 2.34l cr capital to meet Basel III norms Quikr to push new product commerce Takes on e-comm biggies, launches delivery More Business News»

		Environment
		US environmentalists target fracking in Gulf of Mexico "The public has a right to know where, when and how much fracking the federal government is allowing in the Gulf of Mexico," Kristen Monsell, an attorney with the centre, said. Orangutan returns to Indonesian wild, but abandons son A once-blind female orangutan who regained her sight with surgery has returned to the rain forests of Indonesia's Sumatra island, but with only one of her young twins, an environment group said. More birds visit Chilika Lake The number of feathered guests to the famous Chilika lake in Odisha, the biggest waterfowl habitat in the country, increased this winter. More Environment News»

		World
		100,000 Germans march against anti-Islam protests About 100,000 Germans demonstrated nationwide on Monday against anti-Islamic protests and to voice their support for an open and multicultural society, national news agency DPA reported. Cuba frees all 53 political prisoners as agreed in deal: US Cuba has freed all 53 political prisoners agreed to in last month's normalization deal with the United States, the US State Department said Monday. 150 killed in Boko Haram clashes in Baga: Nigeria military Nigeria's military said on Monday that at least 150 people had been killed in clashes with Islamists in the northeastern town of Baga, giving a rare official death toll a few weeks before presidential elections in which security is a big issue. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Bollywood mysteries that remain unsolved even today Actors who remarried without getting divorced Salman Khan tried to get Ajay and K Jo to patch up Karan Johar and Kajol have settled their differences and are back to being buddies. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Nasal spray may treat Alzheimer's: Scientists A nasal spray that contains a man-made form of insulin may improve working memory and other mental capabilities in adults with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's, scientists have found. SpaceX cargo ship reaches International Space Station SpaceX's unmanned Dragon cargo ship arrived Monday at the International Space Station, carrying 2.6 tons of food and supplies for the astronauts at the orbiting research laboratory. Nanowire coated clothing can keep you warm and cosy Imagine garments that preserve most of our body heat - there will be no need of heating up our homes. In Northern India, this would be used in winters but in temperate countries in Europe or North America, it would mean huge savings on home heating costs. More Science News»

		Sports
		Ronaldo leaves Messi in shade with third Ballon d'Or award Portuguese and Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon d'Or to edge within one of his eternal rival Barcelona's Argentinian Lionel Messi. India vs Pak WC clash to be most watched match in history The marquee World Cup match between India and Pakistan on February 15 will be the most watched in the history of the game as it is expected to attract more than a billion viewers, according to a report. Messi says he 'doesn't know' where he will be next year Barcelona's superstar forward Lionel Messi raised eyebrows when he said in passing on Monday that he did not know where he would be next year. More Sports News»

		Technology
		The rise of Thomas Kurian as Oracle's top exec Oracle chairman Larry Ellison turns to Thomas Kurian for a second opinion and affirmation on product decisions. Apple may cut retailers' margin in India Apple India plans to halve the credit period it gives retailers to seven days and slash margins by 0.5-1 percentage point. 10 best tech companies to work for in 2015 Glassdoor's 'best companies to work for' in 2015 list is out. More Technology News»

		Education
		Admissions to PG medical courses only on merit basis: SC Admissions to post-graduate medical courses can be done only on the basis of merit of students appearing in the entrance examination, the Supreme Court said on Monday. UGC directive a wake-up call for Tamil Nadu The choice based credit system (CBCS) sought to be made mandatory in all universities from 2015-16 by the University Grants Commission, was launched years before in Tamil Nadu but the system is not standardized, say academics. Merit alone can be ground of admission in medical PG courses: SC Merit alone can be the basis of admission in Medical PG courses among candidates of a given category, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Shopkeepers should speak in Marathi, says Maharashtra BJP minister Maharashtra minister for culture and Marathi language Vinod Tawde on Monday said shopkeepers in the state should speak in Marathi as there should be people's movement to promote the local language. CR to inquire into on-duty guard's 'drunken joyride' A day after a train guard was caught attending the duty in a drunk state, thus jeopardizing commuters’ safety, the Central Railway on Monday ordered an inquiry into the incident. Veggies grown along tracks: HC notice to Centre, railways The Bombay high court has issued notices to the Union government and the Indian Railways on a public interest litigation that alleged high toxic levels in vegetables grown on farms along railway tracks in Mumbai. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Coal block allocation: CBI apprises court about babu's status CBI on Monday apprised a special court about the current status of public servants, who were allegedly involved in the allocation of a coal block to Nagpur-based AMR Iron and Steel Pvt Ltd that was chargesheeted by the agency, along with Congress MP Vijay Darda and others DDA, cops told to investigate illegal land deals Observing that there is prima facie evidence indicating that some people are illegally selling off government land in Delhi, a trial court on Monday directed the Delhi Police commissioner and Delhi Development Authority to investigate and prevent such activities. Iron fences up at Mehrauli park, they are an eyesore, say experts Imagine if monuments inside Lodi Garden were enclosed within iron fences, affecting your access and experience. But this is exactly what Archaeological Survey of India has decided to do to monuments inside Mehrauli Archaological Park. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		PU student escapes, helps arrest abductors Displaying sheer presence of mind and keeping calm while seated between his kidnappers, a 17-year-old 1st PU student not only succeeded in escaping from them, but also helped police nab them by describing the vehicle and recalling its licence plate number. 150 HRBR residents get eviction order from BDA For the past 28 years, HRBR Layout, in northeast Bengaluru, was testimony to how a well-planned BDA layout should be – serene yet bustling with life. Chill will last 2 more days; another spell likely in February After a sunny start to the new year, there is a promise of chilly days and chillier nights. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Three tourists, lorry driver killed in morning mishap Lack of streetlights and non-adherence to basic road safety rules by a maxi cab driver resulted in the death of four people at Ghansimiyaguda near Shamshabad on NH-44 in the wee hours of Monday. Govt fails to act as swine flu deaths rise The first case of suspected swine flu death in the New Year was reported from the city’s Gandhi Hospital on Monday. KCR asks L&T to explore Metro expansion feasibility Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao asked Larsen & Toubro on Monday to study the possibility for expanding the Metro rail project. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		HC upholds selection of maritime university professors The Madras high court on Monday quashed the Centre’s order cancelling of the selection of 31 professors for Indian Maritime University (IMU) in 2012-13, saying all the candidates were duly qualified and were chosen by a fair selection process, which included interviews over phone/Skype. AIADMK may field a woman in Srirangam As the countdown began for the bypoll in Srirangam, the ruling AIADMK scrambled into poll mode to ensure the party's victory in the prestigious seat that was held by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Captain not alcoholic, ready to take test: Wife In an effort to silence widespread criticism of DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth's alleged weakness for liquor, his wife Premalatha on Monday said she was ready to subject him to medical tests to prove he was not addicted to liquor. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Rai was denied govt nod to join IIM as professor Not relieved despite repeated requests CAT rejects Ishrat encounter investigator's plea against transfer Bench gives some relief to other petitioner Rajnish Rai Now in Ahmedabad, buy Amul milk with smart card The card can be used to purchase products from Amul parlours. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Noida-based driver's body found in Etawah, car in Allahabad Body of a Noida-based travel agency was recovered on Saturday near bridge over Sengur river in Bharthana police circle of Etawah district. Kalpwasis demand ration cards A group of kalpwais on Saturday raised voice against mela authorities for not providing ration cards and other basic facilities. Extension of TGT exam date demanded Scores of students preparing for competitive examinations handed over a memorandum to chairman of UP Secondary Education Service Selection Board (UPSESSB) Parshuram Pal demanding extension of the date of TGT exams. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		CBI quizzes BJD MP in Seashore case The CBI investigation into the Odisha mega chit fund scam continues to trouble the BJD as the central investigating agency on Monday questioned the party’s Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena for three hours in connection with Seashore Group scam. Plan for model weaving village The state government plans to develop Maniabandha village in Cuttack district as a model weaving village on the lines of hamlets in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to promote tourism in textile hubs. CRPF to shift focus to Kalahandi, Kandhamal To intensify anti-extremist operations, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has decided to redeploy its men to locations currently considered more vulnerable to Maoist offensives. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Major fire damages Amarkantak thermal power plant unit A major fire engulfed 120 MW unit of Amarkantak Thermal Power Plant on Sunday night resulting in a major loss to state exchequer.Sources said the fire has badly damaged the unit. BMC suspends building permission of 11 colonies Bhopal Municipal Corporation, facing flak from National Green Tribunal has suspended building permission of 11 colonies in Kolar area for encroaching upon Kaliasot River catchment. Wrapped body of newborn found in Panchsheel drain Body of a newborn baby boy was found in a drain near Link road number 3 on Monday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		300 farmers booked after clash with police over urea shortage in Hansi Farmers of Hisar and Hansi area blocked national highway-10 connecting Hisar-Hansi-Delhi for more than an hour on Monday over non-availability of urea. Drug racket: ED gets another accused's custody for 2 days Acting on the plea of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a Patiala court on Monday granted it two-day custody of an alleged operative in multi-crore drug racket. PRTs verification: Elementary education director summoned The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday asked the Haryana director of elementary education to appear before it on January 16 for his failure to complete the verification of thumb impressions and signatures of primary teachers (PRTs). More Chandigarh News»

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