News Digest: Keep TVs switched off till Thursday: Congress's CP Joshi tells voters

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, April 21, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Keep TVs switched off till Thursday: Congress's CP Joshi tells voters Apparently wary of BJP's advertisement blitz, Congress general secretary CP Joshi asked voters to keep their televisions switched off till April 24, when election will held in remaining five seats in Rajasthan. Met Geelani, but not as Modi envoy: LJP leader LJP leader Sanjay Saraf said on Sunday that he had met Syed Ali Shah Geelani but dismissed reports that he had carried any message from Narendra Modi to the hardline Hurriyat leader. At least one drug addict in 67% of rural households: Punjab govt to HC Many sell their blood to ensure they can buy their daily dose/ fix of drugs, some beg and 67% of rural households in Punjab had at least one drug addict. More India News»

		Business
		9% growth may not be easy: Crisil Political parties may be promising a return to high growth rate over the next five years, but ratings agency Crisil has said that it may not be easy to return to 9% growth during 2014-2019 and instead settle for an average 6.5% growth, provided there is a stable government at the Centre. Rs 3.3 lakh crore invested in 113 projects Approval to held-up infrastructure projects has begun to translate into actual investment and raised fresh hopes of reviving industrial demand and employment. IPL match cover ends once first ball is bowled BCCI has purchased an insurance cover of around Rs 900 crore which will make good loss of revenue from sale of broadcast and other rights if any of the IPL matches fail to take off. More Business News»

		Environment
		Plants that regulate sprouting tackle climate change well Plants with the ability to regulate the timing of germination in response to environmental cues are more likely to spin off new species and are better at dealing with weather threats from climate change. People for Animals rescues 17 spotted doves Intensifying its drive against poaching in Manipur, People for Animals (PFA), Thoubal, rescued at least 17 spotted doves from three poachers in Imphal East district. 42% of urban, 60% of rural Indian houses getting contaminated water: Study A small study of water samples from urban and rural households declared as getting drinking water from “improved” sources has shown that about 42% of urban and 60% of rural households were actually getting contaminated water. More Environment News»

		World
		US air strike kills al-Qaida militants in Yemen US drone attacks have killed several suspected AQAP figures, including Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born Islamist cleric. In Colorado, a pot holiday tries to go mainstream Once the province of activists and stoners, the traditional pot holiday of April 20 has gone mainstream in the first US state to legalise recreational marijuana. Doctors suggest angiography for Musharraf Musharraf, earlier in the day, was slated to go to the PNS Shifa. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Sonam and Deepika: rivalry out in the open Last year when Sonam Kapoor hosted a party for her cousin Arjun Kapoor’s birthday (June 26), Deepika Padukone, his co-star from Finding Fanny, was very much present Nawazuddin to play a gay in Hansal Mehta's next? Hansal Mehta has come onto his own with his film Shahid, which has won him a National Award as best director SRK's vanity van rams into Karanvir's car TV actor Karanvir Bohra’s car recently had an unpleasant encounter with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Nasa man, vital to 1969 lunar landing, dies at 95 John C Houbolt, an engineer whose contributions to the US space programme were vital to Nasa’s successful Moon landing in 1969, has died. He was 95. Twitter can be the new crimebuster  Hidden in the Twittersphere are nuggets of information that could prove useful to crime fighters — even before a crime has been committed.  Glasses with animated eyes to fake emotions Researchers have developed glasses that show computer-generated eye animations in place of the wearer's real ones and could be used to simulate emotional reactions when users are distracted or busy. More Science News»

		Sports
		Bengaluru FC on the doorstep of history With 41 points and two games in hand, I-League debutants Bengaluru FC could be home and dry if they win against Dempo at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Leo Messi winner maintains title hopes Barcelona maintained their slim chances of retaining their La Liga title as they came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at the Camp Nou on Sunday. Kuchar holes bunker shot to win Heritage Matt Kuchar holed a 20-yard bunker shot to birdie the final hole and claim a one shot victory over Briton Luke Donald at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Nintendo's iconic Game Boy turns 25 Nintendo's trailblazing Game Boy marks its 25th anniversary with the portable device's legacy living on in smartphone games. Why Google isn't growing Google is growing, for sure. But, counterintuitively, it is not growing at the same time. Nokia X vs Nokia Asha 502, 503 vs Nokia Lumia 520 Realizing that mobile phone sales in India are largely concentrated at the bottom of the pool, Nokia has provided three new options. More Technology News»

		Education
		Doon School announces Leadership Programme The Doon School has announced a ‘Summer at Doon’ Leadership Programme to run from June 1 to 15, 2014. Education New Zealand announces 15 scholarships for Indian students Education New Zealand (ENZ) has announced 15 exclusive scholarships for students from India, who may apply by May 16. The finance formula: How to manage finances while studying abroad Karan Gupta, international education consultant, shares tips on how students can manage their finances while studying abroad. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai Patrol: Now is the time to pedestrianize Mumbai Lengthy walking tracks may appear unattainable in a space-starved city like Mumbai, but they are not. Govt plans that got off to a bad start The authorities in Mumbai have consistently focused their energies on developing infrastructure for motorists while ignoring everyone else. Whatever few times they have tried to act differently in the last few years, their planning has been dreadful. Insurance firm pays for violating policy terms Several consumers have voiced grievances about LIC not paying benefits in accordance with the terms of its Bal Vidya policy. Here is a case of a consumer who fought for his rights. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		200 Delhi Metro booths to frisk women Delhi Metro premises will soon see women commuters being frisked in total privacy as 200 new security cabins are being installed for them at the stations of the rapid transport system. Delhi Metro builds first crossover viaduct Delhi Metro on Sunday completed the construction of its first crossover viaduct above the existing operational line at east Delhi’s Karkardooma Metro statio At walk for surrogacy, it's one big happy family It was a one-of-a-kind experience for the over 500 participants of this awareness walk. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Polio out of Karnataka, yet haunts Raichur family Mangamma's eldest son Hanumanthu is also polio affected. Yet, he walks 3km to reach his tailoring classes every day. The family came to Bangalore some time in 2003 to work as construction labourers. When Bheemanna was diagnosed with polio, they returned to Yeladoddi, fearing for his health. Budding agro experts want to empower farmers When the girl from Srirangapatna walked to the dais at the 48th annual convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) on Sunday, it was with a dual purpose. 'The Ugly Indians' make Bangalore shine Last Friday morning was like any other on a stretch of Outer Ring Road near Bellandur, where thousands of the city's tech workers pass by. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Muslim Intellectual Forum backs TRS Representatives of Telangana Muslim Intellectual Forum pledged their support to TRS when they meet senior party leader K Keshav Rao on Sunday. Rao said his party would consider the demands put forth by the forum.  Lokesh's convoy attacked in Mahbubnagar Unidentified people threw empty liquor bottles at the convoy of Nara Lokesh, son of TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, at Pebber town in Mahbubnagar district on Sunday evening. Danam Nagender betrayed my father: Sharmila On one side is Vijaya Reddy, YSR Congress candidate and daughter of P Janardhan Reddy, the Congress legislator who is credited with shaping Khairatabad.  More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Double murder solved after 3 years Police arrested seven people, including a couple who masterminded the crime, and a juvenile on Sunday for the brutal 2011 murder of two elderly women in their West Mambalam house. Five-member gang held for murder of cab driver Police arrested a gang of five including a woman on Sunday, who murdered a cab driver for his SUV and abandoned his body in a coconut farm in Siruvakkam village, four days ago. 100 dog bites in Chennai every day since 2011 An after-dinner stroll may be good for digestion but could be more hazardous to health than anyone in the city has imagined: People report more than 100 cases of dog bites every day. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Kashmir, South Africa are Gujarat tourists' hotspots this year Poll fever has gripped the country this summer, but it hasn't dampened the spirits of Gujarati travellers, large numbers of whom are making advance bookings for the holidays. At least five dead, over 100 injured in thunderstorm in Ahmedabad A severe thunderstorm steamrolled the city for 25 minutes, claiming at least five lives. Krishnakanth Kushwar, 14, and Ramdas Kushwar, 24, died when a tree fell over the autorickshaw they were travelling in Amraiwadi. UP criminal brought to Ahmedabad on transfer warrant In a major success, crime branch officials have managed to get custody of Uttar Pradesh-based criminal, Vishnu Pandit, from Meerut jail. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Boy's body recovered Body of a six year old boy, identified as Chotu alias Harish Chandra of Kirav village, was found outside village under Mauaima police station here on Sunday. Contestants create IT 'war rooms' to update pages on social sites The candidates are trying to woo the voters through social networking sites.Almost all the contestants have set up 'war rooms' and engaged IT experts to contact voters through websites. Pakistani singer performs at Resurrection Sunday Service A Resurrection Sunday Service was held at Yeshu Darbar in Naini to commemorate the rebirth of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on Good Friday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Bahinipati serves 3-day ultimatum for minister arrest Bahinipati's brother and nephew were allegedly stabbed by BJD supporters.According to FIR lodged by Bahinipati, his son and two nephews were in a hotel when they were attacked with sharp weapons around 1 pm. No power supply in Kandhamal for 2nd day There was no power supply in Kandhamal district for the second consecutive day on Saturday. Congress, BJD in rigging row Congress candidate for Sukinda assembly seat Sarat Rout on Saturday blamed BJD of engaging in large-scale rigging in 10 booths. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Nirbhaya rerun in MP: Minor gang-raped and thrown off moving bus In a shocking reminiscence of Delhi’s Nirbhaya tragedy, a 14-year-old dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped by five people inside a moving bus and then thrown out of the vehicle at Singrauli district in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. Connect with nature: Study tours go global The proverb "All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy" is being taken rather seriously by city schools. Bribe case: Northern Coalfields Limited driver walks into CBI trap, arrested This time, he approached a senior manager and said the latter was under CBI surveillance following an investigation. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Congress hand in Bittu's win In 2012, Bittu had contested MC election as an independent candidate against a Congress candidate from municipal ward number 17. Medicos object against clinical Act draft Medicos Legal Action Group (MLAG) held a meeting with National Health Systems Resource Corporation (NHSRC) team to voice their opposition and give suggestions on draft minimum standards under Clinical Establishment Act. Empowering RWAs will be my top priority, says Bittu "Empowering all the residents' welfare associations (RWAs) of the city will be my top priority. We will add more and more RWAs to make residents of the city powerful." More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Keep your no-booze gyan, get us jobs: Voters to Soren

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, April 20, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Keep your no-booze gyan, get us jobs: Voters to Soren It’s among the worst kept secrets in state politics — almost everybody, from polling officials to the district administration, knows of the ‘covert’ mutton-and-mahua feasts that parties organize here in the run-up to elections. In Mandi, a race to prove common man credentials In the country’s largest Lok Saha constituency after Barmer, the battle is between a commoner running down royalty and a ‘rani sahiba’ donning the commoner tag. BJP’s ‘aam admi’ Ram Swaroop Sharma misses no opportunity to point an accusing finger at opponent, Congress’s Pratibha Singh, daughter of long-gone Keonthal state’s royal family.  When netas use disability as abuse Political correctness is not the strong point of public discourse in India. Politicians are usually the worst offenders.  More India News»

		Business
		Documents detail another delayed GM recall General Motors waited years to recall nearly 335,000 Saturn Ions for power steering failures despite getting thousands of consumer complaints and more than 30,000 warranty repair claims, according to government documents released Saturday. Beijing auto show opens amid market slowdown Global and Chinese automakers are looking to the Beijing auto show to help boost sales in a slowing, intensely competitive market. Karnataka govt asks Toyota to restore operations Although the lockout was lifted on March 24, employees have not resumed work. More Business News»

		Environment
		42% of urban, 60% of rural Indian houses getting contaminated water: Study A small study of water samples from urban and rural households declared as getting drinking water from “improved” sources has shown that about 42% of urban and 60% of rural households were actually getting contaminated water. 3-million-year old green landscape found beneath ice sheet There was a green and forested landscape prior to the time that the ice sheet began to form in Greenland and scientists have now discovered that the three-million-year-old landscape still exists beneath the Greenland ice sheet. 15 Indian bird species among globally endangered Fifteen Indian bird species are part of a list of avians which are evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered. More Environment News»

		World
		US planning military drills in east Europe The US plans to carry out small groundforce exercises in Poland and Estonia in an attempt to reassure Nato’s eastern European members worried about Russia’s military operations in and near Ukraine, Western officials said on Friday. 10 more bodies found inside South Korean ferry Divers recovered 13 bodies from inside a ferry that sank off South Korea, pushing the confirmed death toll to 46, officials said on Saturday. Ukraine PM blasts anti-Jewish leaflets, demands justice Ukraine's prime minister voiced outrage at reports masked men in east Ukraine's main city handed out demanding Jews register or be expelled, demanding "these bastards" be brought to justice. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Ameesha Patel mobbed, slaps a man for groping her Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel got the shock of her life recently when she got mobbed during the launch of a jewellery showroom in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Certified copy of Chitrangda 's divorce decree Here’s putting all the rumours around the Chitrangda Singh and Jyotinder Singh Randhawa divorce to rest. Delhi Times has a certified copy of their divorce decree. Why did Vir Das steal Kangana's metallic bra? When Kangana Ranaut and Vir Das came to the Delhi Times office on Friday, they spoke about their outrageous characters in Revolver Rani, the ephemeral love of the audience and the tussle between critical acclaim and mass popularity. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		US scientists make embryonic stem cells from adult skin For the first time, US researchers have cloned embryonic stem cells from adult cells, a breakthrough on the path towards helping doctors treat a host of diseases. British men get dadism at 38 It’s a startling moment in any man’s life. You’re on the sofa scrutinizing the money pages, looking forward to a good lawn-mowing and finding yourself excited about an upcoming sale at B&Q, when it hits you: you’ve turned into your dad. Does a brain workout work? Do brain training apps really sharpen those grey cells? Yes, say avid gamers but neuroscientists are not so sure. More Science News»

		Sports
		Mourinho's superb unbeaten streak ends Jose Mourinho suffered his first home league loss as Chelsea coach in 78 matches after bottom of the table Sunderland stunned them 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Rafael Nadal seeks homeground solution World No. 1 Rafael Nadal targets a 9th Barcelona Open title this week desperate to prove his shock Monte Carlo Masters quarters exit is not a bad sign. Cavani brace helps PSG win League Cup Paris Saint-Germain won France's League Cup on Saturday, beating Olympique Lyon 2-1 at Stade de France to secure first leg of a likely domestic double. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Amazon smartphone: 5 likely features Amazon is planning to launch a smartphone. This has prompted industry analysts and tech blogs to muse about what the device might offer. Nokia X vs Nokia Asha 502, 503 vs Nokia Lumia 520 Realizing that mobile phone sales in India are largely concentrated at the bottom of the pool, Nokia has provided three new options. One in 4 Wipro staff to get up to 20% salary hike Wipro will give double-digit salary hikes to top performers and to those with hot skills, mainly big data and analytics specialists who are in short supply. More Technology News»

		Education
		Universities need to challenge frontiers of knowledge: DRDO chief India's universities and institutions should be able to challenge the frontiers of knowledge, Avinash Chander said. 500 PG students of Gujarat University get zero marks About 500 students of Master of Arts, Gujarati Literature students received a shock when all of them found that one of the paper all the students were marked zero. Vigorous efforts needed to make Indian varsities world class: Lord Swraj Paul NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul on Friday underlined the need for vigorous efforts to make Indian universities world class More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Oxygen therapy breathes new life into woman in a coma When Sonabai Morasker boards a bus for Shippur village near Kolhapur on April 25, she will leave without the memory of four days she spent in a state of unconsciousness—or coma— in a city hospital. Maharashtra chief minister's convoy in minor accident on Western Express Highway Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan’s convoy was involved in a minor accident on Western Express Highway at Kandivli (east) on Saturday. Chavan was not injured. Mumbai man steals to fund medical treatment, arrested The Kandivli police arrested a man on Thursday for committing several burglaries to allegedly support his health expenses. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi Congress hints at secular ties Delhi Congress on Saturday hinted at exploring the possibility of an alliance with “secular” parties for elections for mayors and deputy mayors’ post in all the three municipal corporations in the capital. Rs 2 lakh damages for illegal detention The Delhi high court recently ordered the Centre and the governments of Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir to pay a man Rs 2 lakh as compensation for illegally detaining him. These teachers show how ideas make all the difference One day in northeast Delhi’s Seelampur, teacher changemaker at Madrasa e-Jadeed Shaheen Saifi realized that her Class III students were not paying attention during her lessons. So she came up with a trick. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Anti-Naxal Force guns downs cattle trader by mistake Anti-Naxal Force personnel allegedly shot dead Kabeer, 29, a resident of Krishnapura, in what police top brass maintain is a case of mistaken identity. Bid to reverse promotion of staffers after 18 years quashed These officials are on the verge of retirement.But the government wants to revert them to a junior position now. Couple dies after their scooter hits truck While HV Srinivas and Lakshmi alias Padmavathi, 30, died when their customized Honda Activa crashed into a parked truck. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Huge poll spend in AP worries Election Commission Staggering amounts of cash being spent by contestants in Andhra Pradesh during this election has the Election Commission of India worried. Heritage of negligence The International Council on Monuments & Sites (ICOMOS) adopted 'Heritage of Commemoration' as the theme for this year's World Heritage Day celebrations. Hafiz Baba Nagar sees no development in years Slums on either side of potholed-ridden narrow bylanes reminds one how basic civic amenities having been missing in the area for years. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Chennai high court denies bail to doctor who arranged accident to kill wife Two patients changed the life of Dr Selvaraj forever - one was Ginnett, who became his wife and later divorced him; the other was Velayutham, whom he engaged to murder Ginnett. Metrowater pumps to conserve water in Chennai Every day, one million cubic feet of water is lost to evaporation from each of the four reservoirs that quench the city's thirst. Dark days: Power fluctuations trip up schedules in Chennai The days are sultry and hot, and residents in many parts of the city have also started to face power fluctuations.Voltage has started to dip at night as airconditioners are used non-stop. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		4 schoolteachers arrested for gambling on IPL Five persons, including four schoolteachers were arrested by Tharad Police on Friday evening for gambling on IPL-7. 'Entrepreneurs create and multiply wealth of society' The 15{+t}{+h} convocation of Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) on Saturday saw an emotional keynote address by the GMR Group chairman G M Rao. Firm owner charged with kidnapping An executive working with a finance firm was kidnapped in Sector 20 of Gandhinagar and Sector 21 Police have registered a complaint. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Candidates bank on poll managers in campaigning The teams of all the candidates campaigning behind the scene are busy these days and handling the entire election management. 23 candidates file their nomination on last day 14 candidates from Allahabad parliamentary seat and 9 candidates from Phulpur parliamentary seat filed their nomination papers at the district collectorate on the last day on Saturday. SP women wing holds puja and yajna The women party workers also prayed for the victory of all the party candidates in 2014 parliamentary polls.  More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		State voter count rises by 40 lakhs Odisha saw a massive surge of over 40 lakh more voters taking part in voting this time, estimates made after the completion of the two-phase twin elections in the state has revealed. Parties flash victory sign before results The three major political parties - BJD, Congress and BJP - in the state on Friday claimed they would do exceedingly well in the just-concluded twin elections. Missing names, false voters cause low polling Several people complained that they had to return from the polling booths without casting votes, as their names were missing in the voters' list. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Silver lining in cloud: More educated from state may go to Parliament 2014 could be a game-changer. Lok Sabha representatives from the state are likely to be more qualified than their predecessors. Crorepati LS candidates double in MP  In five years, the net worth of candidates contesting from Madhya Pradesh has more than doubled. Out of the total 370 candidates in fray from the 29 constituencies in state, 20% (75) are crorepatis. Assets of LS candidates spiral by 200% since last LS poll The average asset of contestants has escalated by more than 200% since the last elections in 2009. In this election, 370 candidates have average assets of Rs 2.24 crore while in 2009, 420 candidates had average assets of a mere Rs 65.82 lakh. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Captain has run out of steam, is a mere bully: Majithia Punjab revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Saturday said that Congress candidate from Amritsar, Captain Amarinder Singh, had "run out of steam" even before the campaign entered the last phase. SAD-BJP, Congress playing ping-pong with people: Gul Panag Exhorting people of Amritsar to "vote for themselves" as they were the aam adami, AAP's candidate from Chandigarh, Gul Panag, held a road show in Amritsar, along with party's candidate Dr Daljit Singh. Captain slams Akalis over drug legalisation issue Amarinder said that this only vindicated his stand that the drug trade was being run under the nose of Akalis."Now an Akali MP has confirmed it herself," he pointed out. More Chandigarh News»

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