News Digest: Silence those who call me thief: Mamata Banerjee

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, April 17, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Silence those who call me thief: Mamata Banerjee A Jadavpur road-show is a staple pre-poll schedule for chief minister Mamata Banerjee. It’s also about homecoming. Modi promise wins over Netaji kin Finally, declassification move going in right direction, says family Parties may get free airtime on private media, fuel expenses The EC compilation on points of consensus at the national consultation on political finance is being sent to all national and state parties for their views. Once their comments are in, EC will incorporate them into its final document to be forwarded to the law ministry. More India News»

		Business
		Ola raises $400m, led by DST Global In one of the largest financing rounds for an Indian internet startup, taxi-hailing service Ola said it has raised $400 million - or around Rs 2,500 crore - led by Russian tech billionaire Yuri Milner's investment firm DST Global. Arun Jaitley pushes US for totalization pact Finance minister Arun Jaitley has urged US authorities to create a framework that would help Indian workers to get back $3 billion annually, which they contribute as social security in the US. Need $60bn a year to power growth: Suresh Prabhu Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday said that the country needs around $50-60 billion in investment every year. More Business News»

		Environment
		Apple invests in China solar project, US forest conservation Apple is expanding its environmental efforts by investing in a new Chinese solar power project and preserving 36,000 acres of ``sustainable'' timberland in Maine and North Carolina. China to ban water-polluting paper mills, refineries China will ban water-polluting paper mills, oil refineries, pesticide producers and other industrial plants by the end of 2016, as it moves to tackle severe pollution of the country's water supply. Chinnaswamy is country's first solar powered venue Next time you soak in the fun of Twenty20 cricket under a starry sky at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, be rest assured your favourite summer pastime will leave little carbon footprint. More Environment News»

		World
		'41 missing' in new Mediterranean migrant boat tragedy As many as 41 migrants drowned after a small boat carrying refugees sank in the Mediterranean, Italian media said today, days after 400 were lost in another shipwreck. Iran nuclear talks to resume in Vienna on April 22-23 Major world powers and Iran will resume talks next week on Tehran's nuclear program, aiming to come up with a comprehensive deal by the end of June. Putin defends Iran missile decision during call-in show President Vladimir Putin sternly urged the West to respect Russia's interests in global affairs and defended his move to sanction the delivery of a long-range air defense missile system to Iran during a marathon TV call-in show with the nation. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Anushka's parents encourage army kids Amidst the news surrounding Anushka Sharma and beau Virat Kohli, we spotted the actress’ parents (retired army officer father Ajay Kumar Sharma and mother Ashima) making a quiet appearance at a movie screening on Wednesday evening. Interestingly, we found ourselves privy to the conversation they had with a young actress and her sister, who worked as an AD on Anushka’s next. No films in Parineeti Chopra's kitty? According to a report on Pinkvilla.com, Parineeti Chopra is waiting for the right script. The bubbly actress was quoted saying that she hasn't found anything she's liked and the directors she wants to work with are busy. Manoj turns producer for Tabu starrer thriller Manoj Bajpayee has been an actor for over 20 years, so it is natural for him to graduate to being a producer. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Mystery behind knuckles' crackle solved The distinctive popping sound heard when cracking knuckles is caused due to a cavity forming rapidly inside the finger joints, scientists have established for the first time ever. Self-powered camera is a reality The world's first selfpowered video camera that runs without a battery and can produce an image each second has been developed by researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist. Device to help blind board bus BEST has introduced on a trial basis a device which helps visually challenged persons board buses. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sourav Ganguly keeps mum on India coach's job Sourav Ganguly on Thursday preferred to remain tightlipped on whether he is a possible contender for next coach of the Indian cricket team. Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets Ajinkya Rahane scored a patient fifty to lead Rajasthan Royals to a close six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. I want to win more Grand Slams before retiring: Sania Mirza Sania Mirza scaled the doubles ranking peak but the Indian star says there is never enough and she wants to win more Grand Slam titles before retiring. More Sports News»

		Technology
		7 best smartphones launched in India recently Our pick of seven best smartphones includes devices across price range. Here’s over to the 7 best smartphones launched in India recently… First impressions: Apple Watch We spent some time with the Apple Watch and here’s what we feel about it… Airtel Zero against free internet: Trai The telecom regulator is of the view that the controversial Airtel Zero plan prima facie violates the principle of net neutrality. More Technology News»

		Education
		Let civil court resolve UGC letter mystery: HC The suspense behind the "mysterious letter" of university grant commission (UGC) on the basis of which two subjects, political science and public administration were considered equal for appointment of faculty in teaching institutes, would now be decided by a civil court. 2 additional seats for rural students at PU likely soon Panjab University (PU) will soon create two additional seats in each course for students belonging to rural areas. Colleges congratulate PU VC A day after a notification was received by Panjab University (PU) informing extension of vice chancellor Arun Kumar Grover, colleges congratulated the VC over the extended tenure that will go up to 2015. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		By-poll dress rehearsal raises Sena's hopes for civic elections The Shiv Sena, which combined a well-crafted strategy with organisational networking to win the Bandra (East) assembly by-election, plans to replicate the strategy in the forthcoming Aurangabad and Navi Mumbai municipal corporation elections, sources said. MNS upset as Marathi movie GR still not out The state government has made it mandatory for all theatres and multiplexes in the city to screen at least one Marathi film in the prime-time slot. Racecourse restaurant stops in its tracks as BMC serves notice The BMC sent a notice on Monday to a restaurant on the racecourse premises, asking it to stop operations because it does not possess the requisite licence to run an eatery. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		DUSIB babu sent back to central dept Less than a fortnight after he was asked to relinquish charge as member secretary of the Delhi Dialogue Commission, Ashish Joshi was on Thursday moved out of the post of member finance of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board. `Multilevel parking bad idea' Urban planners are opposed to multilevel parking projects. They say these are not a solution to the growing parking problem. Govt can't disown buses in Delhi The fact is that government is in public transport for perpetuity,“ says SK Lohia, OSD in the minis try of urban development. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		BBMP, pollution board get an earful Taking a potshot at the Palike's work culture, the bench said the civic agency is "service minded" and has a "very aesthetic" way of functioning wherein it didn't want to earn money but help contractors earn money at its expense. Video on rogue auto driver goes viral Video grabs of an autorickshaw driver abusing a woman commuter and harassing her have been posted on the city traffic police website. Glitches force girl to change 5 computers After years of preparation for IIT-JEE Main, the last thing Anjali wanted was her computer to hang when she began answering the paper. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Alair encounter: HC directs state government to file affidavit Justice Vilas V Afzulpurkar of the Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed the Telangana government to file an affidavit by April 23 informing the court whether a case of unnatural deaths has been registered in the encounter killings of Viquaruddin and four others at Alair in Nalgonda district. H5N1 virus ran riot as government slept in Hyderabad It was only after 39,240 birds perished that the state animal husbandry department woke up to the deadly avian influenza virus doing the rounds on the city outskirts. Celebratory party by C Parthasarathy and Mona in Hyderabad Celebratory party by C Parthasarathy and Mona in Hyderabad More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Accident relief paid sans court case If ever there is a textbook case of harmonious settlement of accident claim, this is it. There was an accident and injury, but the settlement came without any case being filed and a word being uttered in court, because all documents were in order. Probe into fake abduction reveals triple murder, two held An investigation into the “kidnapping” of a Korrukupet plastic trader has led police to the shocking discovery that the trader and his friend murdered three men in 1998. Truck carrying Rs 1 cr worth of chocolate raw material stolen, 2 held Police on Wednesday arrested two men for taking away a truck container containing 36 tonnes of raw material used in the manufacture of chocolate in Red Hills. The consignment, worth around Rs 1 crore and meant for a unit in Italy, was diverted to a private godown. A hunt is on for two others in this connection. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Former IPS Rahul Sharma is now a lawyer Former IPS officer Rahul Sharma, who had sought and was granted early retirement by the state government, is now officially a lawyer. Function held but no book release for Mufti Abdul Qayum Mansuri The Islamic organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had sought police permission to hold a public function at Dariapur for inauguration of the legal aid cell and the organization's office on Thursday evening. Exam anxiety claims teen's life in Ahmedabad A class 8 student from Sardarnagar on Thursday committed suicide by setting himself ablaze at his residence as he had reportedly not fared well in his exam. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Fake encounter case: DGP appears in HC Director general of police (DGP) Arvind Kumar Jain on Wednesday appeared before the Allahabad high court in connection with an alleged fake police encounter case and apprised the court about the action being taken against the accused policemen. Closure notice to 72 unrecognised schools Around 72 unrecognised schools running illegally in the city have been served closure notice by Basic Siksha Adhikari. Rain lashes city for third consecutive day Heavy rain accompanied by swift wind lashed Sangam City for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Parents look to beat summer blues in style Summer vacations provide a welcome break to students from the drudgery of studies and every pupil looks forward to it for spending some quality time with their friends or family. Seashore: No idea about graft CD Seashore Group chief Prashant Dash on Wednesday washed his hands off a controversial audio CD in which one of his employees reportedly claimed the company distributed Rs 550 crore bribe to politicians, mostly ruling BJD. Giant screens to show maiden live telecast of neem tree puja The Khurda district administration is planning to install giant LED screens for live telecast of Nabakalebara rituals at Gadakantunia village where a neem tree was located for Sudarshan’s idol. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Temp up few notches, end of respite from heat soon Respite from hot weather and showers will come to end soon as temperature in state capital is on the climb. System persisting over central parts of Uttar Pradesh was having its impact in state has weakened. 2 girls abducted & raped by 20 men for 15 days Two girls of Khandwa district were allegedly abducted and kept in confinement in a clutch of districts, including Bhopal, raped by 20 people over 15 days before they managed to escape and return home on Monday. Dejected over exam failure, engg student hangs self A 21-year-old student of second year civil engineering in a private college committed suicide by hanging self on Monday. A case was registered at Piplani police station on Tuesday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Komagata Maru charterer's grandchild distressed by PM snub The 4.68 lakh strong Indo-Canadian Sikhs maybe overjoyed at the prospect of PM Narendra Modi's visit to the Komagata Maru museum — dedicated to 20 Sikhs, who were shot after being denied entry to Canada while 350 others were imprisoned — but the Amritsar-based family of the man who chartered the Komagata Maru ship is upset over being left out. MC panel to take call on paver blocks The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has formed a committee to take a final call on the fate of paver blocks, and the issue of their 'haphazard installation' in the city. Bitten by a rabid dog, seventh child dies in Chandigarh "Who is responsible for my child's death? The MC, PGI or the stray dog that bit her?" Imrana, mother of 5-year-old Sadia, who died due to rabies at the PGI on Wednesday night, said. More Chandigarh News»

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