News Digest: 'Need to reorient Kerala's development model'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, January 11, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		'Need to reorient Kerala's development model' CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has stressed the need to fine-tune the Kerala model and adopt a new development trajectory. Rahul Gandhi back from Europe, will hold meeting with Congress leaders today Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has returned from his trip to Europe and will hold a meeting with the party functionaries on Monday to take stock of the developments during his absence. Ram Vilas Paswan calls Lalu Bihar's 'super CM' Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday accused the Nitish Kumar government of failing to check crime in Bihar and called RJD boss Lalu Prasad the state’s super chief minister. More India News»

		Business
		Aandhra signs 32 MoUs at partnership summit The Andhra Pradesh government today said it has signed 32 MoUs with various companies involving an investment of Rs 1.95 lakh crore on the inaugural day of the three-day long partnership summit here. BSE to get its own postal stamp Asia's oldest stock exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange, will get its own postage stamp, telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Sunday. McDonald's India to focus on brand extension In its 20th year of operations in India, McDonald's India will sharpen focus on innovation, delivery business, and brand extensions like McCafe in 2016, that have "significantly boosted" the company's revenues in the past year. More Business News»

		Environment
		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. Mozambique park sees wildlife numbers grow after war Lions are getting pregnant and the waterbuck population is soaring at one of Mozambique's main national parks, once the scene of fighting during a civil war which virtually wiped out the park's lions, elephants and many other species. Eighth lion dies at ambitious Etawah Lion Safari Project The ambitious Lion Safari project in Etawah, a flagship project of the Uttar Pradesh government, suffered another lion death on Saturday when Tapasya, the lioness, succumbed to prolonged illness. More Environment News»

		World
		20 dead in bus crash in southern Mexico Mexican officials say 20 people died when a bus plunged off a bridge and fell into a deep gorge. US bomber flies over S Korea as standoff deepens A powerful US B-52 bomber flew low over South Korea on Sunday, a clear show of force from the United States as a Cold War-style standoff deepened between its ally Seoul and North Korea following Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test. Sinaloa cartel lives on despite El Chapo's capture The recapture of kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was a boost to the Mexican government, but his Sinaloa drug cartel lives on despite the loss of its "CEO," analysts say. The gang, whose empire stretches around the world, will retain its supply of cocaine from South America, keep feeding addicts in the United States and fill its coffers full of cash. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Asin to wed as per Hindu and Christian rituals Bollywood actress Asin is all set to tie the knot with Delhi-based entrepreneur Rahul Sharma in the capital on January 20. Top 10 must-watch films of 2015 Vyjayanthimala to sing solo for first time More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Chinese scientists develop shape-shifting polymer Chinese scientists have developed a shape-shifting polymer which can be used to make heart brackets or surgical equipment that may help get rid of blood clot thrombosis. Doctors: Do not write off the stethoscope yet Two hundred years after it was invented to hear the heart's murmurs, the ubiquitous stethoscope - symbol of the medical profession - is once again at the centre of a raging debate on its utility. Villages on the Moon can be reality by 2030: Scientists Villages on the Moon, constructed through cooperation between astronauts and robotic systems on the lunar surface, can become a reality as early as 2030, a group of scientists have predicted. More Science News»

		Sports
		We will exploit WACA bounce against India: Finch India last played an ODI at the WACA against Australia in 2004 and even though the wicket has changed since, Australian opener Aaron Finch believes the hosts can still put the visitors in a spot of bother. Raonic takes revenge on Federer to win in Brisbane An inspired Milos Raonic toppled Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 to win the Brisbane International on Sunday and avenge his defeat to the Swiss master in last year's final. Stan Wawrinka defends Chennai Open title with ease Living up to his top billing, Stan Wawrinka annexed his third Chennai Open singles title in a row, demolishing the challenge of Borna Coric in the final on Sunday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		9 hot gadgets set to launch in India soon Just like every year, CES 2016, held at Las Vegas, had the tech giants from around the world showcasing their latest products and concepts: Smart fridges, connected cars, futuristic gaming tower PCs, new-age fitness trackers, 8K TV sets and the list goes on. Techies turn 3 Madhya Pradesh villages into free Wi-Fi zone Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India initiative, four techies from Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh district have turned three remote villages into first free Wi-Fi hamlets in the country without government funding. 8 gadgets & tech you should definitely use in 2016 Here are some gadgets and technologies that provide simple solutions to these and many other such problems. More Technology News»

		Education
		10 lakh youths to get engineering skill training in 3 years Over the next three years, 10 lakh youths will be trained in engineering skills in AICTE-approved engineering colleges and polytechnics. Act now to stop decline in standard of education: President Pranab Mukherjee President Pranab Mukherjee stressed on Sunday the need to arrest the declining standards of education in the country and sought quality improvement by engaging focused attention of academicians, policy makers and other stakeholders to this end. 16 students deported from US 'held' at Hyderabad airport for 8 hours After being deported from the US despite having valid documents, 16 students were held back for eight hours at the Hyderabad airport for ‘paperwork’ and had to be rescued by a Telangana minister on Sunday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		In winter, Mumbai uses more power for ACs than any other Indian metro: Study The Indian winter appears to be the warmest in Mumbai going by the pattern of electricity consumption through air conditioners and refrigerators.  Kids whip up sweet tidbits, have nutritious fun Kids and parents alike trooped into a Sion auditorium bright and early on Sunday for a morning of whipping up delicious eats like bruschettas and desserts. The workshop, organized as part of The Times of India’s ‘Mumbai for Kids’ initiative had chef Rakhee Vaswani demonstrate recipes, and rope in junior sous chefs from the audience. 'After my brother's death, someone had to take on the goons in khaki' The Bombay high court’s refusal to grant an extension of time for surrender to the cops convicted in the 2006 Lakhan Bhaiya fake encounter case, was a vindication of the struggle that Ramprasad Gupta, Lakhan Bhaiya’s brother, has gone through in the last nine years. After spending over Rs 15 lakh on the case, Ramprasad’s battle for justice is far from over as he anticipates future appeals reaching the Supreme Court. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Fire in Delhi slum kills 3 children Three children, including a six-month-old boy, were charred to death while another suffered serious burns after a fire broke out in east Delhi's Usmanpur area on Saturday night. Pollution falls, for now, largely due to weather in Delhi Whether due to odd-even rule or not, air pollution levels in the city have begun to fall. Premium bus service for elite class in Delhi soon The Delhi government has proposed to start a 'Premium Bus Service' for the elite class with higher fares, a step aimed at encouraging them to use public transport. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Kerala men arrested for selling stolen diamond Central Crime Bureau (CCB) sleuths arrested four Kerala based men on charges of allegedly trying to sell stolen diamond and recovered a diamond worth Rs 1.14 crore from them. Accused are KV Shanoj Kuttiyappu Kumar, 39 of Cochin, Nikhil Chandrashekar, 25, of Kannur, Ravindra Krishnachari, 54, resident of Avenue road and native of Calicut and Vijay Shanmugam, 26, of Kannur. Passenger amenity centre for bus passengers at Yelahanka The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Sunday opened a new passenger amenity centre for bus passengers at Yelahanka of North Bengaluru. Spread over one acre area and constructed at a cost of Rs 12.50 crore, the centre has parking space for cars and two wheelers in the basement in area of 26,468 sq ft. There are three bus bays, traffic control room, bus pass counter. 11k acres land leased for solar power park has contaminated water: Report Having burnt its fingers in land acquisition for mega power projects time and again, the government has decided to change its land policy for one of the biggest power generation endeavours in Karnataka. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		'Fighter' cocks of Andhra Pradesh cost lakhs, but bring in crores Believe it or not, cockfight organisers in rural Andhra Pradesh spend anything upward of Rs 2 lakh a year to feed each bird to prepare it for the bloody sport. Parties make moves to finalize candidates With the State Election Commission (SEC) announcing the schedule for the GHMC elections, political parties have stepped up the pace of finalizing their candidates Cong demands KCR to reveal funds source for publicity blitz The Telangana Congress on Saturday demanded the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) declare the source of funding for its massive outdoor campaign in the city. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Rural labour loses women, Karnataka worst offender Women in rural areas are increasingly withdrawing from the country's labour force. Chennai Corporation asks residents to take part in Swachh Bharat Mission survey The Chennai Corporation has requested residents to participate in the Union ministry of urban development’s Swachh Bharat Mission survey. Chennai floods have exposed inefficient system prevailing in Tamil Nadu, Jayaprakash Narayan says Lok Satta Party founder Jayaprakash Narayan on Sunday said the Tamil Nadu government is plagued with inefficiency, corruption and centralization. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Businessman alleges Rs 2.25cr cheating A 45-year-old businessman has registered a complaint against a Thailand-based travel agency owner for cheating him of Rs 2.25 crore on pretext of selling him a hotel in Bangkok. 9th annual Intellectual Property Summit held in Ahmedabad A holistic understanding of Intellectual Property (IP) and building awareness on patent filing through education was central to discussions held by experts at the 9th Annual Intellectual Property Summit-2016 on ‘Evolving Knowledge- based Society’ organized by Y J Trivedi—AMA Academy for Intellectual Property Rights. EPFO Ahmedabad settles more than 33,000 claims in December Employees Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO) Ahmedabad region settled more than 33,000 claims amounting to Rs 121.86 crore in the month of December, out of which more than 34% were settled within 3 days. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Ram naam draws Muslim followers to Magh Mela A group of city-based Muslims have been following the ritual of writing the name of Lord Ram to deposit during the Magh Mela. Accidents on rise, traffic cops to hold road safety week Taking note of the high incidence of road accidents, city traffic police have planned a road safety week beginning Monday. The region reported over 290 deaths and 523 injuries in road accidents last year. Rly to impose mela surcharge North Central Railway has decided to impose surcharge on the passengers travelling during the Magh Mela period. This surcharge will be applicable on tickets purchased at Allahabad and adjoining stations ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 20, depending on the class of the train in which the passenger is travelling. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha gets 14th AIR station at Rairangpur Union oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday inaugurated an All India Radio (AIR) station at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district. It is the 14th station in the state. “The station would definitely be a source of entertainment and information for the people of the region,” said Pradhan. Rare operation performed on cobra An intestine rupture is definitely a medical emergency. The surgeons showed the promptness and urgency expected from them on an otherwise lazy Sunday afternoon to save a critically wounded patient. So what if the patient is a snake! Sam Pitroda: 20 years too long for techno vision Sam Pitroda, the newly-appointed technology adviser for Odisha who would be associated with the state government's Vision 2036, said 20 years is too long a time to prepare a vision for future technology use. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Defective notes: CBI, IB inspect unit While mystery prevails over production and printing of defective 1000 and 500-rupee currency notes by government-owned mills in Hoshangabad and Nasik, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel and vigilance unit of CISF have joined the high-level probe into a possible security breach. Four persons including two Ranji trophy cricketers caught for poaching black buck in Sagar Four persons including two Ranji trophy cricket players have been caught for hunting black buck in Sagar on Sunday. Houses demolished in Sagar village, dalits take shelter near police station Houses of dalit families of a Sagar village, who were forced to carry their footwear over their head after they refused to withdraw rape FIR have allegedly been demolished by the upper caste members, as police turned a deaf ear to their woes. Fearing for their life, dalits alleged they can’t go back to their village, now. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		80% turnout in 1st panchayat polls with new norms in Haryana With Panchkula recording a polling percentage of 91.7, surprises have started pouring in from the fifth elections of panchayati raj institutions, even as the educated lot are yet to take over the grassroots parliaments in Haryana. India's Honorary Consul General Upjit Sachdeva is now Head/Dean of Consular Corps in Liberia The Government of the Republic of Liberia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has appointed the Honorary Consul General of India in Liberia, Upjit Singh Sachdeva, Head/Dean of the Consular Corps in Liberia. Sachdeva originally hails from Jalandhar and is a successful entrepreneur on Liberia. He has also got Parvasi Bhartiya Sanman in 2011 from government of India. Punjab Youth Congress to run signature campaign for naming of Chandigarh airport Claiming that the recent lathicharge done by Police in Mohali has failed to dampen the spirits of Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) and its activists are determined to push the demand for naming Chandigarh international airport after martyr Bhagat Singh, Punjab Youth Congress president Amarpreet Singh Lally has said that now they would seek support of all Gram Panchayats across Punjab through a signature campaign. This initiative will take off from the native village, Khatkarkalan of Bhagat Singh soon. More Chandigarh News»

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