News Digest: Consensus before Janata Parivar merger: Shivpal Yadav

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, January 15, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Consensus before Janata Parivar merger: Shivpal Yadav A merger of parties under the umbrella of the Janata Parivar will take place only after every party willing to join gives its consent, said senior SP functionary and Uttar Pradesh PWD minister Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday. TMC MP accused of slapping cop At a time when the ruling Trinamool Congress is fighting fire on the Saradha front, party MP and former footballer Prasun Banerjee triggered yet more controversy by allegedly slapping a traffic cop who stopped his car from taking an illegal U-turn on Wednesday. Saradha fallout: Mamata to advance civic polls? The Trinamool Congress is contemplating advancing civic bodies elections in West Bengal even as the CBI prepares to put party's chief strategist Mukul Roy on the mat over the Saradha scam. More India News»

		Business
		India to grow at China's pace by FY17: World Bank The Indian economy is expected to catch up with China by 2016-17 and is expected to grow 6.4% in 2015 on the back of reform measures unveiled by the new government, the World Bank has said. Draft rules to replace 5/20 irk old airlines The blueprint of the proposed new rules for Indian carriers to start flying abroad has left ‘old’ airlines seething. States in for Rs 3.5 lakh crore coal bonanza States, especially the relatively poorer ones, are in for a bonanza due to the coal auctions with the government estimating payments of Rs 3.5 lakh crore over the next few years. More Business News»

		Environment
		Javadekar seeks help from outside govt for animal welfare Environment minister Prakash Javadekar today said the government alone cannot ensure animal welfare and organisations from the country and outside should come forward to play crucial role in addressing the concerns. EU vote gives governments the choice to grow or ban GM crops Individual EU nations will be able to ban cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops under a compromise deal agreed on Tuesday that ends years of deadlock over the barbed issue and could actually boost GM farming. 'India key to Paris climate talks' UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday asked India to take a leadership role in reaching a "meaningful” climate change pact in Paris later this year. More Environment News»

		World
		Historic quest: Duo free-climb Yosemite's Dawn Wall A pair of Americans on Wednesday completed what had long been considered the world's most difficult rock climb, using only their hands and feet to conquer a 3,000-foot vertical wall on El Capitan. Ohio man arrested for planning attack on US Capitol An Ohio man was arrested on Wednesday for plotting an attack on the US Capitol, according to court documents. Kerry and Zarif unexpectedly resume nuclear talks in Geneva US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif held intensive talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme on Wednesday, returning for an evening session, officials said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Bipasha Basu: Karan and I both love bodies Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover have a lot in common, be it their love for food, fitness or beautiful bodies. In a tête-à-tête, the lead pair of Alone talks about all things close to their heart. Excerpts: 'This is the best cinematic time of my life' Sanjay Leela Bhansali admits that Main Gabbar is far from a typical Bhansali film and insists that’s the reason he is all the more excited about it. Actors who are okay with one-night stands More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Space pavilion opens at C-SiS The space pavilion, set up by the department of space, was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Centre for Science in Society (C-SiS), Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat). 'No under—80 cancer deaths in UK by 2050' Deaths from cancer will be "eliminated" for all age groups except the over—80s by 2050, if recent gains in prevention and treatment carry on apace, experts have said. Word Warriors: Vocabulary puritans urged to focus on bringing back long-lost words Words like "mahoosive" (exceptionally large) and "globesity" (the worldwide outbreak of morbid obesity) have recently hit the headlines before re8tiring to obscurity. More Science News»

		Sports
		Cristiano Ronaldo says his son is a Lionel Messi fan Cristiano Ronaldo's son Cris junior is a Lionel Messi fan the boy's father said after they met up with the Argentina captain at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Bhakti Sharma sets world record in Antarctic Ocean India's open water swimmer Bhakti Sharma has set a world record by swimming 1.4 miles in 52 minutes in one degree temperature at Antarctic Ocean. Barcelona planning future with Messi: Luis Enrique Barcelona coach Luis is insisting a future without Messi has never been considered as speculation over the Argentine's future continues to mount. More Sports News»

		Technology
		TCS layoffs may exceed 3,000 in FY2015 TCS has asked 2,574 employees to leave in the first nine months of this fiscal, while the total layoffs in the full year may exceed 3,000. First impressions: Saygus V2, the phone with 320GB storage CES isn’t really known for smartphone unveilings though this year’s edition did see a few announcements from players like Asus, Lenovo and LG. In pics: Samsung Z1, world's first Tizen phone More Technology News»

		Education
		Experts unhappy with Nagpur as new IIM location Even before an Indian Institute of Management could come up in the state, heads of several business schools have slammed the government's decision to "gift" it to Nagpur. The location of the institute will determine its future, say experts. Jadavpur University gets back to classroom routine Smita Roy was very busy for the last four months. Everyday, the second-year sociology student had to strike a fine balance between her studies and her friends who were fighting for the ouster of vice-chancellor Abhijit Chakrabarti. Calicut varsity set to dilute PhD standards further The vigilance scrutiny of all PhD theses submitted in the Calicut University since 2006 following plagiarism charges has not changed the ways of the varsity, which is now set to further dilute norms for PhD programmes. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		ISIS boy Majeed's lawyer seeks CCTV footage of his cell The lawyer of Areeb Majeed approached the special NIA court on Wednesday, seeking CCTV footage of his client's cell, alleging he was being kept in solitary confinement. Majeed was arrested in November after his return from ISIS territory, where he had gone with three other Kalyan youths in May. Mumbai to pay tribute to late poet Namdeo Dhasal When Namdeo Dhasal passed away last year, he left a void in the city’s poetry scene. Known for his hard-hitting protest verse, the Dalit ideologue died after a prolonged battle with colorectal cancer Funds lapse: 'Negligent' BMC education officer blamed A civic education officer’s negligence cost 12 Urdu schools funds allocated to set up computer labs, alleged SP leader Rais Shaikh at Wednesday’s standing committee meeting More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Uber may take radio cab licence route In a significant move towards getting back onto Delhi roads, Uber is looking to pick up a licence to operate under the revised Radio Taxi Act of 2006 after it was banned in the city following the woman executive’s rape by one of its drivers. NGO targets Kejriwal, says he's not a resident of Delhi Claiming that AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal is not a resident of Delhi, NGO Maulik Bharat Trust has challenged his application for a change of address ahead of assembly elections. Congress relies on math, lines up big guns Former CM Sheila Dikshit’s advice to field Congress heavyweight Ajay Maken against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi assembly constituency hasn’t found space in her party’s second list of candidates released on Wednesday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Burping cows roam free on farms Navile Bili, the eight-year-old cow at Vasanth Kumar’s farm at Nuggehalli, is a free spirit. 'Earth revolves around sun, but how do we know?' “What is the sun made of?” When Prof Arthur Eisenkraft, one of America’s leading science educators, posed this question, the young and old in the audience vied with one another to give an answer. Slice of history found in encroached drain Men clearing an encroached storm water drain in the narrow lanes of Shivajinagar on Tuesday were in for a surprise. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Customers accuse real estate giant Aliens Group of cheating In what could well turn out to be one of Hyderabad’s biggest real estate scams, 65 customers of Tellapur-based Aliens Space Station-I project have collectively lodged a police complaint accusing the developer, Aliens Group, of cheating and criminal intimidation. Shown the door by CSIR, 92 scientists knock on CAT door As many as 92 trainee scientists recruited by the ministry of science and technology’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) two years ago have been rendered jobless.  Telangana to wait till January 16 to announce Eamcet dates The twin states could be gearing up for separate Eamcets if respective governments do not come to a consensus by January 16.  More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		MoU seeks to tap youth potential, create jobs Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur and the ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu inked a memorandum on Wednesday for collaborative efforts in training activities that unleash potential of youth, create jobs, commercialize new technologies and create wealth. Flight fares dip to almost par with second AC train tickets Low aviation fuel prices, market competition make flying affordable Killer served dinner by victim's husband Michael Raj, the Ambattur eatery owner who lost his wife and is left nursing his two badly injured children, had fed his employee dinner on Monday night unaware that only minutes ago the man had put a dagger into his dear ones. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		61% Vibrant projects on ground: Gujarat government The seventh edition of the Vibrant Gujarat summit has concluded with investment pledges clocking a lofty Rs 25 lakh crore ($400 billion) amid conflicting claims over the actual inflow of such figures. Only half of kids in rural areas can read Gujarati nly about half of all children in rural Gujarat who have five years of schooling can read Gujarati text. Nearly 67.4% children finish eight years of schooling in Gujarat’s rural schools but are yet to learn basic skills in arithmetic. IM suspects who escaped Khandwa jail stayed in Ahmedabad In a major revelation, the city crime branch has said that three Indian Mujahideen (IM) suspects who had escaped from Khandwa jail in Madhya Pradesh in October 2013 had stayed in Ahmedabad twice between July and August 2014. The crime branch had been working on intelligence inputs on this. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Babaji's 'khichdi' kindles warmth in devotees ‘Khichdi’ is quite hit among pilgrims and along with tea has turned into a medium to beat intense cold wave prevailing at Sangam. In fact, pilgrims flock tents of various social and religious organizations situated in different parts of the Magh Mela campus to savour hot khichdi and tea being served free-of-cost. Dandi Swamis lead holy dip on Makar Sankranti After boycotting the Paush Purnima snan, Dandi Swamis took a holy dip at Sangam along with devotees on Wednesday following a rise in water level. The irrigation department has ensured a release of additional 4,516 cusec water from Narora fro the two-day auspicious festive occasion. Magh Mela police to launch Facebook page Here is good news for techno-savvy visitors from abroad and southern states, who want to have details of Magh Mela 2014. The Magh mela police is all set to launch an account -- www.maghmelapolice.allahabad -- at social networking site Facebook, carrying all details about Sangam city, religious importance of the city, its map, how to reach it, Sangam – the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythological Saraswati, and weather update. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Orissa plans rooftop rainwater harvesting in urban areas The government has decided to introduce rooftop rainwater harvesting system in the urban areas of the state. Nursery admission: Testing times for children & parents With most schools in the city having already started nursery admissions, parents are spending more time with their children to prepare them for interactions with teachers. They are also working hard on their own communication skills. Tearful adieu to actor-director Hara Patnaik Amid loud chants of ‘Hara Bhai Amar Rahe’, mortal remains of actor-director Hara Patnaik were consigned to flames at Satichoura crematorium here on Wednesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Haemophiliacs to get free treatment in govt hospitals Haemophiliacs will get free treatment in government healthcare centres across all 51 districts in the state, soon. 2 bike-borne open fire outside independent candidate's office Two hooded bike-borne men fired two rounds of bullets outside election office of an independent candidate fighting election for corporator in ward number 9 in Old city late on Tuesday night. Woman found murdered near farm A woman was found murdered near her field on city outskirts on Tuesday night. A case was registered at Berasia police station of the city. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		CBI records statement in dera castration case The Central Bureau of Investigation has started investigations in the case of alleged castration of 400 Dera Sacha Sauda followers after the complainant, Hans Raj Chauhan, recorded his statement last week. Urea shortage: Farmers in Hisar on indefinite fast Farmers in Hisar on Wednesday began a fast-unto-death over acute shortage of urea in the district. Earlier, police had booked around 300 farmers for attempt to murder for assaulting and seriously injuring an assistant sub-inspector on January 11. SAD, BJP bonhomie comes alive Old bonhomie among alliance partners SAD (Badal) and BJP was visible during the Maghi celebrations at Muktsar on Wednesday, eclipsing the recent turbulence in their ties. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: 'Modi must speak out against Hindu hardliners'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, January 14, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		'Modi must speak out against Hindu hardliners' Economist and Columbia University professor Jagdish Bhagwati is seen as the Modi government's guiding light. The PM is taking bold steps, he tells TOI, but cautions that he must not let Hindutva hardliners undermine his economic agenda. AP to launch initiative to fight infant mortality In key health indicators, Andhra Pradesh figures just below Bimaru (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) states and is at the bottom among the southern states. Chandrababu Naidu recruits journos to build PR In perhaps the first instance of a state government recruiting a large number of journalists for promoting its cause, the TDP regime has embarked on an exercise to enlist scribes on its payroll. More India News»

		Business
		PM to back multi-brand FDI: Bhagwati Prime Minister Narendra Modi will consolidate himself and is likely to open up the multi-brand retail sector to foreign investors in due course, noted economist and thinker Jagdish Bhagwati said on Tuesday. Indian rich warm up to art insurance The Indian rich are warming up to insuring their art and valuable collections thanks to the value-added services provided by insurers and their flexibility in accepting ‘agreed value’ covers. France's BlaBlaCar drives into India French startup BlaBlaCar, which has become the world’s largest long-distance ride-sharing community on the back of deteriorating public transport systems across the world, is launching in India on Wednesday. More Business News»

		Environment
		'India key to Paris climate talks' UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday asked India to take a leadership role in reaching a "meaningful” climate change pact in Paris later this year. Rs 5,000 fine for throwing waste in Yamuna The National Green Tribunal has announced a fine of Rs 5,000 on individuals spotted throwing waste and 'religious items' in river Yamuna. World lends helping hands to Australia's bushfire injured wildlife A call by an Australian wildlife welfare body for help in the recovery of animals injured in wildfires which ravaged parts of Australia last week has seen an unprecedented international response Tuesday, thanks to social media. More Environment News»

		World
		Ohio man accused of threatening to kill US House leader Federal prosecutors allege that a man threatened to murder US House Speaker John Boehner last fall. '1,000 recruits joining fight in Syria and Iraq each month' For more than a decade, Western governments have struggled to stem the flow of their citizens traveling to fight in war zones in Muslim countries, increasing surveillance of those who have expressed an interest in joining extremists, creating computer programs to track suspicious travel patterns and taking other measures. Mother of teen to Islamic State: 'Leave our children alone!' The suburban Chicago mother of a 19-year-old American facing a terrorist charge for trying to join the Islamic State militants accused the group on Tuesday of brainwashing youths into joining their ranks via social media. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Kareena, Alia Bhatt have the same designer Bollywood’s top actresses, Kareena Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, were recently spotted flaunting designer Khushali Kumar’s designs on the cover pages of magazines. Tena Desai helped Zayed Khan with bold scenes Zayed Khan has reportedly lost 10 kilos to achieve a lean look in director Gurmmeet Singh’s Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene. Badlapur: Five reasons to watch the film The official teaser has already won Varun rave reviews and we list five reasons why this film is a must watch. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Soon, a powerful, cheaper battery for electric cars A next-generation cheaper, lighter and more powerful rechargeable battery for electric vehicles is one step closer to reality. Worms on ISS offer clues to keep astronauts healthy on space trips A tiny millimetre-long roundworm may hold the key to keeping astronauts healthy on long-duration space missions, Nasa scientists say. New program to help robots 'see' better MIT scientists have developed a new algorithm that could enable household robots to better identify objects in cluttered environments. More Science News»

		Sports
		I want to match Messi in Ballon d'Or race: Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo has set his sights on Argentine striker Lionel Messi's achievement of winning the coveted Ballon d'Or award a record four times. Female players caught leaving coach's room in CCTV footage In a shocking revelation, few female table tennis players from Chhattisgarh were caught on camera while coming out of their coach's hotel room late at night on Dec 26 last year. Lionel Messi's purple patch of confusion at Ballon d'Or Superstar striker Lionel Messi confused everyone at the Ballon d'Or awards with his purple tuxedo and his comments about his future at Barcelona. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Azim Premji's son Rishad may become Wipro vice-chairman Rishad Premji, the eldest son of Wipro's billionaire chairman Azim Premji, could assume the vice-chairman's position in the coming months. Idea plans to cut discounts on voice, data tariffs Idea Cellular has said that discounts and freebies on voice and data tariffs will be reduced in the coming months. 10 experimental Gmail features you must try As if Gmail wasn't powerful enough, you can find all sorts of goodies and extra features in Gmail Labs. More Technology News»

		Education
		Pune: Rural pupils flunk reading, maths In a telling truth, the quality of education in rural Maharashtra has dipped in 2014. Enrolment in Rajasthan pvt schools up by 22%: Report The enrolment of students in private schools in Rajasthan has jumped from 20% in 2006 to 42.1% in 2014 in the age group of 6-14 years, says Annual Statues of Education Report (ASER) released in New Delhi on Tuesday. Learning levels all time low in Raj govt schools, says survey Only 19% Class V pupils can do division More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC sets aside MLC's election The Bombay HC on Tuesday set aside the election of member of legislative council (MLC) Jayawantrao Jadhav of the NCP. Justice Rajesh Ketkar declared Shiv Sena’s Shivaji Shahane as the MLC elected from the Nashik Local Authorities Members’ Constituency. Greater flexibility in state-appointed panel's choice-based credit system A state-appointed committee had recommended the choice-based credit system (CBCS) for all public universities in the state a few months before the University Grants Commission (UGC) came up with its latest guideline. Mumbai makes a dash for trainers in the run-up to marathon Long-distance coaches are working overtime to train sports enthusiasts who are going to participate in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) to be held on January 18. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		BJP had maximum number of crorepatis and criminal netas in outgoing Delhi assembly Seven in ten legislators in the outgoing Delhi assembly are crorepatis while 36% have criminal cases pending against them. Another Delhi cop killed, this time by bootleggers Two bootleggers on a bike shot a constable in Alipur, outer Delhi, on Monday night and grappled with a home guard when the duo flagged them down for checks. Truck crushes cop at east Delhi checkpost A sub-inspector was killed and two other policemen were injured after a recklessly driven container truck hit them at a checkpost near Mayur Vihar Extension late on Monday night. The driver managed to escape leaving the truck behind. Police have detained the owner. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		16,000 govt jobs up for grabs in Karnataka The Karnataka government is set to launch a massive recruitment drive to fill around 16,000 posts vacant in various departments this year. Girl, 10, dies of cardiac arrest in classroom According to Jayashree KR, principal, Preethi English school, Harshita was busy playing with other children when she developed uneasiness around noon. Ban on goods vehicles hitting buyers: FKCCI Vegetables, grains and other essentials are likely to cost more, thanks to the police ban on goods vehicles entering the city during the day. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Prisoners likely to give Hyderabad primary schools a fresh lease of life DG moots prison labour for school renovations Scramble for space in Telangana secratariat GAD struggles to accommodate officials with many seeking additional rooms Smart city project: Capital agencies have their jobs cut out The two consultancy firms entrusted with the task of developing the core master plan for the 8 sq km area of proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh have got their work cut out. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		DMK declares candidate for Srirangam byelection DMK on Tuesday announced its candidate for Srirangam byelection, seeking to allay the impression that it was hesitant to enter the fray without the backing of strong allies. Jaya portraits to stay, HC refuses to order removal Portraits of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa will continue to adorn government offices in Tamil Nadu, as the Madras high court on Tuesday refused to order their removal. Book fairs a new show these days I have been a regular visitor, not necessarily a buyer, to the book fair from the time the Book Sellers and Publishers Association of South India began the annual affair during the final days of the year at Quaid-E-Millath College. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Only half of kids in rural areas can read Gujarati nly about half of all children in rural Gujarat who have five years of schooling can read Gujarati text. Nearly 67.4% children finish eight years of schooling in Gujarat’s rural schools but are yet to learn basic skills in arithmetic. IM suspects who escaped Khandwa jail stayed in Ahmedabad In a major revelation, the city crime branch has said that three Indian Mujahideen (IM) suspects who had escaped from Khandwa jail in Madhya Pradesh in October 2013 had stayed in Ahmedabad twice between July and August 2014. The crime branch had been working on intelligence inputs on this. Magical breath of master In one of the earlier Saptak editions, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty - a Patiala-Kasur Gharana notable - had told the audience that singing was an inalienable right of humans. The very act of breathing, he had hinted, revealed our capacity to express ourselves in a song. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Noida-based driver's body found in Etawah, car in Allahabad Body of a Noida-based travel agency was recovered on Saturday near bridge over Sengur river in Bharthana police circle of Etawah district. Kalpwasis demand ration cards A group of kalpwais on Saturday raised voice against mela authorities for not providing ration cards and other basic facilities. Extension of TGT exam date demanded Scores of students preparing for competitive examinations handed over a memorandum to chairman of UP Secondary Education Service Selection Board (UPSESSB) Parshuram Pal demanding extension of the date of TGT exams. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Biju's Cuttack house to turn into museum Anand Bhawan, the ancestral house of legendary leader and former chief minister Biju Patnaik, will be converted into a museum.Biju was born in the house on March 5, 1916, and spent his childhood there. Foothills come alive with rituals and fair on Magha Saptami Come Magha Saptami, a large number of saints and monks will arrive at the Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills from across the country to take part in the 10-day Magha Mela. Actor-director Hara Patnaik loses battle against cancer Bhubaneswar/ Film director and actor Hara Patnaik, the archetypal bad man of Ollywood, died in a city hospital on Tuesday.He was 57 and suffering from cancer.He is survived by his wife and two daughters. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Bullets fly in Chuna Bhatti, two injured in firing Two people suffered bullet injuries in posh Chuna Bhatti area of state capital on Tuesday evening when masked assailants inside a car opened fire on them.The victims were travelling on a bike. Rusticated medicos seek evidence from Gandhi Medical College Medical students, who were rusticated from Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Bhopal for use of unfair means in pre-medical test (PMT), are banking on a last opportunity to prove their innocence. Minister to urge ten ambassadors to give up subsidies on cooking gas Union minister of state for petroleum and gas Dharmendra Pradhan may soon be in Madhya Pradesh to appeal to persons with paying capacity to buy non-subsidised cooking gas cylinders. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Farmers accuse Haryana govt of not keeping its promise to acquire land for nuclear plant The villagers have now submitted a complaint to the chief minister's window at Fatehabad asking the state government to fulfill the conditions on which the land was taken. Captain may be Congress campaign chief During the last Lok Sabha elections, the party had constituted the campaign committee very late and this resulted in the other parties setting the agenda for the polls. Now Chugh ridicules Captain for drug rally and remarks BJP has ridiculed Capt Amarinder Singh for barbs against the saffron party and his 'Lalkar' rally against drugs in Amritsar on January 22. More Chandigarh News»

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