[wanabidii] News Digest: Govt spent Rs 7,637cr for metro projects this fiscal

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, December 23, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		Business
		Govt spent Rs 7,637cr for metro projects this fiscal The Urban Development Ministry has shelled out Rs 7,637 crore towards metro rail projects in five states and the national capital in the current financial year till November, Lok Sabha was informed today. Gold tumbles on low demand, weak global cues Snapping its three-day winning run, gold plunged by Rs 140 to Rs 25,610 per ten grams at the bullion market today as demand from jewellers at existing levels eased amid a weak trend overseas. Sensex rebounds 210 points on global cues  The 30-share index recovered 209.87 points, or 0.82%, to 25,800.52, with all sectoral indices led by metal, healthcare and realty trading in the green, advancing by up to 1.40%. More Business News»

		Environment
		Amid smog crisis, China vows more liveable cities China vowed on Tuesday that it would make "liveable" cities a central goal of China's urban planning, amid persistent problems over choking smog that frequently blankets the populous east and north. Fuel adulteration: NGT orders inspection of petrol pumps An engineer on Monday moved the National Green Tribunal against alleged adulteration of petrol and diesel at fuel stations prompting the green panel to direct inspection of petrol pumps across Delhi-NCR and seek a response from the Centre on the issue. US enacts protections for lions after Cecil furore Amid the furore over the killing of a well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe earlier this year, the Obama administration is expected to extend Endangered Species Act protections for two breeds of lions. More Environment News»

		World
		Russia 'directly targeting civilians' in Syria war crimes Campaigners say Moscow's actions in Syria have gone 'from callous to catastrophic', as its air strikes kill 16 civilians for every one fighter South Korean refuses to review WWII treaty with Japan Seoul's Constitutional Court said that the accord was never meant to serve as a standard for providing individual compensation. Greece legalizes same-sex civil partnerships Greece's parliament has overwhelmingly approved legislation legalizing civil partnerships for gay couples, two years after the country was condemned by a European human rights court for discrimination. More World News»

		Science
		Potatoes to be grown on Earth under Mars-like conditions Scientists plan to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions simulated on Earth, in a major step towards building a controlled dome on the red planet capable of farming the invaluable crop. Malta: On a Mediterranean island, but far from a Mediterranean diet The Mediterranean has long been known for its mix of sun, sea, fish, nuts and olives, a combination considered an elixir of health and fitness. Blue-eye gene traced to stone age man If you have ever wondered why, like Cameron Diaz, Leonard Di Caprio and Frank Sinatra, you have blue eyes it is because you share a gene mutation first seen in a stone age man who lived around 7,000 years ago. More Science News»

		Technology
		11 easy tricks to make your iPhone run faster Two years of everyday use can take a toll on your iPhone, but these tips and tricks should be able to hold you over until your next upgrade. Google working on smarter messaging app: WSJ Google, part of Alphabet Inc, is building a new mobile messaging application to better compete with rival services such as those offered by Facebook Inc, The Wall Street Journal reported. Google's list of 50 best Android apps of 2015 Here's over to the 50 best apps of 2015, which the search giant has termed as the 'must-have apps of the year'. More Technology News»

		Education
		We're a valid institution, not blacklisted: US university  Hordes of Indian students are landing up in two US universities - Silicon Valley University (SVU) and Northwestern Polytechnic University-which look more like warehouses than varsities.  Indians flock to US 'educational warehouses' Some half dozen cars are parked in the largely empty lot of the warehouse style building bearing the name SVU - for Silicon Valley University -- on Fortune Drive in San Jose. IIT-Madras signs MoU with Indian Railways on research for advancement of technology IIT-Madras signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Railways on Tuesday to develop a long-term frame work for research collaboration and advancement of technology. The MoU will be operative for a period of three years. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		We are appealing against Salman verdict: Maharashtra govt tells HC State government told Bombay high court on Wednesday that it has decided to appeal against the Salman Khan acquittal verdict. Minimum temperatures drop to 11.6 degrees Celsius in Mumbai Mumbaikars woke up to a shivering morning on Wednesday after minimum temperatures recorded by IMD Santa Cruz fell to 11.6 degrees Celsius. This is the second lowest minimum temperatures recorded for the month of December since 2004. Mumbai's chic bakeries alter Christmas dessert trends It is commonly known that the most of the people who buy Christmas cakes nd goodies are non-Christians. Now, even the most stylish new bakeries have come up n enclaves that do not have a Catholic population. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Dilbagh Singh and Milind Gaba perform at Cinema Lounge in Delhi Celebrating one year in the business, Cinema Lounge in GK II recently threw a bash for its patrons. Ayushmann Khurrana performs at The Flying Saucer Cafe in Delhi Tunes like Paani Da Rang and Saddi Gali Aaja greeted party lovers in Nehru Place, when singer and actor Ayushmann Khurrana performed at The Flying Saucer Cafe recently. Priyank Sukhija hosts sneak preview of Tamasha in Delhi It was yet another grand evening in the city when restaurateur Priyank Sukhija hosted a sneak preview of Tamasha in Connaught Place. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Education is about building of character: President Pranab Mukherjee “The aim of all education should be building of character and not merely injecting of information,” said the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday. Extension of Metro services in Bengaluru On the eve of Christmas on December 24, 2015 and on the eve of New Year on December 31, 2015, the train services in Reach 1 section between MG Road to Baiyappanahalli stations and in Reach 3/3A/3B section between Mantri Square Sampige Road to Nagasandra Stations in Bengaluru are extended. Bengaluru scientists develop artificial liver tissue At a time when scientists all over the world are struggling to develop artificial liver tissue, three Bengaluru scientists have actually developed such tissues that perform functions of the human liver. This breakthrough has not just brightened hopes for patients seeking liver tissues from live donors, but has also brought a potential alternative to artificial extracorporeal liver support (or liver dialysis) used in detoxification treatment for liver failure - a process similar to hemodialysis. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Depressed, sword-wielding techie runs amok, gunned down by cops A 28-year-old software engineer, Balwinder Singh, reportedly depressed over his performance in the All India Civil Services examinations, was shot by the police while on an attacking spree with a sword on a street near his house in the Lakshminagar area of Telangana’s Karimnagar on Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh warehousing capacity to be doubled To ensure remunerative prices for farmers, the warehousing capacity will be doubled in the state, AP State Warehousing Corporation chairman LVSRK Prasad said. After taking charge, he said that his main task would be to provide more godown space to farmers so that there would not be any distress sale and losses. Telangana to get Rs 60,000 cr Nabard loan Telangana will receive close to Rs 60,000 crore as loan from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) to invest in priority sectors in the financial year 2016-17. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Bank security guard found dead in Tamil Nadu A 55-year-old security guard at the branch of the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Bank near Nallur in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu was found dead on Wednesday morning. Jayalalithaa urges Modi to convene special session of Parliament to facilitate conduct of jallikattu in TN Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament, or extend the winter session, to pass a bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act so that jallikattu (taming of the bull) can be held in the state during the Pongal festival in mid-January. Woman 'wrongly' held at airport gets Rs 2L in damages Fourteen months after immigration officials and the Chennai airport police arrested Sarah Thomas, 48, an employee with a multinational company in Dubai who they mistook for a CBI-wanted fugitive, the Madras high court on Tuesday awarded her Rs 2 lakh as compensation. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Former president Kalam's wish fulfilled after 11 years The plight of three obese kids and their parents from Rajasthan’s Sikar had moved the then President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who directed authorities to take up the treatment of the children. The help has finally reached the kids, now adolescent, 11 years after their parents had received a letter from Dr Kalam’s office in November 2004. Ban Chinese lanterns in three days: HC to govt Residents of the city will miss the spectacle which happens during Uttarayan when the sky is dotted with Chinese lantern. The Gujarat high court on Tuesday directed the state government to ban manufacturing and sale of these lanterns within three days. Probe panel submits report in Vijoy case The state government then gave the inquiry to the two-member panel. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Top cop tells men to curb post-poll violence In view of the the spate of post-poll violence across the state, police have undertaken a survey to gauge the general mood after the announcement of panchayat election results. GRP nabs 3 for stealing Sleuths of Government Railway Police ( GRP) were successful in nabbing three persons involved in stealing luggage of the passengers including mobile phones. They were arrested from Allahabad junction on Tuesday. Many mobile phones have been recovered from the possession. UPPSC employee suspended for demanding bribe An employee of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has been suspended for allegedly demanding bribe from an aspirant for getting him selected in Technical Assistant Group C-2015 examination. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Naidu panel submits Kandhmal inquiry report, indicates Maoist hand in Saraswati killing The Justice A S Naidu Commission on Tuesday submitted to the state government its inquiry report on the 2008 ethno-communal violence in Kandhmal that drew condemnation from within and outside the country. First conviction in chit fund scams in Odisha In the first-ever conviction in the Odisha mega chit fund scam, a special CBI court here on Tuesday sentenced a former managing director of Eshore Developers Ltd to two years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 72,000 on him. Centre to boost state's coastal security The Centre will provide 26 boats to boost coastal security in Odisha soon, Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		It was over 15 years ago when bhopalis were last tested for driving Class 11 student, Gladwin Jacob, recently died in a road accident while heading to school on his two-wheeler without a helmet. There is no guarantee if others too are driving safe in the city, as hardly any person driving on city roads undergoes driving test. CM, Menon stamp likely on choice of state BJP prez Selection of state BJP president might finally be the call of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and organizational general secretary Arvind Menon. Election for state BJP president is expected to be held around mid-January next year. UGC recognises computer programmes offered by CBSE From the next academic session, students who have studied informatics practices in Class XII will not face trouble while taking admissions to undergraduate courses. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Badal asks villagers to keep check on quality of development works in their areas Reiterating the commitment of the state government to provide better civic amenities to the rural populace in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said that special thrust should be laid on quality control of the ongoing development works in the villages. He too liked them standing tall Even as residents were divided over the proposal of the UT administration to allow high-rise buildings along the Vikas Marg, the man who had built the city was a major proponent of skyscrapers for solving urban housing crisis and built them too. Planes fly, kids hold the remote! The air filled with whistles and hooting as aircraft models of students took their first flight at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula on Tuesday. More Chandigarh News»

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