Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, March 18, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Activist files PIL against use of reserved symbols  Social activist Traffic Ramasamy’s petition questioned the relevance of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which is the basis for allotment of symbols Top religious leaders vow to end slavery in India Pope Francis of the Vatican, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Mahmoud Azab have joined hands in the biggest ever push to eradicate modern day slavery and human trafficking in India by 2020. Hailstorms: Two Nashik farmers commit suicide Two farmers in Baglan taluka, about 90 km from Nashik, have allegedly committed suicide after rain and hail in the region destroyed their crop. More India News»

		Business
		Banks look to end fiscal on a gold lending high Looking to pledge your gold for a quick loan? Your options are not restricted to gold loan NBFCs alone. MFs, insurance companies keep off market rally Though foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have been buying shares heavily in the past two weeks pushing the markets to new highs, their domestic counterparts continue to remain on the sidelines. Bluestone gets $10m Kalaari Capital-led funding Investors are betting on India's internet-savvy women adding sheen to online jewellery startups. More Business News»

		Environment
		Despite green Holi, 3, 000 trees cut in Surat According to an estimate, wood of 3,000 trees is used for lighting Holi in the city.During Dhuleti, the consumption of water is five times more than normal days in the city, sources said. Paris pushes half the cars off roads to cut pollution In a bid to reduce the health-threatening cloud of polluted air which has settled on northern France, half of the diesel and petrol cars in greater Paris will be banned from roads Monday. Rahman, the stray tiger of Rahmankhera finds its territory The stray tiger of Rahmankhera, fondly called Rahman, has finally found its territory in Dudhwa. More Environment News»

		World
		Ukraine penalty: US, Europe order Russia sanctions The United States and its European allies stepped up their pressure on Russia to end its intervention in Ukraine by imposing the most comprehensive sanctions against Russian officials since the cold war. Air Canada suspends flights to Venezuela The airline, which operates three return flights weekly between Toronto and Caracas, said the suspension is effective March 18. Lennon's art works to go under hammer The largest ever collection of John Lennon’s work – original drawings, poems and prose is all set to go under the hammer. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Kangana replaces pregnant Vidya Balan Kangana replaces pregnant Vidya in Sujoy Ghosh’s edge-of-the-seat thriller Durga Rani Singh Virat put on same flight as journos, Anushka upset Anushka reportedly livid with producers for putting Virat on same flight as journos Hrithik back in the race for Shuddhi? Trade sources hint there’s a very small chance that Hrithik Roshan may be back in the race for Shuddhi. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Massive breakthrough: The moment when the universe came into being discovered Researchers say they have found the signal left in the sky by the super-rapid expansion of space that would have occurred just fractions of a second after everything came into being. Honey found to be giant killer of antibiotic resistant bugs Scientists have confirmed an age-old Indian recipe to boost our immune system – honey. Tequila plant sweetener could help reduce blood sugar, weight among diabetics A tequila shot or two can bring alive even a dying party. And it now seems that it can also do wonders for your blood sugar. More Science News»

		Sports
		I'm the best spinner in the world: Gayle Explosive Chris Gayle sounded out a warning to the rival teams ahead of the World Twenty20 by declaring that he can score a hundred irrespective of conditions. SL 'twin towers' to quit T20s after WC After having served the national team for a decade and half, Sangakkara and Jayawardene have announced their decision to quit T20 Internationals. Lanka beat India by 5 runs in warm-up Indian team's batting woes continued in the familiar sub-continental conditions as they lost their opening warm-up tie of the ICC World T20 against Sri Lanka. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Twitter CEO Costolo to make first China visit Twitter Inc CEO Dick Costolo will meet Shanghai government officials, academics and students in his first visit to China. Your job taught to machines puts half US work at risk Artificial intelligence has arrived in the American workplace, spawning tools that replicate human judgments that were too complicated and subtle to distill into instructions for a computer. Staying home, connected to the world The idea that technology is encouraging us to retreat from the real world, even as we connect elsewhere, does not seem so far-fetched. More Technology News»

		Education
		70 University of Pune colleges yet to seek NAAC grade The NAAC grades form a critical piece of information for students while choosing the university or college they want to attend. Tough questions? Smashing answers! A post-presentation question-answer session is the litmus test of a good presenter — while anyone can repeat what’s been rehearsed, only a thoroughly prepared presenter can successfully handle questions. Own business now big lure for fresh MBA graduates: Survey The US remains the most preferred job location for alumni from B-schools worldwide with Chinese and Indians taking the lead. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Pedestrians' horror, shoppers' delight Stepping out of Dadar (west) station, one is assaulted by a weird mix of scents and smells from the phool gully, a wholesale market for flowers, and a fish market. Hawking zones, razing of illegal shops a must G-North ward’s main headache is encroached footpaths and roads, which leave little space for both pedestrians and vehicles. Proposals to ease the congestion are yet to be even considered for implementation. Soon, women cops above 40 years of age can wear saris Women police personnel, particularly those who are aged above 40, will soon be permitted to wear saris instead of the traditional shirt and trousers uniform. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		5 youths drown in Yamuna Five youths drowned in Yamuna river when they were taking a bath after playing Holi in north Delhi's Sonia Vihar on Monday. Behenji with benefits Introducing herself to backpackers in an Amsterdam hostel, the gauche young heroine in the film Queen says simply: “Myself Rani, from Rajouri, India.” South African woman tries to fly out 12kg drugs to Kenya, held The marketplace of narcotics smuggled by air through the Delhi airports is growing and foreigners are increasingly playing the role of drug mules. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Driver sacked for throwing girl out of bus The BMTC on Monday sacked the driver accused of pushing a 23-year-old girl student out of a moving bus in the early hours of Friday. JD(S) woos Sharief; it's Gita vs Yeddyurappa in Shimoga Welcoming Gita into the party, JD(S) leader and former CM H D Kumaraswamy on Monday announced her candidature officially at a well-attended rally on the outskirts of Shimoga. Ayush issues notice to Asaram centre A centre owned by Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram Trust in the city, run by self-styled spiritual leader Asaram Bapu, is in fresh trouble. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Poll fever bytes techies in Hyderabad Election fever has touched the city’s techie community as well, which is taking time off from their hectic schedule to participate in various forms for campaigning in the run up to the polls next month.  AP Bhavan split may kick up a new controversy Based on the recommendation of the committee, the state government has decided to divide the property by the second week of April in the ratio of 58:42 between Residuary Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Chiranjeevi to kick start poll campaign from March 21 Union tourism minister K Chiranjeevi will kick off the poll campaign on behalf of the beleaguered Congress in the Seemandhra region on March 21. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Fate of Nokia plant in Chennai to be decided soon After the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Nokia's appeal, refusing to lift the restraint on sale of its Indian assets as part of its global deal with Microsoft, the fate of the handset maker's Chennai plant is likely to be decided in the coming weeks. Punishment for speeding motorists: Spending time in trauma ward A grave problem may require a drastic solution. Anyone who causes accidents should be forced to spend three days in a trauma ward, looking at head injuries. House painter hacked to death by gang A 25-year-old house painter was hacked to death by six men near his residence at Tsunami Nagar in Semmenchery on Sunday night. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		When British tried to rein in HOLI HURDANG! A few days before Holi, the state administration issues a notification without fail. We, the PIL people Vaghela's bio on Congress site edited in 'Emergency' More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Traders seek action against errant tempos Mahanagar president Syed Mohd Askari said, "Tempos have been involved in several crimes but authorities concerned are least bothered about the safety of the commuters". Research to give scientific affirmation to papaya The researcher explained that MRSA was a bacterium responsible for several infections that were difficult to treat as it was resistant to most of the standard antibiotics prescribed due to their indiscriminate use. Political hues mix on Holi In the existing political climate wherein parties are constantly engaged in a game of one-upmanship, witnessing, for instance, Modi applying gulal on Rahul's face or Sonia hugging Mayawati seems close to impossible. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat set for intense triangular contest An intense triangular contest between the Congress, BJP and BJD is on for the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat. Odisha JMM chief joins BJD Marandi, a former MP and at the helm of JMM affairs in Odisha for over a decade, said he did not join BJD for a ticket, although political circles speculate that he could be nominated for the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat. 50 more companies in Odisha for free-and-fair election At present, the state has adequate central paramilitary forces, including eight OSAP battalions and six India Reserve battalions. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Medico arrested for using impersonator Madhya Pradesh special task force on Sunday arrested a medical student of Chirayu Medical College, Bhopal for whom another student impersonated and appeared in pre-medical test (MPT), 2013. MAFFICK sees the best of performances Celebrating 100 years of cinema, MANIT's cultural fest "MAFFICK 2014" concluded here on Sunday.The final event was an amalgamation of dance, music, drama, rock band, exhibitions and workshops. Day temp starts rising, Ujjain warmest at 36°C Days are getting longer and warmer with summer setting in and day temperature rising across the state. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Holi celebrated at Attari border Holi revelers sprayed water guns; flung coloured water filled balloons while playing Holi at the Attari international border post on Monday. Maintain crime figures in chart: SSP The crime branch officials and modus operandi branch sleuths were asked to collect crime figures from all 11 police stations after every 10 days. Holi makes them feel at home away from home For people who have come from different parts of the country and settled in the Tricity, Holi celebrations is different from what they have been doing in their home states.They have adapted to the Chandigarh ways. More Chandigarh News»

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