News Digest: All 234 assembly seats are with us, says Jayalalithaa

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, August 02, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		All 234 assembly seats are with us, says Jayalalithaa Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa raised heckles in the opposition camp on Friday saying her party represented all the 234 assembly segments in the state. Nirbhaya centres to be set up in all Haryana districts The state woman and child development department has written to all the deputy commissioners of Haryana to identify suitable land for setting up of the centres. Aggressive INLD announces 62 Haryana assembly candidates before poll dates In Gurgaon district, candidates for three out of four seats — Gurgaon, Sohna, Badshapur and Pataudi — were announced. More India News»

		Business
		Home-grown car companies roll off podium As per the sales numbers released for July, Maruti sold 90,093 units in the domestic market while for Hyundai, the volumes were 29,260 units. Only 2 free third-party ATM withdrawals/month The number of free withdrawals from third-party ATMs is soon set to come down from five a month to two for accountholders in cities. BSNL suffered Rs 14,979 crore loss in 2013-14 State-run BSNL suffered a loss of Rs 14,979 crore in landline services during 2013-14 whereas its net loss for the period stood at Rs 7,085 crore. More Business News»

		Environment
		Clean energy is govt's mantra: Prakash Javadekar The government in its budget for the current year had announced an increase in the cess on coal from Rs 50 per tonne to Rs 100 per tonne. Few wetlands impacted due to urbanization, development: Govt A few wetlands in the country have reportedly been impacted due to various developmental activities and urbanization, the government said on Thursday. Tree truths: Dense forests mowed down and new, sparse cover can't hold the soil The government's recent report announcing an increase in forest cover looks more like a case of the state agency playing the slippery slope of statistics. More Environment News»

		World
		US does not control everything: Obama "Apparently people have forgotten that America, as the most powerful country on Earth, still does not control everything around the world," Obama said. 2 US citizens with Ebola virus airlifted to Atlanta America held its breath on Friday as two US citizens infected with the deadly Ebola virus are being airlifted from Liberia to be brought to Atlanta for treatment. 2 Americans detained in NKorea seek US help Two American tourists charged with '' anti-state'' crimes in North Korea said Friday they expect to be tried soon and pleaded for help from the U.S. government to secure their release from what they say could be long prison terms. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Kick' highest holiday grosser in Pakistan Salman Khan starrer 'Kick', which was released on Eid, has become the highest holiday grosser in Pakistan with an estimated earnings of Rs 20.8 million. Movie Review: 'Lateef: The King of Crime' Based on the Gujarat mafia of the 80's, the film captures the rise and fall of then underworld king, gangster Abdul Latif. Ram kissing his Leela was the best kiss of 2013 While Emraan Hashmi may have popularised kissing on screen, almost all the films today with youngsters feature kissing scenes that are important to the story. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Gambler's fallacy' trips up goalkeepers during penalty shootouts Goalkeepers facing penalty shootouts make a predictable error that could influence the outcome, say researchers. British psychologists have found that after three kicks in the same direction, goalies were more likely to dive the opposite way on the next shot. Nasa's new plan: To make O2 on Mars With eye on human occupation of Mars, Nasa on Thursday unveiled a selection of seven instruments which will be on board the Mars 2020 rover to conduct unprecedented science and exploration technology investigations. Nasa clears Isro instrument design A proposed joint project between the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) is taking shape. More Science News»

		Sports
		Full coverage: Glasgow Games, Day 9 Indian pugilists stole the limelight on Day 9 of the Commonwealth Games with four of them storming into the finals of their respective weight categories. Discus thrower Seema Punia wins silver Indian discus thrower Seema Punia won the silver medal while her compatriot and defending champion Krishna Poonia finished a disappointing fifth in CWG. Bolt hogs Glasgow spotlight on debut Bolt made his long-anticipated track appearance at CWG, sending a raucous crowd into a frenzy as he anchored his Jamaican team to win in a relay heat. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Vishal Sikka's letter to Infosys employees "To lead Infosys is nothing less than a privilege and an opportunity of a lifetime," said Vishal Sikka in his email to employees. The fabulous life of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg known for his charitable tendencies, but he also manages to lead a pretty extravagant life at the same time. Mobile tariffs may rise by 8-9%: Trai chairman Rahul Khullar Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chairman Rahul Khullar sees mobile call rates rising by 8-9% over the year as phone companies weed out freebies. More Technology News»

		Education
		ECA students admitted in Kirori Mal College After an intervention by the dean of students' welfare, Kirori Mal College principal showed up and completed the admission process by signing applications of all 60 ECA/sports quota students on Friday. HC asks HRD ministry, IITs/NITs to consider lateral entry The Delhi high court directed the HRD ministry to ensure common counselling for admission to IITs/NITs from 2015. Civil Service Aptitude Test to stay in preliminary examination ofUP Provincial Civil Services In effect, those appearing for the provincial civil services examination in UP will also have to appear for the CSAT. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC grants bail to former SIMI member, but stays order Holding that prohibition against release of an accused previously convicted and sentenced to more than seven years’ is not absolute, Justice Abhay Thipsay of the Bombay high court granted bail to Saquib Nachan, accused in a 2012 Bhiwandi firing case. Mumbai University's marks conversion formula has 60 pupils in bind At least 60 students from Mumbai University-affiliated colleges who had migrated from other national and international universities might end up losing a year as the varsity is yet to devise a formula to convert their scores from previous years into credits. MNS now demands no school exams around Ganeshotsav After the state government did not bow to the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena’s (MNVS) demand for issuing a five-day holiday for Ganeshotsav in schools, the party has now demanded that city schools must not schedule exams for two days before and after the festival. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		National Human Rights Commission raps govt for medical negligence NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that on account of negligence of doctors at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, a woman delivered a baby outside. Policy delay cost us our jobs: E-rickshaw drivers For e-rickshaw drivers in the city, the sudden loss of jobs has come as a big blow.Most of them were in disbelief and hoped that the ban would be lifted if the court takes note of their plight. Surplus to deficit, CAG rap on Delhi finances The CAG has expressed concern over the capital's financial planning and management, citing gaps that need to be bridged urgently to regulate expenditure and focus on development. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Rape case rattles police brass The alleged rape of a six-year-old girl in her east Bangalore school continues to rattle the city police. At least six of the seven deputy commissioners of police (law and order) were replaced in a major shake-up on Thursday after a series of blunders in the investigation. Saffron tint in school textbooks in Karnataka lingers, allege activists In its second year in power, the Congress government seems to be making half-hearted attempts to de-saffronize school textbooks in Karnataka. Bangalore school rape fallout: Cops shunted around, Kempaiah in A botched-up investigation into the alleged rape of a child on her school campus has led to a slew of transfers across the police top brass. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Court battle intensifies Battle lines are virtually drawn between lawyers of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema over the location of of the High Court in the new state of Andhra Pradesh. Light rail to chug in soon? After metro rail, the Telangana government is now mulling a Light Rail Transit System (LRTS) for the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR), to mainly connect the metro rail stations in Miyapur and Shilparamam to the IT hubs. Schemes later; first a survey Stating that the available data of beneficiaries of the various government schemes in Telangana is all faulty, the TRS government has decided to conduct a one-day survey of all the 86.2 lakh households in the state on August 17. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		As population surges, Chennai's water needs to double in 3 years Things don’t look rosy for water-starved Chennai. The latest government data indicates that the city will require 1,584 million litres a day (MLD) in 2017, three times Metrowater’s current supply and double the total current requirement of the expanded city. Govt served NHRC notice on wall collapse The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government seeking its response to a wall collapse in Tiruvallur district on July 6 that claimed the lives of 11 workers from Andhra Pradesh. All 234 assembly seats are with us, says Jayalalithaa Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa raised heckles in the opposition camp on Friday saying her party represented all the 234 assembly segments in the state. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Rural housing a flop show in Gujarat The state government had allocated Rs 7313.60 lakh for construction of 16,252 houses in the financial year 2013-14 under the Sardar Patel Awas Yojana. Asaram's wife seeks discharge in rape case Asaram's wife Laxmi has sought her discharge from the rape case involving her husband and several others.The case was filed last year by a Chotila-based married woman. IIT-Gandhinagar to hold third convocation today Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) will hold its third convocation on Saturday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Man thrashed for rape attempt A youth preparing for civil services exam was thrashed by locals for rape bid on a minor girl on Thursday.He was later handed over to the Shivkuti police.The cops have sent the girl for medical examination. Cops yet to identify acid throwers, victim normal The police are groping in dark regarding the identity of two motorcycle-borne miscreants, who had allegedly thrown acid on a 26-year-old girl under Shivkuti police station on Wednesday night. Canecharge on UPPSC protesters: ABVP activists observe 'black day' Scores of students affiliated to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), on Thursday, observed ?black day' to protest against the police lathi-charge on students in Allahabad as well as Delhi. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		40-kg ganja seized, 4 held Police on Thursday arrested four ganja smugglers at Gadiapada ghat in Kandhamal district while they were allegedly transporting the narcotic substance in a car.Police seized 40-kg ganja. Cesu deposit plan shocks consumers The state-run power distributor, Cesu, has asked all its consumers to deposit two months additional security, failing which power supply to them would be discontinued. Say it with flowers, this Rakhi Floral rakhis are the in thing this Raksha Bandhan though the markets are flooded with designer stuff of myriad hues and shapes. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Bounty scale: Munnabhais beat Chambal bandits Gone are the days when the bounties offered for the capture of Chambal bandits were a measure of their notoriety. Now, Munnabhais have beaten them on the most-wanted scale in the badlands. Youngsters party hard at a local club in Bhopal Bhopal’s party crazy crowd headed to a club to have a fun DJ night Woman breastfeeds son before succumbing to cobra bite As 120 countries across the globe gear up to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) beginning on Friday, this hamlet in Betul district has slipped into silence where doctors are trying to infuse life in a one-year-old boy, who was breastfed by his mother after being bitten by a poisonous snake. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Cheerful Teej celebrations in Ludhiana It was a cheerful Teej celebration on Friday when women dressed in colourful attire walked the ramp in the city. Officials rush to meet deadline at meritorious school The education department is trying to make temporary arrangements for the accommodation of meritorious students as there are few chances of construction work being completed on time. Here come the rains, with bites and pains The impact of the monsoon is peaking in city hospitals with skin swellings, rashes, and itches, due to new members that have entered the life of residents with the rains. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Maya Kodnani walks free after HC rejects plea for stay on bail

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, August 01, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Maya Kodnani walks free after HC rejects plea for stay on bail he Gujarat high court on Thursday dismissed the plea of Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) to stay the bail granted to Maya Kodnani. Pune landslide: Kolhapur collector orders survey of hills The district collectorate has ordered its tehsildars to collect information about villages and hamlets located at the foothills. Falling tree cover in Sahyadri hints at more tragedies Environmentalists have expressed concern over the uncontrolled deforestation of private forests in southern Maharashtra. They said the trend of hilltop farming, developing farm houses, roads, installing wind mills and mining is causing deforestation in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts. More India News»

		Business
		Insurers to be liable for agents' misdeeds The move will come as a relief to millions of policyholders, who often complain that the policy sold to them was not what was promised to them and companies pass on the blame to the agents. Core sector rebounds, posts fastest growth in 9-mth The country's infrastructure sector expanded at its fastest pace in nine months in June powered by robust electricity, cement and coal sectors, adding to the optimism over the economy's turnaround prospects. Maruti profit surges 21% Higher sales and cost reduction measures boosted the first quarter earnings of the country’s top carmaker Maruti Suzuki in a day when Osamu Suzuki, chairman of the company’s parent Suzuki, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More Business News»

		Environment
		Tree truths: Dense forests mowed down and new, sparse cover can't hold the soil The government's recent report announcing an increase in forest cover looks more like a case of the state agency playing the slippery slope of statistics. Goa's Carambolim lake to have bird watching site Goa's Carambolim lake will have a bird watching site near the second watch tower, environment minister Alina Saldanha told the Goa legislative assembly on Wednesday. Bees select best flowers even before landing The study used bumblebee foragers housed under controlled conditions to test whether they do learn about flowers during pollen collection. More Environment News»

		World
		US, UN announce deal on 72-hour Gaza ceasefire Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire beginning Friday, during which time there will be negotiations on a more durable truce in the 24-day-old Gaza war, the United States and United Nations announced Thursday. Taiwan gas explosions kill 20, injure 270 A series of underground gas explosions killed 20 people and injured 270 others late Thursday in Taiwan's second-largest city, authorities said. Libya Islamic militias declare control of Benghazi Islamic hard-line militias, including the group accused by the United States in a 2012 attack that killed the ambassador and three other Americans, claimed control of Libya's second largest city, Benghazi, after overrunning army barracks and seizing heavy weapons. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I love Varun Dhawan' Ali Fazal officially debuted with Always Kabhi Kabhi but it’s only after playing Tasavur in Bobby Jasoos that he has become a heartthrob. To know more, go to follo.co.in/alifazal BA Pass bags the best lovemaking scene While Bollywood films may be a long way away from Hollywood when it comes to showcasing sex on screen, it’s heartening to see how filmmakers no longer consider lovemaking a taboo in films and are showing passionate sex in an aesthetic way. 'I owe Kick to Salman Khan' Nawazuddin Siddiqui has proved his versatility and acting prowess in a range of distinct roles before. And with Kick, he has touched new heights of commercial success. An overwhelmed Nawaz talks of his first negative character and more… More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Now, breathe easy in space with artificial leaves An inventor in the UK has developed the world’s first synthetic biological leaf that absorbs water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen just like a plant, and it could enable long-distance space travel. 'Booze bracelets' to monitor binge drinkers in UK Binge drinkers across the UK will now be fitted with electronic ankle tags that constantly monitor their alcohol intake. The “booze bracelets” are to be worn by persistent offenders who are banned by the courts from drinking after they are charged for alcohol-fuelled crimes such as drink driving. Drug resistant strain threatens fight against Malaria British scientists on Thursday said that drug-resistant Malaria parasites have spread to critical border regions of Southeast Asia seriously threatening global efforts to control the disease. More Science News»

		Sports
		Full coverage: Glasgow Games, Day 8 India added 3 golds to its tally on Day 8 as wrestlers Yogeshwar and Babita won golds while discus thrower Vikas Gowda gave India its first gold in athletics event. Babita, Yogeshwar bring smiles back India finished the wrestling event at Commonwealth Games with 13 medals including 5 golds, 6 silvers and 2 bronzes, second to Canada's haul of six golds. Gowda wins India's first athletics medal Discus thrower Vikas Gowda won India's first gold medal from athletics in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the Hampden Park Stadium on Thursday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung profit falls as smartphone sales slow Samsung warned earlier this month that the second quarter would be its worst in two years as rapid growth in smartphone sales had faded. Flipkart's journey from Rs 4,00,000 to $5-6 billion Flipkart recently attracted a whopping $1 billion from its existing investors Tiger Global Management and Naspers. 10 hot gadgets launched in India recently Whether you have less than Rs 10,000 to spend or more than Rs 80,000, you have enough options to choose from. Here’s a look at 10 hot gadgets launched in India recently. More Technology News»

		Education
		Hindustan Aeronautics Limited sponsorship for tech students Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, on Monday, said it will sponsor students at masters' level in technology and development programmes at the Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas at IIT-Bombay. Govt to formulate new education policy The government proposes to formulate a new education policy aimed at meeting the challenges posed by lack of quality, research and innovation in our educational institutions. Smriti Irani defends FYUP move One of the reasons for reverting to the three-year undergraduate programme in Delhi University was to ensure that its students are not “put to any disadvantage vis-a-vis students of other universities”, human resource development minister Smriti Irani told Parliament Wednesday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Andhra techie rape: Charges framed against accused The sessions court on Thursday framed charges against the man accused of rape and murder of a woman software engineer from Andhra Pradesh. Boost for neonatal care with Wadia hosiptal's 110-bed facility Neonatal intensive care in the city got a shot in the arm on Thursday when Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital in Parel threw open a 110-bed facility for newborns. The hospital has also started the process to become a dedicated organ transplant centre for children. Former BMC commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya is the new chief secretary Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday appointed bureaucrat Swadheen Kshatriya as the new chief secretary. An IAS officer of the 1980 batch, Kshatriya succeeds G S Saharia who retired. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Indian Museum official's kin move SC to trace him The case of the mysterious disappearance of Indian Museum official Sunil Upadhyay reached Supreme Court on Thursday with a relative filing a habeas corpus petition requesting an inter-state investigation to trace him. Cops to seize e-rickshaws, slap charges Delhi Police is gearing up to launch a crackdown on e-rickshaws in the wake of the Delhi high court's order banning them till a law is framed. AAP attacks BJP for its 'doublespeak' Pointing fingers at Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari, Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday said that the Centre must take responsibility for the temporary ban imposed on e-rickshaws by the Delhi high court. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bandhs don't get any report cards What does a bandh achieve? Who is it supposed to help? What is its purpose? Is it necessary? Is it worth it? What have past bandhs achieved? Do they really make a difference? 1.6k messages relayed, 16k cops at work The police communication network was a busy hub on bandh day in the city. CWC seeks clarity on case, questions date In a sudden move, the Child Welfare Committee has urged police officials to submit to it all reports pertaining to the East Bangalore school case. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		7-year-old girl raped in Mangalagiri A seven-year-old girl was raped by an unknown offender at Mangalagiri on Thursday. Locals found the girl lying in an unconscious state near some bushes at an industrial area and rushed her to a government hospital. Special status for Andhra Pradesh under consideration by Plan panel The Planning Commission is considering the proposal to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh, the Parliament was informed on Thursday. Lower Jurala power units get flooded Water entered lower Jurala hydro electric power house on the river Krishna at Atmakur in Mahbubnagar district leading to a loss of about Rs 20 crore for TSGenco on Thursday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Wanted: An e-Iyer project to digitize rare books for online In the archives maintained by the Jesuit Mission of Madurai at Shenbaganur near Kodaikanal, there is a Tamil-Latin dictionary of Veeramamunivar — aka Father Beschi, the 18th century Italy-born missionary and scholar of Tamil. Pumping rusted iron for top honours Cramped with houses and having barely enough road space to allow a car to pass through one way, New Street could be anywhere in small town Tamil Nadu. Orphanage to get a large new building The inmates of Avvai Home, an orphanage for girls, will soon have a palatial new place to stay. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		2 cops in anti-corruption bureau net for accepting Rs 45,000 bribe A team of state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) caught two policemen of Shaherkotda police station for demanding and taking Rs 45,000 as bribe for not beating up an accused in custody. Maya Kodnani walks free after HC rejects plea for stay on bail he Gujarat high court on Thursday dismissed the plea of Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) to stay the bail granted to Maya Kodnani.  A pen that seals wounds in a jiffy There is a serious accident on a city road, the victim is bleeding profusely and needs immediate first-aid to stop blood loss. The paramedics of the emergency services who rush to the spot instead of applying blood coagulating chemicals run a pen tip on the wound that emits a blue beam and voila the wound is sealed in a jiffy.  More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Police-villagers clash sparks tension Tension prevailed in Dhabhav village and adjoining areas under Naini police station on Wednesday following Tuesday night violence that led to a clash between villagers and police over the alleged rape of a minor girl. Allahabad University faces challenge of regularising session The varsity now faces the challenge of regularizing academic session as declaration of result of many classes along with admissions is pending. Carcass sparks tension in Shravasti village Carcass of a stolen cow found near Saryu canal sparked tension in Dharshwan village on Bahraich-Shravasti border on Wednesday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Kalpataru asked to return 'extra' plots "In 2012, minister Bikram Arukh had set an example by surrendering an extra house allotted to his family in Bhubaneswar. Road safety clubs on the cards The Ganjam district administration has asked schools to open road safety clubs for students and educate them about traffic rules. State invites fresh applications Plus II Alarmed over huge number of vacancies in Plus II colleges, the state government on Wednesday invited fresh applications from students for admission in junior colleges. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Work has increased after BJP has come to power: RSS The Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh started its six-day long brain storming session with its intellectual unit here in the Thangdi Bhavan at the Depot Square on Thursday. MP BJP declares its bypoll candidates The Madhya Pradesh BJP on Thursday announced its candidates for the bypolls in three assembly constituencies. Three constituencies Vijayaraghogarh, Agar and Bahoriband are scheduled to go to the bypolls on August 21. CBI raids two districts in Madhya Pradesh in coal scam The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday booked the promoters of a Madhya Pradesh based cement company – Revati Cement – in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks to it and carried out simultaneous raids on their official and residential premises at Indore and Satna district. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Team from Ghana in Punjab, to explore mutual ventures Benjamin Dagadu, deputy minister of energy and petroleum, Ghana, on Thursday met deputy chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, industrial advisor to Punjab chief minister, Kamal Oswal and chairman of Trident group, Rajinder Gupta. Smugglers abandon car with 236kg poppy husk Smugglers carrying poppy husk in a car left their vehicle behind as it got stuck in the mud after being hit by a tractor in Ishak village, near Pehowa, close to Punjab border, on Wednesday evening. Birender to join BJP in Kaithal on August 18 Congress' Rajya Sabha MP and rebel leader Birender Singh is all set to join the BJP at a rally organized by an NGO at Kaithal on August 18. More Chandigarh News»

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