News Digest: Soon, flights to Himachal from Delhi

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, November 09, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Soon, flights to Himachal from Delhi The tourism industry of Himachal Pradesh is expecting good days with Deccan Airways showing interest to operate its flights in the state. One sailor from missing vessel's crew rescued Rescuers on Saturday rescued torpedo recovery vessel (TRV) A-72’s leading driver after three days of rescue operations to trace four naval personnel missing at sea. The vessel had sunk off the Visakhapatnam coast on Thursday. Counting calories from a cheek swab The DNA diet, in which the weight-loss plan is personalized to one's genes, gains ground in India More India News»

		Business
		Burger King tests India waters, starts with 12 outlets US fast food chain Burger King Worldwide will open about 12 outlets in India over the next 60-90 days. Gold regains glitter on low-level buying, global cues Silver also recorded a significant recovery of Rs 650 to Rs 35,550 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units. More pain ahead for banks as bad loans pile up India's state-owned banks warned growth in bad loans may continue into next year as they posted a rise in troubled loans for the September quarter with a weakening economy causing debt-laden sectors such as infrastructure to default on payments. More Business News»

		Environment
		Green tribunal issues notice to govt over Chambal river pollution The National Green Tribunal, central zone has issued notices to the principal secretaries (urban development and forests & environment) and the district collector of Kota seeking a reply on discharge of industrial effluent, mainly from thermal power plants, and sewerage water into Chambal river. Wildlife enthusiasts capture the 'unsung story' of Bhadra The Unsung is the first documentary film on the forest spread across Chikmagalur and Shivamogga Tripura's capital city Agartala gets green city award Tripura's 176-year-old capital Agartala has been awarded the clean and green city award by a New Delhi-based urban policy and development experts group, the city's mayor said here on Saturday. More Environment News»

		World
		ISIS spreading tentacles in Pakistan: Report Pakistani security agencies have warned the government about the increasing threat from the ISIS militant group, a media report said on Saturday. Saudi Arabia could lift ban on women drivers The Saudi king’s advisory council has recommended that the government lift its ban on female drivers, a member of the council said on Friday. Haley's political comet soars ahead of her India visit When Ajit Randhawa's daughters Simmi and Nikki entered the Little Miss Bamberg school pageant in the small South Carolina town in the 1970s, the community was confused. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Saif wonders why he didn't send scripts to mom earlier Saif Ali Khan was amongst the first superstars to have the sensibilities that multiplex India is now coming to. And yet, he wandered off-track in the hope of hedging his bets, trying out new things, hoping that it would appeal to other people, even though he knew that it was not appealing to him. Kangana in a double role in 'Tanu Weds Manu' sequel Kangana Ranaut is considered one of India’s finest actresses and Aanand L Rai, one of the finest directors. 'Brett Lee will surprise people with his acting' One spotted Bollywood baddie Gulshan Grover chatting up Brett Lee in Sydney, where they are filming together. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		An app that tells you how long you will live When it comes to pastimes that manage to be both morbid and of dubious scientific rigour, `death calculators' are up there with Ouija boards and tarot cards. Similarly educated couples last, says study If he knows what's good for him, the modern gentleman will prefer brains, not blondes —according to a new study of marriage. Pondicherry University team finds 7 new molecules to treat blood cancer The findings assume significance as patients have started showing resistance to the existing drugs. Patients are put under medication for a minimum period of five years. More Science News»

		Sports
		Viswanathan Anand draws first game against Magnus Carlsen Indian ace Viswanathan Anand played out a fighting draw with defending champion Magnus Carlsen in the first game of the World Chess Championship. ISL: Chennaiyin FC draw 2-2 against NorthEast United FC Elano Blumer and Koke scored superb goals for their respective sides as Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United played out a 2-2 draw in Indian Super League. India beat Australia 1-0 in third hockey test, lead 2-1 SV Sunil struck the only goal of the match in the third quarter as India stun Australia 1-0 in the third hockey test to take a 2-1 lead in four-match series. More Sports News»

		Technology
		19 crazy facts about Bill Gates's $123 million Washington mansion It took Bill Gates seven years and $63 million to build his Medina, Washington estate, named Xanadu 2.0. Apple accused of 'bait-and-switch' by bankrupt supplier GT Advanced, a maker of sapphire furnaces that supplied sapphire material to Apple for its smartphone screens, filed for Chapter 11 protection on October 6. 10 horrible tech habits you must get rid of We're all guilty of it. There are plenty of times when we do things simply because they're easier or more convenient — even though they may be damaging to the gadgets we use every day. More Technology News»

		Education
		Delhi schools kept Directorate of Education out of loop on fee Raising student fees without paying teachers’ as per the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations isn’t the only violation private unaided schools are guilty of. Self-review tool to help CBSE schools lift performance Schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will now be able to look at their performance over the past few years at the click of a mouse. The board has introduced Saransh, a comprehensive self-review tool for schools. Exams likely in Class III, V and VIII School education minister Vasudev Devnani has taken a step further from chief minister Vasundhara Raje in bringing changes in school education. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		It's a fun ride today at Equal Streets fiesta On Sunday morning, a bunch of children from Vile Parle West will take a bus to SV Road. Union tussle may be delaying clean-up within KEM campus KEM Hospital has emerged as a hotbed for dengue in the city with many of its doctors testing positive for the disease, but a tussle with the union could possibly be preventing effective clean-up operations in the hospital’s campus. Birla College gets excellence tag Birla College in Kalyan has become the third college affiliated to Mumbai University, after Ruia and St Xavier’s, to be awarded the title of ‘College of Excellence’ by the UGC. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Ads on autos: Delhi HC verdict to be out soon With fresh assembly elections to be held in Delhi, an association of autorickshaw drivers has urged the Delhi high court to pronounce its verdict on allowing political advertisements on public transport vehicles. 4 jailed for beating man with iron rods Sentencing four people to four years’ imprisonment for thrashing a man with iron rods, a trial court refused to take a lenient view towards the convicts, saying their act was premeditated and the injuries inflicted on the man were “grievous” and he “may have died”. Year after launch, few vehicle owners pay tax online A year after the transport department launched Vahan, an online system for payment of taxes of all vehicles registered in Delhi, only 13,537 transactions have taken place, which comes to barely 34 transactions a day. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		'It wasn't a suicide, my daughter was murdered' “It was a murder, not suicide,” Krishnamurthy said trying to control his tears. A week after his 14-year-old daughter died in mysterious circumstances in Thirthahalli, Shivamogga, he reached Bengaluru on Saturday to open up before the media as he felt justice eluded her there. Family raises questions on FSL report on suicide note The girl’s father, Krishnamurthy, strongly refuted the FSL’s claim and made it clear the handwriting was not his daughter’s Dirt and dengue wreak havoc together Dirty city Bengaluru is spawning the dengue virus. While doctors put it down to unhygienic surroundings, civic and health authorities deny both these facts. Statistics, though, say the real story. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Differences between GHMC chief and mayor come to the fore again Underlying differences between Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) mayor Mohd Majid Hussain and commissioner Somesh Kumar came to the fore on Saturday when the former was not invited for the e-office inauguration at the GHMC headquarters. Hold talks, parents of striking jr docs issue ultimatum to govt Even before the high court announced its verdict on the Telangana Junior Doctors’ Association (TJUDA) strike, JUDA-Parents and Citizens Forum (JUDA-PCF), a body of parents of the striking medicos and other civil society members, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state government on Saturday. Telangana govt yet to set up medical regulatory bodies Five months post bifurcation, the new Telangana state is yet to get separate regulatory bodies for its various health wings, including state medical, dental, nursing, veterinary and pharmacy councils. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Now, exchange old apartments for new ones To prospective customers, the developer, Ceebros, has given the option of exchanging their old houses, apartments or residential plots in and around Chennai with new apartments on Montieth Road in the heart of the city. Indian legal education nowhere near global standards, SC judge says The utter disconnect between legal education and the legal profession occupied centre stage at a Bar meeting addressed by three Supreme Court judges from Tamil Nadu on Saturday. CISF beefs up security in TN after al-Qaida threat Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Tamil Nadu has stepped up security at Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Kalpakkam, following a threat letter claimed to be from the Al-Qaida was delivered at the NLC office on Thursday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat University asks panel to complete probe within month Gujarat University, which has set up a one-man inquiry commission against suspended professor, Sarman Zala, has asked that the panel headed by retired judge P J Dholakia, complete its probe within one month so that the university can take action against the professor. Udgam relents, reduces fee Udgam authorities who had taken a tough stand against the parents had to finally relent and the trust had to agree for an increase of 10% in the fee structure. Marine cops to get 33 all-weather boats to patrol coastline The state marine police will get 33 all-weather boats to patrol the coastline of 1,600 kms.Sources from Marine police said at present they have two types of boats that is five and 12 tons with them. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		GOC-in-C stresses on Army's role during natural calamities Lieutenant general J George, GOC-in-C, Madhya Bharat Area, is on a two-day visit to Allahabad military station which began on November 7 Allahabad University student election: Posters, banners swallow up campus The declaration of the Allahabad University Students’ Union poll schedule has been greeted by student leaders by pasting posters and installing hoardings on the walls and buildings of the varsity campus HC takes serious view of attack on cops Taking a serious note of the recent attack on a police officer by criminals in a police chawki in the district, the Allahabad High Court has directed the state government to file response informing short and long term measures for checking demoralization in UP police force More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Angul-Sukinda line on fast track with funds Hopes peaked for expeditious construction of 104-km Angul-Sukinda railway line following the decision of Container Corporation of India (Concor) to invest money in the project. Credai to survey housing needs Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India (Credai) state chapter on Friday announced that the body will conduct a survey on housing needs of people in the state to understand the buyers' needs. OJEE or JEE Main? Ball in govt court The Policy Planning Body (PPB), the apex advisory body on admission matters of technical courses headed by Justice A K Parichha, on Friday put the ball of engineering admission modalities in the government's court. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Opium smugglers share profits with their deity Drug peddlers from Madhya Pradesh’s opium belt of Neemuch and Mandsaur flock to the temple of Sanwariaji in Rajasthan — believed to be an avatar of Lord Krishna — before they dispatch their consignments. Starving mother hurls baby before moving vehicle A woman apparently driven by hunger tossed her starving baby in front of a moving auto-rickshaw here. Starving mother hurls baby before moving vehicle in Madhya Pradesh Hunger drove a destitute woman to toss her starving baby in front of a moving auto-rickshaw in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday night. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Birender in, may get agriculture portfolio Senior Jat leader Birender Singh is likely to be inducted into the Union cabinet on Sunday. Govt to develop Harike to attract bird watchers Badal junior said that developmental projects in the city were in full swing and were being personally monitored by him. 7 firms operating in Sirsa from fake building claim Rs 3.25 crore as tax refund Hinting towards a scam in Haryana's excise and taxation department, seven firms were found to be functioning from a residential building in Sirsa, which never existed. More Chandigarh News»

		To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Top Headlines | Tech | Entertainment | Movie Reviews | Life & Style

News Digest: PDP's Dilawar Mir gets 3 years imprisonment in corruption case

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, November 08, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		PDP's Dilawar Mir gets 3 years imprisonment in corruption case Senior PDP functionary Mohd Dilawar Mir has been sentenced to three years imprisonment by a trial court in a two decade year old corruption case related to wrongful release of Rs 30 lakh and contract for sale of urea to his firm by public sector National Fertilizers Limited in 1993-1996. Dreaded KLF chief Harminder Mintoo arrested Top militant and dreaded Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo was arrested by Punjab police from Delhi's IGI airport on Friday.He was arrested while he was on his way back from Thailand. PL Punia files papers, dismisses resentment over candidature : Ex-Congress MP PL Punia on Friday filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections. More India News»

		Business
		Panel for spectrum sale in February "Telecom Commission has decided to send back the reference to Trai as some clarification is required on some of the recommendations. Reforms don't mean subsidy cuts alone, says oil minister Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan has steered two crucial reforms in the energy sector. Petronet to expand Dahej capacity further Petronet LNG Ltd plans to expand the capacity of its liquid gas import terminal at Dahej in Gujarat further by 2.5 million tonne to 17.5 million tonne per annum, even as it posted its highest-ever quarterly profit on Friday. More Business News»

		Environment
		Deadly virus pushing tigers towards extinction Adding to the existing pressures of habitat loss, poaching and depletion of prey species, a new threat to tiger populations in the wild has surfaced in the form of a deadly virus. Eco-tourism project proposed at Sriram Nagar reserve forest Forest officers have proposed an eco-tourism project at Sriram Nagar reserve forest, adjoining Bhanjanagar reservoir, in Ganjam district of Odisha. Make green laws efficient, cut regulatory bodies: Jairam Ramesh Maximize the efficacy of current environment and forest laws. But minimize regulatory bodies to curb official corruption and maladministration. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama hosts Congress leaders after midterm debacle Three days after his party's stinging midterm election defeat, President Barack Obama hosted congressional leaders at the White House on Friday, vowing to embrace policies untainted by partisanship. Robin Williams' autopsy found no illegal drugs Robin Williams' autopsy found no alcohol or illegal drugs were in his body when he killed himself at his Northern California home in August, sheriff's officials said on Friday. UN nuclear agency makes no progress in Iran probe Iran is failing to address suspicions it may have researched how to build an atomic bomb, a UN watchdog agency's report showed on Friday, potentially complicating efforts by six powers to reach a deal with Tehran on its nuclear programme. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Kamal Haasan: Lesser known facts One of the talented actors that India has witnessed Kamal Hassan turns a year older today. SRK says 'Amar Akbar Anthony' is a nonsensical film Shah Rukh Khan retorted to Jaya Bachchan's comment saying that even Amitabh Bachchan's cult film Amar Akbar Anthony was considered a nonsensical film at that time. Kamal Haasan joins Swachh Bharat cause on birthday According to a report in IANS, Volunteers of actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan's 'Narpani Iyakkam' (Welfare Club), who are cleaning Madhambakkam lake here Friday, have announced that they will adopt and clean 25 lakes in Tamil Nadu. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Editing' blood stem cells to fight HIV? Harvard researchers have used a new gene-editing technique to create what could prove to be an effective method for blocking HIV from invading and destroying patients' immune systems. Universe is brighter than thought: Nasa Nasa scientists have found that the universe is brighter than thought, with a surprising surplus of infrared light in the dark space between galaxies. Spooky science: Ghosts 'created' in Swiss lab In a first, Swiss researchers have succeeded in recreating a ghost illusion in the laboratory. More Science News»

		Sports
		ISL: FC Pune City stun Atletico de Kolkata 3-1 Dudu Omagbemi and Konstantinos Katsouranis struck either side of the break as FC Pune City capped an outstanding 3-1 away win against Atletico de Kolatka. Sachin Tendulkar hints at major sporting plan with PM Modi Iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar has hinted that a major proposal on sports, which he has submitted to PM Narendra Modi, is set to be unveiled soon. Mary Kom backs pregnancy tests, says it's for safety Mary Kom came out in support of the controversial pregnancy tests done by SAI on women pugilists, saying that it was good for the safety of the players. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Nexus 6 price: Google leaves masses high & dry Priced at a whopping Rs 44,000 for the 32GB model and Rs 49,000 for the 64GB, Nexus 6 will be first Google smartphone meant for the high-end users. Airtel to woo data users through free internet Bharti Airtel, the country’s biggest telecom operator, is set to offer free internet to subscribers for trial as the company looks to convert more users into ‘internet users’ to push up revenues and profits. 10 horrible tech habits you must get rid of We're all guilty of it. There are plenty of times when we do things simply because they're easier or more convenient — even though they may be damaging to the gadgets we use every day. More Technology News»

		Education
		IIT-M ties up with Purdue University for doctoral candidates IIT-Madras on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with Purdue University in the US to enable joint supervision of doctoral candidates between the two institutions. From next year, IIT-Madras students get more electives to pick from IIT-Madras wants to give its students more autonomy in choosing what they want to learn, from the next academic year. The plan is to give students around 50% autonomy in choosing the electives. Lucknow University offers on-campus jobs for students in need Taking cue from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow University will provide opportunities to students to earn money while they study. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra frees no-development zones with FSI of four The Maharashtra urban development department has taken the first step to throw open no-development zones in Mumbai, allowing 10-20 times the construction currently permitted. Dengue claims Mumbai's 5th victim in 7 days The ravaging dengue crisis in the city claimed its fifth victim within a span of just seven days taking the death toll to 12. Targeting entrenched Gujaratis in Mumbai not easy, netas only venting frustration "Wanna take part in Swacha Bharat abhiyan n start from mumbai!! Wanna start cleaning up all the Marathi hating gujjus from there once for all." More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Trafficked girl rescued, 3 arrested A 19-year-old trafficked girl from Bangladesh was rescued from Govindpuri on Thursday night. BJP man threatens South Corporation inspector BJP councillor from Janakpuri, Ashish Sood, was in the eye of a storm on Friday after an inspector with South Corporation’s West Zone remunerative projects cell (RP cell) circulated an audio clip in which Sood threatens to harm him for removing a unipole used for outdoor advertising. Another AAP MLA opts out, few may be dropped Two former Aam Aadmi Party MLAs have withdrawn from the race for fresh elections and the party is expected to axe maybe a few more who have underperformed. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Cycle Day heads to Whitefield Cycle Day, an event much in vogue in some parts of the city, is going to Whitefield for the first time this Sunday. 8 students held for tampering with scripts A whistleblower's call to Bangalore University registrar (evaluation) KN Ningegowda resulted in eight students of BNM College being caught red-handed on Friday evening even as they were tampering with answer scripts of BBM and BCom exams conducted earlier in the day. PU colleges to keep sharp eye on girls' movements The PU education department has set an overarching goal in the name of safety. It has asked girls to inform the college where, when and with whom they are interacting, when they leave home and reach college, when they leave the campus and return home. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Embrace varsity tarana, students urged It was clear at the launch of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (Manuu) tarana (anthem) on Friday that the love for Urdu was the vine that bound Bollywood stalwarts, Manuu staff and students. Three more babus knock CAT door Even as the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) extended for three more weeks the status quo it ordered in the plea of GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar, three more IAS officers approached the tribunal on Friday seeking justice from it on the grounds that the Centre and Pratyush Sinha Committee are flouting their own guidelines and making a mess of the ongoing cadre division. Left parties join hands against land pooling For the first time, all Left parties in the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh are coming together to force the government to change the land pooling and development policy announced by the Telugu Desam government. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		George Town: What a mess, says HC More than 99% of all buildings in George Town were constructed either without an approved plan or in utter disregard for rules. SC last word not yet out, 69% reservation in Tamil Nadu stays for now Tamil Nadu has had a protracted legal battle on the contentious issue of 69% reservation, way above the Constitutionally-mandated upper limit of 50%. HC allows RSS foundation day rallies at seven places The Madras high court on Friday green-flagged the November 9 procession of RSS at seven locations in Tamil Nadu, saying they could not be stalled by police citing archaic colonial-era legislation and "intelligence inputs" which were too general. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		HC censures man for abandoning mother The Gujarat high court has censured a man for abandoning his 94-year-old two decades ago. Over 450 stranded Haj pilgrims spend night in Ahmedabad More than 450 Haj pilgrims bound for Bhopal and Indore spent Thursday night either at the airport or in hotels in the city as the connecting Air India flights that were supposed to transport them were delayed. 4 colleges seek centre for excellence status Recently the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) declared a fee hike ranging from 10-40 per cent.Majority of the colleges that have applied for centre for excellence fall in the category of highest fee hike. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Why isn't Allahabad rising up in tourism? Senior official at the Inland Waterway Authority of India recently revealed that foreigners visiting India show interest in visiting Varanasi, but Allahabad doesn't feature in their itinerary Group D of RRC exam to be held from Nov 3 Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) will be conducting the group D examination in the city on Sunday. This examination is going to be organized in five phases every Sunday starting from November 3 and finally ending on November 30. Extra coaches have also been attached in the trains to bring the candidates. Hindu family performs Azadari for 65 years It is a unique example of camaraderie and Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. A devout Hindu family performs Azadari to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Time to sail back to glory days of maritime past Bali Yatra, the weeklong festival that celebrates the state's past maritime glory, got off to a colourful start in Cuttack on Thursday. Whiff of conspiracy in amicus allegation: BJD The BJD smells a conspiracy behind amicus curiae Shyam Divan's allegation that Odisha government was stifling CBI probe into the chit fund scam in the state to protect influential politicians. Eco-sensitive tag for Rushikulya sought Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has suggested that the rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles near Rushikulya river mouth be declared an eco-sensitive zone under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Hollywood takes on corporate giants over Bhopal gas disaster Hollywood movie star Martin Sheen will join Amnesty International’s battle to finally hold Union Carbide accountable for what is widely considered to be one of the world’s worst industrial disasters as he launches his latest film in Los Angeles on Friday Model rape case: Accused nabbed The youth against whom a rape case was registered by an aspiring model and event manager on October 4, was nabbed on Thursday. Suspended cop taken on police remand in Bhopal Suspended police inspector Upmanyu Saxena, accused of abetting his live-in partner Indu Sharma to suicide on May 11 was produced in court on Thursday and taken on a police remand till November 8. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Dreaded KLF chief Harminder Mintoo arrested Top militant and dreaded Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo was arrested by Punjab police from Delhi's IGI airport on Friday.He was arrested while he was on his way back from Thailand. CTU fleet gets 20 new buses UT administration has added 20 new midi AC and non-AC buses in the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking -CTU- fleet on Friday. Kidnapped boy hacked in Mohali Mehram, whose parents were in a matrimonial dispute, had gone missing on October 28 from a park near his house in Phase IX. More Chandigarh News»

		To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Top Headlines | Tech | Entertainment | Movie Reviews | Life & Style