News Digest: 'Snoopgate' probe likely to be given quiet burial

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, June 23, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		'Snoopgate' probe likely to be given quiet burial The previous UPA government's controversial move to order a probe into the 'Snoopgate' affair may get a quiet burial. Kerala Congress leaders serving as governors should resign, KPCC leader says KPCC spokesman Pandalam Sudhakaran on Sunday said two state Congress leaders who are serving as governors should resign. PM to witness launch of Isro's international mission PM Narendra Modi will witness Isro’s all-international endeavour—the PSLV-C23 mission—slated for lift off at 9.49am on June 30, at Sriharikota. More India News»

		Business
		Top 50 loan defaulters to face action The government has asked banks to launch an offensive against the country’s top 50 loan defaulters to change the perception that state-run lenders tend to be soft towards large borrowers while giving little leeway to retail borrowers and SMEs. TPG may buy surgical equipment company Sutures PG — an existing investor with about a 22% stake — could buyout another shareholder and India-focused private equity fund CX Partners which has 30% ownership in the company, sources told TOI. Staffing companies join search for women leaders On their part, global recruitment firms like Antal International and Amrop are conducting in-depth analysis to map women leaders. This has become necessary as companies are determined to fill certain leadership posts with women. More Business News»

		Environment
		Emperor penguins adapting to climate change: Study Emperor penguins may be adapting to climate change better than expected, according to a new study which offers insights on the future of the species. UN enlists legal help to crack down on environmental crime The United Nations will seek ways to toughen environmental laws this week to crack down on everything from illegal trade in wildlife to mercury poisoning and hazardous waste. Scientists oppose defence radar project in Andaman islands Narcondam Hornbill, just about 350 of its kind and who live in the smallest habitat and only in India, may lose their island home if a defence radar project on the Narcondam island in the Andamans gets a green nod. More Environment News»

		World
		Israeli air strikes target Syria The Israeli military says it has carried out airstrikes on a number of military targets inside Syria, including the military headquarters, in response to a cross-border attack that left an Israeli teenager dead. Pope excommunicates mafia for 'adoration of evil' The pope excommunicated the mafia on Saturday, blasting a group that is thought to be the most powerful organized crime group in the world. Former POW Bergdahl discharged from hospital Bergdahl was transferred from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, to the nearby Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, said Army spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Carol McClelland. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Why is Hrithik Roshan texting newbies? Hrithik Roshan has taken a leaf out of Amitabh Bachchan’s book Holiday enters the 100 crore club! A R Murugadoss has done it twice. Akshay Kumar has done it thrice over. Both have entered the 100-cr club with their latest offering Holiday — A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. 5 TV celebs who are compulsive liars Here we list down 5 TV celebs who are compulsive liars More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Rare materials key to faster, reliable computer memory Researchers are studying a rare class of materials which could lead to faster, more reliable memory storage in computers. Time travel simulated using light particle Einstein's theory suggests the possibility of travelling backwards in time by following a space-time path that returns to the starting point in space, but at an earlier time — a closed timelike curve. Nasa to send astronauts a million miles into space to build massive telescope for alien hunt Scientists have announced plans to build a telescope that may give us clues to whether alien life exists on planets millions of miles away. More Science News»

		Sports
		Portugal stay in hunt with draw vs US Silvestre Varela equalised in the dying seconds to earn Portugal a 2-2 draw against the US and keep alive their hopes of progressing into the next round. Andy Murray looks to defend title Andy Murray walked into the pre-tournament press conference sporting a tee that underlined his intentions. 'Break your own record,' it screamed. 'Stupid' to say Brazil will pick opponent Scolari said it would be "stupid" to think Brazil would consider playing deliberately for a draw against Cameroon in order to choose its second-round opponent. More Sports News»

		Technology
		SAP India files complaint about malicious emails SAP Labs India has filed a police complaint in Bangalore alleging that malicious and offensive emails were sent to its German board members. Flipkart to hire 12,000 in 2014 Flipkart will hire 12,000 people this year to beef up its support and tech operations as the firm witnesses strong surge in online shopping. Review: Zoook ZP-PB4400 portable charger For a smartphone user, a portable charger or a power bank has fast become an indispensable accessory. Here's our review of the Zoook ZP-PB4400 portable charger. More Technology News»

		Education
		Need a complete overhaul Currently, India’s education system is not immune to prejudices that affect the rest of society. Gender, caste, creed, regional , religious and ethnic discriminations, as seen in our society, are reflected in our colleges and universities as well. UK universities launch PG programme in sensor and imaging systems The University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom have jointly launched a one year MSc course in sensor and imaging systems. Rise and shine in new career options In a social milieu where most have prefixed notions of their children following the conventional career path, this does come as a surprise. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Two cops booked for torturing Bhiwandi teenager Two unidentified officers from Nizampura police station in Bhiwandi have been booked for allegedly torturing a 16-year-old labourer to force him to confess to stealing 1kg gold Too early to worry about scanty rain in Mumbai, says weather department A week after the arrival of monsoon, neither the island city nor the suburbs have received even 100mm of rainfall. The scanty rainfall is in sharp contrast to last year’s trend when the city saw about a third of the annual average rainfall in the first 10 days of monsoon. In 16 days, 5 air misses in Mumbai The air traffic control services in the country are provided by the AAI. An increase in near miss incidents over the congested Mumbai skies is primarily the organization’s concern More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		IGI infrastructure faces summer test This summer, IGI’s domestic terminal has already witnessed a 1.5-2-fold rise in footfall compared to the offpeak period. The rush that began in May is likely to continue till August. Pension relief for ex-teacher, NHRC notice to DU, college National Human Rights Commission has charged Delhi University and Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College with human rights violation and putting the life of a former professor at stake. Indian Bank at Tihar to hire inmates Tihar Jail inmates with proven good conduct and qualifications will soon be working at “non-sensitive” positions at the Indian Bank branch at the prison. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		When city traffic halts ambulances, lives Death does strike aboard the ambulance too but there is no way it is declared as such. Most ‘brought dead’ and ‘died en route’ cases happen where there is a time lapse in shifting the patient from one place to another due to traffic snarls, the bane of Bangalore. Woman tout with Rs 5 crore prompted BDA raid A tip-off that a woman tout would bring a whopping Rs 5-crore bribe to the BDA headquarters on Friday prompted the unprecedented raid by the Lokayukta on the agency’s office, sources privy to the operation said. Council nominations: BJP delegation meets governor The BJP state unit on Sunday urged governor HR Bhardwaj to reject the government's reported recommendation to nominate five party functionaries to the legislative council, alleging it violates constitutional provisions. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Crisis-hit govt plans bungalows The severe financial crunch notwithstanding, KCR has promised office cum residential complex for the MPs, including 17 members of Lok Sabha and seven Rajya Sabha in Hyderabad, at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore. DRDO scientist attacked by juvenile thief at Charminar A senior defence scientist at a military facility in Koraput in Odisha was attacked with a razor blade by a juvenile thief in the crowded Charminar area on Sunday. Though he suffered bleeding injuries, he is said to be stable. Andhra engineer abducted by Bodo terrorists An engineer from Andhra Pradesh was kidnapped in Maribaon district of Assam reportedly by Bodo militants who have demanded Rs 6 crore for his release. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Granite wall tiles fall at Chennai airport's departure hall Three huge wall tiles fell off near the departure hall of the domestic terminal at Chennai airport on Saturday night.According to airport officials, no passengers were injured in the accident. Forum tells travel portal to refund Rs 90,000 Quashing the 'erroneous' order of a district forum, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed online travel portal, MakeMyTrip to return Rs 90,000 to a senior citizen who had booked a Europe tour package. Rama Narayanan, veteran director, producer, dies at 65 Veteran director and producer Rama Narayanan died in Singapore on Sunday following a brief illness.He was 65 years old and is survived by a son. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Top airlines add Gujarati food to their menu In view of the Gujaratis' love for their state's cuisine, some leading international airlines are offering Gujarati food on long-distance flights taking off from Ahmedabad airport. 'Bandobast man' bids adieu to Rath Yatra After 33 years of duty, the 'bandobast man' - as he was popularly called - IPS officer A I Bunet bids adieu to Rath Yatra this year. Sachin Tendulkar's oldest fan 'hits century' Sachin Tendulkar may have retired at the age of 40 after scoring 100 hundreds, but one of his oldest fans Chimanlal Bhogilal Shah just got into the 100th year of his life and is still going strong. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Traffic cops challan over 130 vehicles Acting tough against over speeding and over-loaded vehicles, teams of traffic police personnel equipped with camera speed radars, on Saturday, issued challans to over 130 defaulters at Maharana Pratap crossing. Raillways cancels few trains Due to operational reasons the railway administration has decided to cancel a few trains on specific dates.Udyan Abha Toofan Express (13007) from Howrah to Shriganaganagar will be cancelled on June 21. CPM criticizes Modi govt decision The CPI (ML) has criticized the NDA government's decision to implement UPA II resolution of a steep hike in rail fare and freight charges. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Unique art event at railway station Visitors to the city's railway station on Saturday stopped for a while to have a look at artists busy painting. A U Singhdeo, Bhupinder Singh set to get Rajya Sabha berths The election of Bhupinder and AU to the House of Elders seems to be a foregone conclusion as the opposition Congress and BJP do not have the numbers to field a nominee for the July 3 bypolls. 140 junior engineers trapped for 'bungling' Phailin funds Vigilance officials on Saturday registered a case against the gram panchayat technical assistance (GPTA) in Buguda block of Ganjam district for allegedly misappropriating funds meant for Phailin victims. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Detained medics in MPPEB scam are scapegoats, scream students Student community in Bhopal is outraged over inhuman treatment meted out to medics detained for their alleged involvement in MPPEB scam. Cutting across courses, they said in unison such students were made scapegoat. Youth thrashed over theft allegation, ends life Upset over being thrashed brutally for alleged diesel theft, a youth hanged himself to death in Betul district. Brother-in-law rapes 12-year-old in Bhind A 12-year-old girl was raped by her brother-in-law in Ratwa village of Bhind district on the night of June 19.Survivor is admitted to district hospital for treatment. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		North American Punjabi Association seeks rehabilitation of youths returning from Iraq North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has welcomed the decision of Punjab government to bear the entire expenditure for safe return of Punjabi youths who have been abducted in Iraq. Power engineers end agitation; to attend snags after work hours In a relief from delay in resumption of power after technical snags, power engineers of Punjab have decided to discontinue their "work to rule" agitation, which they were observing since the past around three months. AAP's prominent NRI supporter says 'party down, but not out' Neither did Panag make it to the parliament nor did the several other party candidates in the country, barring Punjab. More Chandigarh News»

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