News Digest: What matters, what doesn't

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, April 01, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		What matters, what doesn't Of the many issues that made national headlines in the past year, Dalit student Rohith Vemula’s suicide, the lynching of a man in Dadri over suspicions that he consumed beef and the “rise of intolerance” were three of the most hotly contested. EC bans exit polls between Apr 4 to May 16 The Election Commission on Thursday banned exit polls between April 4 and May 16 when assembly elections are held in five states. Lynching case: NHRC notice to Jharkhand It is also alleged that the traders were taking their cattle to a fair when they were stopped, beaten up and hanged. More India News»

		Business
		Mercedes S400 launched at Rs 1.31 crore Mercedes-Benz brought in the luxurious S400 to India on Tuesday at Rs 1.31 crore ex-showroom Delhi. The S400 is for those who don't want a diesel nor the immoderate S500 with the massive V8. The S400 goes up against the other two German super luxury sedans, the BMW 7-series and the Audi A8L. FM Jaitley sees FY16 GDP growth at 7.6% Pegging India's GDP growth rate at 7.6 per cent for the fiscal 2015-16, finance minister Arun Jaitley today said it is "much less" than its potential and expressed hope for better numbers in the coming year. Gas price down 20%, CNG, PNG to be cheaper More Business News»

		Environment
		Ban on big cars remains, no relief for auto majors Automobile giants like Mercedes, Toyota, Mahindra and General Motors on Thursday failed to get any relief from the Supreme Court, which extended till April 30 the bar on registration of diesel-run SUVs and high-end cars with engine capacity of 2000 CC and above in the National Capital Region. Lakes that supply Panama Canal battered by drought Water levels in the two artificial lakes, Gatun and Alhajuela, that nourish the Panama Canal and supply more than half the country's households are at historic lows and likely to continue receding over the next two months, the Panama Canal Authority, or ACP, said on Wednesday. Bison coming 'home' to US Indian reserve after 140 years Descendants of a bison herd captured and sent to Canada more than 140 years ago will be relocated to a Montana American Indian reservation next month, in what tribal leaders bill as a homecoming for a species emblematic of their traditions. More Environment News»

		World
		Suspect in bus station shooting dead; 3 others hurt: Police A gunman who shot a Virginia state trooper at a bus terminal on Thursday was shot dead by two other officers, police said. Obama, Xi vow to work closely on North Korea President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Thursday to cooperate to confront the North Korean nuclear threat while working to narrow persistent differences over cybersecurity, human rights and maritime conflicts. 'Veiled women are like negroes who support slavery' France's women's rights minister faced growing criticism on Thursday, including calls on social media to resign, after comparing women who wear the Muslim headscarf and veil to "negroes who supported slavery". More World News»

		Entertainment
		Arjun: Being a homemaker is a thankless job After stepping into a woman’s shoes, quite literally, Arjun Kapoor says he has a fresh perspective on how difficult it is to be a homemaker. Ali takes on eve-teasers at a shack in Goa Actor Ali Fazal was seen having a heated argument at a beach shack with a couple of guys in Goa earlier this month. Things got out of hand as the people involved got physical and started hitting each other. PIC: When Ranbir Kapoor was a teenager Ranbir Kapoor may be undergoing a low phase on the career front but we all know the Kapoor lad is the undisputed chocolate hero of Bollywood. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Zika linked to fetal brain damage: Finnish study infectious Zika virus from fetal tissue in cell culture.The virus. One in eight adults now obese: Global survey Over one in eight adults are now obese — a ratio that has more than doubled since 1975 and will swell to one in five by 2025, a major survey reported on Friday. Startup-built device can perform 8 health tests One device and eight tests using just one drop of your blood or urine, that too at an affordable rate. This is what the multi-analyte device developed by a startup working out of IISc aims to do. It can also tell you whether your liver and kidney are functioning properly. More Science News»

		Sports
		WT20: Windies beat India by 7 wickets to enter final Simmons's first appearance of the World T20 produced a match-winning 82 not out off 51 balls as West Indies stunned India with a seven-wicket win with two balls remaining. Dhoni invites Oz journalist on stage, engages in banter Asked by cricket.com.au's reporter how long he could go on, India's captain called him forward and engaged in a brief repartee. World T20: Dhoni satisfied by Rahane's replacement role MS Dhoni, India's captain, has backed the decision to drop Shikhar Dhawan for Ajinkya Rahane and praised the incumbent opener's innings of 40 from 35 balls on Thursday as being just what he had expected of Rahane. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Build 2016: Top 10 announcements by Microsoft he software giant gave a glimpse of what users can expect from Windows platform in the near future. Here are the ten important announcements made by Microsoft during the first keynote at Build, 2016. Xiaomi launches Mi 5 smartphone, priced at Rs 24,999 Xiaomi Mi 5 comes with 5.15-inch HD display, uad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and 16MP rear camera with LED flash Samsung launches Galaxy J3 (2016) smartphone, priced at Rs 8,990 Samsung has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Galaxy J3 (2016) smartphone with unique S bike mode. More Technology News»

		Education
		Time for DPUE to junk old system and follow other boards While its question papers are being leaked through WhatsApp, the Department of Pre-university Education (DPUE) is still following the age-old method of dispatching question papers on four-wheelers and safeguarding them at treasury offices in districts. PU paper leak: Experts see insider role, multiple question papers an eyewash Students livid as II PU paper leaks second time in 10 days More than 1.75 lakh II PUC students across Karnataka woke up to a rude shock on Thursday.The question paper for the chemistry re-examination that they were to write later in the day had been leaked. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Somaiya College organises seminar on Bhagavadgita the keynote address.He said, 'Bhagavadgita is a work that should. Cheeky Dhoni once again swats away 'retirement' murmurs Despite suffering a heart wrenching loss at the hands of West Indies today at the World Twenty20 semifinals in Wankhede, Mumbai, Indian skipper MS Dhoni seemed to maintain his upbeat attitude as he once again brushed off the never ending speculations on his retirement through a Syria's top cleric backs anti-IS fatwa from India The fatwa, initially given by Mumbai-based Mufti Mohammed Manzar Hasan Khan Ashrafi Masbahi, and later endorsed by 1,070 Indian muftis and imams, pronounces IS non-Muslims and enemies of Islam. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Green cess delivers the goods in three months There has been a drastic fall in the number of trucks entering the city after the imposition of the green tax, the Supreme Court was informed on Thursday. According to documents submitted by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to the apex court, around 9,000 vehicles enter Delhi after paying the mandatory environment compensation charge (ECC) every day. The figure used to be somewhere between 22,000 and 38,500 earlier. For capital problem, 250 proposals pour in from across the globe The University of Chicago has received 250 proposals from across the globe on improving Delhi's environment.A majority of them offer solutions to the problem of toxic air in the city. Anand Vihar station a clean winner The parking lot in front of the slate, blue and sand-coloured structure is impossibly clean for a railway station.But that's the Anand Vihar railway station for you. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		PU paper leak: Experts see insider role, multiple question papers an eyewash Sea of mourners pay last respects to Biocon scientist A pall of gloom descended on Dattatreya Nagar, south Bengaluru, on Thursday.The white duplex house which once resonated with the laughter of Revathi PR was a spectator to her silence. PU paper leak: Students in anger, tears and frustration The frustrated voices of hundreds of students were heard above the walls of the PU building in the heart of Malleswaram, early Thursday morning. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Cops crack down on SIM sales With the sale of pre-activated SIM cards to unknown customers becoming a dangerous trend in the city, the Telangana police may have finally woken up to the menace after the recent murder of Class X student Abhay Modhani. Freed prisoners can work at petrol bunks The 251 prisoners released on remission from jails on Tuesday have been given the option of being associated with the prisons department to earn their livelihood. Authorities intend to utilise their services at three petrol bunks.The pay could range from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per month. 3-day biodiversity fete from tomorrow A three-day biodiversity festival will be held in the city from April 1 as part of the 3rd Kisan Swaraj Sammelan. The meet, organized by Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) and hosted by Rythu Swarajya Vedika, is expected to discuss the future of Indian farm livelihoods. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		'Cash-for-vote may result in distribution of Rs 6,000-9,000 cr in TN' Holding an election in Tamil Nadu is not a significant logistical or even a law and order challenge for the Election Commission. Access to poll booths, their infrastructure, voter awareness, and a relatively efficient government machinery facilitate smooth polling. Ramanan, face of weather forecasting, takes final bow His matter-of-fact style of making announcements, rain or shine, made him a celebrity and even spawned many a meme. But S R Ramanan, who retired on Thursday as director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre, after 36 years in service, is neither thrilled nor bitter. MAM's kin accuse 'son' of stealing cars The Chennai city police on Tuesday registered a case against three drivers for stealing a Mercedes Benz and Toyota Camry, belonging to the MAM Ramasamy Trust. They allegedly barged into the MAM Chettinad Palace in Raja Annamalaipuram on December 10 last year. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Karnavati Club election: Power Panel set to win control 44.81% Of Members Cast Their Votes AMC demolishes illegal buildings in Maktampura The demolition team of the civic body's New West Zone has embarked on an encroachment removal drive since Wednesday.In Maktampura, AMC targeted 12 illegal shops on Juhapura road. GU proposes 5-yr term for VC Passes Resolution That Will Now Be Sent To Govt More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Stoppages of trains change There is bad news for Allahabad-bound passengers as trains Howrah-Mumbai Mail and Patliputra ( Patna) -Pune Express will not halt at Allahabad and Naini junction and will be diverted to Chheoki station. Govt's 'Hausala Sajheedari' scheme finds only few takers Government's 'Hausala Sajheedari' scheme for male and female sterilization by joining hands with private health facilities and family planning surgeons and help Uttar Pradesh stabilize its population has found only few takers in Sangam city. Teachers' boycott centres day 2 Teachers associated with two prominent teachers' associations continued to boycott evaluation work of the answer sheets of class tenth and twelfth of the UP Board for the second consecutive day on Thursday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Cong lashes at Odisha government, Assembly passes Bill Bhubaneswar, Mar 31 () The opposition Congress today hit out at the state government accusing it of failing to meet basic needs of the people like drinking water, primary education even as the ruling party continued to remain in power for over 16 years. Coming Raahgiri to disseminate messages on health, environment 79% Odisha primary schools don't have playgrounds More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP CM announces ministry of happiness Dengue alert in Bhopal dist, 23 test positive in Sehore Health department declared a dengue alert in Bhopal district on Thursday.The alert comes close on the heels of 23 dengue positive cases were reported from neighbouring Sehore district. Congress ruckus in MP assembly demanding discussion on water crisis More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Women cops to be deployed on Mohali PCR vehicles To raise level of sensitivity and women empowerment in security services, women constables will be deployed among male constables in police control room (PCR) vehicles in Mohali, on the pattern of Chandigarh. Exemptee ASI caught on bribe charges A vigilance team arrested an exemptee assistant sub-inspector (EASI) of Sector 5 police station from Majri chowk who was allegedly taking bribe of Rs 3,000 from a resident of Indira Colony, Sector 17. Housing society to refund Rs 7.67L for service deficieny District consumer redressal forum has directed Puncham Cooperative Society to refund Rs 7.67 lakh and compensation of Rs 50,000 to a city resident for deficiency in services. More Chandigarh News»

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