[wanabidii] News Digest: Foreign holiday plans likely to crash with falling rupee

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, January 28, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		Business
		Foreign holiday plans likely to crash with falling rupee Outbound tour operators say prospective travellers will have to cough up more on foreign trips at the current exchange rates. Non-IT firms hunt for digital talent “Digitisation is the way forward, and a digital strategy brings speed, efficacy and probity which are essential for progress,” said Rajeev Bhadauria. Sensex trips 92pts on derivatives expiry, weak Asian cues Other Asian markets got the blues after the US Fed hinted at more interest rate hikes this year despite the lingering economic uncertainty, which also hit sentiment. More Business News»

		Environment
		Human impact has created a 'plastic planet' Earth's surface is being noticeably altered by the production of long-lasting man-made materials, resulting in us entering an 'age of plastic', according to a new study. 'International trade triggering nitrogen pollution' In the first ever global Nitrogen footprint study, China (20%) has been identified as world’s top nitrogen emitting country followed by India (11%). Both the nations have been tagged as Net Exporters which means that the total nitrogen emissions are higher for their exports than their imports. Indonesian birds on the brink as forests plundered The jungles of the archipelago are home to 131 threatened bird species, according to wildlife trade watchdog TRAFFIC, more than any other country except Brazil. There are a dizzying array of exotic species, from the Sumatran laughingthrush, to the chattering lory and the black-winged myna. More Environment News»

		World
		UNESCO World Heritage Sites under threat  A host of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites across the world are facing major challenges. At least 12 migrants, including 8 children, drown off Greece The coast guard said the survivors were in shock and their accounts of how many people were on board were confused and vague. Five of the survivors were found clinging to a piece of wood, leading authorities to believe that the vessel that sank was made of wood. Republicans don't see Trump as religious: Poll Most Americans do not believe Donald Trump, the Republican presidential front runner, is very religious or even religious at all, says a poll released Wednesday. More World News»

		Science
		Neuroticism predicts depression disorders: Study Young people who are high on the personality trait of neuroticism are more likely to develop both anxiety and depression disorders, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have found. NASA maps new view of World Heritage Site The data collected on the two flights will help Peruvian authorities fully catalogue the thousand-year-old designs drawn on the ground in and around the site for the first time. 'Coffee doesn't give extra heartbeats' Contrary to current belief, regular caffeine consumption does not lead to extra heartbeats, which causes heart or stroke-related morbidity and mortality in rare cases, scientists, including one of Indianorigin, have found. More Science News»

		Technology
		Coolpad Note 3 Lite Review: Great performer at a great price We bring you the detailed review of Coolpad Note 3 Lite which promises to deliver exceptional performance at a pocket friendly price. As iPhone sales fall, what's next for Apple The bloom may be off Apple's iPhone, at least for now. So now the pressure is on the iconic Silicon Valley company to come up with its next big thing. 10 hot smartphones coming in 2016 here's over to some of the big-ticket launches scheduled for 2016. More Technology News»

		Education
		12% rise in average pay packet at IIM-Kozhikode IIM-Kozhikode completed the final placements for their post-graduate programme students in record seven days. Three-day Innovation Festival of Nehru Science Centre to begin from January 29 Three-day Innovation Festival of Nehru Science Centre starting from January 29. AMU opens centre for interfaith understanding To mark the bicentenary celebrations of the birth of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 2017, Aligarh Muslim University has opened Centre for Interfaith Understanding to foster a culture of liberal views and tolerance. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Fire breaks out in Deonar, local contractors come to rescue A fire broke out so deep within the garbage dumps of Deonar on Thursday morning that a fire-brigade vehicle was unable to reach it. Fire at garbage dump, green experts see red A fire broke out so deep within the garbage dumps of Deonar on Thursday morning that the fire tender could not reach the place. Environmentalists are horrified at the routine nature of such fires. Pay property tax online from April 1 The civic body is set to roll out online assessment and payment of property tax in the city from April 1. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Anti-GM coalition objects to Niti Aayog's paper The GM-free coalition consisting of environmentalists, scientists and farmers have taken objection to a paper of the Niti Ayog titled "Raising Agricultural Productivity and Making Farming Remunerative for Farmers" published recently which has a section on GM crops. Delhi CMO forwards plea to 29 departments, faces CIC's ire The Central Information Commission (CIC) has pulled up the office of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for “not applying its mind” before forwarding the petition of a senior citizen seeking to know the status of his pension to 29 departments. 1 car per flat in society parking lots: Delhi HC Delhi high court on Wednesday ruled that a flat owner can park only one vehicle in a designated slot inside the complex unless granted exemption, reports Abhinav Garg. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		20-year-old scripted his own abduction to escape exams The first-year Bachelor of Arts student pursuing history, economics, and political science sent an SOS saying he had been kidnapped by unidentified miscreants on January 19, the day his semester exams began. Top five travel trends of 2016 Whether or not it transposes into reality, exploring a new travel destination is undeniably the most exciting bit of the wish list we draw out every new year. Coworking spaces catch on among city start-ups That Bengaluru serves as a cocoon for the growing cadre of independent professionals – from entrepreneurs to freelancers – has earned the city the ‘start-up capital of the country’ badge. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Now, teachers to join hunger strike After students, it's members of the SC/ST Teachers' Forum who have now decided to sit on an indefinite hunger strike from January 28 to demand vice chancellor Appa Rao Podile's ouster. ANU students observe bandh Student of Acharya Nagarjuna University here on Wednesday boycotted classes and shouted slogans demanding the resignation of University of Hyderabad vice-chancellor Prof Appa Rao Podile. University of Hyderabad's 'Brahmin Well' in spotlight again Dug in the late 1980s at the behest of a mathematics professor, V Kannan, the well, until recently, exclusively served the highbrowed Brahmin class. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Tamil Nadu yet to submit plan on protecting biodiversity of Western Ghats Tamil Nadu is yet to submit its plan on conserving and protecting the biodiversity of the Western Ghats while five other states have already submitted the plans, said Union minister for environments and forests Prakash Javadekar on Thursday.  NGT directs PWD chief engineer to monitor desilting work at Srivaikuntam dam The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed the PWD chief engineer in Madurai division to continuously monitor the desilting works at Srivaikuntam dam in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu. Rajini may lose his appeal if he declares his political affiliation More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Eyeing global markets, banks flock to IFSC at GIFT City India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City in Gandhinagar has caught the fancy of top banks in the country. Stock and commodities exchanges may be awaiting tax breaks to set up their shops, but as many as 22 banks have queued up to establish their IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) in GIFT City. Lab to pay Rs 18.5L damages for false test report The state consumer court has ordered a local diagnostic laboratory to compensate Kutch-based couple, Jitendra and Usha Bhanushali, with Rs 18.5 lakh for a false negative blood report that led to a medical horror in the couple's life. Pak abducts 48 fishermen, seizes 8 boats The Pakistan marine agency abducted 48 fishermen from Saurashtra and seized their eight boats near International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off Jakhau coast on Monday morning. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad University's SC-ST cell to re-start After lying defunct for several years, the SC/ST Cell, a forum for the SC and ST students, teachers and employees of Allahabad University, has been made functional again. Examinees seek centres near home Examinees preparing for competitive examinations staged a demonstration at Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) on Tuesday, demanding allotment of examination centres at their home town or districts nearby. Magh Mela: BJP, VHP to launch agitation for Swami Vasudevanand Maharaj Activists of BJP and VHP expressed concern on Wednesday over how Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati Maharaj hasn't been given proper facilities at the ongoing Magh Mela, despite his requests. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Leprosy cases rise to 10,645 in state The number of leprosy patients has risen in the state since 2006 because very few people are employed to take care of the existing ones, alleged State Leprosy Welfare Federation president Duryodhan Sahu here on Wednesday. Xavier Varsity to screen selected films from MIFF Film lovers in the city will get an unique opportunity to watch some of the selected documentary, animation and short films to be screened at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). Book rooms at sanctuaries at the click of a mouse The Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) will facilitate online booking of tourist accommodation facilities at eco-tourism sites in wildlife sanctuaries across the state. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Cabinet rank to corporation heads put MP ministers in discomfort Getting cabinet rank to his favourite leaders by nominating heads of boards and corporations has put several ministers of Shivraj Singh team in dilemma. Maihar assembly seat bypoll: Congress-Gondwana Gantantra Party enter poll alliance in Madhya Pradesh A fortnight before Maihar assembly seat bypoll, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday entered into a poll-alliance with Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) to woo tribal voters in the constituency. R-Day celebrations in MP: Guv lists agri-sector achievements Riding high on agriculture, Madhya Pradesh has "possibly" registered the highest growth rate in the sector globally which continues to stand at more than 20 per cent since the last four years, Governor Ram Naresh Yadav said here on Tuesday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Govt steps up canvassing for biz meet Stepping up its campaign to bring maximum investments to Haryana through the global business summit that will be held in Gurgaon in March, the Manohar Lal Khattar government will hold road shows in Kolkata on January 30, Hyderabad on February 10, Mumbai on February14 and Bangalore on February 23. More than 10% sarpanches in state graduates Following the imposition of education clause on panchayat election candidates, Haryana has shown a marked rise in the number of graduate sarpanchs. Man kills self, alleges wife forced daughter to sleep with cops A man from Sonipat committed suicide in the parking lot of Haryana civil secretariat here on Wednesday. More Chandigarh News»

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