News Digest: Indian embassy in US outsources visa, passport services to new firm

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, May 08, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Indian embassy in US outsources visa, passport services to new firm Indian embassy in the US has announced to outsource its passport and visa related services to a new company for all its diplomatic missions in America following complaints against the current service provider. Several Himachal Pradesh villages boycott polls Unhappy with political parties for not fulfilling their demands, several villages in Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti district boycotted the Lok Sabha elections on Wednesday. Mullaperiyar dam case: Kerala to file review petition in apex court Stunned by the Supreme Court order allowing Tamil Nadu to raise water level in the Mullaperiyar dam to 142ft and nullifying the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, Kerala has decided to file a review petition before the seven-member constitutional bench of the SC. More India News»

		Business
		Jignesh held in Rs 5.6k cr market fraud The economic offences wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police, which is probing the Rs 5,600 crore cheating case involving the National Stock Exchange (NSEL), on Wednesday arrested Jignesh Shah, chairman of Financial Technologies (FTIL) group, and MCX CEO Sreekanth Javalgekar for their alleged role in the biggest payment default in the Indian commodity market. Tata-AirAsia gets licence from DGCA Indian flyers are soon going to be spoilt for choice and low fares may make a comeback. Vodafone seeks arbitration in tax row The government had decided to withdraw its conciliation offer made to the telecom major for settling the nagging tax demand that arose from its 2007 acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa's stake in Hutchison Essar. More Business News»

		Environment
		US warns of wide climate impact The White House called on Tuesday for urgent action to combat climate change, saying in a major report that human-caused warming is already having a serious impact across the United States. More than 170 sharks caught in Australia cull policy More than 170 sharks were caught during a controversial cull policy in western Australia following a spate of fatal attacks, figures showed , with 50 of the biggest ones destroyed. Ongoing tiger census at Ranthambore shows two cubs missing The ongoing Phase IV tiger monitoring at Ranthambore National Park has revealed that at least two cubs are missing. More Environment News»

		World
		Chinese and Vietnamese ships collide, Philippines seizes vessel China’s relations with Vietnam and Philippines came under severe strain on Wednesday after a mid-sea collision between ships and seizure of a Chinese vessel near disputed islands off the Philippine coast. Russia tightens web control with 'bloggers law' Putin’s action on Monday, just weeks after he disparaged the internet as “a special CIA project,” borrowed a page from the restrictive internet playbooks of many governments around the world that have been steadily smothering online freedoms they once tolerated. Seoul urges 'serious consequences' against N Korea South Korean foreign minister Yun Byung-Se on Wednesday urged the UN security council to threaten North Korea with "the most serious consequences" if it refuses to stop conducting nuclear tests. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Was Salman praying during the hit-and-run case hearing? Superstar Salman Khan, who came to the Sessions Court for the hearing of the 2002 hit-and-run case, was nervous about the case proceedings. Shah Rukh Khan says no to negative role in Race 3? Despite getting rave reviews for his performance as a villain in 'Baazigar' and 'Darr', superstar Shah Rukh Khan is not in a mood to play a baddie again. It's over between Vidyut Jammwal and Mona Singh Vidyut Jammwal and Mona Singh’s on-off relationship has finally come to an end More Entertainment News»

		Science
		A car system that detects pedestrians at night Researchers have designed a new system for cars that can detect pedestrians upto 40 metres away in low visibility conditions such as night time driving. 'Super pill' to prevent heart attacks The largest ever analysis on the use of a polypill in cardiovascular disease shows potential for improvements in patient care, researchers said. We yawn to cool our brains: Study Researchers led by psychologist Andrew Gallup of State University of New York at Oneonta, US found that yawning is linked with thermoregulation, and in particular, brain cooling. More Science News»

		Sports
		RVP sees Ferguson echo in Giggs's words United striker Robin van Persie believes he has seen signs of Alex Ferguson's management style during Ryan Giggs's brief time in the Old Trafford hotseat. Dada's team named Atletico de Kolkata Kolkata franchise of much-anticipated Indian Super League was christened Atletico de Kolkata, taking a cue from their Spanish co-owners Atletico de Madrid. Nadal strolls past Monaco into last 16 World No. 1 Rafael Nadal dismissed lingering doubts over his form with a resounding 6-1, 6-0 win over Juan Monaco to reach the Madrid Masters third round. More Sports News»

		Technology
		HTC One (M8) review: Will the king's reign continue? Is HTC One (M8) just an iterative update, or has HTC done an even better job this time? We try to find out in our review. Samsung Gear Fit review: Pretty, but won't make you fitter As consumers explore ways to keep a track of how many steps they are taking daily, there is a desire for better solutions. Apple withdraws iPhone 4 from Indian market Less than four months after relaunching iPhone 4, Apple decided to once again withdraw its only phone below Rs 20,000. More Technology News»

		Education
		Awarded B grade, Lucknow University now wants NAAC reassessment Lucknow University has been awarded 'B' grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Vocational subject in Class XII no bar Good news for students with vocational and elective subjects in Class XII.Students not allowed admission due to vocational subjects in Class XII are now eligible for applying and getting admission in Delhi University. Colleges can't set additional eligibility criteria this time The Delhi University administration has taken away colleges' discretion to fix additional eligibility criteria, over and above the general cut-off for the 2014-15 admission season. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Dindoshi flyover snarls continue on Day 5 As repair work on the Dindoshi flyover entered its fifth day on Wednesday, the traffic situation was a bit better than previous days. But there were still delays and most motorists left home really early to avoid getting stuck on WEH. 4 flyers caught with Rs 2cr gold, 3 hid them in innerwear The total gold smuggled was 7.2 kg worth Rs 1.86 crore, officials said. All of them are believed to be carriers who agreed to smuggle gold for a commission. 1-4% rebate on property tax for early birds The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to give rebate in the property tax bills of people who pay early. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Lens on police, builder roles in Vasant Kunj slum fire There are allegations that 40 local builders distributed equal sections of the camp among themselves—not without the police’s knowledge. The builder who ‘invested’ the most money had got the biggest share of around 100 slum dwellings, sources said. Three rape woman, 2 land behind bars A woman in her late twenties has alleged she was gang-raped allegedly by three men inside a park in central Delhi on Tuesday night. 2 teens raped across Delhi A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a relative in northeast Delhi's Khajoori Khas area on Sunday night.Police said 30-year-old Rafi took the girl to a friend's house and raped her. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Fashion designer hangs herself in flat A young fashion designer from Kerala was found hanging inside her apartment in Bellandur, HSR Layout, Southeast Bangalore. Work on new runway, terminal to begin year-end The Kempegowda International Airport has moved a step closer to getting its new terminal building (T-2) and second runway. The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) will begin the civil works on both by the end of this calendar year. Woman's decomposed body found The highly decomposed body of a woman was found in a shed of a defunct marble company on Bannerghatta Main Road, on Wednesday afternoon. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		TRS, Congress make moves for alliances With the election results to be announced in less than 10 days, rival power aspirants TRS and Congress on Wednesday consolidated their moves at cobbling up alliances and at the same time preventing the other from forming the first government in Telangana. YSRCP-TDP clashes mar polling Around seven persons received injuries, of which three were admitted to hospital in the region following TDP-YSRCP cadre skirmishes. Suspended mutawalli blames Wakf Board for 'bypassing rules' Later in the day, a delegation of mutawallis, members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and prominent religious figures met chief secretary PK Mohanty and sought his intervention. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		EC rejects DMK plea for live coverage of counting process Election Commission has rejected DMK’s plea for live video coverage of the counting process on May 16, and has told the Madras high court that it is not necessary to install video cameras on every counting table and assistant returning officer’s table.  Mullaperiyar dam: Tamil Nadu politicians elated about SC order The mood was one of jubilation in Tamil Nadu with chief minister J Jayalalithaa terming the Supreme Court verdict permitting the state to raise water level in the 120-year-old Mullaperiyar dam to 142ft a “historic victory.” TN fixes salary of govt drivers between 4,000, 6,000 The government has fixed the salaries of drivers of various state departments between 4,000 and 6,000. A few departments had earlier fixed the salary between 5,000 and 9,000. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		AMC vigilance wing probes VS hospital receipt scam The vigilance wing of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is now investigating a major financial fraud at V S hospital. Fire safety: HC removes 21 buildings from watch list After ordering the issuance of bailable warrants on Monday, the court sought a list of buildings that did not receive its notices issued on March 25. Heat fries Kankaria fish The heatwave condition prevailing in the city is not only affecting humans but also taking toll on fish in Kankaria lake.On Wednesday, hundreds of fish were found dead in the lake. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		No progress in Bahariya killings Even after 24 hours of gruesome incident wherein four persons of a family were murdered in Ahirai village under Baharia police station on Monday evening, the cops are still searching for the assailants. Weather conditions to decide poll percentage in Allahabad As battle lines are drawn for the elections for Allahabad and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, all eyes are set on weather condition. Allahabad people excited to cast vote, but waiting for voter's slip Binda Singh, a resident of Allahpur says, "I have not received the voter's slip till now.In Lok Sabha polls of 2009 the BLO came to my house and gave the voter's slip." . More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha to set up bone bank, starts bone marrow transplantation The Odisha government has decided to set up a bone bank at the S C B Medical College Hospital in Cuttack. Police make a killing from fines as traffic gets chaotic The city has about 750km to 800km of roads.The vehicle population in the city now is about 8.5 lakh.Every year, about 80,000 new vehicles are added to the city roads. Cricketers stay put in hotel rooms Cricket fans are excited about the IPL match that will be played between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Wednesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Shatabdi Express may chug into Habibganj, but loss-making double-decker may be scrapped Earlier, Union minister of state (MoS) Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had specifically said Shatabdi would not be extended to Habibganj station due to logistical problems. Public assault on men in khaki dents their image Men in khaki attacked by offenders in public view creates a poor image of law enforcers in people's mind. CBSE provides breather for flunkees Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has provided a breather for those students who flunked in Class IX exams because of poor performance in their summative assessments (SA). More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		AAP warns against demolishing 4 colonies The Aam Aadmi party (AAP) submitted a memorandum to the governor on Wednesday against the UT administration's plan to demolish four more colonies in the city. Poison suicides highest in Chandigarh: Study The study, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, central government, reached the conclusion after poring over cases of suicides in the Tricity from January 2012 till December 31 of the year. Student caught cheating steals answer-sheet, booked According to the FIR, law department student Amritpal Singh ran away with his answer-sheet book number 8629814 and unfair means form from the law department of the university's Sector 14 campus. 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
		Wednesday, May 07, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Cong accuses Modi of violating freedom of the press  Congress on Tuesday accused Narendra Modi of violating freedom of the press whenever he got a chance.   Andaman 'theatre' command needs to be strengthened to counter China The urgent need to strengthen the strategically-located Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) in the backdrop of the ever-growing military asymmetry with China, both in terms of hardware as well as infrastructure, came to the fore at a top military conclave on Tuesday. BJP wants CBI to question PM in coal scam case BJP on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh be questioned by CBI in the 2G spectrum case after former telecom minister and DMK leader A Raja told a court that every decision was taken with the PM's "concurrence". More India News»

		Business
		Govt infuses over Rs 1,300cr into Air India Before this, AI had got Rs 1,000 crore in March. The airline has so far got Rs 14,575 crore — almost half of the Rs 30,000 crore promised as equity infusion till 2020. IndiGo offers families up to 25% discounts India’s largest domestic airline, from Tuesday announced discount of up to 25% when a family of four to nine members makes booking together on a common PNR (booking reference). Biyani to acquire Spykar for Rs 100cr Kishore Biyani's Future Lifestyle Fashion Ltd is buying a 75% stake in the home-grown denim company Spykar Lifestyle for around Rs 100 crore in an attempt to shore up its fashion and lifestyle play. More Business News»

		Environment
		Ongoing tiger census at Ranthambore shows two cubs missing The ongoing Phase IV tiger monitoring at Ranthambore National Park has revealed that at least two cubs are missing. Activist bats for environment-friendly industrialisation Noted activist from Chhattisgarh, Ramesh Agrawal, who recently received the 'Goldman Environment Prize' in the US, today emphasised the need to promote environment and people-friendly industrialisation. Deadly avian influenza virus reaches Antarctica A deadly avian influenza virus has now reached Antarctica. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama for action against Boko Haram US President Barack Obama on Tuesday urged global action against Nigerian Islamic militants, as Washington sent in military experts to help track down more than 200 girls seized in a "heartbreaking" kidnapping. Pak resolves to lift ban on YouTube Pakistan’s National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution seeking an end to ban on video-sharing website, YouTube. US lawmakers split on new Russia sanctions US senators were split on Tuesday over when to impose new sanctions on Russia, with Republicans saying President Barack Obama should not wait until Ukraine's upcoming election before slapping Moscow with sector-wide penalties. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Mumbai girls were safe when Balasaheb was alive' Suniel Shetty, 53, may have become a star, but his heart still remains with cricket, his first love. He is emotional, blunt and hardworking, who may have the image of being good in business Revealed: What happened at Rani-Aditya reception Filmmaker Aditya Chopra, who got married to actress Rani Mukerji in a private ceremony in Italy late last month, hosted a reception for his friends at the Yashraj Bungalow on Sunday night. The Salman hit-and-run case takes a new turn The fresh trial of Salman Khan’s hit-and-run case began in March in Mumbai. In a new development, recently traced witnesses deposed in a city court yesterday. The actor, dressed casually, was accompanied by his sisters Alvira and Arpita. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		New cousin of T Rex discovered Scientists have discovered a new species of long-snouted Tyrannosaurus nicknamed Pinocchio Rex which stalked the Earth more than 66 million years ago. Avian flu virus found among penguins in Antarctica An international team of researchers have for the first time identified a new avian influenza virus in a group of Adélie penguins from Antarctica. Maternal deaths falling, but not fast enough: WHO Global maternal deaths have fallen sharply in recent decades, but women in sub-Saharan Africa are still by far the most likely to perish while pregnant, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sharapova battles through McHale test Four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova overcame a stiff test from Christina McHale to book her place in third round of Madrid Open 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. 'Rooney should be left out of WC team' Rooney should be left out of World Cup team because he has had a poor season with United and England can't rely on him, ex-Chelsea midfielder Hudson said. Sachin gets life membership at Els club Sachin Tendulkar may now be seen swinging on a different pitch after legendary batsman was awarded a life membership at Dubai's Els Club golf course. More Sports News»

		Technology
		TCS, Infosys in fray for Airtel's $1-2 billion IT contract TCS, Infosys and Wipro are vying for Bharti Airtel's IT services contract said to be worth $1-2 billion, which is likely to close soon. Motorola to price Moto E under Rs 10,000: Report The unit price of Moto E is Rs 6,330, suggesting that the smartphone is likely to be priced under Rs 10,000 even after local taxes are added. Microsoft launches Office 365 Personal Edition for Rs 330 a month Priced at Rs 330 a month or Rs 3,299 a year, the Office 365 Personal subscription service provides access to the Office applications for Windows/Mac. More Technology News»

		Education
		Forget capitation fee, get paid to study engineering in Tamil Nadu Gone are the days when eager engineering aspirants surreptitiously approached colleges to pay capitation fee to book seats. Now, the colleges are offering to pay faculty and students thousands of rupees to get students of their choice. Two year on, another question paper leak at Nagpur University Two years after TOI exposed leakage of BCCA question paper, at Nagpur University, another one struck on Tuesday, thanks to an administration that had failed to learn any lessons. World Bank likely to fund higher education in Odisha World Bank is likely to fund the development of higher education sector in Odisha. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		SIT to probe Jiah's death Police commissioner Rakesh Maria has formed a special investigation team (SIT) headed by an assistant commissioner of police to probe actor Jiah Khan's death. Jiah's mother Rabiya Khan had moved the Bombay high court to set up the SIT. Hit-and-run case: Three witnesses identify Salman for first time For the first time in the Salman Khan hit-and-run case, three witnesses have identified the actor as being in the car that ran over at least five people in Mumbai early on September 28, 2002. One was killed and four injured in the incident. Govt orders probe into club lift failure The state government has asked for a detailed inquiry of Saturday’s lift failure that occurred on the top floors of the Palladium tower in Lower Parel, leading to chaos among those who were partying at the clubs there. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Help your pets get through these dog days Veterinarians, who are overwhelmed by the number of heat strokes and skin problems reported by pet owners, say people with short-nosed dogs need to take special care. Pacemaker removal helped crack murder She wanted to make sure he was dead, so the 23-year-old from west Delhi cut open her father's chest and pulled out his pacemaker after assaulting him murderously. Govt to go after all new encroachments Under particular focus are all fresh illegal constructions on public land-most of which is agricultural and located on the city's urban periphery. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		'Seat-sharing with govt only for enhanced quota' Several deemed universities have claimed that the 25% seat-sharing with the state government is only in respect of enhanced quota and they will abide by it. No rollback of toll hike, says govt The Karnataka government on Tuesday threw up its hands over the steep hike effected by the concessionaire on the road leading to Kempegowda International Airport. Verdict is unscientific and irrational I am disappointed with the Supreme Court judgment and I reject it.It's unscientific and irrational.I am for teaching a child in the language of his or her environment. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Seemandhra awash with cash, liquor With 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats at stake, money meant as bribe flowed freely on Tuesday with nearly Rs 10 crore cash seized on the eve of polling day alone. Nearly 2,000 litres of liquor was also seized even as YSR Congress and TDP workers clashed in Anantapur and Prakasam districts. 350 IT firm employees get TOFEE stickers As part of their Total Offence Free Entity (TOFEE) initiative, the Cyberabad police on Tuesday issued stickers to 350 Microsoft employees. RGIA put on terror alert With central intelligence agencies warning of a prospective terror strike on airport with a car laden with explosives, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has been put on high alert. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Realtors strike gold in Thanjavur farmers' woes M Chandrabalan of Kabisthalam in Thanjavur district is in distress. He is desperately awaiting a prospective buyer for his eight-acre farm, which was being used for cultivation of paddy, banana and sugarcane crop till a few years back. Police hit roadblock as Central CCTV footage is of little use Authorities responsible for installing the surveillance system at Chennai Central railway station have lessons to learn after the May 1 twin blasts. EC orders repoll in 2 booths in Salem, Namakkal tomorrow Two weeks after Tamil Nadu voted in the Lok Sabha elections, a repoll will be held in two booths, one each in Salem and Namakkal Lok Sabha constituencies, on May 8. The repoll has been ordered due to problems in control units of electronic voting machines. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		HC fumes at illegal shrine relocation The Gujarat high court on Tuesday criticized the civic body's decision of shifting religious places, which create hurdles on public roads, and permitting to construct them on larger places. Booze deaths plot thickens, police suspect thinner After the deaths of two men in Sabarmati, apparently after consuming toxic liquor, police have recovered a bottle from one victim. Heritage policy soon for areas outside Walled City A similar set of development laws exist in almost all of the heritage cities of the world. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Four killed in row over road divider Four people were killed and one person was injured when a dispute over the construction of a road divider turned bloody in this Uttar Pradesh district, police said Tuesday. Azhar-Kaif partnership storms Phulpur Two former international batsmen on Monday tried to forge a winning partnership on the political pitch of Phulpur in the ongoing general elections. Three killed, two injured in group clash Three persons were killed and two others sustained serious injuries when two opposite groups clashed and attacked each other with sharp-edged weapons at Aharai village under Bahria police station on Monday evening. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		IIT-Bhubaneswar starts probe into prof's 'misconduct' A seven-member committee has started an inquiry against an IIT-Bhubaneswar professor after two MTech students accused him of mental harassment recently. Police make a killing from fines as traffic gets chaotic The city has about 750km to 800km of roads.The vehicle population in the city now is about 8.5 lakh.Every year, about 80,000 new vehicles are added to the city roads. 2 villages to be moved from Similipal core area Two villages are going to be shifted from the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), the biggest reserve in the state, to keep it free from poachers and human disturbances. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		No streetlight when youths made loot bid When bike-borne youths chased Shweta Mishra and her mother with an intention to loot on a road connecting second bus stop to Link Road No.1, there was darkness all around as streetlights were out of order. Dark & dry: City to face power, water disruption The city will be in for a tough time on Tuesday and Wednesday due to power cuts and disrupted water supply. Medical post graduate counselling resumes today Counselling for medical post-graduate 2014 seats for private and government medical colleges will resume on Monday.Supreme Court had put on hold counselling process on April 28. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Gurbaani programme from May 9 As part of a research project titled "Application of Teachings of Guru Granth Sahib in solving Human Problems of Modern Age", a four-day "Gurbaani Impact Study Programme" will be organized from May 9 at Panjab University (PU) campus. 'Swimming best option for asthmatics' For asthmatics who often find themselves out of breath, swimming is the best exercise, suggest experts."Swimming is the best option as before exercising or running, such a patient is needed to use an inhaler. Canadian prof to talk on food security at PU International scientist and James McGill professor at the McGill University in Quebec, Canada, Vijaya Raghavan, will deliver Panjab University (PU) colloquium on May 8. More Chandigarh News»

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