News Digest: Govts face SC flak over drug menace

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, January 29, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Govts face SC flak over drug menace A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice Kurian Joseph said drug menace was eating into the vitals of society. J&K, Andamans: Seats of learning for some Even as one group of corporators faces public ire for leaving on a ‘study tour’ to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on public money, their colleagues have two more trips planned next month. Manish Tewari back as Congress spokesperson Congress on Thursday appointed former minister Manish Tewari as official party spokesperson, catching insiders and observers by surprise. More India News»

		Business
		Patanjali eats into Colgate's toothpaste market share Patanjali Ayurved, the home-grown foods-to-FMCG player that recently took on Swiss multinational giant Nestle by launching its own noodle brand, is eating into the market share of another MNC giant, Colgate Palmolive, in the toothpaste segment. Sebi to tighten risk management at commexes Market regulator Sebi is expected to tighten risk management norms in the wake of suspension of futures trading for castor seed on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX). Exceptional costs bring down Airtel Q3 net by 22% Higher expenses on debt servicing and one-time exceptional costs towards troubled African operations pulled down Bharti Airtel’s third quarter net profit by 22%, this being the first drop in nine quarters. More Business News»

		Environment
		Snow leopards mapped with camera traps: WWF A pilot project of installing camera traps to map endangered snow leopards has yielded "positive" results in North Sikkim as photos of the elusive animal has been spotted at four places, WWF-India said. The snow leopard is a Schedule I animal under Wildlife Protection Act of India. Human impact has created a 'plastic planet' Earth's surface is being noticeably altered by the production of long-lasting man-made materials, resulting in us entering an 'age of plastic', according to a new study. 'International trade triggering nitrogen pollution' In the first ever global Nitrogen footprint study, China (20%) has been identified as world’s top nitrogen emitting country followed by India (11%). Both the nations have been tagged as Net Exporters which means that the total nitrogen emissions are higher for their exports than their imports. More Environment News»

		World
		Syrian Kurds 'plan big attack' to seal Turkish border The powerful Syrian Kurdish YPG militia and its local allies have drawn up plans for a major attack to seize the final stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border held by Islamic State jihadists. Such an offensive could deprive Islamic State jihadists of a logistical route. Man arrested with 2 handguns at Disneyland Paris A French police official says a man found to be carrying two handguns has been arrested at a hotel at Disneyland Paris. France remains under a state of emergency since Islamic extremist attacks around Paris killed 130 people in November. 10 children among 24 dead as migrant boat sinks Bodies of 24 migrants, including 10 children, were discovered off the Greek island of Samos on Thursday after their boat capsized, the Greek coast guard said. There were five boys and five girls among the victims, while 10 people were pulled from the water unharmed. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Nikhil Advani, partners unveil exciting plans  Sunny Leone wants a 'Mastizaade' sequel The sultry Sunny Leone is so pleased with and excited about her latest adult comedy that she hopes its producers gear up for an encore soon. She enthuses, “I’ve been pushing them to get cracking on a sequel as Mastizaade is one franchise that I want to be a part of again and again.” Star teenagers to watch out for More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Want more sex? Try using contraception, researchers say If you're looking to boost your sex life, birth control may be the answer, health experts say. 'Smart' socks may help prevent diabetic amputations Researchers have developed pressure-sensing washable 'smart' socks which, when paired with smartphones, can reduce foot ulcers in diabetic patients and may help prevent resulting amputations. Schizophrenia may be linked to gene flaw Scientists reported that they have taken a significant step toward understanding the cause of schizophrenia, in a landmark study that provides the first rigorously tested insight into the biology behind any common psychiatric disorder. More Science News»

		Sports
		Kohli's gesture post my dismissal was not required: Smith Hitting back at Virat Kohli for a send-off following his dismissal during the first Twenty20, Australia batsman Steven Smith said the chatter-box gesture by "emotional" Indian was not required at all. Djokovic beats Federer to reach Australian Open final Defending champion Novak Djokovic foiled a stirring fightback from Roger Federer to defeat the Swiss 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Australian Open on Thursday and charge into a fifth successive Grand Slam final. 2nd T20I: India aim to close out series at MCG With a 1-0 lead, India will hope the winning momentum continues as they look to clinch the three-match series. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Coolpad Note 3 Lite Review: Great performer at a great price We bring you the detailed review of Coolpad Note 3 Lite which promises to deliver exceptional performance at a pocket friendly price. 13 things top startup CEOs do better than everyone else Running a startup is hard, but the ones that do well usually have a great CEO. But what qualities make a CEO "good'? We went through Quora to find out what the best startup CEOs do to stand out from the rest. Here's a look at 13 things top startup CEOs do better than everyone else... Huawei Honor 5X first impressions  We spent some time with the Huawei Honor 5X smartphon to find out what it’s like and here are our first impressions of it More Technology News»

		Education
		12% rise in average pay packet at IIM-Kozhikode IIM-Kozhikode completed the final placements for their post-graduate programme students in record seven days. Three-day Innovation Festival of Nehru Science Centre to begin from January 29 Three-day Innovation Festival of Nehru Science Centre starting from January 29. AMU opens centre for interfaith understanding To mark the bicentenary celebrations of the birth of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 2017, Aligarh Muslim University has opened Centre for Interfaith Understanding to foster a culture of liberal views and tolerance. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Thackeray brothers' fight over property gets messier Even as the dispute over the late Bal Thackeray’s will continues, the battle over his property has taken a twist with his estranged son Jayadev filing a fresh suit against Uddhav, the present Shiv Sena president, in the Bombay high court. In U-turn, Maharashtra not to amend rent Act Fearing a backlash from thousands of tenants in the island city, the BJP-led state housing department on Thursday said it would not amend the Maharashtra Rent Control Act. Mumbai & its satellites fail smart city test Despite mega infrastructure projects and ambitions to become world-class cities, Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai do not figure among the 20 cities selected in the first round of the Centre’s 100 Smart City Challenge on Thursday. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Civic workers dump waste at Manish Sisodia's office Garbage started piling up across east Delhi after two days of strike by municipal employees even as protesters demanding payment of salaries dumped waste outside deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s camp office in Khichdipur and on the streets of Laxmi Nagar and Pandav Nagar on Thursday. 88-year-old ex-teacher, daughter killed in north Delhi house The blue-grey door was bolted from outside but the TV had been blaring all night. Inside, 88-year-old Hari Kishan Verma lay snug under his quilt. Soon, e-tickets at all heritage sites Over a year after Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched e-ticketing at Taj Mahal and Humayun's Tomb, the facility is slowly being extended to other heritage sites More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		No rules on ground, drones and UAVs fly freely From aerial photography to remote sensing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) hovering over the city is no more a rare sight. Many UAVs are entering the market in a big way, but the authorities have no exclusive policy to regulate their use. I've broken the Bengaluru jinx: Jaya Veteran Bollywood actor Jaya Bachchan is happy that she's finally broken the Bengaluru jinx. HC to govt: What's the urgency in illegality? The high court will hear a batch of petitions relating to the regularization of unauthorized constructions developments scheme, popularly known as AkramaSakrama, on March 1. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		AP bags 2 smart cities; Telangana fumes as it gets none AP walked away with two 'smart cities' projects that is part of a $ 7.5 billion national makeover of cities with facilities and infrastructure seen in Europe in a Thursday announcement, which created unease in Telangana and the government fuming with anger. Special plan drafted to curb mishaps on M'nagar NHs A special plan will be drafted to curb accidents on highways in the district, according to collector TK Sridevi. She was speaking on Thursday at a special meeting on road accidents on National Highway-44, especially near the Peddakunta thanda in Kothur mandal. Water Board may take HCU land for project The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) is mulling to approach the University of Hyderabad to get land for construction of service reservoirs and lay trunk mains for implementing a water supply project at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Serilingampally circle. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Decks cleared to resettle tiger reserve dwellers The state government has finally begun rehabilitating families settled in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris.Eight-eight families, some 37 from the Mountadan Chetty community and 23 tribal households will be resettled in the first phase. No room for dissent in AIADMK, alleges expelled MLA A day after AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa expelled him for `anti-party activities', Pazha Karuppaiah on Thursday tendered his resignation as MLA. He said there was no tolerance for dissent in the party. Thermal plants rev up to meet record demand After many years, all thermal units owned by Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) as well as those in the joint venture are working and to full capacity. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Decide on plaint against Swamy's mosque barb: Gujarat HC to police Acting on a complaint accusing BJP member Subramanian Swamy of hurting religious sentiments and sowing communal discord, the Gujarat high court has asked Kutch police to take a decision on whether FIR can be filed in the matter. 'Weather conducive for walking in Ahmedabad' Having encouraged thousands of families in Mumbai and Pune to walk, the fourth edition of Max Bupa Walk for Health initiative organized in association with The Times of India, reached Ahmedabad on Sunday. Eyeing global markets, banks flock to IFSC at GIFT City India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City in Gandhinagar has caught the fancy of top banks in the country. Stock and commodities exchanges may be awaiting tax breaks to set up their shops, but as many as 22 banks have queued up to establish their IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) in GIFT City. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad University's SC-ST cell to re-start After lying defunct for several years, the SC/ST Cell, a forum for the SC and ST students, teachers and employees of Allahabad University, has been made functional again. Examinees seek centres near home Examinees preparing for competitive examinations staged a demonstration at Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) on Tuesday, demanding allotment of examination centres at their home town or districts nearby. Magh Mela: BJP, VHP to launch agitation for Swami Vasudevanand Maharaj Activists of BJP and VHP expressed concern on Wednesday over how Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati Maharaj hasn't been given proper facilities at the ongoing Magh Mela, despite his requests. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Leprosy cases rise to 10,645 in state The number of leprosy patients has risen in the state since 2006 because very few people are employed to take care of the existing ones, alleged State Leprosy Welfare Federation president Duryodhan Sahu here on Wednesday. Xavier Varsity to screen selected films from MIFF Film lovers in the city will get an unique opportunity to watch some of the selected documentary, animation and short films to be screened at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). Book rooms at sanctuaries at the click of a mouse The Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) will facilitate online booking of tourist accommodation facilities at eco-tourism sites in wildlife sanctuaries across the state. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		New college to be opened in Bhopal from next session A new college will be opened in Kolar area, Bhopal from next academic session. A sum of Rs. 7.20 cr has been sanctioned for the construction of government Benazir Science and Commerce college at Kolar area. Pipebomb in Mahanagari Express train puts Madhya Pradesh on alert An object resembling a pipe bomb found inside a sleeper general reserved coach of Varanasi-Mumbai 11094/Mahanagari Express near Satna railway station in Madhya Pradesh sparked panic among the commuters. Kansas State University to help Agar farmers produce soya and millet food products Kansas State University based in United States of America to teach about 5000 farmers in Agar district, about soya and millet mixed baby food production. This will also be followed by research on difference in crops by using different old and new variety of seeds side by side. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Setback for bigwigs in Haryana zilla parishad polls Results of zilla parishad elections in Haryana have come with many surprises with some senior politicians facing defeat. Chandigarh: Saupin's School and Satluj School score top ranks in survey Saupin's School, Sector-32, Chandigarh has been ranked as the top school in 7 out of 10 categories in a survey conducted in 2015 by a magazine amongst Chandigarh schools. Govt steps up canvassing for biz meet Stepping up its campaign to bring maximum investments to Haryana through the global business summit that will be held in Gurgaon in March, the Manohar Lal Khattar government will hold road shows in Kolkata on January 30, Hyderabad on February 10, Mumbai on February14 and Bangalore on February 23. More Chandigarh News»

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