News Digest

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, May 03, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		High turnout doesn't signal a wave The other popular perception is that voter anger leads to higher voter turnout and hence anti-incumbency. Court summons for Raja, Kanimozhi in 2G case The court summoned the 16 accused after taking cognizance of the chargesheet saying there was "enough incriminating material" on record to proceed against them. Mayawati attacks Akhilesh on 'bua' comment BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday described SP state president and UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav as Mulayam's "lallua" (baby). More India News»

		Business
		Authority to fight bank failures? To avoid a situation where the government may have to use public money to bail out distressed institutions that are 'too big to fail', the panel has recommend a 'bail-in'. Carrefour to shut shop, exit India Sources said there have been senior-level exits from Carrefour India and some employees may be asked to leave over the next few weeks as part of the exit strategy. Drug MNCs stall generics with RTI Recently, Novartis filed injunctions against half a dozen companies to prevent them from launching generic versions of its blockbuster anti-diabetic drug, Galvus (vildagliptin). More Business News»

		Environment
		Honour for India's green heroes Farmland Rainwater Harvesting Systems, which developed a ‘V-Wire injection well’ technology for runoff rainwater harvesting and recharge in Karnataka, won the ‘Innovations for Climate Protection’ award. Meghalaya preparing comprehensive report on mining: CM Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma said his government is preparing a 'comprehensive report' on the measures initiated to have scientific mining in the state African bird steals food by imitating warning calls: Study The forked tailed drongo bird of Africa — quite the trickster — imitates multiple species' warning calls to scare off other animals and steal their food, a study published on Thursday revealed. More Environment News»

		World
		Ukraine offensive sparks deadly clashes in Odessa, 31 killed The Kremlin said the move by Kiev's interim government effectively killed the Geneva pact aimed at cooling the unrest, but pledged to continue efforts to try to calm the tensions. Egypt election campaign opens after bombings Campaigning opens Saturday in Egypt for a May election likely to be won by the ex-army chief who deposed the elected president, after deadly bombings underscored tensions ahead of the vote. Australia plans first funerals for MH370 flyers The first funeral service for passengers from a missing Malaysian jetliner will be held in Australia this weekend, nearly eight weeks after the plane disappeared and apparently crashed in the remote southern Indian Ocean. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Hrithik and Sussanne back together for kids? They may have filed for divorce, but Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan leave no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring their kids’ happiness. Sharmila Tagore in the midst of a property dispute? Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, wife of the late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan, is reportedly in the midst of a property dispute. Reports suggest that her recent visit to Bhopal was marred with protests and she had to call the police to get things under control. OMG: 'I like being tied while having Hot Sex' If you think our celebrities will be able to subdue their sexual fantasies just because they are famous and have a social standing, you are wrong. Most of our Hollywood actresses have a kinky side to them. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Ex-IITian to build 'touchy-feely' robot A world where robots will walk side by side with man is fast becoming a reality. New machine to brew perfect cuppa in one minute complicated than simply dipping a tea-bag into boiling water. The touchy-feely robot coming soon Think of a world where a robot can not only carry a cup of tea to an elderly person, but can also sense whether it’s too hot to handle. More Science News»

		Sports
		Ganguly Lisbon-bound for CL final When his former team Kolkata Knight Riders play the home leg during the business end of the ongoing IPL, Ganguly would be busy discussing football this time. Gerrard still captain fantastic for Rodgers Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers backed skipper Steven Gerrard to recover from the potentially title-deciding mistake he made during defeat by Chelsea. Tomas battles through to Portugal semis Top seed Tomas Berdych toughed out a battling 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over qualifier Leonardo Mayer in the quarterfinal of the ATP-WTA Portugal Open on Friday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Microsoft rescues XP users with emergency browser fix Microsoft is helping the estimated hundreds of millions of customers still running Windows XP, which it stopped supporting earlier this month, by providing an emergency update to fix a critical bug in its Internet Explorer browser. Review: Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 tablet @ Rs 65,575 We review the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 to see whether Samsung's first tablet for enterprise users is as good as a laptop or not. How hackers exploited Microsoft's security flaw The vulnerability affected all versions of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser. More Technology News»

		Education
		UGC plans cluster colleges as option to deemed university No new deemed university has come up in the country in the last seven years, primarily because of the court case challenging the 2010 University Grants Commission regulations. IIM-Trichy registers 100% placement The only candidate from among 103 in the 2012-14 IIM-Trichy batch who decided to start her own enterprise this year is from Tamil Nadu. CBSE's digital marking not quicker but more accurate The new digital or online system of evaluation being used for the first time by the Central Board of Secondary Education isn't speeding things up but eliminating errors to a large extent. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		CM wants Maharashtra representative in team to European Union Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has requested the centre to include representatives from the state while sending a delegation to the European Union for talks on lifting the ban on the import of mangoes. Need tenancy rules for unsafe bldgs: HC The Bombay HC suggested that the state and BMC consider framing guidelines on dilapidated buildings. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed in the matter relating to the collapse of a seven-storey building in Vakola that killed seven people in March. Abductor who killed Kalyan boy had debt of Rs 15 lakh The Thane police investigating the kidnapping and murder of Rohan Gucchait (12), have learnt that the main accused, Sayyed Shaikh, had demanded Rs 50 lakh as ransom to repay a loan of Rs 15 lakh. One of Shaikh’s lenders is a co-accused, Ganesh Patil. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Slow progress of Delhi Metro's phase-III worries govt Slow progress of work in Metro phase-III has become a cause of concern for the government. Chandra Mohan Sharma: His RTIs 'did not please everyone' In his fight against corruption, Chandra Mohan Sharma was on a roll.He had filed 300 RTI applications in his incessant bid to track down malpractices in the system. RTI activist burns to death in car, family cries murder An RTI activist who relentlessly pursued and exposed corrupt land deals was found dead in suspicious circumstances late on Thursday night. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		8-year-old drowns, kin vandalize Bangalore resort An eight-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool at a resort in Kalkere, off Bannergatta Road, on Thursday evening. Angry relatives attacked the resort property on Friday. Similar explosive devices used in TN, Bangalore blasts A day after twin explosions on the Bangalore-Guwahati Express at the Chennai Central station, a joint investigation by teams of Karnataka and Chennai police has revealed a curious link. Bangalore stem cell donor saves thalassemic Delhi boy A two-year-old Delhi boy suffering from thalassemia got a new lease of life after a Bangalorean donated his blood stem cells to him. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Poor turnout at Sonia's Guntur meet Sonia said her party had taken every care to protect the interests of Seemandhra farmers, youths and students even while making an attempt to settle the long-pending issue of Telangana. Khammam sizzles at 47 degrees Celsius, Hyderabad sweats it out at 40.7 Khammam sizzled at an unbearable 47 degrees Celsius on Friday even as Hyderabad experienced its hottest day of this summer with the maximum temperature touching a sweltering 40.7 degrees. Punters bet big on Malla Reddy, Bandaru They are giving the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat to the TDP, the Khairatabad Assembly seat to the YSR Congress and Musheerabad to the BJP. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Chennai blasts: Delay averted bigger disaster The twin blasts on Bangalore-Guwahati Express would have caused a major fire had the bombs gone off when the train was moving. Once the train leaves Chennai Central, it travels at an average of 65kmph during its journey in Tamil Nadu. Crowds are thinner but Central's buzzing again Every morning for the past 10 years, K Muralidharan has punctually opened the book stall on Platform 9 of Chennai Central railway station. On Friday, too, he stuck to his routine. After blasts, flurry of hoaxes keeps cops on toes It was a day or rumours, but the city refused to panic. Policemen were on their toes a day after the twin blasts on Bangalore-Guwahati Express at Chennai Central railway station as hoax calls landed at the control room saying that bombs would go off at Express Avenue, SSS Jain College in Mambalam, Avadi railway station and several schools. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		No HC relief for Fatta, his sister The Gujarat high court refused to grant any relief to Afroz Fatta, accused in the multi-crore Hawala scam, and asked his sister to appear before Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on May 5 in accordance with the summons issued to her. Gujarat joins probe in one tonne heroin seizure off Kenya Central and state security agencies have swung into action following the seizure of 1,032 kg of heroin in a Veraval-registered dhow off Kenya coast by Australian navy last week. 50-year-old seeks cops' help to unite with 24-year-old boyfriend Mahila police station officials were stumped recently when a 50-year-old woman from Maninagar approached them with a rather strange request - to convince her 24-year-old boyfriend not to desert her. 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 elephants 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
		Hang me, says martial rape survivor after killing husband Arrested on Friday for murder, the woman was remarkably calm and unrepentant. 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. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Kids fail, parents hold protest in Dhanas school Parents erupted in anger after their children failed in Class IX, holding a protest on the premises of Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanas, against the teachers. Snatcher arrested The UT police arrested a resident of Dhanas, Nizamudin, for snatching the purse of a woman near Gurdial Singh Petrol Pump in Sector 22 on Thursday night. Road repair causes traffic jam sessions Road repair work jammed the Panchkula-Chandigarh stretch near Kala Gram on Friday morning, forcing thousands of commuters to endure hardships and throwing the schedule of office-goers haywire. More Chandigarh News»

		To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Movie Reviews | Life & Style | Top Headlines

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»

		To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Movie Reviews | Life & Style | Top Headlines