News Digest: CAG begins audit of NDA's e-auction of coal mines

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, May 28, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		CAG begins audit of NDA's e-auction of coal mines The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has started a review of the Modi government’s recent e-auction of coal blocks, which has fetched over Rs 2 lakh crore from 33 mines. Area domination passe, forces to mount intel-backed ops to counter Naxals Widespread combing operations and troop-intensive area domination are out and intelligence-based operations in, according to the new tactical policy being adopted by security forces to counter Maoist guerillas. States keep off cheap power, go for costlier option Ever wonder why your power bills keep rising even when consumption does not? Or why you are in the dark when there’s enough electricity? One reason could be that your utility may be supplying costlier power even when there’s enough cheap electricity available in the grid. More India News»

		Business
		New norms protect shareholders interest Ensure Transparency And Bar Last-Minute Changes In Items To Be Discussed At Meets ChrysCap exits Mankind Pharma with 10-fold gain,offloads stake to Capital ChrysCapital has sold its 11% stake in Mankind Pharma to Capital International for little over $200 million, or Rs 1,300 crore, as Indian private equity poster boy continues to churn out multi-bagger exits on its investments bets. Exxon to set up $500m centre in Bengaluru Exxon Mobil, one of the world’s biggest companies, is making a massive $400-500 million (Rs 2,500 crore – Rs 3,150 crore) investment in Bengaluru to establish a technical and business support services centre, multiple sources told TOI. More Business News»

		Environment
		Greenpeace vows to restart its campaign against pollution Getting interim relief from the Delhi High Court to access its two main domestic bank accounts, the Greenpeace India on Wednesday vowed to restart its campaigns to "reduce air pollution, protect forests and boost solar power immediately". New renewable energy model combines solar, biogas & H2 To provide 24x7 uninterrupted power from renewable energy sources, experts from the UK and IITs are now working together to create a new model which combines the best of solar power, biomass energy and hydrogen. 70 per cent of Everest glacier's vol may be lost by 2100 ver 70 per cent of glacier volume in the Everest region could be lost by 2100 if current trends of greenhouse gases emission continue, a new paper published today in The Cryosphere More Environment News»

		World
		Nebraska becomes 19th US state to abolish death penalty Nebraska abolished the death penalty on Wednesday in a landmark veto-override vote backed by an unusual coalition of conservatives who oppose capital punishment. German city evacuates 20,000 people to defuse WWII bomb German authorities evacuated around 20,000 people from their homes in the western city of Cologne on Wednesday after a World War II bomb was unearthed during construction work. Syria says wants more Iraqi coordination in IS fight Damascus wants more coordination with Baghdad to combat Islamic State fighters who control land in both countries, Syria's foreign minister said on Wednesday, days after the group seized a border crossing and overran a central Syrian city. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Salman Khan's special gift to his unit We heard Salman Khan had a special something for each of his team members when they finished the Kashmir schedule of Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Ajay Devgn to showcase his brains, not brawn We all know what a fine actor Ajay Devgn is. But he equally enjoys doing action, as a result of which his fans eagerly await roles where his acting skills are showcased. 'Hirani can take a bitter truth and make it into a sweet pill' Zoya Akhtar is a woman with a distinct cinematic voice. But unlike strong women, who are, for some reason, seen as bad women, Zoya is loved as she is a people’s person with a lot of warmth and emotion. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Everest glaciers may disappear by 2100 Glaciers in Nepal's Everest region could shrink at least 70% or even disappear entirely by the end of the century as a result of climate change, scientists warned on Wednesday. NASA selects celestial Nasa toolkit ready to look for life on Jupiter's moon Nasa, on Tuesday, said it has chosen a trove of instruments to send to Jupiter's ice-covered moon Europa, as it moves ahead press forward with its search for evidence if the orb could support life. In a first, cold sore virus used to fight cancer cells Scientists have the first proof that a "brand new" way of combating cancer, using genetically modified viruses to attack tumour cells, can benefit patients, paving the way for a "wave" of new %potential treatments over the next decade. More Science News»

		Sports
		Roger Federer reaches French Open third round Roger Federer overcame a few lapses in concentration to reach the third round of French Open with a 6-2, 7-6(1), 6-3 win over Marcel Granollers. World football rocked as officials held in graft cases Seven of the most powerful figures in global football faced extradition to the United States on corruption charges after being arrested on Wednesday. Sania-Hingis advance to French Open second round Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis had a cake walk against Julia Goerges and Barbora Krejcikova as they advanced to 2nd round with an easy 6-3, 6-0 win. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Wipro chairman Azim Premji's package drops 55%, CEO TK Kurien's up 33% Azim Premji saw a sharp decline in his commission and variable payout that reduced to $513,296 in the last fiscal compared to $1.17 million previously. I/O 2015: Google is playing catchup with Facebook, Microsoft Google's biggest conference of the year, Google I/O, is happening May 28-29, and the company has one big area where it needs to catch up with competitors: Virtual reality. Micromax Canvas LapTab: An affordable Windows two-in-one Is the Canvas LapTab a better 2-in-one device than the Cain? Can it replace a laptop? We try to find out in our review. More Technology News»

		Education
		Ahead of Class X results, CBSE gets 500 calls in 2 days With schools and parents elated over 90-plus scorers, those who couldn't get marks good enough to flaunt are feeling under the weather.In the past three days, two results have been declared. Competition for college admissions may intensify As more students passed HSC this year, the race for admissions to good degree colleges will hot up in Mumbai. Cut-offs for admissions to degree courses are likely to inch up. Many CBSE schools in Bhopal give Humanities a miss You have just finished Class 10 and are waiting for results that would be declared in a day or two. But mulling about options for subjects for your higher secondary classes, chances are you would be trapped with either science or commerce subjects as prominent CBSE schools in the city do not offer humanities stream as an option in Class 11. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai doctors use minimal access to operate on spine Doctors at Parel’s Global Hospitals claimed to have performed a unique spine surgery to give a 82-year-old patient of spondylitis a new lease of life. For VC, let's go beyond paper qualifications Dr Rajan Welukar will cease to be the vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai in about a month’s time. His selection was mired in controversy, and he later had to face many litigations. 'Don't merely correct DP errors, make holistic plan' A group of campaigners and experts met on Wednesday evening to discuss the issues that they wanted the revised draft Development Plan (DP) 2034 to address. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi assembly recommends govt to bring legislation for NCT Public Service The Delhi assembly’s resolution recommending that the Kejriwal government bring a legislation for the creation of an NCT Public Service has only conceded a key point that the May 21 home ministry notification had sought to make. Offline Undergraduate Admission Process To Begin On June 5 Delhi University will start its undergraduate admission process from Thursday with the centralized online registration as well as registration for sports and ECA admissions in individual colleges. Tomar cleared LLB in 4 yrs, high court told Delhi law minister Jitendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday informed the Delhi high court that he completed his law degree from a Bihar college. Tomar, who was present in court, apprised Justice Rajiv Shakdher that Bishwanath Singh Institute of Legal Studies College, Munger, has filed an affidavit in court admitting to this fact. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		K'taka tiger reserves top country in upkeep When the national tiger census report was released in January this year, Karnataka had every reason to feel proud. The state is now home to 406 tigers, the highest in the country. Rajan had links with film world, says CID Rajan Nataraj aka Pari Rajan, alleged kingpin of the multi-crore lottery scam, was closely connected with the film industry in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Rajan printed tickets in Kerala, names aides More skeletons are tumbling out of the single-digit lottery scam. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Heatwave: 100 more die Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, rain relief for some districts The scorching summer killed another 99 people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Wednesday, taking the overall toll in the two states to 900. Heat wave-hit teachers urge govt to cancel spl classes, postpone exams In the wake of severe heat wave across the city, the state teachers’ union (STU) has asked the government on Wednesday to cancel special summer classes being conducted for SSC students, who have failed in mathematics and science. Cong flays KCR for 'ignoring' Sonia's role in T formation The Telangana Congress on Wednesday took up cudgels against chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao accusing him of reneging on his promise to include Sonia Gandhi’s contribution to the formation of Telangana in state textbooks. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Cakewalk for Jaya as DMK backs off from R K Nagar bypoll The DMK on Wednesday announced its decision not to take on chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the R K Nagar bypoll scheduled for June 27, making the by-elections a cakewalk for Jayalalithaa in this Chennai constituency, which is an AIADMK bastion. HC orders issue of notice to TN govt The Madras high court on Wednesday ordered issue of notice to the state government on a petition filed by ‘police’ Fakruddin, arrested in connection with the murder of a BJP functionary, seeking a direction to authorities to remove him from solitary confinement at Puzhal Prison here. Confused over model code, corpn fails to approve key projects Confusion over whether the model code of conduct, in place for the RK Nagar bypoll, applies to the entire city stopped the corporation council from passing any resolutions on Wednesday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Army man duped with forged HC order An Army officer, Major Sanjay Dalal, has filed a complaint with the city crime branch accusing his ‘advocates’ of cheating him by giving him a forged court order in his favor. Ahmedabad gets rival as Surat dons denims Gujarat’s denim capital is facing competition from the diamond city. With production of over 400 million metres per annum, Ahmedabad is the undisputed leader in denim. Class XII science results today The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) will on Thursday announce the class XII science results on Thursday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad boils at 46C, streets wear deserted look With the temperature remaining above 45 degree Celsius since last week, heat wave has taken a toll on locals with markets and roads remaining deserted during the day. The day temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 46 degree Celsius. Passengers recall harrowing time after derailment of Moori Express Train movement in Allahabad sector of NCR remained affected on Tuesday, a day after Jammu-bound Moori Express derailed in Sirathu, some 65 kms from here, on Monday. 3 killed as train derails near Allahabad Three people were killed and eight others were injured when nine coaches of Jammu-bound Moori Express derailed on the busy New Delhi-Howrah route in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Vocational courses in all colleges The state government is planning to introduce vocational courses at the Plus II and Plus III levels in all government and private colleges across the state from the 2015-16 academic year. Puri civic body told to use Swargadwar chimney by panel An expert committee on Tuesday examined the scientific chimney at Swargadwar (crematorium) in Puri and asked the civic body to operationalize it soon. Careers to take you out of the box On Day II of the two-day Mission Admission seminar organized by The Times of India at IDCOL auditorium on Tuesday, experts advised students not to be obsessed with traditional career choices such as medical and engineering as several alternative career options were now available. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		PM holds video conference with MP chief secretary Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held discussions with chief secretaries of various states including Madhya Pradesh CS Antony de Sa through video-conferencing. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar attacks Rahul Gandhi Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday that those who are taking about "suit-boot-ki-Sarkar" should first explain what he was doing in Thailand for 56 days. Nirbhaya mobile squad a 'no-show' in Bhopal The all-woman Nirbhaya squad in the city which was formed to provide speedy help to women in distress by being just a phone call away is conspicuous by its absence for over a month. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Shield from the sun or style statement? Everyone needs protection from the streaming sunshine outdoors.With the temperature soaring, people are looking for ways to protect themselves from the harsh sun. Epic act: NGT battles for Kurukshetra's 'Gita tree' Thousands of years after the epic Kurukshetra battle, National Green Tribunal (NGT) did an Arjuna act recently to protect the mythological banyan tree under which Lord Krishna is believed to have delivered the message of Bhagavad Gita. Comply with safe school vahan policy, CBSE guidelines: HC The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday directed the Association of Unaided Punjab CBSE Schools to comply with the state's safe school vahan policy and the CBSE guidelines to ensure the safety of children in school buses. More Chandigarh News»

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