News Digest: J&K minister's guard goes missing with rifles

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, March 29, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		J&K minister's guard goes missing with rifles Jammu & Kashmir police have sounded an alert after a constable posted at minister Altaf Bukhari’s Srinagar residence went missing along with two AK 47 rifles and magazines on Friday night. Antrix-Devas deal under scanner because PMO panicked after 2G scam, ex-ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair says Even as CBI is probing alleged irregularities in the Antrix-Devas spectrum deal and plans to examine former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair, the former space scientist has defended his decision. UP village finally sees light after 14 years of darkness The village has a population of over 2700 people and majority of the youths are well educated, yet it was lagging miles behind others due to lack of power supply. More India News»

		Business
		RBI to reduce bank's exposure in corporate houses With an aim to reduce risk in the banking sector, RBI has proposed to limit exposure of a bank to a business group to 25 per cent of its capital, down from the existing level of 55 per cent. India's forex reserves up $4.26bn India's foreign exchange reserves increased by $4.26 billion to $339.99 billion for the week ended March 20, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed. Saudi's influence on oil price volatility to decline With Saudi Arabia moving beyond its long-held role as a simple exporter of crude oil and reshaping itself as a supplier of refined petroleum products, the kingdom will be less able to influence prices and balance global oil markets, a study says. More Business News»

		Environment
		Environmental laws to be reviewed to give more teeth The Centre is reviewing all environmental laws with an aim to give them more teeth and hand severe punishment in cases of encroachment and violation, Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday. Extreme winter not a result of climate change: Study Contrary to popular belief, cold snaps like the ones that hit the eastern United States in the past winter are not a consequence of climate change, says a new study. Norway joins race of rich nations for a global climate deal Joining race of rich nations including Switzerland and European Union (EU) countries in submitting their respective ‘climate action plans’ well in time, Norway on Friday submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC promising to cut at least 40% of its greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030 compared to 1990 level. More Environment News»

		World
		45-day Ebola 'health emergency' declared in Guinea Guinean President Alpha Conde declared a 45-day "health emergency" in five regions in the west and southwest of the Ebola-hit nation in a bid to stem the spread of the deadly disease. Nigeria recaptures Boko Haram 'HQ' Gwoza Nigeria's military on Sunday announced that troops had retaken the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram, from which the group declared their caliphate last year. Islamic fighters led by al-Qaida in Syria seize major city Idlib, a major urban center with a population of around 165,000 people, is the second provincial capital to fall into opposition hands after Raqqa, now a stronghold of the Islamic State group. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Exclusive: Amitabh Bachchan chose a charpai over his van Amitabh Bachchan chose a charpai over his van while shooting for Piku at a dhaba Katrina Kaif: We have a mandir at our home Katrina Kaif has come a long way to become India’s most glamourous and sought-after star Promising actresses: Why did they disappear Diana Penty: Supermodel Diana Penty became an instant star with her to-die-for looks and natural acting skills. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Race to build a better diet soda In a crowded lab in Copenhagen, food scientists at Swiss biotech company Evolva Holding are scrambling to help reinvent one of the world's most popular drinks. Calories in rice can be cut by 50% Rice is intrinsic to the diet of many populations across the world, especially in the subcontinent and China. Vizag's mysterious black hole Black holes are one of the most alluring mysteries in the universe.They are the last stage in a star's life cycle and are formed when a star collapses under the weight of its own gravity. More Science News»

		Sports
		Saina Nehwal creates history, becomes world No. 1 Saina Nehwal on Saturday etched her name in the history books when she became the first Indian female shuttler to reach the world No.1 ranking. New Zealand 'fearless' ahead of World Cup final against Australia New Zealand are sticking with the same team, and the same fearless approach, for Sunday's World Cup final against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Saina Nehwal true role model for sportspersons: Sachin Tendulkar Sachin Tendulkar and other eminent sporting stars congratulated Saina Nehwal on becoming the world number one on Saturday at the India Open. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google should be terrified right now Facebook is conducting an all-out assault on Google. Apple is Hitler: Chinese CEO The text across the top of the poster compares the attributes of the Android and iOS ecosystems. Countries with world's fastest internet Curious which are the countries that offer highest internet speeds and where India stands? Here’s a look… More Technology News»

		Education
		Delay in MU exams may run into next academic yr While the Mumbai University accepted the demand from students and senate members to postpone the dates of 23 exams, the delay is likely to spill over to the next academic year or ruin vacation plans. CET candidates threaten hunger strike over scores Upset with the responses from the state Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) candidates, who took the state's common entrance test (CET) for MBA/MMS admissions, have threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike. CBSE to review feedback over 'tough' Class XII maths paper Taking cognizance of the students’ outrage about the difficulty level of the CBSE class XII mathematics paper, the board has decided to review feedback before evaluation begins. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Hunt for dad with posters, hope A telecom engineer, along with her two sisters, are going from station to station in Mumbai suburbs with a picture of their cancer-survivor father who had gone missing from Goa three months ago. As others watch, boy flies in with help for thirsty bird In this fast-paced city where people are always on the run, a touching sight unfolded in Kanjurmarg on a sweltering Saturday afternoon. Illegal hoardings case: 11 years on, Cong leader acquitted A metropolitan magistrate’s court recently acquitted a Congress leader charged with illegally putting up cutouts 11 years ago. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Some dues paid, but stir on Following large-scale protests by sanitation workers, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation on Saturday evening released their salaries for the month of February. Man ran fake notes ring in 3 states, held A man was arrested on Saturday by the special cell for smuggling fake currency notes into the country. The accused, identified as Shahjahan Sheikh, was running a wide network of fake Indian currency notes from Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra. 2 PWD engineers in CBI net for graft CBI has arrested two PWD engineers of Delhi government for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a person in lieu of clearing his pending bills with the department. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		KEA will verify papers tomorrow The Karnataka Examination Authority which conducts the CET has advised students who have not taken printouts after submission of online applications, to do so. BJP hopes to make big pre-poll impact The three-day national meet of the BJP, to be held in Bengaluru from April 2, is essentially to build the party in South India, where all states are election-bound in one way or another. Varthur lake to be fenced in 2 months: Upa Lokayukta He ordered the stakeholders, including the deputy director of land records, to meet at his office on April 6 to decide on encroachments on the lake bed and fencing the lake. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		MRO records capital region's rich past in book The proposed capital region that comprises 29 villages spread over three mandals in Guntur district has a rich history dating back to the second century BC. Veena, Vani parents in catch-22 situation Barely able to make ends meet, couple want govt to sponsor to foot med bill of conjoined twins T entry tax to hit AP hard Travelling as well as transportation of goods from Andhra Pradesh to Telangana is set to become a very costly affair from April 1 as the TRS government has decided to levy tax on all stage carriers, private vehicles and goods carriers. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Opposition bandh over Karnataka dam evokes mixed response in TN As many as 4,200 people were arrested across the state, including 437 in Chennai. Protesters blocked trains at Chennai Egmore and Central stations. Inquiry on against officer involved in capitation fee racket The state government has initiated disciplinary action against transport department deputy secretary V Mohanraj, a 2006 batch IAS officer, against whom the Madras high court has ordered an FIR registered for allegedly cheating a doctor of 50 lakh. Onus on lawyers to ensure smooth functioning of courts, says CJI A lawyer wears two robes — the black robe of an advocate in court and an additional robe of a social reformer — said chief justice of India H L Dattu here on Saturday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Suicidal intern soothed by women cops; cause of distress a mystery At about 3am on Saturday, staffers of a women’s helpline entered the women’s police station at Mithakhali, with a 22-year-old girl. Goswami sold 4kg of blood gold in Agra Dreaded gangster Vishal Goswami sold 4kg of gold jewellery to an Agra-based jeweller for Rs 18 lakh. During Goswami’s interrogation it came to light that after killing and robbing a jeweller in Bangalore in 2013, they sold the booty to a jeweller in Agra, said a crime branch officer. Rural Ahmedabad on TB watch list Directly Observed Therapy-Shortcourse (DOTS) model for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) is followed across the country. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Couple killed for 'honour' in Allahabad In a suspected case of honour killing, an aged man and girl were attacked with sharp-edged weapons and later strangulated to death by unidentified assailants in Kohna village late on Thursday night. RLD blames state, Centre govts for farmers' plight Rashtriya Lok Dal general secretary Jayant Chowdhry on Friday blamed rampant corruption in the corridors of power for the problems being faced by the poor. 800 ECC students to get degrees after a year There is a good news for 800 students of Ewing Christian College, who completed their under-graduate course in 2013-14. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		CMC to set up working women's hostel in Satichoura for 50 lakh In view of the problems faced by working women in the city in finding suitable accommodation, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has decided to build a hostel for them. Board aims to publish matric results early Encouraged by the timely completion of evaluation of answer sheets, the Board of Secondary Education aims to publish the matriculation results early this time. May deadline for projects: Chief secy With Banajaga Yatra (search for timber for creating idols of deities), the first ritual of Nabakalebara in Puri, beginning Saturday, chief secretary Gokul Chandra Pati on Friday set May deadline for completion of all development projects. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Rs 2.5L, mobile stolen from parked car in MP Nagar Four bags carrying cash, live cartridges and other goods kept in a SUV went missing from a parking in MP Nagar on Friday. Incident was committed by accused after confusing vehicle’s driver. Serial rapist who ensnared minors nabbed A 27-year-old serial rapist on the prowl was nabbed on Saturday for kidnapping a four-year-old with an intention of rape on March 25. He dumped her near Kaliasot dam and fled after he sensed police presence in the area. Cong gulps down protest as Chouhan govt looks away Congress on Friday ended its four-day agitation in state assembly against Shivraj Singh Chouhan government by gulping down glasses of lemonade More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Ram Navmi celebrated with fervor in Chandigarh Devotees thronged the Sai Mandirs across the region as the Ram Navmi was celebrated with fervor across the country on Saturday. Nobel Laureate's talk floors school pupils at PU campus Over 300 school students from the city and around received exposure of a unique kind at the Panjab University campus on Friday morning. Chandigarh's heritage items auctioned in US for Rs30 lakh The heritage items of the Chandigarh Administration and the Punjab and Haryana High Court were auctioned in USA on Thursday night for $48,750 (approximately Rs30 lakh). More Chandigarh News»

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