News Digest: Naveen Jindal, Dasari Narayan Rao, Madhu Koda conspired to get coal block, CBI tells court

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, November 03, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Naveen Jindal, Dasari Narayan Rao, Madhu Koda conspired to get coal block, CBI tells court Former parliamentarian and industrialist Naveen Jindal, ex-MoS for coal Dasari Narayan Rao, former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and ex-coal secretary H C Gupta had conspired with others to get a coal block allocated in favour of two Jindal group firms, the CBI told a trial court on Monday. Bihar result no verdict on Amit Shah: Naidu After senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh, party veteran M Venkaiah Naidu also asserted that BJP Amit Shah will get a second term as he is doing a "wonderful job and providing effective leadership". Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya gets a new commanding officer India’s largest and most powerful warship, INS Vikramaditya, has a new commanding officer. Captain Krishna Swaminathan took over the reins of the 45,400-tonne aircraft carrier from Captain Suraj Berry on Monday morning. More India News»

		Business
		Brokerages see Nitish victory in Bihar Although the financial market wants an NDA win in the ongoing state polls in Bihar, on the ground, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), led by Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav, appears to have made inroads since the polls began, officials at some of the top brokerage houses who toured the state suggest. Cold debut for CCD stock, plunges 18% Shares of Coffee Day Enterprises (CDEL), which runs the Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) chain, plunged about 17.5% on its debut on Monday in a falling market. Core sector growth at 3.2%, fastest in 4 months The infrastructure sector output growth rose to a four-month high in September but two key sectors - steel and cement - contracted, posing some concerns over the overall strength of the key segment. More Business News»

		Environment
		Bhutan to pave 'green' roads with plastic Bhutan has come up with a new way to pave its roads: waste plastic. Migratory birds keep tryst with Kashmir A riot of colour and cackle has returned to the wetland reserves of Jammu & Kashmir with the first arrivals of thousands of migratory birds from far off lands this year. Antarctica is gaining ice: NASA An increase in Antarctic snow accumulation which began 10,000 years ago is currently adding enough ice to the continent to outweigh the increased losses from its thinning glaciers. Areas of the continent like the Antarctic peninsula have increased their mass loss in the last decades More Environment News»

		World
		Germany: Refugee transit zone issue deepens coalition rift Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel on Monday dismissed the idea of setting up transit zones on German borders to filter out migrants who have little chance of gaining asylum, deepening a rift within Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition. 'Crashed Russian jet not struck from outside' The Russian plane that crashed in Egypt was not struck from the outside and the pilot did not make a distress call before it disappeared from radar, a source in the committee analyzing the flight recorders said on Monday. US plans 2 or more patrols in South China Sea per quarter The US Navy plans to conduct patrols within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands in the South China Sea about twice a quarter to remind China and other countries about US rights under international law, a US defence official said on Monday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Salman Khan: I am not the loyal types It was 27 years ago when Sooraj Barjatya gave Salman Khan his first big break in Maine Pyar Kiya. Katrina Kaif: 6 Celebs who influenced her life Pulkit Samrat denies rift in marriage Pulkit Samrat has been spending long spells in Delhi at his parents’ home, while his wife Shweta has been doing the same — spending time at her mother’s place in Mumbai. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		22 ancient shipwrecks found around Greek archipelago Marine archaeologists have made a "one in a lifetime discovery" after finding 22 ancient shipwrecks near the same Greek archipelago. Now, heartbeats to power pacemakers Scientists are developing next-generation battery-free implantable pacemakers that may be powered by an unlikely source -the heart itself. Vitamin D pill may improve exercise performance Taking vitamin D supplements can improve exercise performance and lower the risk of heart disease, said a new study. More Science News»

		Sports
		Kohli, Vijay, Ashwin sweat it out in the nets After losing the T20 and ODI series against South Africa, India will go into the four-Test series hoping to turn the table and salvage the lost pride. India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu set for Europa tryst Gurpreet Singh Sandhu added another feather to his cap by ensuring that he would be the first Indian to be part of a team to play in the Europa League. Rabada has a fast bowler's heart, says Makhaya Ntini Makhaya Ntini spoke to TOI on the upcoming India-South Test series, the emergence of Kagiso Rabada, his connect with India and more. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Bengaluru IT companies told to ban smoking on campus If you work for the IT sector and tend to frequently step out for a quick smoke, better take note. Karnataka's IT, BT and ITeS companies have been told to comply with the law prohibiting smoking in public spaces. 20 biggest tech brands in the world Technology brands are all the rage right now, so it’s no surprise that Apple and Google have occupied the top two positions in Interbrand’s list of most valuable global brands for three straight years. We sift through the branding consultancy’s recently released of top brands to bring to you the top 20 names in the world of technology. Reliance Communications, Sistema to merge in all-stock deal Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications is merging the telecom business of Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) with itself in a cashless deal worth around Rs 4,500-5,000 that will lead to the first major consolidation in the intensely competitive sector since 2009. More Technology News»

		Education
		Visva-Bharati vice-chancellor rejoins office Visva-Bharati vice-chancellor Sushanta Duttagupta joined duty on Monday — the quiet “re-entry” triggering more commotion and controversy than his dramatic midnight departure a month ago, after having mailed his resignation letter to President Pranab Mukherjee. JNTU ultimatum to colleges to pay fee before semester exams Authorities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) on Monday asked representatives of 100 colleges to pay one-fourth of the Rs 40 crore dues in common service fee before the semester exams begin on November 9. President to host conference of educationists President Pranab Mukherjee will host Visitor's Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan here from November 4 to 6, which will be attended by educationists from across the country, an official said on Monday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai police not trusted, Delhi cops to quiz Chhota Rajan Many eyebrows were raised in the security establishment when Delhi police, after the CBI, was roped into the operation to bring Chhota Rajan back to India Who helped Rajan get Indian passport in Australia? While an ordinary citizen faces umpteen difficulties in getting a passport made in India despite genuine documents, the recovery of an “authentic” domestic passport from Rajan has raised several questions over the security check employed by Indian consulate authorities in Australia Mumbai's 3rd generation Chinese eye global jobs, learn Mandarin City’s minuscule Chinese population, estimated at around 4,000 people, is flocking Mandarin classes in a bid to connect with their roots. But sentiment isn’t the only inspiration for learning Mandarin. Like many Indians, they hope Mandarin will give them a competitive edge in the global job market where China is an important player. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Toll collectors fail to follow SC order, Delhi chokes on foul air It's 10.30pm on Sunday. Tonight, the first major step to clean up Delhi's air is to be implemented - the imposition of a 'pollution tax' on trucks entering the capital. High-frequency bus corridor on Outer Ring Road Outer Ring Road from Vikaspuri to Sarai Kale Khan will become a high-frequency bus corridor by next year. PWD minister Satyendar Jain has proposed operating buses on this route. Once implemented, this stretch will become a test case for similar bus routes in the city. With balloons in their belly, brides-to-be fight battle of bulge Many would-be brides in Delhi are taking to balloons to lose weight. They are undergoing procedure which involves implanting a silicone balloon, which are filled with water, into the stomach. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Police to deport foreign offenders without documents Bengaluru-Mysuru highway to be made of concrete Karnataka has decided to widen the 134-km Bengaluru-Mysuru highway from four to six lanes using cement instead of bitumen, the popular raw material used for constructing roads. Sec 36A of Police Act violates eunuchs' rights, says forum More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		JNTU ultimatum to colleges to pay fee before semester exams Authorities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) on Monday asked representatives of 100 colleges to pay one-fourth of the Rs 40 crore dues in common service fee before the semester exams begin on November 9. Minister sets March 31 deadline for Mission Kakatiya Phase I Irrigation minister T Harish Rao on Monday set a deadline of March 31, 2016 for completion of the Phase I of Mission Kakatiya, a flagship scheme of reviving water bodies in Telangana. Swine flu claims another victim in Andhra A 34-year-old woman, identified as Gunnamma from Gutikabasheerbad in Ranga Reddy district, died of swine flu related complications while undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital on Sunday even as 15 more tested positive on Monday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Pet dog dies, two men survive live wire jolt Wet spell in city to continue for next three days Man demands Rs 1L for stolen suitcase, held More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		13 years on, kin of Godhra victim cleared for damages The family of a victim of the Godhra carnage in Gujarat will now be able to claim compensation from the Railways after more than 13 years since it happened. Missing Rajsthani boy found from Kadi An eight-year-old boy, on his maiden visit to Ahmedabad with his father, had gone missing from a bus on October 14 morning. Hitesh Kalasva, a native of Banswada in Rajasthan, was found from Kadi by Vastrapur police. Gujarat's steady sex ratio at 900/1000 beats national average Save The Girl Child campaign has succeeded well in Gujarat, as testified by Civil Registration System (CRS) data which points to a steady sex ratio in the past few years. The annual birth figures here show 900 girls per 1,000 boys for five years consistently. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Soldier from Goverdhan martyred in J&K Samod Singh, rifleman with 14, Rashtriya Rifles, died late Wednesday of injuries sustained in an operation against Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists at Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. Polling booths in dacoit infested belt of Chitrakoot turn into fortress In an attempt to ensure free and fair polling in dacoit infested belt of Manikpur, Markundi and Bahilpurwa circles of Chitrakoot district in the fourth and final phase of panchayat polls for the post of block development committee (BDC) members, the cops on Wednesday claimed to have turned all the 23 hyper sensitive booths into fortress. HC dismisses PIL against Shukla as withdrawn The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) as withdrawn that sought to restrain Rajeev Shukla, a Member of Parliament (MP), from functioning as secretary of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha plans land bank for hassle-free land acquisition for investment projects As land acquisition is a major hurdle for big ticket projects in the state, the Odisha government on Monday decided to create a land bank to ensure hassle-free land acquisition for investment projects. 24 kids kept in 'animal shed' rescued from Keonjhar home The district administration rescued 30 people, including 24 children, from a unauthorized childcare centre at Brahmanipal under Daitari police station, about 70km from here, on Saturday evening. They were allegedly being kept in sheds originally meant for domestic animals. Debt, crop loss behind suicides, says BJD MP Moving away from the party line on the issue of farmer suicides, BJD MP from Sambalpur Nagendra Pradhan on Sunday admitted that the deaths were caused by the vicious cycles of crop loss and debt burden. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Leopard killed with live wire trap at Pench park A leopard was electrocuted with a live wire trap laid by poachers in Pench National Park. The carcass was found by a patrolling squad on Sunday night. Weight-loss surgery could help treat diabetics, says new research Researchers are exploring the actual effects of bariatric surgery, a procedure that promotes weight loss on patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients who undergo this type of surgery experience disease remission in most cases, according to University of Washington-based endocrinology expert, Dr David Cummings. Bhopal constable commits suicide A 35-year-old police constable posted at Ratibad police station committed suicide by hanging himself at his house in Neelbad area within the limits of Ratibad police station on Monday afternoon. He was rushed to a private hospital in Kotra where the doctors declared him brought dead. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Sikh holy scriptures torn up again in Gurdaspur Incidents of desecration of the holy scriptures continue to haunt the state. On Monday, unidentified persons tore up Gutka's Japuji Sahib and Rehras Sahib and scattered its pages on the road in Kalanur in Gurdaspur district. Punjab bans vulgar songs in buses Following complaints received from various quarters, the Punjab government has banned the playing of vulgar and provocative music in the state-run transport buses with immediate effect. Science comes to rescue of girl in need of a kidney transplant Seema, 14, urgently needed a kidney transplant, but could not be done because of her weak Heart. More Chandigarh News»

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