Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, March 21, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		AAP's cyber cell ditches party candidates in Uttarakhand Simmering discontent within Uttarakhand’s AAP unit has come to the fore with the 30-member cyber and social media team of the party announcing it will boycott the poll campaign of three of the four party candidates, including former DGP Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya who is contesting from Haridwar. BSP sword hangs over Congress govt in Uttarakhand Bahujan Samaj Party’s recent move to suspend two party MLAs along with its threat to the Harish Rawat-led government to withdraw support may well go in favour of the Congress on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections. Sugar-coated bitter pill for Advani “I will not retire from politics. I will fight from Gujarat, the same constituency. Nobody has asked me not to contest,” BJP veteran L K Advani said in an interview on December 20 last year. More India News»

		Business
		CBI books 6 companies for loan defaults The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered 10 FIRs against six companies for allegedly defaulting on loans from state-run banks. India growth fastest in our history: Starbucks With 40 stores in 17 months of its operations, India is the fastest growing market in the history of the Seattle-based iconic American coffee chain Starbucks, according to a company statement. Indian luxury car market youngest in world India's demographics have turned the country into one of the youngest luxury/premium car markets in the world. More Business News»

		Environment
		Kovai celebrates World Sparrow Day Various programmes were held and initiatives undertaken as part of the 'World Sparrow Day' in and around the city, including seminars and distribution of leaflets and nest boxes by several voluntary organizations. Electric van rickshaws mooted to replace polluting ones The climate adaptation wing of WWF-India is currently working on a pilot project to transform van rickshaws, a highly polluting and illegal commuter and goods carrier popularly used in semi-urban and rural Bengal, into an environment-friendly and legitimate mode of transport. Pench tiger reserve gets Rs 50 lakh boost A year after Supreme Court ordered Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) to plough back money from timber felled in Mansinghdeo sanctuary towards conservation work, the corporation remitted Rs 50 lakh to Pench Tiger Conservation Foundation. More Environment News»

		World
		Russia won't attack east Ukraine: US Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu promised his US counterpart Chuck Hagel in a telephone call on Thursday that Moscow would not assault eastern Ukraine. Uruguay to take Guantanamo detainees Uruguay's President Jose Mujica said on Thursday that his country had agreed to receive detainees from the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, calling the decision a matter of human rights. Smog insurance introduced in China A Chinese insurer is offering smog insurance to travelers visiting six heavily-polluted cities in China during extremely hazy days. More World News»

		Entertainment
		5 reasons why Sunny Leone will score over cricket Shobha and Ekta Kapoor’s Ragini MMS 2, directed by Bhushan Patel, is opening in cinemas today. Priyanka to play lead in Bhansali's 'Bajirao Mastani' Speculations don’t seem to cease when it comes to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dream project Bajirao Mastani. Hrithik Roshan plays Holi with Sussanne's family More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Hunt for habitable planets from 2024 A massive search for habitable planets orbiting alien stars will be launched in 2024. Cambridge University scientists develop diagnostic app In what could be a great boon for countries like India, scientists from the Cambridge University have developed a mobile phone application that can accurately measure colour-based or colorimetric tests for use in home, clinical or remote settings. Nasa finds 'zebra stripes' in Earth's radiation belt Earth’s inner radiation belt displays a persistent zebra striped pattern generated by our planet's rotation, Nasa’s twin Van Allen Probes spacecraft have found. More Science News»

		Sports
		Is Captain Cool's mask peeling off? Famously labelled 'Captain Cool' for his ability to absorb pressure like a sponge, Dhoni has started to show his displeasure at players for tiny mistakes. India take on Pak in Friday blockbuster Shahid Afridi will once again be a major factor as India take on Pakistan in a blockbuster opening clash of the Super 10 phase of the ICC World Twenty20 on Friday. Federer dresses for success on court Speaking on the eve of his opening match at Sony Open, 17 Grand Slams winner Roger Federer said he's already contemplating options for the 2015 US Open. More Sports News»

		Technology
		US online spying threatens democracy: Google CEO Google co-founder Larry Page on Wednesday condemned US government snooping on the internet as a threat to democracy. First impressions: Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 Samsung's new Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 tablet blurs the distinction between a laptop and a tablet computer. Twitter's hottest stuff now in an app called Nuzzel Nuzzel will show you the most talked-about topics among your Twitter friends. More Technology News»

		Education
		Age no bar for student prodigies at CU The Calicut University has decided to allow student prodigies to enrol for its degree and PG courses even if they don't meet the minimum age and qualification requirements. Board urged to remove tablets from exam centres With the Lok Sabha scheduled to be held on April 30, the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board officials are finding it tough to handle the political pressure. Complete DU post-graduation in one year from 2015 The Delhi University is targeting the post-graduate level for its next big set of reforms. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Raise platform height to above 900mm, HC says easier and smoother".A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha heard a suo motu PIL public interest litigation . 'Make laws on juvenile offenders tougher' Experts said the Shakti Mill gangrape cases, where two juvenile accused are yet to be tried, are yet another reminder of the urgency to have a relook at laws that govern juveniles older than 16 years. 19 exams to be rescheduled Mumbai University said "so far" 19 exams on May 16 will be rescheduled.At the senate meeting on Thursday, members sought postponement of exams on vote counting day, citing possible disruption and violence in the city. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Middle class holds key to New Delhi seat The candidates are all rooted in solid middle-class values, and so is much of the 14.2-lakh electorate in New Delhi parliamentary constituency.  Mahabal, Ramesh make it to Congress list  Congress has finally settled for its sitting MPs in West and South Delhi, too.  No refugees, Tibetans to vote this poll It’s a usual day at the colourful Tibetan colony aligning Ring Road near Majnu ka Tila, tucked away in a corner far from the election buzz.  More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Marriage hall looted, groom robbed of gold, gifts, cash A bridegroom lost his gold, silver, gifts and cash after a gang broke into a locked room in a marriage hall on Bannerghatta Road, south Bangalore, on Wednesday night. Rebuffed Dhanaraj put an end to love story It was around 1.30pm Thursday. It was race day, and Sunitha, 29, was hurrying to work at Bangalore Turf Club (BTC). Man stabs 29-yr-old 14 times near Bangalore Turf Club Sunitha Kumar, 29, a counter operator at Bangalore Turf Club, was on Thursday afternoon stabbed until she collapsed and died. Dhanaraj, 45, stabbed her 14 times on the pavement just outside the race course, between gates 3 and 4. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		I-T sleuths swoop down on infra firm owner, wife Income tax sleuths on Thursday carried out raids on the offices and residence of G Amarender Reddy, founder and chairman of GAR Corp Group. Call of duty: Railway, APSRTC employees miss out on voting Thousands of employees of South Central Railway (SCR) and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) will miss out on casting their vote in the coming elections, courtesy their jobs. Over 1.50 lakh may not get to cast vote The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which oversees election process in Greater Hyderabad, has received 2,96,195 applications for enrolment of new voters. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		It's all smiles in BJP front They smiled for the cameras, exchanged jokes and seemed comfortable in each other’s company. When BJP unveiled its grand alliance for Tamil Nadu on Thursday, it was a picture of complete bonhomie. How astrologer, writer helped seal the alliance A last-ditch effort to salvage the BJP alliance saw an astrologer and a writer play a role.  When there is no alliance, there is me: Mani Shankar Aiyar Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, a Rajiv Gandhi acolyte who has been fielded in Mayiladuthurai for the seventh time, is confident that he will win because of his hard work and people’s goodwill.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Papers easy but not error-free Keeping its trends of easy paper this time, the papers of SSC and HSC were easy.The board has also registered six cases of copying in the state. Pradeep Sharma moves high court for FIR in snoopgate Sharma had earlier approached Gandhinagar police and requested to lodge an FIR in connection with the incident against those involved in snooping on him as well as the architect. Another PIL on Sadbhavana costs One more PIL has been filed in Gujarat high court, questioning the spending on chief minister Narendra Modi's Sadbhavana fasts that were carried out in 2011. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Holi fervour continues in city for 3rd consecutive day Traditional Holi at Thatheri Bazaar (Shahganj) and Sadiapur (Kareli) was celebrated here on Wednesday. 10-year-old boy killed by tiger A 10-year-old boy was attacked by a tiger in Badkhadiya section under Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary on Tuesday afternoon. Protests against ticket distribution in BJP reach Delhi Infighting in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified with dissatisfaction over distribution of parliamentary tickets. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Slain BJD leader's wife files papers Emotions ran high as Gita Sahu, wife of slain BJD youth leader Abhimanyu Sahu, filed her nomination papers from Titlagarh assembly seat on Wednesday. Roadmap for schools To improve quality of education in primary schools, Odisha Primary Education Project Authority (OPEPA) has prepared a vision document. And now, tour packages for poll-bound incredible India Intense politicking ahead of the twin polls has stirred the imagination of Odisha tour operators, who want to cash in on the election fever. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Media certificate of political advertisements Election Commission clarified issues pertaining to media certification of political advertisements.  Certificate for Mock Poll amended Election Commission has amended draft of Mock Poll certificate.  Be alert in monitoring of election expenses Election Commission has directed to be alert in monitoring of election expenses during Lok Sabha elections. The commission hoped that election officers will ensure its strict enforcement for free and fair elections in the state. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Badal 'emergency remark': EC to act against him The Election Commission (EC) and Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal are on a warpath again. Dead in Kolkata, alive in Barnala In a classic case of dead man nailed, a 59 year old assistant manager of Punjab and Sind Bank who had declared himself dead was found to be very much alive by a CBI team which landed at his Barnala house in the garb of electricians. Haryana villagers make stolen Murrah buffaloes a poll issue The charcha in many villages of Mahendergarh district of Haryana is not on chai. It is on milk. Rather, it's on the famous high milk yielding Murrah buffaloes. More Chandigarh News»

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Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, March 20, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rivals hit Shashi Tharoor where it hurts, rake up Sunanda Pushkar Sunanda Pushkar’s mysterious death is back to haunt junior Union minister Shashi Tharoor who is contesting from Thiruvananthapuram.  Quota games: The race backwards With Jats recently put on the central list of backward classes, the day is not far when Marathas and Jat-Sikhs too will be in queue for quotas in jobs and education.  Dravidian discomfort: Will multi-cornered contest throw up unexpected winners in Tamil Nadu? Since the 1970s, electoral politics in Tamil Nadu has revolved around the DMK and AIADMK or the fronts they float. This time the BJP has cobbled a third front of parties. More India News»

		Business
		Sebi strips FTIL of 'fit and proper' tag Market regulator Sebi on Wednesday said that Jignesh Shah-promoted Financial Technologies (FTIL) was not a ‘fit and proper’ entity to hold stake in any stock exchange or a clearing corporation for a stock exchange. Officer's Choice, Royal Stag in $1bn club Two Indian whisky brands — Royal Stag and Officer’s Choice — soaked in $1 billion in retail sales last calendar, keeping growth rates intact despite spiraling prices influenced by tax hikes, according to industry research and company data. Datsun returns with 'Go' at Rs 3.12L Nissan’s low-cost brand, Datsun, made a comeback into the car world after a 30-year gap with the 1,200cc Go hatchack, pricing the entry-level car (non-AC and non-power steering) at Rs 3.12 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. More Business News»

		Environment
		Pench tiger reserve gets Rs 50 lakh boost A year after Supreme Court ordered Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) to plough back money from timber felled in Mansinghdeo sanctuary towards conservation work, the corporation remitted Rs 50 lakh to Pench Tiger Conservation Foundation. Live webcast of Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting in Odisha DRDO and Odisha's forest department will jointly live stream the annual event of the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles in Gahirmatha nesting ground on internet. 'Amazon forests soak up more carbon than they emit' A long-standing debate was resolved yesterday when a new Nasa-led study confirmed that natural forests in the Amazon remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they emit. More Environment News»

		World
		US, Russia exchange threats at UN meet Russia and the United States exchanged threats on Wednesday at a tense UN security council meeting over the Ukraine crisis. Libya asks UN, world for help after wave of bombings Libya called on the United Nations and international community to help fight what it called a war on terrorism, the government said on Wednesday, struggling to stop the major oil producer sliding into widening chaos and instability. Israel gears up for possible unilateral strike on Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Moshe Ya'alon have ordered the military to continue preparations for a possible strike on Iran's nuclear facilities during 2014, a media report here said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		War of words between Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rishi Kapoor Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s comments on ‘cliched’ romantic films and ‘formulaic’ running around the trees seem to have irked Rishi Kapoor. Ranbir-Katrina inseparable after their tiff Lovebirds Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif seem to have got closer, post their recent lover’s-tiff phase. After the two spent quality time together in Sri Lanka, Katrina left for Chandigarh to shoot for Kabir Khan’s film, while Ranbir travelled back to Mumbai. Deepika Padukone finalised for 'Shuddhi' We have learnt that Deepika Padukone has been finalised for Karan Malhotra’s Shuddhi. After finishing Happy New Year, she moves on to Imtiaz Ali’s next with Ranbir, post which she would be shooting Shoojit Sircar’s Piku. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Chicken from hell' sheds new light on bird-like dino Nicknamed the "chicken from hell," a newly identified species of feathered dinosaur as tall as a human roamed North America at least 66 million years ago, paleontologists announced Wednesday. Engineered tissue closely mimics natural heart muscle that beats Heart muscles that actually beat, created artificially in the lab, have for the first time become a reality. Eat less and live long, says study A study by an evolutionary biologist has found that eating less can boost healthier ageing thereby increasing lifespan by protecting the body’s cells from harmful deterioration and cancer. More Science News»

		Sports
		Hot India beat England in warm-up tie Raina struck an entertaining 54 and Kohli too played a capital innings of 74 as India defeated England by 20 runs in their final ICC World Twenty20 warm-up game. Van Persie fires United to CL quarters Robin van Persie's hat-trick lifted gloom surrounding Man United and manager David Moyes as they beat Olympiakos 3-0 to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit. IPL action set for May 1 return to India The seventh edition of the IPL will be flagged off in the UAE, which will host the first 20 matches, but the tournament is likely to come back to India from May 1. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Motorola launches Moto X in India at Rs 23,999 Motorola has launched its flagship smartphone, Moto X, in the Indian market at starting price of Rs 23,999. Google announces Android Wear, confirms smartwatch plans Google on Tuesday announced Android Wear, "a project that extends Android to wearables" like smartwatches. Micromax Knight A350 review: Best in its class Micromax is India’s second biggest smartphone company. But that is what market research firms say. Over 16% market share of Micromax is a fact. It is not a perception. More Technology News»

		Education
		Complete DU post-graduation in one year from 2015 The Delhi University is targeting the post-graduate level for its next big set of reforms. Final-year engineering results out after 92 days' delay The University of Mumbai finally announced the semester VII final-year engineering results of the remaining six branches on Wednesday. New Madhyamik syllabus likely from 2015 Disparity in marks between Madhyamik Board and its national counterparts has always been a matter of concern for students. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC orders ban on reclamation of wetlands in state The Bombay high court on Wednesday ordered a total ban on reclamation and construction on wetlands in Maharashtra and called for prompt action against violations. 424 of 593 'dangerous' buildings in city still occupied As many as 424 buildings in the city declared dilapidated and considered very dangerous by the BMC continue to be inhabited. Maharashtra finalizes Rs 4,000cr relief package for hailstorm-hit farmers The state government on Wednesday evening finalized a Rs 4,000 crore relief and rehabilitation package to farmers in 28 districts in the state hit by unseasonal showers and hailstorms. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Congress set to renominate Mahabal Mishra, Ramesh Kumar in Delhi Congress is likely to re-nominate West Delhi and South Delhi MPs Mahabal Mishra and Ramesh Kumar. Father must provide for illegitimate child: Court A trial court has held that a man cannot escape paying maintenance to his illegitimate child even if he has entered into a settlement deed to part ways with the mother before the birth of the progeny. Nursery admissions: HC pulls up government over disabled quota The city government on Wednesday came under fire from the Delhi high court for its failure to ensure that 3% seats are kept vacant in nursery classes for kids with disabilities. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Sangliana may be JD(S) pick for Bangalore Central As several political bigwigs filed their nominations on Wednesday, the JD(S) tried to make the most of dissent within the Congress over ticket distribution. BDA official gets police cover after death threats The threat from the underworld is no longer restricted to the rich and real estate businessmen. Main accused in Nayak murder case arrested Jagadeesh, a prime accused in the R N Nayak murder case, was arrested by Uttara Kannada police in Bangalore on Monday.Jagadeesh, who was in the real estate business, hails from Chikkaballapur, according to police. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		IAF steps in to tame Tirumala fire The raging forest fire in the ecologically sensitive Seshachalam biosphere on Wednesday destroyed vast tracts of greenery and threatened to spread to pedestrian pathways leading to the Tirumala shrine even as officials decided to use two C130 aircraft for chemical spraying to douse the fire. Post division, more central forces to guard Hyderabad Additional central forces – 12 battalions to be precise – will guard the city after it becomes the joint capital of Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh on June 2. HC considering petition on staying assembly polls In absence of ‘effective assistance’ from the Election Commission, the AP High Court on Wednesday observed that it would be forced to ‘stay’ the ensuing assembly polls after a legislator moved court saying elections were being held ‘illegally’. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		No more delayed landings at Chennai airport Flying over Chennai skies will soon become cost effective for airlines. The GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation system (Gagan) will see to that. Ramadoss family pitches in to salvage BJP-led front Family members have been roped in to persuade PMK founder S Ramadoss to stay with the BJP-led front in Tamil Nadu, which he had threatened to quit if his demand for a couple of seats, including Salem, was not conceded. Close finish on cards in battle for Tenkasi A one-time Congress bastion that elected former Union minister M Arunachalam to the Lok Sabha six times in a row starting with the 1977 elections , Tenkasi is no longer a comfort zone for the grand old party.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Co-op bank gives debit card power The Kalupur Commercial Co-Operative Bank Limited (Kalupur Bank) on Wednesday became the first co-operative bank in Gujarat to launch RuPay debit cum ATM card for its customers. 3 arrested for leaking test paper for clerk jobs Three persons have been arrested by the crime branch in connection with a leaked paper from the exam concerning a clerical post at Raksha Shakti University.A woman candidate who took the exam is also accused in the case. Woman kills 11-month-old son, commits suicide A 23-year-old woman committed suicide after killing her 11-month-old son at her home in Vatva on Wednesday.According to Vatva police the woman was suffering from depression. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Ateeq: Journalists are a bunch of semi-literates The mafia don-turned-politician and SP candidate, who has many criminal cases pending against him, was apparently irked with the media following publication of news about his alleged violation of model code of conduct. Man ends life along with 2-year-old son A man jumped into a well with his two years old son on Sunday.They died in the incident. 3 students meet watery graves Three engineering students were drowned at a check dam on Tuesday where they had gone to celebrate Holi with two other friends. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Nominees seek astro advice for elections The right day, correct gemstone and colour of clothes.Leaders in Ganjam district are approaching astrologers for their combination before filing nomination. Congress sticks to tried and tested, retains 23 MLAs Congress retained 23 of its 25 sitting MLAs in its first list of 118 candidates released on Tuesday. Ravenshaw reschedules examinations Ravenshaw University has re-cheduled examination dates in view of the twin elections in the state. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Counter-poaching op: Congress gets even Ten days after Congress' Bhind candidate Bhagirath Prasad defected to the BJP camp, Congress avenged the humiliating loss with a counter-poaching operation. Students make parents pledge vote To teach people the worth of vote, schoolchildren of state are taking initiative to make their parents sign on 'Sankalp patra' (pledge letters) to make sure that they vote in coming Lok Sabha elections. Shahpura lake: Nullah tide alarm Green panel nominee has highlighted flow of untreated water from a nullah containing solid waste into Shahpura lake and raised questions whether it is a lake or an oxidation pond. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		BJP nominee from Ambala files papers Ratan Lal Kataria, BJP candidate from Ambala Lok Sabha seat, on Wednesday filed his nomination papers for contesting election. Ahead of polls, splitsville in Jalandhar SC communities According to the figures available, out of the total over 15.13 lakh voters in Jalandhar, around 3.5 lakh are Adidharmis and nearly 1.75 lakh are Valmiki/Mazhabis. Six held for gangster's escape Even though whereabouts of gangster Rajiv Raja remains a mystery, cops on Wednesday arrested six persons accused of helping him escape from police custody nine days ago. More Chandigarh News»

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