News Digest: Drop in cattle seizures on Indo-Bangla border during NDA regime

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, April 19, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Drop in cattle seizures on Indo-Bangla border during NDA regime The statement, gelling well with BJP’s oft-repeated commitment to cow protection, created much flutter on the social media with comments both in support of and against the statement. 40% of highway projects delayed, majority of them managed by NHAI Going by the trends, delay in completion of projects could be the biggest challenge for Narendra Modi government in meeting its target of building 30 km roads and highway by May 2016, the timeline set by highways minister Nitin Gadkari. Congress launches website to counter Govt over land bill Congress has launched a virtual platform to provide information on the land acquisition bill and counter the “false claims” of BJP government on the issue, a move designed to keep the pot boiling on the contentious law and tap the anger among landowners. More India News»

		Business
		Odisha govt extends lease period of 26 mines Odisha government on Saturday extended the lease period of 26 mines and issued orders to the companies to execute supplementary lease deeds within three months, a top government official said on Saturday. Russia to invest $2bn to build gas pipeline in Pak Russia will invest a whopping $2 billion in Pakistan to build a 1,100-kilometre pipeline from southern port city of Karachi to Lahore to transport liquefied natural gas. Oil prices fall for first time in seven days World oil prices ran out of steam Friday after six days of gains, amid concerns about abundant global supplies, heightened by quota-breaking OPEC production. More Business News»

		Environment
		Arun Jaitley asks world to help make coal greener The finance minister also enlisted what India has voluntarily been doing to play its part toward solving the common problem, despite the country’s “basic development challenge of serious energy deficiency”. No greater threat to planet than climate change: Obama US president Barack Obama said today that climate change poses the world's biggest single threat. In a first, University of Hyderabad to have bio-reserve After years of neglect and rampant poaching of wild animals inside its sprawling campus, the University of Hyderabad has finally woken up to the issue and said it will develop 250 acres of land on its campus into a bio-reserve and wildlife corridor, a first such move in the country. More Environment News»

		World
		Germans protest against Europe-US trade deal Thousands of people marched in Berlin, Munich and other German cities on Saturday in protest against a planned free trade deal between Europe and the United States that they fear will erode food, labor and environmental standards. Afghan blast kills 33; president blames ISIS A suicide bomber in Afghanistan's eastern city of Jalalabad killed 33 people and injured more than 100 on Saturday, setting off a blast outside a bank where government workers collect salaries, the city's police chief said. Japanese population falls to 15-year low Marking another chapter in the curious case of Japan’s population, newly released government figures have revealed the country’s numbers fell for the fourth straight year. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Aamna Shariff is pregnant Aamna Shariff, who tied the knot with producer Amit Kapoor on December 27, 2013, is expecting her first child. Bollywood celeb kids and the property they own Promising actresses: Why did they disappear Diana Penty: Supermodel Diana Penty became an instant star with her to-die-for looks and natural acting skills. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Artificial blood vessel created to help test medical devices Researchers have created an artificial blood vessel that can be used to study both the application and effects of devices used to extract life-threatening blood clots in the brain. Artificial blood vessel helps test medical devices Researchers have created an artificial blood vessel that can be used to study both the application and effects of devices used to extract life-threatening blood clots in the brain. WWII ship found 'intact' in Pacific Experts have discovered a World War II US aircraft carrier that is “amazingly intact” despite languishing on the bottom of the Pacific for more than 60 years. More Science News»

		Sports
		Andre Russell powers Kolkata to four-wicket win over Punjab Andre Russell smashed a breathtaking 36-ball 66 to power Kolkata Knight Riders to four-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in their Indian Premier League clash. Djokovic downs Nadal to reach Monte Carlo Masters final Top-ranked Novak Djokovic overcame a strong challenge from Rafael Nadal to reach the Monte Carlo Masters final with a 6-3, 6-3 win on Saturday. Duminy steers Delhi to a thrilling victory over Hyderabad Skipper Jean-Paul Duminy led from the front with a brilliant all-round display as Delhi Daredevils pipped Sunrisers Hyderabad by four runs in a thrilling match. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Buying a budget smartphone? 5 things to remember The budget smartphone segment has grown by leaps and bound. You no longer need to empty your wallet to get a good phone with all the bells and whistles. Review: Asus Zenfone 2, the first 4GB RAM phone Though 4GB of RAM is not really utilized to its full extent on mobile devices now, but with apps designed for 64-bit CPUs on the way, Asus Zenfone 2 is also a future-ready smartphone that will probably serve for quite a long time. Xi calls on PM Modi to help build China's Bengaluru The historic city of Xi'an in northwest China is busy developing a new software city inspired by the Bengaluru model. More Technology News»

		Education
		Probe ordered into grant of permission to nursing colleges in Chandigarh Officials in Haryana have allowed admissions in more than half-a-dozen private nursing colleges even without recognition from the Indian Nursing Council and a no-objection (NOC) certificate from the state government. Delegation from UK varsity visits Chandigarh's PEC varsity A delegation from Engineering School of Swansea University, Wales, the UK, visited PEC University of Technology on Saturday to explore the possibility of collaborations for enhancement and research and development activities. PU electrician's son fulfils father's dream, gets into IIM It took Ram Narain Shukla four attempts to clear the Common Admission Test (CAT) and five years to get to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) of his choice. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Dirty dancing with bar girl, 2 cops suspended Two constables from Manpada police station in Dombivli have been suspended for dancing and behaving obscenely with bargirls. Less than half of pupils confirm RTE admission Less than half of the students from economically weaker sections have confirmed admissions for the 25% seats reserved under the Right to Education (RTE) Act in the city’s unaided non-minority schools. Fee hike row: Parents told to sign bond Close to 40 parents protesting against the alleged fee hike at JBCN International School, Borivli, have been asked to sign an agreement over the pending fees till Monday, failing which the school might expel the students, one of the parents alleged. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Teachers protest in Delhi Demanding permanent employment, hundreds of contractual guest teachers on Saturday protested outside the residence of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Mathura Road. Court exemption to DU ex-VC The Delhi University’s former vice-chancellor, Deepak Pental, who is an accused in a case of forgery, cheating and plagiarism along with another person, was on Saturday granted exemption from personal appearance for the day by a court on health grounds. Kejriwal, Sisodia in court Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Saturday appeared before a court in connection with a criminal defamation complaint filed against them by former union minister Kapil Sibal’s son Amit Sibal. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		All the world's a stage Last month, a piece of news made music observers in the country exult quietly Mumbai-bred and now LA based electronic DJ-producer Ritesh D'Souza, along with classical pianist and vocalist Tara Mae, would be playing early this month at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival as B.R.E.E.D. Sunny side up Solar energy is on the cusp of a big leap from being a niche, clean-energy alternative to a mainstream source of power. In Bengaluru, more and more buildings and apartments are going solar. Bengaluru downs shutters for an entire day Enforced holiday: The Bandh, Called By Pro-Kannada Outfits, Was Total And Peaceful. It Inconvenienced Citizens And Hit Mobility And Business Dream of bank job ends in nightmare. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Autopsy of 6 woodcutters shot dead by AP police done A three-member medical team from Osmania University performed the postmortem examinations on the bodies of the six woodcutters at the Tiruvannamalai government general hospital following a direction by the Andhra Pradesh high court on Saturday. OMC experts conduct autopsy on six bodies They were among the 20 workers shot dead by Andhra Pradesh special task force personnel on charges of smuggling red sanders from the Seshachalam forest range in Chittoor. HC must be approached for justice in Alair killings, says Kodandaram Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman N Kodandaram on Saturday strongly suggested that various groups cutting across religious lines should approach the high court to seek justice for the encounter of undertrials in Alair. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Parks that hit the mark From the healing garden of Sterling Rd to the Touch and Smell Garden of Taramani, here's a look at the `theme' parks of Chennai. School of thought - early learners Babes in arms are heading to school now for sessions on music, art, crawling, and walking. 3 leopards shifted from Kodanad in one month, activists cry foul Tamil Nadu forest officials have trapped and translocated three leopards from Kodanad area in the Nilgiris district in the last one month, violating guidelines and raising the hackles of wildlife experts. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Tommy, Mala sent to judicial custody A special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court on Saturday sent the two accused in the Rs 4,000 crore cricket betting scam to judicial custody after they were brought by Enforcement Directorate (ED) from Vadodara. 5 held for stir against sugar factory City crime branch and Ellisbridge police on Friday night detained five persons — Romel Sutaria, Yakub Gamit, Sanjay Gamit, Nitesh Gamit and Jayesh Solanki — of Vyara Taluka of Tapi district. Woman accuses husband of repeated rape, brutality A 36-year-old woman from Shahpur accused her husband of rape and brutality in a complaint with Shahpur police. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		PMJDY helps BJP connect with Dalits The popular Prime Minister Jan-Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) has left an impact among Dalits of Kashi Kshetra. UPSRTC's women-only buses soon The Nirbhaya Fund would be used in providing safety to women in long-route and city buses operated by Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). Teachers stumped by basic questions Most of the 'would be' primary teachers of Pratapgarh district lack even basic knowledge of the subject that they studied in graduation. Pratapgarh's Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) said that most of the shiksha mitras who were to be regularized as teachers, even failed to answer questions which even a class VI student would find easy to answer. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		500m trench dug up for Forest Park road expansion turns into cesspool A 500-metre-long trench dug up for the purpose of widening the stretch of road from Sishu Bhawan and Airport square in the posh Forest Park locality has turned into a cesspool of drain water, sewage and garbage. Train set on fire near Puri after man is run over A mob set fire to the Barbil-Puri Express at Delang station in Puri district on Friday, reacting with anger to the death of a passenger who was run over by the same train at the same station on Thursday evening. Archery contest aims to reform Similipal's 'traditional' poachers The forest department has hit upon a novel plan to divert the attention of villagers engaged in poaching. An archery competition was held for the poachers as well as other villagers at Bahalda in Dukura range of Mayurbhanj district on Friday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Emergency landing of a private jet at Bhopal airport A private jet from United Kingdom took an emergency landing at Raja Bhoj airport in the evening after witnessing technical snag in the engine. 1.5L new files retrieved from scam hard disc may open can of worms Madhya Pradesh special task force (STF) retrieved as many as 1.5 lakh new files from hard discs seized from five different computers of MPPEB chief system analyst Nitin Mohindra. MPERC hike domestic, industrial power tariff Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) on Friday announced a 9% hike in domestic power tariff. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Alleging delay in monthly pension, old man sets himself ablaze near Chandigarh A septuagenarian set himself ablaze for allegedly not receiving his old age pension in the morning here on Saturday. DTO, bus operators at loggerheads, 7 arrested More than 100 school bus operators in Bathinda were roughed up by police on Saturday after they allegedly refused to surrender their more than 15 years old vehicles to the transport department. Police unearth betting racket in Rewari The special cell of police busted a gang of bookies involved in betting on IPL T20 cricket matches and arrested seven persons. More Chandigarh News»

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

News Digest: Metro rail companies told to have at least one woman on their boards

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, April 18, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Metro rail companies told to have at least one woman on their boards Sources said that all the managing directors of the Metro projects have been told to create the provision of appointing an independent director. Lawyers' body opposes Justice Sathasivam as NHRC chief A lawyers’ association on Friday moved the Supreme Court opposing the Centre’s plan to appoint former Chief Justice of India and Kerala governor P Sathasivam as chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Remove laws which violate rights of leprosy-affected persons: NHRC The National Human Rights Commission wants provisions in law which violate rights of leprosy-affected persons, removed. Speaking at a day-long national workshop on leprosy organized by the commission, Justice K G Balakrishnan said that there were discriminatory provisions in the law which violate rights of leprosy-affected persons. More India News»

		Business
		RIL back as India's most profitable company Riding on superior refinery margins, Reliance Industries (RIL) regained its position as India’s most profitable firm on Friday. Committed to predictable tax norms: FM Finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Friday that the government is committed to a transparent and predictable tax regime and views taxpayers as partners and not as potential hostages or victims. Govt looks at ways to clear stalled projects The finance ministry has called a meting of bankers, RBI officials and other government departments to revive power, steel, transport and projects that are either held up or facing financial stress as it seeks to get investment moving again. More Business News»

		Environment
		In a first, University of Hyderabad to have bio-reserve After years of neglect and rampant poaching of wild animals inside its sprawling campus, the University of Hyderabad has finally woken up to the issue and said it will develop 250 acres of land on its campus into a bio-reserve and wildlife corridor, a first such move in the country. Punjab to release gharials in rivers to promote eco-tourism Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday approved release of gharials in Sutlej and Beas rivers in the state to promote eco-tourism, an official spokesperson said on Friday. Maha to start online monitoring of industries Maharashtra environment department will soon start online monitoring of industries and their hazardous waste disposal based on which it would take a decision on renewing licences of such units. More Environment News»

		World
		Car bomb kills 3 outside US consulate in Erbil A car bomb killed three people on Friday outside the US consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region that is allied with Washington in a war against Islamic State, which claimed the attack. N Korea threatens US envoy of another attack A North Korean propaganda unit said the US ambassador to South Korea could face a "bigger mishap" than the knife attack to his face last month if he does not stop insulting North Korea with "laughable" accusations. Iran submits four-point Yemen peace plan to UN Iran's foreign minister on Friday submitted a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon outlining a four-point peace plan for Yemen, where Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been targeted for three weeks by Saudi-led air strikes. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Bollywood celebs and their stepmoms Friends of Shahid Kapoor say that when the actor shifts lock, stock and barrel from his current apartment in Raj Classic to his fancy sea-facing apartment in Juhu, he is bound to feel a void. And the one person he will miss deeply is his stepmother Supriya Pathak Kapur. Salman to sing again in the remake of 'Hero'? Thank you for the love, the hate, says KJo KJo recently crosses the 6 million mark on micro-blogging site Twitter and he took this opportunity to thank everyone. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		WWII ship found 'intact' in Pacific Experts have discovered a World War II US aircraft carrier that is “amazingly intact” despite languishing on the bottom of the Pacific for more than 60 years. Why reduced legroom is a flying hazard Airline passengers already know that ever-shrinking seats can leave them feeling cranky and cramped. Now, use your thumbnail as a wireless track pad MIT researchers are developing a new wearable device that can turn the user's thumbnail into a wireless track pad that controls digital devices. More Science News»

		Sports
		Chennai Super Kings cruise to six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians Fiery knocks by Chennai Super Kings openers Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum set the foundation for a six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. I didn't tell anyone to give me the money I got: Yuvraj Singh Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh says that he "didn't tell anyone to give him" the money that he commanded at the IPL tournament's auctions. Djokovic to face Nadal in Monte Carlo semifinal It will be Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal's 43rd career meeting, the first since the Spaniard beat the Serb in last year's French Open final. More Sports News»

		Technology
		iPhone 6 vs Galaxy S6 edge camera comparison Apple’s iPhone has always been one of the most consistent camera-phones. TCS bonanza: Rs 2,628cr bonus for staffers The Diwali windfall has come six months early for 2.5 lakh employees of software services giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). India's biggest private sector employer and top recruiter of women will dole out a special reward amounting to Rs 2,628 crore ($423 million), probably the biggest-ever bonus payout by an Indian company . Facebook CEO joins Internet.Org debate in India Zuckerberg's comments come amid a raging debate that such plans lead to violation of the principle of Net neutrality in India, with partners in his dream initiative Internet.org leaving the portal. More Technology News»

		Education
		Admissions start at Times School of Journalism Times School of Journalism (TSJ), a leading institute run by The Times of India Group, has announced the admission schedule to its postgraduate diploma course for 2015-16. Urdu medium junior colleges in municipal schools A group of students perusing studies in the Urdu medium schools in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will have reason to cheer. They will be able to get education till class XII in their schools. The elected members of PMC on Friday approved a proposal to introduce junior college in the Urdu schools. Schools can prepare kids to report sexual abuse Teaching children in schools about sexual abuse give them courage to report abuse, finds a study, suggesting that such kids are more likely than others to tell an adult if they had, or were actually experiencing sexual abuse. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Development plan marks Mumbai cemeteries for housing, road widening If the omissions and commissions of the city’s draft Development Plan (DP) have got the living gnashing their teeth, the dead could be turning in their graves as their final resting places are not guaranteed in many areas Victim of horrific acid attack marries her Prince Charming Two days ago, at the new year feast of Poila Boishakh, Bengali households prepared a festive menu that traditionally begins with bitter gourd, wends its way through sour and salty recipes and ends with a dessert Cut basic bus fare from Rs 8 to Rs 6: BEST panel BEST committee members on Friday demanded that the minimum bus fare should be reduced from Rs 8 to Rs 6 More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Ailing 50-year-old sets self on fire A 50-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by setting himself ablaze outside Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital at Hari Nagar in west Delhi. Amar Lal was apparently depressed due to his prolonged treatment. Pregnant woman's body found in southeast Delhi The mutilated body of a 25-year-old pregnant woman was found in a room at Tughlakabad in southeast Delhi on Friday. Two DU students held for cheating over 50 people Two youths, pursuing their postgraduation from Delhi University, were arrested for cheating people on the pretext of helping them with their ATM transactions. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Sarakki demolition: Why was wall razed, ask livid flat owners Residents of an apartment complex overlooking Sarakki Lake are furious over the razing of their boundary wall on Thursday. Three Bengaluru palikes to get new names Trifurcation could mean a lot more than slicing up Bengaluru - from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike, the three corporations are set to get a new name each. Karnataka HC drops criminal contempt proceedings against secretary of Iskcon,Bangalore and two advocates A division bench of the Karnataka high court has dropped criminal contempt of court proceedings initiated against Jai Chaitanya Dasa alias K Jayanarayana, Secretary, Iskcon,Bangalore and Ramesh Babu and S A Maruthi Prasad , the two advocates representing the organization. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Spurned man attacks girl's family, beaten to death A 30-year-old man who barged into the residence of a girl with a sickle and assaulted her for rejecting his marriage proposal was beaten to death by the girl's father in Kukatpally on Friday morning. In a first, University of Hyderabad to have bio-reserve After years of neglect and rampant poaching of wild animals inside its sprawling campus, the University of Hyderabad has finally woken up to the issue and said it will develop 250 acres of land on its campus into a bio-reserve and wildlife corridor, a first such move in the country. Mindless encroachments continue to haunt Qutub Shahi Tombs complex The encroachments are along the boundary walls of the tombs complex. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		SC extends Jaya's bail till HC decides on her plea The Supreme Court on Friday extended former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa’s bail till the Karnataka high court pronounces its verdict on her appeal challenging her conviction and sentence in a disproportionate assets case. 500 TNHB flat buyers left in the lurch as construction is delayed About 500 people allotted flats by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board in Sholinganallur are in tears because the project has been delayed by almost two years, allegedly due to a lack of funds. Gone in 45 min: Bikers rob, flee with 3 chains Motorcycle-riding robbers struck in the three contiguous localities of Adambakkam, Madipakkam and Ullagaram in the south of the city on Thursday night, making away with three gold chains in just 45 minutes. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Amdavadi girls want to follow Saina's footsteps First it was Saina Nehwal who did the nation proud by becoming world number one women badminton player. Soon after, it was a matter of double delight for Indians as tennis star Sania Mirza too claimed the world number one ranking in doubles. Taxi union gets AAI notice for 'overcharging' travellers The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Friday issued notice to Amdavad Airport Taxi Owners' Association (AATOA) for overcharging passengers and not following the approved rate chart for prepaid taxi service at the city airport. TN woos Gujarat firms for its investors' meet To attract Gujarat -based companies to make investments in Tamil Nadu (TN), several top officials of the southern state along with industries minister held a road show at a hotel in the city on Friday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Power cuts snap husband-wife ties in UP Lengthy power cuts, which are making life miserable for people in Uttar Pradesh, have led to irrevocable differences between one particular couple in Pratapgarh district and caused a ‘separation’. ABVP observes black day against police lathicharge Volunteers of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) observed ‘black day’ on Thursday, to mark protest against police lathicharge on innocent students in different parts of the city on Wednesday. Abandoned girl child finds dad in watchman At a time when good Samaritans have become scarce in the society and people are struggling to negotiate with hardships of daily life, a watchman here has adopted a new-born girl, thrown on railway tracks to die by someone. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Stray dog menace assumes alarming proportions in city The state capital is grappling with the stray dog menace with nearly 1,200 animal-bite cases being reported every month. Only 18 Puri hotels have treatment plants: RTI info Information obtained through RTI Act revealed that only 18 hotels in Puri have obtained consent to operate (CTO) and set up sewerage treatment plants. No decision to join Janata Parivar: BJD A day after six parties came together to revive Janata Parivar, the BJD on Thursday said the party has not taken a decision to be part of the new formation. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		A DJ enthralls crowds at a weekend bash held in Bhopal A weekend bash held recently saw party-hoppers from the city and guests from outside enjoying themselves to the hilt. Odhisha Mahotsav held at Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal The concluding day celebrations of Odhisha Mahotsav, held at Bharat Bhavan, featured performances that highlighted the tribal culture of Odisha. FIR against MP Gov: HC reserves detailed order Madhya Pradesh High court on Friday passed stay orders on FIR against Ram Naresh Yadav by Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examinations Board (MPPEB) scam. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		22 accuse woman travel agent of duping them of Rs 1 lakh each A total of 22 youth alleged being duped of Rs 22 lakh by a woman travel agent in Jalandhar who promised them jobs in Kuwait.They said she took Rs 1 lakh from each of them for the purpose. SSB jawans get paragliding lessons in Solang Twenty five Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel are learning paragliding techniques in Solang valley near Manali. Farmers not weak to let adversity push them to suicide: Dhankar Haryana's BJP government is mum on farmer suicides in the state following the crop damage due to unseasonal rains. More Chandigarh News»

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