News Digest: We have to run a really tight ship, admit these former first ladies

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, March 13, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		We have to run a really tight ship, admit these former first ladies Wives of two former chief ministers share the nitty-gritty of their monthly household expenditure with TOI, ahead of CM Siddaramaiah's Budget today. Patiala school owner's murder case cracked, former partners held Conspiracy to kill a Patiala-based school owner, whose bullet-ridden body was found near Rakhra village on the Patiala-Nabha highway on March 1 morning, was hatched by his three former business partners, according to investigators who have arrested two of them. CM Virbhadra Singh saves son from opposition fire in House Chief minister Virbhadra Singh challenged the opposition to fight the political battle outside the assembly. More India News»

		Business
		Insurance inflows likely to hit Rs 62k crore The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill has been hanging fire since 2008. Several global insurers have since gone bust and many have shrunk their empires. ITC to up cigarette prices by 14% now If you still continue with the habit of puffing cigarettes then get ready spend more on it. Tata picks up stake in Paytm Ratan Tata is making yet another personal investment in the country's digital economy, this time in mobile payments and commerce venture Paytm. More Business News»

		Environment
		'Fresh air birthright, in touch with Delhi govt on steps' The level of particulate matter (PM10), which can cause serious health problems, has exceeded prescribed limits over Delhi and five neighbouring cities, including Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut and Alwar, environment minister Prakash Javadekar admitted in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Govt should focus on cleanliness of environment: NGT The government should focus on ensuring cleanliness of environment instead of mulling to cut down powers of the National Green Tribunal, the panel's chief Justice Swatanter Kumar on Thursday said. Scientist questions green nod to hydel projects A top American researcher has questioned the scientific accuracy of environmental impact assessment reports for India's hydropower projects, criticising the process behind environmental clearances as being "manipulative". More Environment News»

		World
		Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi accepts allegiance of Boko Haram The leader of the Islamic State militant group that controls tracts of Syria and Iraq has accepted a pledge of allegiance from Nigerian Islamists Boko Haram, his spokesman said, calling on supporters to fight in Africa. British author Terry Pratchett dies aged 66 British author Terry Pratchett, creator of the science fantasy Discworld novels, died on Thursday aged 66 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, his publishers said. War crimes inquiry likely soon: Sri Lanka president A domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes committed during the Sri Lankan civil war may be set up in less than a month, President Maithripala Sirisena said on his trip to Britain. He, however, said the investigation won’t involve international observers or UN officials. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Mahesh Bhatt to make his singing debut with Mr. X Whether you like a film made by the Bhatts or not, you cannot not like their music. Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha at the top position in Times Celebex While Baby gets Akshay Kumar, Rana Daggubati and Anupam Kher in the top 10, Tevar gets Sonakshi Sinha the top spot in Times Celebex powered by zoOm! for January 2015 After the slap, now Deepika, Anas patch up Actors Deepika Singh and Anas Rashid, aka Sandhya and Sooraj from the show 'Diya Aur Baati Hum', who were at loggerheads till a few days back, have finally decided to resolve their differences More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Solar panel stacks get more out of sun In yet another display of Gujarati 'jugaad', a team of scientists from Gandhinagar-based Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) has designed solar panels that can be stacked one on top of the other. Ahmedabad's Renal transplant varsity to research on new techniques The world’s first kidney transplant university in Ahmedabad, being built by Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) at the cost of Rs 50 crore, will prepare documentary-based science evidence on transplants and new-age techniques. Chinese find new 'silk route' to power next-gen batteries A 'green' material derived from natural silk can boost the performance of lithium-ion batteries used %in portable gadgets and electric cars, scientists say. More Science News»

		Sports
		Saina Nehwal rises to No. 2 in world badminton rankings Riding on her stupendous performance at the All England Championship, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal regained the world number two spot in the latest BWF rankings. Will rest a player if there is danger of breakdown: Dhoni Captain MS Dhoni believes in giving his cricketers long rope and even after sealing a quarterfinal berth is averse to making changes in playing XI. India beat Nepal 2-0 in 1st leg of 2018 World Cup qualifiers Sunil Chhetri struck twice as India notched up a 2-0 win over Nepal in a dominating display in the first leg of their 2018 World Cup qualifying round one. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi Redmi 2 launched in India: First look We went hands-on with Xiaomi Redmi 2 at the India launch event to see how it works and how well it stacks up against the rivals. Pakistani cybersecurity firm stealing Indian bureaucrats' data: FireEye A Pakistani cybersecurity firm with close ties to Islamabad has been found stealing information from Indian government and defence establishments. Xiaomi Redmi 2, Moto E (Gen 2) vs 5 biggest rivals Xiaomi has unveiled its budget warrior Redmi 2 in the Indian market, just a day after the second-generation Moto E went up for sale in the country. More Technology News»

		Education
		Amritsar inspired Manto but city has no trace of him It was not in Mumbai or Lahore that Partition's best known story-teller Saadat Hasan Manto wrote his first story. PU's high-energy physicists were part of international projects Among the list of names that are to receive their doctoral (PhD) degrees at the 64th convocation of Panjab University (PU) on Saturday, there are a few who have represented the university at international projects. Girls to rule doctoral degrees at PU convocation Women power of Panjab University (PU) will be visible at its convocation as well. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		H1N1 virus deadlier than before: MIT The Indian-origin MIT scientists studied two samples of strains that were circulating in 2014 and found three mutations, which add to the virus’s capacity to affect respiratory cells in the lungs and the throat more virulently, and also add to the severity of the disease. Slab falls off FOB at Mulund station A tragedy was averted as a slab from a foot over bridge connecting the east and west sides of Mulund railway station broke off an fell on the tracks below on Thursday late evening. Raj, Shelar take HC flak over hoardings Bombay high court on Thursday issued show-cause notices for contempt of court to MNS chief Raj Thackeray and BJP’s city chief Ashish Shelar for breach of their personal undertaking More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Pregnant woman dies of swine flu in Delhi, toll reaches 11 A pregnant woman succumbed to swine flu at Dayanand hospital taking the death toll from the disease in Delhi to 11.  Man held for harassing five Manipur women in Delhi A 32-year-old MNC employee has been arrested for allegedly harassing a group of women from Manipur at Lodhi Garden. Gangster held for murders in Delhi A 35-year-old gangster, involved in the murder of four people in Mitraon village in Najafgarh, was arrested by the special cell. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bring Prabha killer to book, says husband Prabha Arun Kumar, 41, who was murdered in Sydney last week, had promised her daughter a little penguin toy. "She will never be able to (keep that promise)," her husband G Arun Kumar said on Thursday, making an emotional plea for bringing her killer to justice. Budget work isn't hectic, it took less than 15 days: CM On the eve of presenting his 10th state budget and second since taking over as chief minister, Siddaramaiah didn't seem to have any pre-budget blues. H1N1 targeting the middle-aged The deadly H1N1 virus has been afflicting more middle-aged persons this year. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Fight over felines reaches court! For six months now, the Ghosh family of West Marredpally here has been embroiled in a cat fight, literally! Defence land near Golconda Fort identified for T's parade ground After a 10-day marathon exercise, the Hyderabad district administration identified two parcels of defence land for the proposed new parade ground near Golconda Fort. Telangana govt ready with new secretariat blueprint The Telangana government has started the construction process of its new secretariat at Erragadda. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Winning a woman's love: A long, arduous task It is said that the katha -story -is only a part of the Kathakali experience. The powerful drums, the elabo rate make-up of the actors and their grand gestures and eye movements can be enthralling in and of themselves. But the sixth edition of Kathakali festival at Kalakshetra, March 7-10, sought to educate the Chennai audience. Head east to catch sight of endangered birds It's always the Western Ghats that are in the spotlight and few know that its eastern counterpart has a rich biodiversity. A team from Chennai recently completed a three-year study on birds of the Eastern Ghats and recorded 270 species of birds, of which 15 are rare, endangered or threatened. IIT-M sets target to kill only cancer cells From retching for several hours to pain in her throat every time she swallowed, K Kavitha, a 52-year-old breast cancer survivor grimaces every time she recalls her battle. She felt like her body was being beaten to get the abnormal growth out. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Driver slips out in time as container topples on his car When the passers-by saw a car crushed by a 40-foot, 28 tonne container, few could believe that the driver could have escaped the catastrophe. Injuries no handicap for these students of Ahmedabad Despite grievous injuries these youngsters had the guts of steel to appear for the board exams on Thursday. Temperature dips, swine flu fear rises in Ahmedabad The sudden change in weather on Thursday has let out a warning amongst health authorities in the state. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lawyer killed, another injured in court premises in Allahabad An advocate was killed and another seriously injured when allegedly a police sub-inspector opened fire in self-defence inside the district court premises, following which lawyers went on a rampage, hurling stones at police and administrative officials and resorting to arson. Pending dues: Teachers threaten to boycott evaluation work Teachers, who evaluated UP Board’s class X and XII answer-sheets in 2014, have decided to boycott the work this year if their pending dues were not cleared by the end of the ongoing board exams. Hindustani Academy's project hits fund crunch Fund crunch has put paid to Hindustani Academy’s ambitious plan of digitization of rare books in its library. The Academy had launched the project to facilitate research scholars, including young readers, from across the world and was hoping to revive its lost glory. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Students take matric answer sheets home The Board of Secondary Education and controversy go hand in hand.This year, serious irregularities have been detected in the conduct of the matriculation examination. IAS officer wife 'torture': Congress seeks govt response The Congress on Thursday demanded the state government to clarify what action it has taken on the purported complaint made by a senior bureaucrat's wife that her husband was having an extra-marital affair with a lady IAS officer and physically and mentally torturing her. Govt chips in for devadasi's care In a belated move, the state government provided financial assistance to Sasimani, believed to be the last surviving devadasi of Jagannath Temple in Puri, for her treatment. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Stuck in first year, Bhabha dental students demand exam In last three years, they have paid fee for three years, but they are still in first year as exams were not conducted in time. Now, Bhabha College of Dental Sciences students are regretting the day they took admission in college. Modi ready to hear Diggy on MPPEB scam Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given time to Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Digvijaya Singh to hear their complaints against Shivraj Singh Chouhan government and its alleged involvement in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam. IIT graduate kills family fearing HIV infection, but tests negative Fearing that he had contracted HIV, a 39-year-old IITian set his wife and kids ablaze in a car before attempting to kill himself at Betul in Madhya Pradesh on March 4. Now it turns out he doesn’t have the virus. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Impersonation case: HC stays termination notice to teacher in Chandigarh The Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday stayed the show cause notice issued by the Haryana elementary education department to a primary teacher, who was found to have cleared the state teachers' eligibility test through impersonation to secure appointment. Bajwa to stay state Congress chief till he enjoys Gandhis' trust: Shakeel Dismissing talks of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa's removal, party's national general secretary and in-charge of state affairs Shakeel Ahmed on Thursday said that he would continue at the post. Hooda's plaque under Gandhi portraits removed The plaques bearing the names of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former speaker Kuldeep Sharma and former deputy speaker Akram Khan under the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhim Rao Ambedkar installed in the Haryana Assembly were removed on Thursday. More Chandigarh News»

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