News Digest: Parkash Singh Badal makes light of Gujarat's development model

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, April 11, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Parkash Singh Badal makes light of Gujarat's development model Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday said work in Gujarat was visible more as it started from a very low level on development index while Punjab had already reached a saturation point. Except Jayalalithaa, no Non-DMK leader is talking about 2G during campaign With the common man hit hard by water and power scarcity, the issue of corruption, particularly the 2G spectrum scam, has been relegated to the background in Tamil Nadu. With 845 in poll fray, Tamil nadu needs more EVMs The Election Commission will have to source more electronic voting machines (EVM) for TN as there are 845 candidates in the fray, a record for parliamentary elections in the state. More India News»

		Business
		RBI panel seeks new tool to fix rates A Reserve Bank of India appointed panel has backed sweeping changes in the way bank fix interest rates and end the discrimination of old customers, moves that will come as a big relief to millions of borrowers groaning under the weight of rising EMIs. For India Inc, wealth lies in the hinterland If the previous decade saw one of the largest “Bharat” reach-out plans by FMCG companies, this decade will mark a turning point for any entity with a consumer interface — be it automobile makers, telecom firms, healthcare service providers or banking and finance companies. Adani scrips see up to 23% jump The stocks of companies belonging to the Ahmedabad-based Adani Group rallied smartly in Thursday’s market as a Narendra Modi-led government at the centre is seen as a huge positive for the group’s businesses. More Business News»

		Environment
		Anacondas land in Chennai, to reach Thiruvananthapuram zoo today Cargo hold area at the Chennai airport had a special consignment from Sri Lanka on Wednesday.The consignment had seven anacondas including six females, en-route to Thiruvananthapuram zoo. Gautala sanctuary to get cameras for tracking animals The wildlife division has sent a proposal seeking 12 trap cameras for the sanctuary, which will also help in the bi-annual animal census activity. 10 birds poisoned in Amravati forest In a shocking incident, 10 birds including seven peahens, one each fantail flycatcher, crow peasant, and pond heron died of poisoning in Pohara-Malkhed forest near Amravati. More Environment News»

		World
		US health secretary resigns Kathleen Sebelius' resignation comes just over a week after sign-ups closed for the first year of insurance coverage under the so-called Obamacare law. Hillary Clinton dodges shoe during speech Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie said the protester was not a ticketed guest for Clinton’s speech at the Mandalay Bay hotel. Britain's MI5 files reveal Mata Hari's secrets Britain on Thursday declassified the top secret files of spies during World War I held in the archives of the country’s intelligence agency MI5. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Gutthi to return to 'Comedy Nights With Kapil'? Fans of 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' were pleasantly surprised when they got to know that their favourite comedians Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover (Gutthi) have resolved their differences and will reunite for the show. Security guards break into Irrfan's hotel room in Hawaii Before you speculate on the reasons that prompted the guards to break into Irrfan’s room, rest assured all is well with him. Shraddha Kapoor to replace Vidya Balan? After Vidya Balan opted out of Sujoy Ghosh’s Durga Rani Singh, citing health reasons, buzz was that she may quit Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani (HAK) as well. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Scientists create world's first vagina in lab using patients' tissues In a path-breaking procedure, scientists have carried out successful vaginal implant in four women using engineered tissues. Main anti-swine flu drugs found to be useless Scientists have found that the two drugs used across the world to treat swine flu — Tamiflu and Relenza — are no better than Paracetamol in relieving flu symptoms and are next to useless in preventing a pandemic. British Museum uses CT scan to examine mummies A path breaking CT scan has helped British Museum experts examine mummies after thousands of years without opening their ceremonial cases and disturbing the bodies. More Science News»

		Sports
		Honour to play under Pietersen: Tiwary "Kevin Pietersen has been my idol and it will be a great honour for me to play under his captaincy. I am sure, I will learn a lot from him," said Tiwary. Jamaica's Powell banned for 18 months Ex-100m record holder Asafa Powell was banned for 18 months by a Jamaican Anti-doping Disciplinary panel after he tested positive for a banned substance. 'IPL will be beneficial to my growth' Parvez Rasool is now ready for his second stint in the IPL and reckons that the presence of star players in Sunrisers Hyderabad will help him grow as a cricketer. More Sports News»

		Technology
		LG G Flex review: Futuristic smartphone, hefty price tag Does the LG G Flex offer enough reasons to buy a curved smartphone? Is this Apple's product roadmap for 2014? Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed new information about the allegedly upcoming devices, including the rumoured smartwatch and set-top box. Heartbleed bug: All you need to know Here are answers to some common questions about Heartbleed and how you can protect yourself... More Technology News»

		Education
		In tight race, Yadav votes may be clincher Voters have aptly responded to the historic four-cornered contest in Gurgaon with record 70.6% turnout.Now, the outcome is anyone's guess till May 16 when counting of votes takes place. 24 score less than zero in CET Even though just scoring zero marks in common entrance test (CET) are enough for admission to management courses, about two dozen students across the state managed to score even below that. Finally, Presidency gets a full-time VC Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, former director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and a member of Presidency University Mentor Group (PMG), has been appointed as the new vice chancellor of Presidency University (PU). More Education News»

		Mumbai
		With 158 score, four shine in Maharashtra CET Four students have secured 158 out of 200—the highest score in the Maharashtra common entrance test (CET) for admissions to MBA/MMS in colleges in the state. Lok Sabha polls: Armed with video teams, EC keeping hawk's eye on candidate's expenses Displaying unprecedented alertness, the Election Commission has put in place an elaborate system for the Lok Sabha elections to track the expenses of candidates and prevent inducements, particularly in cash. Gadchiroli: Democracy wins in face of fear One is not so sure about poverty, but fear is without doubt a state of mind. In Gadchiroli, though, the fear is real, almost tangible. One can see it in people’s eyes. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Enthusiastic elders stick to old loyalties  They have seen many governments come and go. Yet there was no dearth of enthusiasm among elderly voters as they came in good numbers to exercise their franchise, most of them turning up early in the day. Jet pilots go 'missing', give Germans MH 370 scare The act of two Jet Airways pilots keeping their headphones away from them caused panic at German airports on March 13 as the air traffic control (ATC) could not get in touch with them for a full 30 minutes. December poll zeal missing from many villages Villages in West, South and North West Delhi constituencies voted in large numbers on Thursday.  More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		EC chides CM for remarks against Modi The Election Commission on Thursday admonished Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah for his derogatory remarks against BJP PM nominee Narendra Modi. They came for their sites, made to run around Confusion loomed large on day two of the Lok Adalat held for the Arkavathy Layout allottees at the BDA head office on Thursday. 'I am ready to suffer rather than take revenge' In the first reaction to allegations of his intervention in the probe of the murder of rector Fr KJ Thomas, Archbishop Bernard Moras on Thursday said he'd rather suffer than take revenge. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		'Army' shield for Seemandhra migrants in Hyderabad Not many noticed when a website ‘telugusainyam.com’ was launched on March 27 and declared that it’s avowed objective was to ‘protect’ and safeguard the interests and property of 35 lakh Seemandhra people in Hyderabad. KCR to do a Modi with 3-D tech Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrashekar Rao is all set to do a Narendra Modi in Telangana. Telangana: Jairam on mission to quell rebellion According to party sources, Jairam, who began meeting with the rebels on Wednesday, was asked to rush to Hyderabad on the fire-fighting mission following reports that 50 to 60 Congress rebels have filed their nominations. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Religion, caste hold key to poll outcome in parched Vellore AMatheen Ahmed, a resident of Jameelabad Colony in Vellore, buys 1,000 litres of water twice a week to cater to the needs of his family of six. Alagiri's aide Ritheesh joins AIADMK DMK’s sitting MP from Ramanathapuram, J K Ritheesh, a close associate of expelled party leader MK Alagiri, joined AIADMK on Thursday. Don't sell votes for money: Prof M S Swaminathan Eminent scientist Prof M S Swaminathan has appealed to electors to vote ethically and not sell votes for money. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Housewife paints colours of democracy She is a housewife with no formal training in painting.However, when she encounters a major national issue, the painter in her emerges and becomes her voice in the language of lines and shades. Swine flu claims 4th life in Ahmedabad The death of 55-year-old Vejalpur resident, Somti Prajapati from swine flu has sent alarm bells ringing in the health administration.This is fourth death in the last six days in the city. RTI exposes phoney minority panel claim The state government has not set up any state minority commission for the redressal of the issues concerning the minority community. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		PAC, police bands too join efforts In a bid to increase voting percentage during 2014 parliamentary polls, personnel of police and PAC bands are encouraging denizens of the Sangam city to cast vote in coming elections. BJP eager to end decade long hiatus Bharatiya Janata Party poll managers are eager to end a decade long hiatus by riding on the 'Modi wave' to win the Allahabad and Phulpur parliamentary constituencies. Blood donation camp at Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences A blood donation camp was organised at Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences on Thursday. Around 80 units of blood were donated by SHIATS students. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Election in Puri: Maheswar Mohanty steps out, meets workers For the first time since he was attacked in February, BJD candidate from Puri assembly seat Maheswar Mohanty on Thursday addressed party workers in Puri. Kalinganagar may backfire on BJD in Odisha Never before had this debate of industrialization versus agriculture taken centre stage on hustings in the pocket, analysts said. Voters boycott poll at village on Naveen Patnaik's turf Voters in a village under chief minister Naveen Patnaik's Hinjli constituency in Ganjam district boycotted polling on Thursday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Body found in well A body with no clothes on was found stuffed into a sack, which was recovered from a well at a farm near village Purakhana in Berasia area in Bhopal district on Wednesday evening. NGOs to move court over Gas Rahat hospitals dispensing untested drugs New Delhi-based epidemiologist Dr Sathyamala in a letter to committee chairman and ICMR DG Dr VM Katoch had highlighted abhorrent practice of dispensing untested drugs to gas victims. Doctors' body seeks review of evaluation system MPMOA in a letter said that a target-based evaluation of work was not the best tool to measure their performance. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		At 70, Surinder Mohan Paul becomes first-time voter Surinder Mohan Paul is 70 years old and a first-time voter. I am certain of victory: Pawan Kumar Bansal The former railways minister, who was allegedly involved in Railgate, began his day by visiting Sai temple. 800 voters boycott poll in Morni Tikkar Taal is around 50km from Panchkula and located at 3,000 ft above sea level. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: HC seeks CDs of Amit Shah's 'hate' speeches

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, April 10, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		HC seeks CDs of Amit Shah's 'hate' speeches Hearing two writ petitions filed by BJP leader Amit Shah seeking a stay on his arrest in connection with two FIRs lodged against him for alleged hate speeches in Bijnor and Shamli districts, the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of the case until Thursday and directed the state counsel to produce CDs of the speeches. The tussle in UP is around SP, BJP, Modi: Akhilesh Yadav  Barely 24 hours prior to voting in 10 important seats in western Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the “fight in UP would essentially centre around SP, BJP and Modi,” as if acknowledging that the BJP prime minister pick had an image bigger than his party. Chances of El Nino in 2014 put at over 70% In what could be bad news for Indian agriculture , conditions in the Pacific Ocean seem to be increasingly favouring the onset of an El Nino this summer. More India News»

		Business
		KFC creates a veg menu for India KFC, the Kentucky-based fast-food chain known for its “finger-lickin’ good” range of chicken fillets and burgers, has finally given in to India’s penchant for vegetarianism. Toyota to recall 45,000 Innovas for faulty airbags Toyota on Wednesday announced a global recall of nearly 64 lakh vehicles — amongst its largest ever — to fix a defect that may de-activate an airbag in vehicles manufactured between February 2005 and December, 2008. Dalal Street questions Ranbaxy spike Questions are also being raised at large stake buys in Ranbaxy by Silverstreet Developers LLP, an entity related to Sun Pharma, in the months prior to the deal announcement. More Business News»

		Environment
		Anacondas land in Chennai, to reach Thiruvananthapuram zoo today Cargo hold area at the Chennai airport had a special consignment from Sri Lanka on Wednesday.The consignment had seven anacondas including six females, en-route to Thiruvananthapuram zoo. Gautala sanctuary to get cameras for tracking animals The wildlife division has sent a proposal seeking 12 trap cameras for the sanctuary, which will also help in the bi-annual animal census activity. 10 birds poisoned in Amravati forest In a shocking incident, 10 birds including seven peahens, one each fantail flycatcher, crow peasant, and pond heron died of poisoning in Pohara-Malkhed forest near Amravati. More Environment News»

		World
		23 killed, 120 wounded in Islamabad bomb blast At least 23 people were killed and nearly 120 injured when a powerful bomb went off at a crowded marketplace in Islamabad early on Wednesday. Don't make irreversible mistakes: Putin to Kiev Russian President Vladimir Putin urged on Wednesday a positive outcome to the first international peace talks on Ukraine but also upped the pressure by warning Kiev’s leaders against making any irreversible mistakes. Student goes on a stabbing spree in US school The 16-year-old boy walked down a hallway flashing two knives, stabbing fellow pupils and the guard as they began arriving for what should have been a routine school day. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Kejriwal backs out from Kapil Sharma's show Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal was scheduled to shoot for Kapil Sharma’s comedy show yesterday, but it was cancelled at the last minute. Virat joins Anushka in Jodhpur Once again, Virat Kohli has landed up on Anushka Sharma’s film sets, and this time, he didn’t try to evade photogs or keep it clandestine. Shah Rukh Khan to babysit for five days While Shah Rukh Khan prepares for his next shoot, SRK has the additional responsibility of babysitting. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		New gun fires at 7 times the speed of sound The US navy has announced plans to deploy its first ever electromagnetic railgun, a "game changing" device that fires projectiles without explosives over distance of 160 km and at seven times the speed of sound. Sneeze produces gas cloud Researchers have found that a human sneeze produces a gas cloud that keeps potentially infectious droplets aloft over much greater distances than previously realized. Nasa says weird Mars lights are not a sign of life A Nasa robot has snapped pictures showing glints of light on the Martian horizon, which some UFO enthusiasts have seized on as a sign of alien life on the Red Planet. More Science News»

		Sports
		I knew I'll be back in India: Gary Kirsten Gary Kirsten got down to business immediately after getting into town as the Delhi Daredevils conducted their first practice ahead of their UAE sojourn. 'Indians face competition from within' "New Zealand played well in their own conditions. We challenged India and got it right. We were in some bit of form," said New Zealand great Sir Richard Hadlee. Bayern knock Man United out of CL Holders Bayern Munich recovered from the shock of a stunning Patrice Evra goal to score three times in quick succession to beat Man United 3-1 in quarters. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Indian version of Galaxy S5 slower than global version? Here is answer To see how well Exynos and Snapdragon versions of Galaxy S5 compare, we ran some benchmarks on both devices. Panic on web as Heartbleed bug leaves millions of users vulnerable Web administrators and computer security researchers on Tuesday scrambled to fix a serious vulnerability in OpenSSL encryption used by thousands of web servers, including those run by email and web chat providers. Samsung, Apple's big smartphone dilemma As smartphone action shifts to mass market, leaders Samsung and Apple are under pressure to make their high-end phones more affordable. More Technology News»

		Education
		No new engineering colleges this year, says UGC There will be no new engineering college or increase in seats in the existing engineering colleges in the coming academic year. Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna achieves100% placement Adding another feather in its cap, the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patnaachieved 100 per cent placement for its 5th batch of postgraduate diploma in management (PGDM) students this year. Schools to remain open till May 8 to fulfil RTE norms Even though all schools in Nagpur are set to wrap up their final exams by next week, students will have to continue attending classes till May 8. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra LS Polls: Serious charges like rape, murder against 55% mainstream party nominees in 2nd phase Serious criminal charges like murder, attempt to murder and rape have been made against 44 of 346 or 13% of the candidates contesting from 19 constituencies in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state on April 17. In all, 71 or 21% of them have ‘criminal cases’ against them. English, women's issues, slum rehab... Rakhi has covered it all It’s time for the first campaign of the Rashtriya Aam Party, whose face is known to be as fiery as its recently approved symbol—a green chilli Mumbai BJP leader, aides beat up family in road rage City BJP spokesperson Yogesh Verma and his supporters assaulted a grieving family on the Western Express Highway on Wednesday evening when the family objected to Verma’s SUV forcefully overtaking their car, driving them against the highway’s side railing. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		High on hope, under-30 candidates make electoral debut Around 18 debutants have filed their nominations to contest against political bigwigs in Delhi. For them, it’s their professional training and a background in social activism that they believe will help them connect with their electorate. Lok Sabha polls: After Delhi, all roads lead to Varanasi As soon as polling ends in Delhi on Thursday, the focus of the Aam Aadmi Party will shift towards Varanasi where party leader Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Gujarat CM and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.  Delhi a bellwether for national results Given the fact that Delhi accounts for just seven of 543 Lok Sabha seats, it might seem like what happens in the capital is just a minor detail in the larger national calculus.  More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Leopard creates panic on campus A leopard that entered Manipal University campus was trapped on Wednesday . The big cat had apparently sneaked into the city on Tuesday night .  Transferred I-T officials told to stay put Fifty-four income tax commissioners across the country , who were promoted and transferred in February , have been asked not to report to their postings till the new government takes over , department sources said . Election tourists fly down to battlefield High-profile electoral battlefields are turning into camping grounds of a different kind: Poll tourists are homing in to be a part of the big fat Indian election. And most of them are coming in from foreign shores.  More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Uttam wangles Kodad Assembly ticket for wife Despite maintaining that ticket would be given to only one member of a family, the Congress on Wednesday gave the Kodad Assembly ticket to party’s Telangana unit working president Uttam Kumar Reddy’s wife Padmavathi in a hush-hush manner. Srikant Reddy in Malkajgiri race The battle for the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha became more interesting on Wednesday with Janapalana candidate Palem Srikant Reddy filing his nomination papers for the seat minutes before the process closed.  Apex Church body urges voters to boycott 'communal forces' The apex body of archbishops, bishops and heads of Catholic and Protestant churches in the state has requested Christians not to vote for ‘communal forces’ this general election. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Godhra woman rescued in city after 2004 tsunami united with family A 35-year-old mentally-challenged woman, who was found with her daughter in a village along East Coast Road four days after the December 2004 tsunami, has been reunited with her family based in Godhra, Gujarat. Hospital turns wasteland into veggie patch The food served in this hospital is not just cooked here, but grown here too. Villagers questioned about stolen idol Following a report in TOI on the theft of ancient idols from a temple near Sriperumbudur, officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment board visited the Siva Kozhutheeshwarar temple in Sivan Koodal village. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Stealing lovebirds held Two collegian lovebirds were arrested on Wednesday on charges of theft.Ankita Maheriya, 21, is a BCom student, while her lover Vishal Makwana, 22, is an engineering student. Criminal couple arrested for series of jewellery thefts A couple was nabbed by crime branch officials at Khokhra circle on Wednesday for duping people and stealing gold ornaments from them.The police recovered valuables worth Rs 1.5 lakh from the couple. Youth dupes 17 women on promise of Isro jobs, held The crime branch on Wednesday arrested a youth for cheating more than 17 women with promises of getting them jobs in the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro). More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Candidates approach astrologers for auspicious dates to file papers The candidates are taking each step cautiously to win elections.The auspicious dates are being taken into account for opening an office or to file nominations.The nomination process has already started in some districts. Chaitra Navratri concludes The nine-day fasting of Chaitra Navratri concluded with havan and feeding girl child on Tuesday.While women devotees worshipped girl child as goddess, the males participated in havan attended by all the family members. ComPTron launched for transfer of employees Good news for the railway employees as their transfer from one zone to the other railway zone can now be done easily. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Lok Sabha polls: 10 districts on guard after April 1 blast Big parts of west and south Odisha going to polls on Thursday have a substantial Naxalite presence. Security is tight in these ten districts. In the run-up to the polls, the Maoists triggered a landmine in Malkangiri on April 1, seriously injuring two BSF jawans.  Heat wave intensifies in Odisha, Sonepur records 42.6 degree C Heat wave intensified in Odisha on Tuesday with the mercury soaring above 41 degree Celsius at around a dozen places in western region with Sonepur recording the hottest at 42.6 degree C. Cuttack civic body member held in Delhi The crime branch (CB) on Monday arrested corporator of ward No.1 of Cuttack Municipal Corporation , Chitta Ranjan Das from Delhi for a fraudulent land deal. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Kavita Seth performs at a Sufi music festival in Bhopal A Sufi music festival, Ishq Sufiyana, was recently organised by a city hotel at its premises that had singer Kavita Seth of Iktara and Tum Hi Ho Bandhu fame perform at the do. Is Modi wave proving a costly affair for Congress candidates from MP? Is Modi wave proving costly for Congress candidates in Madhya Pradesh?  Congress MLA joins BJP in MP's Maihar  Tripathi has a history of swapping parties.Earlier, he was an MLA of Samajwadi Party but switched to Congress in 2009. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		No 'cover' for AAP candidates Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates in Punjab are either not afraid of rejection of their nominations or confident enough of clearing the screening process by the Election Commission. Majithia becomes point of debate among Manpreet, Harsimrat The duel between Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress-PPP nominee Manpreet Singh Badal from Bathinda parliamentary constituency has become personal over latter's brother and Punjab cabinet minister Bikram Majithia. Multi-pronged contests give tough time to bookies in Hansi On Wednesday, TOI visited Hansi's infamous Chopta Bazaar, considered as hub of "satta" activities and spoke to bookies in this illegal business in which Rs 200-250 cr are estimated to be at stake. More Chandigarh News»

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