News Digest: Shah sounds bugle for UP polls 2017, says fight is with SP

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, May 26, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Shah sounds bugle for UP polls 2017, says fight is with SP BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday identified the ruling Samajwadi Party as BJP's main rival for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, and asserted that the saffron outfit would come up trumps. Jan Dhan scorecard: 22 cr bank accounts opened, average balance Rs 1,725 The Modi government has been praised all round for getting nearly 22 crore bank accounts opened in roughly one-and-ahalf years. The account holders are poor and most of them live in far-flung rural areas. 2 yrs on, 62% give Modi govt a thumbs up Two years into its term, the Narendra Modi government has been rated by 62 per cent of metropolitan Indians as having done a good or very good job in a survey done exclusively for TOI. That's a touch lower than the 67 per cent who voiced the same opinion a year ago. More India News»

		Business
		Govt launches auctions to unlock Rs 70k-cr oil, gas Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday launched the auction of 67 small oil and gas discoveries, clubbed into 46 fields, to unlock 30 million tonnes of hydrocarbon treasure worth Rs 70,000 crore as part of the government’s efforts to reduce India’s import dependence by 10% by 2022. Uncertainty stays over campus hires as IIM-A, Flipkart differ After the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) shot off a letter objecting to Flipkart’s move to defer the joining date of its graduates, students from other IIMs said they were similarly affected. Stuck with dud stocks? You may soon get money back The markets regulator is on course to trim down the number of companies listed on Indian bourses. More Business News»

		Environment
		Officials deny ousting "Jungle Book" reserve tribals Indigenous rights group Survival International reported that the Baiga tribes in the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh are being harassed by forest guards to leave the land where they have lived for generations. The forest officials have denied the allegations. NGT raps Agra civic bodies over waste around Taj Mahal The National Green Tribunal has pulled up UP Government and Agra civic authorities for rampant pollution in the Yamuna river near Taj Mahal. The pollution has led to the breeding of an insect which has stained the walls of Taj greenish black. Tribunal has asked the officials to appear before it. India fifth largest producer of e-waste in world India has emerged as the second largest market for mobiles and fifth largest producer of e-waste, said a joint study by ASSOCHAM and KMPG. India discards 18.5 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste, 12 per cent of which is telecom waste. More Environment News»

		World
		Russia frees jailed Ukrainian pilot in prisoner swap Russia released Ukrainian pilot Nadezhda Savchenko as part of a swap for two Russian servicemen jailed in Ukraine, an official in the Ukrainian presidential administration said. Savchenko was captured by Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and sentenced to 22 years in prison. Israel forms 'most right-wing govt' in nation's history Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached a deal with a hardline nationalist party to join his government, forming what is being called the most right-wing government in the nation's history. Under the deal, Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party will join Netanyahu's coalition. Zimbabweans show support for Mugabe in huge rally Tens of thousands of Robert Mugabe supporters marched in Zimbabwe's capital in a show of unity as divisions are widening within the president's party over who might succeed him. Demonstrators were shipped in from the country for the "One Million-Man" march, organized by the ZANU-PF party's youth wing. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Arijit thought tiff with Salman was over Kangana has not changed her fee for 'Rangoon'? Kangana Ranaut was rumoured to have charged a fee of Rs 11 crore for Tanu Weds Manu Returns and even for every film that she signed afterwards. Arijit: Salman has a big heart, he will forgive me Arijit Singh’s post on a social networking site, portrays the singer’s emotional turmoil, regarding the removal of his song from the upcoming Salman Khan starrer. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Ancient Mars hosted habitable environments: study Widespread buried deposits of iron and calcium-rich carbonates on Mars have been found, which suggest that the red planet once hosted habitable environments with liquid water. Mars' surface has been etched with fluvial features which indicate the presence of water in the past. Government approves MoU between ISRO and the UAE Space Agency The government's decision to sign an MoU between ISRO and UAE Space Agency was taken by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Narendra Modi. It will help in cooperation in the exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes, especially in the study of Mars. Evidence of baby planets spotted around young star A study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters has found evidence of baby planets around a young star about a million years old. This suggests that planets might take much less time to form than previously thought. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL: SRH beat KKR; to play Gujarat in Qualfier 2 After setting a competitive 163-run target, Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to 140 for eight to help Hyderabad register a 22-run victory in the Eliminator of the Indian Premier League season nine at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi on Wednesday. As it happened: SRH beat KKR in IPL 9 Eliminator Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders by 22 runs in the IPL Eliminator to set up Qualifier 2 clash with Gujarat Lions. Indian selectors must keep an eye on Kuldeep Yadav: Gavaskar Playing in place of the more experienced Piyush Chawla, Yadav turned out to be Kolkata Knight Riders' surprise weapon as they sealed an Indian Premier League play-off berth with a 22-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		'WhatsApp Gold' scammers trick users to download malware The message says that ‘WhatsApp Gold’ was until now used by 'big celebrities' and includes some new features like video calling, ability to send 100 images at once, free calling, ability to change WhatsApp themes and more. 9 best waterproof-smartphones available in India Who says smartphones need to kept away from water? Get ready for ads on Google Maps You might start seeing more ads when getting directions from Google's popular mapping service. More Technology News»

		Education
		NEET-II online application process to start from May 26 HRD ministry plans scheme to track students' performance The Union HRD ministry is planning to launch a unique scheme to track the academic performance of school children across the country and also identify the dropouts.The scheme has been named 'Shaala ASMITA', an acronym for All School Monitoring Individual Tracking and Analysis. Ensure NEET is never forced on Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa writes to PM Modi Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has asked the Centre to ensure that the common entrance exam NEET for MBBS and dental courses is "not forced" on it even in the future as its implementation would "nullify" certain policy initiatives taken by the state. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		PILs: 51% rule for minority schools unconstitutional Matheran toy train trial succeeds, but no regular runs yet Over three weeks after the toy train at Matheran had stopped services, a successful trial run was conducted from Neral to Matheran on Wednesday. The toy train started at 10am from Neral and reached Matheran around 1pm. Many tourists and villagers assembled to welcome the train. Doctors' body threatens stir over allowance The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has criticised the recommendations of the seventh pay commission to decrease the non-practising allowance (NPA) from 25% to 20%. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		DERC wants individual meters Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has proposed conversion of single-point electricity connections into individual ones for residents of cooperative societies. DCW worried over rise in crime against children The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has expressed concern over the rising number of rape incidents involving children. 6 gangsters held, one wanted for ex-MLA murder Pradeep Solanki and five others, wanted in several cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and robbery, were arrested by Delhi Police’s special cell from southwest Delhi on Monday night. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		10,001 notch up perfect score in 24 PU subjects The number of centum scorers in the second-year PU exams has taken a huge leap from 6,243 last year to 10,001. 85% pictorial warnings on tobacco packets in six days Come May 31, 85% of space on cigarette packs and other tobacco products should have pictorial warnings about their adverse health effects. Students send KIA threat mail to get back at profs Gone are the days when disgruntled students made prank calls or scribbled nasty messages on the walls of their teachers' houses. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		'Hush-hush' SRDP work puts denizens on guard Growth can't be at the cost of natural heritage The KBR Park is known for its bio-diversity and wildlife. Spread over 400 acres, it is a virtual forest in the midst of a burgeoning metropolis, home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Successive govts have ruined Hyd's identity More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Assembly opens on cordial note as Jayalalithaa greets Stalin Dissent in DMK sank Congress candidates If in-fighting within DMK led to its defeat in several constituencies, it was a case of double jeopardy for Congress. Peas, beans at Rs 190: Summer sets fire to your veggie basket Surreal scenes were seen at a vegetable supermarket in the city on Wednesday with customers loading their baskets with beans only to empty them a few moments later after taking a look at the obscene price tag. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Congresstrashes govt's employment claims Drive To List 25 Lakh Unemployed Youth In State Gujarat BJP president Rupani injured after falling in bathroom Vijay Rupani was injured on Wednesday early morning at his official bungalow in Gandhinagar after falling in the bathroom. Gujarat govt rolls back VAT on industrial salt 5% VAT On Salt For Industry Use Was Proposed In State Budget More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		BJP proposes, Cong to ask DM to dispose of meeting Workers of district Congress committee on Wednesday decided to oppose the proposed BJP's national executive meet scheduled in Sangam city on June 12 and 13. Hard to fill 3,500 posts of teachers At a time when PhD holders are vying for posts in government departments, education department is finding it difficult to fill the 3,500 vacancies of Urdu teachers across the state. HC stays BHU faculty appointment The Allahabad high court on Wednesday stayed an appointment made on the post of associate professor at the faculty of management studies, South Campus, Banaras Hindu University (BHU). More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Former BJD minister's son, daughter-in-law reunite Curtains came down on the high profile marital dispute between Rajashree Mohanty and Barsa Swony, son and daughter-in-law of former BJD minister Raghunath Mohanty, with the estranged couple announcing their unexpected reunion on Wednesday. BJP names PM rally at Balasore 'Vikas Utsav' The BJP camp is geared up for the rally at Balasore which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 2. The BJP leaders on Wednesday named its rally as ‘Vikas Utsav’ and launched posters and leaflets for the campaign. Centre approves Vizianagaram-Titlagarh 3rd railway line project More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		CBI gets graft complaints against STF officials CBI team investigating Vyapam scam has started getting complaints of 'illegal gratification' against STF officials who were probing the scam prior to the transfer of the probe to the national agency. Illegal mining: Govt responsible too, says Patkar On July 25 the case shall be heard in respect to the allegation and particulars of Alirajpur district, on July 26 for Dhar district, on July 27 for Khargone district and on July 28 for Badwani district. 7 lifeguards in tow, yet teen drowns in Gwalior pool An 18-year-old boy drowned at the posh Taranpuskhar swimming pool in Gwalior on Wednesday morning while seven lifeguards on the spot were busy training new members. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		After rivals, BJP questions Badals' functioning After opposition parties, it's the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD's) ruling partner BJP in Punjab that has started raising questions over its functioning ahead of the assembly elections in 2017. Panchayat refuses to take govt's Rs 22-lakh grant Govt doctors strike work for better perks More Chandigarh News»

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