News Digest: Modi-Nawaz chemistry augurs well for future ties

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, December 26, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Modi-Nawaz chemistry augurs well for future ties Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impromptu visit to Pakistan will have far-reaching implications for ties between New Delhi and Islamabad. How India-Pak relations went from blow hot, blow cold to a thaw With his “surprise” drop-in to celebrate Nawaz Sharif ’s birthday in Lahore on Friday, PM Narendra Modi has added his personal stamp to the rejuvenated India-Pakistan peace process. 'Sharifs employ us': Village near Amritsar toasts Pak PM connect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Pakistan visit was cheered by residents of Nawaz Sharif’s native village Jati Umra near Amritsar on Friday. More India News»

		Business
		Tech behind bitcoin can help check counterfeiting: RBI Exactly two years after it issued a caution against use of virtual currency bitcoin, the Reserve Bank of India has come around to appreciate the strengths of the underlying 'blockchain' technology. Blockchain is a digital platform which records all bitcoin transactions in a way that cannot be altered. India gets oil deals as Russia opens doors India returned to Russia after six years for a bouquet of oil deals, potentially worth $2-3 billion, as Moscow actively seeks partners for meeting capital needs of new fields, amid low crude prices and western sanctions. Rel Jio's 4G entry not a threat: Idea Idea Cellular, the country's third-biggest mobile operator with over 170 million subscribers, has joined the 4G bandwagon ahead of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio launch. Reliance Jio is expected to be launched commercially in March-April, while a soft launch for employees will take place on Sunday. More Business News»

		Environment
		Crows too know how to make and use tools! f you thought only humans or primates can forge and use tools, you are wrong. Crows can make, use, and even store for re-use certain tools while foraging for food, a new study shows. 'Bread, Wine, Chocolate' makes environmental issues tasty The lands, waters and atmosphere of our planet are under tremendous stress from the appetites and endeavors of more than 7 billion people, and such issues often make for grim reading. 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. More Environment News»

		World
		Late-night earthquake rattles Pakistan, Afghanistan A strong earthquake shook parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan early Saturday, rattling buildings and forcing sleeping residents out of their homes. Top Syrian rebel leader killed in air strike in Damascus Zahran Aloush, the head of Jaysh al Islam, one of the most powerful insurgent groups in the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus, was killed in an aerial raid that targeted his group's headquarters, two rebel sources said on Friday. Zimbabwe to adopt Chinese yuan as its main currency Zimbabwe has announced it will soon adopt the Chinese yuan as the main currency for use. Zimbabwe is the first country apart from China to use the yuan as its currency in the domestic market; it has been the legal tender along with the US dollar and South African Rand for the last couple of years. More World News»

		Entertainment
		BT Exclusive: First look of 'Shivaay' ​Here is the first look of actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn’s next release Shivaay Katrina Kaif celebrates X'mas with Ranbir Kapoor's family Katrina Kaif joins the Kapoor clan for Christmas lunch at Shashi Kapoor’s home. 'Wazir' director Bejoy Nambiar ties the knot     Two weeks before his big release, Wazir, director Bejoy Nambiar has taken time out for one of the most important occasions of his life - marriage. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Pollution making bacteria antibiotic resistant? Environmental contaminants may be part ly to blame for the rise in anti biotic-resistant bacteria, a new US study suggests. J Vaun McArthur from the Universi ty of Georgia tested his hypot hesis in streams on the US de partment of energy's Savan nah River Site (SRS). Inheritance plays big part in 12 cancers: Study Scientists have found strong evidence for inherited components in 12 different kinds of deadly cancers. This raises hope for earlier detection and better targeting of therapy. Novel liver hormone cuts cravings for sweets, alcohol In a good news for those who cannot shun their drink and also have "sweet tooth", scientists have discovered for the first time a liver hormone that works via brain to reduce cravings for sweets and alcohol in mammals. More Science News»

		Sports
		2015 in review: The top five T20I innings TOI Sports recaps the top 5 T20I innings from the year 2015. 2015 in review: The top five T20I bowling spells TOI Sports recaps the top 5 T20I bowling spells from the year 2015. Serena Williams celebrated season of epic proportions To call Serena Williams today's Muhammad Ali would be doing 'The Greatest' a huge reverse honour. A dominant force in sport and a voice for her race and gender, the fearless 33-year-old is a champion for all time. More Sports News»

		Technology
		15 things to do with your old Android smartphone People upgrade their smartphone -- on average -- once every two years. Coming soon: SMS alerts directly from PM Modi Soon, you could get an e-mail or SMS straight from the Prime Minister informing you of a new policy decision or even an urgent alert in national interest.The e-Sampark initiative launched as a part of 'Digital India' last year is now being extended to private citizens, especially professionals. Uber to set up its 1st engineering centre in India Ride-hailing app Uber is setting up its first engineering centre in India in Bengaluru to customize solutions for the local market. More Technology News»

		Education
		CBSE launches mobile app for e-learning material for students, teachers The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) today rolled out its latest mobile application E-CBSE for providing e-learning material for students and teachers. 90% of government degree colleges in Karnataka headless According to the department of collegiate education, 376 — or, some 91% — of the 411 GFGCs in the state don't have a permanent principal. In Bengaluru, only three of the 20-plus GFGCs have permanent principals. Gujarat Class XII science results: 3,542 score over 90% Around 98% students who'd appeared for semester III of Class XII science stream cleared the board exams. Of the nearly 1.33 lakh students in A group (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) and B group (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), only 2,681 students failed. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Chintan promised killers Rs 12L for wife's murder: Cops Each of the three warehouse workers and the tempo driver in police custody for the murder of artist Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer Haresh Bhambhani were promised Rs 2 lakh for the job, the police said on Thursday. Indian Coast Guard Ship rescued eight crews from a sinking vessel south of Mumbai Eight crews of a vessel were rescued 50 kms south of Mumbai by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Samrat late on Friday. Insurer rapped for rejecting 3 lakh angioplasty claim The district consumer redressal forum recently rapped a insurance firm for deficiency in service as it had refused to settle the hospital and surgery bills of an insured person on the grounds that it was a pre-existing disease, which was concealed from them. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		200 barriers to be set up for odd-even plan The traffic police plan to set up special barriers across the city and conduct checks at intersections to book violators of the odd-even rule for private four-wheelers to be tried during January 1-15 but admit they are hopelessly understaffed for such a massive operation, particularly during rush hours. Man dies as basement collapses in south Delhi A labourer was killed while five, including a woman, were injured when a basement under construction in New Friend’s Colony collapsed on Friday. Delhi govt hits back: LG won't let us work The Delhi government's decision to set up an inquiry commission to probe alleged financial irregularities in DDCA has become the latest flashpoint with the Centre. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		NIA arrests Naga insurgent from Bengaluru Acting on a tip off, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in association with the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru on Friday, have arrested a 27 year old Naga insurgent in connection with an attack on a contingent of Assam Rifles in Kohima during March this year. Belagavi readies for local body polls Belagavi district administration is all set to hold free and fair elections for the two seats of local bodies constituencies of legislative council. No poll code violation in CM's election programme, Belagavi DC says The district administration has taken strange stand upon the violation of code of conduct at the election campaigning programme of CM Siddaramaiah in Belagavi on last Sunday. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Haj panel to take forms from Jan 14, draw of lots in March The Telangana State Haj Committee on Friday announced that it would begin accepting forms for Haj 2016 from January 14. 'Muslims lag behind in higher education' The enrollment of Muslim students in institutions of higher learning affiliated to both the state and Centre is lower than Scheduled Castes ( 2 history-sheeters killed in gangwar Two history-sheeters were killed in a clash between two groups here on Nidamarru road on Friday . Members of both groups attacked each other following arguments at a party . More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Waste from 3 Chennai slaughterhouses to generate power City residents could soon be free from the sight and stench of discarded animal waste. After a rap from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench over inefficient disposal of such waste, the corporation has decided to set up bio-methanation plants to treat waste from three slaughterhouses in the city top generate power and organic manure . Tsunami 2004: Courage in face of disaster The flight over the dark brown sea off Car Nicobar 11 years ago is as clear to Nitin Sathe as if it was yesterday. The air commodore and his men had taken off from Tambaram on January 2, 2005, on a mission to make the IAF base at Car Nicobar, ravaged by a tsunami a week earlier, functional. HC refuses to allow temple car festival Courts should not normally interfere with matters relating to law and order, which is primarily the domain of administrative authorities, the Madras high court has said, adding, “The officials are best to assess and handle situations depending upon their needs and necessities within their special knowledge.“ More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Hackathon for Smart Ahmedabad Code for India, a not-for-profit organization, and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) have jointly organized 'Ahmedabad Smart City Hackathon 2015' at Bhaskarrai Pandya Hall in Bodakdev on Saturday. Amitabh Kant, secretary of department of industrial policy, government of India, would be chief guest at the event. 26 child scientists from Gujarat at 23rd National Science Congress at Chandigarh A group of 26 child scientists – one from each district – would be part of 23rd National Children Science Congress (NCSC) on the theme of ‘Understanding Weather and Climate’ to be held at Chandigarh University from December 27 to 31. Hemal Shah and her associates could have black mailed more people Projecting themselves as sleuths from crime branch, Hemal shah and her associates could be involved in more cases of extortion and black mailing. Isanpur police has sought remand of the accused to know their criminal history. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad high court quashes 50 AMU appointments The Allahabad high court has quashed over 50 appointments of administration assistants (upper division clerks) of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), delivering a blow to the selection committee. 19 Pakistani women seek Indian citizenship As many as 26 Pakistani nationals from Sangam city are seeking Indian citizenship, following two women from the neighbouring nation being recommended for the same by state government as they prepare to marry residents of Kanpur. Prime accused surrenders in pradhan murder case The prime accused in Piprav double murder case, in which a newly elected gram pradhan and another man were killed, surrendered before police on Thursday. The accused was identified as Pawan Singh, a resident of Piprav. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		All faiths come together on Xmas Churches are all decked out to celebrate the birth of Christ, waiting to welcome scores of people from Thursday midnight. Kandhamal bandh today against fake ST documents Kui Samaj Samanwaya Samiti (KSSS) a tribal outfit, has called a 12-hour bandh in Kandhamal on December 25. BJD foundation day to be low-key affair The foundation day of the BJD will be a low-key affair this year. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Laxmikant's return to party can't be lone decision: MP BJP chief Madhya Pradesh state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chouhan on Friday broke his silence over bail release of former higher education minister Laxmikant Sharma. MP BJP chief elections pepped up after Kulaste entry With former Union minister of state and MP from Mandla constituency Faggan Singh Kulaste declaring his desire and candidature for post of Madhya Pradesh state BJP president before senior leaders on Wednesday, the organisational elections may no longer be as smooth as it was in December 2012. MP CM recalls days with Vajpayee on his 91st birthday Madhya Pradesh BJP on Friday observed former Prime Minister and party patriarch Atal Behari Vajpayee’s 91st birthday as Susashan Diwas (Good Governance day). More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Congress leader flays Khattar govt for understaffed girls' schools Kiran Choudhry, leader of the Haryana Congress Legislature Party (CLP), has criticized the BJP government led by Manohar Lal Khattar for the loss of study hours suffered by hundreds of girl students due to staff shortage in some schools in Bhiwani. Christmas carnival held at Panchkula's St. Soldier's Public School St. Soldier’s Divine Public School, Sector 16, Panchkula was swept by the Yuletide spirit with Christmas fervor, being witnessed all across the school’s campus. Dr Raka Kaushal received best nephrologist award Dr Raka Kaushal Director- Nephrology, Ivy Hospital, Mohali has received the ‘Best Nephrologist in Punjab’ award for the year 2015. More Chandigarh News»

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