News Digest: Piyush Goyal hints at expose on 'deep rot' in UP power sector

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, April 12, 2017
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Piyush Goyal hints at expose on 'deep rot' in UP power sector UP govt signs MoU with Centre to ensure 24X7 power supply by October 2018 Taking its second biggest decision since coming to power, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to waive surcharge on electricity dues and gave nod to an agreement with the Centre to ensure 24X7 power supply by October 2018. MP to ban plastic bags to save cows The Madhya Pradesh government decided on Tuesday to ban plastic and polythene bags across the state from May 1, saying it is leading to cow deaths and polluting the environment. However, the government didn’t specify if plastic bags of a certain thickness will be allowed, triggering confusion among manufacturers. More India News»

		Business
		AI Express likely to start Surat-Dubai flight from May 15 How frequently Indian buyers opt for new mobile Higher tobacco taxes can save 35-45 bn lives: Study More Business News»

		Environment
		Survey of India proposes to re-measure height of Mt Everest The Survey of India, oldest scientific establishment in the country, on Monday launched a portal,'nakshe' (maps), which will allow free download of 'open series maps' (OSMs) for public use and announced that it would "re-measure" the height of Mount Everest this year. Ken-Betwa link gets forest panel's nod but with limits The forest advisory committee (FAC), an expert body that advises the government on approval or rejection of major projects involving diversion of forest land has recently recommended the Ken-Betwa river link project (phase 1) in Madhya Pradesh for forest clearance. 3 tiger cubs destined for zoo in Syria rescued in Lebanon The tigers, which were being transported from Ukraine, arrived at the Beirut airport on March 7, inside a ventilated 0.3-cubic-meter (10.6-cubic feet) crate, where they could not stand or move and were forced to urinate and defecate on each other, according to Animals Lebanon. More Environment News»

		World
		Russia must choose between Assad and the US: Tillerson US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued an ultimatum to Russia on Tuesday saying, "Side with the US and like-minded countries on Syria, or embrace Iran, militant group Hezbollah and embattled Syrian leader Bashar Assad." 'We can solve North Korea problem without China' US President Donald Trump said in a note on Twitter on Tuesday that he told China's President Xi Jinping that Beijing would get a better trade deal if it helped solve the North Korea problem. "If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them!" Trump tweeted Donald Trump: Different strokes More World News»

		Entertainment
		Why Salman will never pen his autobiography Vidya: People equate feminism with man-hating Studio bags three National Awards in 3 years More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Second 'Great Spot' found at Jupiter, cold and high up Scientists have discovered a "great spot" at Jupiter, which is 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers) across and 7,500 miles (12,000 kilometers) wide. It's in the upper atmosphere and much cooler than the hot surroundings, thus the name Great Cold Spot. 'Bioresorbable stents tech of the future but risky now' NASA astronaut and 2 Russian cosmonauts return to earth Three astronauts from the International Space Station have successfully landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan, two from Russia and one from the United States. NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and Russia's Sergei Ryzhikov and Andrei Borisenko spent 173 days in space. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL 2017: All-round Delhi thrash Pune by 97 runs Delhi Daredevils produced an all-round show to thrash Rising Pune Supergiant by 97 runs and record their first win of Indian Premier League 2017 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday night. Explosions hit Dortmund team bus, one player injured At least one person has been injured by an explosion on the bus taking the Borussia Dortmund soccer team to their Champions League quarter-final first-leg match against Monaco on Tuesday, the German club said. Kohli eyeing comeback against Mumbai Indians on April 14 India captain Virat Kohli dropped hints that he may just make a return from injury in Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL encounter against Mumbai Indians on April 14. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Acer launches new gaming laptops and desktop, price starts at Rs 87,999 Taiwanese electronics company Acer has expanded its PC portfolio in India with the launch of three gaming laptops and one desktop. Micromax launches Evok Note and Evok Power smartphones, price starts at Rs 6,999 Micromax has expanded its smartphone portfolio with the launch of two new handsets under its Evok series. Dubbed Evok Note and Evok Power, the smartphones will be available exclusively on Flipkart starting midnight product line-up with the launch of Evok Note and Evok Power smartphones. Both the smartphones will be exclusively available on Flipkart. ZTE Quartz smartwatch with Android Wear 2.0 launched ZTE has launched a new budget smartwatch – Quartz. Running Android Wear 2.0, the smartwatch is priced at $199 and comes in Blue colour option. It will go on sale from April 21. More Technology News»

		Education
		NAAC asked to rework accreditation process for higher education institutes Following complaints of corruption by the council’s peer team, the ministry asked NAAC to work towards bringing transparency, objectivity and technology into the grading system. As per the new methodology, the peer team assessment of institutions will be given just 20% weightage instead of the current 100% in deciding grade. NEET in Urdu: Govt says not biased against Muslims UP government exempts PhD holders from NET for post of assistant professors More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Doctors, Maharashtra govt in row over Rs 29 crore ortho implants A move by the state to curb corruption in orthopaedic implants — by procuring them in bulk — has rattled several government doctors, who are allegedly finding ways to thwart the initiative. BMC demolishes unauthorised prayer hall near Sion crematorium Almost 25 years ago, a group named the Matunga-Wadala Social Service League built a three-room structure at the gate of Sion crematorium. Ola to help boost tourism The state tourism ministry is roping in aggregator cabs to promote tourism in Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		CAG submits report on DND Flyway to SC A senior CAG official said the report was submitted to the SC before the extended deadline ended late last month, but refused to divulge details. Release overdue grant of Rs 11 cr for fellowships: JNU to UGC JNU administration has written to University Grants Commission (UGC) demanding that grant worth Rs 11 crore, which is long overdue, be released to facilitate disbursal of non-NET fellowships. Poonam Azad quits AAP, 'comes home' to Congress Blaming Aam Aadmi Party for lack of transparency, Poonam Azad and her supporters joined Congress on Tuesday.Azad had become an AAP member in November 2016. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Gold bars, jewellery seized from KIA toilet, TN passenger arrested A baby diaper dispenser in a toilet at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) took Bengaluru Customs sleuths by surprise when they opened it during an inspection on Monday . The dispenser had gold bars and jewellery studded with diamonds and precious stones worth Rs 2.06 crore. A passenger from Tamil Nadu has been apprehended and the role of an airport `insider' is suspected. Soujanya murder case: HC stays CBI court order for further investigation The high court on Tuesday stayed the February 7, 2017 order passed by the special CBI court in Bengaluru, directing further investigation into the Soujanya murder case. Govt to survey disputed forest land in Kodagu The state government on Tuesday decided to survey the disputed forest land, wherein the Jenu Kuruba tribals of Diddahalli had gone on an agitation, in Madikeri of Kodagu. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		50% litigants do not want speedy justice, says HC judge Baisakhi festivities to add colour to Hyderabad from today Srikalahasti temple to auction its silver More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Special offer by airline triggers dip in domestic fares Travellers who are yet to plan their trips for for the months of May and June may not have to burn a hole in their pockets as a sale announced by a low-cost carrier has brought down the fare on some of the domestic routes for travel next month. Ready to run Nuclear Power plant Unit 1 on own: NPCIL Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) on Tuesday said it is confident of maintaining Unit 1 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project on its own, after ASE Group of Companies, a subsidiary Russia’s ROSATOM, having fulfilled its contractual obligations, relinquished operational responsibility of the plant. No adequate safety gear for Vellore's firemen Monday’s fire accident at a match factory on the outskirts of Gudiyattam Town, which claimed the life of a 35-year-old man besides injuring 17 others, had exposed the lack of adequate safety gear and facility for firefighters to handle fire accidents and carry out rescue services in dangerous circumstances. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Not satisfied with probe, says Naliya rape survivor Panchayat elections: Newly elected sarpanch dies soon after results Cow, calf celebrated by group More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad high court: Remove unauthorised construction The Allahabad high court on Monday directed Noida officials to remove any unauthorised construction raised on the ground floor of NPX commercial project of M/s Hi-Lead Infotech Pvt Ltd in Sector 153. New Excise Policy to address plight of women: Rita Joshi UP Board results by mid-May Officials Attribute Delay To Assembly Polls More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJP hard-sells Modi's contribution to Odisha The BJP plans to present the three years report card of the Narendra Modi government with respect to Odisha through banners and posters in the city in the run up to its national executive here on April 15 and 16 pitching its case for the assembly election in 2019. Utkal increases PG seats by 38 The Utkal University has increased 38 PG seats in eight departments for the 2017-18 academic session, said PG council chairman R K Bal. Jena moves PM for river tribunal Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Srikant Kumar Jena on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to constitute a tribunal to resolve the Mahanadi water sharing dispute with Chhattisgarh. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Vintage bullet paralysed Betul tiger CBSE's circular clears air on use of NCERT books Plastic bags banned in MP to save cows More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Congress MLAs back ex CM, seek time from Home Minister Deserted by NRI husband, woman seeks Sushma Swaraj's help 29-year-old Chand Deep Kaur was deserted by her NRI husband Ramandeep Singh, who now resides in New Zealand. Ramandeep has been declared a Proclaimed Offender (PO) by the Punjab Police. She says she wants to set an example so that no other NRI cheats his wife. Fee hike protest: Students, cops clash at Panjab University More Chandigarh News»

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