News Digest: Sonia has to be more assertive: Margaret Alva

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, September 22, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Sonia has to be more assertive: Margaret Alva Many Youth Congress Leaders know nothing about party's history, says Margaret Alva Living in India for over two decades, Afghan Hindus, Sikhs seek citizenship Afghan Hindus and Sikhs living in India have urged the Narendra Modi government to grant them Indian citizenship, so that their children don't have to live with uncertainty. French help for Kannauj attar likely The legendary French perfume industry may soon help some good news to waft into Uttar Pradesh, especially in the attar-making belt of Kannauj. More India News»

		Business
		Govt unlikely to change FY15 borrowing target The government has indicated that it may not immediately change the market borrowing target for the current financial year given the stiff tax collection targets and may use some of the fresh mop-up to ensure that schemes are not starved of cash, like the past two years. Lagarde backs more role for India at IMF International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde on Sunday backed a reform of the multilateral body, which will give more say to countries like India and China in running the agency. Global spotlight on stolen data India’s concerns related to stolen data — especially those related to bank account holders in HSBC Geneva — are now being discussed by the Global Tax Forum, OECD’s international platform on transparency and information exchange. More Business News»

		Environment
		From solitude to oblivion Critically endangered in the wild, several animals are now threatened even in zoos. Lucknow zoo has not been able to find partners for rhinoceroses, giraffe and hoolock gibbons as other zoos have no spare ones for exchange. Decline in wind may affect predator-prey balance A new study by a University of Wisconsin Madison zoologist has found that declining wind may alter predator-prey relationships. Over 1,500 participate in march on climate change in Delhi Over 1,500 people on Saturday took part in a march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar here to press for stronger action on climate change, a statement said. More Environment News»

		World
		Pakistan developing sea-based nuclear-arms Pakistan is developing sea-based missiles and expanding its interest in tactical nuclear warheads to give it a “second-strike” capability if a catastrophic nuclear attack destroyed all its land-based weapons, according to a media report on Sunday. Free Henning, wife pleads with ISIS The wife of the British taxi driver being held hostage by the ISIS has issued a plea for his release. Alan Henning from Eccles in Salford was seized while on an aid mission to Syria last December while driving an ambulance. Iran seeks give and take on militants, nuclear programme Iran is ready to work with the United States and its allies to stop Islamic State militants, but would like to see more flexibility on Iran's uranium enrichment programme, senior Iranian officials told Reuters. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Dear Deepika, our point of view... Over the past few days, there’s been a flood of tweets and stories in other media in support of Deepika Padukone’s response to a video and tweet posted in the online entertainment section of TOI. Bigg Boss host Salman Khan has a soap fixation! Salman Khan is popular with all age groups. The actor has made a mark for himself in Bollywood. Celebs who refused to do Bigg Boss Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, who was convicted of raping his maid and sentenced to seven years imprisonment by a Mumbai court, has been allegedly approached to be a part of Bigg Boss. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Computers to get faster, greener Faster, smaller, greener computers, capable of processing information up to 1,000 times quicker than currently available models, could be made possible by replacing silicon with phase-change materials, according to a new study. Nasa launches $20,000 Mars challenge Attention, space enthusiasts! Nasa is offering a $20,000 prize to anyone who can come up with a design idea for small science and technology payloads that could also provide the necessary weight to balance spacecraft entering the Martian atmosphere. Can menopause be erased in 20 years? A pioneering scientist has claimed that menopause could be eliminated within 20 years. More Science News»

		Sports
		Live Blog: Incheon Asian Games 2014, Day 3 A day after Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal assured the country of two more medals, Indian athletes would look to improve their performance on the third day in Incheon. Leicester rally stuns Manchester United 5-3 Louis van Gaal's difficult start to his time as United manager continued as Leicester City sensationally came back from 3-1 down to win 5-3 in EPL match. Lewis Hamilton wins in Singapore, takes F1 title lead Lewis Hamilton regained title lead when he claimed victory in Singapore GP after his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg limped out with electronic problems. More Sports News»

		Technology
		iCloud hacking: Now, 'nude photos' of Kim Kardashian, Vanessa Hudgens leaked Photos showing an apparently nude Kim Kardashian West are among a group of images that have appeared online in what appears to be a second leak of hacked personal pictures of celebrities, weeks after stars including Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton were targeted. 1 lakh, and counting: TCS is now top employer of women Within TCS, a major chunk —over 40% — of its women employees are either new recruits or at junior levels, while about 11% are in the senior management. 6 free must-have productivity tools available online Here's how you can get lot of stuff done without downloading anything. More Technology News»

		Education
		Q & A - Need accountability According to the survey, maths scores of the children surveyed in 2013 show a decline in the learning levels when compared with 2006? What is the reason for this decline? Career Guide After completing my MBBS, I would like to specialise in sports medicine. Do institutes in India offer courses in this discipline? What is the scope in this field? Indian universities vis-a-vis global institutes The long-anticipated improvement in Indian universities' position in world rankings will have to wait at least another year: the country has held its own in today's QS World University Rankings, but still does not feature among the top 200 in stitutions. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra government yet to withdraw petition seeking review of forest land order Over two weeks after it decided to withdraw the review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s decision on private forest land that was delivered in January, the state government is yet to instruct its lawyers to do so. Bengal artisans in Mumbai to sculpt idols for Durga Puja Groups of Bengali sculptors have arrived in the city with clay collected from the river bed of the Hooghly. They use this precious raw material to carve idols of Goddess Durga and her kin at makeshift workshops across Mumbai. Insurance company has to reveal claim computation Right to information is recognized under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). If an insurance claim is partially repudiated, the insured has a right to know how the claim has been computed and the reason why it has been rejected, either fully or partially. If this information is not given, it may be a pointer that the insurance company has not computed the claim properly. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		787 killed by DTC buses in 10 years As many as 787 people have been killed and 2,678 injured in accidents involving Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses in the past 10 years. Delhi Tree committee hasn't met for over a year Delhi Tree Authority, a committee of forest and civic agencies formed to preserve trees in the city, hasn’t met for over a year now. Govt aid for university students The Delhi government has invited applications for scholarships/reimbursement of half of the tuition fee from socially and economically backward students of non-technical professional courses. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Don't protect land-grabbers, Karnataka CM told Of the 1.50 lakh acres of government land in Bangalore Urban district, 34,100 acres, valued at Rs 61,000 crore, have been encroached upon. A joint house committee headed by A T Ramaswamy had identified most of these encroachments in 2007. Salary delayed, Metro ticket staff protest Commuters were surprised to see empty ticket counters at Indiranagar Metro station at 7.30am on Sunday. Ten ticket machine operators were staging a protest against the delay in payment of salary. No booing at Karnataka CM, state BJP advises its workers To boo or not to boo. After previous instances of chief ministers in non-BJP states being jeered at by its workers after sharing public platforms with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Karnataka BJP wants to spare chief minister Siddaramaiah the embarrassment. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Excess prime land for Hyderabad metro rail project In what could turn out to be the next big land scam, huge tracts of excess land was acquired by the government for the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, even as Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the executing agency, maintains that it has got only the agreed 269 acres. JNTU student commits suicide A 20-year-old engineering student, who was reportedly suffering from depression due to poor health and financial condition, committed suicide on the university campus in Kukatpally in the early hours of Sunday. Two minor girls commit suicide in Hyderabad Two minor girls allegedly committed suicide by hanging themselves from a ceiling fan at Brahma Shankar Nagar in Jubilee Hills on Sunday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Pet dogs save family from snake Two dogs saved a family in Madambakkam on Sunday when they prevented a venomous snake from entering their house. Fest gets students to think out of box Several students met and interacted with alumni and professors at the third edition of Centre for Innovation open house at IIT-Madras on Sunday. Engineering student and 2 guards held for series of robberies in Chennai The city police arrested three youngsters, including a third-year engineering student, for a series of robberies targeting women who were alone at home. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		FB post on Gujarat CM's kin: Accused released on bail Roshan Shah, an NRI who was arrested for posting lewd comments against chief minister Anandiben Patel's grand daughter on his facebook (FB) account, has been released on bail by the court. Successful end to IGU sub-jr event in Gulmohar The West Zone IGU Sub-junior and Feeder Tour held the 6th tournament of the calendar at Gulmohar Greens Golf and Country Club from the 19th to 21st September 2014. Gujarat sect adopts Kenya's orphaned elephant calves Orphaned elephant calves in Kenya have received some spiritual succour from Gujarat. Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan of Maninagar will adopt 67 calves in Kenya in memory of the people killed in the Westgate Mall terror attack a year earlier in 2013. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Firing at ABVP rally; no FIR, none hurt Gun shots were fired by unidentified miscreants at a rally of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Sunday creating ripples across the Allahabad University and adjoining areas under Colonelganj police station. No one was injured in the firing. Police and PAC have been deployed in the university following the incident. CBSE's creative writing contest on Jan Sangh leader Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had introduced creative writing contest on Bhartiya Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya, also known for his association with Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). Students can also submit entries through Whatsapp or online mode. Cops aim to end tenant-landlord tussle through verificatio Taking a note of cases of dispute between tenants and landlords, cops have launched ‘know your tenant’ campaign, asking landlord and lodge owners to given details of tenants to police for verification. This step had been taken in view of two recent violent incidents at Chhota Baghada locality. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Melody groups to regale revellers As the beat of the dhak makes its way across the state, orchestra groups are gearing up to usher in a productive season. AIIMS sees 3 lakh patients in its first year In a short span of around a year after AIIMS Bhubaneswar started outpatient (OPD) services in June 2013, the hospital has provided consultation to more than three lakh patients, a hospital spokesperson said here on Saturday. Naveen acts on expected lines Given his track record, it came as no surprise when Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced vice-president Prafulla Chandra Ghadai's expulsion from the BJD. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Armed men break into scientist's house at Patel Nagar For the second consecutive week, Sunday turned out to be a bloody day with armed men breaking into the house of a senior scientist at Patel Nagar. They fled with cash, some foreign exchange and a mobile phone after injuring the scientist. 22-year-old kills youth for illicit relations with mother A 22-year-old murdered a youth three years elder to him for allegedly having illicit relations with his mother. Madhya Pradesh: Even SBI exams rigged by proxies of scam-riddled MPPEB The shocking disclosure of rigging of bank exams surfaced during interrogation of two key players arrested by special task force (STF) probing the MPPEB scam. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Punjab govt warns against de-reserving of SC/BC posts Punjab government has issued directives against de-reserving posts of reserved categories without getting prior approval from the welfare department's reservation cell. Someone is instigating students not to eat with dalit schoolmates: Officials The caste divide among students of a government middle school in Mandi has left education department officials apprehensive. Student outfits threaten to intensify stir After receiving cold response from the vice-chancellor and the chief minister, student organizations in Himachal Pradesh University have decided to intensify their struggle. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Southwest monsoon withdrawal likely in next three days

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, September 21, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Southwest monsoon withdrawal likely in next three days Conditions have become favourable for withdrawal of southwest monsoon from some parts of northwest India during the next two to three days, a report by India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. Maharashtra cops get cracking in ISIS recruitment case The state anti-terrorism squad (ATS), probing the mysterious disappearance of four Kalyan-based youths, on Friday registered an FIR against fruit seller Aadil Dolare, two Afghanistan nationals and a hotel manager for violating the Foreigner’s Rule. Rivers in Pune most polluted in Maharashtra Rivers flowing in Pune district have now earned the dubious distinction of being the most polluted in the state. More India News»

		Business
		Cap on free use may hit ATM business model The Reserve Bank of India’s move to curb the number of free transactions in automated teller machines (ATMs) would result in a surge in cash in the economy and reduce viability of the 1.6-lakh-strong ATM network. G-20 leaders set to check tax evasion The world’s 20 largest economies are expected to signal a fresh push to check tax evasion by agreeing on deadlines for new measures and call for boosting global growth, through a quicker pace of reforms, when finance ministers and central bank governors from these countries meet here this weekend. Emirates seeks more rights to bring Airbus-380 to Delhi Emirates Airlines, the largest foreign carrier in terms of market share in India, has said it will need more bilateral or flying rights to operate the Airbus A-380 to Delhi. More Business News»

		Environment
		UN summit rallies global action on climate change The gathering will be the largest ever of governments and heads of states on climate change and the first of its kind since the Copenhagen summit collapsed in disarray in 2009. US power plants world's worst polluters: Report America's power plants are among the leading global sources of carbon emission than the entire economies of Russia, India, Japan or any other nation put together besides China, a latest report said on Friday. Radio-collar infection kills tigress in MP The first tigress in India to be translocated to the wild after being hand-bred was on Friday found dead of an infection caused by its radio collar at the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. More Environment News»

		World
		Kurdish fighters head to Syria to face ISIS militants Hundreds of Kurdish fighters raced from Turkey and Iraq into neighboring Syria on Saturday to defend a Kurdish area under attack by Islamic State militants. Will we get new powers? Scots want to know Having rejected independence and lost first minister Alex Salmond, Scotland woke up to an unsettled future Saturday as fears grew that new powers promised by London will prove a disappointment. US to deliver 10 Apache helicopters to Egypt: Pentagon US defense secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with Egyptian defense minister Colonel General Sedki Sobhy on Saturday to confirm the United States plans to deliver 10 Apache helicopters to Egypt to support Cairo's counter-terrorism efforts, the Pentagon said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I'm going to live till 90 & be an unstoppable force' It was a rare gathering of sorts, with almost the entire Roshan family turning up for the CII Big Picture summit in Delhi Ashish Sharma takes the Jhalak trophy home It was a high-octane finale of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa when Ashish Sharma was crowned the winner of the dance reality show Hrithik Roshan: Lesser known facts When he entered the film industry in 2000, he made everybody nervous and came into the limelight overnight. While Hrithik is a craze internationally too (amongst NRIs), read on to find out some lesser known facts of Duggu that might surprise you! More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Babies learn words differently as they age: Study Toddlers learn words differently as they age, and a limit exists as to how many words they can learn each day, according to a new study. Single dose of antidepressant changes brain A single dose of antidepressant is enough to produce dramatic changes in the functional architecture of the human brain, scientists have found. Isro launches 'cheer India' competition for Mars Orbiter Mission fans With the MOM hours away from entering into an orbit around the Red Planet, Isro has launched a competition “Cheer India to Mars” for the public. More Science News»

		Sports
		Live Blog: Incheon Asian Games 2014, Day 2 After a commendable showing on the opening day of the 17th Asian Games, Indian athletes would aim to improve their performance on the second day in Incheon. Jitu Rai wins gold for India on opening day of Asian Games Jitu stole the limelight by providing first gold medal, while Shweta claimed a bronze as India launched their campaign in Asian Games on a rousing note. Asian Games: Indian women shuttlers assured of bronze India ended a 28-year-old medal drought in Asian Games badminton after the women shuttlers edged out Thailand 3-2 to reach the semifinals of the team event. More Sports News»

		Technology
		ZTE V5 review: Good phone, buggy software Will the ZTE V5 be able to make its presence felt in the crowded budget smartphone market? We try to find out in our review. 15 top tech news of the week gone by Here's a quick look at what made news in the world of technology in the week just gone by... iPhone 6 launch: Colourful fans line up outside stores More Technology News»

		Education
		IIT-Delhi to announce new MBA curriculum IIT-Delhi's department of management studies will soon unveil a new MBA curriculum to catch up with the world's best in business management, officials said on Saturday. IIM-A Insight ready with new vision Insight, the marketing conclave of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, will begin on Saturday on the institute's campus. Testing time: KV teachers get the wrong questions In the letter, the authorities' attention is drawn to a question on unit test that was done away with almost five years back after KV schools adopted Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE). More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Magnetic pulse used to beat depression For 20 times over four weeks, Stuti (name changed) sat in a special chair and had a magnetic coil placed over her scalp for 30 minutes. Diagnosed with major depression, the 27-year-old had quit her job, contemplated suicide and was on the verge of divorcing her husband of three years. Teen held for harassing schoolgirls Parents of a schoolgirl on Saturday helped cops arrest a teenager who, along with four others, used to pass lewd comments at a group of minor girls outside a Bhiwandi school. But four aides of the arrested teenager managed to escape. Dress-makers in demand this garba season Some wing it while others rent it. This year, Sunita Nayak decided to go the whole six yards and buy a traditional chaniya choli in fetching yellow and blue. The reason? Ever since she started garba lessons in Ghatkopar, she is more confident of doing the twists and swirls in the fast-paced popat-style of dancing. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Labelling norms hit hotel menus New instructions from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on labelling of imported food and alcohol have sent city hoteliers and restaurateurs into a tizzy. Girl lured to Delhi for marriage, freed A 15-year-old girl who was lured to the city from West Bengal on the promise of marriage has been united with her parents.She was rescued after she managed to call her father earlier this month. Commercial units to pay for waste collection The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to charge commercial establishments for waste collection. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Karnataka legislature to ape Rajasthan Taking a cue from BJP-ruled Rajasthan, the Karnataka legislature is planning to go online, to save paper and ensure faster and secure communication. Bangalore woman drugs, robs men A 30-year-old woman used a 'modest teacher' avatar to befriend men and made away with valuables once she won their trust. However, her luck ran out when an executive from Andhra went to police. Accident or murder? Bangalore cops await report A 46-year-old man's death has left police perplexed. While his family claims it was an accident, police suspect foul play. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Telangana cites migrants to squeeze more funds from Centre The TRS government has once again raised the issue of migrants in the new state. Citing the 2011 census, the Telangana regime says there are nearly 62 lakh migrants, of which 37 lakh are from the Seemandhra region and 24 lakh from other states. Students save Rs 24 lakh cash of State Bank of Hyderabad Three unemployed B Tech graduates played Good Samaritans and saved State Bank of Hyderabad’s blushes by promptly reporting to police about wads of currency notes amounting to Rs 24 lakh which spilled out of an ATM late on Friday. Police soft-pedal on Jal Vayu maid gangrape case It’s been two weeks since the horrific case of a minor girl’s alleged gang-rape by five men at the city’s plush Jal Vayu Towers was brought to the notice of Hyderabad police. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Copper-laden truck hijacked in TN, drivers murdered A truck carrying 21 tonnes of copper plates and headed to Silvassa, capital of the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, was hijacked by a gang of highway robbers near Soolagiri in Krishnagiri district at 2.30am on Friday. Tamil Nadu govt to implement old crop insurance scheme: CM Chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Saturday said the Centre has approved implementation of old crop insurance scheme in the state this year, after the state raised concerns of the farming community, which had opposed the previous UPA’s New Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP). Chennai school kids give beggars a sweet new life A 52- year- old man in shabby clothes sells chocolates from a spotless chair and study table in front of the Ayyappan temple in Perambur. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat sect adopts Kenya's orphaned elephant calves Orphaned elephant calves in Kenya have received some spiritual succour from Gujarat. Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan of Maninagar will adopt 67 calves in Kenya in memory of the people killed in the Westgate Mall terror attack a year earlier in 2013. Witnesses identified Vismay before me: PI The investigator in the BMW hit-and-run case confirmed on Saturday that the complainant and key witness in this case, Lalit Gupta, had named Vismay Shah and also identified the accused during an identification parade. Gujarat readies Gandhinagar extension The final detailed project report for the Gandhinagar extension will be submitted to the Union government once the work for the East-West and North-South corridor commences in November end, claim MEGA officials. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Demonstration at power substation in Allahabad Several trains partially, fully cancelled on Sept 21 Railway administration had decided to fully/partially cancel some trains on September 21 due to operational reasons. It has also decided to add extra coaches in some trains. Demonstration at power substation People of Meerapur held demonstration at Kalyani Devi substation on Friday. One transformer of the area had gone out of order and the people were without electricity for the past 24 hours. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJD expels vice-president for 'anti party activities' The BJD on Saturday expelled its vice-president and former minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai for alleged anti-party activities following a newspaper report in which the veteran leader ridiculed Odisha chief minister and party president Naveen Patnaik. Odisha government trashes e-complaints Four years after chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched e-abhjijog, the government's online grievance redressal system, most departments were not attending the online complaints, a latest government report said. Seven arrested in Ghangapatna scam The Crime Branch on Friday arrested seven people, including four government employees, in connection with the Ghangapatna land scam, in which several influential persons, including some politicians, allegedly grabbed 76 acre government land. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Madhya Pradesh court denies bail to youth who insulted national flag Madhya Pradesh high court has denied bail to a youth who was arrested on alleged charges of insulting the national flag by posting and sharing a caricature of dog wrapped in tricolour and a lion in Pakistan's national flag. TIT admits 2 dress codes, wants time to change it Junior students of Technocrats Institute of Technology (TIT) will continue to be identified from colour of their uniform their till next academic session. PMT scam accused Gangaram sent to judicial custody Court on Friday sent Gangaram Pipalia alias Prajapati, a key accused in pre-medical test (PMT) 2013 and 2012 scam, to judicial custody till September 24. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		District attorney advocates appeal against acquittal of accused Strongly advocating filing of an appeal against acquittal of Doon MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary and other co-accused in the sensational Jyoti Sharma murder case, the district attorney insisted that the trial court has found fault in evidence and has failed to do justice to the parties. Panjab University planning integrated graduation schools on US model The Panjab University (PU) vice-chancellor Arun Kumar Grover's idea of graduate schools that will offer integrated, inter-disciplinary Masters and PhD programmes, seems to be taking shape with the VC's recent visit to UK, exploring collaborations with universities abroad. Plot thickens, Punjab Police accused of helping Krispy Rashmi Singh got conditional bail in a molestation case filed on the complaint of Krispy Khera, wife of Devinder Singh Gill. More Chandigarh News»

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