News Digest: British court slams Indian judiciary's slow pace

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, April 07, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		British court slams Indian judiciary's slow pace The piling number of pending cases in the Indian judiciary is legendary, estimates saying it would take 320 years to clear the backlog of 31.28 million cases pending in various courts across the country. Narendra Modi in 3D to address BJP rally in Shimla today Without being present in person, BJP's prime ministerial pick Narendra Modi would be present in Shimla on Monday to address a rally at Chaura Maidan.This would be made possible with the use of 3D technology. Rahul accuses BJP of blocking 33% reservation for women  Promising the next level of economic reforms for the downtrodden, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that his party will strive to bring people from backward castes, who may be above the poverty line but still economically weaker, into the middle class.  More India News»

		Business
		Rs 8,000cr service tax evasion in FY14 With increased focus on revenue generation from service tax, officials have detected several cases of tax evasion amounting to about Rs 8,000 crore during 2013-14 fiscal which ended last month. Daiichi Sankyo says Sun Pharma to buy Ranbaxy Daiichi Sankyo said in a statement that it agrees to vote its shares in Ranbaxy in favour of the acquisition through a share swap. FIIs buy stocks worth Rs 4,900cr in one week Foreign investors poured in almost Rs 4,900 crore in the Indian stock market last week, primarily on hopes of a strong reformist government after elections. More Business News»

		Environment
		Time running out to meet global warming target: UN report World powers are running out of time to slash their use of high-polluting fossil fuels and stay below agreed limits on global warming, a draft UN study to be approved this week shows. Writer-environmentalist Peter Matthiessen dies Peter Matthiessen, a rich man’s son who rejected a life of ease in favour of physical and spiritual challenges and produced such acclaimed works as The Snow Leopard and At Play in the Fields of the Lord, died Saturday. Govt's 1992 notification paves way for real estate players in Faridabad Aravalis A 1992 notification of the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has proved spoiler in the protection of Aravalis in Faridabad and has paved the way for real estate players to eye these areas. More Environment News»

		World
		Smooth Afghanistan poll raises questions about Taliban strength A bigger-than-expected turnout in Afghanistan's presidential election and the Taliban's failure to derail the vote have raised questions about the capacity of the insurgents to tip the country back into chaos as foreign troops head home. Pro-Russians storm Ukraine govt buildings In Luhansk, 30km west of the Russian border, hundreds of people surrounded the local headquarters of the security service and later scaled the facade to plant a Russian flag on the roof. US: About 100 arrested in California brawl About 100 people were arrested and at least 44 people were taken to the hospital during a weekend college party in Southern California that devolved into a rock-and bottle-throwing melee, authorities said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Rajinikanth hesitant to romance Sonakshi Sinha? While it is being insinuated that Rajinikanth may romance the 27-year-old Sonakshi Sinha in his next Tamil film that also has Anushka Shetty as one of the leading ladies, one hears two conflicting versions from the South Complaint against Saif for going abroad during elections A Member of the Legislative Assembly, Thane, Pratap Sarnaik has written to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, seeking action against a Bollywood contingent of actors and technicians who are scheduled to fly to America for an awards show Deepika Padukone chooses Bajirao Mastani over Shuddhi Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dream project Bajirao Mastani, a historical love story that has been close to Sanjay’s heart for the past 10 years, has finally found its Bajirao and Mastani More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Eco-friendly cement from old toilets? Discarded toilets, along with other ceramic waste such as basins, stoneware and bricks, can be recycled into an eco-friendly form of cement, scientists say. Now, Britons can buy HIV testing kits over the counter In landmark legislation, kits allowing people to test themselves for HIV at home can be bought over the counter in the UK for the first time. 15-year-old sends Swiss army knife into stratosphere In an exemplary feat, A 15-year-old boy from Zurich has sent a Swiss army knife into the stratosphere, using a high- altitude weather balloon equipped with a camera to record the flight. More Science News»

		Sports
		Lanka break finals jinx, win World T20 ​After coming second-best in the last four ICC finals, the Islanders managed to grab their hands on the big prize by winning ICC World T20 with a win over India. Sahara Force India scale the F1 heights Force India reached the giddy heights of second place in the constructors' championship after Perez secured only the second podium finish in the team's history. Yuvraj cuts sorry figure on final stage Have we seen the last of Yuvraj Singh in the 'India Blue' shirt? By the evidence of what we saw on Sunday, there are fears the answer could be a 'yes'. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Choosing the right camera Regardless of what smartphone makers will tell you, a compact point-and-shoot is almost always better than the one on your handset. Apple and Samsung fight over who was the follower In a San Jose courtroom, Samsung’s lawyers showed the internal Apple documents, hoping to paint a picture of Apple as a fading brand. Dell Venue 7 review: Quality tablet under Rs 10,000 Dell has recently forayed into the Android tablet segment of India with its new Venue 7 and 8 tablets. More Technology News»

		Education
		New PhD programme A PhD programme to boost quality research was launched last week. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University introduces changes in its admission system The focus of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) has been to make students the centre of the education system. A health challenge A team of Indian students will present their business idea at a summit in New York. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Wanted: A permanent eye on traffic The traffic in Mumbai is horrific. The roads here are narrow and vehicular population exploding. But the problem is also us. The motorists among us refuse to follow traffic rules, smug in the knowledge that the chances of getting caught are minimal. Residents to move HC over Mulund dump After being at the receiving end of carcinogenic smoke from the Mulund dumping ground for over a decade, residents will file an intervention application before the HC and the nation green tribunal in PILs filed by NGO Vanshakti to immediately allow dumping at Kanjurmarg and closure of the dump. Gujaratis pro-BJP, but may opt for Congress over Sena  Gujarati, Kutchi and Jain voters have always been seen as being partial to the BJP owing to its proximity with the trading bloc.  More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		7 in net for string of robberies Seven members of a gang were arrested for carrying out robberies across the capital. Rogue bikers ride again, 400 held Rogue bikers returned to the streets of central Delhi on Saturday night holding parts of the city to ransom by driving dangerously and pulling off stunts in high security areas. Priests talk to them, parents listen in As most of the bikers detained on Sunday claimed that they were going to religious functions, police called in the priest from the Connaught Place Hanuman Mandir and a granthi from Bangla Sahib Gurdwara to counsel them before they were let off. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		997 drunk drivers could lose licences in Bangalore At the end of a busy Saturday night, Bangalore Traffic Police had staggering statistics on hand: 997 motorists with high alcohol content, 719 two-wheelers, 178 cars, 50 autorickshaws, 11 maxicabs, 19 tempos and a bus in custody. 'We'll ensure our kids watch Lok Sabha TV' Pride in public service and concern for improving the state of affairs were the takeaways from an interaction between candidates of Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency and citizens on Sunday.  Rahul scared of my popularity: Yeddyurappa  Former chief minister and BJP veteran BS Yeddyurappa took a jibe at AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress leader is afraid of his popularity. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		No cakewalk The battle for Khairatabad will not be won easily, as the TDPBJP alliance is threatening sitting MLA and Minister Danam Nagender’s chances of a second straight win. Bhakti or voter shakti behind politicos' temple spree? Come poll season, places of worship witness a flurry of high-profile devotee visits with politicians of all hues and affiliations knocking on the almighty’s door before filing nominations. 'I'm always dragged into rows, all cases false' A man known to court controversy at the drop of a hat, Danam Nagender, is facing tricky questions from voters as he seeks re-election five years after promising development in the key assembly constituency. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Alagiri speaks Jaya's lingo MK Alagiri, who was recently expelled from DMK, took a cue from AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa’s favourite poll lines to voters to spur his cadres to protest against his expulsion on Sunday.  Capital interest: Big names seek votes in Chennai's small streets Chennai was the centre of a lot of poll action on Sunday with DMK treasurer M K Stalin, DMK MP Kanimozhi and CPM state secretary G Ramakrishnan setting out to gain the votes of city slickers for their parties’ candidates. Theni tribal settlements remain untouched by election frenzy The typical signs of an upcoming election cannot be missed across the country’s towns and villages. However, there are several villages in the state where there is no sign of an election.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Miracle baby born as mom fights cancer Ritu Parikh was pregnant with the life-affirming hope of giving birth to a child - her own flesh and blood. 'Holiday' from some medicines vital during infections: Doctors Critical care experts discussed the significance of 'drug holiday', at a conference in the city on Saturday and Sunday. Betting racket at city club: Police yet to make headway The city police seem to be soft-pedaling investigations into the cricket betting racket busted at Rajpath Club. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		More women need to come out and vote It was also discussed that the committee, constituted for keeping vigil on paid news, has also started working. Good samaritan guides the missing back home But with several individuals and organisations dedicating themselves to the cause of finding the lost, hope lives in the hearts of families of the missing. Three drug-and-loot gang members held Close on the heels of arrest of one drug-and-loot gang on March 29, government railway police (GRP) was successful in nabbing three more similar gang members on Saturday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		30 years after Rajiv Gandhi's promise, she still waits for help Phanus Punji, a resident of Odisha's hunger belt had sold her sister-in-law Banita for a sari and Rs 40 to avoid starvation and she remains just as poor. Raman Singh to campaign tomorrow Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior BJP leader Raman Singh will address four public meetings in western and southern Odisha on Monday. Rebel hurdle in Deo record chase Nine-time legislator V Sugnana Kumari Deo is facing a tough battle in Kabisurynagar. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Khargone records highest temperature in state at 42 degrees At 39.6 degrees celsius Bhopal has registered the hottest day temperature for the season so far.In the state, Khargone was the hottest in the state at 42 degrees celsius on Saturday. Nirbheek unloaded: No fair fire power "Nirbheek", India's first firearm designed especially for women, launched in January following sensational Nirbhaya incident has failed to get buyers in Madhya Pradesh. Women cops get spray gun ammo So armed with Self-Protection Aerosol Devices (SPAD), women in khaki set to take on criminals head on! Priced at Rs 450, deodorant look-alike can easily fit in a handbag. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		4 more arrested in gangster escape case In what it claims to be a step towards solving the case of dreaded gangster Rajiv Raja's escape from police custody on March 10, Bathinda police on Sunday arrested four more persons involved in the escape. Handshake with kid gloves for Jaitley, Capt! After ugly exchanges for most of last week, Arun Jaitley and Capt Amarinder Singh put on kid gloves and shook hands with each other on Sunday. Party leaders stay away, Singla slugs it out on campaign trail Pitted against former Union minister and SAD secretary general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and AAP's satirist-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann, Singla has not found much support from party leaders during campaigning. More Chandigarh News»

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