News Digest: Tamil Nadu to probe Madurai `human sacrifice'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, September 16, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Tamil Nadu to probe Madurai `human sacrifice' The Tamil Nadu government has assured the Madras high court that a proper probe would be launched into allegations o human sacrifice after a court appointed panel investigating the multi-crore granite mining scam unearthed bones and skeletons from a spot near Madurai. Tata charter firm's chief pilot ousted The aviation regulator has suspended two pilots -- including the chief pilot -- of Tata Group's aircraft charter firm, Taj Air, for alleged violation of safety norms. Jindal moves court for exemption from personal appearance Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, an accused in a coal scam case, has moved a special court seeking exemption from personal appearance till further orders saying that heavy financial hardship and grave prejudice would be caused if relief was not granted. More India News»

		Business
		RBI for limiting lenders in consortium After a 17-member banking consortium failed to prevent their combined lending of around Rs 7,500 crore to Kingfisher Airlines from turning into a 'loss asset' (complete write-off), the banking regulator is now looking at limiting the number of lenders in a loan so that responsibility does not get diffused. Only 12% employees spend 10 yrs in a job Aspirations of an upwardly mobile career have brought down employee tenures in a single role in organizations with a large majority of people spending just two-five years in their current tenures. Sebi to meet rating cos today for reality check In the wake of two recent downgrades which have caused a turmoil in a few mutual funds, Sebi has called for a meeting with all the seven credit rating agencies on Wednesday. More Business News»

		Environment
		Like humans, birds too fall in love Birds and humans are remarkably similar when it comes to chooosing mates and falling in love, a speed dating experiment suggests. Developing countries are not enemies of environment: Modi India’s view was articulated by the country’s environment minister Prakash Javadekar here during the concluding day of the meeting of the representatives of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) including China. Don't indulge in blame game ahead of Paris climate talk: India Amid growing concerns among developing countries against the rich nations’ mitigation-centric approach to arrive at a global climate deal, India on Tuesday strongly opposed to such an idea. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama to host China's Xi for September 25 state visit President Barack Obama will offer his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping a full state welcome at the White House on September 25, a US spokesman announced Tuesday. 'China building 3rd airstrip on disputed sea islet' China appears to be carrying out preparatory work for a third airstrip in contested territory in the South China Sea, a US expert said on Monday, citing satellite photographs taken last week. Putin pledges military support to Syria's Assad Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday pledged to continue military support for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad after Washington sounded the alarm over an alleged military build-up by Moscow in the war-torn country. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Will Madhur show 'Calendar Girls' to Vijay Mallya? Madhur Bhandarkar has known Vijay Mallya close to a decade now and he is a regular invitee to all his parties. Clicked: Ranbir in a cold night with Rishi Kapoor Rishi Kapoor recently turned 63, and he celebrated his birthday away from Mumbai, in London. He was accompanied by wife Neetu Singh and son Ranbir Kapoor. What got Katrina Kaif shocked? Katrina Kaif is in London these days shooting for Nitya Mehra’s Baar Baar Dekho opposite Sidharth Malhotra. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Government to allow injectable contraceptive for women? The government may soon introduce an injectable contraceptive for women under the national family planning programme. Nasa set to burn astronauts' poop in space The US space agency Nasa has released some interesting data about several of its year-long "human research" programmes on the International Space Station (ISS) — and its astronaut Scott Kelly's poop and the effect of space on the waste is one of them. Viruses found living in new born babies' guts In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers found viruses living in the intestines of new born babies. Till now it was thought that only bacteria invade and colonize the baby’s gut after birth. More Science News»

		Sports
		I don't care about a few as whole country loves me: Sania Sania Mirza is hardly bothered about what a few people have to say about her. Under Fletcher work ethic was 'pretty abysmal': Gavaskar Ex-India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that work ethic during the Zimbabwean's tenure was "pretty abysmal" as players reported late in net sessions. Sania to decide mixed doubles partner for Rio: Bopanna Rohan Bopanna said it is up to Sania Mirza to decide whether she wants to partner him or Leander Paes in mixed doubles at next year's Rio Olympics. More Sports News»

		Technology
		43 key moments in Google's 18-year history The domain name Google that millions across the world type in while searching for any query, location and image turned 18 this month. We trace the most important moments in the search giant's journey over the years. Moto X Play vs OnePlus One vs Xiaomi Mi 4 & others The Moto X Play rivals the likes of smartphones such as the OnePlus One, Xiaomi Mi 4, Samsung Galaxy J7 and Asus Zenfone Selfie that dominate the mid-range segment in the Indian market. Is Moto X Play a better option? Chinese men try to sell kidneys to buy iPhone 6S The two found an illegal agent on the internet who asked them to take medical examinations at a hospital in Nanjing. More Technology News»

		Education
		Mumbai University extends admission deadline for distance education programmes University of Mumbai extended the deadline for admissions to the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) yet again. Smriti Irani to meet North Eastern states' education secretaries Union HRD minister Smriti Irani will visit Tripura and address a meeting of the education secretaries of the North Eastern states on Friday, an official said on Tuesday. NAAC jerk for Magadh University: Accreditation body awards C grade Contrary to the expectations of Bodh Gaya based Magadh University VC Prof Md Ishtiaq and other senior university officials, National Assessment and Accreditation Council awarded 1.76 CGPA on a 4 point scale pushing the university to a somewhat humiliating C grade status. On several occasions the VC had expressed optimism about getting A grade. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		13/7 accused vouches for 7/11 convict's 'good conduct in jail' An accused in the 13/7 Mumbai triple blasts case was called in by the 7/11 defence to depose on the "good conduct" of and "harsh jail conditions faced by" convict Ehtesham Sidduiqui. City awaits date with The Don's diva granddaughter Greta Bradman set for India tour with Zubin Mehta and Australian World Orchestra CMO ceiling repairs to be done today Repair work at the chief minister’s office in the Mantralaya has begun and is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday. Unity Infraprojects Limited, the contractor who did the renovation work of the Mantralaya building, is carrying out the repairs. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Domestic violence case: Somnath Bharti to give proofs to Delhi Police Somnath Bharti, facing non-bailable warrant in a domestic violence and attempt to murder case filed by his wife, today took a dig at the promptness shown by the Delhi Police. Why toddlers are on a leash in Delhi Though laws mandate creches, daycare is like a dream for unorganized labourers. Letters from TOI readers - Unruly drivers must face fresh road test Unruly drivers, many of whom manage to procure a licence without appearing for a driving test, are a major menace on roads. A system should be in place to put such drivers through a fresh test.These drivers are reckless, change lanes to create abnormal situation on the road; this needs Delhi government's intervention. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Angry protesters block NH-75 for five hours Despite heavy rain, more than 10,000 people blocked the Mangaluru­Bengaluru National Highway (NH-75), some 60km from Mangaluru, for over five hours on Tuesday. Rationalists' kin seek faster probe, coordination between agencies The families of slain rational ists MM Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pan sare came together on Tues day to mount pressure on the government to expedite the probe into Kalburgi's killing. Balloon explosion injures two children at birthday celebration in Bengaluru A birthday celebration turned grim after a bunch of helium balloons exploded injuring two children. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Guns boom in Warangal, 2 Naxals killed in encounter Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with Telangana police in Warangal district in the early hours of Tuesday. This is the first encounter since the formation of the state. Pattiseema project to be commissioned today The long awaited plan to link the Godavari with the Krishna for irrigation will finally become a reality on Wednesday with the commissioning of the prestigious Pattiseema project in West Godavari district. Top cop's mosque missive riles netas In what is seen as a major slip-up, Cyberabad police commissioner C V Anand requested Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to take 'appropriate action' against 17 'illegal' mosques in Shastripuram in Old City, only to recant after widespread protests. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Icon in the making: At transit hub, 'Central Square' to be landmark The proposed Rs 400-crore Central Square near Chennai Central railway station could become a landmark site that people identify the city with if the agencies commissioned with the task execute the project as conceived. Chennai to get Rs 400 crore 'Central Square' Tamil Nadu government plans to develop a 400-crore piazza where various forms of transport — long distance, suburban and Mass Rapid Transport System trains and, before long, Metro Rail — converge near Central station. CBI probing own officer in Chennai for 'helping' accused The inquiry has been initiated based on a petition from a Chennai resident, a CBI officer said. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		In a first, Ahmedabad's Sports Club allows e-voting In a first for club elections in the city, 52-year old Sports Club has decided to provide e-voting facility to the members for its upcoming polls. China firm joins Vapi company to set up industrial park in Bharuch China’s Guangdong Wangtat Construction and Investment Holdings Group, also known as Wangtat Group, has teamed up with Vapi-based Payal Properties Pvt Ltd to develop an industrial park in Bharuch district. Ganpati idol spreads swachhata lessons When hundreds of devotees throng different pandals to catch a glimpse of their favourite elephant-headed deity, a 10-foot-tall Ganpati installed in front of Shahi Masjid in Petalia Bamba area of Gheekanta will be a major centre of attraction. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		'Centre responsible for the plight' Out of 3,642 shiksha mitras in the district, 2,548 were deployed as assistant teachers after adjustment before the Allahabad High Court quashed state government’s order for the same. Shiksha Mitras strike work, lock schools Scores of Shiksha Mitras went on a two-day of boycott of work on Monday following Allahabad High Court order quashing the GO on their adjustment as assistant teachers. For cops FB, twitter are tools to combat crime Popular social networking sites i.e, Facebook, Twitter and messaging app Whatsapp have turned into a tool to fight law breakers in Sangam city. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		'Bravest girl' Rahul has ever met dies at Sishu Bhawan Sasmita Rana, an ailing girl whom Rahul Gandhi met during his visit to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Sishu Bhawan) in Cuttack and praised her indomitable spirit, died on Sunday. Tusker kills 7 Keonjhar villagers in 9 months A marauding tusker has killed seven persons in Keonhar district in the last nine months.His latest victim is a 40-year-old man from Jadipada village.He died at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, on Monday. Two labourers die of suffocation At least two labourers died of suffocation and two fell ill while cleaning a well at Basudev Nagara, Khodasigi, here on Monday.The deceased were identified as B. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Sacked IAS officer surrenders before Bhopal court After absconding for more than a year, sacked IAS officer Arvind Joshi surrendered himself before district court here on Tuesday afternoon. Balaghat: Stalker hurls acid on school girl, stabs her A 20-year-old school girl was attacked with acid and stabbed by her cousin in Balaghat district on Monday afternoon.Police said the accused, 25, who had consumed over 20 sleeping pills, waylaid the girl. State govt orders SIT probe into Petlawad blasts ​Chief ​minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said a special investigation team (SIT) would probe twin-blasts in which at least 100 people were killed and an equal number sustained injuries.​ More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		After Ludhiana ban, butter chicken off menu in Patiala At least two districts in Punjab - Ludhiana and Patiala - are quietly asking meat sellers to shut shop for the Jain festival of Paryushan on September 17. Whitefly attack: Govt releases Rs 10 crore for compensation Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday announced immediate release of Rs 10 crore for the payment of compensation to farmers, who had already ploughed back their cotton crop damaged due to whitefly attack in an area of 11,780 acres spreading over six districts of Malwa belt. First Sikh PVC awardee ignored on centenary Family of soldier Karam Singh, first Sikh to be bestowed with India's highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra, is unhappy that he has been forgotten on the eve of his 100th birth anniversary. More Chandigarh News»

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