News Digest: Railways mulling flexi fares for all trains

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, November 14, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Railways mulling flexi fares for all trains Indian Railways is considering introduction of dynamic fares for all classes in all trains on the lines of air fares. Chhagan Bhujbal under ED fire, plot owned by son's firm seized Embattled NCP leader and former public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal received a fresh setback on Friday with the Enforcement Directorate attaching a huge plot belonging to Devisha Constructions in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. No more retrospective taxes, Modi promises UK business Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to end the fear of retrospective taxation for good, saying that India will no longer resort to such practices, agreeing that such measures adversely affect the investment climate in India. More India News»

		Business
		'Swachh Bharat cess will help earmark funds for sanitation' Minister of state for finance Jayant Sinha has been busy implementing plans to deal with some of the pressure points in the economy. In an interview, the former banker discusses the government’s plans in the coming months, including the strategy to deal with reforms. Government cuts import tariff value on gold, silver Govt slashed import tariff value on gold and silver to $ 354 per 10 grams and $ 470 per kg respectively, tracking weakness in global markets. Rupee jumps 21 paise to 66.10 vs dollar The rupee rallied for the second straight session by gaining 21 paise to end at 66.10 against US dollar on heavy selling of the American currency from banks and exporters, regardless of weak domestic macro-economic data and fall in equities. More Business News»

		Environment
		Clarify how hotels are coming up at Kaziranga: NGT to Assam The National Green Tribunal has directed Assam government to clear its stand on eco-sensitive zones and how it has permitted large-scale hotel projects to come up in and around the Kaziranga National Park - home to the famous one-horned rhinos. Bird injuries rise due to noisy crackers, foul air A two-month-old laughing dove, perched on a tree in Sector 5, dropped to the ground after the sound of a high-decibel firecracker reverberated through the air, leaving it disoriented, according to its rescuer. New long-haired wasp species found in India Indian researchers have discovered five new long-haired species of wasps from different parts of the country. More Environment News»

		World
		'Far better' if Jihadi John faced trial than killed: Corbyn With Islamic State executioner Jihadi John reportedly killed in a drone strike, UK's leader of opposition Jeremy Corbyn today said it would have been "far better" if he had been held to account in a court of law. German police find seven dead babies in apartment The bodies of seven dead babies have been found in an apartment in the southern German state of Bavaria, police said, adding that they wanted to question a 45-year-old woman who was the previous tenant of the property. The Jewish man who found long-lost Nazi twin brother A California man who found his long-lost twin brother has died of cancer at 82-years-old. In 1933, Jack Yufe was born in Trinidad with his identical twin brother but 6-months later the boy's parents would separate. More World News»

		Entertainment
		First look of Deepika-Priyanka from 'Pinga' Sanjay Leela Bhansali created history when he had Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan dancing together in the 'Dola Re' song in Devdas. Bollywood celebrities and their weird demands Let's take a look at some Bollywood celebs with a weird list of demands... Yuvraj's mother: Hazel is a reflection of me One of the most eligible bachelors of Indian cricket, Yuvraj Singh, got engaged to British actress-model Hazel Keech on Wednesday in Bali. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Scientist whom the nation forgot Seventy-five years after Robert Koch discovered the cholera bacteria in 1884, a Bengali scientist had unearthed the fact that it was a toxin produced by the bacteria that triggered loss of fluid from the body and caused thickening of blood, eventually leading to death. Chennai doctors perform combined heart and liver transplant The doctors transplanted the organs together, with both of them connected to each other. Lack of sleep causes diabetes: Experts Staying up late and not getting six hours of sleep puts one at high risk of becoming a Type-II diabetic, a disease once believed to be caused primarily by being overweight, prominent diabetes experts say. More Science News»

		Sports
		2nd Test: Conditions, injuries the focus as India aim for 2-0 lead South Africa have several personnel issues to address, while for India the question is over their choice of bowlers in overcast Bangalore. Do India, considering how well Ishant bowled in Sri Lanka, need a second fast bowler if they keep faith in spin? Mumbai, Pune play out goalless draw in Maha Derby Neither side was able to take advantage of the chances that came their way in the generally slow-paced game. DDCA members appear before panel Even as its president Sneh Prakash Bansal expressed optimism of hosting the final Test between India and South Africa here, 13 members of the DDCA appeared before a three-member probe committee which pointed out lapses including complaints of favoritism in selection of players at different levels by the state cricket body. More Sports News»

		Technology
		24 things you didn't know iPhones could do Even though we use our iPhones all day every day, there are still a handful of features that are relatively unknown. Some of these features are buried in the Settings menu while others are hidden in plain sight. Plus, there are a few things Siri can do for you that you may not know about. Infosys gives bonus to top performers, tweaks compensation structure India's second-largest software exporter Infosys has started handing out special bonuses and incentives to top-performing employees and sales executives — on top of their regular salaries and incentives. Amazon looks to India learnings to cut costs More than two years on from its arrival in India, Amazon says it is now ready to apply some of the innovations applied here to markets including the United States, Mexico and Brazil. More Technology News»

		Education
		Centre to decide on varsity's UGC status After six-months of continuous student protests against the management, it has come to light now that Avinashilingam University is not under the threat of automatic de-recognition by UGC as earlier feared. Fund crisis: PU teachers to wear black badges on November 18 and 19 On November 18 and 19, teachers of Panjab University (PU) will wear black badges to mark their protest against the delay of grants by the centre. New vocational courses come at fag end of session in Delhi schools There are just a few months to go for this school year to get over but not late enough, apparently, to launch vocational courses. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mega block on WR, Harbour, CR tomorrow If you plan to take the train this Sunday, you could face inconvenience as railways have planned mega blocks on all three lines. On Harbour line, the block will be from 11am to 3pm between Vashi and Belapur. The Down Thane-Panvel services leaving Nerul will remain suspended between Nerul and Panvel and Panvel-Andheri services will remain cancelled during the period. Taxi, auto stir may hit services on November 19 You could expect a shortage of taxis and autorickshaws on Thursday, November 19. The Swabhiman taxi union led by Nitesh Rane has asked all drivers/ vehicle owners to join in a “massive stir” against private cab aggregators. Drunk BMC staffer makes bomb hoax call More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Goonj warehouse gutted, woollens for needy destroyed A warehouse of the NGO Goonj, containing stocks of warm clothes, blankets and shoes to be distributed among the needy for the winter, was gutted on Diwali night in southeast Delhi’s Madanpur Khadar Textbooks distributed to all students for next session, North Corporation tells HC In a reply submitted to the Delhi high court, the North Corporation has said that exercise notebooks for the coming academic year has been distributed among students in 746 schools No more nasty surprises in city's main children's parks The lawns are trimmed, the slides and swings are not broken and shrieking children are everywhere More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Separate statehood seekers stop paying taxes, says Patil Puttappa Senior journalist Patil Puttappa said it’s not fair for farmers agitating for implementation of Kalasa-Banduri project to seek a separate state. No evidence of Tipu's anti-Hindu antics, says writer Patil Puttappa Senior writer and journalist Patil Puttappa defended the state government’s decision to observe Tipu Jayanti, saying that there is no evidence of atrocities of Tipu on Hindus or Kannada-speaking people. CPM gets surprise gift from Berlin Kunjananthan Nair After his historic ‘ghar wapsi’ earlier this year when he once again became a party member, veteran communist leader Berlin Kunjananthan Nair has gifted four cents of prime land and his personal library to the CPM. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		DRI probing CISF sleuths role in airport gold smuggling Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths are probing the role of two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at the Hyderabad airport in an international gold smuggling racket busted by cops recently. 'MMS Greeting' the new Nigerian fraud Nigerian fraudster has duped a city based techie to the tune of Rs 1.4 lakh by stealing his bank account details after infiltrating his mobile phone with a malware MMS - `greeting’. Diwali not so noisy this year in Hyderabad Colourful display of fireworks, strikingly bright traditional attires and an air thick with aromas of mouthwatering delicacies marked the city’s Diwali celebrations this year. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Flooded on Friday the 13th, Chennai gasps for breath Torrential rain on Thursday night and Friday morning left the city flooded, with the Met office recording 15cm of precipitation between 8pm and 8am, making it the wettest November day in five years. Tracks under water, train service thrown out of gear The heavy downpour flooding railway tracks around the city and neighbourhoods threw suburban and long distance train traffic out of gear through Friday. Widow of war veteran wins pension battle Three decades after a war veteran and Arjuna awardee soldier deserted his wife, his widow has won a protracted battle to receive family pension and other benefits, on an order of the Chennai bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat ATS arrest 7 in connection with double murder of BJP leaders Seven arrested by Gujarat ATS in bharuch double murder of bjp leaders Shirish bengali and pragneah mistry which took place on November 2. FDI norms relaxation to boost NRGs investment in Gujarat Central government’s move to ease norms related to investments by companies owned and controlled by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) is set to boost investment in the state by Gujarat-origin businessmen from across the globe. Real estate, e-commerce, aviation, pharmaceuticals and start-ups are going to be the biggest beneficiaries. Diwali vacations: Amdavadis choose road over air From Jodhpur in Rajasthan to Gir in Saurashtra, people mostly with small or nuclear families are heading to these destinations to make the most of the vacations. As the air fares have spiraled up by 4-7 times for some of these popular destinations from Ahmedabad, people are taking the road or train route for their journeys. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Top runners to participate in All-India Indira Marathon on Nov 19 Top long-distance runners of the country are expected to participate in the 31th all-India prize money Indira marathon (42.195 km) scheduled to be held here on November 19. The marathon is an annual event organised under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate and district administration in memory of former prime minister Indira Gandhi. Lekhpal aspirants create ruckus, block train movement for hours Violent agitation by Chakbandi Lekhpal aspirants brought train movement on Mughalsarai-Allahabad-Kanpur section of busy Howrah-New Delhi route came to a standstill for four to five hours on Sunday. Selfie on postage stamp soon Now one could get his selfie converted into a postage stamp. The postal department would soon start 'My Stamp' facility at Head Post Office where anyone could get his or her photo printed on postage stamp. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Wi-Fi facility at city rly station by Jan The railways is planning to provide high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity at major railway stations, including Bhubaneswar, Puri and Visakhapatnam, under the East Coast Railway (ECoR). Oppn criticizes BJD's plan for students' convention At a time when the farmer suicides continue unabated, the ruling party's decision to organize a students' convention has come in for flak from the opposition parties. Govt to give monetary award to PSU staffers The state government on Thursday announced monetary awards for the employees of state public sector undertakings (PSUs) for efficiency in functioning. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Man steals minister's rifle, resorts to Sholay act High drama was witnessed in Aishbagh area on Thursday evening when a man, after stealing a rifle from a minister’s vehicle, climbed atop his relative’s house and threatened to commit suicide when the police reached there to arrest him. Denied ticket for Salman film, man commits suicide A man committed suicide after a scuffle with the manager at a cinema hall, Anup Talkies, after he was denied a ticket to Salman Khan-starrer Prem Ratan Dhan Payo on Thursday. Amit Shah cuts short visit to MP As internal feud grows within the BJP after the Bihar debacle, party national president Amit Shah has cut short his visit to Madhya Pradesh. Shah will now reach Chitrakoot on Saturday morning and participate in various local programmes including the inauguration ceremony of a hospital. But by late afternoon, he will fly to New Delhi. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Women farm leaders detained in Bathinda Police on Friday took two women farmer leaders into custody, apprehending they might protest against Punjab PWD minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon while on visit to Badiala village to attend some social functions. 9 booked under Child Marriage Act in Fazilka district Police have booked nine persons, including five women, in a child marriage case. Pinjore cylinder blast toll rises to two The death toll in the LPG cylinder blast at Himsikha Colony in Pinjore has increased to two. More Chandigarh News»

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