News Digest: SC dismisses Yakub's last minute plea

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, July 30, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		SC dismisses Yakub's last minute plea The Supreme Court just two hours before the scheduled hanging of Yakub Memon dismissed his plea for stay on execution. Yakub's plea: How the late-night action unfolded Yakub Memon, Mumbai blasts convict, will be hanged shortly with the Supreme Court dismissing his last-minute attempt to escape the gallows by rejecting his plea for a stay on the death warrant. IS wants to attack India to draw US into war: Report A recruitment document purported to have been written by Islamic State (IS) terrorists and obtained by the US media through a Pakistani intermediary outlines a strategy to draw the US into an all-out war by attacking India. More India News»

		Business
		Oliphans scores big in startup jungle Oliphans Capital has often strayed from the dominant narrative of India's startup investing - writing cheques to twenty-something IITians (better if they're dropouts), fuelling a consumer technology boom - with impressive outcomes. Microsoft rolls out Win 10 OS Microsoft launched the latest upgrade to its Windows operating system on Wednesday and threw it open for tablets and PCs. GM plans to invest $1bn for revival General Motors on Wednesday sought to make a renewed push to turn around its struggling Indian operations and announced a fresh $1 billion (Rs 6,400 crore) investment, while rationalizing its operations by shutting down its first plant in the country, at Halol in Gujarat. More Business News»

		Environment
		Tiger is ambassador of India's conservation efforts: Experts On the occasion of Global Tiger Day today, wildlife experts said the majestic big cat emerged as the ambassador of India's conservation efforts. Two new species of spiders found in Mumbai A team of young naturalists has discovered two spider species at Aarey Milk Colony. 15 Gharials to be released in Beas belt to boost tourism Punjab government on Tuesday announced that 15 Gharials will be released in the Beas belt as part of its plan to make it a habitat of the species. More Environment News»

		World
		Russia vetoes Security Council proposal on MH17 tribunal Russia on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would set up an international criminal court to prosecute those responsible for shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine a year ago. Hillary Clinton to urge Congress to lift Cuba embargo Hillary Clinton will urge US lawmakers Friday to lift the trade embargo against Cuba, arguing that Republican opposition to normalizing ties reflects the past's "failed policies," her campaign said. US: New York man tried to support Islamic State group Arafat Nagi posted multiple photos of beheadings and severed heads in 2014 before flying to Turkey, where he stayed for 10 days before continuing on to Yemen for a month, a criminal complaint said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Top 10 richest Bollywood celebs Shahrukh Khan is Bollywood's richest celebrity, beating his arch rival Salman Khan. We've had a lovely email exchange When a dancing icon like Hrithik Roshan praises someone else’s dancing abilities, the person is naturally flattered. Why Rishi deleted his message to Huma? Rishi Kapoor never shies from taking off on himself or his Bollywood colleagues. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Newly discovered frog species named after Goan forest officer Wildlife researchers today announced here that a species of frog discovered in South Goa's Netravali forest sanctuary has been named after State Range Forest Officer Prakash Salelkar as 'Indirana Salelkari'. Plants send animal-like signals when under threat In a new finding, scientists have shown that when plants encounter stress they use signals normally found in animals. This is all the more startling because plants do not have nervous systems or brains like animals. French archaeology students find 560,000-year-old tooth The tooth was found last week during excavations at Tautavel, one of Europe's most important prehistoric sites, where about 40 volunteers are working under the supervision of scientists. More Science News»

		Sports
		Kohli fails as India A bundled out for 135 on Day 1 Indian Test captain Virat Kohli's woeful form continued as hosts India 'A' were shot out for a paltry 135 by Australia 'A' in the second unofficial 'Test' match. BCCI ban on Sreesanth to stay, says Anurag Thakur The BCCI insisted that the ban on the 3 Rajasthan Royals players S. Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila would not be lifted. Michel Platini confirms he will run for FIFA president Michel Platini has launched his campaign to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, aiming to give the scandal-hit governing body ``the dignity and the position it deserves." More Sports News»

		Technology
		How to prepare for your upgrade to Windows 10 Windows 10 comes with new features that make it an attractive upgrade. TCS, Infosys, Wipro lost over 1,00,000 employees in four quarters India's $146-billion information technology (IT) industry is consistently hemorrhaging more people than ever before. OnePlus 2 first impressions OnePlus calls its new smartphone the ‘2016 flagship killer’ and says it competes with next year’s smartphones. We spent some time with the new OnePlus 2 and here are our first impressions of the phone… More Technology News»

		Education
		Nebraska varsity scholarships for Gitam students University of Nebraska, US, has come forward to give scholarships to Gitam University students under the Nebraska Advantage Scholarship program, said Prof Patrick McNamara, director of international studies at the University of Nebraska. PG course fee proposed by Mangalore University rationalised The Syndicate of Mangalore University has consented to rationalize the recent fee hike proposed for various post-graduate courses offered by it. AP govt to introduce Japanese language courses in 3 varsities With the Japan government agencies and private companies showing interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh and joining the development of the state capital, Japanese language courses are being introduced in three major universities in the state. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Raj slams those who sought cancellation of death penalty MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday demanded legal action against those who sought the cancellation of Yakub Memon's death penalty even after the Supreme Court upheld the sentence. Cops worked 24x7 to unravel conspiracy The conspiracy behind the blasts was cracked by a team of 42 police officers through meticulous investigation and hard work. Legal options over for Yakub Memon, say experts Legal experts said the law has run its course after the Supreme Court upheld the validity of Yakub Memon’s death warrant and paved the way for his execution. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		On potholed roads, Delhi trips & tumbles Capital's roads are crumbling due to heat and rain. But PWD has no immediate solutions as repairs in patches are clearly not helping. Delhi HC contempt notice to Meena In a setback to the lieutenant governor and the Centre, the Delhi high court on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice for contempt to their appointee, Anti-Corruption Branch chief M K Meena, and summoned him to appear in court on August 4. Chargesheet filed against Farooqui Delhi Police on Wednesday filed chargesheet in a trial court against “Peepli Live” co-director Mahmood Farooqui alleging that had he raped an American research scholar at his residence in Delhi. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		No consensus on support price for sugarcane crop The Sugarcane Control Board on Wednesday failed to resolve the issue of minimum support price (MSP) for the sugarcane crop in Karnataka for 2015-16. How will you change yourself for your city? Pen it on this wall So, what are you ready to do for Bengaluru - t he metro of infamous traffic jams, pathetic road infrastructure and dying lakes? This Saturday, you can ponder over it and scribble your thoughts on this wall. 200 cabbies seek verification daily Cab drivers are making a beeline to the Bengaluru city police headquarters on Infantry Road seeking police verification certificates. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Scuttling the Sprint to Success Last week saw two heart-warming stories of differently-abled boys who strove against odds to represent the country in international competitions. NHAI to re-examine Chilakaluripet highway plan Ticked off by the Hyderabad high court over its controversial decision to drop construction of a bypass road at Chilakaluripet in Guntur district and build a six-lane highway instead, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that it would review its decision soon. Roar back as aging tigress on the mend An old and infirm tigress that was rescued and shifted to Sri Venkateswara Zoo at Tirupati, after being found on the brink of death due to starvation, is now on the mend. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Liquor essential commodity: Judge Liquor is an essential commodity for 30% of people in Tamil Nadu, and hence the government-run Tasmac liquor shops could not be ordered to be closed during the funeral of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, the Madras high court has said. Corporation maps flood-prone areas, bus routes in Chennai With complaints pouring in on water stagnation and broken roads after the recent spells of rain, Corporation of Chennai has started collecting data on flood-prone areas in the city. For one last class with Kalam sir APJ Abdul Kalam was known to enjoy the company of students. He would meet them in scores and address their queries with the same sincerity as he would an issue of national interest. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		10 flights delayed, 1,800 fliers hit More than 1,800 passengers were affected as 10 flights, five incoming and five outgoing, from the city airport were delayed, from 50 minutes to 2 hours, on Wednesday due to bad weather in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. 12% increase in dam storage levels in 48 hours Dams in the state have received inflows of 12% of their total storage capacity in the last 48 hours, ending at 8am on Wednesday.Dams which were almost dry earlier last week are now overflowing. Flood alert sounded as water released from Dharoi A high alert was sounded in low-lying areas of Ahmedabad and 29 villages of Dholka located along the Sabarmati river. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Remembering a teacher, scientist and a philosopher People from all walks of life, including students, lawyers, social activists and leaders of various political parties expressed grief and remembered the contribution of APJ Abdul Kalam. Roadside eateries a major source of infections Anurag Nepali had recently joined the Allahabad University as a student. After a few initial days of euphoria, he was faced with harsh reality in an unknown Sangam City. Continuously plagued with an upset stomach, he contacted a doctor and was diagnosed to be suffering from food poisoning caused by consumption of food from open eateries. 8 BTC trainees selected on fake marksheets District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) principal has lodged a police complaint against eight aspiring teachers for allegedly procuring admission in BTC through fake marksheets. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		A meet with Kalam and Sudarsan shot to fame Fate smiled on the glob-trotting sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik only after his meeting with APJ Abdul Kalam in 2005. People's President called Deogarh writer to thank him for letter On the afternoon of March 25, 2007, Pintu Mahakul received a call.When he answered the phone, he was taken aback at what he heard. Kalam was down to earth: Physicist His humility and simplicity were ingrained in his personality and he was not the one to change his body language according to place and situation, reminisced eminent physicist Trilochan Pradhan of his moments with former president APJ Abdul Kalam. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Vehicle lifter stole scooter to gift it to his girlfriend A youth lifted an Activa scooter for gifting it to his girlfriend. However, the girl refused to accept the gift. Alert residents help police bust interstate burglars' gang, 3 held In a major breakthrough, police succeeded in busting a three-member interstate gang of burglars with the help of alert Koh-e-Fiza residents on Wednesday. Immovable properties: e-Stamping and e-registration must in MP from August 1 The state government has made e-registration mandatory for purchase and sale of immovable properties from August 01. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Hip replacement which would help in squatting At the age of 25, any young boy would think of building a career, marriage or a beautiful life that lies ahead. However, Devinder Singh from Chamba, who is just married, has gone through a Total Hip Replacement surgery. Haryana whistleblower Chaturvedi win Ramon Magsaysay award Haryana’s whistleblower IFS officer has been chosen for this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award for his exemplary integrity and courage in public life. Ludhiana boy shares notes from Kalam's last audience Aditi Goel | He knew his first date with India's missile man would be a memorable one, but had never imagined it could be the last public appearance of India's favourite scientist. More Chandigarh News»

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