News Digest: US to accept H-1B visas from today

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, April 01, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		US to accept H-1B visas from today US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made elaborate arrangement for receiving applications for the much coveted H-1B visas, beginning on Tuesday, to meet the expected rush. Lok Sabha polls: Will not let NCP enter NDA after polls, Uddhav Thackeray says Uddhav Thackeray has warned the BJP that the Shiv Sena will oppose any move to have the Sharad Pawar-led NCP on board the NDA alliance after elections. Can Nitin Gadkari end Cong's Nagpur dream run? BJP has fielded someone who is described as its best candidate yet from Nagpur—former national president Nitin Gadkari More India News»

		Business
		March salary to be delayed, Sahara group tells employees Sahara India Pariwar issued another circular to its workers on Monday saying March, 2014 salaries will be delayed. US company in talks to acquire Educomp A large US-based strategic acquirer is in fairly advanced talks to buy majority shares in Educomp Solutions, a diversified education services provider, as its founder seeks to restructure the debt-laden company. Airlines find a smart way to cut carbon footprint For a decade now, several airlines the world over have adopted the practice of shutting down one engine after landing, in a practice called single-engine taxi-in. More Business News»

		Environment
		Wild dog seen for the first time in Bengal Asiatic wild dog, also known as Indian wild dog or dhole and listed endangered under the IUCN red list, has been sighted for the first time in the Jaldapara National Park in north Bengal recently. African leopard dies due to kidney failure in Junagadh Zoo A 12-year-old African leopard (male) died on Monday at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh. UN report on Climate change: Regional impact More Environment News»

		World
		MH370: Malaysia corrects last words The admission is likely to add to criticism of the Malaysian authorities' handling of the search for the Malaysia Airlines flight which vanished on March 8 during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Russia boycotts UN meeting with Ukraine's Tatars Lithuania's UN deputy ambassador Rita Kazragien countered that many Security Council members consider the referendum on Crimea's status illegal and don't recognize its annexation. Nairobi blasts kill at least six: Police Three almost simultaneous blasts in the main Somali district of the Kenyan capital Nairobi Monday left at least six people dead and scores injured, said police, raising suspicions of terrorism. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Alia Bhatt still jokes about her kiss with Arjun Kapoor As far as her kiss with Arjun Kapoor in 2 States goes, Alia Bhatt sure’s making light of it. Kapil Sharma - brand ambassador for elections 2014 Kapil Sharma is the latest brand ambassador for the upcoming elections Ranbir Kapoor avoids box-office clash with Aamir Khan? It seems another box-office showdown has been averted. This Christmas, Aamir Khan-starrer 'Peekay' was to release with Ranbir Kapoor's 'Bombay Velvet'. However, now reports suggest that 'Bombay Velvet' release date may be pushed back to avert the clash. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Scientists develop test to identify date rape drug in 30 seconds While GHB Orange has proven to be efficient in detecting GHB in beverages, there is a need to develop a test kit that is convenient for users to use and carry around. Future cities to have glow-in-the-dark trees, heated pavements The 'smart' cities of the future could have glow-in-the-dark trees to replace street lights, and gardens that grow vertically up walls, according to a new report. Tweaked gene in enzyme increases risk of obesity British scientists have found that people with a tweaked gene in their carb digesting enzyme may be at a higher risk of obesity. More Science News»

		Sports
		Dhoni and Yuvraj rediscover the magic MS Dhoni and Yurvaj Singh have batted together 18 times in Twenty20 Internationals and aggregated 657 runs with one 100-stand and four 50-plus stands. 'Anand one of the greatest of our times' Hailing Anand's Candidates win as convincing, FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhin termed the Indian ace as "strongest and greatest players of modern times." Facing Ajmal is not an issue: Saqlain As spin-bowling consultant of the West Indies, Saqlain Mushtaq is imparting his knowledge of the art to the likes of tweakers Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple's war on Samsung has Google in crossfire If Apple wins, Google may have to make critical changes to Android, and Samsung and other manufacturers might have to modify the software on their phones. Android app by Indian developer caught mining bitcoins Songs, an app probably used by a few million Indian Android users, was among the two apps recently caught covertly using smartphones for mining bitcoins and dogecoins. Hands-on: Gionee Elife S5.5, world's slimmest phone Here are the first impressions of world's slimmest smartphone Gionee Elife S5.5, which is just 5.5mm thick. More Technology News»

		Education
		Now, English and Foreign Languages University VC in line of CAG fire The audit revealed the VC drew Rs.4.40 lakh as HRA, ignoring the fact that she is not entitled to HRA. Tech institutes must have dual accreditation Technical institutes offering courses in engineering, pharmacy, hotel management, etc will now have to go for dual accreditation. Delhi University mulls merit lists for admissions Just meeting the cutoff may not ensure admission in a Delhi University college this year onwards. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Javed Jaaferi makes poll debut from Lucknow MumBhai Javed Jaaferi will make his electoral debut as AAP candidate from Lucknow. Maharashtra goes to polls: Can colleges hold exams on April 15, 18, 25? While teachers have been called for instructions about their postings on poll days on April 15, the election commission (EC) might need the colleges a day after the polls in the city—April 18 and 25. Navi Mumbai youth murdered, two held The two reportedly bludgeoned the victim, Pradeep Shinde (21), with a stump and a stone. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		AAP's professor peddles growth dream in manifesto Aam Aadmi Party's candidate for North East Delhi constituency, professor Anand Kumar, released the manifesto for the Lok Sabha seat on Monday. Elect Girri for Modi and Vardhan, says Jaitley "Buy one, get two free" was senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley's pitch for Maheish Girri-the party's candidate from East Delhi-in his speech at Krishna Nagar on Monday evening.  BJP ducks SC's govt question  BJP on Monday refused to answer the Supreme Court's "will you stake claim" query, terming it political in nature.  More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Kriti Kharbanda, Sanjjanna and Rakshit Shetty attend BMS College fest in Bangalore Sandalwood stars add a dose of glamour Aslam Gafoor experiences a day in the life of a chef at Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Serving up a special order Anisha and Madhuri meet for afternoon tea at ITC Windsor, Bangalore An afternoon soiree More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Now, English and Foreign Languages University VC in line of CAG fire The audit revealed the VC drew Rs.4.40 lakh as HRA, ignoring the fact that she is not entitled to HRA.  Ugadi predictions: Bumper harvest, price rise of essential commodities Attended by several officials including chief secretary P K Mohanty, city-based astrologer Machiraju Venugopal said the monsoons will arrive on time this year and farmers can therefore be assured of a bumper harvest. Andhra parties eye 'cosmopolitan' Serilingampally segment Owing to its cosmopolitan electorate, Serilingampally has become the centre of attraction for all parties in Greater Hyderabad. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Vaiko pickets road to protest EC officer's snub MDMK general secretary Vaiko went on a flash strike at Periavallikulam in Virudhunagar district to protest the alleged abuse of his party cadre by some Election Commission officials.  Poll orders dry up at printing hub Any election meant big business for the printing units in Sivakasi till a few years back. Political parties contesting the polls used to give orders at these units for printing wall posters, pamphlets and handbooks for electioneering.  Candidates throw parties online to get pulse of voters Graffiti on walls may be off limits because of the Election Commission’s stringent rules, but parties are still using walls — in the virtual world — to get their message across. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Will Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu see woman candidate this time? Will the two tiny constituencies of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu see any woman contestant this Lok Sabha polls? The two union territories neighbouring Gujarat are two Lok Sabha constituencies. Govt staff among 12 caught for gambling A team of local crime branch (LCB) of Gandhinagar police rounded up 12 people on Sunday night after they were caught gambling. Hearing begins on Pradeep Sharma's plea for FIR Suspended IAS officer Pradeep Sharma's lawyer submitted before Gujarat high court (HC) on Monday that Gandhinagar police failed to perform their duty by not registering an FIR in the snooping incident. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		More 'drive slowly' signboards to come up in city Roads accidents are rising in the city. Headquarters team bags top spot at NCR sports meet The closing ceremony of North Central Railway Officers' Sports and Cultural Meet was organized at Railgaon stadium on Sunday. Cops review security ahead of Navratra Preparations were on in full swing at the three most popular temples in the city — Alopidevi, Kalyanidevi and Lalitadevi — on the eve of Navratra on Sunday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Elections add shine to Silver City's mood Election time is no less than a festival in the Millennium City. 400 buses off road protesting police action Alleging unlawful detention of staff of two buses by the police, private bus operators in Maoist-prone Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts of Odisha resorted to an indefinite strike and kept their vehicles off the roads today. Bus owners protest cop action Passengers had a harrowing time on Saturday as private bus owners association kept their vehicles off the road across Koraput and Malkangiri districts in protest against alleged detention of two buses by police in Malkangiri district. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Heavyweight candidates up against namesakes in MP There’s a lot in a name in the run-up to the elections in Madhya Pradesh. Many candidates are propping up unknowns with names similar to that of their opponents to hurt the latter’s vote banks. Paper collected and photocopied, exam taken after 4 hours The result was the paper, which was held in other colleges of Vidisha at 8 am could begin four hours after that. 10 killed as dumper hits tractor trolley in Sehore At least ten people were killed when a tractor trolley in which they were travelling was hit by a dumper near Nasrullahganj in Sehore late on Sunday evening.The trolley overturned due to impact of collision. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Mansa Devi temple bells don't toll for VIPs this Navaratra Mansa Devi temple teemed with people on Day 1 of Navaratra festival on Monday but the section that customarily flocked in huge numbers for preferential treatment was absent. Voters want city safe for women On its sixth day, TOI's 'Rise Up' campaign reached Sector 17 plaza where 400 people pledged to vote this Lok Sabha elections. Election wing holds awareness programme With an aim to encourage citizens to vote, the election wing organized an awareness programme in Badheri village and Adarsh colony, Chandigarh, on Monday. More Chandigarh News»

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Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, March 31, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		BJP faces Jaswant-like problem in Fatehpur Sikri BJP leader from Fatehpur Sikri, Udaybhaan Singh is preparing to contest the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate. Amartya Sen to vote after 13 years Nobel laureate Amartya Sen will cast his vote after 13 years in Santiniketan on April 30. Lok Sabha polls: Political circus stage managed by professionals in UP The insinuation so far that political parties bring ‘hired’ crowd to rally venues has finally proved true. More India News»

		Business
		Snapdeal may hit $1bn sales this year Snapdeal’s founder and CEO Kunal Bahl said Snapdeal grew 500% in the last 12 months. Suzlon eyes Rs 10,000cr listing The company will have to dilute 25% stake in Senvion to meet the UK listing norms and expects a Rs 40,000-crore valuation for its crown jewel. We are looking at several acquisitions: MRF India’s largest tyre maker by volume is making quiet changes within. More Business News»

		Environment
		UN panel on climate change presents gloomy picture for Asia in its fresh report A UN panel on Monday morning released its much awaited report which assessed impacts of climate change on human lives, natural resources and marine ecosystem across the globe. IPCC chairman wants new govt to fight climate change with all its might The IPCC chairman rued that though the government had made the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) six years ago, it could not be properly implemented. When male fish turn female! In what can be termed as a perfect case of gender-bender among fish, biologists have found evidence of "feminisation" of male fish in the estuaries in the Basque coast of Spain. More Environment News»

		World
		Thailand's 'red shirts' gear up for a fight The clock is ticking for Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who faces impeachment within weeks, but her supporters are hatching plans to thwart any move to dismiss her, with some leaders assembling what amount to militias. Mystery of London's Black Death burial site revealed Skeletons unearthed during excavations for London's Crossrail project are those of Black Death victims who were buried during the 14th and 15th Century pandemics, DNA analysis has revealed. Turkish PM tells enemies they will pay price after poll Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan declared victory in local polls that had become a referendum on his rule and said he would "enter the lair" of enemies who have accused him of corruption and leaked state secrets. "They will pay for this," he said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Priyanka beats Deepika to the top position While Ranveer and Arjun make it to the top 5 thanks to Gunday, Hasee Toh Phasee gets Parineeti and Sidharth a place in the top 10 in Times Celebex powered by zoOm! for Feb 2014 ​Big B guides child co-star Parth Bhalerao Amitabh Bachchan ensured that child artiste Parth Bhalerao, who plays Akhrot in Nitesh Tiwari’s Bhoothnath Returns, was comfortable on the set of the film. Akshay's heart is 20 years younger than he is! Everyone is aware that Akshay Kumar is a teetotaller. The Bollywood superstar advocates the early to bed, early to rise mantra. And those reading should know that because of his clean and clutter-free lifestyle, the actor has a healthy heart. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Want a long life? Eat fruits and vegetables Eating at least seven daily portions of fruit and vegetables lowers risk of death by 42%. It also lowers risk of death from cancer and heart disease/stroke by 25% and 31%, scientists will announce on Monday. This robot can wear any face, predict mood Researchers have developed a ‘spooky’ robot that can put on your friend’s face, predict your mood and even guess your age. 3 Bangalore projects win Nasa prize Space City Bangalore, home to Isro and other aerospace organizations, has some reason to celebrate. More Science News»

		Sports
		India crush Australia to stay unbeaten Yuvraj Singh's 43-ball 60 and Ravichandran Ashwin's 4/11 powered India to a crushing 73-run victory against Australia in their World Twenty20 match in Dhaka. Djokovic beats Nadal to win Miami title Six-time Grand Slam title winner Novak Djokovic claimed his fourth Miami Masters title with a straight sets win over world number one Rafael Nadal. We know what a player Yuvraj is: Dhoni After an emphatic victory against Australia, an elated Indian captain MS Dhoni said: "We all know what kind of a player Yuvi is. I think this format suits him." More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple, Samsung to renew patent battle in US court Apple and Samsung will return to federal court in the heart of Silicon Valley for a new round in their seemingly perpetual patent war. Facebook, Twitter eye Rs 500c social media poll pie Google, Facebook and Twitter are looking for their slice of an estimated Rs 500-crore digital spending pie for this Lok Sabha polls. Hyderabad youngsters take to bitcoins for investment The bitcoin bug seems to have bitten the city's tech-savvy youths, who are now taking to it as an investment tool. More Technology News»

		Education
		Cricket gains popularity on American campuses The rising popularity of cricket on US campuses is evident from the fact that 25 teams participated in the American College Cricket National Championship 2014. A penny saved is a penny earned The study, recently published in the Journal of Development Economics, covered 200 migrant men from Kerala working in Doha, Qatar. Integrity policy Academic integrity is an umbrella term for shared values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness and responsibility in all educational endeavours. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Uddhav Thackeray extends olive branch to rebels Uddhav Thackeray has dropped broad hints that he is willing to go soft on party defectors. In Kurla, gains from civic projects lost to apathy and negligence A foretaste of the problems in L ward is apparent outside Kurla station. Lakhs of people use the station every day, yet no measures have been taken by the authorities to improve its dispersal area. Encroachments and poor maintenance take a toll on Borivli's green spaces Natural endowments are conferred in plenty on RCentral ward. It has the sea in the west and the sprawling, salubrious national park in the east. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		RWAs fight it out in TOI badminton finale The event, hosted by TOI and PNB Metlife, is the culmination of a month-long effort put in by 106 RWAs. 10 held for car thefts Ten car thieves belonging to two gangs have been arrested in raids at Tilak Nagar and Vikaspuri over the last two days. Delhi sees warm Sunday, Monday to be cloudy The national capital saw a warm Sunday with maximum temperature being recorded one notch below the season's average at 30.7 degrees celsius. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Make it a heritage ward Chickpet needs to be understood from multiple considerations, some of the major ones being historic ambience, collective community, urban services, commercialization and lifestyle. Nightmare on mart street For over seven decades, Kaiser-i-Hind had a thriving business in Chickpet. Exclusive makers and suppliers of richly crafted silk, the shop counted among its elite customers the royals of Mysore. 3 Bangalore projects win Nasa prize Space City Bangalore, home to Isro and other aerospace organizations, has some reason to celebrate. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Child stripping: Probe ordered The alleged child stripping incident at a private school in Tolichowki has evoked strong reactions of outrage, with citizens across the country calling for action against the school management. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation targets Rs 1,111-cr property tax Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner Somesh Kumar has said the corporation will reach the magic figure of Rs 1,111 crore in property tax collections by March 31. Will minorities get fewer tickets for Assembly and Lok Sabha polls? It is the season of elections in AP. Even as polling in municipal elections was held on Sunday, political parties are in the midst of campaigning for polls to mandal parishad and zilla parishad territorial constituencies (MPTCs/ZPTCs).  More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Jaya sings MGR tune to spur cadres to victory Amid hectic campaigns across the state, AIADMK leader and chief minister J Jayalalithaa found time to issue an epistle to her cadres, urging them to rededicate themselves towards ensuring victory of all party candidates in the Lok Sabha elections and aiming "to rule" in the future.  Personal equations are different from politics, says Elangovan Sitting North Chennai MP T K S Elangovan has been the DMK’s spokesperson, defending the party through the 2G issue.  Candidates walk extra mile for votes When it comes to going the extra mile for votes, politicians are always ready to put their best foot forward. From Mysore to Chennai to Delhi, politicians have been starting on padayatras to meet more people and appeal for votes.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Shehzada is preparing for Class VII exam: Modi BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi barnstormed northern Karnataka on Sunday, launching a scathing attack against the Congress and its vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Cops to take school kids' help to check child abuse The city police officials, after reaching out to various colleges for spreading message of woman safety, will now reach out to the teens and minors in schools to prevent the rising incidents of child abuse. Illegal fund transfer an inside job: Cops The city crime branch team investigating the illegal transfer of Rs 14.26 lakh from the bank account of a city-based firm has started search for the accused from the victim's office. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Advocate general elected Bar Council chairman Advocate general of UP Vinay Chandra Mishra was elected chairman of Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh, the apex body of lawyers in the state on Sunday.Lucknow-based lawyer Akhilesh Awasthi was elected as vice-chairman. Mishra for pension to elderly lawyers Advocate general Vinay Chandra Mishra on Sunday announced that efforts would be made to launch a 'pension scheme' for elderly lawyers so that they could lead their lives with dignity. Body found near Yamuna Bridge Body of a 40-year-old man was found near New Yamuna Bridge under Naini police station on Sunday evening. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		400 buses off road protesting police action Alleging unlawful detention of staff of two buses by the police, private bus operators in Maoist-prone Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts of Odisha resorted to an indefinite strike and kept their vehicles off the roads today. Bus owners protest cop action Passengers had a harrowing time on Saturday as private bus owners association kept their vehicles off the road across Koraput and Malkangiri districts in protest against alleged detention of two buses by police in Malkangiri district. Dozen houses gutted in Ganjam bomb attack At least a dozen houses were gutted during bomb attack by two rival groups at Bilipada village in Ganjam district on Friday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Rahul Gandhi aide Meenakshi's silence speaks a thousand words on campaign trail Amidst a high-decibel political slugfest in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi's close aide Meenakshi Natarajan was resonant in her silence on the poll turf. Meenakshi, who is contesting from Mandsaur, did not speak a word on her campaign trail on Saturday. Day after raid on Modi man, Rs 2cr cheques seized from home After the raid and arrest of deputy commissioner income tax Poonam Rai and her husband Ganesh Malviya, a former member of Modi’s election cell, CBI officials on Sunday recovered two account payee cheques worth Rs 2 crore and 11 bank accounts from their residence. In MP, 10 killed, 30 injured in road accident Ten people were killed and over 30 others injured when a tractor-trolley collided with a lorry near Icchawar town, police said. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		TOI's rise up campaign: Chandigarh's residents want freedom from corruption, crime About 250 people supported TOI's "Rise Up Campaign" which was held in Sector 35 market on Sunday evening. Four youths thrash bus driver after accident Four youths travelling in an SUV, bearing a VIP Punjab registration number, escaped after thrashing the driver of a Punjab roadways bus following a minor accident near Sector 29 roundabout on Saturday night. Kirron Kher goes on whirlwind poll campaign After paying respects at a gurdwara in Sector 30, BJP candidate Kirron Kher hit the campaign trail on Sunday, seeking votes from different parts of the city. More Chandigarh News»

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