News Digest: Maya Kodnani walks free after HC rejects plea for stay on bail

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, August 01, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Maya Kodnani walks free after HC rejects plea for stay on bail he Gujarat high court on Thursday dismissed the plea of Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) to stay the bail granted to Maya Kodnani. Pune landslide: Kolhapur collector orders survey of hills The district collectorate has ordered its tehsildars to collect information about villages and hamlets located at the foothills. Falling tree cover in Sahyadri hints at more tragedies Environmentalists have expressed concern over the uncontrolled deforestation of private forests in southern Maharashtra. They said the trend of hilltop farming, developing farm houses, roads, installing wind mills and mining is causing deforestation in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts. More India News»

		Business
		Insurers to be liable for agents' misdeeds The move will come as a relief to millions of policyholders, who often complain that the policy sold to them was not what was promised to them and companies pass on the blame to the agents. Core sector rebounds, posts fastest growth in 9-mth The country's infrastructure sector expanded at its fastest pace in nine months in June powered by robust electricity, cement and coal sectors, adding to the optimism over the economy's turnaround prospects. Maruti profit surges 21% Higher sales and cost reduction measures boosted the first quarter earnings of the country’s top carmaker Maruti Suzuki in a day when Osamu Suzuki, chairman of the company’s parent Suzuki, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More Business News»

		Environment
		Tree truths: Dense forests mowed down and new, sparse cover can't hold the soil The government's recent report announcing an increase in forest cover looks more like a case of the state agency playing the slippery slope of statistics. Goa's Carambolim lake to have bird watching site Goa's Carambolim lake will have a bird watching site near the second watch tower, environment minister Alina Saldanha told the Goa legislative assembly on Wednesday. Bees select best flowers even before landing The study used bumblebee foragers housed under controlled conditions to test whether they do learn about flowers during pollen collection. More Environment News»

		World
		US, UN announce deal on 72-hour Gaza ceasefire Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire beginning Friday, during which time there will be negotiations on a more durable truce in the 24-day-old Gaza war, the United States and United Nations announced Thursday. Taiwan gas explosions kill 20, injure 270 A series of underground gas explosions killed 20 people and injured 270 others late Thursday in Taiwan's second-largest city, authorities said. Libya Islamic militias declare control of Benghazi Islamic hard-line militias, including the group accused by the United States in a 2012 attack that killed the ambassador and three other Americans, claimed control of Libya's second largest city, Benghazi, after overrunning army barracks and seizing heavy weapons. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I love Varun Dhawan' Ali Fazal officially debuted with Always Kabhi Kabhi but it’s only after playing Tasavur in Bobby Jasoos that he has become a heartthrob. To know more, go to follo.co.in/alifazal BA Pass bags the best lovemaking scene While Bollywood films may be a long way away from Hollywood when it comes to showcasing sex on screen, it’s heartening to see how filmmakers no longer consider lovemaking a taboo in films and are showing passionate sex in an aesthetic way. 'I owe Kick to Salman Khan' Nawazuddin Siddiqui has proved his versatility and acting prowess in a range of distinct roles before. And with Kick, he has touched new heights of commercial success. An overwhelmed Nawaz talks of his first negative character and more… More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Now, breathe easy in space with artificial leaves An inventor in the UK has developed the world’s first synthetic biological leaf that absorbs water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen just like a plant, and it could enable long-distance space travel. 'Booze bracelets' to monitor binge drinkers in UK Binge drinkers across the UK will now be fitted with electronic ankle tags that constantly monitor their alcohol intake. The “booze bracelets” are to be worn by persistent offenders who are banned by the courts from drinking after they are charged for alcohol-fuelled crimes such as drink driving. Drug resistant strain threatens fight against Malaria British scientists on Thursday said that drug-resistant Malaria parasites have spread to critical border regions of Southeast Asia seriously threatening global efforts to control the disease. More Science News»

		Sports
		Full coverage: Glasgow Games, Day 8 India added 3 golds to its tally on Day 8 as wrestlers Yogeshwar and Babita won golds while discus thrower Vikas Gowda gave India its first gold in athletics event. Babita, Yogeshwar bring smiles back India finished the wrestling event at Commonwealth Games with 13 medals including 5 golds, 6 silvers and 2 bronzes, second to Canada's haul of six golds. Gowda wins India's first athletics medal Discus thrower Vikas Gowda won India's first gold medal from athletics in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the Hampden Park Stadium on Thursday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung profit falls as smartphone sales slow Samsung warned earlier this month that the second quarter would be its worst in two years as rapid growth in smartphone sales had faded. Flipkart's journey from Rs 4,00,000 to $5-6 billion Flipkart recently attracted a whopping $1 billion from its existing investors Tiger Global Management and Naspers. 10 hot gadgets launched in India recently Whether you have less than Rs 10,000 to spend or more than Rs 80,000, you have enough options to choose from. Here’s a look at 10 hot gadgets launched in India recently. More Technology News»

		Education
		Hindustan Aeronautics Limited sponsorship for tech students Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, on Monday, said it will sponsor students at masters' level in technology and development programmes at the Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas at IIT-Bombay. Govt to formulate new education policy The government proposes to formulate a new education policy aimed at meeting the challenges posed by lack of quality, research and innovation in our educational institutions. Smriti Irani defends FYUP move One of the reasons for reverting to the three-year undergraduate programme in Delhi University was to ensure that its students are not “put to any disadvantage vis-a-vis students of other universities”, human resource development minister Smriti Irani told Parliament Wednesday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Andhra techie rape: Charges framed against accused The sessions court on Thursday framed charges against the man accused of rape and murder of a woman software engineer from Andhra Pradesh. Boost for neonatal care with Wadia hosiptal's 110-bed facility Neonatal intensive care in the city got a shot in the arm on Thursday when Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital in Parel threw open a 110-bed facility for newborns. The hospital has also started the process to become a dedicated organ transplant centre for children. Former BMC commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya is the new chief secretary Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday appointed bureaucrat Swadheen Kshatriya as the new chief secretary. An IAS officer of the 1980 batch, Kshatriya succeeds G S Saharia who retired. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Indian Museum official's kin move SC to trace him The case of the mysterious disappearance of Indian Museum official Sunil Upadhyay reached Supreme Court on Thursday with a relative filing a habeas corpus petition requesting an inter-state investigation to trace him. Cops to seize e-rickshaws, slap charges Delhi Police is gearing up to launch a crackdown on e-rickshaws in the wake of the Delhi high court's order banning them till a law is framed. AAP attacks BJP for its 'doublespeak' Pointing fingers at Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari, Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday said that the Centre must take responsibility for the temporary ban imposed on e-rickshaws by the Delhi high court. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bandhs don't get any report cards What does a bandh achieve? Who is it supposed to help? What is its purpose? Is it necessary? Is it worth it? What have past bandhs achieved? Do they really make a difference? 1.6k messages relayed, 16k cops at work The police communication network was a busy hub on bandh day in the city. CWC seeks clarity on case, questions date In a sudden move, the Child Welfare Committee has urged police officials to submit to it all reports pertaining to the East Bangalore school case. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		7-year-old girl raped in Mangalagiri A seven-year-old girl was raped by an unknown offender at Mangalagiri on Thursday. Locals found the girl lying in an unconscious state near some bushes at an industrial area and rushed her to a government hospital. Special status for Andhra Pradesh under consideration by Plan panel The Planning Commission is considering the proposal to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh, the Parliament was informed on Thursday. Lower Jurala power units get flooded Water entered lower Jurala hydro electric power house on the river Krishna at Atmakur in Mahbubnagar district leading to a loss of about Rs 20 crore for TSGenco on Thursday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Wanted: An e-Iyer project to digitize rare books for online In the archives maintained by the Jesuit Mission of Madurai at Shenbaganur near Kodaikanal, there is a Tamil-Latin dictionary of Veeramamunivar — aka Father Beschi, the 18th century Italy-born missionary and scholar of Tamil. Pumping rusted iron for top honours Cramped with houses and having barely enough road space to allow a car to pass through one way, New Street could be anywhere in small town Tamil Nadu. Orphanage to get a large new building The inmates of Avvai Home, an orphanage for girls, will soon have a palatial new place to stay. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		2 cops in anti-corruption bureau net for accepting Rs 45,000 bribe A team of state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) caught two policemen of Shaherkotda police station for demanding and taking Rs 45,000 as bribe for not beating up an accused in custody. Maya Kodnani walks free after HC rejects plea for stay on bail he Gujarat high court on Thursday dismissed the plea of Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) to stay the bail granted to Maya Kodnani.  A pen that seals wounds in a jiffy There is a serious accident on a city road, the victim is bleeding profusely and needs immediate first-aid to stop blood loss. The paramedics of the emergency services who rush to the spot instead of applying blood coagulating chemicals run a pen tip on the wound that emits a blue beam and voila the wound is sealed in a jiffy.  More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Police-villagers clash sparks tension Tension prevailed in Dhabhav village and adjoining areas under Naini police station on Wednesday following Tuesday night violence that led to a clash between villagers and police over the alleged rape of a minor girl. Allahabad University faces challenge of regularising session The varsity now faces the challenge of regularizing academic session as declaration of result of many classes along with admissions is pending. Carcass sparks tension in Shravasti village Carcass of a stolen cow found near Saryu canal sparked tension in Dharshwan village on Bahraich-Shravasti border on Wednesday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Kalpataru asked to return 'extra' plots "In 2012, minister Bikram Arukh had set an example by surrendering an extra house allotted to his family in Bhubaneswar. Road safety clubs on the cards The Ganjam district administration has asked schools to open road safety clubs for students and educate them about traffic rules. State invites fresh applications Plus II Alarmed over huge number of vacancies in Plus II colleges, the state government on Wednesday invited fresh applications from students for admission in junior colleges. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Work has increased after BJP has come to power: RSS The Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh started its six-day long brain storming session with its intellectual unit here in the Thangdi Bhavan at the Depot Square on Thursday. MP BJP declares its bypoll candidates The Madhya Pradesh BJP on Thursday announced its candidates for the bypolls in three assembly constituencies. Three constituencies Vijayaraghogarh, Agar and Bahoriband are scheduled to go to the bypolls on August 21. CBI raids two districts in Madhya Pradesh in coal scam The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday booked the promoters of a Madhya Pradesh based cement company – Revati Cement – in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks to it and carried out simultaneous raids on their official and residential premises at Indore and Satna district. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Team from Ghana in Punjab, to explore mutual ventures Benjamin Dagadu, deputy minister of energy and petroleum, Ghana, on Thursday met deputy chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, industrial advisor to Punjab chief minister, Kamal Oswal and chairman of Trident group, Rajinder Gupta. Smugglers abandon car with 236kg poppy husk Smugglers carrying poppy husk in a car left their vehicle behind as it got stuck in the mud after being hit by a tractor in Ishak village, near Pehowa, close to Punjab border, on Wednesday evening. Birender to join BJP in Kaithal on August 18 Congress' Rajya Sabha MP and rebel leader Birender Singh is all set to join the BJP at a rally organized by an NGO at Kaithal on August 18. More Chandigarh News»

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