News Digest: LS committee seeks explanation from TMC MPs on Narada

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, April 15, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		LS committee seeks explanation from TMC MPs on Narada In a setback to Trinamool in the middle of poll season, the ethics committee of Lok Sabha has sought explanation from the MPs seen purportedly accepting cash for favours in the Narada sting operation. India approaches China in its fight against IS The server of WeChat, which was extensively used by Majeed and his associates, is now based in China. Since India doesn't have a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with China, an LR was sent seeking details of their chat IDs and conversations. No change in stand on blast accused: NIA The NIA, one of the three agencies that probed the Malegaon blasts, is not 'opposed' to nor does it 'favour' the discharge of any of the accused in the case, officials said. More India News»

		Business
		India Inc cuts cost with entry-level hires Gold recovers on scattered buying; silver strengthens Gold prices recovered by Rs 50 to Rs 29,250 per 10 gm at the bullion market on scattered buying by jewellers and retailers even as the yellow metal weakened overseas. Similarly, silver rose further by Rs 450 to Rs 38,650 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers. 7.5% growth not enough for India's requirement: Jaitley India's current growth rate of 7.5% is not enough as per its own requirement standard and the nation has the "potential" to do "better", finance minister Arun Jaitley said in Washington. In the last fiscal, India surprised China by emerging as the fastest growing emerging economies of the world. More Business News»

		Environment
		'Fugitive' S Africa lion gets new home after two escapes A South African lion called "Sylvester" that twice broke out of his reserve - probably to escape threatening older males - will be sent to bond with two lionesses and learn how to become a dominant male. Earlier, wildlife officials had warned he may pose a danger to humans and mooted to put it down. Cabinet nod to adopt statute of SAWEN to check wildlife crimes The Union Cabinet gave its nod for India adopting the statute of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) which will help in checking cross border wildlife crimes. Garden-care giant to drop chemicals that may harm bees Garden-care giant Ortho said it will stop using chemicals widely believed to harm the most important pollinators of all — bees. Bees are critical to the food supply as about one-third of the human diet comes from insect-pollinated plants, and honeybees are responsible for 80% of that pollination. More Environment News»

		World
		N. Korea missile launch fails on founder's birthday North Korea tried and failed to test-fire a ballistic missile on Friday, as the country celebrated the birthday of founding leader Kim Il-Sung. It was rumoured that it was preparing test of its Musudan missile, believed to be capable of striking US bases in the Pacific island of Guam. First case of Zika in gay couple in US US health authorities described the first known case of Zika transmitted during sex between gay men, suggesting yet another route for infection with the mosquito-borne virus. "Sexual transmission through both vaginal and anal sex is an emerging mode," said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention US, Philippines launch joint South China Sea patrols In a show of strength, US defence secretary Ashton Carter also announced that 275 troops and five A-10 ground attack aircraft currently in the country for annual war games will remain in the country temporarily. More World News»

		Entertainment
		BT Exclusive: Alia Bhatt in 'Udta Punjab' Alia Bhatt shocks with her never-seen-before avatar as a Bihari migrant worker in ‘Udta Punjab. Ranbir and Deepika in Ayan Mukherji's film? The report states that Ayan Mukherji, the director who gave us 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani' starring this hot couple, is gearing up for another of his romance-filled flicks with them. Stop misrepresenting Haryana, urges Randeep Hooda Randeep Hooda, whose upcoming film ‘Laal Rang’ is set in Haryana, hopes that the movie will give the locals a reason to celebrate as the state has been depicted in the right light. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Rising heat, more bleaching seen for Great Barrier Reef Miami, April 14, 2016 (AFP) -Some corals in the Great Barrier Reef are known to be resilient when subjected to rises in temperature, but a study out Thursday warned that this protective mechanism could soon disappear. If ocean surface temperatures rise by as little as 0. US researchers confirm Zika causes birth defects The mosquito-borne Zika virus causes birth defects, including a syndrome in which babies are born with unusually small heads, US health authorities confirmed after months of debate and uncertainty. Zika virus was first identified in 1947 in Uganda, but the virus was poorly understood. Zika causes severe birth defects, confirms US US health officials have concluded that infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women causes birth defect microcephaly and other brain abnormalities in babies."It is now clear that Zika virus does cause microcephaly," said Tom Frieden, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL: Gujarat Lions beat Pune Supergiants by 7 wickets Openers Aaron Finch (50) and Brendon McCullum (49) came out all guns blazing, adding 85 runs for the first wicket, to power Gujarat Lions to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Rising Pune Supergiants in the sixth match of the ninth edition of IPL. Virat Kohli has changed the approach to T20 batting: Miller He made his IPL debut for Kings XI Punjab in the 2012 edition, but it was David Miller’s 38-ball century against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Mohali a season later that put the arc lights on him. Federer rolls on as Murray, Nadal tested in Monte Carlo Roger Federer showed improving fitness during his comeback week after February knee surgery, with the four-time Monte Carlo Masters finalist rolling smoothly into the quarter-finals over Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Micromax opens manufacturing facility in Hyderabad Mobile phone manufacturer Micromax on Thursday opened its new manufacturing facility which will have the capacity to manufacture one million mobile phones per month. Apple Watch 2: Five likely 'features' Apple Watch 2 rumours are back. The latest come from none other than KGI Securities Ming-Chi Kuo, widely known for his proven track record in predicting Apple's product plans. 5 ways Micromax is trying to make a comeback The smartphone market in India changed when domestic brands like Micromax, Lava, Intex, Karbonn and other started to face the heat from Chinese brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus and others. More Technology News»

		Education
		Delhi govt starts complaint centre for grievances against private schools JNU to revise sexual harassment policy yet again Barely a few months after JNU notified an amended sexual harassment policy, it has decided to review the revised rules. The administration's decision to do so has not gone down well with a section of teachers and students, while the university is keeping mum over the reason behind the move. IIT fee hike to be applicable from academic year 2016-17 The IIT fee hike announced recently will be applicable from admissions that take place from academic year 2016-17 onwards, the HRD ministry said. The government had recently decided to increase the annual fees for undergraduate courses from existing Rs 90,000 to Rs 2 lakh. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Sagarmala plan unveiled, to double port capacity Launching the government's ambitious Sagarmala project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India is aiming at Rs 1 lakh crore of investment in port sector, besides doubling the port capacity by 2025. Citing bias, Rohith mom, bro embrace Buddhism "From today, my mother and I are going to start the kind of life that Rohith always dreamt of.A life without blind belief.A life of dignity and self-respect. FDI boost: Swedish company's 1st store in Mumbai Swedish furniture giant IKEA is on the verge of signing a mega deal for its first store in Mumbai in what property experts describe as the "largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail real estate by a retailer in India". More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		On fiancee's plea, rape accused allowed to marry A trial court passed an unusual order allowing a rape accused to get married after his fiancee requested for it.The man, Prashant Chawla, is accused of raping and duping a woman whom he had been engaged to earlier. Kejri & Co bet big on volunteers The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is hoping that its huge deployment of civil defence volunteers for the second phase of the odd-even scheme will prove to be effective, just like phase I. Gone in 15 minutes: 3 cars, VK's peace of mind A gang of car thieves was able to enter C-9 block in Vasant Kunj and make away with three vehicles within 15 minutes, an exploit that has left the colony people alarmed and anxious. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Woman drives car over median, kills scooterist One person was killed, while two others sustained serious injuries at a serial crash triggered by a rashly driven car at the jinxed Hebbal Kempapura Junction on Thursday morning. CM son's firm may have been the only player in lab tender Chief minister Siddaramaiah and other government spokesmen have claimed the company jointly owned by his younger son was awarded the tender to set up a private laboratory in a government hospital at the end of a transparent process. To cut costs, companies shift focus to entry-level hires Slower growth and deceleration in funding are making companies, including startups, across a range of sectors to hire junior-level candidates in place of mid-level ones, according to multiple hiring platforms. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Cops reject DJs permit during Ram Navami rally On the eve Sriramanavami shobha yatra to be held by two Hindu groups, police rejected their request to permit DJs during the rally. Two rallies will be held on Friday. One led by BJP Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh while the other by Bagya Nagar Sree Navami Utsav samithi. Civic body in the red It is nothing less than heavy irony. Spotted deer at mercy of stray dogs at UoH Stray dogs continue to pose a threat to the spotted deer at the University of Hyderabad. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Chennai police arrest man for stealing valuables worth Rs 30 lakh from yesteryear actor Rajasree The Chennai police on Thursday arrested a man from Trichy for allegedly stealing a Rolex watch and diamond and gold jewellery worth Rs 30 lakh from yesteryear Tamil actor Rajasree. Central excise official who escaped from CBI custody surrenders before Chennai court Five days after escaping from the custody of CBI officials, tainted central excise superintendent Ashok Raja surrendered before a magistrate court at Egmore in Chennai on Wednesday. Volleyball player gets anticipatory bail in case filed by woman A court in Chennai has granted anticipatory bail to men’s volleyball team member Naveen Raja Jacob in a cheating and criminal intimidation case filed by a woman. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		One held for firing on SUV Gandhingar police on Thursday arrested Jayeshkumar Patel of Kolavda village in Gandhinagar, for allegedly firing on a man who he mistook to be Hitesh Patel. Youth injured in accidental firing A 20-year-old youth Mohammed Sonu Shaikh, hailing from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, and working at garment factory in Rakhial got injured when a bullet got accidently fired from a revolver owned by one Mohammed Bilal. Heirs of will beneficiary can pursue bequest: HC In an important order concerning wills and testaments, Gujarat high court has held that heirs of a person, to whom property is bequeathed by a will, can join as parties in suits to pursue the beneficiary's rights. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Govt sets aside fund for unaided school teachers The state government has made a provision of Rs 200 crore to be distributed to teachers of 19,000 non-government secondary schools affiliated to Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board) as wages for this year. Illicit relations: Kin axe youth to death A 23-yr-old youth was axed to death allegedly by his cousins and uncle over an illicit relationship with his sister-in-law at Masiyara village under Nawabganj police station here on Thursday. SP and BSP corrupt, BJPone to vote for: Maurya Setting the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the next assembly elections on the issue of development, party's state president Keshav Prasad Maurya said on Thursday that if BJP comes to power in UP, the government will set up industrial clusters in every division of the state and there will be a network of industries. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Political parties try to outdo each other in celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti Various political parties tried to outdo each other in celebrating 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar in massive scale across the state on Thursday. All slums in Bhubaneswar to get piped drinking water CM launches 100 Aahar centres in Odisha Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched the second phase of subsidized meal scheme, Aahar, at a special programme organised in Cuttack. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Swayamsevaks sing RSS anthem for Baba Saheb Taking a break from the upper caste versus lower caste arguments, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has endorsed Baba Saheb Ambedkar as an avatar of social harmony. Madhya Pradesh loses 22 tigers in 16 months, last one to septicaemia Jinsi fire: 2 more kids succumb to injuries, toll rises up to 4 More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Ambedkar's 125th birthday celebrated Chandigarh administration on Thursday celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar. A series of events at various locations across the city was organized. Besides political parties like BJP and Congress, other parties also organized the programs at different locations. Over 6 months to go but BSP already in poll mode Although elections to the Chandigarh MC is more than six months away, the local wing of the Bahujan Samaj Party declared they would contest all 26 seats of the civic body. Elections are scheduled for the year end. Man found in tube well with guns, arrested A team of crime investigation agency-1 (CIA-1) on Thursday night arrested a person from a tubewell in Sector 5 and recovered two guns and one car from his custody. According to officials of CIA-1, the accused was identified as Devinder Singh, resident of Ropar. More Chandigarh News»

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