News Digest: Cong gets TMC support in its anti-govt protests

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, December 23, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Cong gets TMC support in its anti-govt protests Kharge raised the issue during the Zero Hour after Congress members kept up their protests in the well for the second day today, accusing the Narendra Modi government of targeting those who are not in agreement with its policies. Economy recovery fragile, low job creation: Manmohan  Addressing the 31st plenary session of Indian National Trade Union Congress , former Prime Minister Manmohan said there was dissatisfaction among workers over "anti-labour and unimaginative economic policies of the NDA government". Real dirt of India lies not in streets but in our minds: Pranab  President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday commented on Swachh Bharat Mission saying that "real dirt of India lies not in our streets but in our minds" and "in our willingness to let go of views that divide society into 'them' and 'us' and 'pure' and 'impure'." More India News»

		Business
		CAD up at 1.6% in Q2 from 1.2% in Q1 India's current account deficit for the second quarter of FY16 widened to 1.6% of the country's gross domestic product as against 1.2% in the first quarter. RBI sets up helpline for startups on fund-raising With startups raising funds from a variety of offshore sources, including individuals, private equity players and crowdsourcing, the RBI has set up a dedicated helpline for advice on cross-border remittances which are subject to guidelines issued under the foreign exchange management act. Flipkart backs mobile gaming startup  Mobile gaming firm Mech Mocha has raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from e-commerce major Flipkart and seed-stage investor Blume Ventures. More Business News»

		Environment
		Amid smog crisis, China vows more liveable cities China vowed on Tuesday that it would make "liveable" cities a central goal of China's urban planning, amid persistent problems over choking smog that frequently blankets the populous east and north. Fuel adulteration: NGT orders inspection of petrol pumps An engineer on Monday moved the National Green Tribunal against alleged adulteration of petrol and diesel at fuel stations prompting the green panel to direct inspection of petrol pumps across Delhi-NCR and seek a response from the Centre on the issue. US enacts protections for lions after Cecil furore Amid the furore over the killing of a well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe earlier this year, the Obama administration is expected to extend Endangered Species Act protections for two breeds of lions. More Environment News»

		World
		Smog alert day 4: Toxic haze shrouds Beijing Despite three days of red alert and emergency measures, air pollution worsened in Beijing with toxicity in the atmosphere crossing levels seen on Saturday, when the alert was imposed. France says it foiled jihadi attack near Orleans French authorities say they thwarted a jihadi attack last week in an area near the central French city Orleans. UNSC to vote on support for Libya peace deal The UN security council on Wednesday is expected to vote on a resolution supporting a new UN-brokered deal to form a unity government in Libya. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Remo D'Souza's 'ABCD 3' in the pipeline? Choreographer-director Remo D'souza is all set to gear up for ABCD 3... Akshay delays 'Namastey England' for 'Robot 2'? Akshay Kumar seems to be very excited to work with Rajinikanth in 'Robot 2', so much so that he is probably giving a backseat to his other projects. Jaya Prada shapes up to make a movie comeback We spotted actress Jaya Prada at a recent high-profile event in the city, looking slimmer and being complimented for her weight loss. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Potatoes to be grown on Earth under Mars-like conditions Scientists plan to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions simulated on Earth, in a major step towards building a controlled dome on the red planet capable of farming the invaluable crop. Malta: On a Mediterranean island, but far from a Mediterranean diet The Mediterranean has long been known for its mix of sun, sea, fish, nuts and olives, a combination considered an elixir of health and fitness. Blue-eye gene traced to stone age man If you have ever wondered why, like Cameron Diaz, Leonard Di Caprio and Frank Sinatra, you have blue eyes it is because you share a gene mutation first seen in a stone age man who lived around 7,000 years ago. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sourav Ganguly in favor of Indo-Pak series Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday came out in support of a full-fledged series between India and Pakistan as the fate of the bilateral contest remains shrouded in uncertainty. I will rely on what has been my strength: Harbhajan Harbhajan Singh believes that his "tried and tested" strengths are the ones he will rely on as he prepares to lay his hands on a record third world title. Historic 2015 for Sania, Yuki raises hopes in men's tennis Sania Mirza savoured a historic 2015 as she became the first female player from India to win a women's doubles Grand Slam title on way to becoming world number one. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google's list of 50 best Android apps of 2015 Here's over to the 50 best apps of 2015, which the search giant has termed as the 'must-have apps of the year'. OnePlus Icons earphones review: Great looks, average sound The lack of consistency as well as the muted sound, in our view, hurts the prospects of OnePlus Icons. The earphones are great lookers sure, but don’t justify the price tag of Rs 2,999. Huawei Honor Band Z1 review In our Huawei Honor Band Z1 review, we found it to be a solid option to consider if you are in the market for a fitness tracker. Leave it out if you want all the features of a smartwatch as well. More Technology News»

		Education
		We're a valid institution, not blacklisted: US university  Hordes of Indian students are landing up in two US universities - Silicon Valley University (SVU) and Northwestern Polytechnic University-which look more like warehouses than varsities.  Indians flock to US 'educational warehouses' Some half dozen cars are parked in the largely empty lot of the warehouse style building bearing the name SVU - for Silicon Valley University -- on Fortune Drive in San Jose. IIT-Madras signs MoU with Indian Railways on research for advancement of technology IIT-Madras signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Railways on Tuesday to develop a long-term frame work for research collaboration and advancement of technology. The MoU will be operative for a period of three years. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai bars to be open till 5am for Xmas, New Year Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties in Mumbai hotels, bars and pubs will be allowed to go on till 5am as opposed to 1.30am currently. Chintan was always at centre of controversies Chintan Upadhyay, who was arrested by Mumbai police, in connection with the murder of his estranged wife Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer, has always been in the middle of controversies albeit artistically. 65 convicts languish in jail after serving terms Even after serving full terms, a record number of 65 convicts are still languishing in jails owing to their inability to pay the fine imposed by the court while disposing of their cases. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Khattar's 3G: Gita, global thought and governance Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar unveiled his version of the ‘3G’ on Tuesday — (Bhagwad) Gita, global thought and good governance, in that order — on which he believes hinges the success of the investment summit that his government is planning to host in Gurgaon next March. Some yet to be told about death, others wait for body 'Plane-wala chachu' initially wanted to become a model More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bengaluru civic body suspends five engineers in fake bill scam The BBMP commissioner has suspended five engineers for their alleged involvement in a fake bill scam to the tune of Rs 9.23 crore. Multiple bills were signed by the officers for payments with no work being done on ground level. E-hospital management is the way forward, President tells NIimhans doctors The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (Nimhans) should adopt modern technology to improve efficiencies in all its centres, President Pranab Mukherjee has said. Police identify woman's body found in Mutt well The woman whose body was found in a well in the Uttaradi Mutt premises in Shankarpuram, south Bengaluru, has been identified as Seethalakshmi, 45. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Depressed, sword-wielding techie runs amok, gunned down by cops A 28-year-old software engineer, Balwinder Singh, reportedly depressed over his performance in the All India Civil Services examinations, was shot by the police while on an attacking spree with a sword on a street near his house in the Lakshminagar area of Telangana’s Karimnagar on Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh warehousing capacity to be doubled To ensure remunerative prices for farmers, the warehousing capacity will be doubled in the state, AP State Warehousing Corporation chairman LVSRK Prasad said. After taking charge, he said that his main task would be to provide more godown space to farmers so that there would not be any distress sale and losses. Telangana to get Rs 60,000 cr Nabard loan Telangana will receive close to Rs 60,000 crore as loan from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) to invest in priority sectors in the financial year 2016-17. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Woman 'wrongly' held at airport gets Rs 2L in damages Fourteen months after immigration officials and the Chennai airport police arrested Sarah Thomas, 48, an employee with a multinational company in Dubai who they mistook for a CBI-wanted fugitive, the Madras high court on Tuesday awarded her Rs 2 lakh as compensation. Woman mistakenly held at city airport gets Rs 2 lakh in damages Fourteen months after immigration officials and the Chennai airport police arrested Sarah Thomas, 48, an employee with a multinational company in Dubai who they mistook for a CBI-wanted fugitive, the Madras high court on Tuesday awarded her 2 lakh as compensation. 85% of 'dependents' unlettered: Census Around 202 million people, or nearly 17% of the 1.21 billion Indian population, are dependent on others for survival; tellingly, 172.5 million of these, or over 85% of all dependents, are illiterate. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat high court bans chinese lantern People of Ahmedabad will miss the spectacle of sky dotted with Chinese lantern this Uttarayan as Gujarat high court on Tuesday directed the state government to ban manufacturing and sale of these lanterns within three days. NIA seeks further remand of four accused The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday sought further remand of four persons arrested in connection with the Bharuch double murder case. Two BJP leaders -Shirish Bangali and Pragnesh Mistry -were shot dead in November, and 12 people have been arrested in this case till date. Appoint 2 information commissioners: HC Gujarat high court (HC) on Monday directed the state government to appoint two more information commissioners in the State Information Commission for speedy disposal of cases and appeals filed under the Right to Information Act (RTI). More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad University plans to install complaint boxes again Faced by unreported cases of eve-teasing and fight among students, the authorities of Allahabad University have decided to install complaint boxes on the campus to help complainants register their grievances and complaints. A complaint register is also being kept at all the departments and hostels. HC seeks govt response on CBI probe into UPPSC appointments The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the state government as well as Uttar Pradsh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to file their respective replies in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking CBI probe into the selections done by UPPSC during the tenure of ex-chairman Anil Kumar Yadav. The court also directed to connect this PIL with another PIL already pending in this regard with the high court. Land row: HC to inspect Dadri plot On a writ petition challenging acquisition of land in Dadri in Greater Noida for construction of a road connecting NH-91, the Allahabad high court on Monday said it will inspect the spot at 11.30am on December 26. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha top engineer in vigilance net Engineer-in-chief (civil) of the works department Sukadev Meher found himself in soup for allegedly amassing ill-gotten assets. Justice Naidu Commission submits report on Kandhamal riots Not revealing the commission's findings and recommendations made in the report, Patnaik said a total of 825 affidavits were filed before the commission and statements of 300 witnesses were recorded. Congress MLA suspended after being filmed watching porn inside assembly Odisha Assembly speaker Niranjan Pujari on Tuesday suspended Congress MLA Naba Kishore Das for seven days for watching porn clips inside the assembly on his mobile phone on Monday. The speaker sent the matter to ethics committee for further probe. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP amends rules to include weavers' fed as procurement agency To ensure greater participation of the state’s small industries, Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet on Tuesday afternoon amended the Madhya Pradesh Store Purchase and Service Procurement Rules. MP BJP workers protest against 'Congress sympathisers' in party On Tuesday afternoon, a large group of BJP workers from Ashok Nagar district suddenly entered the BJP office shouting slogans and demanding that Congress party sympathisers should not be given responsible positions in the organisation. After Vijayvargiya, former minister Vishnoi dubs Laxmikant as innocent After senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya labeled Vyapam accused and former minister Laxmikant Sharma as innocent, another stalwart and former minister Ajay Vishnoi has dubbed Sharma as guilt-free, saying he has not committed any crime and that he should be taken back in party's fold. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Looking at assembly elections, Punjab government is celebrating half-centenaries of Sikh history Desperately trying to retain its Panthic turf, the Punjab government has started a new trend of celebrating half-centenaries of anniversaries in Sikh history. Earlier, only the centenaries were celebrated and the new trend began this year itself. This development has come about as assembly elections are not far away. Looking at Assembly elections Punjab government for the first time starts celebrating half-centenaries of Sikh history Desperately trying to retain its Panthic turf the Punjab government has started a new trend of celebrating half-centenaries of important anniversaries in Sikh history. Fleeing Juvenile Home turns kid stuff Though the three juveniles who fled from the Sector 25 shelter home were caught, there has been no improvement in the security infrastructure even since five inmates fled on October 22. More Chandigarh News»

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