News Digest: Centre clears Rs 5,083 crore as drought relief for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, December 30, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Centre clears Rs 5,083 crore as drought relief for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh Seeking to minimize the impact of drought on farmers, the Centre on Tuesday approved assistance of Rs 5,083 crore to two states. Worst hit Maharashtra will get Rs 3,050 crore while Rs 2,033 crore will go to Madhya Pradesh. Actual relief will, however, depend on how the states disburse these amounts among affected families. Govt to sign nuclear damages pact The government is getting ready to ratify the international Convention for Supplementary Compensation (CSC) capping a year of surprising successes in nuclear energy in India, which ended with Parliament passing the joint venture bill for nuclear projects. Congress mag goof-up bares factional feud Even as state Congress chief Ashok Chavan and leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil reacted cautiously after articles critical of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sonia Gandhi were published in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Congress Darshan’, the gaffe has exposed factionalism the city unit. More India News»

		Business
		'LPG subsidy to high-income group costs Rs 500cr' The move to stop LPG subsidies to high-income consumers with a taxable income of above Rs 10 lakh a year may result in a saving of up to Rs 500 crore for the government, ICRA estimates. Further, it may not have an adverse monetary impact for consumers as the current subsidy levels have been low. Mumbai airport Customs seizes gold worth Rs 1.34cr The Air Intelligence Unit of Mumbai Customs today apprehended two persons at the Mumbai international airport and recovered 57.40kg of gold valued at around Rs 1.34 crore, from them. SpiceJet to raise funds worth up to Rs 5,000cr Low-cost air carrier SpiceJet on Tuesday said its shareholders have approved a proposal to raise funds worth up to Rs 5,000 crore. More Business News»

		Environment
		Crows too know how to make and use tools! f you thought only humans or primates can forge and use tools, you are wrong. Crows can make, use, and even store for re-use certain tools while foraging for food, a new study shows. 'Bread, Wine, Chocolate' makes environmental issues tasty The lands, waters and atmosphere of our planet are under tremendous stress from the appetites and endeavors of more than 7 billion people, and such issues often make for grim reading. Amid smog crisis, China vows more liveable cities China vowed on Tuesday that it would make "liveable" cities a central goal of China's urban planning, amid persistent problems over choking smog that frequently blankets the populous east and north. More Environment News»

		World
		IS leader linked to Paris attacks killed in Syria An Islamic State leader with "direct" ties to the alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks was among 10 of the group's higher-ups killed in Syria and Iraq this month, the Pentagon said Tuesday. 'Russia and Turkey remains imp trading partners' Turkey remains an important trading partner for Russia, and Moscow aims to minimise problems for Turkish and Russian businesses caused by sanctions, Russian Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said on Tuesday. WHO announces Guinea Ebola free The UN's health agency on Tuesday declared Guinea's Ebola outbreak over two years after it emerged, spreading death across west Africa and pushing the region's worst-hit communities to the brink of collapse. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Celebex: SRK, Deepika retain No.1 position Launched in September 2012, Times Celebex is a monthly rating index based on several measurable parameters, including the stars’ Box-Office performance, their ability to stay in the news across print, TV and online, their brand endorsements, and their popularity among fans on the internet and social media. Aamir interested in Kishore Kumar biopic? Yes, you read that right. For nearly three years now, speculation has been rife about filmmaker Anurag Basu wanting to direct the biopic on Kishore Kumar Ganguly with his favourite actor Ranbir Kapoor. Star teenagers to watch out for More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Nasa captures landslide on Mars Nasa has released an image of a relatively fresh landslide on Mars that shows boulder-covered landslip along a canyon wall. New contagious form of cancer discovered Contagious cancers may not be as rare as thought, say scientists who have discovered a second transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils - small dog-sized ferocious carnivores found in the Australian island state of Tasmania. E-cigarettes may lead to cancer: Study Electronic cigarettes, often marketed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, may damage cells in ways that could lead to cancer, a new study has warned. The damage occurred even with nicotine-free versions of the products, researchers said. More Science News»

		Sports
		2015 in review: The top 10 Test innings From Kane Williamson's Wellington double to Alastair Cook's Dubai marathon, here is a look at the top ten Test innings of the year. Court clears Amir's path to return to Pakistan team A Pakistani court rejected a petition against the inclusion of convicted spot-fixer Mohammad Amir in the national cricket team, clearing the last hurdle to his predicted comeback after a five-year ban. In-form Patel not bothered by competition from Jadeja In-form Axar Patel feels fully ready for his second tour of Australia and is not losing sleep over the close competition between him and Ravindra Jadeja for the number one left-arm spinner's role in the five ODIs Down Under. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Airtel gains 4G spectrum in MP with 74% stake in Augere Wireless Telecom major Bharti Airtel today said it has acquired 74% stake in Augere Wireless, which holds 4G spectrum in Madhya Pradesh, but did not disclose financial details of the deal. Apple iPad Pro review: Is the tablet a laptop killer? World’s largest tech company Apple has definitely made heads turn with its latest iPad Pro. The company does seem to be strengthening its stance in the enterprise sector with the new machine. We review iPad Pro to see if it does manage to kill the laptops. 6 hottest Indian tech trends of 2015 ere's over to the 6 trends that shaped the tech space in India in the year 2015 and will have impact on 2016 and beyond ... More Technology News»

		Education
		Student's dissatisfaction can't be ground for revaluation of answer sheet: Karnataka HC The Karnataka high court has observed that revaluation of an answer sheet should not be ordered merely because another valuer is of the view that the marks should have been different. Amity University to set up campus in Amaravati The Amity University announced on Tuesday that it will set up a campus in Amaravati, the upcoming capital city of Andhra Pradesh. The university will be operational and open for admissions from its own campus by 2017. Owing to time constraint PM won't be the chief guest at Jamia convocation; Former IISc director Goverdhan Mehta to be the chief guest Former IISc director and chairman of NAAC, Goverdhan Mehta will be the chief guest at the annual convocation of Jamia Millia Islamia. The convocation is scheduled for January 19. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		11 women jailed for 'outraging modesty' Eleven women and a man have been convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for assaulting a 22-year-old woman, ripping her clothes and parading her naked in Sewri in 2010. MCOCA against Ashwin Naik in extortion case MUMBAI: The Mumbai police on Tuesday invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against gangster Ashwin Naik, and eight of his cronies in a Rs 50 lakh extortion case. Six on bikes rob bank staffers of 25 lakh In a daring daylight robbery on Tuesday afternoon, armed men looted Rs 25 lakh from two Bank of Maharashtra employees on the Pen-Khopoli road. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Mock security drill at Delhi's Nehru Place Following an IB alert of a potential terrorist attack on major Indian cities, the Delhi Police held a mock drill at Eros International at 11pm on Tuesday night that is expected to go on till 2 pm, Delhi Police stationed at Nehru Place said. Commandos conduct mock security drills in Delhi Security forces carried out mock drills at various places in Delhi on Tuesday night. Music composer Jitter performs at Christmas bash at Ek Bar in Delhi Mistletoe adorned the ceiling of Ek Bar, Defence Colony, when they thew a Christmas bash. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Mother, lover kill 5-year-old baby The mother of a five year old girl and her lover was arrested by the Hebbagodi police on Tuesday for murdering the girl. The arrest comes two months after the girl's body was found in an open area near their home. Karnataka minister to ring in New Year in tribal hamlet The Siddi tribe living in the hilly district of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka will have a special guest to celebrate New Year. Misappropriation case: HC grants bail to Mysuru-based professor The Karnataka high court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to prof K S Nagapathi, former Director of Mahajana Tourism Development Institute, Mysuru, in connection with a misappropriation case. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		AP plans to buy developed plots from farmers The AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) is planning to buy parcels of developed land from farmers who participated in the land pooling scheme for the upcoming capital city of Amaravati. The APCRDA is now busy finalising plot allotment policy. Top Maoist leader surrenders Top Maoist leader Gajarla Ashok, alias Aitu, surrendered before the Warangal police here on Tuesday. No cock-fights, bettings during Sankranti: HC to AP The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed authorities in Andhra Pradesh and its police to ensure that no cock fights and betting takes place in the Godavari districts and elsewhere during the upcoming Sankranti festival days. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Jackal numbers up in Chennai, foresters thrilled Luck has little to do with it. Efforts of forest department officials have borne fruit and the jackal population in the city and on its outskirts is steadily increasing. Foresters estimate that there are more than 50 of the animals in the Guindy National Park (GNP) alone. Cop behind 90 green corridors to hang his boots Green corridor, a relatively free route the traffic police create to enable speedy transport during an emergency, has been driving an increase in organ transplants in the country, and Chennai is leading the way. Tauheed Jamaat issues fatwa against Ramdev's products Tamil Nadu-based Muslim organisation Tauheed Jamaat has issued a fatwa against the use of yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Pathanjali products which use cow urine as a raw material. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Travel operator ends life due to moneylenders' harassment A Maninagar resident ended his life by jumping in Sabarmati River late on Sunday night. Gujarat HC extends bail for Naroda Patia massacre accused Gujarat High Court on Tuesday extended bail for three more months to a life term convict in the 2002 Naroda Patia massacre, Manoj Sindhi alias Manoj Kukrani, who suffered brain stroke following illness of diabetes and hypertension. Gujarat HC asks bank to deduct alimony amount from its employee's account Gujarat High Court on Tuesday asked Sabarkantha Central Cooperative Bank to deduct a sum of Rs 25,000 from the account of one of the bank's employee and deposit the amount to the local court to pay to his estranged wife towards maintenance. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Rs 2.98 lakh stolen from scooter dickey A retired railway official Govind Khanal was deprived of Rs 2.98 lakh on Monday. Thieves stole the money after breaking open the dickey of Govind Khanal’s scooter at Manmohan crossing under the limits of Colonelganj police. Students to wear dhoti-kurta, sari at UPRTOU convocation This year’s convocation of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU) would write a new chapter in its history. Doing away with the tradition of wearing black robe and cap, as worn at earlier convocations, the students would wear dhoti-kurta and sari during the 10th convocation scheduled to be held on February 16. On public demand, UPPSC scraps CSAT exam pattern Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has made General Studies-II paper of ‘Combined State Upper Subordinate Services Examination (Preliminary)’ or PCS (Prelims) exams qualifying in nature by scrapping the controversial Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) pattern on Monday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Mayor resigns after NFSA controversy Cuttack Municipal Corporation(CMC) mayor Anita Behera, who was in the eye of storm over inclusion of her name as a beneficiary under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), resigned from her post on Tuesday. Omfed to expand products The Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation Ltd (Omfed) will launch three new products - dairy whitener, bread and 'pedas' - on the occasion of Republic Day next year, informed Omfed managing director Bishnupada Sethy here on Monday. Wildlife website lacking in data and crucial info The wildlife wing of the forest department seems to be in deep slumber as its official website - www.odishawildlife.org - either contains decade-old information or no information at all in some sections. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Panna minor raped and set ablaze, dies in hospital A minor girl who was set ablaze after being raped in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh died during treatment at a hospital in Rewa on Tuesday. MP BJP elects state unit parliamentary and legislative party representatives A day after the Madhya Pradesh BJP nominated 43 district presidents, the ruling party on Tuesday announced names of ministers, MPs and MLAs who have been elected to represent the parliamentary party and legislative party in the state organisation. This is part of the organisational elections in the BJP state unit which is scheduled to elect its president next month. Senior officials to monitor low-scoring tribal schools in MP Low-scoring schools in tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh will now have senior officials at the helm of schools’ monitoring to better pass-out percentages and quality of education. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Now Ph.D degree holders can become lecturers in colleges across Haryana Relaxing norms for the selection of candidates for teaching posts in various universities and colleges of the state, the Haryana government on Tuesday made Ph.D degree holders eligible for the post of assistant professor/lecturer. Education department in Chandigarh fails to act against private schools defying RTE Act City-based private schools have not just failed to implement the complete provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, but have also failed to interpret them correctly. 2 bikers rob cash pickup firm staffer of Rs 18L Two masked men on a bike allegedly robbed Rs 18 lakh from an employee of a private cash pickup and delivery company in Sector 11 on Monday. More Chandigarh News»

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