News Digest: Worried railway board 'dodges' comment on panel report

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, June 12, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Worried railway board 'dodges' comment on panel report The railway board seems uncomfortable with the Bibek Debroy committee's recommendations and failed to even give its comments on the interim report submitted by the panel. 'Focus on running trains, not schools' The core activity of the Railways is to run trains and this should be its focus. This is the Bibek Debroy panel's key recommendation. Generate funds to power engine The railways needs to raise its internal resources and explore other methods of financing its growth and efficient functioning, the Debroy panel notes. More India News»

		Business
		Startups may get Sebi fund boost Market regulator Sebi intends to do away with the concept of promoters for companies that will be allowed to list on a new platform it is planning for startups. Mercedes Benz to make SUV in India Mercedes Benz has decided to manufacture the GLA entry SUV in India, the first market after Germany. A first: India tops World Bank growth list India is leading the World Bank's growth chart for the first time and is poised to overtake China in 2015, a report by the multilateral agency has said. More Business News»

		Environment
		UN climate talk: October bid for climate text Another round of UN climate talks wrapped up today after making little headway towards producing a text for a worldwide pact due in just six months' time. What countries have offered for Paris climate agreement Ethiopia on Wednesday became the latest country to present a plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions for a global climate pact that's supposed to be adopted in Paris later this year. Conserve rainwater: Minister to Gurgaon administration In view of rapid water depletion here, Union minister Rao Inderjit Singh on Wednesday directed the local administration to ensure maximum conservation of rainwater during upcoming monsoon season. More Environment News»

		World
		French investigators expand Germanwings probe A French prosecutor on Thursday formally opened a criminal inquiry into the Germanwings plane crash in March that killed 150 people to investigate whether mistakes were made in monitoring the psychological health of the co-pilot. Greece gets wake-up call: Coming week could seal its fate International creditors sent Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras home from a summit Thursday with a clear message: swiftly tone down your demands in the bailout talks over the next week or face financial ruin. Pentagon: Price tag for war on Islamic State is $2.7 billion The U.S. has spent more than $2.7 billion on the war against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria since bombings began last August, and the average daily cost is now more than $9 million, the Pentagon said Thursday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Dad threw money to stop me from doing films' Dil Dhadakne Do girl Ridhima Sud talks about her Delhi-Gurgaon roots and how she landed a break in the Zoya Akhtar film. Jackky Bhagnani and Neha Sharma split up The very sweet Jackky Bhagnani and his beautiful Youngistaan co-star, Neha Sharma have been seeing each other for over a year now. Sanjay Dutt likely to finish prison term Sanjay Dutt likely to finish prison term this year-end and three filmmakers are eagerly awaiting his return. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Robin flies high, becomes UK's national bird India has the peacock, America has the bald eagle and now Britain has the robin. Drug to check cholesterol gets FDA panel nod An expert committee that advises the Food and Drug Administration recommended on Wednesday that the agency approve the second in a new class of drugs that can drive cholesterol levels down to unheard-of levels. Twitter escalates war on trolls In its latest bid to stop trolls, Twitter is allowing users to create a public list of abusive accounts they have blocked. More Science News»

		Sports
		Let's be patient with Virat Kohli: Rahul Dravid Dravid feels that Kohli needs to be given enough time to settle as the leader of the pack in Test cricket and the upcoming series will help him establish well. Infographic: Mayweather tops Forbes list, Dhoni on 23rd MS Dhoni is among Forbes magazine's 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, the only Indian sportsman on the list that has been topped by Floyd Mayweather. India go down 1-2 against Oman in World Cup qualifier An inexperienced Indian football side gave a good fight before going down 1-2 against Oman in the home leg match of the 2018 World Cup Qualifier. More Sports News»

		Technology
		iOS 9 features already available on Android While Apple didn’t give iOS a major overhaul visually, it did introduce some new features and upgrades to system apps. Interestingly, a number of these features have been available on Android phones and tablets for a long time, though they are not part of stock Android. Call drops: Telcos may soon have to give free minutes Explaining the issue and its possible framework, telecom secretary Rakesh Garg said it could be in the form of giving free minutes to customers in lieu of call drops. Google Chrome for Android to load web pages faster on 2G in India Google launched a new feature which will help save data and give users a better experience on slow networks for the users in India, Brazil and Indonesia More Technology News»

		Education
		Baba goes to boarding school in Blighty Until recently, school talk in India’s affluent living rooms revolved around the Indian vs international schools debate. Now, the same crowd has returned to what used to be an old favourite — the British boarding school. Notify rules on PhD in open universities: HRD ministry to UGC The ministry’s action comes in the wake of Indira Gandhi National Open University having already amended its ordinance. IIMB will launch free online courses in July Sitting at home, now you can learn statistics, IT and operations management from top professors of IIM-Bangalore (IIMB). More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Alcohol in lawyer's blood 4 times legal limit The alcohol content in the blood of corporate lawyer Janhavi Gadkar is four times the legal limit. Gadkar is accused of colliding with a taxi while driving drunk and killing two persons and injuring four others early on Tuesday. Fewer night checks on women drivers A number of the big drunk-driving crashes that turned fatal on Mumbai’s streets since the 2006 Alistair Pereira case, it turns out, have involved women. Janhavi spends day in custody 'crying' Janhavi Gadkar, the 35-year-old law executive whose Audi rammed into a taxi on the eastern freeway and killed two persons, spent most of her second day in police custody at the RCF police station crying, according to the police. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		'Drunk' Merc driver hits divider, dies In yet another incident of rash and drunk driving, a 24-year-old chartered accountant student driving a Mercedes lost his life on Thursday. LG appoints special prosecutor for police Lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has appointed a special public prosecutor to represent Delhi Police in the Tomar case, a trial court was informed on Thursday. This may turn out to be another controversial appointment, worsening the tussle between the Delhi government and the LG. Bharti's wife files plaint with police A day after moving Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) with a complaint of domestic violence against former law minister Somnath Bharti, his wife Lipika Mitra filed a complaint with Delhi Police on Thursday evening. It has been transferred to the crime against women cell, said police. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		2 hours, 2 chain-snatchers, 10 women Cocking a snook at police who had erected barricades and check-points across the city to rein in their ilk, two chain-snatchers struck at 10 areas in west and south Bengaluru within two hours. They were astride a black Bajaj Pulsar. Though acquitted, terror taint still haunts bizman Syed Sadiq Sameer, 39, was among the 17 persons acquitted in a terror conspiracy case by the Dharwad sessions court on April 30, 2015. Yet the father of two believes the worst is still not over. He is desperately trying to revive his glass and fabrication business but the terror taint continues to scare off his prospective clients. Make CET more transparent: HC The high court on Thursday asked the medical education department to suggest ways to make the Common Entrance Test (CET) procedure more transparent and mischief-free. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Telangana tapping 124 phones of AP leaders AP deputy chief minister KE Krishnamurthy on Thursday claimed that the Telangana government had tapped as many as 124 telephones belonging to Andhra leaders."We have documentary evidence to prove our charge. 'No power can stop project' Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday described himself as an "atom bomb ready to explode in the face of all those opposed to the irrigation projects in Telangana.""The work will go on come what may. TS-iPASS system to be launched today The government will launch the Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self Certification (TS-iPASS) system on Friday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		LGBT film fest to focus on continuing discrimination In 2009, the Delhi high court in a judgment decriminalized homosexuality. Just four years later, in 2013, the Supreme Court dealt a blow to Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) rights, by making homosexuality a crime again. HC asks Centre for clarity on admissions for Lanka refugee kids The Madras high court has asked the Centre to make it clear whether it proposed to make any provision for admission of Sri Lankan refugees’ children in professional courses. Docs stitch 3 fingers of boy who lost them in escalator Parents of little Rishik are praying for nothing short of a miracle. The toddler had lost three of his fingers when he tripped and fell on an escalator at a city mall two days ago. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Buddha short-circuit: Gujarat conservation ruins cave A Buddha tourist circuit in Gujarat was among the high points of the meeting between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in September 2014 in Ahmedabad.  Dahej industrial units hit as effluent pipeline ruptures Large number of industrial units in Dahej special economic zone (SEZ) and Vilayat Industrial Estate are staring at production losses after the main 12.5 km pipeline discharging effluents into the high sea was damaged on Wednesday morning. HC sets deadline for Gir eco-tourism policy Gujarat high court on Thursday directed the state chief secretary to finally notify the eco-tourism policy for Gir sanctuary by June 24 and place it before the court the next day. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Balkharia gang seeks 'goonda tax' from bridge contractor Dreaded bandit Sudesh Patel alias Balkhar alias Balkharia and his gang has targeted labourers working at a small bridge near Bardaha river at Mau Gurdari village in Manikpur, Chitrakoot district and demanded ‘goonda tax’ from the contractor on Sunday night. 1,870 students clear PCS (Mains)-2014 As many as 1,870 candidates, out of 12,166 have been declared successful in Combined State Upper Subordinate Services (Mains) Examination-2014 or PCS(mains)-2014 by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) on Wednesday. 'Kabotarbaazi' catches fancy of Allahabadis in summers Summer in the Sangam city has more to offer than blistering heatwave. It is during this period that the sky over the old city area could be seen dotted with coloured pigeons on Sunday mornings as the birds try to gain maximum height and fly continuously for hours to bag various ‘kabotarbaazi’ championship contests for their owners. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Duped investors stir from July 15 The slow probe into mega chit fund scam has angered the duped investors.They have decided to launch statewide agitations from July 15. Setting up telecom towers now made easy Telecom companies won't have to go through time-consuming stages to get permission for erecting cellphone towers CRPF may use unmanned aircraft in anti-Maoist ops Expressing satisfaction with the ongoing counter-insurgency operations, CRPF DG Prakash Mishra on Wednesday said the forces could use unmanned aircraft in anti-Maoists operations in dense forests. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Relief from searing heat, monsoon still away Drop in day temperature in Bhopal below 40 degrees celsius mark for a couple of days has given respite to citizens from stifling weather conditions in last two months. Home Minister Babulal Gaur inaugurates Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum's anniversary celebrations in Bhopal The second anniversary celebrations of Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum commenced with tribal dance performances by artistes belonging to different communities. Child artistes present self-composed song featuring their names during Murga Ka Byah play at Shaheed Bhavan in Bhopal As part of the two-day children’s drama festival, a comedy play titled Murga Ka Byah was staged at Shaheed Bhavan. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Citizen charter, mobile vans for GMSH flagged off A voluntary blood donation camp was inaugurated by home and health secretary Anurag Aggarwal at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16 on Thursday. Vigilance finally summons Poonam Malik UT's Vigilance wing finally summoned former deputy commissioner's PA Poonam Malik on Thursday to record her statement in an inquiry marked to the investigation agency by the higher authorities of the Chandigarh Administration over a month ago. Wheel of goods train comes off, rail traffic affected on Moga-Ludhiana section Railway track of over nearly 9km got damaged on Wednesday night after wheel of a goods train came off in Moga district. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Blazing Army guns silence Congress' `Modi is soft on terror' charge

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, June 11, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Blazing Army guns silence Congress' `Modi is soft on terror' charge The covert action in Myanmar could blunt the Congress offensive against PM Narendra Modi that his chest size did not match up to his response to terror, a recurring theme in the opposition assault since the change of government. Mission pictures on the Net blunder: SF veteran One of the founders of India's special forces, Colonel K D Pathak (retd) is proud the Army hit insurgent camps in Myanmar after they killed 18 Indian soldiers. Hard to imagine similar operations on Pak soil: Experts The Army strikes inside Myanmar territory have led to speculation that these are signs of things to come on India's western border with Pakistan. More India News»

		Business
		Infosys' Sikka, CTS' D'Souza popular among employees Three Indian-origin CEOs - Cognizant's Francisco D'Souza, Infosys's Vishal Sikka and Adobe's Shantanu Narayen - are among recruitment marketplace Glassdoor's 50 highest rated CEOs in the US for 2015. Adoption irrevocable, MAM can't disown son: Lawyers Ace horse breeder and industrialist MAM Ramaswamy is attempting to shut the stable door after horses have bolted, feel jurists watching the unfolding family feud between the octogenarian Chettiar and his adopted son MAMR Muthiah. India beats major ecos in energy demand growth India’s energy consumption grew at 7.1% in 2014-15, the highest rate of increase among major economies, while energy production rose by 4% to record the fastest pace in five years, according to BP Plc’s Statistical Review of World Energy said on Wednesday. More Business News»

		Environment
		Conserve rainwater: Minister to Gurgaon administration In view of rapid water depletion here, Union minister Rao Inderjit Singh on Wednesday directed the local administration to ensure maximum conservation of rainwater during upcoming monsoon season. Govt okays ratification of Bunker Convention The government on Wednesday approved a proposal for India's accession to an international convention which ensures compensation for damage caused by ship bunker oil spills. Endangered vulture chick sighted in Bikaner A wild life conservator spotted a rare sight in Bikaner recently, a vulture chick. It belongs to the endangered long-billed vulture species. More Environment News»

		World
		'Headless body in topless bar': Author of iconic headline dies Headline writers are a damned lot. Time is tight, wordage limited, and against the ticking of the clock and constraints of space, they have to confect a headline that captures, accurately, the substance of the story, however long and complex the narrative might be. New York inmates on the run face high odds of capture The two escaped inmates from a New York maximum security prison have far outlasted the typical jailbreak period, according to experts and corrections data, as state and federal authorities were hunting them for the fifth straight day on Wednesday. MERS crisis: WHO team urges SKorea to reopen schools A joint South Korean-World Health Organization mission studying an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) recommended on Wednesday that schools be reopened, as they were unlikely to spread the disease, just as school boards recommended more be shut. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I did two actress' work and got paid for one' Kangana Ranaut is in high spirits after the success of her latest outing. But the actress believes with this, she is now pushing herself towards more. AbRam to Azad: The Famous Five under Five Aaradhya Bachchan started it all. When she was born, there was so much speculation on what her name would be and what she looked like. Ranveer keeps his promise to Deepika Ranveer Singh, who recently hosted an award function in Malaysia along with Arjun Kapoor, seems to have kept his promise. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Woman uses her ovary frozen at 13, gives birth In a medical breakthrough, a 28-year-old woman has become the first person in the world to give birth to a baby using ovarian tissue that was removed and frozen in her childhood. Chimps go bananas over `palm wine' Humans may not be the only primates who enjoy an occasional nip. In West Africa, scientists have found a group of chimpanzees who make a habit of pilfering alcoholic drinks. ISS shifts from its orbit after abrupt engine start A glitch at the International Space Station on Tuesday caused its position in orbit to change, but the crew was not in danger, the Russian space agency said. More Science News»

		Sports
		Dhawan hits 150* to lead Indian run charge against Bangladesh Shikhar Dhawan hit an unbeaten 150 and Murali Vijay hit a sedate 89 not out as India rattled up 239/0 on the first day of the one-off Test against Bangladesh. Virat Kohli era begins with attacking mindset Only time will tell whether picking five specialist bowlers in a Test proves a significant start to Kohli's captaincy stint. Lionel Messi faces trial over Rs 30 crore tax fraud Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father Jorge Horacio Messi could face a trial over an alleged 4.1 million euros (Rs 30 crore approx) tax fraud. More Sports News»

		Technology
		iOS 9 features already available on Android While Apple didn’t give iOS a major overhaul visually, it did introduce some new features and upgrades to system apps. Interestingly, a number of these features have been available on Android phones and tablets for a long time, though they are not part of stock Android. Wipro raises fixed pay in compensation Wipro has reduced the variable component in the overall compensation of junior and mid-level employees effective June. Competing with Apple ruined BlackBerry: Former co-CEO Ex-BlackBerry co-chief executive Jim Balsillie said that Apple's introduction of the iPhone and BlackBerry's rushed attempt to match it was devastating. More Technology News»

		Education
		Degree in DU or a course abroad? Find the answers It's admission season, the time when hundreds of students step out of school to pursue higher studies. TOI's Mission Admission seminar today It's admission season, the time when hundreds of students step out of school to pursue higher studies. Policy derails plans of those who studied mass media The Delhi University's admission policy continues to confuse aspirants and this time it is the students with mass media in Class XII who are on the receiving end. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Sharad Pawar stays at helm of NCP In last 15 years, NCP witnessed a series of set backs, but for Pawar, the year 2015 was worst in his political career spanning more than five decades. BJP's 'upper hand' has Sena legislators fuming Resentment is brewing in the Shiv Sena legislature party as many Sena MLAs think that the BJP government has been indifferent to popular issues raised by them over the last eight months. Impose noise curbs or face action: HC The HC on Wednesday warned the authorities of the state government and civic bodies of action for contempt of court if they did not comply with its directions to curb noise-pollution during festivals. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		In LG-CM war, governance a victim The turf war between Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung is taking a toll of governance and administration. NGT notice to states on Yamuna flow It is likely to be an important day for the lifeless Yamuna, as the National Green Tribunal is likely to take a decision on how its “ecological flow“ can be restored. IAF, cops to secure Rajpath for PM, stars Central Delhi will be on high alert on June 21 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other VIPs will perform Yoga at Rajpath. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Khader bats for yoga, debunks religion link Karnataka health minister UT Khader on Wednesday decried attempts to bring religion into the celebration of International Day of Yoga on June 21. No dark days: This is how KPTC will light up your life For ST Tayappa, a resident of Yelahanka, living in darkness had almost become a way of life. 'Delimitation will delay BBMP polls' The State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday informed the Karnataka high court that allowing delimitation of wards will only lead to delay in conducting BBMP polls. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Facing drought, Telangana shifts focus to dry crops In a major policy shift that could shape the future of agriculture in Telangana, the government on Wednesday said it was getting ready to grow dry crops such as ragi and bajra in view of an impending drought after the killer heat wave in the region. ACB denies phone tapping as procedure ACB officials said that when someone approaches them with a bribe complaint against a government official, the relationship between the complainant and the accused is checked first. Congress urges CBI probe into cash-for-vote Congress deputy floor leader T Jeevan Reddy has urged President Pranab Mukherjee to order a CBI probe into recent defections and the cash-for-vote scam. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		E-publishing firm CEO orders cocaine worth Rs 20,000 via courier, held The CEO of a multi-national company involved in e-publishing was nabbed on Wall Tax Road on Wednesday for the possession of 3.88g of the narcotic cocaine. Chettinad saga: I-T raids, case against Muthiah The drama continued for city-based Chettinad Group of Companies on Wednesday, a day after industrialist M A M Ramaswamy announced his decision to disown his adopted son and managing director of the group M A M R Muthiah. 1 in 15 school vehicles of Tamil Nadu unfit It might come as a rude shock to parents that one out of 15 school vehicles in the state are unfit for plying on roads, going by the inspection reports of transport department. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Over 10k engineering seats may stay vacant Over 10,000 engineering seats are likely to go vacant this year. 'MA in Education is equivalent to MEd' The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board decided at a meeting to consider Master of Arts in Education degree on a par with Master of Education degree for recruitment of teachers for the state-run schools. Aussies to study Indian psychology The West has long been fascinated by the mystical and diverse Indian culture. Now, students Down Under will research on how strongly culture affects the psychology of Indians. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		'Kabotarbaazi' catches fancy of Allahabadis in summers Summer in the Sangam city has more to offer than blistering heatwave. It is during this period that the sky over the old city area could be seen dotted with coloured pigeons on Sunday mornings as the birds try to gain maximum height and fly continuously for hours to bag various ‘kabotarbaazi’ championship contests for their owners. Dist hospitals witness rise in number of heat stroke cases As the blistering heatwave continues in the city, the number of patients suffering heatstroke has considerably risen at district hospitals. The patients coming at the hospitals often complain of breathing problems, headache, dizziness, clammy skin, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting. These are the common symptoms of a heatstroke. City sizzles at 47.8C, season's hottest day The Sangam city witnessed blistering hot weather conditions for the second consecutive day as the maximum temperature soared to 47.8 degree Celsius on Tuesday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		State opposes river link The state government on Tuesday expressed reservations about the Centre's ambitious proposal on Mahanadi-Godavari link project barely 10 days after a central delegation briefed chief minister Naveen Patnaik about the plan. Ravenshaw 2nd campus takes off today After two unsuccessful attempts, chief minster Naveen Patnaik will finally lay the foundation stone of Ravenshaw University's second campus at Naraj on Wednesday. Maggi row hits instant food sale After country-wide controversy over Maggi, sale of all kinds of instant noodles, pastas, macaroni and other such food products has reduced by around 50% in the state, market sources said. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Surya namaskar not included in Centre's 35-mins yoga CD As the nation prepares to observe maiden International Yoga Day on June 21, the Surya Namaskar has been removed from the list of 'asanas’ to be performed in government programmes. Cong cries foul over undue charge from poor house owners Congress workers staged a demonstration in state capital on Wednesday to protest against arbitrary charge being demanded by Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhopal Development Authority (BDA) from poor beneficiaries of housing scheme in urban areas. Visit to green building marks one year of CII IWN chapter Daylong celebration, including launch of bamboo plantation drive and visit to Sun Carrier Omega, a net zero energy green building in Bhopal, marked completion of one year of MP chapter of Indian Women Network (CII IWN). More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		PFA official faces extortion allegations A court here on Wednesday summoned four officials of animal-welfare organization People for Animals, after a pet shop owner accused one of them of extortion and registration of a false police case against him. Man booked for marrying despite wife, two kids Police here have registered a case against a Delhi man, after a woman alleged that he married her last year even though he already had a wife and two kids. Telecom industry hangs up UT tower policy Things are looking pretty bleak for a city that has a teledensity of nearly 100% and hopes to fetch smart city tag. More Chandigarh News»

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