Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, March 27, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Modi bares his OBC card His political rivals derisively call Narendra Modi a 'ghanchi' (oil miller). Before taking over as Gujarat chief minister in 2001, few actually knew that Modi belonged to an OBC. Chavan files nomination papers from Nanded Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan filed his nomination papers as a Congress candidate from the Nanded Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday. India among few countries still using death penalty: report The World Death Penalty Report 2014, to be launched by Amnesty International on Thursday, has found that executions in India were not announced prior to being carried out, neither to the public nor to the families and lawyers of the prisoners. More India News»

		Business
		'AirAsia won't fly to Mumbai, Delhi' AirAsia, one of the most successful low-fare airlines, is ready to take to the skies in India. A day after its global CEO Tony Fernandes accused Indian carriers of ganging up to try block its entry here, Mittu Chandilya, the 32-year-old CEO of the airline’s Indian operations, says he could take flight by end May. RIL, OIL bag two blocks each in Myanmar Reliance Industries on Wednesday won two offshore exploration blocks in Myanmar, a development company sources said indicated a renewed overseas focus as its domestic exploration business continued to face rough weather over performance of showcase KG-D6 field and pricing of gas. Air India gets Rs 1,000 crore equity infusion Cash-strapped Air India got a breather in the form of Rs 1,000-crore equity infusion from the government on Wednesday. More Business News»

		Environment
		Pune activists claim shoddy post mortem of 'elephant Poornima' Pune: Controversy follows elephant Poornima even after her death.The animal had suffered a life of neglect.She was abandoned by her owner and was in urgent need for medical attention last year.She died on March 21. Tiger kills man in Corbett national park Corbett officials played down the attack and said it has no link with the man-eater of Bijnore which has not struck in the last 45 days since February 9. Rhino shot dead in Assam This is the second poaching incident and the first encounter this year in the 38.8 sq km Pobitora, located about 30km east of Guwahati. More Environment News»

		World
		Egypt's military chief Sissi quits Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the Egyptian military chief who last summer removed the elected Islamist president, announced on Wednesday that he has resigned from the military and will run for president in elections scheduled for next month. US to commit more forces to Nato efforts The United States plans to join with other Nato nations in increasing ground and naval forces in Eastern Europe as part of the military alliance's response to Russia's incursion in Ukraine, the White House said on Wednesday. Kerry meets Abbas to shore up Mideast peace talks US Secretary of State John Kerry met Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas Wednesday seeking to rescue his faltering Middle East peace bid, amid fears Israel may scrap plans to free Palestinian prisoners. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Anupam Kher makes fun of Katrina Kaif In the latest promo of Dawid Dhawan's 'Main Tera Hero', actor Anupam Kher takes a dig at Katrina Kaif's Hindi. However, in the scene actor Varun Dhawan defends the pretty actress. I feel very free with Varun: Nargis Fakhri Nargis Fakhri says she doesn’t have many friends in Mumbai. “Maybe like three, if I had to say. But that’s okay. I have made Mumbai or Bollywood my office; I have to understand that I am a stranger, though many years have passed. So, I treat it as my office and the people like my colleagues. Though we say, ‘Oh, we are friends’, we aren’t because we haven’t built a proper foundation,” the actress says. Why does Kangana bathe in mineral water? Kangana Ranaut has moved into a new home, a high-rise in Khar. Most of the occupants in the building are yet to take possession of their apartments. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Know the true age of your heart! Will it be not good if you could learn how long you can live before your get a heart attack or stroke? Scientists have now designed a new tool that can predict that by calculating the true age of your heart. Record: X-rays brighter than a million suns glow in lab Scientists have for the first time ever created the brightest light ever imagined in the entire universe. A simple blood test to help predict obesity in children A simple blood test can now accurately predict obesity in children, years before they first show signs of it. More Science News»

		Sports
		N Srinivasan leaves all in suspense Belying expectations in cricket circles that the BCCI chief would step down after the scathing comments made by Supreme Court, N Srinivasan did not budge. Novak beats Andy to reach Miami semis World number two Novak Djokovic, who recovered from an early break, defeated Andy Murray 7-5, 6-3 to book his semifinal berth at the Miami Masters. Yuvraj needs skipper Dhoni's backing MS Dhoni has starred in many a win while batting with Yuvraj. The 2006 ODI leg of the Pakistan tour and the 2011 World Cup final are games that come to mind. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Facebook to buy virtual reality firm Oculus for $2bn Barely a month after Facebook spent $19 billion on WhatsApp, the company on Wednesday announced that it was buying Oculus VR, a firm that was working on a virtual reality headset for video gamers. Google sued by anti-Muslim film's actress again Google has been slapped with a fresh lawsuit by an actress who has faced death threats for her role in anti-Muslim film ‘Innocence of Muslims’. Facebook, Twitter barred for govt staff for official communication The government told the Delhi HC that it will issue an advisory prohibiting govt staff from accessing Facebook via officials systems. More Technology News»

		Education
		Mixed reaction to DU proposals Students have given a mixed response to the changes proposed by the Delhi University admission. Schools told to make up for poor RTE intake in '13 Tamil Nadu has not even met half its targeted number of admissions in matriculation schools for the 2013-14 academic year under the 25% reservation clause of the Right To Free and Compulsory Education Act. Mumbai varsity ups cap for grace marks to 10 The University of Mumbai has amended its rules for internal gracing to augment the success rate of final-year Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) students. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		BMC water, not pond, for Kolovery ritual The ancient Kalina talao was more than just a source of water for the locals. It played a key role in a wedding tradition called the ‘Umbracha Pani’ . Bridge 5 years in the works, pond vanishes "Earlier, we took walks only inside our building compound as there are hardly any open spaces in the vicinity. 'Reclaim our footpaths, revive lost Kalina talao' Ajitkumar Ambi, assistant commissioner, H-East ward said the process to revive the Kalina Talao is underway. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Four arrested for shooting in W Delhi market Four men have been arrested for shooting at a food stall owner and injuring another person in west Delhi’s Tilak Nagar area. NE couple thrashed for defying Munirka curfew A couple was beaten up allegedly by their landlord’s son and some goons in Munirka on Tuesday for trying to step out of their rented house at 9.30pm. Notice on parking for disabled The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued a notice to the city government and civic agencies on a plea seeking direction to provide parking space to the physically challenged near the entrances of public buildings. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Life-saver builds bonds as she seek votes When Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Nina Nayak steps on to the streets of Dwarka Nagar in Bangalore South constituency for electioneering, Srinivas, 25, a techie working with Microsoft, accosts her. Ankola awaits the moolah rain A hotel on Dr Dinakar Desai Road, off Kumta Road, which is usually abuzz with political activity during poll season, is silent.The reason: money has not started flowing in yet. Mercury on a steady climb; showers next week Blame it on Bangalore's increasing urbanization.The weather is turning hotter by the day, thanks to high pollution levels and the innumerable concrete buildings. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		BJP's star uses Tollywood yarn to spin his Andhra web Kapus, they say, hold the trump card in Seemandhra politics. Comprising over 20% of voters in the new state of Seemandhra, they are looking for political empowerment in a region traditionally dominated by Reddys and Kammas. Only TDP govt can save Andhra Pradesh: Chandrababu Naidu Equating the situation in Andhra Pradesh post bifurcation to that of Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday assured that the state’s fortunes would improve if his party was voted to power. Film shoot on flyover leaves commuters fuming With no responsible political executive in place, has it become a free for all on the streets of Hyderabad? A film shoot on the busy Chandrayangutta flyover for the last few days has left thousands of commuters hassled. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Alagiri plans to take fight to Stalin's camp The desire for control over the party has dogged DMK from the time MGR and Vaiko were expelled for demanding transparency in accounts. Retired CECs make Chennai their home The sound of music and the relatively slower pace of life have drawn three of the country’s best known chief election commissioners to Chennai after retirement.  Friends of communal forces can't be our friends: D Pandian I have been associated with AIADMK longer than many of its leaders. I am one of the few who can talk about the party’s formative days and the role of MGR.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat high court orders Nadiad judge's retraining The Gujarat high court came down heavily on a lower court judge for ignoring the Supreme Court directive while rejecting anticipatory bail of a farmer of Thasra village in Kheda district. Violence erupts in Dhandhuka, six held An incident of eve-teasing triggered violence and vandalism in Dhandhuka late on Tuesday evening.Two shops were damaged in the clashes.Six youths were arrested early on Wednesday. Two arrested for Rs 50 lakh theft from autorickshaw The mystery of Rs 50 lakh theft from an angadia firm employee from an autorickshaw has finally been solved.The crime branch officials have arrested two members of a gang of thieves who targeted autorickshaw passengers. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Nandi's show leads to traffic snarls A day after Congress nominated him as party candidate from Allahabad parliamentary constituency, former BSP minister Nand Gopal Gupta alias Nandi took out a massive rally on Tuesday. New trains to ply between Indore, Patna for summer rush To cater to the heavy rush of passengers during summers, a special train between Indore and Patna through Chheoki will be run. Two drug peddlers arrested The STF team also seized one kg psychotropic drug (M - thetamine) worth Rs one crore in international market recovered from their possession. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Students of a city-based institute celebrate their annual fest Radiance-2012, at Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneswar The students of a city-based institute of finance and accounting celebrated their annual fest, Radiance-2012, at Ekamra Haat Artistes of Odisha Mining Corporation staged the play Emiti Bi Hue at the Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar In an attempt to prove that love is stronger than any other forces in the world, artistes of Odisha Mining Corporation staged the play, “Emiti Bi Hue”, at the Rabindra Mandap on Thursday. Rock band competition organized in Bhubaneswar for bands from and outside Odisha It was time for some rock ’n’ roll for Bhubaneswar music lovers as a city club organized a rock band competition. Bands both from and outside Odisha participated in the event. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Woman attacked with axe for repulsing molestation bid A woman was attacked with an axe in Satna district when she resisted attempt by a youth to molest her. Tech glitches mar PG counselling The students who appeared for PG counseling by directorate of medical education (DME) had a harrowing time on Tuesday. Fake 'Miss Aloowalia', a real entertainer Monday evening was a treat for lovers of theatre.A light-hearted comedy "Miss Aloowalia" had audiences split their sides laughing at Shaheed Bhavan here on Monday evening. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Former BJP MP's son joins Cong 'Ministers busy making money' Man sent to jail for not paying alimony The Punjab and Haryana high court has sentenced a husband to six months’ imprisonment for failing to pay alimony to his divorced wife. More Chandigarh News»

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