News Digest: BJP, Shivraj decides to confront opposition on Vyapam scam

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, July 21, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		BJP, Shivraj decides to confront opposition on Vyapam scam Enthused by close-door meeting with party president Amit Shah over Vyapam scam, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is all set to counter the opposition with his team and party's strategists. Centre hits West Bengal with Rs 3,000 cr demand and contempt plea The Centre on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the former chief of West Bengal’s power distribution company – WBPDL – accusing it of not paying over Rs 3,000 crore due as per apex court’s judgment cancelling allocation of coal blocks. Centre moves SC; adamant not to allot Utkal coal block to JSPL The fate of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd’s (JSPL) two steel plants in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, set up with an investment of Rs 30,000 crore, hangs in the balance as the Centre is adamant on changing the end-use criteria for the feeder coal blocks Utkal B-1, Utkal B-2 and Gare Palma IV/6 from ‘steel’ to ‘power’. More India News»

		Business
		Ranbaxy merger to hit net: Sun Pharma India’s largest drugmaker Sun Pharma warned on Monday its revenues and profits will be adversely impacted post its merger with Ranbaxy which closed in March this year, even as it is looking at divesting two or three “non-core” businesses of the acquired entity. Rainmaker Bhinde tops in I-bank pay The Indian internet economy’s most prolific dealmaker Aashish Bhinde emerged as the top paid investment banker last year after stringing together transactions worth over $1 billion. Bhinde, 43, an executive director and head of digital and technology practice at Avendus Capital, took home a little less than $2 million in total remuneration. Bharti in talks with Orange to sell some biz in Africa Bharti Airtel said on Monday that it was in talks with French telecom company Orange to sell telecom operations in four countries in Africa as the Indian mobile major looks to turn around its struggling operations in the continent. More Business News»

		Environment
		Mammals evolved fastest during mid-Jurassic era: Study Mammals underwent a rapid 'burst' of evolutionary change that reached its peak around the middle of the Jurassic age around 145-200 million years ago, a study says. Ministers in Paris to boost flagging climate talks Foreign and environment ministers and other high-level officials from 45 countries are set to gather in Paris Monday seeking to re-energise climate talks mired in technical details and political squabbling. Deadly metals found in fish from Ennore creek The seafood you eat could have toxic elements like mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium, a study has found. More Environment News»

		World
		Russia makes rival UN move on MH17 probe after dismissing tribunal bid Russia is pushing for a greater UN role in an investigation into what caused the downing of a passenger plane in eastern Ukraine after dismissing a proposal by Malaysia, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ukraine for a UN-backed tribunal. Cuba opens US embassy, urges end to embargo The Cuban flag was raised over Havana’s embassy in Washington on Monday for the first time in 54 years as the United States and Cuba formally restored relations, opening a new chapter of engagement between the former Cold War foes. UN Council backs Iran nuke deal but Tehran hardliners object The UN Security Council on Monday backed Iran's nuclear agreement with world powers but the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards attacked the resolution, underlining powerful opposition to the deal. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Varun reveals the real reason for making 'ABCD 2' Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor's latest release may have sent the cash registers ringing at the box office, but Varun admits of having an ulterior motive behind making the film. 'Heropanti' actors pair up again! Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon, who debuted in Bollywood with Heropanti, have teamed up again for Bhushan Kumar's next music video 'Chal wahan jaate hai'. 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' crosses 100 crores Salman Khan’s Eid release Bajrangi Bhaijaan has not just won the hearts of people in India, Pakistan and the world, but the film has also put up an impressive number of Rs 100 crores at the box office just over the weekend. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		British physicist Stephen Hawking launches $100 million search for aliens Eminent British physicist Prof Stephen Hawking on Monday launched a new $100 million project to hunt for aliens. Scientists discover the taste of fat Scientists claim to have discovered a sixth flavour — the taste of fat — and say it could hold the key to fighting obesity and heart disease. Take a tip from hibernating bears to protect astronauts' bones Black bears hold the key to better bone health in astronauts who have to undergo long periods of inactivity in space and for those on soon-to-be-launched deeper space missions, says a recent study. More Science News»

		Sports
		I have been fired as Indian hockey coach, claims Paul Van Ass Indian men's hockey team chief coach Paul van Ass claims that he has been fired by Hockey India following his alleged public altercation with federation president. IPL: Ganguly in four-member panel to study Lodha verdict IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla formed a four-member panel to study Justice Lodha committee verdict on Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals on Monday. Pujara a big score away from regaining confidence: Dravid India A and U-19 teams coach Rahul Dravid has said it is just a matter of time before out-of-form Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara gets back into his run scoring ways. More Sports News»

		Technology
		9 little-known facts about Bill Gates The world's richest man Bill Gates is the stuff of legend and lore. PM Narendra Modi launches jobs website, National Career Service portal Job seekers, here's something for you: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched National Career Counselling Portal as part of an endeavour to modernize all government-run employment exchanges. Amazon to set aside $5 billion for India: Sources Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, is readying a $5-billion war chest to grow India into its biggest market outside the US. More Technology News»

		Education
		Don't force parents to buy non-NCERT books: CBSE to schools In an attempt to end the practice of schools coercing parents to buy textbooks other than NCERT books, CBSE on Monday issued a circular to principals of all schools warning them against the practice. Is your perception of knowledge just an illusion? New research reveals that the more people think they know about a topic in general, the more likely they are to assert knowledge comprising made-up information and false facts. New app to make reading Shakespeare more fun A new app that allows students to lip-sync favourite lines from Shakespeare and mix beatbox rhythms with the Bard's text can make it easier for them to study and experience the famous playwright's work. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		2 hours to Ahmedabad, ticket to cost more than first class Rajdhani fare The proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed corridor is estimated to cost Rs98,805 crore and the one-way fare will work out to Rs2,800, about one-and-a-half times the cost of a first-class AC ticket of the Rajdhani Express on the same route. Cops 'turn away' Virar girl, stalker stabs her A 15-year-old girl leaving for school on Monday morning was gagged and stabbed in the staircase of her building in Virar by a youth known to her and her family. Pressure to probe tainted US firm's Mumbai projects Pressure is building on the state to probe Louis Berger’s contracts for Mumbai projects (Chembur-Wadala-Jacob Circle monorail and the multi-crore Navi Mumbai International Airport) following recent revelations that the US-based construction management consultants allegedly bribed officials in India to secure contracts. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		NGT fumes at Delhi govt's diesel reply National Green Tribunal on Monday took strong exception to the Delhi government’s submission that only 41 of 700 vehicles entering the city were found to be polluting. Plantation drive begins in earnest, target is 5L With the first few showers already moistening Delhi’s otherwise arid landscape, the forest department has started its annual plantation drive.  For Panchkuian's furniture sellers, it's been a hard landing between 2 stools It was the go-to furniture market for people on a budget until Delhi Metro swept it off Panchkuian Road five years ago. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Methane bomb's ticking away, caution experts Geologists and scientists are warning of a catastrophe if authorities don't act fast to nip the release of methane from the Lakshmipura landfill, near Anekal. Ryots trapped in debt-death cycle As state police cracked down on private financiers who charge exorbitant interest rates across the state, the number of arrests until Saturday (July 17) rose to 344, and at least 587 cases were booked against illegal moneylenders. `Siddaramaiah government failed to foresee the situation' RS Deshpande, former director of the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru and national fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has authored 17 books and over 110 research papers in national and international journals. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Busy picking up Rs 10-notes, teacher loses Rs 4 lakh jewellery It was a classic case of being ‘penny wise and pound foolish.’ 'Green' cars grind to a halt in CNG-starved Hyderabad If you are planning to buy a new car fitted with a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinder thinking that it will help you save fuel cost, then think again. Treatment free for Pratyusha: Hospital Though donations are pouring in for 19-year-old Pratyusha, Aware Global Hospitals, where she is recovering from wounds inflicted by her stepmother, clarified in a statement that treatment being given to her is free. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Karunanidhi joins prohibition chorus, promises ban if DMK is elected Against the backdrop of a growing campaign for total prohibition in Tamil Nadu, DMK president M Karunanidhi on Monday announced that his party, if elected to power in the 2016 assembly elections, would clamp down on liquor in the state. 17 postmen sacked in a year for taking bribe from pensioners In 2010, the Central Bureau of Investigation raided many post offices in the city and arrested 11 postmen for demanding bribes from beneficiaries of government pension schemes, exposing the delivery system. India Post revives post forum in Chennai The post forum, an initiative by India Post to exchange news with important customers was revived after a lull on Monday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Nearly half of Gujarat households lack toilets Nearly half of the households in Gujarat lack toilets, according to the 2011 census. Of the 1.20 lakh households in Gujarat — the census says — 47.25% do not have toilets. The Gujarat figure, though grim, is better than India’s: around 61% of the country’s households do not have toilets. Expanding lion kingdom, shrinking manpower Lion census 2015 has pegged that the empire of the king of jungle is spread over 22,000 sq km — 2,000 sq km in Gir sanctuary and the rest outside. Gangs nest in Ahymedabad's badlands; leave people in fear Jayesh Barot, a resident of Amraiwadi, has fear writ large on his face. Just a fortnight ago, he paid the price for trying to stop some goons of Kachinda gang from drinking liquor outside his house. The gangsters turned on him and beat him black and blue. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Why ban Asad from Allahabad? Hearing a writ petition challenging the district administration’s denial of permission to Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi to hold a meeting in the city, the Allahabad High Court on Monday asked the district administration to provide details before the court as to under what circumstances permission for the same is not being given to him. Shiva devotee overcomes odd, completes Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 27 days The threat of repeated landslides and temperature plummeting to -20 degrees Celsius could not simply dent the courage and determination of Gaurav Kumar Gupta, an Allahabad-based entrepreneur, who after a sojourn of 27 days successfully completed the 201 kilometre-long trek to Kailash Mansarovar, believed to be abode and home of Lord Shiva. Cops now target smaller dacoit gangs Elimination of notorious bandits, the latest being Sudesh Patel alias Balkhadia, has turned the Bundelkhand jungles into the fiefdom of ‘chillar gangs’. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Nabakalebara turns rath wheels, decor into gold Wooden components of chariots used in last year’s Rath Yatra are selling like hot ‘khajas’ in this holy town as the Nabakalebara hype grows bigger and bigger. Posco given a year to build guesthouse The state government has allowed one more year to the South Korean steel company Posco to construct a guesthouse on a plot allotted to it near Bharatpur mauza on the outskirts of the city. Firm funds Sambalpur's poor boy's IIT admission Uttar Pradesh's dalit brothers, who cracked Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance, overcoming poverty and social stigma, became inspirations for many overnight. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		NGT stays sand mining in MP during monsoons National Green Tribunal on Monday stayed sand mining in the entire state of Madhya Pradesh on the ground that it is damaging river ecology. Eight-year-old Bhopal boy electrocuted, angry residents block road An eight-year-old boy electrocuted on Sunday evening. A case was registered at Govindpura police station of city. Speaker to appoint conduct panel to rein in noisy MLAs Madhya Pradesh assembly Speaker Sitasharan Sharma may announce constitution of a Conduct Committee, which will work as a third-eye watching the behaviour of noisy legislators who create ruckus even on non-issues during monsoon session of assembly that begins on Monday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Uniform diesel price: Punjab dealers' gain, consumers' loss Punjab's petrol pump owners have not just managed to get diesel prices hiked in their state only, but also in neighbouring Haryana and Chandigarh. Health wings to function under civil surgeons Taking note of lack of coordination among different wings of Haryana health department, the state government has brought officials of the department, national health mission (NHM), AIDS Control Society and foods and drugs authority under the control of district civil surgeons concerned. After Niranjan, ED shifts law officer in Rs 6,000 crore drug scam Six months after the transfer of investigating officer (IO) Niranjan Singh in Punjab's Rs 6,000 crore synthetic drug scam, Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday shifted its law officer in the same case. More Chandigarh News»

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