News Digest: In Kerala, Ramzan dates leave bitter taste

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

		India
		In Kerala, Ramzan dates leave bitter taste Many families breaking the Ramzan fast with the customary dates may be unwittingly consuming the fruit grown in Israel. India takes sympathetic stand on Gaza violence at UN body, calls for lifting of blockade Days after fighting in Parliament to avoid a resolution seeking to blame Israel for the current conflict in Gaza, the Narendra Modi government on Wednesday took a more 'sympathetic' stand at the UN human rights council in Geneva. Top officer says Army prepared to respond to intrusions A top officer on Wednesday said the Army is prepared "to give befitting reply to Pakistan" over infiltration attempts and ceasefire violations along the border. More India News»

		Business
		Jet Airways aims to pare debt, fleet With IndiGo dominating the domestic market and Tata Sons entering the airline business in a big way, Jet Airways has started a major restructuring exercise. World Bank chief gives thumbs up to Gujarat model The Gujarat model got an endorsement on Wednesday from no less than World Bank president Jim Yong Kim. Hike in FDI cap in insurance, pension may bring $7bn An increase in the ceiling for the insurance sector will automatically translate into a similar limit for the pension business. More Business News»

		Environment
		Super smeller? Not dogs, but African elephants It has been scientifically proven that the African elephant has the most powerful sense of smell in the entire animal kingdom. This monsoon, Delhi to get 2.2 lakh plants The forest department is planning to make the most of the monsoons — it is gearing up to plant 2,20,000 saplings in different parts of the city. The rain makes the soil moist and more conducive for plants to grow. Efforts on to monitor Himalayan glaciers Efforts are underway for the regular monitoring of the dynamics and climate studies of Himalayan glaciers, minister of state for science and technology Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. More Environment News»

		World
		Hamas rejects Gaza truce unless blockade lifted Hamas today rejected a ceasefire to end 16 days of deadly fighting with Israel unless the blockade on the Gaza Strip is lifted, its chief Khaled Meshaal said in Doha. Rebels shoot down two Ukrainian jets near MH17 site Pro-Russian rebels have shot down two Ukrainian fighter jets, a spokesman for Ukraine's military operations said on Wednesday. Death sentence given in AP photographer's killing A Kabul court announced on Wednesday that the Afghan police officer charged with killing Associated Press photographer Anja Niedringhaus and wounding veteran AP correspondent Kathy Gannon has been convicted and sentenced to death. More World News»

		Entertainment
		OMG: An actor who resembles Virat Kohli In Shashanka Ghosh’s romantic comedy Khoobsurat, a modern adaptation of the 1980 cult comedy Khubsoorat, Pakistani actor Fawad Khan plays a royal prince. 'In film industry, there is dosti but no dost' Johny Lever, 56, may have dropped out of school in Class VII, but has learnt his lessons from life. He is a giver with a lot of humility, but also a lot of self-respect. Ahead of his upcoming film Entertainment, he talks to Bombay Times about Kalyanji-Anandji’s role in his life, the miracle that changed him and why he sees comedy in death. PICS: 5 Bollywood boyfriends we wish we had More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Back-pain killer or just a placebo? Researchers are set to announce ton Thursday that the drug paracetamol is no better than a placebo at speeding recovery from acute episodes of lower back pain. Artist launches bonsai, bouquet into space Artist Azuma Makoto has teamed up with JP Aerospace to send botanical matter into space, a project which has resulted in a truly remarkable set of images. Age increases belief in love at first sight Wait until you are 35! Middle-aged people are 46% more likely to believe in love at first sight than those who are younger, according to a new US study. More Science News»

		Sports
		CWG open in colourful, moving ceremony Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the 20th edition of Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park after a moving and colourful ceremony in front of a 40,000 crowd. India's best bets at Glasgow Games In Delhi CWG, India recorded its best ever haul of 101 medals. It will struggle to repeat that at Games now underway in Glasgow, but hopes to put up good show. Turban tangle: Ministry to lodge protest A day after TOI exposed the racial discrimination faced by two Sikh basketball players during Asia Cup, the sports ministry and BFI has reacted with alacrity. More Sports News»

		Technology
		New tech companies paying big bucks for IT talent Companies like DevFactory, Exponential and Informatica are paying as much as Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh to talented freshers and mid-level programmers in India. 7 awesome Android apps not available for iPhone There are quite a few awesome apps that Android owners can use that their iPhone-using friends can't. iPad, iPhone & Mac sales go up in India This was disclosed by Apple during the course of announcement of results for the third quarter on Tuesday. More Technology News»

		Education
		After UGC's failure, CBSE to conduct NET Central Board of Secondary Education, the country's largest exam conducting body, is all set to add another test to its bouquet, the National Eligibility Test. Researchers up in arms for stipend hike While India tries to create great research and academic institutions, it now has to assuage unhappy researchers. Indian students' enrolment in German universities up more than 100% in 5 years There has been 114% increase in the number of Indian students enrolling for higher education courses there since 2008, according to the latest figures released by the regional office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Stay on decision declaring Mahim as bay The state government has stayed the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority's (MCZMA) controversial decision to declare Mahim shore as a bay and the clearing of building proposals near the coast, including a prime 5.5-acre Prabhadevi plot. CM orders probe into Sena MPs force-feeding a Muslim on fast As reports of 11 Shiv Sena MPs forcing a Muslim catering supervisor at New Delhi’s Maharashtra Sadan to eat roti during his Ramzan fast sparked nationwide outrage on Wednesday, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan ordered a probe into the incident by state chief secretary J S Saharia. Leptospirosis claims its first victim this monsoon A 41-year-old resident of Wadala became the first victim to die of leptospirosis this monsoon. Civic officials said the victim, an office assistant at a private firm, had sought treatment at a private set-up before his condition worsened. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Asaram's ashram in ridge has committed violations: Govt Government on Wednesday informed Lok Sabha that the 'ashram' of controversial godman Asaram Bapu on the ecologically sensitive central ridge of Delhi has made "certain violations". E-sub-registrar: As easy as click of mouse, register at will Parking chaos greets you outside the government complex housing the sub-registrar offices in Mehrauli, south Delhi. Hassled men and women jostle to get to a grilled window labelled as “Counter No.1“ to speak to an anxious looking staffer. Shashi Tharoor wanted to divorce Sunanda? Journalist Nalini Singh, who claimed to have spoken to Sunanda Pushkar hours before her death, has said in her statement to the magistrate that Sunanda had told her that her husband Shashi Tharoor was going to marry Pakistani journalist Mehar Tarar. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Three sports trainers picked up for questioning Varthur police on Wednesday picked up three more sports instructors for questioning from the East Bangalore school where a 6-year-old girl was allegedly raped on July 2. While skating instructor Mustafa, 30, was arrested on Sunday, the second rapist is still at large. How shady basketball coach was caught in the net For Sanvita K (name changed), a high school student from an upmarket school in north Bangalore, basketball sessions were never a happy pastime. She used to feel very uncomfortable with lewd comments from her coach, who was appointed on a temporary basis. Pvt TV channels may be banned in both Karnataka Houses Sources said Siddaramaiah held an informal meeting on Tuesday night with some senior officials of the legislature secretariat and Doordarshan to revive the proposal and ban private television channels from covering both House proceedings. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Unity in patriotism While one of the NGOs is conducting surveys in schools and colleges about awareness regarding the country and the students' knowledge about the national anthem and song, another has commenced a signature campaign for making singing of these compulsory in all educational institutes. Dark future? Going by the current supply, the Andhra Pradesh government anticipates a 100% rise in the state's power consumption over the next five years, which could well lead to more trouble on the power supply front for AP. Marathon march Scores of Adivasis op posing the Polavaramproject, will walk anastounding 325 km — from Bhadrachalam in Khammam district to Hyderabad — to register their protest against the proposed construction. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		7 college students detained for clash, let off with warning Seven college students were let off with a warning by the Washermanpet police after they were detained for a clash at a bus stop on Wednesday. RTI activists demand dismissal of info panel Continuing their protest against the indifference of the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission, RTI activists from across the state staged a day-long hunger strike at Valluvar Kottam here on Wednesday. Politico son, friend held for hit-&-run The Oragadam police have finally arrested Gopi, 21, the son of a local AIADMK functionary, and his friend K Rajesh, 20, for the hit-and-run that claimed the life of a nine-year-old boy on Sunday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Mausam tidings: Heritage wave nears Gujarat coast For centuries, monsoon winds have not only brought rains to countries of the Indian Ocean but also nurtured cultures and knowledge, besides promoting trade, engineering and religions. Kachchh: A gateway to India Gujarat has long been associated with seafaring that brought wealth to the shores since time immemorial, but also helped creating the vibrant overseas community that made foreign lands their home and initiated cultural exchange. Mausam to link 10 Gujarat sites to Indian Ocean world  Close to 10 coastal sites in Gujarat will be part of India's efforts to inscribe them as 'transnational property' on the World Heritage List of Unesco. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		CBSE to send 182 students to Japan on study tour Central Board of Secondary Education is providing an opportunity to 182 students studying from class 9 to 12 in schools affiliated with it to visit Japan this year. KV teachers accused of beating student Two senior teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Naini, have been accused of beating a class IX student resulting in injury to his eardrum. Hathras youth suicide threat creates panic The youth climbed the tower around 3pm.Upon receiving the information, police of three police stations rushed to the spot to take stock of situation. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Disabled pay fees despite order "Despite the government order to waive fees for physically challenged students, we had to pay during admission.Many of the PH category students come from poor families and it is difficult for them to pay the fees. Only 11,800 take part in OJEE counselling against 44k seats The poor response was the sharpest decline between two consecutive years as around 20,000 students had turned up during first round of counselling last year. Opposition stalls house over smugglingof iron ore Earlier during the day, leader of opposition Narsingha Mishra said the chair should reconsider this motion for debate.He said the iron ore from Thakurani was illegally exported to Chhattisgarh. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Sharma remained exam controller MPPSC without government's knowledge This fact has come to light in chargesheet of Ayurveda Medical Officers (AMOs) paper leak case presented before special court against 16 people including candidates and mediators on Tuesday. NGT takes strong exception to construction near Kaliasot Kolar municipality chief municipal officer (CMO) SS Dhakre, who was present in the court in the last hearing, was shown photographs and videos filed by applicant Subhash C Pandey. MP budget session adjourned sine die amid pandemonium Addressing the House, Speaker Sitasharan Sharma said the breach of privilege has been proposed on three allegations. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Aseemanand bail plea: NIA asked to produce chargesheet The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to produce copy of the chargesheet and the list of witnesses against Samjhauta blast case accused Swami Aseemanand in response to a bail plea. After bra that stings, innovator trying other products The young innovator from Chandigarh, who created a bra that gives an electric jolt to assaulters, will now use the same technology to produce repellant underpants, accessories and ornaments. Himachal Pradesh committed towards women welfare: CM Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday said that women were the most important pillar of society and had the right for respect and honour and they should be always held in high esteem. More Chandigarh News»

		To manage your newsletter subscription settings, click here	Other Newsletters from TOI : Movie Reviews | Life & Style | Top Headlines