News Digest: NAFED procures 1,100 tonnes of onions under PSF

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, June 06, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		NAFED procures 1,100 tonnes of onions under PSF The National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) has procured 1,100 tonnes of onions from Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to stabilise onion prices in the domestic market. 'Disown sadhus taking drugs during Kumbh' The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) on Friday started its state-level session in the city with a mission to ask the seers of various akhadas to disown the sadhus taking drugs during the upcoming Kumbh mela. Officials, citizens, NGOs join hands to clean Godavari For the first time in the city, all the government officials, citizens and environment activists came together to clean the Godavari and its tributaries — Nasardi and Waghadi — right from their origins on the occasion of World Environment Day on Friday. More India News»

		Business
		More analysts downgrade Nestle's stock After falling sharply for three consecutive sessions the Nestle India stock showed some stability on Friday, closing marginally higher on NSE and a tad lower on BSE. Turnover on the bourses in the stock, however, was more than three times its daily average turnover in the past few months. Tax refunds jump 20% in April-May You can hope to get your tax refund faster with the government streamlining the process, resulting in an over 20% jump in payments during April-May. Government eyes insurance for key assets The home ministry has written to various ministries asking them to look at obtaining insurance for reconstruction of critical assets after a natural disaster More Business News»

		Environment
		Plastic choking Gir, the pride of Gujarat Every year, wildlife lovers and voluntary organizations clear tonnes of plastic littering the 36 km-long Girnar Parikrama route. World Environment Day: ITBP to plant 10 lakh trees this year The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force on Friday decided to undertake an ambitious project of planting 10 lakh saplings across the country as part of its social initiative towards environment conservation. World Environment Day: PM plants 'Kadam' tree sapling Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday planted a Kadam tree at 7RCR on the occasion of World Environment Day to create awareness for environment. More Environment News»

		World
		Stolen US federal data goes back 30 years Data stolen from US government computers by suspected Chinese hackers included security clearance information and background checks dating back three decades, US officials said on Friday, underlining the scope of one of the largest known cyber attacks on federal networks. Kathmandu Valley to enter UN's 'heritage in danger' list Thirty-six-years after it was designated as a world heritage site by Unesco, the famous Kathmandu Valley is all set to enter the infamous list of world heritage in danger – thanks to devastating earthquake recently. Boston bomber's friends sentenced to prison Two college friends of the Boston Marathon bomber were sentenced to prison on Friday for removing a backpack containing empty fireworks shells from Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's dorm room amid a massive manhunt three days after the deadly 2013 attack. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Anil Kapoor looks up to Javed Akhtar the most Anil Kapoor has the rare distinction of being the only actor who has had the opportunity of working with all the Akhtars, starting with Javed Akhtar to Zoya to Farhan to Shabana Azmi to Honey Irani. Akshay plans an 'unplanned month-long holiday' We all know how Akshay Kumar is a disciplinarian when it comes to his work. But he is equally particular about going on his family holiday after every film. Bollywood's biggest Twitter wars A look at some of the biggest wars by Bollywood celebs on micro-blogging site Twitter. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		A blood test can tell every virus you've ever had Test detects every known human virus from single drop of blood Washington: Researchers have developed a new test that can detect every known human virus that currently or previously infected a person from a single drop of blood. FDA panel approves 'viagra for women' After an intense lobbying campaign, a federal advisory panel recommended approval of what would become the first drug to treat a lack of sexual desire in women. Texas man is first to get skull-scalp transplant US doctors hailed a complex operation as a world first after performing a skull and scalp transplant on a cancer patient who also received a new kidney and pancreas during the procedure. More Science News»

		Sports
		Can't force either India or Pakistan to revive ties: ICC Dave Richardson said that while ICC wants resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral ties but it cannot interfere in the matter concerning boards from both countries. US denies visa to Indian youth archery team India's participation in the World Youth Archery Championships has been thrown into jeopardy after 20 members of a 31-strong team, including Korean coach Chae Wom Lim, were denied visa by the US embassy. Wawrinka beats Tsonga to reach first French Open final Stan Wawrinka reached the French Open final for the first time on Friday by defeating France's last hope, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-3, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Own more than one smartphone? 5 things you can do Flipkart 'caught' offering fake discount A closer look at a product’s listing on Flipkart showed that it was priced at Rs 399 by the manufacturer, but Flipkart was selling it as if Rs 399 was the price after discount. Xolo Chromebook review: No frills laptop Google has now realised the need for affordable Chromebooks and partnered with the likes of India’s Xolo to introduce a device priced as low as Rs 12,999. More Technology News»

		Education
		They shop online but like to apply on paper They don’t think twice about online shopping but when it comes to applying online for Delhi University seats, school graduates still hesitate. Despite a practically glitch-free round of online application—registration and fee-payment—for over a week, faith in the system is clearly still low. Only that can explain the crowds at the eight admission centres across Delhi University and the 21,813 forms sold on the first day of offline registration. Over 5,000 submitted. Oxford University's last male-only club to admit women The last male-only undergraduate club at Oxford University is all set to welcome its first female members after it voted unanimously to admit female undergraduate students. Give free education to specially-abled students: HP HC to government Himachal Pradesh high court on Friday directed the state government to provide free education to specially-abled students up to university level.The court also enhanced the amount of their scholarship. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'Narcotics cell cop tried to deceive investigators' The crime branch, which is probing the drug mafia-policemen ties, has claimed that arrested senior inspector of the anti-narcotics cell Suhash Gokhale tried to mislead the investigating team. Now, Arthur Road Jail goes on air; inmates run in-house radio centre Taking a leaf from Tihar and Yerawada Central Jails, Arthur Road Jail has started its own radio centre, which will be operated by the inmates themselves and aired in all barracks and high-security cells, including that of 26/11 terror attack handler Abu Jundal, via the public address system. Lead in Maggi within safe limit: Maharashtra FDA results The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not find any excess lead in nine of the 15 samples of Maggi noodles tested over the past fortnight. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		New wetland off Barapullah to curb pollution in Yamuna In a bid to curb pollution in Yamuna, the Delhi Development Authority has decided to develop a wetland on the floodplains to treat the water of Barapullah drain before it is released into the river. Also in the works is a biodiversity park near Okhla bird sanctuary. The wetland project will start in a month’s time. Native plants for Ridge Now extinct, the native plant and grass species that gradually disappeared from Kamla Nehru Ridge, part of Delhi Ridge, might be restored before monsoon. Many plant species like Salai, to be reintroduced, hold medicinal value. There is a plan to restore its wetlands too. LG doesn't take our calls, doing PM bidding: Kejriwal In his first interview to a TV channel after becoming chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal on Friday launched a scathing attack on lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of trying to govern Delhi indirectly. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		`Music leaves a lot to the imagination' Tajdar Junaid is on a high after composing for several international films and his debut album. Authors look for unusual launch pads When first-time writer Adhirath Sethi sat down to think of ideas for the launch of his book The Debt Collector's Due, he was clear that he didn't want it to be a typical wine and cheese affair, where guests stood around talking desultorily. Study blames industrial effluents for Varthur Lake froth Pavana V, a 15-year-old student from Varthur, east Bengaluru, knows the froth in Varthur Lake has a high concentration of phosphorous, heavy metals and other chemicals. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		3D mapping gives new colour to heritage monuments in Hyderabad The Telangana tourism department has illuminated three monuments in the city — Buddha statue, Kachiguda railway station and Clock Tower — using 3D mapping technology as part of the Formation Day celebrations. Hyderabad's green health in critical condition On World Environment Day, Hyderabad has no reason to cheer. 90 ppm lead allowed, 1.18L ppm found! While the Maggi saga has put the spotlight on hazards of excess lead, a Delhi-based environmental group revealed the shocking presence of 'very high lead concentrations' up to 1.18 lakh parts per million (ppm) in samples of enamel decorative paints sold in stores across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		The real noodles: Slow to cook, good to eat Toddlers to tipplers miss Maggi, but non-instant varieties are healthier options. Bombay man TN took to heart Former TN Ranji cricketer Michael Dalvi on the high he got batting in Chepauk, driving around Madras in his Volkswagen, the high-intensity league matches and more. Mobile snatchers on loose, give cops a tough time They alter IMEI numbers before reselling phones. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		'Friends' rob youth of Rupees 1.02 lakh in Ahmedabad A 25-year-old youth was robbed by two persons who identified themselves as cops late on Wednesday night.Police arrested six, including the victim's friend Dharmik Patel, for the crime on Friday. Man arrested in Ahmedabad for murder in Odhav City crime branch on Friday arrested Ravikant Sikvar, a resident of Odhav and native of Uttar Pradesh, for stoning his friend Kuldeep Sikvar to death. Person who helped hit-and-run accused held in Ahmedabad Police on Friday arrested Fenil Shah for aiding the hit-and-run accused, Ali Ayyubkhan Pathan, a resident of Nawab Chawl in Shah-e-Alam. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		HQ Purva celebrates 45th Raising Day HQ Purva UP & MP Sub Area, Allahabad, celebrated its 45th Raising Day on Monday with full zeal and enthusiasm. AAP seeks rollback in service tax Volunteers of Aam Admi Party (AAP) on Monday staged a demonstration in the city demanding Union government to rollback service tax which has gone up to 14% from Monday. 'Fabricator' on world tour after losing a leg BV Narayana was in his early twenties when he lost a leg after being hit by a group of motorcyclists. After three decades, he decided to tour across the globe to make people aware of traffic norms so that they could be saved from the pain that he had to undergo. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		CBI raids chit fund company in Odisha CBI, probing the Odisha mega chit fund scam, on Thursday raided Jana Mangal Agro Care, a Ponzi firm, accused of cheating investors of more than Rs 50 crore. Simultaneous raids were conducted at four places in Jajpur district and two locations in Ganjam. State sends Maggi to Pune lab for tests Amid growing concerns about safety standards of Maggi noodles, the state government on Wednesday sent samples of the instant snack to an accredited laboratory in Pune. Red fear forces 60 families to leave villages At least 60 families of 11 villages in the cut-off area across Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri district have left home due to Maoist fear. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Madhya Pradesh to get fertiliser plants in Jabalpur, Jhabua Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers Ananth Kumar on Friday said that Madhya Pradesh would soon get two fertiliser plants with a total production capacity of 26 lakh ton. Madhya Pradesh boy loses palm in mobile blast Hands of a 12-year old boy were severely damaged after a mobile phone exploded in his hands in Satna district on Friday evening. Vegan Shivraj gets PETA award for taking eggs off mid-day meals This may be a new chicken and egg story for Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who recently scrapped serving of eggs in the Anganwadis of three tribal districts of the state. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Punjab government to launch awareness campaign against stubble burning Faced with an uphill task of tackling the widespread practice of stubble burning that has taken a toll on the environment of not only Punjab but also the national capital, Punjab government has started offering subsidy on equipment that can dispose of wheat and paddy residue. Transfer order of 78 forest officials cancelled in Chandigarh Haryana forest department on Friday cancelled posting and transfer orders of 78 officials that were issued by outgoing head of the department few days before his retirement on May 31. 3 held with 530kg poppy husk in Karnal Police arrested three persons on Thursday night with 530kg poppy husk near GT Road at Gharaunda in Karnal district. More Chandigarh News»

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