News Digest

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, April 24, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Destination Varanasi for Narendra Modi's local fans too Hundreds of migrants, BJP workers and senior party leaders from Gujarat will be leaving for Kashi after April 30 to campaign for the BJP candidate for PM, Narendra Modi. Sources in the BJP said that hundreds of party workers from Gujarat are already camping in Varanasi for the electioneering. One lakh supporters expected to join Modi as he files papers Narendra Modi’s nomination procession in Varanasi on Thursday could end up surpassing many rallies held during this long poll season. Sudan national's surrogacy plea rejected Upholding the ministry of home affairs’ guidelines restricting single foreign nationals and unmarried couples from coming on medical visas to India for having kids through surrogacy, the Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday refused to give any relief to a Sudanese national. More India News»

		Business
		Deepak Fertilisers in hostile bid for MCFL After sitting on the fence for almost nine months, Deepak Fertilisers, the largest shareholder of Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCFL), on Wednesday mounted an over Rs 190-crore bid to wrest control of the Vijay Mallya-promoted company. USL board seals $1bn Whyte & Mackay sale India’s largest distiller United Spirits (USL) is said to have finalized the divestment of its scotch whisky unit Whyte & Mackay (W&M) at a board meeting held in Dubai on Wednesday. Amazon takes kirana route to deliver goods E-commerce giant Amazon, whose founder and CEO Jeff Bezos recently spoke of the possibility of drones dropping goods to US homes in the near future, is embracing the neighbourhood kirana store to push the delivery advantage in India. More Business News»

		Environment
		Goa CM objects to ban on mining in Western Ghats Chief minister Manohar Parrikar has written to union minister of environment and forests Veerapa Moily, strongly objecting to MOEF's draft notification on the Western Ghats in Goa. Canada aims to ease whale protection as pipeline decision looms Canada has recommended taking humpback whales off the "threatened" species list, two months before the government is due to decide whether to approve a proposed pipeline that would lead to half a million barrels of oil being shipped through their Pacific marine habitat every year. In Spiti, hydro power projects seen as threat to fragile ecology To save their valley from being plundered by hydro power projects, tribals in a meeting of gram sabha held recently have decided not to give NOC to the project being proposed in their area. More Environment News»

		World
		US rejects Russia's 'ludicrous' claims The United States dismissed as "ludicrous" Wednesday claims by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that it was funding or running an offensive in Ukraine as Washington and Moscow again traded barbs. Armenian massacre: Turkish PM offers condolences Turkey's prime minister offered his condolences on Wednesday over the massacre of Armenians during World War I, calling it "our shared pain", the country's most significant overture yet over the deeply divisive episode. Aid access in Syria not improving: UN chief Access for foreign aid has not improved for millions of Syrians desperately in need, violating a Security Council resolution passed two months ago, the UN chief said on Wednesday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Madam (Rani Mukerji) lives at Chopras' residence' Looks like Rani Mukerji had shifted to her sasural — the Chopras’ residence at Vikas Park — much before her wedding. 'Actor's have boycotted or ganged up against me' Kangana Ranaut is bold and courageous in real life, but she was completely psyched when shooting for Revolver Rani in the Chambal valley Celebs attempt to revive their careers in politics More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Now, you can control devices with tongue Researchers have developed a device that can be installed in a helmet and senses the wearer’s tongue pressure through the cheek to control their smartphones. “The tongue is a well-developed muscle capable of fine-grain movements — so we thought it should be good for control interactions,” said Japanese scientist Kai Kunze at Osaka Prefecture University. Parents, pupils trolling teachers with abuses in UK Students and parents in the UK are using social media and other online forums to abuse teachers, a survey has found. Some teachers have even recieved death threats, a survey by the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the country, found. Asteroids hit Earth with force of nuclear blasts The data shows “that asteroid impacts are not rare—but actually 3-10 times more common than we previously thought,” said Ed Lu, co-founder and chief executive of the B612 Foundation. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sacked Moyes 'proud' of United tenure David Moyes declared that he was "proud" to have managed Man United, but said that he understood the "frustration" that had led to his dismissal. Rafael Nadal struggles into third round Spain's Rafael Nadal, overcame his 103rd-ranked opponent to reach third round, defeated compatriot Albert Ramos 7-6 (2), 6-4 at the Barcelona Open. Ana Ivanovic beats Lisicki in first round Serbia's Ana Ivanovic defeated Germany's Sabine Lisicki 6-1, 6-3 to send the Wimbledon finalist out in the first round of Porsche Grand Prix on Wednesday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5.5-inch iPhone delayed till 2015: Report The 5.5-inch version of Apple iPhone has been delayed till 2015 according to a new report. Octa-core processor in Windows Phone? Not anytime soon Though to be fair to Microsoft, the benefits of eight-core processors in a phone are not yet apparent. WhatsApp in numbers: 500m users, 700m photos The numbers released by WhatsApp shows that the instant messaging app continues to find users at an astounding pace. More Technology News»

		Education
		No Tamil Nadu engineering college has over 90% pass rate in first semester Not a single engineering college of more than 500 students in Tamil Nadu has secured a pass rate of more than 90% in the first semester of the 2013-14 academic year. Separately, not one student in 56 colleges has passed all subjects in the first semester. Ghaziabad parents' stir over fee hike intensifies The agitation against public schools here for raising fees has widened and is garnering support from various quarters. IIM-Shillong completes placements The Indian Institute of Management, Shillong (IIMS) completed its placement process for the graduating batch of 2014. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		State mantris, netas' relatives in fray today Public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal, controversial water resources minister Sunil Tatkare, veteran Congress MP Manikrao Gavit, former medical education minister Vijaykumar Gavit’s daughter Heena and leader of the opposition Eknath Khadse’s daughter-in-law Raksha are among the prominent candidates in the fray for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state on Thursday. Will city make up for lowest turnout in 2009?  Since 1991, Mumbai has struggled  to reach 50% mark in voting  Why Mumbai doesn't turn out to vote  When it comes to polling percentage, the city hit rock-bottom in the 2009 elections with only 41.4% polling. The figure was not only well below other metro cities, it was also the worst in Mumbai’s history.  More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Only 1 truck out of 15,000 gets challaned Every day, about 75,000 trucks enter Delhi—sources put the number at 1 lakh—and of these, only about five are challaned for traffic violations. Breadwinners dead or hurt, kin grapple with crisis When her husband was sent to Chhattisgarh recently for poll duties, 40-year-old Vimla would pray every day for his safe return. 3 dead, 18 injured as truck hits CRPF bus Two days after a Gurgaon doctor and his three-year-old daughter were crushed to death, speeding trucks continued to claim lives in NCR. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		On Bangalore outskirts, water price doubles Water is GS Ramanna’s biggest headache. The 65-year-old resident of Sidedahalli, north-west Bangalore, buys water from private operators who supply through tankers. Measles mess: Bangalore sees a rash of cases This isn’t the season for measles yet 40 cases in the city have flummoxed doctors. Nearly 70 per cent of the afflicted are children below 14 years. Mango yield drops, price shoots up The king of fruits has arrived in the town this season,with king-size price tags. Buffeted by either unseasonal or deficient rain in the fruit-growing regions, mangoes are beyond the reach of the aam aadmi. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Vote-hungry netas fry samosas, gatecrash weddings     With barely days to go before polls, candidates of all parties are resorting to desperate 'poly-tricks' to win votes that have left wedding planners, butchers and even the local samosa walas stunned in Andhra Pradesh. Cops deny receiving request for KVP Ramachandra Rao's arrest Initially, the authorities may obtain a written reply from the MP and may even allow him to represent his case in the US court through an authorised attorney. Andhra Pradesh to get power from Haryana In response to a request by the state government, the Haryana government has agreed to provide 276.83 MW power to Andhra Pradesh from the Aravali Power Company at Jhajjar, Haryana. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		She is good, Air India says about grounded pilot At a time when the ministry of civil aviation is struggling to maintain the safety record of aviation in the country, Air India management has given a clean chit to a pilot who was grounded for using a mobile phone inside the cockpit. Bus, train ticket sales go up as many travel to cast vote Tamil Nadu may also clock record voter turnout like Delhi, Manipur, West Bengal and other states this election . This is not a forecast by poll pundits but an observation by a more unlikely group of trend readers — travel agents. DMK, BJP allege distribution of cash by AIADMK workers A day before the elections in Tamil Nadu, parties continued to trade charges over cash distribution. DMK, BJP and Left parties alleged large-scale distribution of money by opponents and urged the Election Commission to take stringent action against the offenders. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Sonia and Rajnath to canvass in Gujarat today A clash of presidents of the two main political parties is scheduled in the state for Thursday.  PIL over vehicles in police custody for years Gujarat high court on Wednesday issued notices over a PIL that demands proper disposal mechanism for the vehicles detained by the police and kept at police stations for years together. Police team off to Delhi to get Bhatkal Days after IM kingpin Yasin Bhatkal was charged by the NIA in the Jama Masjid firing case, the city crime branch has initiated the process to take his custody in connection with the July 2008 serial blasts case. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lovers jump into river, man dies A 40 years old man and his 35 years old beloved jumped in Betwa river on Sunday evening near Nautghat bridge in Baruasagar.The passerby rescued the woman but the man could not be saved. Air Chief Marshal visits Central Air Command headquarters Air Chief Marshal, Arup Raha, PVSM AVSM VM ADC Chief of the Air Staff and his wife Lily Raha, president Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) visited headquarters Central Air Command (CAC), on Monday. Union minister who couldn't afford to buy house A Union home minister being rendered homeless for his inability to purchase the rented house seems unfathomable in today's scenario.  More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Two university VCs shortlisted for second term Vice-chancellors of Fakir Mohan University (FMU), Balasore, and North Orissa University (NOU), Baripada, have been short-listed for a second term of three years for the same positions. Thermal plants jack up mercury An Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) study revealed thermal power plants contribute to rise in ambient temperature (temperature of the surroundings) by 2 to 3 degree Celsius. Merciless mercury makes ACs, coolers fly off shelves Electronic appliances shop owners are having a field day as the demand for air conditioners, coolers and fans has climbed here with the temperature crossing the 40 degrees Celsius mark. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		On poll eve, video goes viral showing MP Congress chief hurling expletives at cops The seven-second clipping shows an incensed Arun Yadav sitting in a police station and letting off a string of obscenities in presence of a police officer and women party workers. Begum Parveen Sultana charmed music enthusiasts in Manav Sangrahalay in Bhopal A mellifluous evening in the city. State's failure to present DPR on lakes irks panel National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed state government for failing to present detailed project report (DPR) for Bhopal lakes before the panel on Tuesday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		It's raining crorepati candidates in Punjab A battle of crorepatis (multi-millionaires) is being played out in Punjab. Almost all the national parties including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have fielded a total of 56 crorepatis out of 253 candidates in the fray in 13 parliamentary constituencies in Punjab. Punjab roads kill 9 every day The killer roads of Punjab have snuffed out 9 lives every day for the last 5 years. According to National Crime Records of Bureau (NCRB), 17,079 people have died in this period, which saw promises of revamping of these arteries during two bitterly-fought polls - Lok Sabha in 2009 and Punjab assembly in 2012. Richest candidate gets ATM requests  The rural voters in Fatehgarh Sahib constituency, where Punjab's richest candidate Kulwant Singh - at the helm of a Rs 1,200-crore real estate empire and key SAD fund-giver - is fighting his maiden Lok Sabha election - are flooding the visiting Shiromani Akali Dal leaders with an unusual money related demand: Set up ATMs. More Chandigarh News»

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