News Digest: Govt will consider joint panel's views on land bill, Sadananda Gowda says

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, June 15, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Govt will consider joint panel's views on land bill, Sadananda Gowda says The government may not after all need a joint sitting of Parliament to clear the land bill, feels law minister DV Sadananda Gowda. Pokhran village wants radiation level checked A fresh committee of experts will investigate the problem of radiation from nuclear tests conducted during Pokhran I & II affecting residents of the Khetolai village. US curbs: Nestle hints at counterfeit Maggi Caught in a regulatory mess, Nestle India said most of the Maggi products rejected by the US food regulator for import in January were not exported from India. More India News»

		Business
		Cairn India merges with Vedanta in $2.3bn deal Anil Agarwal, chairman of London-listed Vedanta Plc, is merging his cash-rich oil and gas company Cairn India that he bought for $8.7 billion in 2011 with his debt-laden mining firm Vedanta Ltd, formerly known as Sesa-Sterlite, in an all-share $2.3-billion (Rs 14,500-crore) deal to create India’s leading natural resources company. Govt to revamp sourcing, testing of telecom gear The government is looking at a major overhaul of telecom equipment sourcing and testing in India as it fears that unfettered supplies from foreign vendors, including Chinese companies, are making the system susceptible to spyware and malware from unfriendly countries and anti-national activists. Air India to raise up to $350m via ECB route Air India is raising up to $350 million to meet its working capital requirement through the external commercial borrowing (ECB) route. More Business News»

		Environment
		Wildlife tales for Lanka kids, courtesy Indian naturalists The Indian school curriculum does not have a text book to connect the school children with nature and wildlife, but Sri Lanka may boast of one soon, and that too sourced from India. Mining of sand, gravel set to resume in Haryana Mining of sand, boulder and, gravel, halted for almost five years, is set to resume shortly in Haryana, a much-needed relief to construction sector. Coastal sand mining poses environmental hazard Mining in the dune sand along the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh has raised many eyebrows. More Environment News»

		World
		17-year-old is 'UK's youngest ever suicide bomber' A 17-year-old boy who left the UK to join the dreaded Islamic state terror group is believed to have become Britain's youngest ever suicide bomber. Algerian jihadist killed in US strike Notorious Algerian jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar has been killed in a US airstrike in Libya. Niger: 18 migrants found dead in Sahara desert The bodies of 18 migrants who likely died of dehydration have been found in the Sahara desert in northern Niger. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Karisma Kapoor: 10 things you didn't know Amitabh Bachchan: Crazy things his fans do Amitabh Bachchan fans are crazy when it comes to expressing their love for the superstar. Here's taking a look at the things they do to please him. Masaba to design for Shahid-Mira wedding? Heard Masaba, who is the wife of Shahid Kapoor’s close buddy Madhu Mantena, will be designing the wedding outfits of the actor and his bride Mira Rajput. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Pet photo series aims to counter 'black dog' theory It was a summer day at the dog park when Fred Levy, a professional pet photographer, overheard a conversation that he couldn't shake off. Magna Carta scribes identified ahead of its 800th anniversary In a significant find, British scientists have identified the scribes who wrote two of the four original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta, ahead of the 800th anniversary of the historic charter on Monday. Active videogames better than outdoor play? Active videogames can be a better source of physical activity than outdoor play for children between the ages of five and eight, a new study suggests. More Science News»

		Sports
		Kohli backs Dhawan to replicate Sehwag's success India skipper Virat Kohli on Sunday said that Dhawan has it in him to replicate Virender Sehwag's heroics at the top. Nadal beats Troicki to win Stuttgart grass title Rafael Nadal earned his second title of the season as he defeated Viktor Troicki to become the first man to triumph on both clay and turf at Stuttgart Open. India-Bangladesh one-off Test ends in a draw As expected, the rain-truncated one-off Test between India and Bangladesh meandered to a dull draw on Day 5 at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. More Sports News»

		Technology
		10 hot smartphones launched recently in India The month of May witnessed the launch of several new smartphones. Here’s the list of 10 hottest smartphones that were unveiled recently in the Indian market. Buyer's guide: Digital cameras under Rs 15,000 If you are looking for greater control over shutter speed, aperture, exposure, etc, then opt for a 'bridge' camera. 'Death of net neutrality will kill media freedom' The proposal of doing away with net neutrality, as mooted by a Trai consultation paper, raises the possibility of media websites too falling prey to the carriage fee model. More Technology News»

		Education
		When service can be a career Life in social sector allows one to make a difference. Alternative pathway American Honors (AH), a programme that allows students to transfer to a US univer sity for a Bachelor's degree after two years at a community college, is open to applications from India for the first time. Mission admission — season of confusion This is the season of confusion. Aspiring undergraduates still have some or the other query before admission time. At The Times of India's Mission Admission seminars in Delhi, many of them heard experts advising them about making academic choices and about different facets of the enrolment process at various institutions. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Diplomatic enclave project in Airoli shelved, for now Ten years on, a dream project to create a diplomatic enclave in Airoli by carving out a zone for embassies so as to shift their visa and other international services, has been shelved for now, reliable government sources said. Rain fails to cast damper on Vasai-Virar poll turnout The Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) polls on Sunday saw a voter turnout of over 50%, despite heavy rains in the region. Mangroves gutted in Wadala blaze The fire that broke out on the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) land in the Wadala area on Saturday evening was extinguished by Sunday morning. Petrol leaking from a 14-inch MbPT pipeline that was being repaired had caught fire, and flames 20-30 feet high had led to the shutting down of the Eastern Freeway and burnt over half a kilometre of mangroves. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Travel fast and cheap as Metro shrinks Delhi Come 2016, and Delhi is all set to become smaller.Thanks to 18 more interchange stations--connecting two or more lines--in Phase III of Delhi Metro, distances will shrink. CM: Single helpline for civic issues The Delhi government is planning a one-stop helpline, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has said. But the helpline will have to wait till the municipal polls in 2017 which the AAP is hoping to win. Jamia Millia Islamia entrance paper leaked Jamia Millia Islamia has postponed its entrance test for bachelor of dental surgery (BDS), which was scheduled for Sunday, following reports of the test paper being leaked a day before the exam. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Civic complaints in Bengaluru fall between agencies The citizen, faced with traffic snarls, overflowing drains, long power cuts and fallen trees, finds there are too many helplines, many of which don't work Yoga is an antidote to restlessness, says Karan Bajaj The practice has a spiritual heritage, says this author Answer to water crisis blowing in air Bengaluru-based scientist and his team have developed a device that can literall y produce water capturing atmospheric humidity. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Four dead as rain wreaks havoc in city At least four people died as their house collapsed in heavy rain triggered by the southwest monsoon in Ranga Reddy district early on Sunday. The rains also wreaked havoc across the city, flooding streets and inundating several low-lying areas. Ban on plastic all set to be back in SCB The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) is all set to ban use of polythene bags in its jurisdiction. Though the move is not new, being revived after a gap of five years, SCB officials want to enforce polythene ban strictly this time. Install CCTVs or pay fine, shops told With efforts to ring the city with closed circuit television (CCTV) network under the Public Safety Act failing to bring the desired result, the Hyderabad police have decided to crack the whip on business establishments that are ignoring the directive to install electronic eyes. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Beno wants to begin her journey by meeting Modi "I am grateful that the central government has modified some parameters in order to give me the assignment," Beno reiterated. 150 dead, now Madras HC to monitor ban on manual scavenging Pointing out that more than 150 people had died since 1993 while manually clearing sewerage blocks in Tamil Nadu, the Madras high court said it would henceforth monitor implementation of manual scavenging laws in the state. Chennai records 45 break-ins in two and a half months Summer temperatures may have eased off a bit but city residents are finding the heat is still on — from burglars. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Wash away diabetic foot fear Senior diabetologist Dr Mayur Patel On Sunday steered 'Save A Leg' campaign that saw 100 family members reviving the age-old tradition of washing feet of elders to raise awareness on diabetic foot. Man jumps to death in Sabarmati River A 33-year-old man committed suicide by jumping in Sabarmati River after alleged harassment by moneylenders.The body was fished out on Sunday from Ellisbridge. Woman abducted by estranged husband rescued in capital A 32-year-old woman was abducted from Ghatlodia by her estranged husband and brother-in-law late on Friday night but she managed to free herself in Gandhinagar and call the state capital’s police control room. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad University to start MSc rural development The students would be able to pursue a new MSc course in Allahabad University. Police constable run over by a truck in Kaushambi A police constable was killed in an accident after he was hit by a truck at Kokhraj toll plaza in Kaushambi district on Saturday. Chowkidars to lead anti-crime drive in rural Kaushambi Unable to check spiraling crime graph, Kaushambi police has once again turned to chowkidars to put a tab on anti-social elements of the district. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJP plans to showcase Modi's success in state The BJP plans to aggressively take up the "achievements" of the Narendra Modi government at the grassroots level and compare it with the "failure" of the Naveen Patnaik government here. Mentor institute gives final diagnosis for IIM What was being feared for a long time is almost certain now. In all probability, the proposed Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Odisha, will not admit students in this academic year. Nabard brings variety of mangoes to Bhubaneswar Mango lovers in the city have a sumptuous treat this year at the four-day mango festival organized by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) here. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Road accident claims lives of four Four persons including a woman and a child died in a road accident in a Dhar village on Sunday night. Communal tension spread in Dhar town after inflammatory posters Communal tension was spread in Khalghat village of Dhar district on Sunday morning after inflammatory posters were found pasted on the walls in the village. Veterans show strength on OROP issue in Mhow About 500 ex-servicemen of Mhow and nearby places gathered at the Dreamland square on Sunday morning to express solidarity with the nation wide protest of the veterans on the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue being raised by the Defence personnel since last four decades. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Sikh beats US army in court for turban right In a historic decision, a US federal court has allowed a Sikh student to enroll with its campus Reserve Officer Training Corps unit with his beard, long hair and turban. In 2013, Hofstra University student Iknoor Singh had been denied entry unless he got rid of all his articles of faith. Modi's visit to Anandpur Sahib off Taking some sheen off Punjab government's mega plans to celebrate the 350th foundation year of Anandpur Sahib shrine, the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday conveyed to the state government that Narendra Modi will not attend the event on June 19. Free Sikh convicts: RSS offshoot to HM At a time when the BJP was differing with its alliance partner SAD over the release of Sikh prisoners, Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, an affiliate of RSS, has landed at the doors of Union home minister Rajnath Singh making demands that could ruffle a few feathers in its political wing. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Maggi ban: Spice firm sacks 300 employees

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, June 14, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Maggi ban: Spice firm sacks 300 employees A company in Punjab's Moga that supplied spices to Nestle India for Maggi noodles has retrenched nearly 300 temporary employees in the aftermath of the ban on the snack. Khap puts 51-buffalo bounty on filmmaker A khap in Muzaffarnagar thinks the upcoming Bollywood film 'Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho', starring Annu Kapoor, has portrayed them in a bad light and has announced an award of 51 buffaloes to anyone who brings the film's director Vinod Kapri to them dead or alive. 19 killed, 24 hurt as truck rams into trolley in Etah At least 19 people were killed and 24 others were seriously injured when a speeding truck collided with two tractor-trolleys carrying devotees in Malawan area of Etah district on Saturday. More India News»

		Business
		Cairn India, Vedanta boards to meet on Sunday to discuss merger The boards of oil company Cairn India and its parent, Vedanta Ltd, will meet on Sunday to discuss a potential merger, both companies said. IIA & EEPC India join hands to promote exports from UP Regional Director (North India) of Engineering Export Promotion Council India (EEPC India) Rakesh Suraj recently visited apex association of micro, small and medium enterprises. Appreciating dollar, oil, commodities slow forex growth Strengthening dollar, crude oil and commodity prices, coupled with a downfall in foreign investors' sentiment, has led to a slowdown in the growth of India's foreign exchange reserves. More Business News»

		Environment
		Newborn lion-tailed macaque attracts visitors at Vandalur It was born more than a month and a half ago but it was only on Saturday that visitors to the Vandalaur zoo got to see the lion-tailed macaque. HC to Maharashtra: Spell out steps to clean Godavari The Bombay high court has asked Maharashtra government to declare within a week what steps it would take to make the Godavari river in Nashik, where Kumbh Mela starts next month, pollution-free and its water fit for drinking. NGT order on water release in Yamuna cheers activists The governments of UP, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh were also directed to interact with an official panel led by Shashi Shekhar to sort out the issue of minimal release of water in the Yamuna. More Environment News»

		World
		57 killed in Iraqi province as US advisors arrive Up to 80 US military advisors arrived in Iraq's western province of Anbar to train Iraqi forces and Sunni tribal fighters on Saturday, while suicide car bombers and an air strike against the Islamic State (IS) militants killed 57 people across the volatile province, a provincial official and a security source said. Suspect dead after attack on Dallas police HQ A man sprayed gunfire and planted several bombs at Dallas police headquarters in a rampage that came to a brutal end when snipers shot him dead after several terrifying hours Saturday. Syrian Kurds nearing IS border stronghold, thousands flee Hundreds of Syrian refugees poured into a Turkish-Syrian border crossing, fleeing intense fighting as Syrian Kurds closed in on an Islamic State-held town the only passageway linking Turkey with the extremist group's stronghold of Raqqa. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Would pay an actress what she thinks she deserves' With her latest film Dil Dhadakne Do, Zoya Akhtar has proven that she is a director with a unique cinematic voice. The film is not just being loved by the audiences, but what is beautiful about it is how Zoya without being preachy has dealt with the extremely relevant subject of gender equality. Akshay Kumar in Vipul Shah's Namastey England Vipul Shah has directed Akshay Kumar in four out of a total of five films (Aankhen, Waqt, Namastey London, Action Replayy) in his career. ​​Same-sex romances in Bollywood As India’s first lesbian couple commercial takes social media by storm, here’s a look at Hindi films that have shown gay love. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Hipsters aside, 'yuccies' are here These young urban creative professionals are a blend of yuppies and hipsters. Sometimes, women too need a smooth shave Kate Somerville, a celeb rity facialist whose long list of Hollywood clients includes Jessica Alba and Debra Messing, has a beauty secret that many women would prefer to keep secret. New medicine could help diabetics save Rs 10,000 per year A new anti-diabetes drug from the ‘gliptin’ family soon to be launched in India promises to lower treatment cost for patients by 55-60%. More Science News»

		Sports
		You will see bigger stands between me and Vijay: Dhawan Shikhar Dhawan, who returned to form with blazing 173 against Bangladesh, said that many more big stands are in store with opening partner Murali Vijay. India beat France 1-0 in first HWL practice match The Indian men's hockey team on Saturday notched up a 1-0 win over France in their first practice match, ahead of the Fintro FIH World League Semifinals. Rafael Nadal beats Gael Monfils to reach Stuttart final Top seed Nadal could become the first man to win titles at the event on both clay and this year's new grass surface if he wins the Sunday final. More Sports News»

		Technology
		10 hot smartphones launched recently in India The month of May witnessed the launch of several new smartphones. Here’s the list of 10 hottest smartphones that were unveiled recently in the Indian market. Buyer's guide: Digital cameras under Rs 15,000 If you are looking for greater control over shutter speed, aperture, exposure, etc, then opt for a 'bridge' camera. LG G Watch Urbane review: Headturner We used the watch for more than two weeks to find out if it is the perfect smartwatch. More Technology News»

		Education
		Sahitya Akademi opens new centre for oral literature If proof of the pudding is in the sampling, so too are pleasures of an oral language manifest in the listening. IIT-Goa misses a year, as state govt dithers on land The new Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) allotted to Goa by the Union human resources development (HRD) ministry will not admit students for 2015-16, IIT Bombay has said in a release on Saturday. Demand makes MBBS cost soar in TN, engineering seats go abbegging Pursuing a medical degree can leave one’s finances in a critical condition with private medical universities and colleges in Tamil Nadu raising their tuition as well as capitation fee for MBBS admissions this year in the face of higher demand and tougher competition for seats. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mega blocks on CR, WR on Sunday Suburban services on Central and Western Railways will be affected by mega blocks on Sunday. 'Need panel to monitor cop housing projects' Setting up a committee to supervise proposed private police housing projects in Maharashtra will do away with malpractices, director general (housing) Arup Patnaik has told the Bombay high court. No permission given for 'bike taxi' service, says Maha transport department The state transport department on Saturday said it had not given permission to any individual or firm to operate “bike taxi” services in the city. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Tomar clueless on H2O, says 'all chemistry one chemistry' Former Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar tied himself up in knots while parrying basic questions on chemistry, which he claimed to have studied at a college in UP’s Faizabad. Recording device found in ACB chief's office? An alleged recording device was found in newly appointed Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief M K Meena’s office a few days ago, highly placed sources have told TOI. Science graduate Tomar fails basic quiz by cops The common names of compounds like H2O and NACL were some of the questions tossed at Tomar at the Faizabad college from where he claimed to have graduated in chemistry (science stream). More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Belagavi's tower clock to fall silent A British-era tower clock here will be silenced forever to enable widening of a road. Builders, manpower firms main tax evaders Have you ever wondered what happens to the money you give f or service tax while buying a property? It seems not all builders are remitting that to the government. For, builders and manpower providers constituted nearly 65% of se rvice tax (ST) evaders in Bengaluru during the last financial year. Do not arrest ganjifa artist yet: High court The high court has asked the Lokayukta police not to arrest well-known ganjifa (Indian playing cards) artist Raghupathy Bhat over the gold-leafing controversy pertaining to Mysuru palace. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Crackdown on unrecognised schools In a crackdown on unrecognised schools in Old City, the school education department on Friday sealed 10 schools that had failed to apply for recognition. 'My sister asked for water, but I was helpless' Three generations of a family were wiped out in the accident at Dhowleswaram barrage in East Godavari district in the early hours of Saturday. Overcrowded vehicles at higher risk of accidents The Godavari mishap has once again brought to the fore the need for a stringent check on over-crowding of passenger vehicles. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		SC panel on Mullaperiyar to meet on June 22 With the southwest monsoon bringing rains to catchment areas of the Mullaperiyar dam, the Supreme Court-appointed supervisory panel for the dam will meet on June 22 to ensure that pre-monsoon inspection is carried out to raise water level to 142ft. Tribals' livelihood hit as their habitat declared reserved forest Muthu has been cultivating marigold behind her hut in the Kalvarayan hills near Kallakurichi for more than two decades. Women breadwinners to get training The state rural development department has introduced a new scheme to train women who head households in the state to help them eke out a living. Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of households, after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, which are headed by women. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		US customers fund $11,580 vacation for NRG storekeeper A Florida-based American executive has raised $11,580 (Rs 7.5 lakh) through a crowd-funding website for a 48-year-old Gujarati shopkeeper’s 15-day Europe holiday. Suicide attempt at CM's function Everybody was shocked when a 30-year-old man slit his wrists at a public function of chief minister Anandiben Patel at the Sabarmati riverfront on Saturday evening. Ahmedabad model accuses casting director of harassment It was nightmare for a city-based model, when a person named Kishore, hailing from Odisha, identifying himself as casting director from a prestigious film production company started harassing her over cellphone. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Chowkidars to lead anti-crime drive in rural Kaushambi Unable to check spiraling crime graph, Kaushambi police has once again turned to chowkidars to put a tab on anti-social elements of the district. SRTC plan to upgrade depots jolted Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) plan to upgrade bus depots in the state as ‘commercial hubs’ received a setback after it failed to get any response from popular mega-retail chains of the private sector. 2 dalit youth shot, 4 injured over payment of Rs 4 A petty dispute over payment of Rs 4 turned ugly when some upper caste people opened fire, killing two Dalit youths and injuring four others in Mohddinpur village in Ghoorpur, 25 km from the district headquarters on Friday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Cuttack structure not a tunnel: Cuttack Municipal Corporation A tunnel-like structure discovered during a road digging work at Kathagada Sahi here on May 20 is probably part of an underground sewerage and drainage system constructed during the British period. Operation Muskaan from July 1 to rescue missing kids in Odisha After 'Operation Smile', police are all set to launch 'Operation Muskaan' from July 1 to rescue missing children from the state.The Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) last month wrote to all states ordring such drives. Cops to quiz Iyer's friend on hotel stay Police have decided to summon and interrogate Chitra Athwani, friend of Deccan Chronicle's vice-chairman P K Iyer, who was staying in the Trident Hotel in a room booked in her name for several days. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Four persons burnt to death in Gwalior Four persons were burnt to death and the same number of people sustained burn injuries in an incident of fire in Gwalior around 1.30 am on Saturday. Shivraj posters violate SC directive: State Cong MP Congress has objected to display of posters of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at public expense stating it a violation of Supreme Court guidelines issued on May 13. MPPEB scam: A yr after FIR, no action against CMs associate A year after an FIR was filed against eight people including chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's close associate Gulab Singh Kirar, Gwalior police failed to proceed with their investigations in the case. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Truck robbed outside Attari check post A group of armed assailants fled with a truck filled with Pakistani cement without paying entry tax at the barrier of excise and taxation department, near the integrated check post of Attari, on Saturday. Cops mull booking coach for Narayan Sai's transit Haryana Police are trying to get an entire rail coach reserved to bring Narayan Sai, son of self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu, from Gujarat to Panipat in connection with the alleged assault that took place in May on Mahender Chawla, a key witness in sexual assault cases registered against Asaram Bapu. Ban on Maggi noodles affects ancillary units, cultivators engaged in contract farming Neel.Kamal@timesgroup.With ban on Maggi noodles, working of various ancillary units of Nestle India situated around Moga town is also getting impacted. More Chandigarh News»

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