News Digest: Petrol price up Rs 4, diesel rises by Rs 2.4

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, May 01, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Petrol price up Rs 4, diesel rises by Rs 2.4 State-run fuel retailers on Thursday raised the petrol price by Rs 3.96 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.37, including state levies in Delhi, on the back of hardening international fuel prices and rupee depreciation against the dollar, reports TNN. Times cares: Readers, you did us proud We are overwhelmed by your generosity. In just three days since TOI appealed to you for help to the quake victims of Nepal, there has been a deluge of relief material. Rahul may start yatra for farmers in Medak dist Three assembly constituencies, Paragi, Nirmal and Narasapur, have been shortlisted for Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s padayatra slated for the third week of this month. More India News»

		Business
		Airfares take off before summer vacation If you are planning a last minute vacation this summer, than be prepared to pay 40% to 70% more for air tickets. With the year’s longest holiday season about to begin, airlines are charging high fares to maximize their revenue. FM gives foreign investors some concession on MAT The government on Thursday provided some relief to overseas investors on the contentious issue of minimum alternate tax (MAT). MTNL introduces unlimited free local calls at night State-run telecom operator MTNL has introduced unlimited free local calling at night for its landline and broadband customers to any network, effective Friday. More Business News»

		Environment
		Emissions from power sector highest: Javadekar Environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday said green house gas emissions from residential sector was around 6.3 per cent of total national emissions, while the highest was from electricity production. Record pollution fine for McDonald's supplier in China A french fry supplier to the McDonald's restaurant chain in Chandaka eco-tourism project stuck in land transfer The authorities of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, on the outskirts of the city, have initiated a process of taking possession of a land under the Cuttack district administration and develop it into an eco-tourism site. More Environment News»

		World
		'Hillary backed US-India N-deal after donations' The theory that Indian interests funneled money to the Clinton Foundation in an effort to ensure Hillary Clinton’s support for the US – India nuclear deal ''doesn’t even come close to passing the smell test,'' a Clinton campaign spokesman has said, dismissing reports to that effect in a forthcoming book as “pre-determined partisan narrative.” 'Socialist Sanders' enters US prez race In a country where the term socialism is almost taboo, a Senator who comfortably describes himself as a ''Democratic Socialist'' has thrown his hat in the 2016 Presidential election ring, much to the delight of the liberal-leftist fringe in the United States. 10 men who attacked Malala sentenced to life imprisonment An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Thursday sentenced ten men to life imprisonment for attack on child activist Malala Yousufzai, the Dawn.com has reported. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Exclusive: Rishi Kapoor's 80-year-old look Rishi Kapoor was reluctant to even play the role of a father a few years back, but he is now playing Pulkit Samrat’s grandfather in Divya Khosla Kumar’s musical romantic film Sanam Re. Pamela Anderson to fund faux elephants Hollywood actor Pamela Anderson, who is a patron of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, has offered to pay money to make thirty realistic and portable elephants made of bamboo and papier-mâché to replace live elephants to be paraded for Thrissur Pooram. Kamal Haasan unhappy with Shruti's stilettos Akshay Kumar and Shruti Haasan, who were promoting their Friday release Gabbar Is Back, were walking into a suburban five-star hotel in Mumbai yesterday. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		First 3D-printed implant saves lives of three babies in US Scientists have for the first time successfully implanted a groundbreaking 3D-printed device to save the lives of three babies in the US suffering from a life-threatening condition that prevents normal breathing. A bird or a bat? Pigeon-sized dinosaur unearthed in China A bizarre pigeon-sized dinosaur with bat-like wings made of skin rather than feathers has been identified in China, shedding new light on the evolution of flight. China co erects 57-storey skyscraper in just 19 days A Chinese construction company is claiming to be the world’s fastest builder after erecting a 57-storey skyscraper in 19 working days in central China. More Science News»

		Sports
		Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell led Kolkata Knight Riders to an emphatic seven-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings in their IPL return leg clash. IPL: Rahul Dravid supports BCCI stand on chucking Without mentioning any individual names, Rahul Dravid came out in full support of the BCCI move to eradicate 'chuckers' from the Indian Premier League. Belgian footballer Mertens dies after collapsing on pitch The 24-year-old Belgian footballer Gregory Mertens has died three days after suffering a heart attack while playing for Lokeren's reserves against Genk. More Sports News»

		Technology
		7 recently launched budget smartphones in India Wondering which are the 7 new low-cost smartphones worth buying? Read on to find out... Microsoft opens Windows 10 to Apple, Android apps Microsoft hopes to get more people to Windows 10 by giving them access to many of the same apps as Apple or Android phones. Gionee Elife S7 review Gionne promises that its new phone won’t be just another anorexic device and will also offer improved performance and new features. More Technology News»

		Education
		IIT-Bombay best technical institute in India, Delhi University top university IIT Bombay has emerged as the best technical institute in India and one among the top 100 worldwide according to subject-wise ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a leading world university ranking agency. Shiv Nadar University announces admissions for 2015-16 Shiv Nadar University (SNU) announced the admissions for academic year 2015-16 for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs on Thursday. The university also announced the graduation of its first undergraduate class and the completion of four years of operations. Lack of toilets, playgrounds in Maharashtra's schools: CAG Maharashtra’s schools lag behind in basic facilities like toilet, drinking water, libraries and playgrounds, the comptroller and auditor general’s report for 2013-14 has revealed. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Displaced villagers now demand jobs at proposed Navi Mumbai airport Farmers of 10 villages that will be shifted to make way for the Navi Mumbai international airport are demanding one job per family at the new airport. Coupon validating machines retired after 21 years of service at railway stations Coupon validating machines (CVMs), introduced to cut down on the long queues outside booking offices at suburban railway stations 21 years ago, ceased to function from Thursday. Meow meow case: Four policemen explain links to drug peddler Baby Patankar by saying she's merely their informer Four policemen, including two from the city crime branch, have been questioned for their alleged nexus with suspected drug peddler Shashikala alias Baby Patankar, who was caught recently in connection with the seizure of 100 kg of the drug mephedrone, or meow meow. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Don't sleep on it, read the signs A prominent lawyer known for closing cases at breakneck speed recently visited a hospital complaining of poor performance and fatigue. Sleeping pills, stimulants make a dangerous cocktail Aman Mullick, 16, from South Delhi's Vasant Kunj took his passion for bodybuilding to another level. TV, phones & internet keeping kids awake Schools still teach “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise“ but children don't follow the advice. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		MUV rams 4 vehicles; 5 hurt near Bamboo Bazar, east Bengaluru Five persons, including a mother-daughter duo, sustained injuries when an MUV rammed four vehicles, including a car, on Station Road, near Bamboo Bazar, east Bengaluru, on Thursday morning. Tobacco ban will save many lives: Patients Partially covering a hole made in his throat to help him breathe, Durgaiah, 50, a farmer from Kanakapura says: "I can speak only if I cover this hole." Affected by mouth cancer, Durgaiah is one of the thousands who've become victims of chewing tobacco. HC quashes MCI circular on entrance test for NRIs The high court on Thursday quashed the January 16, 2015 circular issued by the Medical Council of India (MCI) on the entrance examination for NRI students for admission to the MBBS course from 2015-16. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Private engineering colleges up for sale About 38 private engineering college owners are planning to sell their institutions before the commencement of Eamcet this year. Andhra Pradesh to set up road safety mechanism Andhra Pradesh government has proposed to introduce a regular vigilance machinery with transport and police officials to bring down fatal road accidents. Devotee finds key ring in Tirupati temple laddu! Barely three days after the new executive board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams was announced, a devotee was shocked to find a keychain ring in one of the laddus sold as prasadam by the temple administration. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Sushma's stand on fishermen issue draws flak from TN parties A day after Union minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj advised fishermen not to trespass into Sri Lankan waters, political parties in Tamil Nadu reacted strongly, indicating it is likely to become a political issue in the days to come. Tamil Nadu awaits guidelines for smart cities With the Union cabinet approving its flagship smart cities project, Tamil Nadu is set to get a fillip to its infrastructure needs. Under the smart cities mission, each selected city will get an assistance of Rs 100 crore per annum for five years. Tangedco to stop purchase from two private power producers In the backdrop of widespread allegations about purchase of power at high costs from private power generation firms by the state power utility, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) has decided to discontinue with the power-purchase contract with two private power plants. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		'Want to wash dishes when I grow up' Standing at Shivranjani crossroads under the scorching sun, 13-year-old Vardha Solanki sells toys and balloons to pay for his education and make ends meet for a family of seven. Modi selfie: Court order on May 11 The chief judicial magistrate at the Mirzapur rural court on Thursday kept his order reserved till May 11 after concluding the hearing on the demand to add certain charges against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the selfie he had taken on the polling day in 2014. Woman slapped to death in Ahmedabad In a unsettling incident which took place in Shahibaug on 21 April, a woman, Chanchiben Dantani, 65, died after she was slapped hard and pushed by the accused. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Karwarias' bail plea to be taken up today The bail application of former BSP MP Kapil Muni Karwaria and his brother MLC Suraj Bhan Karwaria in SP MLA Jawahar Yadav murder case will be heard by the additional sessions judge (ASJ) on Thursday. Interviews for principals' post from May 18 The long-awaited interviews for filling 900 vacant posts of principals in aided colleges across the state would start from May 18. NCTE helpline to tackle anomalies, plaints If you are among the ones who want to report a given institution offering fake degrees or one that is flouting norms on appointing faculty or purposefully delaying issuing of certificates on completion of a course, help is just a call away. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		June 30 deadline for completion of toilet construction in govt schools The state government has asked all district collectors to complete the construction of toilets in schools by June end so that children can use them once the schools reopen after summer vacation. Neem tree for Jagannath at Raghunathpur Ending days of speculation, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Wednesday announced the location of the neem tree to sculpt Jagannath’s idol. Centre withdraws, Odisha govt likely to fund police modernization The state government is actively considering to fund modernization of police scheme. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Bhopal cops call ex-speaker, 4 others for questioning Former speaker of assembly Sriniwas Tiwari and four others have been called by police for questioning in case of alleged fraudulent appointment of 17 people in state assembly between 1993 and 2003. Bhopal children will get to know police functioning up close Students in state capital will understand functioning of police and will be able to contact them without any hassle. Brace for blistering heat, temperature may soar to 46 degrees celsius Get ready for scorcher of heat. Temperature in city is expected to touch 46 degrees celsius mark in May, hottest month of the year. More Bhopal News»

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News Digest: Rare sculptures thrown out as modern temple comes up at ancient Pallava site

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, April 30, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rare sculptures thrown out as modern temple comes up at ancient Pallava site A year ago, when a group of people approached the villagers of Thatchur near Kallakurichi in Villupuram district to construct a temple on an ancient Pallava site, little did they realise that it would be at the cost of some rare 9th century sculptures. Nepal earthquake: The rock cover saved us, says Everest veteran Love Raj He is one of India’s top mountaineers who has summited Mount Everest five times. This was to be his sixth attempt. Govt does volte face, asks TN fishermen not to trespass into Lankan waters Reiterating the Centre's stand that Tamil Nadu fishermen should not cross the international maritime boundary line (IMBL), external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday advised a fishermen delegation that met her in New Delhi not to trespass into Sri Lankan waters and invite trouble. More India News»

		Business
		Vedanta writes down Rs 20k cr on oil business In the biggest write-down in India’s corporate history, Anil Agarwal-led Sesa Sterlite, which was renamed as Vedanta last week, has been hit hard by falling crude prices as it booked nearly Rs 20,000 crore ($3 billion) as “goodwill impairment charges” related to its oil and gas business. RBI fines 3 banks Rs 4.5cr, cautions 8 in FD fraud The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 crore each on Dena Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Oriental Bank of Commerce and cautioned eight other public sector banks following its investigation into last year’s fixed deposit fraud. Govt, FIIs agree to seek fast-tracking of MAT case The government and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) — which have been contesting income tax department’s minimum alternate tax (MAT) demand — have mutually agreed to seek fast-tracking of the dispute, which is now in the Supreme Court. More Business News»

		Environment
		Chandaka eco-tourism project stuck in land transfer The authorities of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, on the outskirts of the city, have initiated a process of taking possession of a land under the Cuttack district administration and develop it into an eco-tourism site. India plans to have more clean coal technology: Minister India plans to go in for more clean coal technology as thermal power will continue to be mainstay in India's energy mix, Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. Groups decry whale entanglements off US coast Conservationists on Tuesday called for new safeguards for gray whales and humpbacks after a record number of the federally protected mammals got entangled in fishing gear in coastal waters off California, Oregon and Washington. More Environment News»

		World
		Charlie Hebdo cartoonist says will no longer draw Prophet Cartoonist Luz, who drew Charlie Hebdo's front cover picture of the prophet following the massacre of the satirical weekly's editorial team by jihadists in January, has said he will no longer draw the prophet. Nepal PM faces fury of earthquake victims Protests on Wednesday greeted Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala in relief camps as anger spilled over to the streets with people seizing food and water supplies, four days after a devastating quake claimed over 6,000 lives. US supreme court split on same-sex union In its storied existence of over 225 years, the US Supreme Court has heard cases on such seminal matters as slavery, segregation, free speech, executive privilege and right to privacy. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'There were people crying and collapsing' Having spent three days in Kathmandu after the horrifying earthquakes, Jannat director Kunal Deshmukh returned to Mumbai Tuesday early morning with his girlfriend Sonali Rattan, who was with him during this time. Director apologises to his Bollywood friends RJ Anirudh Chawla, who has directed one of India’s first reality films Sabki Bajegi Band, produced by Yusuf Shaikh, had recorded candid conversations on sex and relationships. 5 Bollywood boyfriends we wish we had Die hard romantic: That one look which melts your heart and that one touch which runs shivers in your body, who doesn't want a boyfriend like Shah Rukh Khan? More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Low awareness, stigma delay autism diagnosis It took five years for Sushant Sharma to understand that what he considered poor learning abilities of his child were in reality the initial signs of a neurodevelopment disorder called autism. Why smartphone batteries sometimes explode Scientists have been able to track the entire process of what happens inside lithium-ion batteries that leads to their overheating and exploding. Indian Institute on responsible conduct of science, research launched The first ever Indian Institute on responsible conduct of science and research will be based in Mangaluru. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL 2015: Bangalore-Rajasthan match abandoned due to rain Rain played a spoilsport as IPL 8 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals has been abandoned after RCB posted 200/7. IPL: Sunil Narine banned from bowling off-spinners In another setback for Sunil Narine, the Windies bowler has been barred from bowling off-spinners in all matches organised by BCCI, including the ongoing IPL. Real Madrid, Atletico facing transfer bans: Reports Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid could be banned from registering new players for a year for irregularities in the signing of minors, Spanish radio reported. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Galaxy S6 edge vs iPhone 6: The big shootout Samsung’s latest flagship Galaxy S6 edge is now available in the Indian market for purchase. 'Samsung replaces Apple as top smartphone maker' Samsung Electronics has said it expects earnings to rise in Q2 after posting its highest profit in three quarters in January-March. Gionee Elife S7 review Gionne promises that its new phone won’t be just another anorexic device and will also offer improved performance and new features. More Technology News»

		Education
		DU, JNU, IIT depts make it to global top 100 list Indian universities might struggle to make the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings list, but their individual departments are amongst the best in the world. Delhi University tops the list, achieving the highest rank of all 20 Indian universities that have made the cut, while being placed 17th globally on the development studies subject table. Funds crunch slows down restoration work at Andhra University Shortage of funds has slowed down the repair and Hudhud debris clearance work at Andhra University, which suffered considerable damage due to cyclone Hudhud last year. Gujarat: Cheats proffer staple excuses to exam board Students nabbed for using unfair means at exam centres across Gujarat are now facing the music and the excuses they are coming up are uncannily similar. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'PM should not vilify nation on foreign soil' NCP President and former union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over Prime Minister Narendra Modi critical remarks against his own country on foreign soil. JJ doctors perform rare surgery on man When 27-year-old Bambam Kumar Mandal walked into JJ Hospital’s casualty ward on March 16 with complaints of intense chest pain and vomiting, doctors realized they had a rarest of rare case at hand. State unwilling to bring the guilty to book, say kin of slain activists When it comes to the murder of activists in Maharashtra, the state machinery seems to come to a grinding halt. That’s something Mukta Dabholkar, daughter of slain anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar, Megha Pansare, daughter-in-law of veteran communist Govind Pansare and Sandeep Shetty, brother of slain RTI activist Satish Shetty, know all too well. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Eminent personalities participate in the 6th anniversary of Forward Press held in Delhi "A caste-ridden society is worse than a society of slavery, and even apartheid," said Arundhati Roy, during a function held at the Constitution Club, New Delhi, on Wednesday to mark the sixth anniversary of Forward Press. Bulldozers back, Rangpuri squatters homeless again Tension gripped Rangpuri Pahari, a settlement area in south Delhi near Vasant Kunj, again on Tuesday evening when DDA officials came with earthmovers and police force to raze shanties. Stricter emission norms only on paper The debate over air pollution due to vehicular emissions is not new. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Learn 1.6L Kannada words in English Fascinated by Kannada words but fumble when it comes to their English translation? Here's something that will come in handy. Autos, buses off roads in Bengaluru; airport cabs to operate About 1.2 lakh autorickshaws will go off Bengaluru roads on Thursday as transport unions join the All India Transport Congress strike against the Road Transport and Safety Bill. Heavy rain brings down flag at memorial The monumental flag at the National Military Memorial, Chowdaiah Road, Bengaluru, is one of 11 such flags in the country that are not lowered at sunset, like others. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Stuck at 18k feet, mountaineers from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh cry for help  Stranded at 17,598 feet above sea level for five consecutive days, 20 mountaineers from the two states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are now desperately calling out for help. Kargil veteran looks to crowd-funding to save his son With the army withdrawing financial support for his terminally-ill seven-year-old son Mihir, battling with a rare congenital genetic disorder at a corporate hospital for the last ten months, city-based Kargil war veteran Manoj Kumar Sikdar has decided to go for crowd-funding to meet the medical expenses. Rs 1,000 crore to make Hyderabad 'swachh' The state government announced Rs 1000 crore for ‘Swachh Hyderabad’ programme that will launched on May 16, aimed at transforming the Telangana capital into a clean city. More Hyderabad News»

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		Ahmedabad
		Ahmedabad citizens offer helping hand by the glassful The burning heat where even a glass of water becomes a panacea has spawned water philanthropy in the city. Gujarat govt to appoint 496 Adhyapak Sahayaks The commissioner of higher education has decided to appoint 496 Adhyapak Sahayaks in arts, commerce and home science streams in the 164 grant-in-aid and government colleges. Poor quality plastic items banned in Ahmedabad From Friday this week, bags, tea cups, and wares made of poor quality plastic will be banned from all vending points in the city. We Amdavadis are plastic addicts. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Karwarias' bail plea to be taken up today The bail application of former BSP MP Kapil Muni Karwaria and his brother MLC Suraj Bhan Karwaria in SP MLA Jawahar Yadav murder case will be heard by the additional sessions judge (ASJ) on Thursday. Interviews for principals' post from May 18 The long-awaited interviews for filling 900 vacant posts of principals in aided colleges across the state would start from May 18. NCTE helpline to tackle anomalies, plaints If you are among the ones who want to report a given institution offering fake degrees or one that is flouting norms on appointing faculty or purposefully delaying issuing of certificates on completion of a course, help is just a call away. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Neem tree for Jagannath at Raghunathpur Ending days of speculation, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Wednesday announced the location of the neem tree to sculpt Jagannath’s idol. Centre withdraws, Odisha govt likely to fund police modernization The state government is actively considering to fund modernization of police scheme. Govt to recruit 31 sportspersons in Odisha police As part of its policy for direct recruitment of meritorious sportspersons in police force, the state government would offer appointment order to 31 talents in the first phase. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Rajasthan losing its big cats to Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan seems to be losing its tigers to Madhya Pradesh. State forest officials and members of world wildlife federation (WWF) have found sub-adult tiger T-71 – fourth in the row – that strayed from Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger reserve on Sunday. Engineering colleges drive home students' safety to drivers A week after an accident in which a girl student lost her life, engineering colleges on April 22 have decided to organize regular training programmes for bus drivers and conductors for making them aware of driving with safety of students. Mayor's vehicle hit by speeding car in BRTS Like local residents in state capital, mayor and civic body commissioner are not left unaffected by brazen driving in bus rapid transit system (BRTS). Both were jolted by a drunken speeding vehicle that rammed official car of Bhopal Mayor Alok Sharma along BRTS on Saturday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Exporters to Nepal keeping their fingers crossed At a time Nepal is counting the losses caused by the earthquake, the industries that export many products to Nepal are also suffering losses, because their payments have been stuck, and business would take a long time to normalize, further adding to their woes. Now, land at Amritsar airport in zero visibility One can now fly to Amritsar without worrying about flight diversions during heavily foggy days as the work for installation of CAT III-B instrument landing system (ILS) has begun at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, which will enable the aircraft to land in zero visibility. Help pours out for quake victims There's been an outpouring of support for providing aid to the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal on Saturday. More Chandigarh News»

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