News Digest: Notebandi paralyses House, functioning dips to 6-year low

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, December 16, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Notebandi paralyses House, functioning dips to 6-year low The furore over demonetisation put paid to the best laid plans with Parliament functioning in this session dropping to a mere 17%, the worst in the last six years. This is the sharpest dip since the Modi government came to power. Centre plays Santa with digital payment jackpot The government announced on Thursday daily, weekly and mega cash rewards totalling Rs 340 crore for consumers as well as merchants to incentivise digital payments. Small transactions between Rs 50 and Rs 3,000 will also be eligible for the draw. SC bans sale of liquor on national, state highways The Supreme Court banned sale of alcohol along national and state highways and set a deadline of April 1 next year to shut down all liquor shops situated at a distance of 500 metres from the edge of the highway. More India News»

		Business
		Rs 6,700cr comes in as first tax instalment under IDS The Modi government's much publicised Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS), a four-month window to declare domestic black money, that closed on September 30 has received a little over Rs 6,700 crore as the first instalment of tax that was to be deposited by November 30. Gold, silver tumble on reduced demand, global cues Gold prices plunged at the domestic bullion market here on Thursday following sustained selling by stockists and investors coupled with subdued local buying interest. Lendingkart Finance expands to 462 cities Lendingkart Finance, the NBFC (non-banking finance company) of Lendingkart Group, a leading online platform that facilitates SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to obtain working capital loans, has expanded its reach to 462 cities across the country. More Business News»

		Environment
		Majuli to be India's first carbon neutral district The project, SACReD, Majuli has been initiated to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Majuli Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha said on Thursday. Jha introduced the importance of climate-based decision making and highlighted the need for low emission development strategy for Majuli to ensure sustainable development. Beijing issues red alert for severe air pollution Beijing's municipal government will activate a red alert at 8pm, local time on Friday, when a heavy smog is set to hit the city. This is expected to be lifted on December 21. High-polluting vehicles will be pulled off roads while others will be restricted based on an odd-or-even license plate rule. Agri minister for use of tech to tackle climate change Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday pitched for increased use of cutting-edge technologies including transgenics to address challenges of unknown biotic stress in crops/animals due to climate change. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama admin files trade challenge against China Amid new tensions with China, the Obama administration on Thursday launched its 15th challenge against Beijing at the Word Trade Organization, escalating a long-simmering debate over practices that US officials say limit American farmers' ability to export rice, wheat and corn to the Asian powerhouse. France, Germany joust over Greek PM's handout A row over a pension handout by maverick Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday escalated into a full-blown joust over protracted austerity between EU heavyweights France and Germany. Philippine govt says can live with less aid from US The Philippines government said on Thursday it could live with less aid from the United States after an agency put on hold a decision to fund a second anti-poverty programme. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Mandana Karimi to tie the knot early next year The actress says that her priority is marriage and family. Tiger Shroff doesn't want to leave his parents' den The actor says he will not leave mom and dad even if it means more freedom. Anupam, Annu and Kay Kay inspire their director For Bollywood’s powerhouse actors Anupam Kher, Kay Kay Menon and Annu Kapoor, content is indeed the king. And that, the trio say, is the only reason they agreed to be a part of Agastya Films’ 'Baa Baaa Black Sheep', directed by Vishwas Paandya. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Rise in breast cancer gene testing after Angelina Jolie's NYT writeup, but... Do celebrity endorsements for health-related matters work? They create an awareness don’t always get the desired results, said a study published in the Christmas edition of The BMJ. NASA launches 8 mini-satellites for hurricane forecasting The plane carrying the satellites took off shortly after sunrise Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. An hour later, the co-pilot pushed the button that released the Pegasus rocket and attached satellites from the belly of the plane, 39,000 feet above the Atlantic and 100 miles east of Daytona Beach. Santa doesn't care about nice or naughty kids: Harvard study A quirky – but scientific -- study published in the Christmas edition of The BMJ medical journal states that contrary to the popular notion that Santa gives presents to children who are "nice" and not "naughty", it may be that visits from Santa have more to do with socio-economic factors. The study has been done by researchers from the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health after calling up 186 hospital pediatric departments. More Science News»

		Sports
		Virat Kohli urges India to 'leave mark on world cricket' Virat Kohli called on his players to build on recent successes and become a team that can be mentioned in the same breath as Don Bradman's Australian "Invincibles" and the legendary West Indies side of the 1980s. Junior Hockey World Cup: India beat Spain 2-1 to enter semis It was a far from impressive performance by the Indians, who are touted as title contenders as they fumbled in almost all departments of the game. The hosts will meet Australia in the semi-final on Friday. Simranjeet equalised for India after Marc Serrahima gave Spain the lead in the 22nd minute. Sindhu loses second match at BWF World Super Series Final PV Sindhu, who recently clinched the China Super Series Premier and reached the finals at the Hong Kong Open, lost 15-21, 17-21 to World No 6 Sun Yu of China in a Group B contest that lasted 49 minutes. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Cyrus Mistry removed as director from Tata Teleservices Board Mistry said in a letter to the board last month that the business was "continuously haemorrhaging" and had even questioned the alliance in his statements to the group. Yahoo hit by world's biggest hacking attack Yahoo has warned that it had uncovered yet another massive cyberattack, saying data from more than 1 billion user accounts was compromised in August 2013, making it the largest breach in history. Wipro creates independent India unit Effective April, the India and Middle East unit will be reorganized into two separate businesses, signalling the increasing opportunities in the domestic market as the government embarks on large-scale digital transformation projects. More Technology News»

		Education
		NEET super specialty exam to be held on June 10, 2017 "The examination being conducted by the National Board of Examinations, shall be held as a computer-based test and shall comprise of 200 multiple choice questions from the MD/MS curriculum followed at medical colleges in India duly prescribed /adopted by Medical Council of India with prior approval of the Health Ministry," said the statement. Prakash Javadekar confident X Boards will be reintroduced from 2017-18 "This month there will be a CBSE Board meeting, in which there will be a resolution (for compulsory class X board exams). So, I am very sure from academic session 2017-18, Board examination will be mandatory for all students," Javadekar told PTI. Bihar CM writes to Sushma Swaraj, asks Centre to maintain autonomy of Nalanda University ​Hurt over George Yeo’s recent resignation as Nalanda University’s chancellor, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has written a strong-worded letter to the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, urging the NDA Government not to tamper with the essence behind the ‘idea of Nalanda’. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		ED probes if Mallya bought foreign assets with laundered funds The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating leads to ascertain if suspected proceeds from money laundering were used by businessman Vijay Mallya to purchase 15 overseas properties, including his current residence in Hertfordshire, UK. Bill to regulate private engineering, medical admissions and fees passed The legislative assembly on Thursday evening passed a bill to amend the Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Education Institutions (Regulation of Admission Fees) Act, which will enable the government to regulate fees of all colleges and restrict private institutions from conducting common entrance tests . Three Ghatkopar bank staffers caught ferrying Rs 10cr in defunct notes to Pune Three employees of a cooperative bank in Ghatkopar, including its manager, were caught at Chheda Nagar junction in Chembur on Thursday evening while ferrying Rs 10.1 crore, mostly in now defunct notes, in a private car to Pune. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Gang of car thieves busted in S Delhi Six vehicle mechanics-turned-alleged vehicle thieves stealing specific models of Toyota Innova cars from south Delhi were arrested on Wednesday . The men would target vehicles produced between 2011and 2015, and drive off the stolen vehicles to their factory in Meerut where the cars would be dismantled and sold in parts or sold off as new vehicles in UP and Uttarkhand. Map areas with worst pollution record: HC The Delhi high court on Thursday termed “alarming“ the figure of nearly 10,000 tonnes of particulate matter emitted due to paddy straw burning this season. Not a single case registered under Air Act in most polluted metro Delhi might have been at the heart of campaigns against pollution, but not a single case was registered here for violation of the Air Act in 2015. Of the 50 cases filed across the country, 42 were in Maharashtra alone. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Kempegowda International Airport clocks 2million flyers in November, 3rd biggest in country Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has handled a whopping 20 million passengers so far this year, breaking into the league of top three in the country. Villagers plan to build memorial for Sidda Wild elephant Sidda and his weeks of spirited fight before succumbing to injuries on December 9 is still etched in the memory of villagers of Manchanabele, Avverahalli, Chikkanahalli and Magadi of Ramanagara district. Lobbying begins as HY Meti's exit opens door for ministerial aspirants Chief minister Siddaramaiah will have his task cut out to fill the lone vacancy in the cabinet, created by the unceremonious exit of former excise minister HY Meti, with intense lobbying going on within the party. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Artists bonded at this do A power-packed ring ceremony Christmas just isn't the same without the sweet taste of homemade wine! More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		DMK President M Karunanidhi admitted to Kauvery hospital in Chennai DMK President M Karunanidhi was admitted to Kauvery hospital here late tonight after he complained of difficulty in breathing due to throat and lung infection. The hospital said that he is stable and is being treated by a team of doctors. ​ File affidavit or turn up, HC tells civil supplies CID chief Six injured as residents protest lack of amenities More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		3-year jail awaits hookah bar owners The Gujarat cabinet on Thursday approved a new ordinance banning hookah bars in the state. The government claimed these bars were ruining the life of youngsters. IMFL seized in Bapunagar and Dariapur City police on Thursday evening made seizures of Indian-made foriegn liquor (IMFL) at two places in the city, Bapunagar and Dariapur. Cops told to crack down 10 days ago The state government and police had been working for a month to ready the ban on hookah bars. Police sources said that recently, state police, along with officials from the home department, had a meeting with Pradeepsinh Jadeja, minister of state, home, in which the idea of issuing an ordinance to ban hookah bars was discussed. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Unclaimed bag near bank creates a flutter An unclaimed bag lying near a nationalized bank at Civil Lines on Thursday sent police into tizzy. SHIATS security tightened after employees assaulted SHIATS on Thursday handed over a three-point memorandum to the SSP and ADM (City) demanding stringent against those involved in the incident. Note ban hiccup: Excise department meets only 74 per cent target in Nov Demonetisation had forced the country-made liquor shops, wine shops and bars in the city to switch to cashless modes of payment. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Bhubaneswar mayor in soup over 'sex scandal' video Odia Quadriplegic actor in Hindi film Uproar in house over detention of farmers The assembly failed to transact any business on Wednesday as opposition Congress and BJP members created pandemonium opposing police excesses on farmers in different parts of the state. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Family donates elderly man's body "My father believed in simple living, he worked in postal department and got retired from post of chief accounts officer in 1994.Since he didn't do any social work with any NGO, he had a wish to serve the society," . Lokayukta case: State government nod to prosecute IAS Ramesh Thete Digvijaya Singh to file case in CBI court, says lawyer Vivek Tankha More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Nabha gangsters still at large, 2 senior superintendents of police's get bullet-proof vehicles Two young senior superintendents of police (SSPs), who have served long in the Badal family bastions of Bathinda and Muktsar, have been provided with bulletproof vehicles apparently after intelligence inputs cited threat to these cops from the gangsters who escaped from the Nabha jail last month. Show proof of drug issue scope claim, Sukhbir Singh Badal tells Arvind Kejriwal Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has asked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal to either come up with documents to prove his claim that around 40 lakh youths in the state were drug addicts or “stop defaming Punjab and Punjabis”. Planned for 2025, sewage treatment plant can't meet today's needs A December 12 visit by Punjab chief minister's principal secretary, S K Sandhu, to the recently-built sewage treatment plant (STP) in Jalandhar's Basti Peer Daad has revealed that it lacks the capacity to treat the polluted water it is receiving from the Kala Sanghian drain. More Chandigarh News»

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