News Digest: CBDT cites privacy, keeps funding of electoral trusts under wraps

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, January 16, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		CBDT cites privacy, keeps funding of electoral trusts under wraps Funding of political parties continues to be shrouded in secrecy with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) declining to disclose information on electoral trusts. Over 100 scholars urge publishers of acclaimed journal to retain its editor Iconic Economic & Political Weekly, on the verge of completing 50 years, is caught in a turmoil involving the editorial autonomy of Rammanohar Reddy, its editor for more than a decade. Frequent visits to defence websites can spell trouble Don’t check websites of armed forces too often as military intelligence sleuths might be marking you as trouble. More India News»

		Business
		Analjit Singh quits as chief in Max India rejig In a major restructuring drive, Max India promoter Analjit Singh has resigned from chairmanship of most of his holdings and group companies, a move aimed at inducting professional managers to run the group. Startups usher in a new economic freedom First generation entrepreneurs aren’t new to India. India’s number one private company was founded by a first generation entrepreneur, Dhirubhai Ambani. Fresh ideas needed to navigate Bharat At around noon on January 12, Anas Rahman Junaid was trying to order lunch online. Junaid lives and works in Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala. More Business News»

		Environment
		Revised standards for CETPs to check water pollution The Center has notified revised standards for Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), operating at various industrial clusters in the country, to minimise water pollution. World's largest canyon may lie under Antarctic: Study Move over, Grand Canyon! The world's largest canyon - over 1,000 kilometre long and up to one kilometre deep - may lie under the Antarctic ice sheet, scientists including those from India have claimed. Global warming could delay next ice age for 100,000 yrs Global warming is likely to disrupt a natural cycle of ice ages and contribute to delaying the onset of the next big freeze until about 100,000 years from now, scientists said. In the past million years, the world has had about 10 ice ages before swinging back to warmer conditions like the present. More Environment News»

		World
		Al-Qaeda attack on Burkina hotel kills 20 Attackers have killed "several people" at a restaurant in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou opposite a four-star hotel where the assailants are holed up, a restaurant staff member told AFP. UN report on Iran deal compliance likely today: Sources The UN atomic watchdog will likely say Saturday that Iran has complied with last July's landmark deal with major powers aimed at putting a nuclear bomb out of Tehran's reach, diplomatic sources said. 90 took France trial drug that left 1 brain-dead Six volunteers were taken to hospital last week after taking part in the Phase I trial of a new medication meant to treat mood disorders such as anxiety, developed by Portuguese pharmaceutical company Bial. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Ranveer-Deepika win top Filmfare 2015 honours The 61st edition of the Britannia Filmfare Awards 2015 finally came to an end with trophies for the Best Actor and Best Actress category been taken. Filmfare 2015: Best dressed celebs of the night Here’s taking a look at some of the best dressed celebs of the night that have left us stunned with their gorg style statements… Have Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif officially split? This is not going to go down too well with fans, but one of Bollywood’s most talked-about couple, Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif, have reportedly called it quits. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Chimps, like humans, make friends based on trust Friendship may not be unique to humans as chimpanzees also bond with each other based on trust, a new study suggests. The findings suggest that friendship based on trust has evolved much earlier than previously thought. Standing desks could make kids smarter Standing desks in classrooms could make children smarter by improving their cognitive performance, a new study by an Indian-origin researcher has found. Tim Peake spacewalk: British astronaut to become country's first ever person to jump into space The activity will last six-and-a-half hours, during which there will be no toilet breaks More Science News»

		Sports
		2nd ODI: Another Rohit ton, another Indian defeat Rohit Sharma's tenth ODI century - and fifth versus Australia - was once again trumped by an Australian effort as India slipped to 0-2 in the series. Mumbai beat Warriors to enter PBL final, face Delhi World No. 2 Saina Nehwal suffered a crushing defeat in Awadhe Warriors' Trump match as Mumbai Rockets stormed into the final with an emphatic 3-0 win in the second semi-finals of the Premier Badminton League. Sania-Hingis win Sydney International title Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis' awe-inspiring run continued unabated as they lifted their second trophy of the season with the WTA Apia International title after clinching their 30th win in a row. More Sports News»

		Technology
		7 key trends for Indian e-commerce industry in 2016 E-commerce had a standout year in 2015, when it grew in size — from $5 billion to $8 billion — and pervaded every aspect of our lives. In 2016, it will grow further and sink deeper into our lives, albeit in a different form. The industry is set to become more 'm', or mobile, than 'e' commerce. 5 Android games to play this weekend It's finally weekend — time to unwind. How about picking up some interesting games to play? If you not sure which ones to play this weekend, here's help. 9 best smartphones unveiled at CES 2016 CES 2016 became the showcase ground for a variety of gadgets in sin city of Las Vegas. From connected cars to wearables to smart shower heads and drones, CES 2016 had it all. Here we take a look at the best smartphones from the biggest tech show on earth. More Technology News»

		Education
		Coaching centres poach teachers, schools take a hit Coaching centres, with their promise of much better pay, are fast robbing private schools of their teaching talent, a trend that bodes ill for students. UK sees massive fall in Indian student numbers Nearly 14,000 fewer Indian students enrolled into a British university for higher education in 2014 compared to 2010. In what is a massive blow to Britain’s education sector, the number of Indian students fell by 10% between 2013 and 2014 alone. These are the countries where it's most expensive to go to university With the Ucas deadline closing at 6pm on Friday, sixth formers up and down the country will be putting the final touches on their university applications, if they haven't submitted already. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC wants odd-even rule in Mumbai, govt gets notice The Bombay high court on Friday issued notices to the state government, seeking implementation of the odd-even rule in Mumbai. Mumbai NGO and clerics to set up drug rehab facility As part of its anti-drug campaign, NGO Social Educational Welfare Association (SEWA), in collaboration with a group of preachers and imams, is setting up a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in Lonavla Road planned along garden, Bandra fumes The newly released road survey conducted by the Development Plan (DP) department and uploaded on the BMC website for public feedback has proposed a 9.15m-wide road adjoining Mala Garden in Bandra (W). The garden, located behind St Anne’s Church at Pali Hill, is maintained by the Mala residents’ association More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		HC ruled to strengthen narcotics body On January 29, 2014, a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana high court, headed by then chief justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, had directed the home ministry to specify steps being taken to strengthen the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) zonal office at Chandigarh to deal with the drug menace in the region. The Foggy Friday coldest day of winter but chill may not last In sharp change of weather, the peak day temperature plunged to the season’s lowest on Friday at 15.6 degrees Celsius, as a cloud cover and fog screened out the sun, and light northerly winds brought back the characteristic January chill in the capital. Private schools go to court over government order on management quota Private schools in the city on Friday approached the Delhi high court challenging the state government’s decision to scrap management quota in admissions. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Taking Kannada across borders Striking a lighter note in an essay written some years ago on language, writer K V Akshara recalled the experience of a friend who went around in Chicago looking for Indian food and chose to order “steamed rice balls with flavoured coconut sauce.“ Soon he was to learn he'd paid $16 for idli and chutney. Ghachar Ghochar Some around rings left by teacups on the floor, some around crumbs... This is the kitchen of a lower-middle class home with rooms built like train compartments. Hundreds of Streets to the Palace of Lights A story begins with a sepia toned photograph; another has an additional tale within; a third has multiple narrators. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Residents bear the brunt of water politics Water in India has not been spared from politics. This is the root cause of the problem that BWSSB is facing. Bengaluru is staring at a water crisis and citizens still have to bear the brunt of the politics. Two killed in road accident Two persons were killed in a road accident at Neeladripeta in Gandepalli mandal on the National Highway 16 when a lorry hit their bike on Thursday. 15 passengers hurt in bus mishap Fifteen passengers travelling in an RTC bus were injured when their bus ploughed into a wayside drain at Ventapragada village of Peddaparupudi mandal in Krishna district on Thursday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		M.I.A. IN ACTION: Voice of the war-torn Freedom, 'I' dom, 'Me'dom, Where's your 'we'dom?" sings M.I.A. (born Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam) in her new song, "Borders", supportive of the refugees in Europe. Sri Lanka releases 55 TN fishermen Tamil Nadu government announced that 55 out of 104 fishermen from the state, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan army in recent months, were released by the island nation on Thursday. Centre nod for 800MW power plant The Union environment ministry has given permission for a new thermal power project in Chennai. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Three more rounded up in spurious milk scam The Amreli police have got further leads in to spurious milk racket busted on January 13. GFSU gets Asia's first integrated ballistic testing range Gandhinagar-based Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU), on Friday, became the owner of Asia's first integrated indoor ballistic testing range. The 150-ft long range is equipped with various instruments set up in collaboration with a Czech Republic-based firm. 1728 birds rescued by 'Save the bird' campaign during Uttarayan festival Palican, saras crane, white rumped vulture, grey leg geese and other critically endangered species were among those that were injured during the two days of the Uttarayan Festival. This year the rescue of 1728 birds was by far the highest count ever since the campaign began. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Mela cops WhatsApp safety, security in Tent City The Magh Mela police have taken to smartphone messaging apps to share information and inputs for ensuring foolproof security in the Tent City. 18L pilgrims on Day 1, numbers to swell today All the 14 ghats were teeming with devotees on Thursday as lakhs of people headed to Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- chanting ‘Har Har Gange' and ‘Ganga Maiya ki Jai’ on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. High Court vacates stay on appointment of Gram Panchayat Adhikaris On a stay vacation application moved by the state government, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday vacated its earlier stay order granted on the appointment of 3,587 posts of Gram Panchayat Adhikaris (GPAs) and dismissed all the writ petitions, which had challenged appointment on the said post. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha submits final drought memorandum, demands Rs 2344 crore The state government on Friday submitted final memorandum before the Centre demanding drought assistance of Rs 2344.99 crore. 15,000 people to be employed in Odisha power sector As many as 15,000 people would be employed in power sector of Odisha, said Grid Corporation of Odisha Limited (Gridco) CMD Hemant Sharma at a meeting here on Friday. Bargarh Dhanu Yatra begins The coronation ceremony of Kansa marked the beginning of Dhanu Yatra at Bargarh town on Thursday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Beef vigilante attack Muslim couple in MP, saved by brave cop Several members of Gauraksha Samiti raided Gorakhpur-Mumbai Kushinagar Express at Khirkiya railway station in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday, suspecting some passengers of carrying beef, and assaulted a Muslim couple when they objected to their luggage being searched, said the police. Shivraj cabinet to meet on cruise in Indira Sagar Island to boost tourism For the first time, ministers of Madhya Pradesh donning life jackets will meet for a cabinet briefing on a cruise line in Hanuwantiya island of Indira Sagar dam. The motive is to promote ten-day 'Jal Mahotsav’ (water festival), which will be kicked off on February 12, after the meeting. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan chooses Singapore over NRI meet Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said he chosen Singapore over an NRI meet in Delhi, hoping to meet investors and invite them to the state. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		SBI staffer withdrew money from late Bansi Lal's account Between 2013 and 2015, the head cashier of the SBI branch at the mini-secretariat complex in Chandigarh fraudulently withdrew about Rs 6.50 lakh from a dormant account of late Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal. Punjab govt to make compensation to the farmer's families on the same day To help families of the farmers who take the extreme step to commit suicide, Punjab Government has decided to make the compensation to the farmer’s families on the same day. It'll be misty morning, clear sky today Residents of the city woke up to a foggy and cold morning on Thursday as maximum temperature plunged to 15.2°C and the minimum temperature was recorded at 9.4°C."There is a significant fall in day temperature. More Chandigarh News»

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