News Digest: At least 2 killed as trains collide in UP's Sonbhadra

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, April 03, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		At least 2 killed as trains collide in UP's Sonbhadra According to TV reports, Katni passenger train collided with Varanasi-Shaktinagar Intercity Express near Obra station. Sonia Gandhi files papers, shows six-fold hike in assets Congress president Sonia Gandhi has assets worth over Rs 9.28 crore — Rs 2.81 crore in movable and Rs 6.47 crore in immovable properties. CBI hands over reports on 20 Coalgate cases to CVC for scrutiny CBI sources said the files were sent in a sealed envelop to the CVC which, in turn, will analyse and give its report to the Supreme Court within four weeks. More India News»

		Business
		Bandhan, IDFC bag licences to set up banks Twelve years after it issued its last set of bank licences, the Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday granted in-principle approvals to two completely disparate organizations – IDFC, an infrastructure financing firm, and Bandhan, a microfinance institution. MFs' average assets surge to record high The average assets under management (AUM) of the mutual fund (MF) industry surged to a record high of 9.04 lakh crore in the last quarter of the just concluded financial year. Govt grants NOC to Tata-Singapore Airlines Clearing the final hurdle for the Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) JV full service airline, aviation minister Ajit Singh Wednesday gave it the initial no objection certificate (NOC). More Business News»

		Environment
		SeaWorld lobbies against California bill to ban 'Shamu' shows SeaWorld executives urged California lawmakers on Wednesday not to pass a bill banning live performances and captive breeding of killer whales, a move that would force the company's San Diego marine theme park to end its popular "Shamu" shows. Tuskers knock at Chhattisgarh's Barnawapara Forest department officials said that this is the first time that 30 elephants were seen in sanctuary, which may be an indication of permanent migration. Quarter of Europe's bumblebee species risk extinction: Study Almost a quarter of European bumblebee species are threatened with extinction, largely because of climate change and intensive farming, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned on Wednesday. More Environment News»

		World
		Putin officially divorces his wife Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally divorced his wife Lyudmila after more than 30 years of marriage, Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday, following a surprise breakup announcement last year. Minor tsunami hits Japan after Chile quake Small tsunami waves hit northern Japan early Thursday following a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake thousands of kilometres away across the Pacific Ocean in Chile, officials said. Three million workers spared of income tax in UK Three million workers in the UK will be taken out of income tax bracket as a rise in the tax threshold takes effect on Sunday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Confirmed: Ranveer Singh to play Bhansali's 'Bajirao' ​Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s passion and perfection is well known OMG: Anurag Kashyap defends Tarun Tejpal It seems Anurag Kashyap loves to court controversies. The filmmaker has taken the aid of social media to defend Tehelka founder and former Editor-In-Chief Tarun Tejpal. Tarun is currently in jail for allegedly raping a junior colleague at a conference in Goa last year. John's wife Priya to join him in India in May John Abraham married girlfriend Priya Runchal this New Year’s while he was on his holiday in the US More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Nasa cuts ties with Russia except on space station After insisting that space relations wouldn't be altered by earthly politics, Nasa on Wednesday said it was severing ties with Russia except for the International Space Station. Robots to operate on astronauts in space Researchers have developed a fist-sized robot surgeon that slides into the body through an incision in the belly button and can help perform surgery on astronauts in deep space. Bacteria an effective tool to counter mosquito larvae: Study Spraying larvicide, the tried-and-tested formula to get rid of mosquito larvae, is back-dated. More Science News»

		Sports
		This World T20 is lowest scoring so far This is the lowest-scoring World Twenty20, in terms of average runs scored per innings till the semifinals stage. Not a team has managed to score 200 as yet. Already thinking about Carlsen: Anand Viswanathan Anand is back. After winning Candidates and earning the right to fight Magnus Carlsen for the World Championship, Anand returned to Chennai. T20 WC: Selection headache for India India captain MS Dhoni may have to choose between Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma for the World Twenty20 semifinal against South Africa on Friday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		'Product-less' Samsung copied iPhone, Apple claims Samsung knew iPhone would be a big seller, but it didn't have a product that could compete so it stole Apple's technology, an Apple attorney told jurors. Whatsapp suffers outage a day after handling 64 billion messages WhatsApp is currently suffering a service disruption, with users facing frequent delays in sending and receiving messages. Google aims to bridge gap between apps and web If Google has its way, soon Android users will be able to search the content stored inside apps using the Google Search app. More Technology News»

		Education
		Maulana Azad National Urdu University mulls centre for religious studies The central varsity, which has developed a concept note on the project, held a workshop on its campus on Wednesday which saw the participation of noted educationist P A Inamdar. No queues for disabled at polling booths: EC Ramps, a companion and no queues. These are some of the special disabled-friendly measures the Election Commission has taken to keep polling stations barrier-free, the poll panel told the Madras high court on Wednesday. England's foreign students fall for first time in 30 years The number of international students attending England's universities has dropped for the first time in three decades, a study said Wednesday, with students from India and Pakistan hit by tighter visa rules. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Defunct scanners at cop HQ endanger security All the scanning machines-an X-ray device to scan vehicles, a bag screener and hand-held metal detectors-at the entrance of the Mumbai police headquarters at Crawford Market have broken down, making the premises vulnerable. Posing as customers, 5 women steal Rs 13 lakh gold bangles A gang of five women made away with gold ornaments worth Rs 13 lakh from the Borivli branch of a leading jewellery store chain on Monday. BJP will be largest party, NDA won't get magic: Sharad Pawar With five days to go before the first round of voting in the 2014 general elections, NCP president Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that the BJP is likely to emerge as the single largest party. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		BJP may win 5-7 seats in Delhi, opinion poll says Riding a strong Narendra Modi wave, the BJP in Delhi is likely to win 5-7 seats in the coming Lok Sabha elections, an opinion poll by research agency Cicero for the India Today Group has said.  Narendra Modi's rally in Ghaziabad may choke national highway No. 24 You might want to avoid using NH-24 on Thursday with BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, scheduled to hold a rally along the route at a venue in Indirapuram. Ghaziabad to see a clash of titans The Ghaziabad parliamentary constituency came into existence in 2008, following implementation of the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission. Prior to that, Ghaziabad was a part of Hapur Lok Sabha seat. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		He works old haunts for votes Tarfile in local parlance is a row of houses on the railway track, home to people who migrated long ago from droughthit parts of current-day Yadgir district in search of a livelihood. Masked men loot club, flee with Rs 7L A gang of 10 masked dacoits barged into an entertainment club off Mysore Road, attacked the members and staff, and fled with Rs 7 lakh and valuables. The Tuesday night operation lasted 10 minutes. No cheques for property tax The BBMP will not accept cheques for payment of property tax from this financial year. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Maulana Azad National Urdu University mulls centre for religious studies The central varsity, which has developed a concept note on the project, held a workshop on its campus on Wednesday which saw the participation of noted educationist P A Inamdar. Siddaramaiah on test as MLAs play truant Congress views the Lok Sabha elections as a big test for chief minister Siddaramaiah's ability to rally party legislators in favour of candidates in key constituencies that are hovering between victory and defeat in Karnataka. Bouncers to guard Gandhi Bhavan  Anticipating trouble after the release of the party candidates' list, the Congress on Wednesday hired bouncers to quell trouble makers.  More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Raise funding so no child is left behind The Right to Education Act, 2009 fell far short of the long-held aspiration for a common school system that would be the bedrock of an independent, democratic and egalitarian India. NGOs to push schools to follow rule, parents to use law The government and private schools have for two successive years failed to ensure that 25% of seats are reserved for underprivileged students under the RTE Act and that these seats are allotted to the intended beneficiaries. 'Conflicting rules' may hit RTE seats Schools in the city say they are prepared to admit children under the 25% reservation clause of the Right to Education Act despite a low success rate across the state in the past two years. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat HC turns down Pradeep Sharma's plea for FIR in Snoopgate Justice G R Udhwani turned down Sharma's petition and observed that it was not maintainable because Sharma had an alternative remedy available to redress his issue. Woman turned away by hospital delivers at home Rinku Bhavesh Chanchu, 21, pregnant with her first child, felt the first contractions at around 11 am on Tuesday. Leave mobiles, cameras behind on voting day When you head to your polling booth on April 30, ensure you don't carry your mobile phone with you.Else you will not be allowed to vote.Not just that, carrying a camera to the polling booth is also banned. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lawyers protest against spurious cold drinks A section of lawyers of Allahabad high court on Tuesday gathered near the high court, protesting against the supply of contaminated cold drinks in the area. High court adjourns hearing in Varanasi buildings' case Hearing a PIL seeking stoppage of construction within 200 metre on both the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday directed the petitioner to submit a note of the entire case narrating all the issues involved in the petition and adjourned the hearing of this case till March 16. Railways to introduce Train Side Vending System There is good news for the passengers as railway administration has decided to provide food to passengers through Train Side Vending system in the trains that are devoid of pantry cars. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Rising graph of crimes against women, but few voices in poll time The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) ranked Odisha 7th in the country in rapes in 2012. Utkal Divas celebrations toned down Utkal Divas was a low-key affair this year with the model code of conduct in force. Suicide whiff in death of four of family Tragedy struck a family in Dhenkanal district as four of its members - a woman, her two sons and daughter - were found dead in their house in the early hours of Tuesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Bhopal ushers New Year with rangolis and delicacies Yuthika Mudiraj was busy preparing to welcome Telugu new year Ugadi on Tuesday.A resident of Minal residency, Yuthika also invited her childhood friend on the occasion. Official booked for breach of trust An official of Regional Research Laboratory (RRL) at Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), Bhopal, was booked for depositing medical claim of a deceased former official in his bank account. Contractor tricked by foreigners A gang of foreign nationals duped a Bhopal-based businessman of Rs 75,000 by luring him to help a cancer patient based in South Africa to donate her property. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		500 students to help voters on poll day Around 500 students from the city's colleges and schools will be stationed at polling booths across Chandigarh to help voters in case of any difficulty. Pawan Kumar Bansal launches his mobile app Sitting MP and Congress party's parliamentary candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal on Wednesday launched a mobile application, which will be used not only for canvassing, but also to provide help to women in an emergency. AAP activists protest attack on Kejriwal's car, detained Over 50 activists of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were taken into preventive custody by police in Rohtak while shouting slogans near Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's residence on Wednesday.  More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Former friends against each other in Cuddalore

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, April 02, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Former friends against each other in Cuddalore It has a history dating back to the time of the Cholas, and was the scene of epic battles between the British and French. But Cuddalore is now on the list of 250 backward districts in the country.  All pride & hardly any prejudice That Narendra Modi is a great vote catcher has been proved time and again in Gujarat.  DGCA team 'raids' Narendra Modi's plane A senior official of Karnavati Aviation said that their aircraft had been checked and it had passed the test as the same was not grounded. More India News»

		Business
		DGCA halts SpiceJet's Re 1 fare offer Slamming SpiceJet for "deceiving" the public through offers like Re 1 air tickets when hardly any seats are sold at that level, the aviation regulator on Tuesday night ordered the budget airline to immediately stop this exercise. Scrap fines for inadequate account balance: RBI Customers may soon be spared penalties for non-maintenance of a minimum balance in savings accounts, with the Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday asking banks to cut down services on low-balance accounts and do away with fines. ADB pegs India GDP growth at 5.5% in 2014-15 The Indian economy is expected to grow 5.5% in 2014-15 on the back of improved performance in industry and services and will inch up to 6% in 2015-16 as external demand improves due to the strength in advanced economies, the Asian Development Bank said on Tuesday. More Business News»

		Environment
		'South Asia needs to unite on climate change' "The world has all kinds of drivers of stress and drivers of conflict. With the climate change, these are likely to get accentuated further," said Pachauri in an interview to TOI. Tiger mauls fisherman to death in Sundarbans A fisherman was mauled to death by a Royal Bengal Tiger in Sundarbans Tiger Reserve when he was catching crabs in the mangrove forest, the police said. Climate change responses to shape Asia's future Experts say Asia and the South Pacific, home to 4.3 billion people or 60 percent of all humankind, faces rising risks from climate change that threaten food security, public health and social order. More Environment News»

		World
		Kerry cancels trip to Ramallah: US US Secretary of State John Kerry cancelled plans to travel on Wednesday to Ramallah after both the Israelis and the Palestinians announced moves likely to scuttle the peace talks. Air curfew over Britain during Games Britain has decided to shut down its airspace over Glasgow during the 2014 Commonwealth Games after it emerged the games venues face threat of airborne risks from terrorists. Powell exit not linked to any tension with India: US US ambassadors are appointed directly by the president and they take up the job after confirmation by the Senate. More World News»

		Entertainment
		I really like kissing Alia: Arjun Kapoor Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s journey to tinseltown glory may seem like a joyride thanks to their famous surnames, but the two young actors don’t take their work lightly or their success highly. Ahead of the release of their film 2 States, they chat with the Bombay Times team about being cool with kissing on screen 'Catfights between heroines happen due to insecurities' Nargis and I got along really well because we both are very comfortable in what we are doing said Illeana D'Cruz Bollywood bombshells we can never call Bhabhi More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Soon, trains that can climb skyscrapers? The futuristic project calls for vertical giant skyscrapers to replace present day stations to reduce the amount of land needed for traditional train stations. Microbes blamed for largest mass extinction A tiny methane-producing microbe may have been responsible for the largest mass extinction in Earth’s history. Popular teens at increased risk of bullying: Study Becoming more popular at school increases the risk of kids getting bullied and worsens the negative consequences of being victimized, a new study has found. More Science News»

		Sports
		Soccer leaves Yuvraj's ankle in a bandage Yuvraj Singh injured himself while playing football and left the arena with his left ankle bandaged. He hobbled his way into the Indian cricket team bus on Tuesday. 'Anand will do much better in re-match' Former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand's incredible triumph in the Candidates chess meet has surprised chess experts and players across the globe. Dhawan needs to rediscover form quickly For an opener, it should worry Shikhar Dhawan that he gets out bowled and lbw too often. His dismissal against Bangladesh betrayed his cluttered mind. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Nokia X review: Sub-par performer with faux Android Nokia launched its first 'Android' phone, Nokia X, in India to lure buyers with the prospect of Android app support. iPhone 6 leaked images surface online The images suggest that the upcoming iPhone model will carry the same design that Apple has used since iPhone 4, despite the increase in size. Nadella 'tunes' Microsoft, announces 3 leadership changes In an email to Microsoft employees, company CEO Satya Nadella announced three leadership changes in a bid to "tune our organization for maximum focus and impact". More Technology News»

		Education
		Singapore's methods inspire Maharashtra education board Arithmetic, in most state board schools, is taught by the paper-and-pen method. Goa has high school dropout rate of 28% The small area and numbers Goa has to deal with has helped the state make enviable achievements in education indices. Mica achieves 100% placement Mica, India's premier B-School in strategic marketing and communication, has registered 100% placement for its 19th batch of PGDM-Communications students. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		BEST bus strike continues, commuters inconvenienced for second day Lakhs of commuters will suffer for a second day in a row as BEST buses continue to be off roads on Wednesday. The drivers and conductors, who went on mass bunking on Tuesday, have not reported for duty this morning, sources said. 'Illiterate' Rakhi Sawant has assets worth Rs 15 crore Rakhi Sawant on Tuesday filed her nomination for the polls as a candidate from Mumbai Northwest. Segment of Mumbai's Christian vote veering towards AAP in Mumbai? The Christian community’s loyalty to the Congress has come under strain for this year’s general election due to steady disillusionment over pending issues. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		52 petrol pumps to offer poll discount in Delhi on April 10 Fifty-two petrol pumps across Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Rohtak will offer 50-paise per litre discount on petrol to consumers who exercise their voting rights on April 10. Verdict in Nitish Katara case today The Delhi high court will on Wednesday pronounce the verdict in the Nitish Katara murder appeals. 29-year-old gets 3 years in jail for abetting wife's suicide A trial court has sentenced a 29-year-old man to three years in jail for harassing and abetting the suicide of his wife, who killed herself after becoming fed up of physical torture. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Iphone in hand and driving a Ford, he'd come to burgle Imagine a thief, iphone in hand and driving a Ford Ikon, polishing away valuables from houses. Netizen posts picture of cop car with tinted glass, dares police to act Bangalore City Traffic Police's year-long campaign to remove sun film from all vehicles in the city hit a farcical note on Monday, when a Bangalorean posted a photo of a police car with tinted window panes on Facebook. 3 graduates among gang of 6 muggers held A gang of six educated youths would rob people to fund their lavish lifestyle and bike rides. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Denied ticket, corporator quits MIM Mohammed Ghouse, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) corporator from Shah Ali Banda, resigned from all party posts. Filing of nominations for Lok Sabha, assembly polls begins in Andhra The nominations would be accepted till April 9 between 11am and 3pm. Demography to play key role in Andhra's Malkajgiri borough Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency, whose demography promises to make it an interesting electoral contest, is marked by the public disconnect that the sitting MP Sarve Satyanarayana has perpetuated. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Goodwill for my father will help me: Rama Suganthan Rama Suganthan is the Congress Dharmapuri candidate but the 43-yearold businessman is better known as former TNCC president and former Union minister Vazhapadi Ramamoorthy's son.  Freight to Ennore port could zip on new route around Chennai In a few years, commercial vehicles carrying goods to Ennore could be zipping to the port faster. Chennai Peripheral Road, designed to make this happen, is taking shape. Wrong diagnosis can kill, warn doctors Geetha was worried when her twelve-year-old son had repeated episodes of fever and no amount of tests at a local lab showed anything suspicious. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Modi's 'Karmabhoomi' yearns for Banarasi babu's attention He spent five years here as an RSS pracharak, rode a Vespa scooter that was a luxury in those days and dined at numerous homes of his extended parivaar.  Now showing: Pati, patni aur Modi With the election season in full swing, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is emerging as the new 'woh', robbing the mental peace of wives in Gujarat - not unlike the soccer widows in football-crazy nations when the World Cup is on.  Taare pool mein: Swimming for autism cure Swimming coach Amal Upadhyay reminds one of Ram Shankar Nikumbh Sir, a character in the movie 'Taare Zameen Par' played by actor Aamir Khan who helps a kid Ishaan overcome dyslexia, a learning disorder. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		113 caught without tickets Not less than 113 people were caught traveling without tickets/irregular tickets in a checking drive at Bamrauli station. Two brothers shot dead while asleep Two brothers were shot when they were sleeping in their shop. The incident took place on Sunday night. Naini jail inmate hangs self A 31-year-old man lodged at Naini Central Jail since August 2013 committed suicide on Monday morning by hanging himself from a pipeline inside the jail premises. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Puri pollution issue: NGT displeased with response of Odisha govt The National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Tuesday, expressed its displeasure at officials of the Odisha government for their failure in clearly stating what steps have been taken to curb pollution in the temple town — Puri. Rebel may queer Congress pitch The election battle in Jagatsinghpur assembly seat will be between Congress candidate Chiranjib Biswal and BJD's Bishnu Das, feel poll pundits. Bridge grouse makes Kud Gunderpur aloof from polls Boating to a lush green hilly island surrounded by river water from all sides is certainly an exciting experience. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		24,500 litre liquor seized in Madhya Pradesh In view of Lok Sabha elections in the state, 24X7 vigil is being maintained on country-made, IMFL liquor and beer distilleries. Woman I-T officer arrested by CBI in Bhopal suspended The CBDT has suspended a deputy commissioner rank Income Tax officer who along with her politician husband was recently arrested by the CBI in Bhopal on bribery charges. Madhya Pradesh man hangs self after setting ablaze nephew and his son A man set ablaze his 25-year-old nephew and his one-year-old son, and then committed suicide in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday morning. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Patiala DC in rally row, 7 senior officers transferred by EC  Days after former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh rapped Patiala DC for allegedly ignoring reports of distribution of liquor at a political rally organized by SAD in Ghanaur town of Patiala, the Election Commission of India on Tuesday ordered transfer of Patiala DC GK Singh. Heroin worth Rs 135 crore seized Border Security Force seized 27kg heroin valued around Rs 135 crore in the international market and two pistol magazines in Abohar sector on Tuesday. Foes-turned-friends Manpreet, Warring join hands for common cause Warring had won the 2012 assembly polls from Giddarbaha assembly segment, which was earlier represented by Manpreet Badal as a SAD leader. More Chandigarh News»

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