News Digest: Congress dubs govt panel's report on net neutrality 'anti-consumer'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, July 18, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Congress dubs govt panel's report on net neutrality 'anti-consumer' Congress has rejected a government panel's recommendations on net neutrality, describing it as "anti-consumer" and unhealthy for democracy. Party spokesman Salman Khurshid said the condition that people be allowed to access internet messenger services such as WhatsApp without interference of service providers "has not been met" in the report. PM to meet chiefs of all six paramilitary forces next week Expected to be held next week, home ministry sources say, this would be the first time any PM would hold such a meeting with force chiefs. Modi govt incapable of strategic thinking on Pakistan: Congress Former external affairs minister attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has failed the country with respect to Jammu and Kashmir and foreign policy. More India News»

		Business
		Companies dive in for mega branding at Kumbh India is the only market in the world where even multinationals thumb through almanacs. FIIs trim stakes in PSU banks in Q1 With non-performing assets (NPAs) still at high levels and credit growth remaining sluggish, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have offloaded public sector bank (PSB) stocks significantly, including in SBI., in the April-June quarter. Honda to pump in Rs 4K cr for new unit in Gujarat Honda Motor Car Company is on an overdrive in India. The Japanese auto major is looking to pump in a fresh Rs 4,000 crore for a new factory in Gujarat, its third in the country. More Business News»

		Environment
		Gujrat HC seeks ideas on banning old diesel vehicles Gujarat high court on Friday directed the state government to come up with suggestions on discontinuing the use of diesel vehicles that had been plying on roads for more than 10 years. Oceans slowed down global warming In the recent years, extra heat from greenhouse gases has been trapped in the subsurface waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans accounting for the slowdown in the global surface temperature increase observed during the past decade, shows a study. Japan sets 26% cut in greenhouse gas emissions as target Japan said on Friday it would slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2030 from 2013 levels and would submit the plan to the United Nations later in the day as its contribution to a global summit on climate change in Paris in November. More Environment News»

		World
		Greek PM ousts rebels as bailout plan gathers momentum Greek PM Alexis Tsipras on Friday axed ministers who had rebelled over draconian bailout terms, putting his house in order before a fresh round of tough negotiations with creditors including EU hawk Germany, which greenlit the deal. How did gunman go from typical suburban life to attack? Counterterrorism investigators are trying to figure out why a 24-year-old Kuwait-born man, who by accounts lived a typical life in suburban America, attacked two military facilities in a shooting rampage that killed four Marines. More than 100 people injured in train crash in South Africa An emergency services spokeswoman says more than 100 people have been injured in a commuter train collision in South Africa. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I would love to be the human being Salman is' Bangistan, a smart comedy that brings out the bromance between Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat, is coming this month-end. Anita Advani on her relationship with Rajesh Khanna Anita Advani misses superstar Rajesh Khanna even today and in a candid conversation, she spoke about the actor, his last days, his family and their relationship. Priyanka does not travel without her 'aachar' When you look at the super hot Priyanka Chopra, you somehow assume that she must be living on salads and soup. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Marijuana can help treat fractures A component in marijuana can significantly help heal bone fractures, according to a new study that paves the way for future use of cannabinoid drugs to combat osteoporosis and other bone-related diseases. 'Polar bears won't survive warming' A study of an Alaska polar bear population in summer concludes the bear's biology will not help stave off starvation in the face of global warming. ISS astronauts flee to safety after space junk collision scare Three astronauts living at the International Space Station were forced to scramble to safety after what Nasa described as a "close pass" by flying Russian space debris on Thursday. More Science News»

		Sports
		I respect SC decision but disappointed for players: Dravid Rahul Dravid says the decision of the Justice Lodha committee to ban Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL will affect the young players. 1st T20I: India beat Zimbabwe by 54 runs, take 1-0 lead Axar Patel (3/17) and Harbhajan Singh (2/29) bowled India to a convincing 54-run victory against Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International in Harare. Van Avermaet wins Stage 13, Froome still leads Tour Greg van Avermaet of the BMC team won Stage 13 of the Tour de France with a finishing burst of speed Friday that pushed Peter Sagan into second place. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5 biggest smartphone myths busted Though smartphones are not as old as PCs, cameras and many other common gadgets; over the years many myths have got attached to them. Here's the truth behind the five biggest smartphone myths. Net neutrality: Activists give panel a zero on zero-rating Activists and others who had sent detailed recommendations to Trai and DoT came out against the report’s stance on zero rating and VoIP. First impressions: Samsung Galaxy J7 Samsung Galaxy J7 sports a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display and although we expected a 1080p screen, the HD panel doesn’t look bad. More Technology News»

		Education
		Altered GMAT allows retest after 16 days Aspirants of Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) will no longer need to wait for a month for re-test and the report cards will no longer mention the cancelled scores. DU to blame for plight of researcher: Ex-Stephenian The chain of charges and counter-charges in the sexual harassment case at St Stephen's College grew, with Devansh Mehta, who started the first weekly e-magazine of the college, and All-India Progressive Women's Association member Kavita Krishnan on Friday criticizing Delhi University for not acting to safeguard the survivor. Delhi girl tops CA finals, CPT Showing that the Class XII results are not the end of the world, Delhi girl Shailee Chaudhary topped the final exam of the chartered accountants (CA) final examination and the common proficiency test (CPT), the results of which were declared on Thursday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC says Ganesh pandals can't block roads The Bombay high court on Friday reiterated that the municipal commissioner cannot grant permission to put up temporary pandals that will result in obstructing vehicular traffic and free movement of pedestrians. Charges in chikki row 'partly true', admits Pankaja Munde  After firm denials of wrongdoing, women and child welfare department minister Pankaja Munde on Friday came up with a subdued but candid admission in the state assembly over the controversial chikki contracts worth Rs 206 crore cleared by her department in a single day.  'Don't make a mess on Marine Drive' Marine Drive residents have urged the civic body and political parties to stop tinkering with the heritage precinct. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Stalker stabs girl to death in central Delhi market She dared to stand up to her stalker and paid with her life for it. Meenakshi, 19, was knifed to death on Thursday night in front of terrified witnesses at a crowded market in the heart of the capital, by the man she had sent behind bars for stalking her. Registrar of societies caught taking Rs 10 lakh bribe in Delhi The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made a major dent in the Kejriwal government's claims of reducing corruption in the national capital. South Delhi Corporation fines 101 builders for violating NGT orders In a drive undertaken by South Delhi Municipal Corporation's building department (central zone) 101 builders have been fined for violating NGT orders. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		InMobi staffer becomes a mountain yogi in game Jitesh is an unlikely name for a mobile game character, more so in a game developed by a Belgian-US venture.  Kageri moves privilege motion against tourism minister, dept BJP MLA Visveswara Hegde Kageri on Friday moved a breach of pri8vilege against tourism minister RV Deshpande and his department for not announcing the tourism policy in the legislature before holding a public function on July 16. Note-counting machine haunts Eshwarappa Opposition leader K S Eshwarappa was cornered by Congress members in the council on Friday when V Ugrappa questioned his moral right to speak on corruption in the Lokayukta. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Beware! Your online purchase might just be a stolen item Thieves too have gone hi-tech in Hyderabad. Hyderabad vows to dethrone Bangalore as IT capital Despite Hyderabad trailing Bangalore by a wide margin in IT exports, the Telangana government on Friday said it was aiming to outdo the Garden City and emerge as the information technology capital of the country in a few years. Crocodile takes a Pushkaralu 'dip' Pilgrims taking a holy Pushkaralu dip in the Godavari got a scare when a young crocodile measuring about a foot and a half got caught in a fisherman's net barely 300 yards from the Palammarevu bathing ghat in Velamakurthi village in Karimnagar district. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Amid slump, builders roll out Aadi offers The onset of Aadi, considered an inauspicious month for making major decisions by most communities in the country, has set builders thinking about strategies to keep the realty market floating. SHRC recommends Rs 55K for man assaulted by cops The State Human Rights Commission has recommended the state government to pay Rs 55,000 to a person allegedly assaulted by three policemen. Experts: TN a loser in solar deal with Adani Even in Gujarat, the leader in solar power generation in the country, the tariff is now less than Rs 7 per unit, a sharp drop from Rs 9 or more per unit that the state was paying till a couple of years back. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Traffickers sell woman for 10 lakh; three arrested in Ahmedabad Following a rap by Gujarat high court (HC) directing police to act in an alleged case of human trafficking, women cell of the city crime branch on Friday night arrested three including two women for allegedly selling off a 25-year-old woman in marriage to a Himmatnagar-based youth for Rs 10 lakhs. Gold, silver prices fall to 3-month low in Ahmedabad With consistent drop in international prices coupled with decrease in demand, the gold and silver prices have come down to three-month low in the city.  Ahmedabad celebrates Eid, Rath Yatra today Double festivities are in order as the city will celebrate both Rath Yatra and Eid on Saturday — a coincidence taking place after 30 years. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		'Chillar' gangs steal goat, snatch paddy for their survival Ironically, these smaller gang are relying on petty offences like stealing cattle especially goats or cutting crops to feed themselves and survive. Allahabad among 400 railway stations to be redeveloped The railway station at Allahabad, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Mythological Saraswati, is among the 400 stations selected by the Union Cabinet for redevelopment. Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh are also organized at this place after every 12 and six years respectively. Balkhadia's death marks end of 'bandit era' in Bundelkhand Death of Sudesh Patel alias Balkhadia marks the end of the reign of dreaded dacoits who held Bundelkhand to ransom and outsourced ‘extortion industry’ to ensure free flow of arms, ammunitions and mobiles. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Rath makers' hard labour bears fruit The construction of the three chariots is over. So is the effort put in by hundreds of people, involved in making them. Like lakhs of devotees, people, who have fashioned the Raths, are eagerly waiting for the Lord to appear. Prabhu opens train line amid protests The battle of dominance between the BJP and the BJD during inauguration of Nabakalebara-related projects took an ugly turn on Thursday as supporters of the two parties confronted each other at Malatipatapur, six km from Puri. Tribals to get a feel of Rath Yatra Legend has it that Jagannath was originally worshipped as Neela Madhab by a Sabar headman (tribal chief) named Viswavasu. But not many tribals of the state get a chance to visit Puri during the annual Rath Yatra. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Cong hits out at BJP for delay in suspension of Kirar Congerss today lashed out at BJP for delay in suspension of its leader Gulab Singh Kirar, allegedly involved in Vypam scandal. Kirar is absconding since over the year after STF filed a case against him and his son Shakti Singh. MP Assembly to have stormy Monsoon session on Vyapam scam he Monsoon session of Madhya Pradesh Assembly beginning July 20 will be a stormy affair with Congress determined to raise Vyapam scandal and role of state government in it. MP Assembly to have stormy Monsoon session on Vyapam scam The Monsoon session of Madhya Pradesh Assembly beginning July 20 will be a stormy affair with Congress determined to raise Vyapam scandal and role of state government in it. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Donations, 'raddi' brought Khan 18L per month CHANDIGARH: A close scrutiny of recovered cash receipts from the office of NGO Theatre Age revealed that Zulfikar Khan was receiving donations of around Rs8 lakh within a fortnight, and sale of old newspapers (raddi) brought him about Rs8,000 every day. Man booked for harassing Kharar couple A Kharar-based couple on Friday lodged an FIR against a Ludhiana-based resident for sending obscene messages and pictures and passing derogatory remarks. Rs 5.48-cr fraudster in police net The police have arrested the manager of an Industrial Area-based automobile agency, Virender Singh Rawat, who cheated UCO Bank, Sector 17,Chandigarh, and 36 borrowers to the tune of Rs 5.48 crore by submitting forged and fabricated sales certificates. More Chandigarh News»

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