News Digest: Terror outfit claims Pathankot attack, govt calls it diversionary ploy

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, January 05, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Terror outfit claims Pathankot attack, govt calls it diversionary ploy The Indian security establishment on Monday dismissed the United Jihad Council’s statement claiming responsibility for the Pathankot attack as a “ploy to divert attention from role of Jaish-e-Mohammad or Pakistan’s ISI”. Post Pathankot, NIA set to probe conspiracy angle The National Investigation Agency on Monday registered three cases to probe the “conspiracy” behind the Pathankot strike. PM could've been killed in Lahore: Maha academic The annual Marathi Sahitya Sammelan has courted controversy after noted academician Shripal Sabnis, elected president of the conclave, told students at a college in Pimpri-Chinchwad last week that the "PM could've been shot dead in Lahore". More India News»

		Business
		Dragon fire singes markets, sensex plunges 538 points The sensex joined the global equity selloff with a 538-point dive on Monday - the biggest fall in over three months - triggered by a 7% drop in Chinese stocks following weak manufacturing data. FM holds pre-budget talks with farm sector and trade unions Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Monday that there is a need for more investment in the farm sector as representatives from the key sector sought a string of measures to revive agriculture. Oil jumps 2% on Saudi Arabia, Iran tensions Oil prices jumped over 2% in the first trading hours of 2016 as relations between Middle Eastern rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran deteriorated following Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric. More Business News»

		Environment
		US condor that helped save species returns to wild Banking into the wind and then gliding out of sight, a male California condor flew back into the wild after a captive breeding program that helped save North America's largest species of land bird. 'Banning phosphate in detergents can be looked into' Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar today said the government will surely think of banning use of phosphate in detergents when there was an alternative to do so. Javadekar said he would see what best practices could be put to use in making phosphate-free detergents. Norway to help India manage construction waste India will sign an MoU with Norway for training of human resource to handle construction and demolition waste, in tune with the Clean India Campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More Environment News»

		World
		Ban condemns terror attack on Indian Consulate in Afghanistan UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon today condemned the terror attack on the Indian Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan and said that diplomatic posts need to be protected. White House urges restraint in Saudi-Iranian tensions The White House on Monday urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to show restraint in the crisis spurred by the execution of a senior Shi'ite cleric by Saudi Arabia. Hezbollah targets Israeli forces with bomb, Israel shells south Lebanon Hezbollah set off a bomb targeting Israeli forces at the Lebanese border on Monday in an apparent response to the killing in Syria last month of a prominent commander, triggering Israeli shelling of southern Lebanon. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Actor loses his voice while filming a song Newcomer Girish Kumar temporarily lost his voice during the shooting of his second film, Loveshhuda. First, he had to scream with high energy for a scene, which was okayed after a couple of takes. Disha Patani to play MS Dhoni's ex-girlfriend Tiger Shroff’s rumoured girlfriend Disha Patani seems to have finally got lucky. Stars who have never put on weight Here is a list of actresses who we feel have never put on weight. Read on. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Eating fish cuts risks of mental diseases, diabetes' Fish and fishery products may benefit not only cognitive functions but can also lower risk of mental disorders, heart diseases and improve insulin action in some cases. Nobel laureates pitch for 'Invent in India' Four of the five Nobel laureates attending the Indian Science Congress here said that India must focus on discovering, inventing and making here and not just making. Guests bring home immunity-improving bacteria Like having guests over? They may come with a host of unexpected visitors — millions of bacteria cells that could improve your immunity, scientists say. More Science News»

		Sports
		No minister should hold post in BCCI: Lodha panel Justice Lodha Committee's report has recommended a host of reforms for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday. Gayle criticized following interview with female reporter Chris Gayle's comments to a female reporter during an interview broadcast live on Australian television have been criticized by the head of the Big Bash League. Pawar can't be prez; Manohar can't vote; Thakur needs cool-off If the SC decides to make sweeping reforms suggested by Justice RM Lodha committee binding, it could well mean the end of the road in sports administration for Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar while current president Shashank Manohar may lose his voting rights. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Hottest smartphone launches of 2016 If one of your new year resolutions is to upgrade to the latest smartphone out there, then read on. ET brings you a host of choices, that you should keep a look out for in 2016. Here goes: CES 2016: Most anticipated products After stockings have been stuffed and presents have been collected, tech fans the world over are given one final gift at the start of the new year: CES. TRAI tells telcos to start paying for call drops TRAI has written to operators to ensure compliance with call drop regulations even as service providers remain defiant and say compensation to subscribers will be paid only after the court orders them to do so. More Technology News»

		Education
		CBSE announces timetable for 2016 examinations The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the dates for the class X and XII board examination 2016. IIM-Kozhikode to host the 52nd annual TIES conference from January 4 Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode will host the 52nd Annual Conference of The Indian Econometric Society for three days from January 4 at its campus near here. Varsities to face cut in research funds by UGC Already reeling under a financial crunch, the state universities in Telangana may have to suffer further as the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to disburse funds based on the research work undertaken. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		No new fare review panel for Metro I The Ministry of Urban Development has told the state government that it will not be able to appoint a new Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) for Metro I as the matter is sub-judice after MMRDA approached the high court. Chintan says no to narco, sent to judicial custody Artist Chintan Upadhyay has refused consent to an application of narco-analysis moved by the Kandivli police. Chintan’s lawyers will file a formal reply before the magistrate court at Borivli on January 8. Pvt agencies roped in to hold aptitude tests for Class X The state government has roped in two career guidance agencies to help them conduct the first ever online aptitude test for class X students of schools affiliated to the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Noida IT firms agree to phase out diesel cars Gurgaon chokes, but Noida sails Judges cycle their way to district court More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Karnataka Lokayukta: Justice Vikaramajit Sen favourite, S R Nayak dark horse Supreme Court judge Justice Vikramajit Sen, who retired on December 31 emerged as the clear favourite to succeed Justice Y Bhaskar Rao as Karnataka Lokayukta. 15-day grace period to comply with helmet rule for pillions It’s official now. The state government has issued a notification making helmets compulsory for pillion riders across state but a rigorous and mandatory enforcement seems unlikely in the near future. Karnataka govt to send all-party delegation to Goa CM Siddaramaiah said the government has filed a petition in the Kalasa-Banduri-Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal seeking an interim order to release 7 tmcft of water. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Shias slam Saudi govt for executing scholar Members of the Shiite community in the city on Monday condemned the execution of Saudi Shiite scholar Nimr al Nimr. The outspoken critic of the Saudi government was executed along with 46 others on Saturday . Asad cautions partymen against defections Ahead of the civic polls, a desperate Congress is trying to make inroads into MIM bastion of the Old City by trying to poach former corporators from its former ally . This, at a time when there are signs of dissent within the MIM. Police get 7-day custody of ISIS sympathisers A local court has granted police seven-day custody of three city students, who were nabbed at the Nagpur airport while they were on their way to Kashmir to join ISIS. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Four drown in sea off city, two washed ashore Two people drowned off Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar and two other bodies, including that of a woman were washed ashore in separate incidents in the city in the last 48 hours. Jaya cracks whip again, sacks two party dist secys With barely four months left for the assembly election, AIADMK general secretary and chief minister J Jayalalithaa has been cracking the whip on errant partymen. Saidapet MLA G Senthamizhan was removed on Monday from the post of secretary of Chennai South (south) unit, apparently for his “poor performance” in helping to tackle flood-relief work. But what caught the leader’s attention was the protest staged by the flood-affected families, in front of the MLA’s residence in Saidapet alleging tardy flood relief work, and demanding allotment of houses. Wives of cops want transfer orders revoked Family members of police personnel who were shunted out to other stations recently met the west zone inspector general of police on Monday seeking to revoke their transfers. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		HC notice to MEA, state over Pak woman's plea against expulsion notice Gujarat high court on Monday issued notice to the ministry of external affairs, state government and Panchmahal district SP in response to a petition filed by Pakistani woman Maria Mohammed Qasim, who is married to Godhra carnage convict Irfan Pada. HC denies bail to three Patidar quota stir leaders Gujarat high court on Monday denied bail to three Patidar quota stir leaders in connection with the sedition charges slapped against them by city crime branch in October. Gujarat HC notice to ASI, AMC over encroachment near heritage structures Gujarat high court on Monday sought explanation from the Centre and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in response to a PIL complaining about unabated illegal construction in the regulated zone of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monument in the city. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Kalka Mail completes 150 years of operation One of the prestigious and oldest trains of India, the Howrah-Kalka Mail dating back to British period, has completed 150 years of its existence. History was created as this train chugged in at Allahabad junction on Saturday making its tryst with destiny. Air Marshal Sinha to be CAC chief Air Marshal SBP Sinha would take over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command (CAC) on Thursday. He would take charge from the outgoing AOC-in-C Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill, who retired on Thursday. MNNIT to devote proposed research centre to Kalam Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) has decided to set up a state-of-the-art centre for interdisciplinary research and projects in specified fields. It would undertake studies in the fields of climate change, energy, environment and disaster management. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		State on high alert against terror threat Vital installations, including Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, have been fortified in the wake of terror strike on Pathankot Air Base in Punjab. Govt staffer in Bargarh held for 'kidney theft' Bargarh police on Sunday arrested a government employee for allegedly luring a poor man to donate kidney to the former's ailing elder brother two years ago. Kandamal victims narrate life of struggle in city Hundreds of people had fled Kandhamal district in 2008 during and after the Kandhamal ethno-communal riots. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Mock run of new 'Make in India' railway coaches successful Successful final mock run of Indian Railways' first model rake of luxury ‘Make in India’ railway coaches was carried out on Monday. These passenger coaches have been designed by Bhopal's coach rehabilitation workshop (CRWS), Nishatpura. Classes in MANIT likely to be affected due to faculty strike Classes which are scheduled to start from January 7 in Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) likely be affected after teaching faculty began their indefinite strike from Monday. Nandkumar Singh Chouhan gets second term as MP BJP president Madhya Pradesh BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chouhan has been `unanimously’ elected to lead the party for a second term on Monday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Dalit woman raped in gaushala by management head In a shocking incident, a Dalit woman who had entered a gaushala was allegedly raped by the president of the managing committee of the gaushala on Sunday evening. Sai devotees urge people to respect elders during Palki yatra Thousands of Sai devotees urged people to respect the elders and save the girl child during the annual Palki yatra of Shirdi Sai Baba taken out by Shirdi Sai Sewa Samiti here. Punjab Youth Congress starts Padyatra for naming of Chandigarh airport after Bhagat Singh The PCC president congratulated the PYC leaders particularly its president Amarjit Lally for launching the 115 km march and said entire senior leadership was with them. More Chandigarh News»

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