News Digest: ISI mole leaked info on 2 other exercises too

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, January 01, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		ISI mole leaked info on 2 other exercises too Incidentally, this officer, a group captain, was also the commander of TAC-DE (tactical and combat deployment establishment) Gwalior, an information Ranjith shared with the undercover agent. When contacted, joint commissioner (crime) Ravindra Yadav said, “Probe details can’t be shared at this stage.” AI hikes penalty for pilots leaving early to Rs 50 lakh Air India has hiked the penalty for pilots leaving the airline within five years of joining from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. The move is aimed at checking the mass exodus of pilots and ensuring the cash-strapped Maharaja recovers the cost it incurs on training them. CBI charges Lt General in defence school scam The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against an earlier chief of the National Defence Academy - Lt General-ranked officer Jatinder Singh - two colonels Kulbir Singh and Col A K Singh and eight others for alleged corruption and cheating in the appointment process of ‘Group C’ employees at the prestigious institution. More India News»

		Business
		RBI to move to CTS for clearing govt's cheques RBI today said it has decided to dispense with the requirement of physically forwarding paid central government cheques to the departments for clearance. For this reason RBI has introduced Cheque Truncation System (CTS) for clearance of such cheques. HDFC profit on sale of investments down by 50% Mortgage lender HDFC Ltd today said it has recorded 50 per cent decline in profit on sale of investment to Rs 57 crore for the quarter ended December. 'India to allow duty-free imports of 500k ton corn' India will soon ask state-run traders to import half a million tonnes of duty-free corn after the second straight drought cut output, in what would be the country's first overseas purchase in 16 years, two government sources have said. More Business News»

		Environment
		'Banning phosphate in detergents can be looked into' Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar today said the government will surely think of banning use of phosphate in detergents when there was an alternative to do so. Javadekar said he would see what best practices could be put to use in making phosphate-free detergents. Norway to help India manage construction waste India will sign an MoU with Norway for training of human resource to handle construction and demolition waste, in tune with the Clean India Campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chill not to freeze New Year's Eve thrill in Himachal hills The snow will not freeze the thrill in the hills of Himachal Pradesh as the sun will add warmth to the celebrations. Tourists will thus herald the New Year on a sunny note, the Met office cheerfully says. There will be long sunny days at most of the tourist destinations in the state till the New Year dawns. More Environment News»

		World
		Media should give more space to good news: Pope The media should give more space to positive, inspirational stories to counterbalance the preponderance of evil, violence and hate in the world, Pope Francis said on Thursday in his year-end message. Israeli police quiz PM's wife over inflated spending Israeli police are questioning the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over her alleged inflated household spending. The questions are expected to focus on whether Sara Netanyahu used state funds to finance maintenance work and new furniture for the couple's private home. '100k police on duty in France for New Year's Eve' More than 100,000 police will be deployed throughout France to guard New Year's Eve celebrations that come six weeks after the jihadist attacks in Paris, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Thursday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Hema Malini's land allotment irks social orgs Veteran actress Hema Malini recently allotted land by the Maharashtra Government at Mumbai’s Andheri area for her upcoming dance academy. 'Natsamrat' making: Nana Patekar This New Year day, actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar is excited about bringing his latest offering, 'Natsamrat' with Nana Patekar in the lead, to the big screens. Priyanka caught in an ego-clash with Frieda? Bollywood actress, Priyanka Chopra, and Hollywood actress Freida Pinto were not on the same page when they graced an international event in Washington DC. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Brain activity of worms recorded in 3D Scientists have developed a new method to record 3D footage of neural activity in nearly the entire brain of a free-moving animal, an advance that could help better understand how neurons coordinate action and perception in animals. Simple method to improve breast cancer treatment A simple and non-invasive imaging method can effectively replace the current practice in determining appropriateness of breast cancer treatment, thereby reducing the need for invasive tissue sampling, new research has found. Fitness freak? Too much exercise is bad for heart With many of us contemplating marathons or other endurance events in 2016, we, our spouses and other family members most likely have wondered whether such strenuous training could be harmful to our hearts. More Science News»

		Sports
		India edge Maldives 3-2 to enter 10th SAFF Cup final India pipped a spirited Maldives 3-2 to enter the final of the SAFF Championships for a record 10th time after Jeje struck twice in a thrilling semi-final. Daredevils release Yuvraj, Sunrisers remove Ishant Delhi Daredevils predictably released veteran left-hander Yuvraj Singh from their squad while India's pace spearhead Ishant Sharma was off-loaded by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first trading window for the upcoming 9th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). R Ashwin finishes 2015 as No. 1 ranked bowler Ashwin has achieved the number-one spot for first time in his career after injury prevented Dale Steyn from bowling more than 3.5 overs in England's second innings. Even though the fast bowler bagged four wickets in the first innings, these were not enough for him to end the year No 1. More Sports News»

		Technology
		10 best mid-range smartphones of 2015 2015 was the year when mid-range smartphones came into their own. This was the year when smartphones under Rs 25,000 truly took on their much more expensive counterparts, giving buyers the option to get a powerful device without worrying too much about the budget. YU Yutopia review: Is it the flagship killer you were waiting for? YU Yutopia is a powerful smartphone and definitely worth considering at Rs 24,999. While heating issues and the fingerprint sensor are sore points, we expected them to be sorted out when YU pushes out the next major firmware update for the smartphone. 8 best laptops of 2015 The year 2015 saw the launch of many laptops across various categories like gaming, hybrids, and ultrabooks. More Technology News»

		Education
		Delhi nursery admissions to begin January 1, 88 schools yet to notify criteria Despite repeated warnings from the Delhi government, over 80 private schools in the national capital were yet to notify their criteria for nursery admissions that are set to begin from Thursday. Workshop on neuroscience for engineers to be held at IIT-Madras The first annual workshop of the Centre for Computational Brain Research (CCBR) will be held at IIT-Madras from January 4 to 8. Last date for JEE applications extended till Jan 11 The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has extended the last date of filling the online forms of Joint Entrance Exam JEE-Main-2016 to January 11. Even the attempts for taking the JEE have been increased; candidates can now take a shot at this entrance test thrice, instead of twice. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Man held for stealing 22L diamonds A Malad resident, Ashwin Devgani (35), who worked as a diamond assorter, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly stealing diamonds worth Rs22 lakh from a trader’s office at the diamond bourse in Bandra-Kurla Complex on December 10. 17 IPS officers moved, another shuffle in 7 days The state government on Thursday promoted and transferred 17 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers within the state ahead of a major shuffle, which officials said is due in a week. Parties in bldg compounds are flavour of the season Following the routine of the last few years, most Mumbaikars chose to begin the leap year 2016 with hope and cheer in the quiet of their homes. Sparse crowds thronged open spaces like beachfronts More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Odd-even plan: An odd start to Delhi's New Year, and hopefully some clean air As the sun rises over the capital in the new year, people will be anxiously waiting to see how Delhi government’s odd-and-even experiment for checking air pollution unfolds. Delhi Police gets 4,227 officers for investigations ine years after the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment directing separation of investigation work from law and order maintenance duties among others, the government gave the first set of 4,227 officers to Delhi Police who are likely to be used mainly for investigations. 20kg gold seized at IGI this week Over 20kg of gold worth Rs 5 crore was seized at IGI Airport this week.Four people, including two Kazakh nationals, were arrested. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		New HBCS bill gives scope for allotment to associate members In 1991, the High Court of Karnataka considered the findings of the report in a case (Narayana Reddy vs State of Karnataka) and held that associate members were not eligible for allotment of sites from an HBCS. Karnataka HC quashes chief secretary's order on sewage station The Karnataka high court has quashed the June 5, 2014 order issued by state Chief Secretary wherein the bid process for implementation of a project envisaging the design, construction and commissioning of a 192 MLD Intermediate Sewage Pumping Station at the Koramangala Sports Complex in city was cancelled. Science and technology should touch farmers' lives, says CM Siddaramaiah The state government on Wednesday conferred awards to 25 scientists for the years 2013 and 2014 “with a view to recognising and rewarding talents from the field of science and technology“. Pointing out that India has a large population indulging in agriculture, chief minister Siddaramaiah said: “The fruits of science and technology must touch our farmers.“ More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Telangana govt to regularise contract employees The Telangana government announced a New Year gift for nearly 50,000 persons working as contract employees with various departments saying that it would regularise their services. New technique to treat acidity Spicy food might not scare heartburn patients any more as doctors at a city hospital unveiled a novel technique for treating severe acidity problems (gastroesophageal reflux disease or also called heartburn). Moneylender cop faces another case The assistant sub-inspector of police B Mohan Reddy who was arrested some time ago for his involvement in money lending at usurious interest rates, on Thursday was slapped with another case after a group of his followers allegedly obstructed lawyers and others at the court house here. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Teen orders laptop for Rs 14,000 online, gets brick A 17-year-old boy from Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district who ordered a laptop online from a popular etailer for Rs 14,090 was shocked when the delivery man handed him a package with a brick. Doctors to protest for more PG medical entrance exam centres in Tamil Nadu Several doctors in Tamil Nadu have decided to stage a demonstration on Saturday demanding more centres in the state for the All India PG Medical Entrance Examination (AIPGMEE) on January 11. IIT-Madras, Hand in Hand India to conduct programme for women entrepreneurs Indian Institute of Technology - Madras along with Hand in Hand India, a public charitable trust, will conduct a special development programme for micro and the marginal women entrepreneurs from January 4 to 8. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Vadodara airport's ground handling staff issue reaches HC The issue of outsourcing ground handling staff for private airlines has reached Gujarat high court after the Vadodara airport issued notice to airlines to keep its own staff for ground handling of aircrafts and not to rely by outsourcing the service from January 1. Bhadra will ring in New Year with chimes from clock tower It has seen time in Ahmedabad change – literally. The historic clock tower at Bhadra Fort would come alive in first week of January as repairs and restoration have been nearly complete. Drain water eroding Sarkhej Roza's beauty: Study Sarkhej Roza, the mausoleum of Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh, spiritual preceptor of Sultan Ahmed Shah (1410-1443 AD), has suffered becasue of neglect by authorities, says a study by CEPT University. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Coming soon, English classes for government teachers Come January and the government teachers would hone their skills in speaking English so as to improve the standard of teaching. State government's designated institute would conduct special workshops for such teachers from the new year so that they can, in turn, help students learn basic English. Allahabad University puts up ramps for special students The Allahabad University authorities have taken note of the plight of their special students and have started building a ramp at the entrance of their Central library. Though a temporary arrangement, it would definitely go a long way in making the academic years of special students that much more memorable. Rs 2.98 lakh stolen from scooter dickey A retired railway official Govind Khanal was deprived of Rs 2.98 lakh on Monday. Thieves stole the money after breaking open the dickey of Govind Khanal’s scooter at Manmohan crossing under the limits of Colonelganj police. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJP cadres ransack pension venue rate BJP cadres marched into the pension distribution site at Uditnagar Parade ground and ransacked the place, including the welcome gate and the stage, where state textile minister Snehangini Churia was supposed to arrive and distribute pension to beneficiaries. The BJP cadres were reportedly angry that Rourkela MLA was not invited to the programme. Although Churia arrived in the steel city on Wednesday, she did not attend this programme. Maoist gives up arms in Angul Maoist Manoj Dehury, alias Madhab, of Sambalpur-Deogarh- Sundargarh division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) on Wednesday surrendered before SP (Angul) Rajesh Pandit. Tribal fest Parab from January 2 Noted Odissi danseuse Ileana Citaristi will be the star attraction of Parab-2015, the annual cultural extravaganza of Koraput district.Parab showcases the best of tribal art and culture. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Culprits throw acid on girl after rape In a gruesome incident, two persons threw acid on a 19-year old girl after she was gang raped in Bhind on Wednesday. The accused are on the run. Referring to Madhya Pradesh in Mann ki Baat makes 2015 eventful, Shivraj Singh says The year 2015 was eventful for Madhya Pradesh in the sense that Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the state on two occasions during his popular Mann Ki Baat radio communication for its contribution to Swachchh Bharat Mission, observed chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while extending New Year greetings to the people on Thursday. Amit Shah in Indore for a day BJP national president Amit Shah will be in Indore on Friday to attend a camp organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Soon, ordinance to ban polybags Punjab government has decided to issue an ordinance banning use of polythene bags in the state.The ban will come into force from February 1, 2016. Punjab gently prunes security of 90 VIPs The string of protests that Punjab faced in the past few months may have a flip side to it. Co-op banks make hay as candidates line up for no-dues slips Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.People wanting to contest rural polls in Haryana have to pay to prove that they fulfil the newly introduced no-loan clause. More Chandigarh News»

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