News Digest: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says he tried to halt Isis's campaign of violence

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, March 29, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says he tried to halt Isis's campaign of violence Spiritual leader, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has revealed that he reached out to Isis in an effort to try and bring an end to its campaign of violence and killing. Aligarh Muslim University VC's unique method to find his successor draws flak Aligarh Muslim University vice-chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah has found a unique and unprecedented way to appoint his successor. Coalgate sees first conviction In the first conviction in the coal blocks allocation scam that had created a political storm during the UPA-2 regime, a special court on Monday convicted Jharkhand Ispat Pvt Ltd (JIPL) and its two directors, R S Rungta and R C Rungta, in the North Dhandu coal block allocation scam case. More India News»

		Business
		Will rely on state miners to meet coal target: Govt India will meet its target of doubling coal production by 2020 without the help of private miners, power minister Piyush Goyal said, ruling out new measures to entice cash-strapped companies to begin mining the commodity. Govt to infuse Rs 1,675 cr in Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank State-run banks Syndicate Bank and UCO Bank are issuing shares to the government on a preferential basis to raise a total Rs 1,675 crore. Parliament has approved Rs 5,050 crore for meeting additional expenditure on recapitalisation of public sector banks earlier this month. Tata Sons proposes to increase stake in AirAsia India Tata Sons on Monday proposed to increase its stake in AirAsia India from 41.06 per cent to 49 per cent. Since the start of operations on June 12, 2014, the Indo-Malaysian airline has acquired a fleet of six aircraft and carried over 1.8 million passengers. More Business News»

		Environment
		Chinese man hands over rare Assam monkey to reserve A Chinese man returned a rare Assam macaque to a nature reserve in Yunnan province, after keeping it as a pet for 14 years, the local nature reserve bureau said. The man who kept the macaque in his home said he took it home after he saw people injuring its hands while trying to capture it. Agasthiarmalai Reserve gets Unesco honour Agasthiarmalai Biosphere Reserve is among the seven reserves, such as Beaver Hills in Canada and Balmbangan in Indonesia, added in the Unesco list this year. Inclusion of the site in the network would be a recognition of the conservation measures taken up there, say forest officials. These can help blackbucks survive in urban landscape Providing wildlife refuges even in the form of small protected areas in the increasingly urbanised landscape can help hoofed mammals, including blackbuck, survive, Indian researchers have found. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama to meet South Korea, Japan leaders US President Barack Obama would hold a trilateral meeting with leaders of South Korea and Japan on March 31 to discuss the threat posed by North Korea on the sidelines of Nuclear Security Summit, the White House has said. Syria's Palmyra can be restored 'in five years' Syria's antiquities chief said on Monday that his department would need five years to restore the ancient ruins of Palmyra damaged by the Islamic State jihadists. The Islamic State sparked a global outcry when they started destroying Palmyra's treasured monuments after taking the city in May 2015. Hanged killer's backers block Islamabad's 'red zone' Thousands of supporters of Mumtaz Qadri, who was hanged for killing liberal Punjab province governor Salman Taseer, held the Pakistani capital's high-security red zone under siege on Monday and demanded that the Islamist assassin be declared a "martyr". More World News»

		Entertainment
		First look: Aishwarya stuns in 'Sarbjit' song Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks resplendent in a red salwar kameez in a Punjabi folk song from Omung Kumar’s Sarbjit. Kangana: I love my underdog success story Her real story is unusual. Her screen roles are one of a kind. And her success is remarkable. Three National Awards in a span of seven years, is indeed an exceptional feat. Kangana Ranaut won her third National Award for her spectacular double role in Tanu Weds Manu Returns. She’s up in the mountains in Manali, and giddy with excitement, but we caught up for a quick chat. Shraddha-Aditya to get intimate for 'OK Jaanu' The actors will be seen doing an intense love making scene for the film. Given that the film sees the two in a live-in relation, there will be quite a few intimate scene between the duo. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Sunbathing may up life expectancy' Women who sunbathe might live longer despite risk of melanoma, researchers have found. Seven million Americans threatened by human-induced quakes Washington, March 28, 2016 (AFP) -Around seven million people in the United States live in areas at risk of damaging, human-induced earthquakes that are often linked to fracking, a report out Monday said. Pandora shares plunge as cofounder returns as CEO New York, March 28, 2016 (AFP) -Shares of Pandora plunged Monday as news that co-founder Tim Westergren was returning as chief executive failed to ignite confidence in the group's long-term prospects. More Science News»

		Sports
		World T20: Amla fifty seals easy win for South Africa Hashim Amla scored an unbeaten fifty to guide South Africa to a win in their final match of the ICC World T20 against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Monday. SA vs SL, Talking Points: Twin strikes and a horrible decision TOI takes you through the major talking points as South Africa defeated Sri Lanka on Monday to return home from the ICC World T20 on a positive note. How Kohli-Dhoni planned winning onslaught against Oz Virat Kohli, who mastered India's successful run-chase against Australia to take his team through to semi-finals at Mohali on Sunday, has admitted that he has "never played an innings" in a situation where 39 were needed in last three overs. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Facebook apologizes for Lahore blast 'Safety Check' error Social media giant Facebook has apologised to users in many countries including India for wrongly sending texts asking if they were "affected" by the deadly Taliban bombing in Pakistan on Easter Sunday. 12 amazing facts you probably didn't know about Microsoft But how much do you really know about Microsoft? Here are 12 things you probably never knew about the biggest name in the PC business. iOS 9.3: 7 features in new iPhone and iPad update iOS 9.3 is the biggest incremental iPhone and iPad update in several years, as Apple has new software features that go as far as changing your sleeping habits. More Technology News»

		Education
		Education gets key focus in Delhi government budget The Delhi government on Monday presented an annual budget of Rs 46,600 crore for 2016-17 — an increase of Rs 8,850 crore over last year, with education bagging the lion's share of Rs 10,690 crore, or nearly 23 per cent of the total allocation. Govt to fund scholars for post-doc research in India In a bid to prevent brain drain, the government has embarked upon a scheme to fund pure science scholars who have completed their PhDs, to enable them continue their post-doctoral research in India. Don't want interference on campus: JNU vice-chancellor Jagadesh Kumar "JNU is an autonomous organisation and it can solve its challenges using its internal mechanisms. Like any other university, we do not desire any external interference," JNU Vice-Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar said. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Ram-fighting gang makes a bakra of cops, and how! Prizefighter Seized After Bust At Kurla, Owner Swaps It At Police Station’s Yard And now in aamchi Mumbai: Fake gangsters, real trouble Gone are the days when underworld dons Chhota Shakeel, Guru Satam and Chhota Rajan would call up targets for huge sums of money and threaten them with dire consequences. DC-AC switch in Harbour to happen soon Central Railway’s harbour and transharbour corridor will switch to 25 KV alternating current (AC) from the 1500 V direct current (DC) this weekend provided the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) gives the approval. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Road infra in fast lane, 2 elevated BRTs planned Two elevated BRT corridors have been proposed: one running north-south from Wazirabad to IGI Airport (24km) and the other going east-west from Anand Vihar to Piragarhi (29km). VAT out of the bag: Not all are happy with proposals The aam aadmi gave a mixed reaction to the budget.Human rights activist Shivani Chaudhary reacted to the Rs 100 crore seed money for making Delhi a slum-free city."There shouldn't be any demolitions or forced evictions. Bapu to Roosevelt, Sisodia quotes greats Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented his second budget in a little over two hours. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Amid rumours of replacement, ACB chief goes on leave Even as the controversy over the constitution of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) rages, the person in charge of the newly-formed bureau has gone on leave for six weeks. SSLC students will be frisked before entering hall EXAM FROM TOMORROWBengaluru: The recent PU question paper leak and rise in malpractices have prompted the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) to put in place stringent precautions for SSLC examinations which will begin from Wednesday. Carlton House could turn legislators' club If everything goes according to plan, the sprawling Carlton House in the heart of Bengaluru will soon turn into a recreation club -- a Constitution Club for Karnataka legislators. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		VC turns lodge into his office Having resumed office after a voluntary ‘leave', vice chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, Appa Rao Podile, has been working from the vandalised VC's lodge since March 22. Shinde blames Centre's 'Hitler Raj' for UoH row Former governor of united Andhra Pradesh and ex-Union minister for home affairs, Susheel Kumar Shinde, described the assault on University of Hyderabad students a result of the Centre's "Hitler raj". 'We were beaten up, shifted around all through the day' Assaulted mercilessly by cops inside a moving ambulance, several students of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) said they had to literally beg on their knees for their lives as blows rained on them. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Karuna to contest from Tiruvarur DMK president M Karunanidhi will contest for the second time from Tiruvarur constituency which is considered his home base since it is close to Tirukuvalai where he was born. Calls from WhatsApp to landlines soon You may soon be able to dial landline or mobile numbers from popular internet apps such as Skype, WhatsApp and Viber, following clearance for inter-connect agreements between internet service providers and telecom operators by an inter-ministerial panel of the government on Monday. Attack on prof divides Madras University faculty and students At least 70 staff members of Madras University staged a protest in front of the Chepauk campus on Monday demanding action against two students who attacked legal studies professor David Ambrose. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		8 held for hacking into Sales Tax dept system to commit fraud Ahmedabad, Mar 28 () Police have arrested eight men including four government employees for allegedly hacking into the Sales Tax department's computer system to activate 'Taxpayer Identification Numbers' of 14 defunct companies so as to fraudulently withdraw Rs 11 crore in tax credit. Gujarat spends Rs 1161 crore to fight malnourished Charges framed against Asaram in rape case in Gandhingar Ahmedabad, Mar 28 () A court in Gandhinagar today framed charges against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, paving the way start of trial, more than two years after the police filed a charge-sheet against him and six others in a rape case. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Notorious dacoit Shiva Patel, having Rs 55,000 cash reward on his head, held in Madhya Pradesh This Sangam youth brigade vows to wear headgear A group of two-wheeler riders on Sunday took the oath to always wear helmets while riding their vehicles. Clashes between two groups over old enmity Old enmity led to clashes between two communities in Jhau Miya Ka Purwa and its adjoining areas under Mauaima police station on Sunday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Odisha admits drinking water scarcity, Cong demands apology Bhubaneswar, Mar 28 () Odisha government today said the state faces a drinking water crisis this summer even as Opposition Congress demanded an apology from it for "failing to provide safe drinking water". "We do not deny drinking water scarcity in the state. Leader of Opposition, 4 ministers occupay more than 1 quarter Bhubaneswar, Mar 28 () Leader of Opposition and four ministers are among 16 law-makers who are occupying more than one govenrment quarter in Bhubaneswar while seven MLAs could not be allotted houses. This was revealed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while replying to a question in the Assembly. BJP alleges Cong-BJD deal in Odisha More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Locally designed solar vehicles race for top spots Solar vehicles designed by budding engineers, contesting in electric-solar vehicle racing championship, will be put on display at international meet. CBI charge-sheets Sagar varsity ex Vice-Chancellor in job scam case CBI on Monday submitted charge-sheet against Dr N S Gajbhiye, former VC of Dr Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar and two professors for their alleged role in recruitment scam. LS Speaker orders probe on tainted ex MP's plea Tainted leader's son Dharamveer Singh had approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Speaker with a written submission seeking investigation into unexplored angles of the case. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Blacklist of overseas Indians pruned A blacklist maintained by the central government imposing visa restrictions on Sikhs settled abroad has been pruned, reportedly following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention. Judiciary left unguarded during Jat stir, HC told Taking serious note of reports about Haryana government withdrawing security personnel from judicial complexes during the recent Jat agitation, Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday sought a report explaining reasons for the action. Haryana cabinet clears 10% quota for Jats, 4 other castes A little more than a month after the Jat stir for quota in Haryana turned violent, the state government on Monday decided to give 10% reservation to the community and four other castes in government jobs and educational institutions. More Chandigarh News»

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