News Digest: Conflicting views don't make doctors criminally liable: Bombay HC

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, January 29, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Conflicting views don't make doctors criminally liable: Bombay HC The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court has ruled doctors are not criminally liable for arriving at different opinion on ailments of a patient. NHAI to launch highways helpline National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) through its associated company Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) is all set to launch a four-digit universal access number (1033) for any assistance including accidents for road users of national highways. Probably it would be the first time that there would be a highway helpline number for the entire nation. Where did PM's pinstripe suit fabric come from? The internet is still buzzing with comments about the personalized pinstripe suit worn by Narendra Modi's at the Hyderabad House event for President Barack Obama. More India News»

		Business
		Coal India stake sale to fetch record Rs 24,000cr The government plans to raise a record Rs 24,000 crore on Friday by selling up to 10% stake in state-run Coal India Ltd, breathing fresh life into its stalled stake sale programme. Olacabs may shell out $250m for TaxiForSure In what may turn out to be the first big consolidation move in the tech-backed cab services market, Bengaluru-based Olacabs is close to buying out cross-town rival TaxiForSure for an estimated $200-250 million, sources close to the discussions told TOI. I-banks eye Flipkart's $5bn US listing Bulge bracket investment bankers are on frequent flights to Bangalore as e-commerce juggernaut Flipkart prepares to raise at least $5 billion through an initial public offering (IPO) on the US bourses in the next 18 months. More Business News»

		Environment
		Germany commits 3 million Euro for Ganga cleaning Germany will provide 3 million Euro to support India's ongoing Ganga rejuvenation plan and explore various options to develop the country's national river. Unesco releases global action programme on 'education in sustainable development' ESD is a concept through which education looks systematically at dispersing information regarding sustainable living to students and communities, involving change in curricula. Sariskar, Panna reserves move up the growth ladder, Ranthambore stays put: Study While the once wiped out Sariska National Park has taken giant strides in the past four years and done well for itself, not much has improved in effective management at the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in the recent years despite the number of big cats constantly multiplying at the reserve. More Environment News»

		World
		Japan analysing new voice recording of IS captive The Japanese government is analysing a purported new voice recording in which a Japanese journalist held captive by Islamic State says a Jordanian pilot also in their custody will be killed if a swap for a would-be suicide bomber is not carried out by sunset on Thursday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's office said. Police bullet killed Sydney cafe siege victim: Inquest One of the two hostages who died in a 16-hour siege at a Sydney cafe in December was killed by ricochets of a police bullet or bullets, an inquest into the deadly stand-off heard on Thursday. Cuban leader demands end to US embargo to renew ties Cuban President Raul Castro laid out Wednesday the conditions to normalize relations with the United States, demanding an end to the embargo, the return of Guantanamo and Havana's removal from a terror list. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Like my father, I too am an atheist' Akshara Haasan, 24, is mad and chilled out, but cannot be pushed around. She knows exactly what she wants and while she will take advice from her parents and sister, she will finally do things her own way. Gurmeet -Sapna Pabbi turn up the heat Television actor Gurmeet Choudhary makes his Bollywood debut with Khamoshiyan, which releases tomorrow. When Tina Munim turned down Anil Ambani More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Sugary drinks set off early periods, up breast cancer risk for girls Girls who frequently consume sugary drinks tend to start their menstrual periods earlier, which can put them at an increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life, a new study suggests. Stem cell breakthrough may lead to baldness cure Scientists have successfully used human stem cells to generate new hair, paving the way for a potential new cure for baldness. Russia may create orbital station with India, China Russia is exploring the possibility of a joint manned orbital station with India and China as part of a common strategy to create technological alliances and may take up the matter with the two Asian space giants in July. More Science News»

		Sports
		Ronaldo handed two-match ban for kicking opponent Ronaldo has been given a two-match ban following his dismissal for kicking out at an opponent during their clash with Cordoba, the Spanish league said. Sania-Soares, Paes-Hingis ease into Australian Open semis Sania Mirza and Leander Paes were on course for a Australian Open showdown as they reached the mixed doubles semifinals with their respective partners. Gritty Ranchi Rays hold Dabang Mumbai 2-2 in HIL Continuing their gritty performances, Ranchi Rays came from two goals down to hold Dabang Mumbai 2-2 in a HIL match at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium. More Sports News»

		Technology
		First impressions: Xiaomi Mi 4 Here are our initial impressions of Mi 4, Xiaomi's new flagship smartphone that debuted in the Indian market today. Apple posts biggest quarterly profit in corporate history Apple has sold 74.5 million iPhones during the three months that ended December 31, beating analysts' expectations for the latest models of Apple's most popular gadget. 6 gadgets and apps to document your life More Technology News»

		Education
		Eamcet logjam persists; Chandrababu Naidu turns to governor The fate of lakhs of Intermediate students in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh wanting to study engineering, medicine and agriculture courses continues to hang in balance with the TDP and TRS governments failing to find any common ground. Amrita University opens automotive research centre The Rs 15-crore facility will assist the automotive industry in areas like vehicle evaluation, road load data acquisition, emission, simulation and multibody dynamics. British Council launches IELTS awards for 2015 The British Council announced the launch of the British Council IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Awards for 2015. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Bombay HC commutes man's death sentence to life A 28-year old Solapur resident who stabbed to death his son and sister-in-law - both minors, and attempted to murder his wife escaped the gallows on Wednesday. Verify if 5-year-old boy was taken to police station: Bombay HC The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the state government to submit a report stating whether a five-year-old boy was taken for questioning to the Antop Hill police station from his school following allegations of "sexual assault" on his classmate. Many transfers unwarranted and against rules, says Maharashtra administrative tribunal Maharashtra administrative tribunal chairman, Justice A H Joshi has asked Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya that he should issue suitable general directions, after seeking due orders from the Chief Minister, as regards the manner in which office notes on midterm transfer should be initiated and forwarded to the competent authority. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Tow truck runs over pedestrian A 35-year-old man died after being mowed down by a tow truck in south Delhi’s Jamia Nagar on Wednesday night. Delhi not even 'Asia-class city' in cleanliness: HC Castigating municipal bodies here for not clearing garbage, Delhi high court on Wednesday observed that the national capital was “not even an Asia-class city” in terms of cleanliness. Car catches fire near ITO A Honda City car parked outside HDFC Bank at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg near ITO caught fire on Wednesday More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Infosys Foundation's Sudha Murty gifts Rs 1 crore for school teachers' pay A school in Srirampuram that sought to usher in change in an area infested with shady elements has got a boost. Schools increase fees citing security, RTE, staff salaries Parents are paying through the nose for the security of their little ones. Six months on, panel yet to get records Even as the Justice H S Kempanna Commission is crying foul over the delay in receiving records on the Arkavathy land denotification scam, some members of the legislature panel formed to investigate the multi-crore land scam involving the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) have accused the Siddaramaiah government of adopting a similar approach. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Capital Region Development Authority trying to save farm land? The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has reportedly decided to protect the agricultural fields in the capital region of Krishna and Guntur districts. TTD sets out to prune VIP devotees The Andhra Pradesh endowments department has claimed that the darshan allowed on the basis of VIP recommendation letters at the Tirumala temple has been greatly reduced. Andhra Pradesh in dilemma over Tamil Nadu's plea for Krishna water The water sharing row between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana got further compounded on Wednesday with Tamil Nadu seeking an immediate release of 8.716 TMC of Krishna water to meet the drinking water needs of Chennai city. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Water divining: Not scientific but still popular CN Gunapathy prefers to be silent as he walks along the compound wall of a house in Thaneer Pandhal, Coimbatore, looking for the perfect point for the drilling of a borewell. In his hand is a coconut. Volleyball: In which TN packs a power punch R Viswanathan, 64, a volleyball fan all his life, was in tears as the Tamil Nadu men's volleyball team lost to Railways in the finals of the Nationals earlier this month. Too few to teach in engineering colleges The quality of engineering education has often been called into question by academics and industry, and recent figures from the human resource development ministry seems to buttress their point of view. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Solar power to cut energy bill The AMC has decided to go green. Apart from adopting the rooftop solar power policy, the AMC has decided to set up a solar power station at Kankaria for the laser show which will now be a regular feature. Political masters' pet projects dominate civic body's budget The AMC budget may be construed as an exercise aimed at pleasing all, particularly the political bosses, in the election year. AMC's budget aims for urban upgrade No new taxes have been announced in the Rs 5,665 crore budget for 2015-16 passed by the standing committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Wednesday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Nithari case: HC commutes Koli's death term to life imprisonment The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday commuted the death sentence of Nithari serial killings case convict Surender Koli into life imprisonment on the ground of “excessive and explained delay” in deciding his mercy petitions both by the President and the UP Governor. Koli is lodged at the Dasna jail in Ghaziabad. As crime rises, elderly seek security from police Homoeopath Dinesh Prasad, 84, is finding it difficult to get sound sleep at his Old Katra residence as the loud music being played by a nearby DJ-cum-bar is too much for him to bear in the night. Feeling harassed, Dr Prasad approached the police station concerned, but nothing changes. In service for 30 years to make villages model ones Volunteers of Om Wahe Guru Rishi Ashram, presently camping at Upper Marg in Magh Mela area, are working for over 30 years, making the hamlets of the country model ones by working with gram pradhans. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Revenue shortfall in current fiscal The state is likely to close the current financial year with a huge fall in revenue as major sources are not yielding much. Government in dock over link with Seashore Group The state government is under CBI scanner for its alleged role in the multi-thousand crore chit fund scam.It partnered with Seashore Group despite company chief Prashant Dash's arrest in a cheating case in 2003. Governor asks VCs to plan clean campus drive Governor S C Jamir on Tuesday asked vice-chancellors of state universities to chalk out long-term strategies for the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan."The students should make cleanliness part their lives," he said. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Hand-held human size puppets in a unique show in Bhopal. The city recently witnessed a one-of-a-kind puppet show called Pacotille, which had lovers of this art wow the audience with the story of a young vagabond, revolving around the ups and downs of his life. Elderly bizman looted of Rs 4.5 lakh in Bhopal In a daring loot, an elderly businessman who was on his way to deposit cash collections to bank was looted of his bag containing Rs 4.5 lakh in Rachna Nagar on knife-point on Wednesday by five masked men on three motorbikes. Romantic Romanian play debuts in Bhopal A popular Romanian theatre group, The Catharsis, held their famous play, The Triumph Of Love at the AISECT University auditorium in Bhopal recently. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Angry over police raid, former councillor, wife attempt immolation Upset over police action of searching his house to seize Chinese "dor" (string for flying kites) last week, former Bathinda councillor Vijay Kumar attempted self-immolation along with his wife Shama Rani on Wednesday. Protesting computer teachers lay siege to education directorate in Panchkula Panchkula police had a tough time in managing traffic snarls on Wednesday as agitating computer teachers of government schools in Haryana laid siege to the state education directorate in Sector 5 to seek action against agencies that recruited them and release of their pending salaries. Sikh farmers from Kutch approach NCM following attack Punjabi families settled in the Kutch region of Gujarat approached the National Commission for Minorities on Tuesday seeking protection after an alleged attack on a farmer at Loria village, 15km from Bhuj. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: RK's unpublished gems unveiled

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, January 28, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		RK's unpublished gems unveiled His mute spectator, the Common Man, may be known to all but few would've got a chance to lay eyes on RK Laxman's un published doodles. BJP nominates two from J&K for Rajya Sabha election BJP has nominated Shamsher Singh Manhas and Chander Mohan Sharma as candidates for the biennial election to Rajya Sabha from Jammu & Kashmir. Obama speech: Tough ask — introducing man everyone knows Neha Buch spent a good part of the weekend trying to find a way to "introduce a man everyone knows". More India News»

		Business
		Tata Motors plans Rs 7,500cr rights issue Weighed down by debt and losses in its India business, Tata Motors, the world’s fourth largest truck maker, plans to raise up to Rs 7,500 crore via a rights issue over the coming months, its third such offering in the company’s history since it got listed in 1955. Investor interest on India rising: Arun Jaitley Growth prospects for India are getting better with improvement in several macro-economic fundamentals, which triggered huge curiosity among domestic and foreign investors, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday. MFs the best choice for retail investors When Rajiv Johari (name changed) approached us, he was paying an annual premium of Rs 10.80 lakh with a sum-assured of Rs 55 lakh only with investments spanned across endowment, money-back, whole-life policies and Ulips. More Business News»

		Environment
		Sariskar, Panna reserves move up the growth ladder, Ranthambore stays put: Study While the once wiped out Sariska National Park has taken giant strides in the past four years and done well for itself, not much has improved in effective management at the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in the recent years despite the number of big cats constantly multiplying at the reserve. Obama wants India to embrace cleaner fuels Offering help in the adaptation of climate change, American President Barack Obama on Tuesday said unless countries like India embrace cleaner fuel world does not stand a chance against climate change. Ocean warming melting one of largest Antarctica glaciers One of the largest glaciers on the planet, Totten, is melting due to ocean warming, a phenomenon that demonstrates the vulnerability of East Antarctica and its role in increasing the level of the oceans. More Environment News»

		World
		Japan urges Jordan's help in IS hostage crisis after video Japan pressed Jordan for help in securing the release of Kenji Goto, a Japanese hostage of Islamic State militants, after a video on Tuesday appeared to show him saying he could be killed in 24 hours. Obama tackles IS fight, Iran with new Saudi king US President Barack Obama led a heavyweight delegation to Saudi Arabia to meet new King Salman and discussed the two countries' ongoing fight against the Islamic State group. Fidel Castro breaks silence on US-Cuba rapprochement Cuban leader Fidel Castro has broken his silence on a historic rapprochement between Washington and Havana, implicitly endorsing it even as he expressed an abiding distrust of his old foe. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Ayushmann Khurrana tried nine hairstyles for Hawaizaada Hawaizaada, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Sharda, is set in the 19th century. Naturally, one of the challenges of making the film was staying true to that period — be it recreating the Bombay of 1895 or designing the right costumes. Needless to say, director Vibhu Virender Puri and his team did extensive research. Ronit, Rohit Roy clash over time slot of their shows Siblings Ronit Roy and Rohit Roy, known for their closeness, will now be clashing on television. Unbelievably expensive gifts by Bollywood celebs More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Russia may create orbital station with India, China Russia is exploring the possibility of a joint manned orbital station with India and China as part of a common strategy to create technological alliances and may take up the matter with the two Asian space giants in July. 'Love cheats are perfectly suited for politics' People who tend to cheat are most suitable for politics than any other profession, claims a new study. Zoo offers scorpion adoptions for singles The San Francisco Zoo is giving the spurned and broken-hearted a new reason to mark Valentine’s Day — the chance to adopt a giant scorpion or hissing cockroach named after a heart-trampling ex. More Science News»

		Sports
		Would cheat again but I am a changed man: Lance Armstrong Armstrong has said he should be forgiven after suffering a lot of humiliation for doping and lying, but defended his conduct, insisting he would do it again. Teenager Keys downs Venus to make Australian Open semis Madison Keys overcame a leg injury to secure a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Venus Williams at the Australian Open to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. Sunil Narine pulls out of West Indies World Cup squad Highly-rated off-spinner Sunil Narine on Tuesday pulled out of the West Indies World Cup squad, saying he needed more time to work on his bowling action. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Facebook, Instagram back after 40 minute outage Facebook, Instagram and Tinder are back online after a 40 minute outage. BlackBerry Classic review To please their loyalists, BlackBerry decided to go back to its Bold roots with the Classic. 25 'worst' passwords of 2014 Online security still remains a mirage. Web security firm SplashData recently released its annual list of 25 most commonly used passwords on the internet.Here are the 25 'worst' passwords of 2014. More Technology News»

		Education
		NSE to participate in Kolkata Book Fair The National Stock Exchange (NSE) Tuesday said it will participate in next month's International Kolkata Book Fair for spreading awareness about capital trading. Higher education to the aid of rural India through technology Aimed at encouraging higher education institutions to engage with problems of rural India like sanitation and hygiene, water, health and education and to provide appropriate solutions for them, the government's recently launched Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) can lead to transformational change in the country if the technologies are "relevant, robust and affordable", experts say. 'Work hard and believe that you can make it big in IT' You must see the larger picture, work hard and believe that you can make it big in IT, says Vishal Chalana, co-founder of a US-based IT company. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mobile ticket facility at five more CR stations Five more stations on Central Railway began providing the mobile ticketing service from Tuesday, taking the total numbe of such station to 20. WR outstation train delays hit local services Western Railway commuters complained about delays in train services on Tuesday. All arriving outstation trains on the WR ran more than an hour late. Western Railway locals run 96% on time, Central Railway lags at 86% Western Railway general manager S K Sood, in his Republic Day address, announced that the WR created a record of sorts with the punctuality of its long-distance trains touching 98% in the current financial year. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		2 Metro stations to close during Beating Retreat Delhi Metro services will be partially curtailed at two stations on January 29 as part of the security arrangements for the Beating Retreat ceremony. Survivor was not drunk: Friend A friend of the Uber rape survivor, who had booked a cab for her on the day of the incident, on Tuesday rejected the defence counsel’s allegation that the survivor and he had consumed alcohol on the night of December 5, 2014. Uber may model itself on free govt app Pooch-O The Delhi transport department’s Pooch-O app may not have many takers in the city but it has found a follower in Uber. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		More bhagya schemes roll out, but no revenue rolls in From Anna Bhagya to Bachchilu Bhagya, chief minister Siddaramaiah has been rolling out populist schemes one after another, putting severe stress on public finances. Karnataka govt to counter BJP with CAG reports The Congress government wants to counter the BJP in kind over the Arkavathy issue. Student kills himself, father suspects college's role A second PU student committed suicide by hanging himself at his house in Santhehalli village, Malur taluk. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Andhra Pradesh stops all payments The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday night issued an extraordinary circular directing all treasury and pay and accounts offices across the state not to make any payments until further orders. Agriculture offices to function from Guntur Agriculture minister Prattipati Pulla Rao on Tuesday said that the office of the agriculture commissioner will be shifted to the agriculture market committee complex (old chilli yard) in Guntur. Canada business honcho meets KCR, Naidu Hyderabad native and chairman and CEO of Canada-based Fairfax Holdings Ltd Prem Watsa on Tuesday met the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana separately here and discussed possible projects of cooperation between the two states and his company. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Job space opens up for autistic minds Autistic Sankarlingam, 26, has been on a paid job in a major ho tel chain in Taramani for close to two years. Corporation can follow CPWD model of civic audit The city corporation, often under fire for poor quality of civic projects, can learn a thing or two from the Central Public Works Department. Charter school idea dropped, corpn chalks out new plans Academicians are often at loggerheads with local bodies over the running of corporation schools, but this time the former seem to have made their point of view heard. The civic body has decided not to hand over its schools to private players for management.​ More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Kutchi queen: London bridge to Bollywood She has Bollywood actors dancing to her moves. This 25-year-old from Kutch has her own dance studio in London where she trains students in contemporary and Bollywood dance styles. City firm faces Rs 436 crore money laundering charge The Ahmedabad zonal unit of Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday registered a case involving Rs 436 crore against city-based firm Electrotherm (India) Pvt Ltd, its chairman Mukesh Bhandari, managing director Shailesh Bhandari and six others under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED case against Indore company The Ahmedabad zonal unit of Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday registered a case of money laundering involving Rs 116 crore against Indore-based Bhatia International Ltd (BIL), its chairman and managing director G S Bhatia and three others in coal imports and supply. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Bahraich youth held for kidnapping boy from Mumbai A youth of Bahraich, working in a hotel at Kandivali in Mumbai, was caught for kidnapping the son of the hotel owner here on Tuesday. The hotel owner and his relatives caught the accused from Gaighat locality. He was handed over to police. The kidnapped child was also recovered. Motipur police has contacted the Mumbai police to hand over the accused to them. High-end diagnostic centre opens at MNNIT campus Authorities of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) has added yet another feather on its cap with the inauguration of Centre for Medical Diagnostic and Research (CMDR). The facility, which aims to provide affordable diagnostic services to all classes of society and offer a high-end facility to the researchers, started functioning on January 26. Magh Mela sees scores of foreigners in Allahabad Overwhelmed by her surroundings, Susan Diamond felt ‘blessed’ as she stood on the banks of Sangam in Magh Mela area amidst devotees converging from all directions. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Minister: Plus II online evaluation plan intact The state government will go ahead with online evaluation of Plus II examination papers. The task of scanning the answer sheets and making these online will be outsourced to a private company, official sources said. Cooperative elections end The second-phase elections to 480 primary cooperative societies on Sunday passed off peacefully, according to State Cooperative Election Commission (SCEC) here. Singer Prafulla Kar gets Padma Shri He was doing what he is best at when the news broke.A Padma title, which was eluding celebrated singer and composer Prafulla Kar for years, was finally his. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Ex-wrestler arrested with Rs 5.60L counterfeit notes Crime branch on Sunday nabbed a former national wrestler along with counterfeit currency worth Rs 5.60 lakh from Habibganj railway station. French puppeteers enthrall audience A play with no dialogues, just music and a magic box of dreams, 'Pacotille', a French puppet theatre show was staged at Bharat Bhawan here on Sunday. Premium tatkal: Booking can be made from 8 am Premium tatkal scheme is under review by Railway Board. After a complaint from a passenger about upper berths, passengers will now get confirmed lower berths through premium tatkal. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Synthetic drugs maximum in use, not heroin: BSF DG Director general of BSF D K Pathak on Monday blamed easy availability of cheap synthetic drugs for rampant drug addiction in the state and said that heroin, which was the only smuggled drug from across the border, constitutes a fraction of consumption among drug addicts. Produce clearance certificate issued by censor board: HC The Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday ordered that the clearance certificate issued by the censor board for the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's movie 'Messenger of God' be produced before it. Tara remanded in police custody in 5-yr-old case Beant Singh assassin Jagtar Singh Tara was remanded in police custody on Tuesday for five days in a five-year-old case after he was produced before the court. More Chandigarh News»

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