News Digest

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, May 02, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Braveheart girl turns AAP's agent of change An unknown 19-year-old girl has become the most sought-after volunteer of AAP in Punjab for single-handedly challenging established political parties in her village in Sangrur. Ayodhya's dying river doesn't bother netas The political will that backed, and countered, the Ayodhya temple movement evaporated into thin air when it came to the river that runs through the temple towns.  PC Parakh justifies coal block allocation during questioning by CBI The CBI on Thursday questioned former coal secretary PC Parakh in connection with the FIR against him, Kumar Mangalam Birla and Hindalco for alleged irregularities in allocation of Talabira II coal block in Odisha. More India News»

		Business
		Chidambaram defends economic record FM P Chidambaram on Thursday reeled out data to blunt the attack from the opposition over the UPA’s handling of the economy and exuded confidence that growth is likely to be 6% in 2014-15. Air India set to join Star Alliance in July Air India is all set to join the world’s largest airline grouping, Star Alliance, this July, making it the first airline from India to be part of a global chain of carriers. Jewellers hope for Akshay Tritiya surge This year Akshaya Tritiya falls on Friday, a day after a large selloff on gold in the international markets. More Business News»

		Environment
		Scientists vexed in probe of North American starfish deaths The starfish, also called sea stars, are being obliterated by an unexplained wasting disease that causes white lesions to appear before the animal's body sags and ruptures and it spills out its internal organs. India to have roadmap for cutting carbon emissions India has unveiled a draft national policy to provide a roadmap for building comprehensive strategies for cutting carbon emissions from deforestation. UNESCO condemns dredge waste dumping in Barrier Reef waters The UNESCO on Thursday condemned a decision to allow the dumping of dredge waste in Great Barrier Reef waters and recommended the Australian marine park be considered for inclusion on the World Heritage in danger list. More Environment News»

		World
		Mideast peace process on 'pause': Kerry The United States was blindsided by a Palestinian deal with a militant group that led to the suspension of Mideast peace talks, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday, even as he voiced hope that negotiations would resume after a pause. Putin wants troops out of Ukraine's east Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Ukraine should withdraw its military from the eastern and southern regions of the country, a statement that could bolster anti-government insurgents who are seizing buildings. In pics: Southern California wildfires More World News»

		Entertainment
		Akshay-Salman's spider step catching on Yeh Fugly Fugly Kya Hai, the title track of upcoming youth entertainer Fugly, directed by Kabir Sadanand, went viral early Wednesday. 'Salman has better sense of music than Bhushan Kumar' Himesh Reshammiya, 40, has equal doses of creativity and business in his blood. While he is emotional, the commercial success of anything he does is of prime importance. H No out-of-court settlement for rape accused Inder Kumar "There will be no out-of-court settlement, I am ready to fight", says rape accused Inder Kumar’s wife Pallavi, stating why she hasn’t spoken to Salman Khan yet and how her husband Inder had a one-night stand but is not a rapist. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Soon, robotic handshake for long-distance greetings Long-distance lovers may soon be able to hold hands while video chatting. Pill to switch off hunger on the horizon The world's first pill to make you stop eating is set to become a reality. New technique developed which can trace DNA back 1000 years A new ground breaking technique has been developed which can locate the village your ancestors lived 1,000 years ago and hence trace back DNA formation. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sania-Black reach Portugal Open semis Top seeds Sania Mirza and Cara Black progressed to Portugal Open semifinals by overcoming Spanish-Chinese duo Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Shuai Zhang. Rooney asks Utd not to appoint Van Gaal Man United striker Wayne Rooney reportedly asked the club's senior officials to not appoint Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal as their manager this summer. Indian women earn direct last 8 berth Indian women topped their group to secure a direct entry into the quarterfinals after they got past Bulgaria 3-2 in the World Team Table Tennis Championships. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Sony Xperia M2 review: A good-looking mid-range smartphone Sony is focusing on consolidating its mid-range line-up with the launch of the Xperia T2 Ultra and the Xperia M2 Dual. First impressions: Nokia XL Nokia is launching the Android-powered Nokia XL smartphone in the Indian market, later this month. Facebook adds anonymous login, unveils new features As part of its mobile, people-first focus, Facebook says it will let users log in to apps anonymously, without sharing their identities and personal information with mobile applications they don't trust. More Technology News»

		Education
		Environmental Science exam called off after utter chaos Chaos and mismanagement marked the environmental science exam conducted by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University when the number of examinees turned out to be several times more than what the authorities had anticipated. Anna University engineering forms to be available from tomorrow The application forms for the single window counselling for engineering co-ordinated by Anna University will be distributed from Saturday. IIT Guwahati leads India into top 100 global varsity rankings The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati has made it to the world's top 100 university rankings, bringing India for the first time on the list. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Money from railway land to fuel Mumbai Urban Transport Project-II The commercial exploitation of the plot in Bandra is expected to bring Rs 4,000 crore, a part of which will be used to fund MUTP-II. 83-year-old man on recovery path after operation for heart block Eighty three-year-old Jayant Khedekar is among the growing group of octogenarians who have undergone surgeries and emerged stronger Mumbai University flouting UGC order on technical colleges: Teachers The Mumbai University and College Teachers’ Association (MUCTA) wrote to the University Grants Commission (UGC) recently to seek disciplinary action against university officials for allegedly processing applications for new technical colleges. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		CBI arrests former Delhi cop for cheating in civil service exam The CBI has arrested a former sub-inspector of Delhi Police for being part of a racket of civil services aspirants using unfair means during the 2013 mains examinations, conducted by UPSC. Suitor stabs girl 50 times Spurned by his love interest, a 39-year-old stabbed a young woman 50 times with a pair of scissors and then left her body inside a flat in southeast Delhi’s Govindpuri. Anish Kumar has been arrested. Construction debris choking Delhi Construction debris in Delhi is choking roads, wetlands and green areas and the problem is becoming more acute every year. Dumped callously wherever there is space, it is rarely ever recycled on a large scale. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bangalore brains set to revive ailing Dal Lake A Bangalore-based organization is hoping to give Srinagar's famed Dal Lake a much-needed facelift. Seniors take to technology for grandkids Sitting in a computer lab in the basement of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Race Course Road, SN Subbarao, 75, is frantically typing on the alphanumeric keyboard. 50 buses seized for flouting safety norms People travelling in private buses from the city faced a harrowing time as RTO officials launched a crackdown on Volvo buses that had failed to install emergency exits. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Millionaires' club: 25 candidates contesting from Seemandhra are millionaires Clearly our politicians representing poor citizens are not into social service anymore and are instead amassing huge wealth for themselves.  Politicians flock Kakinada to woo voters Whenever the weather is pleasant, this island near Kakinada becomes the perfect hangout for tourists. But come poll season, politicians flock its shores to woo its nearly 340-odd voters, the weather notwithstanding.  Bheemili's big divide The minute you disembark at the bus stop in the Bheemili town centre, it is difficult not to miss the signs of a sharp polarization running through the city's fabric.  More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Case against DMK candidate Two days back, three people were arrested in Kancheepuram for putting up posters stating AIADMK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel, had won the LS poll by a margin of more than a lakh votes. Chennai bomb blasts: A sitting duck called Chennai Central The vulnerability of Chennai Central had been a matter of concern even before Thursday’s twin blasts on board a train at the station. Chennai bomb blasts: Abandoned bag at Egmore station parking sparks fear A short while after the blasts at Chennai Central, panic spread at nearby Egmore railway station after an unclaimed bag was found in the parking lot. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Multiplex owner's nephew assaulted Brijesh Patel, a resident of Parivar Society in Satellite, was thrashed by a group of people on Thursday, after getting into a quarrel broken over a minor road accident. Colleges seek bigger share of Gujarat University exam fee According to the college officials, in every semester around five lakh students appear in GU examinations and the university collects around Rs 2.5 crore as exams fee. Gold imports continue to slide Markets continue to suffer shortage of gold as imports remain a record low in the state. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Feeling cheated, AU students say no to voting Feeling cheated by the authorities of the Allahabad University's Geography department, the students of post graduate diploma in town-country planning of the department have threatened to boycott polling on May 7. HC rejects Karwariya's bail plea The Allahabad high court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of former Bhartiya Janta Party MLA Uday Bhan Karwariya in connection with Samajwadi Party MLA Jawahar Yadav murder case. Body of youth found hanging from tree More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Parents lock up board office The annual high school certificate (HSC) examination results announced on Wednesday were a major disappointment for students across the state. School maintains 100% record The Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, has achieved a 100% pass for the 21st year in a row, with all its 231 students clearing the board examination. Jharkhand jumbos back in Balasore Elephants from Jharkhand entered Ayodhya forest at Nilgiri in Balasore district on Wednesday after a five-month gap. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Goon molests Nirbhaya unit cop in public view A woman constable of the Nirbhaya mobile unit was molested and assaulted by a criminal in public view in Hoshangabad district headquarters on Wednesday evening. 15 medical students dismissed in PMT scam A day after 36 medical students from Bhopal and Gwalior were expelled for adopting dubious means to crack the Pre-Medical Test (PMT), the axe fell on 15 more students in Jabalpur. Major fire at Moti Mahal in Gwalior A major fire broke out in the office of divisional commissioner at historical Moti Palace in Gwalior on Thursday morning.Leaping flames triggered panic, but no loss of human life was reported. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Over 100 couples to tie the knot on Akshaya Tritiya More than 100 weddings are expected to be solemnized on Akshay Tritiya on May 2. Heritage furniture sold again, fetches Rs 1.62 crore Poaching of Le Corbusier's precious heritage by crooked art dealers in the eighties has finally started paying off in a big way. There's no escaping the heat now: Met Residents sweated it out as a blistering heat wave swept the region on Thursday. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Fly to Mumbai from Jaipur in just 70 minutes

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, May 01, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Fly to Mumbai from Jaipur in just 70 minutes Flying from Jaipur to any destination will take 30% less time and cheaper from now. Minor violence, AAP candidate hurt in attack Minor poll-related violence was reported from parts of Punjab on Wednesday. A mob comprising Akali workers attacked AAP men and injured AAP candidate Dr Dharamvira Gandhi in the Patiala constituency.  Haryana  village sheds purdah For the last four decades, Roshni Devi, 60, had seen the world outside her home only through many hues of her pallu. Purdah was second nature to this resident of Bir Pipli in Haryana's Kurukshetra district, who never went to school. More India News»

		Business
		India pips Japan to be third largest economy in PPP India has overtaken Japan to emerge as the third largest economy in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, after the US and China, latest data released by the World Bank showed. When a class V girl offered to help RBI governor One doesn't expect a fifth grade student to be worried about the state of the economy and the country's foreign exchange reserves, much less pen a letter to the Reserve Bank of India governor offering help. Solar gear makers take Rs 1,000 cr hit on US, China dumping The government recently said solar projects must use at least 15% of locally manufactured equipment, stoking US trade ire. More Business News»

		Environment
		Another Kaziranga rhino killed, horn missing The Kaziranga National Park lost another rhino to poachers on Wednesday, taking the toll to 12 this year so far in the World Heritage Site. Hampi has become a haven for bird-watchers World heritage site Hampi now has another attraction besides its architectural grandeur: Greater Flamingos that have arrived from the Rann of Kutch. Odisha conservation centre to protect animals from heat Elaborate arrangements have been made by Wild Animal Conservation Centre of Sambalpur to protect the animals from the searing heat. More Environment News»

		World
		Kiev: Forces 'helpless' to restore order in east Ukraine Ukraine's police and security forces are "helpless" to quell the unrest in two eastern regions bordering Russia and in some cases are cooperating with the pro-Russia gunmen who have seized scores of buildings and taken people hostage, Ukraine's leader said on Wednesday. Gerry Adams arrested over 1972 murder Northern Ireland police are questioning Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams over the 1972 abduction and murder of Jean McConville, his party said on Wednesday, after police said detectives investigating the case had arrested a 65-year-old man. Syria violence spirals a month from election Syria's air force killed at least 20 people, including 17 children, on Wednesday in the latest strike on battered Aleppo city, as civilians bear the brunt of the civil war. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Why didn't Hrithik call Kareena for his pool party? It seems all is not well between alleged former lovers Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. After Hrithik's wife, his sister moves out of Roshan house It is known that Hrithik Roshan will occupy the third floor of a building where Akshay Kumar resides. The actor is said to have leased it out and will stay away from his parents’ home, Il Palazzo. Hrithik-Sussanne: From marriage to divorce After announcing their separation in December 2013, Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan and his wife Sussane have officially filed for a divorce today at a family court in Bandra, Mumbai. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Soon, garbage to power planes In a world first, British Airways is planning to use garbage to power its flights in an ambitious project which aims to convert municipal waste into 50,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel per year. Experts crack Ramanujan's algebra riddle Mathematicians have found a framework for the celebrated Rogers-Ramanujan identities and their arithmetic properties, solving another long-standing mystery stemming from the work of Indian math genius Srinivasa Ramanujan. Spanish island 1st to run on water & wind power only The smallest and least known of Spain's Canary Islands, El Hierro, is making a splash by becoming the first island in the world fully energy selfsufficient through combined water and wind power. More Science News»

		Sports
		I am now playing with vengeance: Jwala Jwala Gutta says such has been the "hurt and pain" of last six months that she has not been able celebrate her bronze medal victory at the Asian Championships. 'India is an important market for F1' F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone promised the return of Indian GP in 2015 provided race promoters, Jaypee Group, fulfill the financial requirements of contract. NBA right to ban Clippers owner: Obama US President Barack Obama has voiced his support for NBA's decision to ban LA Clippers owner Sterling for life for making racist remarks, the spokesman said. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple, Samsung cite and rebut internal memos in patent trial Apple’s lawyer said that Apple’s rivals should have taken Jobs’s proclamation about patents as a warning not to copy the iPhone. But Samsung did not get the message. HTC Desire 310 dual sim review: Not the perfect budget smartphone HTC Desire 310 dual sim promises users an opportunity to own an HTC device at a low price. Google to replace Nexus line with Android Silver: Report According to a report by TheInformation.com, Google plans to offer a premium Android experience with Silver line of products, starting with the US. More Technology News»

		Education
		Manipal University's doctorate for Satya Nadella Manipal University has decided to confer an honorary doctorate on its celebrity student Satya Nadella, who now helms Microsoft as its CEO, at a special convocation here. Maharashtra education board to revise number of exam centres Taking a cue from the mismanagement at exam centres inconveniencing students and to check cases of mass copying, the education board has decided to cut down on the number of exam centres from next year. It may be time for course correction in IIT selection With JEE results to be released in a few days, some IIT professors are critical of the admission process. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra CM wonders if Modi campaign runs on hawala money Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday asked if BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi’s multi-crore campaign involved hawala money. Chavan was referring to Modi’s recent photograph with an accused in hawala cases published in the media PIL filed in Bombay HC against deletion of 2L voters' names A public interest litigation has been filed before the Bombay high court, challenging the deletion of over two lakh names from the electoral rolls, and urged it to allow Mumbai residents whose names were “illegally” deleted to vote in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Need hi-tech CCTV cameras: Traffic police chief Unlike regular surveillance cameras, an enforcement camera detects traffic violations, including speeding, jumping signals, unauthorized use of a bus lane etc More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Department surveying 10 Asola 'encroachments' The forest department is surveying 10 plots that have been identified to be encroachments in the Asola Bhatti sanctuary.First, it will survey these plots and then give a notice to its owners or caretakers. No space to treat toxic waste With no space to build a hazardous waste treatment plant, Delhi is going through a massive crisis.Its efforts to build a treatment plant in Ghuman Hera, Kanjhawala and Bawana have failed because of a variety of reasons. Jung asks administration for summer plan "The LG asked the DCs to look for innovative solutions to problems, particularly those that they are likely to encounter in the coming summer months. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Jilted lover flings hot oil on girl's face A man allegedly threw hot oil on a girl’s face on Wednesday night, after she spurned him. Sexual harassment probe against two Kerala professors The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has initiated an inquiry into cases of sexual harassment against two professors following complaints against them. Plea on quota referred to division bench When the matter came up before Justice BS Patil, he observed that a division bench would look into it and declined to pass an interim order. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Tension after clashes between MIM, Majlis Bachao Tehreek supporters Tension prevailed in Yakutpura on polling day as supporters of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) clashed at SRT Community Hall, a polling booth in the area. Bandh for a good cause in Hyderabad For a city used to bandhs, courtesy the T-movement, polling day seemed like a blast from the past with the city wearing a deserted look. Caught and closed: Offices under the scanner for staying open on voting day in Hyderabad Their employees were let out and the offices were shut immediately. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Cops detain 2 aides of ISI suspect Hussain in Chennai A day after the arrest of Sakir Hussain, 37, a suspected ISI agent from Sri Lanka, in Chennai on Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu 'Q' branch police have picked up two more people from the city. Burglar dozes off in attic, gets rude wake-up by cops A burglar who broke into a locked house in Pammal near Tambaram was so tired that he slept in the attic of the house, only to be nabbed by police on Wednesday morning. PIL against revenue minister Three years after the state assembly elections, a PIL wants the Madras high court to direct the chief electoral officer to take action against revenue minister B V Ramana for filing a false affidavit along with his nomination papers in 2011. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Low turnout in Muslim localities of Ahmedabad Two FIRs filed against Narendra Modi for poll code violation Modi had triggered a row when he addressed reporters soon after casting his vote in Ahmedabad where he prominently displayed BJP's poll symbol lotus. Vaidik helps his USA team Red Storm's mark historic win City tennis player Vaidik Munshaw was one of the most promising talents in the city who played at national level and also,once, made the cut for junior level Australian Open. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Feeling cheated, AU students say no to voting Feeling cheated by the authorities of the Allahabad University's Geography department, the students of post graduate diploma in town-country planning of the department have threatened to boycott polling on May 7. HC rejects Karwariya's bail plea The Allahabad high court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of former Bhartiya Janta Party MLA Uday Bhan Karwariya in connection with Samajwadi Party MLA Jawahar Yadav murder case. Body of youth found hanging from tree More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Parents lock up board office The annual high school certificate (HSC) examination results announced on Wednesday were a major disappointment for students across the state. School maintains 100% record The Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, has achieved a 100% pass for the 21st year in a row, with all its 231 students clearing the board examination. Jharkhand jumbos back in Balasore Elephants from Jharkhand entered Ayodhya forest at Nilgiri in Balasore district on Wednesday after a five-month gap. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		23 MBBS students from GMC, 13 from Gajra Raja expelled Thirty-six students, 23 from Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, and 13 of Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, were expelled on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in Pre-Medical Test (PMT) scam. 27 students expelled from MGM College authorities said on Tuesday that these 27 students had cleared the PMT-2012 allegedly through fraudulent means after which they were expelled from the college on directives of the Medical Education Department. Varsity in Jabalpur downplays ragging case, calls it group clash Stripped and beaten brutally by his hostel seniors, Chiranjeet Burman, 20, who came from West Bengal to study at Rani Durgavati Vishwa Vidyalaya (RDVV), is being treated at a private hospital for spinal injuries. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Parents, students allege police high-handedness "According to the report I received, there was no lathicharge.Police just dispersed the crowd for the safety of women among the audience.I met parents and students who came to give a representation to me. 3 labourers killed in wall collapse Three labourers died at Bhupal village of Mansa district on Wednesday after being crushed under a wall being built for the hall of the local gurdwara. 72% turnout in Bathinda Bathinda/ With a drop of more than 6%, the high-stakes parliamentary constituency of Bathinda recorded an estimated polling percentage 72%.In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Bathinda had recorded a turnout of 78.75%. More Chandigarh News»

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