News Digest: CPM: BJP, TMC indulging in communalism

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, January 13, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		CPM: BJP, TMC indulging in communalism CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday accused both Trinamool Congress and BJP of indulging in competitive communalism in Malda in poll-bound West Bengal. “TMC polarizes and the other side automatically polarizes,” he said. Activists demand more from Budget for social schemes As apprehended when many social sectors schemes were moved from the centre to the states following fiscal devolution to states, analysis of state budgets has revealed that overall allocation for many schemes such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), SABLA, Mid-Day Meal, and National Rural Drinking Water Programme have been adversely affected. PM Narendra Modi to receive Hollande in Chandigarh Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive French President François Hollande at Chandigarh airport when he touches down on Indian soil on January 24 ahead of the Republic Day for which he will be the chief guest at the main parade on Rajpath. More India News»

		Business
		ShopClues says it is now valued at $1billion  Online marketplace ShopClues said it has raised fresh capital in its fifth round of financing, led by Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC. Jaypee Infra promises 5,300 flats in 2 months Embattled real estate major Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL), a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), has completed the construction of 5,300 apartments along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and plans to hand over possession in two months. Baidu in talks with Zomato, Bookmyshow, BigBasket Chinese internet search giant Baidu has set its eyes on India. More Business News»

		Environment
		Over 8.58 lakh migratory birds throng Chilika this year Over 8.58 lakh migratory birds have thronged Odisha's Chilika lake this winter, as per the bird census released. Last year, over 7.61 lakh migratory birds were sighted in Chilika lake, Asia's largest brackish water lake and the largest winter resort for migratory birds in the Indian subcontinent. Moonlight drives marine creatures in Arctic winter In the absence of any sunlight, it is the moonlight that drives the migrations of tiny marine animals through the permanently dark and frigid Arctic winter, a study says. Researchers say, zooplankton — tiny animals found near the surface in aquatic environments — keep moving during the Arctic winter. Higher temp during winter can hit wheat crop: Experts Comparatively higher temperatures during the ongoing winters have become a cause of concern for the wheat-growers in Punjab and Haryana with experts fearing productivity loss if mercury continues to remain this way. More Environment News»

		World
		Pentagon says two Navy boats in Iranian custody The Pentagon said on Tuesday that two Navy boats are in Iranian custody but Iran has told the United States that the crews will be returned "promptly." 5.6-magnitude quake hits Afghanistan An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale jolted South of Jarm, Afghanistan at 08.05 p.m. on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said. US Congress stalls sale of F-16s to Pakistan In a setback for Pakistan, Republican-controlled US Congress has stalled sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Islamabad, amid growing anti-Pakistan sentiments at Capitol Hill over its reluctance in taking action against terrorist groups. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Akshay Kumar prefers playing a real hero  What’s a manic Monday like in the life of a driven, deadly and dynamic superstar? As smooth as his SUV can be on the city’s potholed roads en route to the studios for yet another day of ‘action’. When glamorous beauties went de-glam Glamour is the most important ingredient in most of the Bollywood films. However, some actresses dared to face the camera sans their vanity kit and surprised us by looking their best. Here are some of the glamorous actresses who pulled off the de-glam look in films. Bollywood's highest earning celebs Read on to know about how much is Kajol being paid for her comeback film, Dilwale... More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Preservative may help treat cancer A naturally occurring food preservative that grows on dairy products may be used to treat cancer and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a study has claimed. In US, fear of big babies sees a spurt in c-sec Katy Clemens wanted to have a natural, drug-free childbirth. Then an ultrasound suggested her baby would weigh 11.5 pounds, and her doctors insisted she schedule a cesarean section. 'Anti-HIV drugs can be used to treat Ebola' Drugs normally used to treat HIV may also be effective at inhibiting the Ebola virus that is transmitted from human to human by infectious body fluids, a new study has claimed. More Science News»

		Sports
		1st ODI: Bailey, Smith outdo Rohit's 171* in facile chase Set a target of 310, Australia won by five wickets with four balls remaining thanks to centuries from George Bailey and Steve Smith. Dhoni 'may agree' that India is suffering for not using DRS Dhoni maintained his stoic stance regarding India's aversion for contentious DRS but said that he "may agree" to the notion that his team is suffering for non-usage of technology. India need to find a way to dismiss Smith, says Gavaskar Gavaskar said if India were to win the ongoing five-match ODI series in Australia the visitor's need to find a way to dismiss Aussie skipper Smith early. More Sports News»

		Technology
		These 10 companies tried to buy Facebook Facebook, the biggest social network in the world, now has over 1.5 billion monthly active users. Apple releases iOS 9.3 beta for developers Among the new features of iOS 9.3 are Night Shift, upgrade to the Notes app, more personalization in the News app and a look at iOS in Education. 8 ways smartphones in India will change in 2016 2015 was a good year for smartphones. It is expected that 2016 will see a bigger shift: (a lot) better features for low- to mid-range smartphones, and better design & faster-than-ever performance for high-end models.Here's a look at the 8 ways smartphones in the Indian market are likely to change this year. More Technology News»

		Education
		CET online applications to begin January 13 The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has invited online applications from eligible candidates to appear for the Common Entrance Test – 2016, which is a gateway to get admissions into professional courses, including medical, dental, Ayush courses (ICM&H), Engineering, Architecture, Farm science, B-Pharma Pharma-D and others, for the academic year of 2016-17. Special dispensation quota seats in KVs for MPs increased to 10 The number of seats under special dispensation quota for the Members of Parliament in Kendriya Vidyalayas has been increased from six to ten. More than 60% urban primary schools are overcrowded More than half the primary schools in urban India -- 65.7% -- are overcrowded. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Chikki supplier wants state to pay 19cr dues Suryankanta Mahila Audyogik Sahakari Sanstha, which supplied chikki to the state for distribution to anganwadis, on Tuesday pleaded before the Bombay high court that the state be asked to release its payment of Rs 19 crore. The payment has been held up for almost five months said its counsel Venkatesh Dhond even as the state government pleader Abhinandan Vagyani said a high-level committee is now looking into all rate contract purchases, of not just chikki but across departments in the last 15 years. These runners will put their best foot forward to help others Some run to keep fit, some to shed that extra weight and some as a hobby. Then there are others who like to lend their legs to a worthy cause that could help fetch a deprived girl the books she would like to read, a village build a computer lab, animals find shelter or a child another chance at life. Samaritan stitches together a new life for blind stray dog Nerul-based cobbler, Manoj Purbhe (46), is a local star because of his selfless love for stray animals. One of his current wards is a stray dog called Moti, who went blind in both his eyes after a cruel acid attack by unidentified persons in 2012. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Minor raped at playschool, elderly held A man in his mid-60s has been arrested on charges of raping a six-year-old girl in a playschool located inside an upscale residential township adjacent to NH-24. False plaint: Court acquits man of rape charges A trial court acquitted a man of charges of rape and intimidating a married woman by observing that the woman had lodged a false complaint against him by giving a concocted version at the instance of her husband and parents. Three held a month after court shooting Three people were arrested nearly a month after four juveniles barged into a courtroom in the Karkardooma court complex and opened fire, injuring an undertrial and killing a Delhi Police constable. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Appointment of HK Patil as in-charge on border issues welcomed Pro-Kannada organizations of Belagavi and other border districts have wholeheartedly welcomed the appointment of rural development and panchayat raj minister HK Patil as an in-charge on border related issus. Rehabs go rogue, no way to sober them up Raids by the State Human Rights Commission last year revealed that many of the centres have been flouting the guidelines framed by the social justice and empowerment department under the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA). Memorial of Swami Vivekananda to be restored in Belagavi Restoration work of 140-year-old house at Risaldar Galli here where great monk Swami Vivekananda stayed for four days in October-1892, is under progress. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		We developed city: Naidu Kicking off campaign for the TDP-BJP combine for the upcoming GHMC elections, Telugu Desam Party chief and AP CM Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday claimed credit for the `all-round development' of Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh land bank grows by 3 times in a year, boosts industrialisation plans With 7.64 lakh acres in its kitty, the Andhra Pradesh government sits pretty offering the largest land bank in the country for industrial investment. Andhra nets Rs 4.7L crore investments st CII Partnership Summit held in Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation of the state saw 325 MoUs (memorandum of understanding) being signed with a total estimated investment of around Rs 4.7 lakh crore. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Jaya writes to PM, seeks ordinance Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an ordinance for facilitating the conduct of jallikattu, the traditional bull-taming sport in the state during Pongal festival. Sweet delight Chennaiites vouch for the Pongals served at a few specific temples Review cane prices, opposition tells govt Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday said sugarcane procurement price announced by the state government on Monday is too low. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Over 11k unregistered dealers brought in tax net in Gujarat in 2015-16 As many as 11,166 dealers who were trading illegally have been brought in the tax net by state commercial tax department in the financial year 2015-16. Soon, all communications with IT dept through emails Soon, the taxpayers will not have to go around offices of Income Tax to resolve their issues related to returns and scrutiny. HC stays arrest warrant against Parshottam Solanki In a relief for the animal husbandry minister, Parshottam Solanki, Gujarat high court on Monday stayed an arrest warrant issued by the special anti-corruption court in Gandhinagar against him in connection with an alleged fisheries scam. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Territorial Army to keep ghats, river clean during Mela A Territorial Army battalion, comprising 250 personnel, would be deployed at Magh Mela to ensure cleanliness on ghats and keep the river pollution-free during the month-long religious fair Magh Mela. The initiative is a part of Central government sponsored ‘Namami Gange’ project. Bomb squad holds mock drill to check preparedness Members of bomb defusing squad (BDS) and anti-sabotage team (AST) conducted mock drill at Sangam and adjoining areas pm Monday. 9.5L to take TET exam on Feb 2 Uttar Pradesh Teachers Eligibility Test (UP-TET)– 2015 would be conducted by Examination Regulatory Authority at 1,200 examination centres on February 2. Around 9.5 lakh candidates have applied for the exam that would test teaching capability of applicants for government schools across the state. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		NHRC ask Odisha government to eliminate bonded labour The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed concern over high incidents of bonded labour in Odisha and asked the state government for strict implementation of laws. Panchayat members gherao minister's residence Members of Odisha Gram Panchayati Karmachari Seva Sangha gheraoed the residence of panchayati raj minister Arun Sahoos here on Monday demanding regularization of jobs. Proposal to make city airport base for airlines Biju Patnaik International Airport authorities plan to approach various airlines to turn the city airport into their base for operations as they frequently divert aircraft to this airport due to fog at Kolkata and Delhi airports. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		12 out of 32 PSUs running in the red: Anant Geete Union heavy industries minister Anant Geete who was in city at an even in Bharat Heavy Electricals limited said, “12 out of 32 PSUs under the department are running under losses.” Surya Namaskar in MP school curriculum Now, Surya Namaskar will be in introduced in children’s curriculum in MP government schools. It will be a part of Bal Sabha (children's assembly) every Saturday, minister of state for school and higher education Deepak Joshi said on Tuesday. 60-yr-old man rapes, brutalises 9-yr-old in Madhya Pradesh ed was arrested late on Tuesday night. Survivor who is a student of class IV sustained severe injuries in her private parts and had to be taken to a nearby hospital; however she was released from the hospital after primary treatment. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		South-Western command's investiture ceremony at Hisar on January 14 To commemorate Army day, Hisar based prestigious DOT division of the army would organize the investiture ceremony of South-Western command, popularly known as Sapta Shakti Command, at Hisar cantonment on January 14. Haryana changing: Unmarried girl is sarpanch After setting an example for other states by fixing minimum educational qualification for candidates in panchayat polls, a Haryana village, in an unprecedented move, has elected an unmarried woman as its sarpanch. Alzheimer's on the rise among 65+ citizens Residents of Sunny Enclav attended an awareness lecture on ‘Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease’, organized by Fortis Hospital Mohali on Tuesday. More Chandigarh News»

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