News Digest: LK Advani talks it out with Sumitra Mahajan

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, December 09, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		LK Advani talks it out with Sumitra Mahajan Niti Aayog plans easy mobile feature for e-payments In view of the cash crunch due to banning of high-value currency notes, Niti Aayog announced on Thursday that a more user friendly version of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), used on mobile phones for making cashless payments, will be rolled out in the next 15 days. National Highway widening plan to swallow Kerala mantri's house More India News»

		Business
		Paytm founder raises Rs 325 crore by selling 1% stake Digital payments and commerce platform Paytm's founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma has sold 1% of his holding in One97 Communications to raise about Rs 325 crore. Renault JV plant shuts down 1 shift, lays off 800 Govt has infused Rs 23,993cr funds in AI: Minister The Government on Thursday said it has already infused funds to the tune of Rs 23,993 crore in the National flag carrier Air India from 2011-12 till November this year. Air India is surviving on a Rs 30,231 crore bailout package extended by the previous UPA government in 2012 for a 10-year period. More Business News»

		Environment
		Climate change will trigger migration: Study Tequila plant may be key to fighting droughts Agave - the cactus-like plant used to make tequila - can survive the driest of conditions by 'breathing' at night, say scientists who hope to harness the plant's reverse 'body clock' to engineer drought-resistant crops that can adapt to changing climate. Giraffes suffer 'silent extinction' in Africa Giraffe numbers have declined by as much as 40 per cent since the 1980s in a "silent extinction" driven by illegal hunting and an expansion of farmland in Africa, the Red List of endangered species reported on Thursday. More Environment News»

		World
		IS weakened in Afghanistan, claims UNSC report Despite impressions to the contrary, the presence of terror group Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) in Afghanistan has significantly weakened from 2015 to end 2016. From nine districts, IS's control has been reduced to only three and a half districts, a UNSC report claims quoting Afghan officials. Trump's new tone on immigrant kids divides GOP Donald Trump's promise to "work something out" for immigrants brought here illegally as kids is dividing fellow Republicans, underscoring how difficult it will be for Congress to take any action on immigration, whether it's building a wall or dealing with immigrant youths. 'No progress' as Kerry, Lavrov meet on Syria: US US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov failed to make progress on a Syria truce in talks in Germany early Thursday, an American official said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Himesh Reshammiya-wife deny other woman angle Himesh Reshammiya and Komal, his wife of 22 years have filed for divorce, citing compatibility issues. Sushant Singh Rajput in Ryan Gosling's shoes? Buzz is that Tarun Mansukhani’s next, starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Jacqueline Fernandez, is based on the 2011 Hollywood film, 'Drive', which featured Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. 'Kahaani' producers keen to take the franchise ahead Pleased with the response to 'Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh', the producers of this Vidya Balan starring thriller are hopeful of adding another 'kahaani' to the franchise. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Play a game, learn to code: Computer science week kicks off across the globe Lonely cave dwelling bacteria resistant to 18 antibiotics Hot hydrogen atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere found More Science News»

		Sports
		Junior Hockey World Cup: India blank Canada 4-0 Rated as strong favourites for the title, hosts India started their campaign on a resounding note defeating Canada 4-0 in their opening Pool D match of the Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow on Thursday. 4th Test: India hit back with late strikes after Jennings ton Debutant Keaton Jennings became the 19th England batsman to hit a century on Test debut but Ravi Ashwin pulled things back with three late strikes as England ended the day at 288/5. Sachin Tendulkar picks up stake in PBL franchise Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday ventured into the world of badminton as co-owner of Premier Badminton League (PBL) franchise "Bengaluru Blasters" alongside Tollywood film stars including Chiranjeevi. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Airtel offers free unlimited calls to anywhere in India The cheapest plan starts at Rs 145 in which users get 300MB of 3G/4G data along with free local and STD Airtel-to-Airtel calls across India. Paytm's Android app gets new features Popular e-wallet solutions provider Paytm is rolling out an important update for its Android app. The update introduces improved security features, notably an ‘App password’ functionality that allows users to secure wallet transactions with passwords. Here's all that India watched the most on YouTube in the year 2016 Here's all that dominated YouTube India during the year 2016. More Technology News»

		Education
		Delhi Government streamlines admission process for Class VI More firms but fewer offers at IITs this year At IIT-Bombay, the number of students picked by leading finance and consulting firms has reduced; it has shrunk from 16 to 13 as in the case with Goldman Sachs or nine to four from consulting firm BCG. Meanwhile, students across IITs have received more offers from the analytics sector. CAT flaws: Candidates point at complete mismanagement Though IIM-Bangalore said on Monday that the leaking of the toughest section of last Sunday’s Common Admission Test (CAT) for the Indian Institutes of Management and other prominent business schools on social media sites was an isolated incident that was being dealt with, some candidates have alleged “complete mismanagement” at the test centres. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		469 complaints allege medical care denied in Maharashtra Uproar at Ripon Club meeting, trustees empowered to negotiate fresh terms Pre-schools in Chembur, Khar & Juhu top survey list With December setting in, most parents are scrutinising pre-schools before making a choice for their toddlers. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Many in IIT-D get fat offers from abroad Cops zero in on 'serial killer' of 3 south Delhi women 65-year-old arrested for sodomy More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bheema is innocent, he is being fixed, says brother Krishna Nayak, younger brother of fugitive KAS officer Bheema Nayak, was hesitant to speak to the media. He turned down all requests, but later conceded to speak, on one condition: “No personal questions, please.“ KAS officer Bheema Nayak's office abuzz with big news PLOT THICKENS KAS Officer On The Run, Ramesh's Suicide Note Brings Out Murky Details Of Nayak And Reddy's Wheeling-Dealing. Retired Coffee Board staff protest for revised pension Over 100 retired members of the Coffee Board held a protest on Thursday demanding implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission suggestions with immediate effect. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		17-yr-old ends life A 17-year-old intermediate student ended her life by consuming hair dye after she had an altercation with her elder sister on Tuesday evening. Send smaller notes: Etala urges RBI Finance minister Etala Rajender has directed officials to monitor situation at banks and cash flow in the state on a day-to-day basis in the wake of demonetisation. Cops turn crooks, eye demonetisation kickbacks People trying to make a quick buck by exchanging new notes for old ones, aiming for a commission in the process. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		KPR Mill board approves share buy-back OPS seeks PM Modi's help in church event `Rahul will pay Karunanidhi a visit soon' More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		L&T to build world's biggest cricket stadium for Gujarat Cricket Association DA case against Diu municipal body chief CBI court nixes plea for further probe More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Triple talaq cruel, Muslim women suffer bias: High Court Fuelling the raging debate over whether constitutional guarantees extend to Muslim women, the Allahabad high court has said that triple talaq or the practice of Muslim men getting an instant divorce by saying “talaq“ three times is “cruel“. Big temples to go cashless in New Year Congress poster in UP rakes up controversy General Secretary of City Congress Committee, Irshad Ulla, again raked up a controversy by releasing a poster on Thursday, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for wearing Rs 10 lakh suit at a time when he calls himself " Fakir". More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha government planning to introduce career counselling in high schools Toilet walls turn canvases for art work to check open defecation OHRC seeks inquiry on 'no-black-scarf diktat' at CM's meeting The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Thursday sought a report from the government on a police diktat that prevented women from wearing black scarves and dupattas at programmes attended by chief minister Naveen Patnaik. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Accused hides behind HC ruling barring cops from invoking graft Act Police Action Under Cloud Teachers get 2 years for BEd, DEd Minister for school education Kunwar Vijay Shah told TOI that the government has given two years to teachers teaching in private schools without B.Ed and D.Ed to do their degree or diploma course. Siddharth Bahuguna takes charge as SP south Bhopal IPS Siddharth Bahuguna on Wednesday took charge as superintendent of police (SP) Bhopal (south), replacing the outgoing SP Anshuman Singh. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Haryana CM's 'Man Friday' to look after housing schemes in Haryana Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s close aide and chairman of Haryana Housing Board Jawahar Yadav has been made incharge for state-wide planning and monitoring of housing schemes including ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)’, ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural)’, and ‘Deen Dyal Jan Awas Yojana’. Moga rally today, select schools shut Parkash Singh Badal, country's oldest serving CM, turns 89 Born on December 8, 1927, at Abul Khurana village near Malout in southwest Punjab, Badal has been Chief Minister five times -- 1970-71, 1977-1980, 1997-2002, 2007-2012 and 2012 onwards. He has been in power in Punjab continuously since March 2007. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Rahul Gandhi's Twitter a/c was accessed from five nations

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, December 08, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rahul Gandhi's Twitter a/c was accessed from five nations Twitter informed the cyber cell of Delhi police on Wednesday that the hacked accounts of Rahul Gandhi and Congress party were operated from five countries — Sweden, Romania, US, Canada and Thailand. Centre to review fertilizer subsidy rates after 6 months The government approved on Wednesday the proposal of half-yearly review of nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) rates for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers for 2016-17 against the present practice of annual review. Opposition blinks, asks Speaker to initiate Lok Sabha debate The Lok Sabha may finally witness a debate on demonetisation. Opposition parties, led by Congress and TMC, suggested that Speaker Sumitra Mahajan could initiate a discussion without specifying the rules by suspending the question hour. More India News»

		Business
		Note ban impact on GDP growth only 15 bps: RBI The Reserve Bank attributed the 50-bps lowering in its GVA growth estimate to 7.1 per cent this fiscal year to the lower-than-expected expansion in the second quarter and not to demonetisation that has hurt consumption activity massively. Industry expected clarity from RBI, says Assocham RBI policy status quo: Sensex loses 156 points The Reserve Bank's decision to leave interest rates untouched caught the market by surprise as the SENSEX switched gear by reversing its two days of gains and cracked 156 points on Wednesday to close at 26,237. More Business News»

		Environment
		Sea ice in Arctic and Antarctic hit record lows  Warm temperatures have led to record decline in the extent of sea ice in the Arctic and off the coast of Antarctica in November this year, say scientists. The extent of Arctic sea ice averaged 9.08 million sq km for November, 1.95 million sq km below the 1981-2010 long-term average for the month. Regions around Delhi contribute to its pollution: Expert The regions surrounding Delhi contribute significantly to the pollution in the national capital, which should be tackled in order to solve this problem, an expert said on Tuesday. Polar bear numbers to plunge a third as sea ice melts Polar bear numbers could drop a third by the mid-century, according to the first systematic assessment released Wednesday. There is a 70 per cent chance that the global polar bear population will decline over the next 35 years, the study found. More Environment News»

		World
		Somalia recaptures town from IS-linked fighters; 34 dead A Somali official says security forces have recaptured a port town from Islamic State-linked fighters in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland. Trump made me feel like a saint: Philippines' Duterte Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he felt "like a saint" after his phone conversation last week with US President-elect Donald Trump, who he said praised him for "doing great" in his deadly campaign against illegal drugs. US, Britain, France lead call for Aleppo ceasefire The United States, Britain and France led a call Wednesday from six countries for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid into the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo. More World News»

		Entertainment
		#NoMakeup Movement: Is Bollywood game for it? A leading international fashion calendar made headlines after featuring top Hollywood actresses sans retouching. In the recent past, many international artistes have campaigned for positive body image by initiating the ‘no makeup movement’ on social media. BT speaks to Bollywood actors and photographers to find out how comfortable Indian celebs are about flaunting their beauty, minus the magical touch of their makeup artistes... 'Always been a terrible misfit in showbiz' She might not be seen on the big screen often, but Lisa Ray has enough on her plate to keep her busy. 'There is a lot of 'alpha-ness' in Haryanvis' Neil Bhoopalam, who played Anushka Sharma’s husband in NH10, was recently in the capital to perform in a play, spoke to us about Gurgaon. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		ISRO launches Remote-sensing satellite to aid farm sector The satellite, launched by ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota, will relay specific data on crop area and crop production estimation, drought monitoring, soil mapping and cropping system analysis to generate farm advisories. Is feminism killing off romance? Why getting old makes you happy More Science News»

		Sports
		MCC not in favour of Tendulkar's suggestion of two pitches "First class cricket is about playing competitive (cricket), challenging yourself. It (playing on two pitches) will be like lessening the importance of first class cricket. That is what the committee felt," said MCC's World Cricket Committee member Rameez Raja. Virender Sehwag figures in his own favourites list "I read my tweets and enjoy. I have entertained people so much, I also have a right. I have admired a lot of cricketers and I am also one of them. I am my own favourite," former Indian opener Virender Sehwag said. 4th Test: Injured Rahane out of series, Pandey in Manish Pandey and Mumbai seamer Shardul Thakur have called in as cover for Rahane and Mohammed Shami ahead of the fourth Test. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google's India revenues jump 44% to touch Rs 5,904 in FY2016 Google India's annual revenues jumped 44% with business doubling in the past two years. Google India Pvt Ltd posted a turnover of Rs 5,904 crore during the year to March 2016, outstripping its last year's growth of 35% to Rs 4,108 crore. Infosys assigns 'profit & loss' responsibilities to horizontal delivery heads In addition to asking industry unit heads to run their business with separate profit and loss statements, Infosys is working on making its horizontal delivery heads operate under a P&L structure as well, as it looks to boost growth. India's internet population expected to double to 600 million by 2020: Study With increased 4G and 3G penetration, the internet user base in India is rapidly expanding and has reached a penetration of over 27% versus 50.3% penetration in China and expected to double to 600 million users by 2020 from 343 million users currently, according to an Assocham-Deloitte joint study. More Technology News»

		Education
		Delhi Government streamlines admission process for Class VI More firms but fewer offers at IITs this year At IIT-Bombay, the number of students picked by leading finance and consulting firms has reduced; it has shrunk from 16 to 13 as in the case with Goldman Sachs or nine to four from consulting firm BCG. Meanwhile, students across IITs have received more offers from the analytics sector. CAT flaws: Candidates point at complete mismanagement Though IIM-Bangalore said on Monday that the leaking of the toughest section of last Sunday’s Common Admission Test (CAT) for the Indian Institutes of Management and other prominent business schools on social media sites was an isolated incident that was being dealt with, some candidates have alleged “complete mismanagement” at the test centres. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra links farmer suicides to need for Maratha quota What about Muslims, asks Cong. Will discuss later, says Maharashtra govt Court denies bail to student in certificate case More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Cops intervene in scuffle, save life A timely intervention by a team of policemen saved a man's life.The victim was being thrashed by two youths in Rajouri Garden on Tuesday night when the cops came to his rescue. Library to mark century with fest East Delhi councillor's election void A Delhi court on Wednesday observed discrepancy on the part of the Election Commission and declared the municipal polls held at an east Delhi ward in 2012 as null and void. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Caste groups seek prime land in Bengaluru Cho - a multifaceted phenomenon who had admirers even in IT city Top-end car sales decline in B'luru, RTO footfalls down More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Enhancing maximum speed of trains on Secunderabad- Nagpur corridor A 12-member delegation from the Russian Railways visited the South Central Railway (SCR) headquarters in Secunderabad on Wednesday for studying and carrying forward plans for upgradation of the Secunderabad-Nagpur Corridor. The route is slotted for a significant traffic jump. This wedding exuded grandeur A holistic event on wellness More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Despite green ban, netas eye Marina memorial Men who stole phones at funeral held Triplicane police arrested two men who went on a spree stealing nearly 20 mobile phones and wallets from the crowd that had gathered to pay homage to former chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday. Poes Garden house continues to be guarded like a fortress More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Dhrangadhra widow performs rituals at daughter's wedding Daniben Makwana, a 50-year-old resident of Dhrangadhra, was widowed at the age of 30. Breaking stereotypes and setting an example for the community in her town as well as for other widows and their families, Makwana took the initiative to participate in the rituals during her daughter's wedding. Vijay Rupani to raise rehab with MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani shall -at the sidelines of the launch of the Government of India and MP government's 118-day “Namami Devi Narmade Yatra“ on December 11, at Amarkantak--raise the issue of the final resettlement and rehabilitation (R and R) of Sardar Sarovar Project's (SSP) project affected families (PAFs) with MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Youth murdered over alleged affair in Bapunagar An 18-year-old youth died after his throat was slit at around 7.30am in Bapunagar, allegedly by the brother of a girl over the a dalliance between the two.Paresh Thakor, a student of class X and a resident of Hardasnagar, was allegedly murdered when he went out to buy food for his family. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Traditional kitchen for Kalpwasis at Magh Mela 'If BJP forms govt in UP, it will be end of caste-based politics' BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya said mafias would be sent behind the bars once BJP forms its government in the state. Traditional chulhas for kalpwasis at Magh Mela With lakhs of devotees spending over a month on the banks of Ganga and performing kalpwas, the Magh Mela administration has arranged as many as 10,000 ‘chulhas’ (earthen stoves made of soil) for kalpwasis, who would be preparing their meals once a day during their stay on the mela campus. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		ISRO to hold exhibition on space research in Bhubaneswar from December 3 To provide an exposure to various aspects of astronomy and advanced research on the subject Indian Space research organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad will organize a week long exhibition at Pathani Samanta Planetarium here from December 13. Vocational education launched in 208 high schools in Odisha The state government in a bid to create more skilled manpower and to enhance employability of high school students on Wednesday introduced vocational education programme in 208 secondary schools. Students of class IX can opt for any of the four vocational streams including IT and ITEs, retail, travel and tourism and Banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI). Difficulties continue even after one month of demonetisation Even after one month of demonetisation, people across the state are still struggling with cash crunch. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP BJP bows to opposition pressure, debates demonetisation in House MP CM supports demonetisation, Congress walks out Madhya Pradesh loses 29th tiger: A white one this time, over a 'desperate' mating attempt More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Haryana advocate general office to go paperless 'Bicycle ExCon 2016' in Chandigarh on December 8 The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in collaboration with All India Cycle Manufacturers Association (AICMA) and the government of Punjab, is organising the first ‘Bicycle ExCon 2016’ in Chandigarh on December 8 and 9. Pak stalls may not be favourite this year at Punjab International Trade Expo More Chandigarh News»

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