News Digest: US-based Muslim body condemns Assam violence

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, May 09, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		US-based Muslim body condemns Assam violence A US-based organization of Indian Muslims has condemned the recent violence in Assam in which at least 32 people were killed and demanded that additional paramilitary forces be deployed in the strife-torn area. High values of uranium recorded in granitic terrains: Study "The anomalously high values of uranium in Punjab are recorded generally in granitic terrains," says a study by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Congress should have brought back all rebels: Virbhadra Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh said on Thursday that Congress would have been benefitted during parliamentary elections if the party has not adopted the "pick and chose" policy in the return of rebels. More India News»

		Business
		Cops probe PEs in battle for power companies A clutch of marquee global investors — Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, General Atlantic Partners and Everstone Capital — are facing a criminal investigation by the Hyderabad police in a corporate takeover battle gone ugly. Oberoi Realty to launch Ritz-Carlton in Mumbai The American brand hotel is being planned in Worli and is expected to come up by 2016 at a cost of Rs 750 crore. Airlines scoff at AirAsia's 35% low-fare profit claim The grant of licence to AirAsia India has set the cat among pigeons, with existing airlines flapping their wings furiously. More Business News»

		Environment
		This leopard doesn't fall for honey trap The leopard, which the forest department says could have strayed into the Icrisat compound at Patancheru from nearby Narsapur forest, is happily feeding on wild boars, porcupines and wild rabbits, found in abundance on the institute’s premises. Rhino carcass recovered in Assam Stating natural death, the officials said the carcass was recovered at Pipoliapi camp. Antarctic Treaty signatories make marine protection progress Antarctic Treaty signatories made progress on Wednesday towards future protection of the icy continent's marine life, NGO officials said. More Environment News»

		World
		Learn Islam: Malala tells Boko Haram "I think they haven't studied Islam yet, they haven't studied Quran yet, and they should go and they should learn Islam," the 16-year-old said in a TV interview. US: House panels approve anti-surveillance bill The House Intelligence Committee abandoned its own surveillance bill and unanimously approved the measure that sailed through the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. China shames 70-yr-old ex-editor for leaking state secrets The journalist, Gao Yu, was "criminally detained on suspicion of providing state secrets to sources outside China", the Beijing public security department said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Struggling actress stripped, photographed and blackmailed In what seems like another disgusting case of outraging the modesty of a young woman, a 23-year-old struggling actress has alleged that she had been stripped, photographed and then blackmailed. SRK will not go on Hajj without daughter Suhana In December 2012, Aamir Khan accompanied his mother Zeenat Hussain on Hajj Deepika to shoot with Ranbir, Ranveer post 2 months break Once she wraps up 'Happy New Year' in the Mumbai heat, Deepika Padukone plans to escape to colder climes More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Experts create living organism with 'alien' DNA Scientists reported on Wednesday that they had taken a significant step toward altering the fundamental alphabet of life — creating an organism with an expanded artificial genetic code in its DNA. Soon, cheap portable chip for instant blood tests Scientists are developing a portable, credit-card-sized chip that can be used to run instant blood tests to detect anything from HIV to diabetes. First realistic virtual universe created Move over Matrix, astronomers have created the first realistic virtual simulation of the universe, tracking 13 billion years of cosmic evolution. More Science News»

		Sports
		Rosberg takes aim at Mercedes Hamilton While Lewis Hamilton keeps an eye on Red Bull, teammate Nico Rosberg will be taking aim at his Mercedes teammate at the Spanish Grand Prix. Nadal marches into Madrid Open last 8 World No. 1 Rafael Nadal remained on course to retain his Madrid Masters title with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 win over Finland's Jarkko Nieminen on Thursday. McLaren 'miles' behind Mercedes: Button Jenson Button believes his McLaren team are "miles behind" pace-setting rivals Mercedes and have no chance of catching them in F1 Spanish Grand Prix. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xperia Z2 review: Worthy rival to Galaxy S5, HTC One (M8) We review the Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone to see how well it compares with the rivals and if it calls for an upgrade if you are already an Xperia Z or Z1 user. Nintendo says no to same-sex relationships in new game Nintendo isn't allowing gamers to play as gay in an upcoming life simulator game. Cognizant: Europe outsources more Cognizant’s head of strategy Malcolm Frank spoke to TOI shortly after the announcement of the company’s results. Excerpts: More Technology News»

		Education
		Iran, UAE blacklist Osmania University degrees If you have graduated from Osmania University through distance education and looking for a job in West Asia, you may be in for a rude shock. Petition in Madras high court for pre-school education in govt schools A petition has been filed in Madras high court seeking a direction to Tamil Nadu government to implement pre-school education by introducing LKG and UKG in government schools. Karnataka State Open University's convocation to be held on May 10 Of the 23,913 candidates who have been awarded degrees, 14,711, which is 61.51 per cent, are women. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Cop, revenue officer held for graft A police constable and a revenue officer were caught in separate ACB traps while demanding bribes on Thursday. Train mishap: Man unaware of wife's last rites The last rites of Surekha Nakti (35), who died in the Diva-Sawantwadi passenger train derailment on Sunday, have already been performed by her relatives without the knowledge of her husband and young daughters. Apps emerging new health tool Mobiles may emerge as one of the best instruments to control heart diseases. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Now, use an app to clear traffic “The application has been developed to ensure that a road user does not have to approach a traffic cop to solve his problems,” said a senior traffic official. DTC drive against vehicles crowding capital's bus stops The sight of bus stops overrun by Gramin Sewa vehicles and RTVs even as buses vie for space to stop could finally be over. Najeeb asks DDA to augment supply Dwarka residents may get some respite from their perennial water problem with lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung having directed Delhi Development Authority to explore options of augmenting supply to the area and of supplying water tankers free of cost to residents for the three months of summer. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		60% clear PU, Karnataka clocks 15-year best After a span of 15 years, Karnataka has managed to clock 60% pass in the II PU exams. Of the 6.13 lakh students who appeared for the March 2014 exams, 60.47% have passed. BIAL sitting on airport city land: Bangalore Political Action Committee A section of Bangalore’s citizens, led by some powerful corporate voices, is at war with the city’s airport authorities again, for what they see as unreasonably high airport charges being proposed by the latter. Asked to delete Facebook account, girl hangs herself Aditi (name changed), 13, was apparently distressed by mother, Mohana, berating her for spending too much time on Facebook. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Netas turn to gods for victory With polling over and their fates sealed, candidates are seeking divine intervention to ensure that they emerge winners. As a result, astrologers and pundits are having a field day and the bonanza for them is expected to continue till May 16. Couple on morning walk run over by car A couple, who were on their morning walk, died when an Indica car hit them near Down Town dabha at Narsingi in the early hours of Thursday. Techie held for molestation bid on maid An IBM engineer was arrested by Dabeerpura police for allegedly trying to outrage the modesty of a domestic help on Thursday.He was sent to judicial remand. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Mullaperiyar dam: TN-Kerala border tense Even as incessant rains kept the weather chilly along the inter-state border, the bandh call in Kerala kept the political temperatures soaring. ISI agent tailed US consulate officials, say investigators Sakir Hussain, the suspected ISI agent arrested in the city on April 29 had been tailing US consulate officials and looking for unoccupied buildings in the vicinity, probably for an attack, investigators said. Judge pulls up CBI for arresting SRMC head, grants bail Four days after it arrested Sri Ramachandra Medical University chancellor V R Venkatachalam in connection with alleged irregularities in the import of luxury cars, the CBI under fire in the Madras high court, which questioned the rationale behind the high-profile arrest. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Holy books bless new police chowki in Gujarat A newly-built police chowki in a sensitive suburban area of Ahmedabad was inaugurated with the blessings of both the Quran and the Bhagvad Gita. Stanford report slams low conviction rate in Gujarat riot cases Twelve years after the Gujarat riots, a study by Stanford Law School has concluded that the conviction rate in riot cases is less than 10%. Panel puts conditions for coal gasifier use The committee of experts has also recommended a third-party monitoring to ensure compliance of pollution norms - in addition to the routine checks by GPCB and CPCB - twice a year if gasifiers are allowed to be operated. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Mob attacks mayor's cavalcade A mob of people attacked the cavalcade of mayor Abhilasha Gupta on Wednesday evening when she went to Ghaus Memorial School following complaints of rigging at the polling centre.Her car was also damaged in the incident. For them voting matters more than distance He is not alone.In fact, a number of denizens employed in far-flung areas of the country returned home to cast their votes and make their presence felt in the 'festival of democracy' - the General Elections 2014. 'Solve problems of youth, instead of mud-slinging' The excitement among voters was palpable when they came to exercise their franchise during the polling in Allahabad on Wednesday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Extortionists held in Jajpur, Odisha With the arrest of two men, police have claimed to have busted a gang of extortionists in Jajpur district. Blood plasma 'sale' may hit voluntary donation Senior officials justified giving away the surplus component of blood to a private company, as otherwise it had to be disposed of as biomedical waste. Guidelines framed for inter-college transfer of students Following allegations of irregularities in transfer of students from one college to another on medical grounds, the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) on Wednesday laid down new guidelines. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Wedding turns bloody: Bride shot by jilted lover A bride was shot dead at a marriage garden in Lal Ghati by her jilted lover on Thursday evening. At least two bullets pierced her body. Poll employee caught pants down sodomising 5-year-old boy A 47-year-old government employee on poll duty was allegedly caught red-handed attempting an unnatural sex with a 5-year-old boy in Chhatarpurdistrict of Madhya Pradeshon on Thursday. Notices to Shahrukh, Sunil Shetty and Devgan for 'promoting' liquor in Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh high court on Thursday issued notices to five Bollywood stars for alleged violation of state excise Act by promoting liquor brands in the state. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Pakistan's trade show begins in Amritsar Aiming to bring two Punjabs together, the five-day event 'The Pakistan Show 2014' opened in Amritsar on Thursday. HC stays Punjab order to remove 6 assistant public relation officers The high court on Thursday stayed the Punjab government's orders, removing six assistant public relation officers (APROs) and replacing them with six new candidates. 30 villagers booked for attack on SGPC team Three members of the team, including the Muktsar gurdwara manager, were injured in stone-pelting by villagers on Wednesday. More Chandigarh News»

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