News Digest

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, April 26, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		'Gujarat model' hasn't reached all of Godhra yet Signal Falia, the little-known till 2002 Muslim locality opposite Godhra station, would never vote for Modi's nominee. Witty Farooq shakes a leg in his toughest battle yet At 77, National Conference leader and Union minister Farooq Abdullah faces his toughest electoral battle from Srinagar which goes to the polls next week. His party faces anti-incumbency in its last year in office and rebellion in its strongholds.  Lofty ideas for women's uplift, little to help ease their burden In this election campaign, there is much talk of 'development'. The same goes for 'women's empowerment' — a lot of talk and airtime dedicated to the 'cause'.  More India News»

		Business
		DoCoMo to exit India at $1.3 billion loss Japan’s biggest mobile operator NTT DoCoMo is disconnecting from Tata Teleservices, its partner of five years, by offloading its entire stake at as low as half the original acquisition price of $2.6 billion. Abbott backs India's drug patent regime The government has received support from an unexpected quarter in its battle against the US on the intellectual property (IP) regime. Nokia-MS deal complete, Chennai plant kept out Finnish mobile handset maker Nokia on Friday said it has completed the transfer of its handset business to Microsoft, leaving out its Chennai and Korea factories from the transaction. More Business News»

		Environment
		Japan kicks off first whale hunt since UN court ruling A Japanese whaling fleet is set to leave port on Saturday in the first hunt since the UN's top court last month ordered Tokyo to stop killing whales in the Antarctic. Snow leopards are in 'real danger': WWF Launching a campaign "Save Our Snow Leopards", WWF-India said that poaching is the major challenge for the protection of this so magnificent species found high altitude Himalayan region. China to outlaw eating of protected animal species Consumption of rare animals has risen as the country has become richer, with some people believing spending thousands of yuan on eating them gives a certain social cache. More Environment News»

		World
		Bombers kill 31 at Iraq campaign rally for Shias Suicide bombers killed 31 people Friday at a sports stadium hosting a campaign rally for thousands of supporters of a militant Shia group before parliamentary elections, authorities said — an attack that could unleash more sectarian violence. Afghan election results due as run-off looms Afghanistan is set to announce preliminary presidential election results on Saturday, with former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah ahead in early counting but below the 50-per cent vote required to avoid a run-off. Saudi Arabia says MERS virus cases top 300 Saudi Arabia said on Friday it had discovered 14 more cases of the potentially deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the kingdom, bringing the total number to 313. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Sanjay Dutt's three-year-old son to make his acting debut Actor Sanjay Dutt's three-year-old son Shahraan seems to share his father's passion for acting and will be making a debut in his father’s home production 'Hasmukh Pigal Gaya'. Caught: Actresses adjusting their dresses in public Deepika's costar Diana Penty to get married? Diana Penty, who stole our hearts with her endearing performance in 'Cocktail', is about to get married to her diamond merchant boyfriend Harsh Sagar. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Lab-grown skin to replace animal testing British scientists have developed the first labgrown epidermis — the outermost skin layer — which may replace animal testing. New tech to help increase battery life Scientists have developed a new battery chemistry that could allow for producing batteries that last longer than previously thought possible. Soon, phones may be printed on clothing Your T-shirt is ringing ! Scientists are working on a gennext technology that could make cellphones so small, efficient and flexible that they could be printed on clothing. More Science News»

		Sports
		Almagro shocks Nadal at Barcelona Open Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat in Barcelona since 2003 on Friday when compatriot Almagro ended his 41-match winning run in the Spanish city. Tito Vilanova dies of cancer, aged 45 Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has died following a battle with cancer that forced him to stand down at the end of last season, the club announced. Real's Ronaldo 'dreaming' of UCL final Comeback man Cristiano Ronaldo believes Real Madrid will see off title-holders Bayern Munich to reach their first Champions League final in 12 years. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Asus Fonepad 7 Dual Sim review: A value for money tablet Asus is one of the first international brands to launch a dual-sim tablet and we put it to test to find out if it’s worth your money. Microsoft on mission to save Windows, but may not succeed After ruling the world of computers for nearly three decades, Windows is on the wane. All about Nokia's 'new CEO' Rajeev Suri As Nokia prepares for life without its iconic mobile phone business, the Finnish company is also preparing to welcome a new leader. More Technology News»

		Education
		Agriculture courses remain top draw for students in Tamil Nadu It’s only coincidental that Prince William signed up for an agriculture course in Cambridge this year. Education has to go beyond textbooks, experts say For holistic learning and sensitisation at an early age, educational institutions should go beyond classrooms, experts say. School teacher on election duty fatally run over by train in Tamil Nadu Police said Poongudi, who was working at a school in Arakkonam, was returning home after poll duty when the accident happened. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Turnout increase higher in city's tony areas  The metropolis saw an overall jump in voter turnout on Thursday, but the jump was far more marked in the city’s posher areas than in slum-dominated pockets even though the latter too witnessed an increase in voting percentages. Bombay HC denies Bajaj union interim relief The HC directed that the issue of unlawful reference of charter of demands submitted by the union be decided first by the tribunal before deciding on the interim relief demand made by the union. Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam threatened by unidentified caller Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam filed a non-cognisable (NC) complaint at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) police station on Thursday alleging that an unidentified caller threatened him of dire consequences. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Gole Market to store history's delights After revamping Connaught Place, New Delhi Municipal Council has turned its attention to Gole Market and the neighbouring areas. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to take riders behind the scenes Incidents of commuters stuck inside trains, on the train or inside the tunnel has prompted Delhi Metro to take batches of commuters through its system. Scrap Yamuna riverfront project, panel says DDA’s grand plans to develop recreational facilities on the Yamuna riverfront will jeopardize the river’s health and should be scrapped, a committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal has said. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		City needs global standards to manage electronic waste For e-waste vendor Suhail Khan, 43, worker safety is not a concern. Man abducts estranged wife, hunt on After his pleas to return home were spurned, Ajay Kumar did what he thought was his marital right: he kidnapped his estranged wife Geeta, 26, from her workplace in Kengeri on Friday morning. Poetry will come alive in cemetery Reading aloud poetry in the stillness of a graveyard? That's what poet Chakravarthi Chandrachud, whose favourite place is the graveyard, plans to do this weekend. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		No cakewalk for Aziz Pasha A flawed alliance between the Congress and CPI has landed senior communist leader and former RS member Syed Aziz Pasha in an awkward situation in Maheshwaram Assembly seat where he is locked in a not so ‘friendly’ contest with Malreddy Ranga Reddy. Trains cancelled due to track damage With engineering officials taking more time to restore the damaged tracks near Manubolu yard in Nellore district, the South Central Railway (SCR) cancelled more trains on Friday and Saturday and diverted others via alternative routes. Modi to take quick tour of Seemandhra on May 1  BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will take a whirlwind tour of Seemandhra on May 1, addressing five public meetings in a span of 8 hours.  More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		CM, ministers back at secretariat She’s been out of the office for more than a month, and on Friday, a day after the Tamil Nadu general elections were done, chief minister J Jayalalithaa returned to the state secretariat and spent 40 minutes in her chamber in the afternoon. Geological Indications tag for Nagpur orange, Kannauj perfume Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Day is observed on April 26. But the celebrations seem to have reached India a day early. Mentally-ill woman reunited with family A mentally-ill woman with fear psychosis, who was rescued from Poonamallee 10 days ago, was reunited with her family on Thursday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Clearances for projects worth 500cr put on hold Nearly Rs 500 crore worth of residential and commercial projects along the special transit-oriented development (TOD) zone, central business district (CBD) on Ashram Road and the special affordable housing zone (RAH) zone, have been put on hold. 'Modi government didn't utilize Rs 3,689 crore for dalit uplift' At a rally in Muzaffarpur in March, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had stood beside dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, and declared that the coming decade would be a “decade of dalits” and weaker sections of the country.  HC okays Ramdev's yoga camps Gujarat high court on Friday granted permission to Baba Ramdev to organize free yoga workshops in Vadodara and Ahmedabad but imposed strict conditions so that they do not become a platform for canvassing for a political party. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		One gunned down, two injured in Naini In a broad daylight incident, miscreants travelling an SUV, intercepted a car and sprayed its three occupants with bullets killing one and injuring the other two on Thursday. Goods worth lakh gutted in fire Goods worth lakhs of rupees was gutted in major fire at a cotton godown near Karamat Chowki area under Kareli police station on Thursday.The reason behind the fire was yet to be ascertained. Road caves in near Banda village Around ten metres of a road caved in near Ganccha village, about five kilometres from Banda city on Thursday.The road connects ten villages.If not repaired timely, it may cause hindrance on polling day on April 30. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Weekly special superfast premium train to run between Bhubaneswar-Yesvantpur The railways will be operating weekly premium special superfast train service between Bhubaneswar-Yesvantpur-Bhubaneswar, with eight trips in each direction. Bhubaneswar hottest in state The state capital was the hottest place in the state on Thursday recording 42.8 degree Celsius. 'Armed police required inside Jagannath Temple' The recent incident of two Indian Mujahideen operatives visiting the state by dodging the intelligence network of state police, and their plan to attack during the rath yatra in Puri set the alarm bells ringing. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Cops trace body of missing husband from well after wife's 'dream' It took a 'dream' or rather a `nightmare' of an elderly lady for the police to recover the body of her murdered husband from a well at Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh. High court rejects ex minister aide's bail plea Madhya Pradesh high court (MPHC) on Thursday rejected bail application of former state higher education minister Laxmikant Sharma's aide O P Shukla. Woman traces body of husband after 'dream' Three years after her son’s eyes were gouged out with a knife, her husband was murdered and his body dumped. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Forgotten village of Akali leader Till about 15 years ago, Tohra village had remained centre of Akali politics parallel to Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s native Badal and was essentially visited by numerous SAD candidates from across the state before the elections. AAP unit of Chandigarh runs to Election Commission over housing scheme notice When the model code of conduct was in place, no such scheme for advertisement or notice or information could be given that highlights any projects done or started by the previous government. Municipal corporation's toilet scam: Selvel Media moves high court Selvel Media, a private company, which was allotted tender for operation and maintenance of public toilets in the city, has filed a petition before the Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: At 59% in 5 constituencies, Rajasthan manages good strike rate in second phase

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, April 25, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		At 59% in 5 constituencies, Rajasthan manages good strike rate in second phase Rajasthan continued with its record voter turnout in the second and final phase of general elections in the state on Thursday. Why 4 lakh people jailed across India can't vote One fact alone shows that neither the Constitution nor election rules look to achieving 100% turnout. Prison inmates, their population about the size of a tier-III city, do not vote — the right to exercise their franchise curtailed by law.  UP's Yadav belt posts high turnout High polling percentage continued in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state as well. More India News»

		Business
		Tata-SIA JV applies for schedule licence The Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) JV has applied for a schedule airline licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to start operations. Weak monsoon may hit recovery With the economic growth hovering around 5% and the job scenario remaining weak, a "below normal" monsoon will be the first challenge awaiting the new government that will take charge just before the rainy season sets in. BJP will eliminate discretion: Arun Jaitley Asked to comment on speculation that there might be a change of guard at the Reserve Bank of India, Jaitley said, "We are not getting into issues relating to persons.I don't think we have reached that stage at all.". More Business News»

		Environment
		Centre gets 10 days to set up environment super regulator The Supreme Court has given 10 days to the Centre to set up a national regulator that would take up comprehensive and independent environmental impact assessment (EIA) of projects, enforce conditions for approvals and impose penalties on polluters. Climate change likely to make climbing Everest riskier Nepal was left reeling when a sudden ice avalanche slammed down onto a group of Sherpa guides on Friday and killed 16 in the deadliest single disaster on Everest. 21 ponds dug up for elephants in Odisha To quench the thirst of elephants and other wild animals during summer, the forest department has dug 21 water bodies in Athagarh forest division at a cost of Rs 64.5 lakh. More Environment News»

		World
		S Korea ferry disaster may cloud Obama visit When President Barack Obama arrives in South Korea on Friday, he will be thrust anew into the role of consoler in chief in a time of crisis, a responsibility he has become all too accustomed to in the United States. Residents of Rio De janeiro slum stage protest The protest followed the burial of a young man, Douglas Pereira, whose shooting death sparked clashes. Nigerian leaders unite against Boko Haram Leaders from across Nigeria appealed for a united front against Boko Haram on Thursday, saying the Islamist insurgents were waging war on Christian and Muslim Nigerians alike. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I like to be shameless in front of the camera' Aditi Rao Hydari likes doing films that are lauded for their content as much as she enjoys being part of mainstream, fun films. She doesn’t want to do an item number but would love to do a dance number. Top 10 hottest bond girls If reports are to be believed, Penelope Cruz could be the next Bond girl in Daniel Craig's fourth venture as Agent 007. We present 10 hottest Bond girls yet. Jackky Bhagnani is not my type: Neha Sharma Lately, there’s been buzz about Jackky Bhagnani and Neha Sharma being the new couple in town, but the actress asserts that there is no truth to the rumours More Entertainment News»

		Science
		This band of drones plays music Robot rockstars ! A US start-up claims to have developed a band of drones that can play music better than an average human . A cyber buddy that motivates you to exercise A software-generated partner — cyber buddy — can give exercise enthusiasts the extra nudge they need during a workout , a new study has found. Y chromosome appeared in mammals 180m years ago Scientists have found that the first sex determining genes appeared in mammals some 180 million years ago. More Science News»

		Sports
		Chosen One banner at Man Utd removed The last visible evidence of David Moyes' miserable reign was removed as the infamous 'The Chosen One' banner was taken down from the Stretford End. Sharapova reaches Stuttgart quarters Maria Sharapova reached the last eight of the Stuttgart WTA tournament on Thursday with a convincing 6-4, 6-3 win over fellow-Russian Anastasia Pavlychenkova. Chhetri, Ashley in line for FPAI awards Bengaluru FC, who created history by winning the I-League on debut, dominated the shortlist for the Football Players' Association of India Awards 2014. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Twitter co-founder talks of Indian farmers, 26/11 in new book Twitter co-founder Biz Stone's book talks about what drives the microblogging site's success across the world and in India. Hit by Heartbleed, tech giants pledge donations to OpenSSL Big tech firms have reportedly pledged to donate at least $100,000 a year for three years to OpenSSL Foundation. iPhone sales in India up 55%: Apple CEO Tim Cook iPhone sales in India have increased 55% over the past year, according to Tim Cook, CEO of the iconic smartphone maker. More Technology News»

		Education
		Private engineering colleges in Karnataka fall in line, no fee change Private engineering colleges in Karnataka have agreed to go ahead with last year’s fee structure for professional courses. Many bankrupt colleges to shut shop in Andhra Pradesh Scores of private colleges, many offering courses in information technology, will wind up operations and those that remain will cut down their intake much before Andhra Pradesh is officially bifurcated. IAM to start MBA programme in fashion business The Institute of Apparel Management (IAM) in Gurgaon is set to launch a new course, MBA in fashion business, on Friday.Prominent fashion designers, Rohit Bal and Ritu Beri, are expected to attend the event. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Fire at office in Maker Chambers A minor fire broke out at a seventh-floor office in the posh Maker Chambers building at Nariman Point on Thursday. 'Custody death victim died of contusions' The key to the mystery in Kandivli youth Akash Kharade’s death in police custody lies in a medical examination that was done soon after his arrest. Mumbai sees 85% drop in malaria cases in three years The city registered a drop of 85% in incidence of malaria over the last three years, with only 10,000 cases registered in 2013. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		What are you doing with Chandni Chowk development plan: HC The Delhi high court on Thursday asked DDA to apprise it of the development plan, authenticated by the urban development ministry for Chandni Chowk. Wife can't run 'ill' man's estate A woman’s plea to manage her “mentally ill” husband’s property has been dismissed by a trial court which said the man was capable of handling his affairs. DU professor held for molesting student Three incidents of molestation have been reported from south and southeast Delhi areas. Those accused have been arrested and sent to judicial custody. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Children grab toxic toys as e-waste chokes IT city Not too far from the Sarjapur IT hub in East Bangalore, Nabi Hasan, 5, plays with a dysfunctional calculator, whose circuit board hangs by the last wire. Private engineering colleges in Karnataka fall in line, no fee change  Private engineering colleges in Karnataka have agreed to go ahead with last year’s fee structure for professional courses. Govt wakes up, to have new rules in lift safety Last week to her horror, Tulasi S Rao, a resident of Malleswaram, found herself stuck in her apartment lift.It had stopped five feet above basement.After over two hours, the 35-year-old was finally rescued. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Poll cash haul: Former Andhra minister Partha Sarathy made prime accused, wife held Former minister Partha Sarathy’s wife, Kamala, was on Thursday arrested by the Vanasthalipuram police and later let off on bail, less than a week after she was caught with Rs 45 lakh unaccounted cash.  Shobha Nagi Reddy, YSR Congress candidate, dies in accident; Allagadda poll to go on scheduled date Shobha Nagi Reddy, the YSR Congress (YSRCP) candidate for the Allagadda assembly constituency in Kurnool district, on Thursday morning succumbed to the injuries she suffered in a road accident near Nandyal on Wednesday night. Many bankrupt colleges to shut shop in Andhra Pradesh Scores of private colleges, many offering courses in information technology, will wind up operations and those that remain will cut down their intake much before Andhra Pradesh is officially bifurcated. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		AAP seeks re-polling in 3 stations AAP has sought re-polling in three Chennai South polling stations, Perungudi Bharat School, Okkiyam Thorapakkam Primary School and Guru Nanak College in Velachery.  Cities slow to push the button The democratic fervour experienced in other metros has not infected Chennai. The southern metro has recorded a dip in polling percentage when compared to the 2009 elections whereas polling in Delhi , Bangalore and Mumbai has seen a surge this time.  5 lakh new voters the key in Tiruvallur  Polling was peaceful in dalit-dominated Tiruvallur constituency (reserved) on Thursday, registering a voter turnout of 74.75%. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Jail officials deposit bribes in kin's accounts Murder convict Vishal Nayak, who was recently taken into custody by the crime branch, has made some startling revelations on corruption in Sabarmati central jail. New AMC structure threatens to put Sanskar Kendra out of sight The city's Sanskar Kendra Museum, designed by the renowned French architect Le Corbusier in 1951, will soon become invisible to the casual observer passing by on the main road. Cop, two home guard jawans injured in accident An assistant sub-inspector of police and two home guard jawans were injured in a road accident on Thursday morning.The three were going to a hospital on a bike when a speeding truck hit them near Chiloda circle. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		One gunned down, two injured in Naini In a broad daylight incident, miscreants travelling an SUV, intercepted a car and sprayed its three occupants with bullets killing one and injuring the other two on Thursday. Goods worth lakh gutted in fire Goods worth lakhs of rupees was gutted in major fire at a cotton godown near Karamat Chowki area under Kareli police station on Thursday.The reason behind the fire was yet to be ascertained. Road caves in near Banda village Around ten metres of a road caved in near Ganccha village, about five kilometres from Banda city on Thursday.The road connects ten villages.If not repaired timely, it may cause hindrance on polling day on April 30. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Bhubaneswar hottest in state The state capital was the hottest place in the state on Thursday recording 42.8 degree Celsius. 'Armed police required inside Jagannath Temple' The recent incident of two Indian Mujahideen operatives visiting the state by dodging the intelligence network of state police, and their plan to attack during the rath yatra in Puri set the alarm bells ringing. Orissa HC asks ASI to repair singhadwar by May 31 The Orissa high court on Thursday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to repair gumuta and singhadwar of the Jagannath Temple at Puri by May 31. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		High court rejects ex minister aide's bail plea Madhya Pradesh high court (MPHC) on Thursday rejected bail application of former state higher education minister Laxmikant Sharma's aide O P Shukla. Woman traces body of husband after 'dream' Three years after her son’s eyes were gouged out with a knife, her husband was murdered and his body dumped. Cessna short flights to Satna resumes Ventura Airconnect, an intra-state airline may have resumed its services from Bhopal to Satna on Thursday, the operator is not happy with the airstrips at various other destinations where it wants to operate. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		3 of family run over by train A man, his wife and an infant were killed after being run over by a train while they were attempting to cross a railway track on Thursday. Mob ransacks hospital, blocks highway after boy's death Family members and relatives of a 14-year-old boy, who died in a private hospital after being allegedly given an injection prior to a surgery, went on a rampage and ransacked the hospital on Thursday afternoon. FIRs against 402 for claiming plots on false info: HUDA tells HC During the hearing, Justice Daya Chaudhary clarified that there was no stay on investigation against defaulters, irrespective of their status or position.The court, however, said that the stay on arrest would continue. More Chandigarh News»

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