News Digest: Most hurdles for Rafale deal cleared: Rao Inderjit Singh

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, April 20, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Most hurdles for Rafale deal cleared: Rao Inderjit Singh Should India go in for “such an exorbitant” deal as the Rs 60,000 crore one for 36 French Rafale fighters at a time when some parts of the country are facing a crippling drought with a section of people being forced to eat “rotis made of grass”? Air India's 'resident rat' flees to Singapore? Pest controllers have been unable to trap the rat 4 days after it forced diversion of a Melbourne-Delhi Air India flight to Singapore. When the Singapore pest controllers went to check after four hours, they found the rat was not trapped. An official said two people saw it running out of the plane. NIT students want PM Narendra Modi or Smriti Irani to hoist tricolour in Srinagar campus Following the recent unrest in NIT, Srinagar, outstation students of the institute on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Naerendra Modi and human resource development Minister Smriti Irani to visit the campus and hoist the tricolour to instil a sense of security. More India News»

		Business
		Home healthcare companies pamper new moms Gone are the days when grandmothers could come to the rescue of new moms grappling with babycare. Home healthcare providers like Portea Medical, India Home Healthcare, Zoctr and mainstream players like Apollo are finding takers in new age moms who are on the lookout for professionals who have practical experience, medical knowledge and hands-on training to help them with their babies. FM, Rajan hope for lower rates on good rains Finance minister Arun Jaitley, who is on a tour of US, hoped that a favourable interest rate structure would give a boost to the economy. RBI governor Raghuram Rajan also added to the debate, saying, “We are watching the development of inflation and we are also looking for signs of a good monsoon. As evidence builds up one way or the other, it will give us more information about how the trajectory of the monetary policy will be.” 'SBI will soon offer home loans with fixed rate for longer period' State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya says that if borrowers want to know what EMIs they have to pay, they can opt for a fixed-rate loan for a longer period of time. In an interview with TOI, she also said that SBI is betting big on technology, given that it has to service a few crore more customers without increasing costs. Excerpts: More Business News»

		Environment
		3 new primate species discovered in Madagascar The newly identified species live in the South and East of Madagascar and increase the number of known mouse lemur species to 24, researchers said. Mouse lemurs are small, nocturnal primates, which are only found in Madagascar - and they all look very similar with their brown fur and large eyes. 'Pollution impact on monuments slow but long lasting' Pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, generated by vehicles and industries, react with air moisture to form acids that eat into the marble resulting in change of colour and even corrosion. Cambodia banking on India to reintroduce tigers Right tigers from India — six females and two males — would be translocated to Cambodia where the big cats have been declared extinct. The Indian tigers would be "reintroduced" in two different locations in Cambodia over the next five years. The last known tiger in Cambodia was reported in 2007. More Environment News»

		World
		Twelve dead, dozens wounded in airstrikes on Syria market: Monitor At least 12 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in airstrikes that hit food markets in two northwestern Syrian towns. A ceasefire deal agreed between the United States and Russia, which came into effect in February, excludes areas controlled by Al-Nusra and the Islamic State group. IS can target European beaches, tabloid reports Panama president seeks global efforts to handle tax haven row Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela called on Tuesday for global efforts to tackle the "Panama Papers" scandal, insisting it is not a problem just for his country but the international financial system and the global issue of tax evasion. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Saif Ali Khan to turn a 'Chef' now Saif Ali Khan will act in the Hindi adaptation of the 2014 Hollywood comedy-drama, 'Chef' Shahid Kapoor's parents dote on pregnant Mira While speculations and rumours around Shahid Kapoor’s wife, Mira Rajput’s pregnancy have been doing the round for weeks now, the couple had maintained silence on the issue until now. Fan to Judwaa: When Khans played double role More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Isro's spin-off: Low-cost artificial heart pump The device is a mechanical pump that can be implanted in a person's chest to assist a weak heart pump blood through the body."We have not yet reached that stage of testing. Spanish classic 'Don Quixote' published in 17,000 tweets Madrid, April 19, 2016 (AFP) -A retired computer engineer is marking the fourth centenary of the death of Spain's revered author Miguel de Cervantes by publishing his best-known novel "Don Quixote" online -- one Twitter message at a time. Last month was hottest March in modern times: US Miami, April 19, 2016 (AFP) -Last month marked the hottest March in modern history and the 11th consecutive month in which a monthly global temperature record was broken, the longest such streak in the 137 years of record-keeping, US officials said Tuesday. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL 2016: Spinners, Uthappa set up facile win for KKR Spin trio of Shaikb Al Hasan (4-0-28-0), Sunil Narine (4-0-22-2) and Piyush Chawla (3-0-18-1) helped KKR restrict KXIP to 138/8, before Robin Uthappa lead the run chase with his 15th IPL fifty to set up a six-wicket win for KKR. MI have not played to full potential, says Ponting Mumbai Indians head coach Ricky Ponting rued that his side have not played to their full potential so far in the IPL but said they can make a quick turnout if they maintain a high level of performance throughout 40 overs of a match. IPL 2016: Chris Gayle to miss next two RCB matches RCB will be without the services of their star batsman Chris Gayle in the next two IPL matches as he has gone back to the West Indies to be with his partner Natasha Berridge, who is expecting their first child. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5 reasons why you should use Linux Ever since its inception, the Windows family of Operating Systems has dominated computers across the world, and continues to do so till this day. The one Google Maps feature every user should be using Google Maps has tons of awesome features that will make your life easier, even to the point where you can be your own travel guide. Lenovo K5 Plus review: Good, but not perfect Lenovo has added another smartphone, the Vibe K5 Plus, to its budget line-up. Priced at Rs 8,499, the K5 Plus seems to tick all the right boxes. More Technology News»

		Education
		Staff Selection Commission postpones Combined Graduate Level Examination The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has postponed its Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE) Tier-1 to August from the original scheduled dates of May 8 and 22. Tamil Nadu medical admissions 2016: Application forms to be issued from May 9 The Directorate of Medical Education on Tuesday announced that applications for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in medical colleges in Tamil Nadu for the 2016-17 session would commence on May 9.  JEE (Main) keys spark controversy The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday came in for criticism after it uploaded the answer keys to the Joint Entrance Exam 2016 (JEE Main). More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'So You Think You Can Dance-Ab India Ki Baari' launched Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) Dance reality TV show "So You Think You Can Dance-Ab India Ki Baari" which will be judged by panel of three judges consisting of actress Madhuri Dixit, choreographers Terence Lewis and Bosco Martis was launched here on Tuesday night. Mohammad Azharuddin is quite phenomenal: Lara Dutta Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) Actress Lara Dutta says that former cricket player Mohammad Azharuddin, on whose life the film "Azhar" is based, is a phenomenal person. Would love to work with Shahrukh, Salman: Balki Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) Writer-director R. Balki, who has worked with megastar Amitabh Bachchan on all his four films, says that he would love to work with Shahrukh and Salman Khan provided he get the correct idea for them. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Surge pricing suspended, cabs become scarce in Delhi The Delhi government’s warning to app-based cab services on surge pricing and the latter’s decision to suspend it temporarily seemed to have hit availability of cabs on Tuesday. Panel calls Mercedes hit & run teen 'potential menace', denies bail Calling the minor accused in the Mercedes hit and-run case a “potential menace” on roads, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on Tuesday denied him bail, saying he was a repeat offender who had been challaned on three previous occasions and was involved in a previous road accident. Bengaluru gets Rs800 crore central aid for cleaning up city lakes The Centre has extended assistance of Rs 800 crore for cleaning up lakes in Bengaluru. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		81 injured, crores lost as mob violence against new EPF norms singes Bengaluru Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed on Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts after protests by garment workers and other labourers against new norms on withdrawal of employees provident fund (EPF) turned violent across the city. Parched Bengaluru at the mercy of private tankers With access to no other source of water, scores of residential complexes are turning to private tankers supplying hard water. Most of them charge between Rs 400 and Rs 600 for 6,000 litres. PU lecturers have seen 8 pay revisions since 1972 Since 1972, the government has increased their salaries eight times - the basic pay was Rs 300 (less work experience) and Rs 700 (more work experience) that year. The salaries were last revised in 2012 with the basic being scaled to Rs 22,800 (less experience) and Rs 43,200 (more experience). More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Watch out! That biryani may gnaw away at your liver Not just alcohol, gorging on your favourite mutton biryani may also damage your liver and leave you with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Eight arrested for IPL betting racket Special Operations Team (SOT) sleuths busted an IPL betting racket on Monday night at Bandlaguda in LB Nagar and arrested eight persons. MEA allots 200 seats for women in mehram quota The State Haj Committee (SHC) special officer Prof S A Shukoor said that the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has allotted 200 seats for women in the mehram quota. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		After 10 days in coma, heart in courier bag resurrects Porbandar man When Jaysukbhai Thaker was airlifted from Porbandar to Chennai, the 38-year-old stationery shop owner was breathless and jaundiced with a critical heart condition.A week later, his heart stopped abruptly. Kamal Haasan lecture at WCC Tamil film superstar Kamal Haasan will deliver an address at the Women's Christian College (WCC) on College Road on Wednesday as part of the Indo-American Association's "Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Lecture". Bus services unaffected by PF rule stir Bus services between Bengaluru and Chennai were largely unaffected on Tuesday though protests erupted in parts of the karnataka capital. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Mahavir Jayanti - Gujarat has most `golden' scriptures of Jainism While the state's archives with its various religious and academic organizations are famed for its vast and diverse collection, experts believe the state may also have the most manuscripts which use gold leaf to adorn pictures ac companying the text -mostly in Ardha Magadhi or Prakrit. HC reinstates 53 health workers, furious at govt's chronic litigation In a scalding judgement made while dealing with a set of petitions filed by female health workers of the state government, the Gujarat high court observed that conducting litigation in the high court is no child's play, and rebuked the state government for needlessly creating a situation where ordinary employees are forced to knock the doors of the court and lose time and money. Babus pip poor to poverty line! The delayed implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by the Gujarat government from April 1 has thrown up a rather unappetizing truth. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Sangam boats to take the pre-paid route For those planning a trip to Sangam city but apprehensive that the boatmen might fleece them, here's good news. HC seeks govt reply to PIL on dismissal of IAS officer Kumar The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to apprise it within 10 days about the contentions raised in a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking dismissal of senior IAS officer Rajiv Kumar from service. Kumar has been convicted in a corruption case and has now been sent to jail. Miscreants rob Congman's son Unidentified persons robbed Rs 1,500 cash and other valuables from the son of a senior Congress leader near Supply Depot road under Dhoomanganj police station early on Tuesday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		German team to work for Smart City The ministry of urban development (MoUD) has engaged the delegation to provide technical assistance and consultation to smart cities for implementation of projects. Chief Minister's approval must for opening liquor shops The state cabinet on Tuesday decided to amend Odisha Excise Act to make chief minister's approval mandatory for grant of licence and permit or pass for opening of new liquor shops in the state. Naveen gags party leaders A number of ministers confirmed that they have received the instruction from the chief minister."There is nothing wrong on the part of the chief minister to disciple other ministers. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		RSS to take holy-dip in Simhastha with Dalits and tribals This Simhastha, RSS is organising a three-day `samajik samrasta snan’ (social harmony holy dip) from May 11 to 13, in the Kshipra river, which will be attended by the organisation top brass including chief Mohan Bhagwat and his deputy Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi. The Kumbh will be held in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Govt forms panel to identify sand mining zones in Chambal Amid spiralling violence over sand mining at National Chambal Ghariyal sanctuary, state government constituted a committee to carry out an exercise to identify river banks for quarrying. State wildlife board on Monday recommended inclusion of a hydrologist and an ecologist in the panel. Names are yet to be announced. Bypoll in Ghodadongri, MP on May 16 More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Chandigarh set to ban short skirts in discotheques In its policy "Controlling of Places of Public Amusement, 2016," which many have termed absurd and ridiculous, the Chandigarh administration has made all provisions for throttling city's nightlife in the name of regulation, citing indecency and sedition as top reasons. Three youths die in accidents Three youths were killed in separate accidents in Yamunangar on Tuesday.Two youths died on the spot when their bike was hit by a truck on Saharanpur road. Movie 'Pagdi: The Honour' to become tax-free in Haryana The Haryana government has decided to exempt film "Pagdi: The Honour" from entertainment duty.The film would be released on April 22, 2016 in some states in the country. More Chandigarh News»

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