News Digest

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, May 22, 2015
		Today's Headlines

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		Business
		'Indians most confident consumers' India’s consumers are the most confident in the world, reveals the latest quarterly report from Nielsen, an information and research company. Idea eyes $1.2bn deal to sell towers Axiata, Bharti Group, ATC show interest as telecom infra is back in favour HDFC Bank buys into CarDekho CarDekho looking to facilitate $1bn in auto financing. More Business News»

		Environment
		Documentaries on Godavari pollution screened Eight documentary films, which were selected at the state-level competition conducted as part of the Green Kumbh for creating public awareness about river pollution, were screened at Kusumagraj Pratishthan on Thursday evening. India registers 3 bn sqft green building footprint: IGBC Over three billion sq ft area of green building projects has been registered so far by Indian Green Building Council, which aims to rope in 10 billion sq ft by 2022. MP moots India's first project to translocate dolphins Top wildlife officers of Madhya Pradesh have planned India’s first ambitious project to translocate Gangetic dolphins from one river to the other as a last resort to save the species from extinction. Population of Gangetic river dolphins in India dipped to nearly 1,800 this year from 5000 in 1982. More Environment News»

		World
		Six Baltimore cops indicted over Freddie Gray death A grand jury indicted six Baltimore police officers Thursday over the death of African-American man Freddie Gray in their custody last month, a state attorney said. Hillary Clinton sets date for big-bang campaign launch After weeks of small-scale, small-town events with "everyday Americans," Hillary Clinton on Thursday set a date for the first major campaign rally of her 2016 presidential run. IS seizes Syria's last border crossing with Iraq: Monitor The Islamic State militant group has seized Syria's last border crossing with Iraq after Syrian government forces withdrew, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said on Thursday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'With the Padma Shri, there is added responsibility' Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is on a high. After being awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to cinema, his production Mary Kom won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. I think I'm in love every week: Richa Chhada The trained dancer turned powerhouse actress talks to us about her choice in men, her style secrets and Mira Nair. Tanu Weds Manu Returns impresses B-town From the time its first trailer was launched, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, starring R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut that releases today, has been generating hype among movie-goers. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Finally, drug for Ebola in sight Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have found new potential drug candidates for Ebola that successfully treated up to 90% of mice exposed to the deadly virus. 'Chicken from hell' part of 2014's top new species Some 18,000 species, great and small, were discovered in 2014, adding to the 2 million already known, scientists said on Thursday, as they released a "Top 10" list that highlights the diversity of life. Large Hadron Collider busts energy-level benchmark The world's largest particle smasher broke the record for energy levels late Wednesday in a test run after a two-year upgrade, CERN announced Thursday. More Science News»

		Sports
		Need a strong coach to control Kohli's temperament: Bedi Bishan Singh Bedi feels that the Indian cricket board needs to appoint a "strong coach" to guide the temperamental Test captain Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli named sixth most marketable athlete by UK mag British Sports business magazine 'SportsPro' has named Indian Test cricket captain Virat Kohli as the sixth most marketable athlete of this year. Vulnerable Rafael Nadal facing fight for clay court crown For the first time in nearly a decade Rafael Nadal, the undisputed king of clay, will walk into Roland Garros facing legitimate claims to his French Open crown. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5 highest-paid executives of Infosys Like every year, Infosys's SEC filing this year too reveals its highest-paid executives. Here's over to Infosys's 5 highest-paid executives... HTC One M9+ review Is the HTC One M9+ a worthy successor to the One M8? We try to find out in our review. Modi gains 12 million Facebook followers in first year as PM With a total of 28 million followers on Facebook, Modi maintains his position as the second most-followed world leader, behind US president Barack Obama. More Technology News»

		Education
		Presidency University admission tests likely to go online Presidency University may go online from this session to hold admission tests. Apart from the Common Admission Test and WBJECA (entrance test for MCA courses), no other admission tests are held online at present in the state. Delhi University: Sports category registrations from May 28 The registration process for admissions under sports category in the undergraduate courses of Delhi University will start, along with the centralized online application process, from May 28. Delhi University admission: For BA economics, grip over maths helps Delhi University’s BA Economics course allows its students to understand any economy in the world and, more specifically, an economy like India. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Crane cord with debris snaps, 1 dies A 24 year old cleaner died as a trolley being lifted by a crane fell on a stationary truck at Gandhinagar junction Vikhroli (west) on Thursday evening. Parksite police has registered a case of causing death due to negligence against the operator of the crane, contractor and site supervisor. 12-yr-old 'victim of BMC apathy' gets US visa for global puzzle competition Bringing back the smile on the face of 12-year-old Mohammed Ali Basha Sayyed, the US consulate in Hyderabad on Thursday granted him visa to attend the final round of a mathematical quiz competition in New York City. 'Put up board to indicate 20-storey SoBo parking plot' The BMC municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta has ordered that a large significant board indicating parking space available to the public be placed outside a 20 storied mechanized parking plot immediately at the niche up-market Bhulabhai Desai Road also known as Breach Candy. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		2 traffic cops assaulted by auto drivers in Delhi With the AAP government curtailing the powers of the traffic police to challan errant auto drivers, there has been a sudden rise in the cases of attack on cops. Delhi, neighbours agree on tax rates Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Thursday agreed to create a system to bring “uniformity in tax rates” and develop a common market. ACs don't work, passengers refuse to fly to Guwahati Several passengers on a Guwahati-bound SpiceJet aircraft refused to fly on Thursday as the plane’s air conditioners weren’t working. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		HC to cops: Ensure inter-faith couple's safety The Karnataka high court has come to the rescue of a young married couple belonging to two different religions. Failed? You can still get BU degree Didn't clear Bangalore University exams while you were a student? Sex workers fear govt move to hold survey Destined to work with no identity or moral sanctity, sex workers are often a neglected lot. Their voices go unheard and rights are violated. Yet the government's proposal to conduct a separate survey to study their problems has evoked a mixed response. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Ministers, bureaucrats dread Naidu's marathon meetings In his second avatar as chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu has triggered a sense of dread among his ministers and bureaucrats with his style of functioning. Minorities Welfare Department set to suspend deputy qazi Taking a tough stand against the unscrupulous activities of qazis, the government is all set to suspend deputy qazi Zulfeqar. He is accused of solemnising the marriage of minor girl from the Old City with 70-year-old Omani national Khamis Mohammed Khamis. Cooperative banks to be set up to tackle illegal micro-financiers In order to tackle the issue of unlicensed micro-financiers who charge crushing interest rates on small loans, the Telangana government on Thursday announced that it would set up cooperative banking units in the Old City and other areas affected by the illegal money lending business. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Kudankulam 1st unit to shut down for annual maintenance Tamil Nadu will lose around 300MW in JuneJuly when unit I of the Kudankulam nuclear power project would be shut down for annual maintenance. Language ace in topper pack The five toppers who achieved a perfect score of 500 in their Class 10 state board exami nations had one thing in common: Their first lan guage was French or Sanskrit. Jail inmates score big in SSLC exams Inmates of jails in Madurai region who appeared for the SSLC examinations, recorded impressive performances. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gupta a 'habitual economic offender': CID The CID (crime) told the court on Thursday that Sanjay Gupta, former IAS officer and executive chairman of Metrolink Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA), was a “habitual economic offender” and hence he should not be granted bail. China to set up textile park in Sanand China Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Ltd (CSMEIL) which entered into an agreement with Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb) and Gujarat government for setting up an industrial park worth Rs 10,000 crore will initially set up a textile park in Sanand and later a general industrial park. This device can stop your car from being stolen Imagine preventing a car theft by an SMS. This may sound like a scientific fairytale, but two engineering students have made it possible. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Anti-ragging undertaking must in Allahabad University Every student seeking admission to the Allahabad University in the new academic session and his/her parents would have to submit a duly signed undertaking authorizing authorities to initiate suitable action if found involved in any kind of ragging. Driver killed in bid to loot Rs 50 lakh The driver of a van of State Bank of India carrying Rs 50 lakh in cash from the main branch to Dubey Ka Purwa village in Pratapgarh district was killed when two miscreants opened fire and tried to loot the cash. Boat capsizes in Yamuna, three missing Three persons were missing when a boat, carrying 18 persons capsized in Yamuna. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		After CMD, Ponzi firm's director in Crime Branch net The economic offence wing (EOW) of state Crime Branch here on Thursday arrested a director of Vista Management Govt backed Vista in setting up agro unit In what may cause further embarrassment to CM Patnaik in chit fund scam, the economic offence wing has found that the state agriculture department allegedly showed favour to controversial chit fund company Vista Management Services Limited to do business in the state. Timber smuggling rampant in the forests of Baripada Timber smuggling is rampant in sal and teak-rich Baripada forest division.In the last three years, 205 smuggling cases have been reported from the division. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Sikarwar takes over as SSP Bhopal A list of criminals having 10 or more cases will be prepared and action will be taken against them. Beat system will be strengthened, to curb thefts and burglaries, which go up during summers, said IPS officer Raman Singh Sikarwar while taking charge of senior superintendent of police (SSP) Bhopal on Thursday. MP govt refuses to share Bansagar dam water with UP Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday sharply refused to release water from the Bansagar Dam to Uttar Pradesh. A meeting was held between the two state government water resources departments in the presence of Union minister Uma Bharati to resolve the issue of water sharing from the dam. A Madhya Pradesh state release on Thursday evening specified that the state expressed its incapability to share water with Uttar Pradesh and stands firm on this decision. AIIMS Bhopal director resigns, relieved Dr Sandeep Kumar was relieved as director and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal here on Thursday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		PM has given India new identity: Harsimrat Union food processing and industies minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday eulogized the leadership qualities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has given new dimensions to the international relations at a time when developing India was being viewed in a different paradigm. Water appeared on bed of inactive river: Geologist Days after water was found during digging along the predicted path of mythical Saraswati river in Yamunanagar district, preliminary geological investigation has termed the excavated portion as paleo-channel of a river. Agriculture department begins soil sample collection In an effort to stop farmers from using unnecessary fertilizers in the fields, the agriculture department has started work on issuing them soil health cards. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Bihar poll dates only after consultations, says EC

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, May 21, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Bihar poll dates only after consultations, says EC The Election Commission on Wednesday clarified that the September-October schedule for Bihar assembly poll was only tentative and a final call on the dates would be taken after consultations with the political parties and the state authorities. Clarify Aadhar card not mandatory to vote, Yechury tells CEC Yechury has requested Zaidi to clarify that the Aadhar Card is not mandatory for the exercise of franchise and ensure the sanctity of the data base collected by ECI from being possibly misused. Subramanian Swamy almost gets `married' again Swamy was presiding over the wedding of a party colleague at a temple when the faux pas occurred. More India News»

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		Environment
		150 artificial points for lion's outside Ahemedabad's Gir sanctuary With the census result throwing surprises that over 160 Asiatic lions were situated outside the protected area, the forest department has now shifted its focus in these areas. The department in the bid to provide relief from the scorching heat has constructed 150 artificial water points. Credit Agricole stops financing coal mining French bank Credit Agricole said on Wednesday it would no longer finance coal mining or miners as lenders grow increasingly uneasy about funding coal due to environmental concerns. Oil pipeline spills about 21k gallons off California coast An estimated 21,000 gallons (79,500 liters) of crude oil dumped into the ocean from a broken pipeline just off the central California coast before it was shut off, creating a spill stretching about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) along the beach, the US Coast Guard said. More Environment News»

		World
		Islamic State seizes ancient town of Palmyra in Syria Islamic State extremists captured the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra after government defense lines there collapsed Wednesday, a stunning triumph for the group only days after it captured the strategic city of Ramadi in Iraq. Obama makes light of racist taunts on Twitter President Obama’s new Twitter account @POTUS racked up its first million followers in a record five hours after it debuted, but it took only 10 minutes for the first racist taunt to surface, confirming the US President’s oft-repeated assertion that while America has come a long way in overcoming bigotry, it also has a long way to go. Hungarian writer wins 2015 Man Booker The 2015 edition of the Man Booker International Prize has been won by Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai. More World News»

		Entertainment
		No one would imagine me in a family film: Kangana Kangana Ranaut and Aanand L Rai first came together to work on Tanu Weds Manu four years back. BT Exclusive: First look of 'Azhar' The first look of Emraan Hashmi who will be playing Mohammad Azharuddin in the film titled Azhar, based on the life and times of cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team. Revealed: Neerja Bhanot's onscreen lover More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Dumb & dumber: Lyrics are dropping grades Parents who say their children's music is dumb might have a point. A study has found out the average hit song has lyrics at a third grader's reading level. Anti-aging drug may be just 5 years away A new anti-aging drug may be just five years away , say scientists who have identified the role of an enzyme in muscle wasting and associated age-related problems. Giant pandas can't stomach bamboo, say researchers Despite two million years of munching almost exclusively on bamboo, the giant panda's gut has not adapted to eating the plant -putting the creatures in an “evolutionary dilemma“, scientists said. More Science News»

		Sports
		Bangalore eliminate Rajasthan Royals to reach Qualifier 2 AB de Villiers combined with Mandeep Singh for a game-changing partnership as Royal Challengers Bangalore eliminated Rajasthan Royals from IPL 8. Feels like a new beginning for me, says Harbhajan The 'Turbanator' earned his recall exactly two years two months and 15 days after he had last played for India against Australia at Hyderabad in March 2013. Kohli to lead India in Test, Harbhajan makes comeback Sidelined for more than two years, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday returned to India's Test squad for the tour of Bangladesh. More Sports News»

		Technology
		16 Android apps not available for iPhones Here are 16 interesting Android-only apps. Vodafone won't toe zero-rating plan of Airtel Vodafone, India’s second-biggest mobile operator, has refused to follow Bharti Airtel in launching a zero-rating platform, the decision coming at a time when telecom regulator Trai and the Department of Telecom (DoT) are looking into the entire gamut of issues related to net neutrality. 6 things to know about Apple's private CEO As Tim Cook becomes more comfortable on center stage as Apple's CEO, the public is learning more about how past events shaped the intensely private man. More Technology News»

		Education
		One cutoff per course likely at DU colleges Delhi University's stand on additional eligibility criteria may leave cutoff lists looking different this year. It's springtime for MBAs again: Study Corporates are once again investing in the promise of an MBA. On the academic floor, management education which went through troublesome years is seeing springtime this recruitment season. GujCET aspirants to get 4 marks against wrong questions The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education board (GSHSEB) has decided to award four marks against the four wrong questions to the students who wrote their Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GujCET) for admission to medical and para-medical courses. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		State offers best relief for land acquired from farmers The state government has hiked the compensation amount for land acquired through direct negotiations with farmers, making its deal the best in the country, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. Chinese firms interested in investing in state, says CM At least two Chinese companies, including Foxconn, had shown interest in investing in Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. 'Valmiki could have got longer jail term now' It’s inconceivable that a murderous sexual assault like the one on Aruna Shanbaug would get only seven years had the offence occurred now. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		DJB to recheck all residential bills above Rs 25k In an attempt to reduce cases of over billing, Delhi Jal Board will now scrutinise all bills issued under the residential category if they are up to Rs 25,000 or more for a period of three months. 'English (H) straddles disciplines' English teachers across DU colleges have to start by dispelling the myth that English (H) is easy.It isn't.It isn't a language course either. Watch on fresh illegal construction After promising in-situ rehabilitation of slum dwellers and regularization of all existing unauthorized colonies, the Delhi government on Wednesday formed a taskforce of subdivisional magistrates to keep a check on fresh unauthorized constructions. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		'Investment via portfolio management not biz' Investment by an assessee through the portfolio management service cannot be termed business; any profit accrued will be taxed as capital gains, the high court has said. Duo's smart ECG will help heart patients Blame it on lack of awareness or sheer negligence, a heart attack is often mistaken for gastric irritation which may result in delayed medical intervention and even in the death of a patient. Change in degree name irks students Two hundred students doing MS Communication in various colleges affiliated to Bangalore University believe they're being cheated by the varsity. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Telangana, Andhra Pradesh in the grip of heat wave Thirty-one people died due to sunstroke as north Telangana and parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh reeled under severe heat wave conditions on Wednesday with Nizamabad experiencing the hottest day at 46 degrees Celsius. Man fires shot, robs techie in ATM Armed with a gun, a robber barged into an unmanned SBI ATM at Yousufguda here on Wednesday morning, threatened a software engineer who came to withdraw money and made off with her gold ornaments and debit card. Naidu bats for Veerraju to placate Pawan Kalyan Apparently in a move to rein in film star Pawan Kalyan from hitting the streets, TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu has ensured the entry of the hero’s close aide and BJP leader Somu Veerraju into the portals of legislative council. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Wife burns man, 6 of his kin to death in TN A 25-year-old woman separated from her husband on Wednesday burned him and six of his family members, including three minors, to death in Madurai's Kumarapuram village. Pandeeswari later surrendered before the police. MCI issues circular authorizing state councils to initiate action against doctors' strike In a move that has ruffled a few feathers among the medical fraternity, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has issued orders to ban strikes by doctors and has instructed the state medical council to take immediate disciplinary action against anyone going against the order. Govt remains indifferent to crumbling 92-yr-old Triplicane school A 92-year-old government school building in Triplicane is on verge of collapse. Close to four months after TOI reported about the condition of Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School for Girls near Vivekananda House, the authorities concerned appear indifferent. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat CM returns after weeklong visit to China Chief minister Anandiben Patel returned to the state on Wednesday night after a weeklong visit to China and Hong Kong. On the concluding day of her visit, the CM witnessed signing of MoUs, addressed Gujarat Road Show and held discussions with industry leaders. Power to farmers raises alarm bell for APMCs The Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) have decided to hold a meeting on May 31 to discuss the fallout of the state government notification that allows farmers to sell their farm produce directly in the open market. The notification was issued on Tuesday. Ahmedabad school students go digital big time High school students in the city are rapidly adopting and adapting to a digital lifestyle to keep up with their peers in the changing times where ‘Being Digital’ is the new ‘Cool’. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Driver killed in bid to loot Rs 50 lakh The driver of a van of State Bank of India carrying Rs 50 lakh in cash from the main branch to Dubey Ka Purwa village in Pratapgarh district was killed when two miscreants opened fire and tried to loot the cash. Boat capsizes in Yamuna, three missing Three persons were missing when a boat, carrying 18 persons capsized in Yamuna. HC asks KDA to remove encroachers The Allahabad high court on Monday directed the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) to get vacated unauthorized occupations by ‘kabadis’ (scrap dealers) at ‘O’ Block at Kidwai Nagar, Kanpur. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Puri priest held for assaulting couple A Puri priest was arrested on Tuesday for assaulting a couple and misbehaving with their daughter when they refused to take his assistance to enter the Jagannath temple. Puri priests threaten boycott of rituals over temple order A section of servitors of Jagannath Temple in Puri on Tuesday threatened to boycott rituals on Debasnan Purnima, protesting the shrine administration's ban on devotees from touching the deities on the bathing mandap. 3-yr-old rescued from Bengal, 1 held A three-year-old boy, Mohit, allegedly kidnapped from Bhubaneswar railway station in February, was on Tuesday rescued from a woman in West Bengal. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Congress accuses Modi of slashing development budget, favouring business houses Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Mukul Wasnik on Wednesday alleged that the Narendra Modi Centre in its first year of rule shunned Constitutional concept of equitable and inclusive development while favouring the Prime Minister's select business honcho friends. Wasnik was sent by the AICC to speak on the failures of Modi's "suit-boot ki sarkar". Lokayukta raids 'millionaire' panchayat secy in Umaria A village panchayat secretary in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, who joined government service at a gross salary of about Rs 5,000 per month became a multi-millionaire in just 12 years of service. MP govt constitutes award in memory of Aruna Shanbaug A day after the death of Aruna Shanbaug, Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday announced the constitution of an annual award in her memory. More Bhopal News»

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Soma – Elixir of the Gods

Soma – Elixir of the Gods

Perhaps the most mysterious of the Vedic traditions is the ritual consumption of Soma, a drink said to grant immortality and communion with the gods. Many have been on a quest to identify its earthly counterpart.

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