News Digest: Maoists open fire at chopper carrying injured CRPF jawans

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, November 22, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Maoists open fire at chopper carrying injured CRPF jawans A flight gunner sustained severe bullet injuries when Maoists opened fire on the IAF helicopter Mi-17 which was on a rescue mission to evacuate five injured CRPF jawans in the densely forested Chintagufa region on Friday evening. Hyderabad airport terminal naming runs into rough weather The decision of the Union civil aviation ministry to name the domestic terminal at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad after N T Rama Rao has triggered a row with the Telangana assembly on Friday passing a resolution to urge the Centre to maintain status quo. Naval intelligence network launch tomorrow The outreach to the 24 countries, spread from Africa’s east coast to well beyond the Malacca Strait, is being led by national security adviser Ajit Doval. More India News»

		Business
		Loan recast hides stress in banks Banks seem to have undertaken massive restructuring exercise in recent months, which has helped them show lower bad debt. High taxes, charges limiting investment capacity, says Vodafone As it battles a massive Rs 20,000 crore tax case with the government, British mobile phone giant Vodafone has said that telecom operators in India face “financial burdens” and other charges — such as the USO Fund fee and spectrum usage charge (SUC) — which are limiting their investment capacity. SpiceJet stock rises over stake sale buzz Crisis-ridden SpiceJet’s shares rose almost 15% Friday as indications emerged that the promoter Sun Group may be on the cusp of finding an investor for the low-cost carrier (LCC). More Business News»

		Environment
		India digs its heels in on phasing out refrigerant It’s not going to be easy to make India budge over the controversial climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) issue. It will move on its phase-out path only after hard bargaining. 160km walk between Kanha-Pench tiger reserves to save corridor In an attempt to reaffirm the commitment of nature lovers to protect the integrity of wildlife corridors, over 50-60 individuals and organizations will rough it out in the jungles while walking through one of the most celebrated corridors between Kanha and Pench tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. Earth on track to warmest year on record The globally averaged temperatures for October as well as the January-to-October period were both the highest on record since record keeping began in 1880, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said. More Environment News»

		World
		Officials make preparations for Ferguson grand jury decision Prosecutors made preparations to announce the eventual decision by a grand jury on whether to charge a white police officer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager and some local schools said on Friday they would close next week in anticipation of unrest. Tunisian wins Muslim beauty pageant, calls for free Palestine A Tunisian woman called for a free Palestine as she won a pageant exclusively for Muslims in Indonesia on Friday, seen as a riposte to Western beauty contests. Roof collapse the new threat as snow piles up in New York A snowfall that brought huge drifts and closed roads in the Buffalo area finally ended Friday, yet residents still couldn’t breathe easy, as the looming threat of rain and higher temperatures through the weekend and beyond raised the possibility of floods and more roofs collapsing under the heavy loads. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Govinda: One day mummy predicted her own death to me Govinda, 50, is not just an actor with great timing, but he is also a loyal human being with great simplicity Sunny Leone's sizzling Instagram pictures Unbelievably expensive gifts by Bollywood celebs More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Pre-birth mutation in men can lead to cancer Researchers have identified a protein mutation in some males before birth that can lead to the development of testicular cancer as well as other less life-threatening challenges. Deregulation at heart of Japan's new robotics revolution Neurosurgeon Tetsuya Goto had just begun testing a robot to perform brain surgery when he discovered Japan was moving to tighten regulations that would shut down his seven-year project. A coffee shop in space? Astronauts in space can now order a frothy cappuccino on the go. More Science News»

		Sports
		World Championship: Anand draws tenth game against Carlsen Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand failed to break the ice and played out another draw in the tenth game of the World Chess Championship on Friday. Atletico de Kolkata denied a point as Blasters win 2-1 Hume and Gusmao scored a goal each in first half as Kerala Blasters registered a 2-1 win over Atletico de Kolkata in their Indian Super League match in Kochi. Kidambi Srikanth reaches Hong Kong Open semifinals Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth continued his impressive run by entering the men's singles semifinals of the $350,000 Hong Kong Open Super Series. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Android phones turned into slave armies by hackers Security firm Lookout has warned that Android-powered smartphones or tablets are being targeted with malicious software that puts them at the mercy of hacker overlords. 6 tips to boost your phone, laptop's battery life Here are a few things to bear in mind to keep your device's battery last longer. Amazon to launch travel service: Report According to the reports, Amazon has been working with independent hotels and resorts near major cities to kickstart a new Travel department. More Technology News»

		Education
		60% rise in GRE applicants from India Indian students aspiring to go abroad for studies seem to be increasing like never before. Students appearing for the Graduate Record Examination, whose score is widely accepted for admission to colleges in the United States, saw a whopping 60% jump in the past year. KV row: Govt decision to drop German as 3rd language comes under SC scanner Government's decision to drop German as an alternative to Sanskrit as third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas has come under judicial scrutiny with the Supreme Court today issuing notice to it and seeking its explanation. Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology selects more girls to work on atomic projects Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRACT), a national facility of Department of Atomic Energy engaged in R&D in non-nuclear frontline research areas of Lasers, Particle Accelerators & related technologies, has picked up more girl students than boys for project work at the centre during winter session. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		EOW tells tennis body to submit QNet details The city economic offences wing (EOW) has written to the All India Tennis Association asking it for details of sponsorship for a tournament organized by QNet, a marketing firm accused of cheating. Maharashtra opposes PIL over Maria's appointment The Maharashtra government on Friday opposed a PIL that challenged the appointment of Rakesh Maria as Mumbai police commissioner and Vijay Kamble as the Thane police chief. Unable to repair Mumbai's ailing bridges, BMC plans to study their health After failing to treat the ailing 144 plus bridges in the city over the past couple of years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now planning to initiate a study of their health. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		His art is for eyes, not critics If an artist is also articulate, it’s a bonus for art aficionados and neophytes alike as that affords vivid glimpses into the mind behind the oeuvre. Critics and reviewers, of course, have less elbow room then. It's staple fare, state cuisine out Aswini Karthik, visiting the Tamil Nadu pavilion at India International Trade Fair (ITTF) at Pragati Maidan, jokingly asked the shopkeeper selling popular beaded jewellery to set up a food stall as well. “People visiting the fair seem to care only for food,” she said. To her surprise, the next stall actually had packed sambhar masala, rasam powder and idli chutney powder packs. “The packs are selling more than the beads,” confessed the stall owner. Such is the fascination of Delhi with food which makes every fair synonymous with a feast. Manipur youth falls down stairs in Ber Sarai flat, dies A 21-year-old youth from Manipur died after tumbling down the staircase of his house in Munirka area. Police have initiated inquest proceedings. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Cops make a song and dance, but free speech prevails A group of artistes from Pune, in Bengaluru to perform at Nirankusha: Fearless Speak festival, had to scrap their show at St Joseph's College of Arts and Science, after police forced the college authorities to cancel the Friday evening event. Karanth's kin: Puttappa's claims in book a big lie A big lie. That's how Jnanpith awardee Shivaram Karanth's family has termed the claims of veteran journalist Patil Puttappa about the late writer's wedding. Mandur out of the dump, but alternatives not ready It was celebration time in Mandur on Friday. Dumping of garbage stopped in the village, near Hoskote, a good 10 days before the December 1 deadline set by chief minister Siddaramaiah. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Telangana draws battle lines over Hinduja power In a setback to Telangana's attempts to augment the power supply in the state, the Hinduja power company has reportedly decided to sell the entire 1,040 MW of power that it will generate from its plant in Visakhapatnam to Andhra Pradesh. US state dept critical of security in Hyderabad At a time of heightened security concerns following an abduction attempt on a top pharma executive and arrest of a terror accused in the city , the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security's (BDS) warning to its citizens on rising crimes, attacks on women and poor response of the city police assumes significance. CAT stays another AIS officer's allotment The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Friday directed the Centre, AP and Telangana not to shift A Vidya Sagar, principal secretary of tribal welfare department, AP , for a period of four weeks. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		His brush takes him on flights he can't go A winged horse soars towards the setting sun. A raging bull charges across four frames. A black figure races behind a ball. Movement may be a dominant theme in his paintings, but it is a feeling alien to R Udhayakumar, who has been confined to a wheelchair all his life. I am afraid they would be back to hurt me: PET teacher "All my students watched in horror as I ran for my life, with thugs chasing me inside the school premises. How can I expect anyone to respect me after I go back to work," asks S Baskar. The physical education teacher at Loyola Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Kodambakkam, had beaten up by a mob on Thursday for allegedly punishing a student. Benches on beach go as complaints pile up The plastic benches on the Neelankarai beach that had drawn the ire of activists and residents alike are off. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Angadia firm staff robbed of Rs 75 lakh Gun fire rang out in Chandlodia on Friday morning as two employees of an angadia firm were robbed of Rs 75 lakh cash. One of the employees was shot in the back. Teen files paper to be man after wedding Praveen Dhaval, is a runaway groom who filed an affidavit to increase his age to marry the girl of his choice. His parents however, brandished his birth certificate at authorities to prove he is still a boy and not eligible for marriage. 'Fight not over yet' IPS officer Rahul Sharma, who has sought retirement from service, said in an interview to TOI that social service after retirement was one option among many before him. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		HC stays trial court proceedings against Togadia The Allahabad High Court on Friday stayed proceedings in the trial court going on against Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia and three others at Agra for holding a meeting at New Agra in 2012 by flouting prohibitory orders. CMP gets first girl president of students' union An undergraduate girl student of CMP Degree College, a constituent of Allahabad University, had created history. For the first time in this 60 years old college and only second time in Allahabad University, (last time in 1927), Puja Mishra, a BSc biology student had been elected as the president of the students’ union. AUSU polls: Polling peaceful as 41% students cast vote Polling for Allahabad University Student’s Union (AUSU) passed off peacefully on Friday amidst tight security arrangements. Around 41% students exercised their right to franchise. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Houses come up on land meant for park in Tankapani Residents of Tankapani in Ward 58 had hoped that a park with a walking track would come up in their locality, but it has been encroached upon and houses have come up on the land instead. Royal Bengal tiger spotted at Satkosia The Satkosia Tiger Reserve authorities have claimed that they sighted an adult Royal Bengal Tiger and a cub on Wednesday. They also found the remains of a prey, which was killed by the adult tiger. MLA 'embezzled' Rs 29 lakh from Seashore CBI’s chit fund probe continues to embarrass Naveen Patnaik-led BJD as the ruling party’s legislator from Choudwar-Cuttack Prabhat Biswal has become the fifth BJD politician to come under the central agency’s scanner. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Cooperate or face arrest: CBI tells ex-VC Gajbhiye CBI served an ultimatum on former vice-chancellor of Dr Hari Singh Gour Central University, N S Gajbhiye to be present at its office for questioning in the multi-crore recruitment and purchase scam. Gajbhiye has to depose before December 31 or face arrest. BJP plays Santa in civic poll manifesto BJP on Friday released its manifesto for urban civic elections, seven days before the first phase of polling. Premium tatkal: Start at 8am, get lower berths too Those opting for premium tatkal facility would get more benefits starting from early bookings and confirmed lower berths in trains. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Haryanato train Afghan babus Afghan civil servants will now be trained at the Jindal University at Sonipat in Haryana. The university will welcome the first batch of senior Afghan civil servants in the next few months, it said in a statement. Fake marksheet: Plea to withdraw appeal rejected Fake marksheet: Plea to withdraw appeal rejectedCourt Rejects Appeal To Withdraw Case Against Former Cong MinisterS Gopal Puri Dharamshala: Former minister Singhi Ram, facing serious charges in a case of providing fake certificate of XII class for his daughter in 2005, was denied relief by a court on Friday. The district and sessions court here dismissed the appeal by Congress-ruled state government to withdraw the case against him.The court has now summoned all the four accused in the case -- Upma Kashyap (daughter), B R Rahi (former education board chairman), Surinder Malhotra (education board employee) and Singhi Ram (former minister) -- on January 3, 2015. Barring Upma Kashyap, all others appeared before additional sessions judge Davinder Kumar here on Friday. Appearing on behalf of state government, public prosecutor Jawahar Kumar sought to withdraw the case, but the court denied any relief in the case.Defense counsel Vipul Bhardwaj told TOI that the case has been fixed for consideration of charges (COS) in January next year and that the court has denied permission to withdraw the case. “The case came up for hearing when the state government appealed to withdraw the case. But the court dismissed the appeal and fixed next hearing in the case,” he said. The case was registered in 2008 and police had booked Singhi Ram and Rahi. Gohana bank heist: Key accused held On Friday, the Haryana Police arrested Rajesh, prime accused in last month’s sensational heist in Punjab National Bank’s in Gohana branch in Sonipat. More Chandigarh News»

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