News Digest: Ahead of Didi's meeting with PM, TMC explains its 'nuanced' opposition to govt

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, August 07, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Ahead of Didi's meeting with PM, TMC explains its 'nuanced' opposition to govt A week before West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Trinamool Congress chief’s two-day visit to the Capital, her party tried to bring some nuance into its position in Parliament, to ensure that it is seen as part of the opposition benches rather than supporting the BJP government at the Centre. HAM gets telephone symbol Fledgling Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) of former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has been alloted telephone as a symbol by the Election Commission. Settle South China Sea dispute under UN convention: India As India seeks to give teeth to its ‘Act East’ policy, the government on Wednesday asked parties involved in South China Sea (SCS) dispute to learn from the successful arbitration of India's maritime territorial dispute with Bangladesh under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). More India News»

		Business
		Cos' capex to pick up only in FY17: Crisil Capital investments across 22 large sectors show that a slide in investments continues and is further expected to decline 2% in the current fiscal, according to a Crisil Research note. Bharti: Need more towers, spectrum in long term Bharti Airtel MD & CEO for India and South Asia Gopal Vittal spoke to TOI after announcing a nationwide launch of 4G services. Excerpts: Yuvraj Singh invests in US burger chain Cricketer Yuvraj Singh has now set his eyes on juicy burgers. Singh's company YouWeCan Ventures has invested in American burger chain Carl's Jr that is set to open its first store in India this weekend. More Business News»

		Environment
		Threatened tortoises & turtles rescued from Kolkata The officers of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in a joint effort with the crime control unit of the state forest department seized 76 turtles and tortoises from two traders in Sodepur on Thursday morning. Pandas may have unique body clock Unlike other mammals who are typically active either during the day, night or during twilight - at dawn and dusk - pandas may have a unique activity pattern. Action against industrial units polluting Ganga: Govt Government has asked the pollution control boards to initiate action against industrial units discharging contaminated effluents in river Ganga, Union Minister Uma Bharti informed Lok Sabha on Thursday. More Environment News»

		World
		Truck bomb in Kabul kills 8, wounds nearly 200 A truck bomb exploded near an army compound in the centre of the Afghan capital on Friday, killing at least eight people and wounding close to 200, police and health ministry officials said. Trump main attraction at Republican election debate The Republicans set in motion a key ritual of the American political process on Thursday, with billionaire businessman Donald Trump expected to be the main attraction at the party's first debate of the 2016 presidential campaign. Egypt unveils 'gift to the world', Suez Canal 2.0 On Thursday, as children in sailor uniforms waved the Egyptian flag, and fighter jets turned somersaults in the sky spewing the national colours — a cargo ship floated down the newly-inaugurated second passageway of the Suez Canal for the first time. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Riteish on a hat-trick with 'Bangistan'? Riteish Deshmukh has been winning accolades for his performances in diverse films like Ek Villain and Lai Bhaari. As he gears up for Bangistan today, there is palpable excitement. 'Being a Bhatt heroine is a dream come true' Tara Alisha Berry, who was last seen in Anurag Basu’s Chokher Bali, has landed herself a three-film deal with Vishesh Films and will be seen in Vikram Bhatt’s next, titled Love Games, which goes on floor on August 9 in Cape Town. Celebs who rose to fame post break-up Break-ups are hard to deal with as there's pain, tears, heartbreaks and fights. It's even worse when you are a celebrity as your heartbreak is continuously under the scanner and becomes fodder for the paparazzi. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		6-yr extension to genome body chief kicks up a row Ministry of science & technology has given six years extension to Rajesh S Gokhale as director of Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB), without taking any clearance from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Now, ants have a map of their own to show native countries The world's first ever ant map, showing the distribution of the tiny industrious creature around the globe, was launched on Thursday by the University of Hong Kong in a bid to shed more light on the insect world. Eating white bread, rice ups depression risk in women Consuming foods rich in refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and white rice, may cause mood changes, fatigue and other symptoms of depression in postmenopausal women, a new study has warned. More Science News»

		Sports
		4th Ashes Test: Broad sends Australia crashing to 60 A rampant Stuart Broad took 8 wickets as England bundled out Australia for 60 in an extraordinary start to the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Rahane ton lifts Indians after Virat Kohli fails to inspire Rahane struck an unbeaten ton but skipper Kohli's poor form continued as Indians managed 314/6 on Day 1 of their tour game vs SL Board President's XI. Owe my progress as Test batsman to Dravid: Younis Seasoned Pakistan batsman Younis Khan says Indian great Rahul Dravid played a huge role in his development as a top class Test batsman. More Sports News»

		Technology
		How 9 big tech companies got their names Here's tracking down how some of the world's biggest technology companies got their names and what they mean New order on porn ban vague, unimplementable: ISPs The Internet Service Providers Association of Inda (ISPAI) has urged the government to withdraw its earlier directive on banning porn sites. Asus Zenfone Selfie review The latest Zenfone model to enter the melee is the Zenfone Selfie, which aims to lure the Instagram generation. We aim to discover exactly how good this smartphone in our Asus Zenfone Selfie review… More Technology News»

		Education
		1-year rural internship must for medical students In a desperate attempt to provide medical services in rural areas which is plagued by vacant positions in government hospitals, the state government has now made it mandatory for the students admitted in its seven self-financed medical colleges to serve for one year in rural areas. Performance pressure in board exam takes big toll on young minds in Madurai The suicide of the mother of a Class 10 student, who ran away from home allegedly because he was scolded for his poor performance in studies, is an uneasy reminder of the kind of pressure students sitting for board examinations come under, and the tragic consequences that could stem from it. Presidency University eyes 2017 for new campus To make its bi-centenary year special, Presidency University will inaugurate its second campus on January 20 in 2017. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai University exam controller to vacate post before August 17 Even as Mumbai University’s examination house is reeling under the pressure of announcing results and issuing marksheets within deadlines, its top boss is on his way out in less than 10 days. RTO sends fresh notice to Janhavi Gadkar The Wadala RTO on Thursday sent a fresh showcause notice by courier to advocate Janhavi Gadkar at her Chembur residence, asking her to give reasons why her driving licence should not be cancelled. 'Sort out waste treatment plant issue or face ban on construction' Mumbai may be looking at a ban on constructions a la Kalyan-Dombivli, unless the Maharashtra government and BMC set aside differences over permissions for waste treatment facilities at its dumping grounds in the city. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi man jailed for stealing judicial files from court A man was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for stealing judicial files of a case against him from a court's record room. GPS on buses: DTC to be in the driving seat After numerous face-offs with DIMTS over the GPS issue, DTC is now planning to take over the reins itself. Delhi police try to tell kids what's abuse Keeping in mind cases of molestation against children in school cabs, at home or at any other place known to them, Delhi Police on Thursday organized an awareness drive to educate children in the age group of 5-12 years about what acts can be categorized as an act of molestation. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Pigeon feeding in Cubbon Park leaves department staff fuming The development led to a verbal altercation when a few citizens tried to feed the birds on Thursday evening and security guards from the department stopped them. Criminal plaint against ex-BEO in Rs 52L scam The government has ordered the department of public instruction (DPI) to file a criminal complaint against AC Nagesh, a senior lecturer in the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET), Chikkamagaluru. Over 70 children attend school for the first time Over 70 children attended school for the first time in N allurahalli near Whitefield on Thursday. Aged between three and eight, these students of New Nallurahalli School are mostly children of migrant labourers and from nearby villages. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Two cities from Telangana, 3 from Andhra Pradesh to turn 'Smart' Warangal, Hyderabad from Telangana and Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Kakinada from Andhra Pradesh made it to the list of 100 Smart Cities that the NDA government at the Centre proposes to develop in the coming years. T urges central govt to expedite division of staff Upset with the slow progress of the Kamalnathan Committee, Telangana on Thursday urged the Centre to expedite the division of employees keeping nativity of the employees as the main criterion. Voice transcripts from Sebastian's phone reaches FSL In a move likely to speed up the investigation into the cash-for-vote case, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) sleuths sent transcripts of voice conversation records in the HTC phone of Bishop Harry Sebastian, an accused in the case, to Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory (TSFSL) for authentication. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		MRTS may soon chug last mile to St Thomas Mount The long wait for completion of the MRTS stretch be tween Velacherry and St Thomas Mount may be finally over, thanks to the Madras high court. Captain & men add to chaos DMDK leader Vijayakanth, his wife Premalatha and several hundred partymen were arrested in the city on Thursday when they tried to form a human chain, defying police orders. Sanjeev Gupta wins Gollapudi award for best debut director Director Sanjeev Gupta of `Q' fame has won the Gollapudi Srinivas National Award for best debut film director for 2014. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Deadly dengue stalks Ahmedabad If your child has an unusual fever which refuses to break for two or three days, rush your kid to the family physician for dengue tests. Turbidity behind water supply woes in Ahmedabad High levels of turbidity and contamination in Narmada waters, owing to the recent rains, has led Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to restrict water supply in many areas of the city. AMTS gets 20 buses for use in BRTS lane A few months ago, Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL) had gifted the AMTS, 35 of its old grey buses to run in the dedicated corridor between Lal Darwaza and Sarangpur, and on Narol-Naroda route. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lokayukta selection process challenged in HC A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Allahabad high court challenging the process of selection of lokayukta of UP by the state government on the ground that it is reportedly being done without soliciting effective participation of the chief justice of Allahabad high court. Cops to collect blood samples of Balkhadia's family members Chitrakoot police would seek blood samples of Sudesh Patel alias Balkhadia’s family members for DNA testing. Cops told to display moustaches and win prizes The cops are busy twirling their moustaches with pride. But it has nothing to do with controlling crime. It has everything to do with the age old symbol of being manly and macho. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Crime Branch to probe Sarathi Baba controversy The state government on Thursday asked the Crime Branch to probe the controversy surrounding Sarathi Baba after a section of media and social networking sites carried reports and photographs showing the 48-year old spiritual guru in jeans and T-shirts. Food act may miss October deadline Uncertainty looms large over implementation of National Food Security Act-2013 (NFSA) in the state by October due to increase in the number of applicants. People protest near Sarathi baba's ashram A group of people on Wednesday protested in front of the ashram of Sarathi baba in Kendrapada after a section of media and social networking sites carried reports and photographs showing the 48-year old spiritual guru in jeans and T-shirts. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Jhabua MLA's 'encounter' remark sparks off controversy A statement by BJP's young MLA from Sardarpur constituency in Dhar district, Velsing Bhuria, sparked off controversy in the state in which he had claimed that he held the right to encounter (shoot) any person for wrongdoings. Shivraj Singh begins five-day campaign from Rajgarh After doing away with his Swabhiman Yatra to promote clean image in Vypam scam, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan found another platform - the fourth phase of civic polls - to clarify his stand in the highly infamous recruitment scam. SPS, Saket Nagar shines at Curo Quiz '15 ​BHOPAL: Around 50 schools of Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur and Vidisha districts participated in signature event Curo Quiz 2015 organized by Sagar Public School, Saket Nagar (SPS-SN) recently. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		2 BJP leaders booked for 'ensuring' clean chit to 4 drug smugglers A case of corruption and cheating was registered against a couple of local BJP leaders in Ferozepur for allegedly bribing a DSP rank officer to drop charges of narcotics trade against four accused in a drug haul case. HSA calls general meet, strategizing for polls begins Hindustan Students' Association (HSA) called a general meeting at the sports ground of Panjab University (PU) on Thursday afternoon to prepare its members and supporters for polls. Court adjourns recording of witnesses statements in Karontha ashram murder case against Rampal A court in Rohtak on Thursday adjourned recording of statements of prosecution witnesses as one of the co-accused Krishan Kumar, a resident of Jind, failed to turn up in a case of murder at Karontha ashram in 2006 in which controversial godman Rampal is the main accused. More Chandigarh News»

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