[wanabidii] News Digest: Govt eases rules for old oil, gas blocks

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, March 23, 2017
		Today's Headlines

		Business
		Govt eases rules for old oil, gas blocks PM Modi-led NDA government has been taking steps to boost local oil and gas output, which had been almost stagnant for decades. India imports about 80 percent of its oil needs. Tata Capital launches mobile app to offer personal loans Railways to offer 60-year relief period for stations' revamp Private companies taking up redevelopment of railway stations will get the adjoining land to build malls, hotels and commercial complexes. More Business News»

		Environment
		UN predicts unusual weather in 2017 Extreme weather and climate conditions, including Arctic "heatwaves", have continued into 2017, after global temperatures set record last year and the world witnessed exceptionally low sea ice and unabated ocean heat, the UN weather agency said. Wild chimps have long life spans: Study Wild chimpanzees can lead surprisingly long lives under the right ecological conditions, according to a new study of a large community of our close primate relatives. Beijing to expand funding for reducing air pollution Beijing will expand funding to reduce air pollution in 2017, including phasing out thousands of automobiles and replacing coal furnaces in hundreds of villages, a media report said on Saturday. So far in March, more than 10 days of clear, blue skies have been recorded. More Environment News»

		World
		World leaders stand with Britain after London attack UK Prime Minister Theresa May described the London attack as "sick and depraved" saying the assailant chose the site as an assault on Britain's democratic values. Donald Trump: Different strokes Trump's son criticises London mayor after attack "You have to be kidding me?!" Donald Trump Jr tweeted on Wednesday, as he shared an article from The Independent, and paraphrased its headline as: "Terror attacks are part of living in big city, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan." More World News»

		Science
		South Asian women more at risk of osteoporosis: Study NASA prepares 'futuristic' clock for space In a key advance for safely navigating future human exploration of the solar system, NASA said it is set to send its next-generation atomic clock to space in late 2017. Stephen Hawking plans to travel to space British physicist Stephen Hawking is planning to travel into space onboard Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spacecraft. Hawking, 75, said he had not expected to have the opportunity to experience space but that the Virgin boss had offered him a seat. More Science News»

		Technology
		With almost 200 companies, Indian mobile market may be ripe for acquisitions Some 220 mn units of feature & smartphones are sold in India per year. With over 100 handset brands in a $15-bn market, consolidation is just around the corner. Flipkart's hiring, may lead to changes in middle management After an exodus of the senior management from the company over the past year, online marketplace Flipkart is now hiring to strengthen its engineering team. App usage in india jumps 43%: Report India's app usage is growing at 43% year-on-year with music, media and entertainment applications witnessing the biggest increase at 188%, a study by Yahoo-owned research firm Flurry said on Thursday. More Technology News»

		Education
		CBSE unveils new exam format for classes VI to IX All students will be under a “uniform assessment“ process from Class VI onwards and schools will have to adhere to CBSE's template, from examinations to report cards, which will now bear the logo of the board. NTS to hold most of CBSE entrance tests from 2018 Once the Cabinet's nod is given, the agency will start with the National Entrance Examination for Technical Institution. The move is aimed at decluttering CBSE and the IITs so that they can focus on key areas like quality of education and curriculum. IT-Kharagpur develops superpower drone BHIM More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Pawan Hans along with Mumbai University launches BSc aeronautics Pawan Hans and University of Mumbai signed an MoU on Thursday to offer a dual qualification course in Bachelor of Science (aeronautics) and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. Bombay HC to state: No punitive action against resident doctors if they resume work The court also asked for strict implementation of a rule to permit entry of only two relatives with a patient at all time. Such measure would resolve the safety issue to a large extent, felt the court. Air India official beaten with slippers by Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		40,000 Delhi doctors on mass casual leave to protest rising assaults Over 40,000 resident doctors in the national capital went on a mass Casual Leave on Thursday in support of their counterparts in Maharashtra who are on similar protest following rising assaults. Delhi- Ghaziabad stretch to be signal-free In order to ensure a smooth ride between northeast Delhi and Ghaziabad, PWD has proposed to make the 6.6km stretch on Mangal Pandey Marg signal-free. Sisodia seeks industry help on skill growth Seeking partnership of the Indian industry in skill development, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday asked them to participate in improving infrastructure and standards in Delhi government schools. He also asked them to assist in planning for skill training with focus on employability. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Witness is a cocoa-nut, judge sends him to jail Never before has a Lokayukta Special Court judge had to deal with an unapologetic chocolate-eater on the witness stand. As bizarre as it may sound, an exasperated judge, DT Devendran, had to send a man into police custody straight from the witness box on Wednesday for disrespecting the court after he was caught eating chocolate not once, but four times during the proceedings. By evening, he was produced again before the court and released with a warning. IISC attack suspect thrived as a plumber in Agartala For over a decade Habib Miyan, one of the accused in the 2005 Indian Institute of Science (IISc) terror strike, was leading a normal life as a resident of Jogender Nagar, a densely populated middle-class neighbourhood about four kilometres from the Indo-Bangladesh border in Agartala. According to Tripura police, the 37-year-old-man charge-sheeted in the case as a points-man of Lashkar-e-Toiba for cross-overs into Bangladesh, was known to the residents as a plumber. IAS officer donates father's body to Belgaum Medical College It’s not often that dead bodies are donated for medical research or for students to learn from, and the number of such cases among noted personalities is even less. Kannada actor Lokesh’s family had donated his body to MS Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital when he passed away in the year 2004. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		No scope for BJP wave in Telangana, other parts of south India: KTR Refusing to accept the argument that there is a BJP wave in the country, TRS minister KT Rama Rao said the presence of strong regional parties in states like Telangana will not allow the BJP's juggernaut to roll on. High court tells backward classes panel to get views on Muslim quota The judge was disposing of a writ petition filed by Sasidhar, a research scholar in law, who was opposing the inclusion of Muslims in the BCs list. No land parcels in Old Hyderabad for GHMC's model markets The model markets are a part of the 100 day action plan, a project envisioned by KT Rama Rao, minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Railway minister presents Greenco Bronze shield to Perambur Carriage & Wagon Workshop Southern Railway general manager Vashishta Johri received the Greenco Bronze shield from railway minister Suresh Prabhu on behalf of Carriage & Wagon Workshop, Perambur, on Wednesday. Sri Lankan naval agencies detain 16 Indian fishermen Sri Lankan naval agencies detained 16 Indian fishermen and their two trawlers on Wednesday night for poaching in the territorial waters of the island nation. Singer Chinmayi's online petition to block Twitter users posting rape threats garnering support An online petition by singer Chinmayi Sripada seeking to block users who post rape threats on Twitter has received around 65,000 signs. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Airline loses doctor's bag, gives Rs 1600 as relief Checking-in your bag at the airline counter before boarding a flight is no guarantee that you will receive it intact, as city-based doctor Parth Pandya discovered, much to his annoyance. According to Parth, his luggage was lost during transit when he boarded a SpiceJet flight from Goa to Ahmedabad. Almost 45 days later, the airline has still not been able to locate his bag which contained valuables and important documents. “The airline has washed its hands off by offering me Rs 1,600 compensation. That paltry amount doesn’t even cover the cost of my bag,” claims Parth, 33. Chink in Gir armour: 45% field staff posts lying vacant The state government seems to be taking protection of Gujarat's pride the Asiatic lions very lightly. Gujarat BJP, Congress foggy about raising election funds Even as talk of early elections in the state swirl about, ruling BJP and opposition Congress are uncertain about their respective fund raising programmes. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Cops' eye on hooligans aboard public transport; seek tips from working women Police in Sangam city has taken up a fresh exercise of interaction with working women. In this series, a police team led by SP (city) Vipin Tada on Wednesday interacted with them and appealed to them to share their ideas and suggestions to improve their safety. He also asked them to share their grievances, if any, and their identities would be kept secret. Khaki crackdown on road bullies, 24 in police dragnet Within two days of chief minister Adityanath Yogi taking charge police has stepped up its drive against roadside Romeos and eve-teasers in the city and detained over two dozen people on different charges on Wednesday. In blind cases, cops turn to tech wing Police have turned to the technical wing of the state police, situated in Lucknow, to draw portraits of outlaws to crack down on blind murder or dacoity cases. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha to rehabilitate beggars Swargadwar crematorium, encroached, government to remove squatters In a belated move, the Puri district administration is gearing up to remove encroachment in and around Swargadwar crematorium, facing the sea. At least 30 hotels, lodgings and shops allegedly encroached on nearly 15 acre prime land, which originally belongs to Lord Jagannath. Millet farming helps tribal farmers to eke out a living More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Madhya Pradesh: BJP MLA calls nursing homes, 'slaughter houses' Job snub leaves MANIT topper at a loss for words Vijayavargiya gets active in state amid rumours of his return to state More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		HC dismisses petition challenging Subhash Chandra's RS poll win Students rally to spread green message in Chandigarh Gunmen of advisers to Badal, Sukhbir removed The CM has also removed all gunmen allotted to Badal and Sukhbir's 11 advisors, including Harcharan Bains, Jangveer Singh, Tikshan Sud, Kamal Oswal, Sukhdeep Sidhu, Charanjit Brar. More Chandigarh News»

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