News Digest: Drop in cattle seizures on Indo-Bangla border during NDA regime

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, April 19, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Drop in cattle seizures on Indo-Bangla border during NDA regime The statement, gelling well with BJP’s oft-repeated commitment to cow protection, created much flutter on the social media with comments both in support of and against the statement. 40% of highway projects delayed, majority of them managed by NHAI Going by the trends, delay in completion of projects could be the biggest challenge for Narendra Modi government in meeting its target of building 30 km roads and highway by May 2016, the timeline set by highways minister Nitin Gadkari. Congress launches website to counter Govt over land bill Congress has launched a virtual platform to provide information on the land acquisition bill and counter the “false claims” of BJP government on the issue, a move designed to keep the pot boiling on the contentious law and tap the anger among landowners. More India News»

		Business
		Odisha govt extends lease period of 26 mines Odisha government on Saturday extended the lease period of 26 mines and issued orders to the companies to execute supplementary lease deeds within three months, a top government official said on Saturday. Russia to invest $2bn to build gas pipeline in Pak Russia will invest a whopping $2 billion in Pakistan to build a 1,100-kilometre pipeline from southern port city of Karachi to Lahore to transport liquefied natural gas. Oil prices fall for first time in seven days World oil prices ran out of steam Friday after six days of gains, amid concerns about abundant global supplies, heightened by quota-breaking OPEC production. More Business News»

		Environment
		Arun Jaitley asks world to help make coal greener The finance minister also enlisted what India has voluntarily been doing to play its part toward solving the common problem, despite the country’s “basic development challenge of serious energy deficiency”. No greater threat to planet than climate change: Obama US president Barack Obama said today that climate change poses the world's biggest single threat. In a first, University of Hyderabad to have bio-reserve After years of neglect and rampant poaching of wild animals inside its sprawling campus, the University of Hyderabad has finally woken up to the issue and said it will develop 250 acres of land on its campus into a bio-reserve and wildlife corridor, a first such move in the country. More Environment News»

		World
		Germans protest against Europe-US trade deal Thousands of people marched in Berlin, Munich and other German cities on Saturday in protest against a planned free trade deal between Europe and the United States that they fear will erode food, labor and environmental standards. Afghan blast kills 33; president blames ISIS A suicide bomber in Afghanistan's eastern city of Jalalabad killed 33 people and injured more than 100 on Saturday, setting off a blast outside a bank where government workers collect salaries, the city's police chief said. Japanese population falls to 15-year low Marking another chapter in the curious case of Japan’s population, newly released government figures have revealed the country’s numbers fell for the fourth straight year. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Aamna Shariff is pregnant Aamna Shariff, who tied the knot with producer Amit Kapoor on December 27, 2013, is expecting her first child. Bollywood celeb kids and the property they own Promising actresses: Why did they disappear Diana Penty: Supermodel Diana Penty became an instant star with her to-die-for looks and natural acting skills. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Artificial blood vessel created to help test medical devices Researchers have created an artificial blood vessel that can be used to study both the application and effects of devices used to extract life-threatening blood clots in the brain. Artificial blood vessel helps test medical devices Researchers have created an artificial blood vessel that can be used to study both the application and effects of devices used to extract life-threatening blood clots in the brain. WWII ship found 'intact' in Pacific Experts have discovered a World War II US aircraft carrier that is “amazingly intact” despite languishing on the bottom of the Pacific for more than 60 years. More Science News»

		Sports
		Andre Russell powers Kolkata to four-wicket win over Punjab Andre Russell smashed a breathtaking 36-ball 66 to power Kolkata Knight Riders to four-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in their Indian Premier League clash. Djokovic downs Nadal to reach Monte Carlo Masters final Top-ranked Novak Djokovic overcame a strong challenge from Rafael Nadal to reach the Monte Carlo Masters final with a 6-3, 6-3 win on Saturday. Duminy steers Delhi to a thrilling victory over Hyderabad Skipper Jean-Paul Duminy led from the front with a brilliant all-round display as Delhi Daredevils pipped Sunrisers Hyderabad by four runs in a thrilling match. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Buying a budget smartphone? 5 things to remember The budget smartphone segment has grown by leaps and bound. You no longer need to empty your wallet to get a good phone with all the bells and whistles. Review: Asus Zenfone 2, the first 4GB RAM phone Though 4GB of RAM is not really utilized to its full extent on mobile devices now, but with apps designed for 64-bit CPUs on the way, Asus Zenfone 2 is also a future-ready smartphone that will probably serve for quite a long time. Xi calls on PM Modi to help build China's Bengaluru The historic city of Xi'an in northwest China is busy developing a new software city inspired by the Bengaluru model. More Technology News»

		Education
		Probe ordered into grant of permission to nursing colleges in Chandigarh Officials in Haryana have allowed admissions in more than half-a-dozen private nursing colleges even without recognition from the Indian Nursing Council and a no-objection (NOC) certificate from the state government. Delegation from UK varsity visits Chandigarh's PEC varsity A delegation from Engineering School of Swansea University, Wales, the UK, visited PEC University of Technology on Saturday to explore the possibility of collaborations for enhancement and research and development activities. PU electrician's son fulfils father's dream, gets into IIM It took Ram Narain Shukla four attempts to clear the Common Admission Test (CAT) and five years to get to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) of his choice. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Dirty dancing with bar girl, 2 cops suspended Two constables from Manpada police station in Dombivli have been suspended for dancing and behaving obscenely with bargirls. Less than half of pupils confirm RTE admission Less than half of the students from economically weaker sections have confirmed admissions for the 25% seats reserved under the Right to Education (RTE) Act in the city’s unaided non-minority schools. Fee hike row: Parents told to sign bond Close to 40 parents protesting against the alleged fee hike at JBCN International School, Borivli, have been asked to sign an agreement over the pending fees till Monday, failing which the school might expel the students, one of the parents alleged. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Teachers protest in Delhi Demanding permanent employment, hundreds of contractual guest teachers on Saturday protested outside the residence of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Mathura Road. Court exemption to DU ex-VC The Delhi University’s former vice-chancellor, Deepak Pental, who is an accused in a case of forgery, cheating and plagiarism along with another person, was on Saturday granted exemption from personal appearance for the day by a court on health grounds. Kejriwal, Sisodia in court Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Saturday appeared before a court in connection with a criminal defamation complaint filed against them by former union minister Kapil Sibal’s son Amit Sibal. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		All the world's a stage Last month, a piece of news made music observers in the country exult quietly Mumbai-bred and now LA based electronic DJ-producer Ritesh D'Souza, along with classical pianist and vocalist Tara Mae, would be playing early this month at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival as B.R.E.E.D. Sunny side up Solar energy is on the cusp of a big leap from being a niche, clean-energy alternative to a mainstream source of power. In Bengaluru, more and more buildings and apartments are going solar. Bengaluru downs shutters for an entire day Enforced holiday: The Bandh, Called By Pro-Kannada Outfits, Was Total And Peaceful. It Inconvenienced Citizens And Hit Mobility And Business Dream of bank job ends in nightmare. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Autopsy of 6 woodcutters shot dead by AP police done A three-member medical team from Osmania University performed the postmortem examinations on the bodies of the six woodcutters at the Tiruvannamalai government general hospital following a direction by the Andhra Pradesh high court on Saturday. OMC experts conduct autopsy on six bodies They were among the 20 workers shot dead by Andhra Pradesh special task force personnel on charges of smuggling red sanders from the Seshachalam forest range in Chittoor. HC must be approached for justice in Alair killings, says Kodandaram Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman N Kodandaram on Saturday strongly suggested that various groups cutting across religious lines should approach the high court to seek justice for the encounter of undertrials in Alair. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Parks that hit the mark From the healing garden of Sterling Rd to the Touch and Smell Garden of Taramani, here's a look at the `theme' parks of Chennai. School of thought - early learners Babes in arms are heading to school now for sessions on music, art, crawling, and walking. 3 leopards shifted from Kodanad in one month, activists cry foul Tamil Nadu forest officials have trapped and translocated three leopards from Kodanad area in the Nilgiris district in the last one month, violating guidelines and raising the hackles of wildlife experts. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Tommy, Mala sent to judicial custody A special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court on Saturday sent the two accused in the Rs 4,000 crore cricket betting scam to judicial custody after they were brought by Enforcement Directorate (ED) from Vadodara. 5 held for stir against sugar factory City crime branch and Ellisbridge police on Friday night detained five persons — Romel Sutaria, Yakub Gamit, Sanjay Gamit, Nitesh Gamit and Jayesh Solanki — of Vyara Taluka of Tapi district. Woman accuses husband of repeated rape, brutality A 36-year-old woman from Shahpur accused her husband of rape and brutality in a complaint with Shahpur police. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		PMJDY helps BJP connect with Dalits The popular Prime Minister Jan-Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) has left an impact among Dalits of Kashi Kshetra. UPSRTC's women-only buses soon The Nirbhaya Fund would be used in providing safety to women in long-route and city buses operated by Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). Teachers stumped by basic questions Most of the 'would be' primary teachers of Pratapgarh district lack even basic knowledge of the subject that they studied in graduation. Pratapgarh's Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) said that most of the shiksha mitras who were to be regularized as teachers, even failed to answer questions which even a class VI student would find easy to answer. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		500m trench dug up for Forest Park road expansion turns into cesspool A 500-metre-long trench dug up for the purpose of widening the stretch of road from Sishu Bhawan and Airport square in the posh Forest Park locality has turned into a cesspool of drain water, sewage and garbage. Train set on fire near Puri after man is run over A mob set fire to the Barbil-Puri Express at Delang station in Puri district on Friday, reacting with anger to the death of a passenger who was run over by the same train at the same station on Thursday evening. Archery contest aims to reform Similipal's 'traditional' poachers The forest department has hit upon a novel plan to divert the attention of villagers engaged in poaching. An archery competition was held for the poachers as well as other villagers at Bahalda in Dukura range of Mayurbhanj district on Friday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Emergency landing of a private jet at Bhopal airport A private jet from United Kingdom took an emergency landing at Raja Bhoj airport in the evening after witnessing technical snag in the engine. 1.5L new files retrieved from scam hard disc may open can of worms Madhya Pradesh special task force (STF) retrieved as many as 1.5 lakh new files from hard discs seized from five different computers of MPPEB chief system analyst Nitin Mohindra. MPERC hike domestic, industrial power tariff Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) on Friday announced a 9% hike in domestic power tariff. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Alleging delay in monthly pension, old man sets himself ablaze near Chandigarh A septuagenarian set himself ablaze for allegedly not receiving his old age pension in the morning here on Saturday. DTO, bus operators at loggerheads, 7 arrested More than 100 school bus operators in Bathinda were roughed up by police on Saturday after they allegedly refused to surrender their more than 15 years old vehicles to the transport department. Police unearth betting racket in Rewari The special cell of police busted a gang of bookies involved in betting on IPL T20 cricket matches and arrested seven persons. More Chandigarh News»

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