News Digest: Space for India-Pakistan friendship shrinking: Husain Haqqani

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, May 10, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Space for India-Pakistan friendship shrinking: Husain Haqqani Rahul Gandhi gets death threat ahead of poll rally in Puducherry Puducherry/ Former Union minister of state V Narayanasamy received an unsigned letter at his Puducherry residence on Monday that contained a threat to target Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Advantage Congress as SC keeps 9 rebels out of Uttarakhand vote However, the apex court declined to stay the HC ord-er, thus barring the rebels from the trust vote. More India News»

		Business
		GMR's energy arm sells 30% to Tenaga for Rs 2k cr GMR Infrastructure has secured a $300 million (around Rs 2,000 crore) investment in cash from Malaysian energy firm Tenaga Nasional Berhad) for a 30% stake in its energy arm. Hyundai plans to bring back Santro Hyundai Motor India is all set to bring back the car that earned it a presence in the Indian market – the original tallboy Santro. ​ Zomato founder rejects 50% cut in valuation Rebutting claims made by HSBC’s brokerage arm which slashed restaurant discovery platform Zomato’s $1-billion valuation by 50%, the company’s founder Deepinder Goyal said in a blog post the markdown was unjustified on many counts. More Business News»

		Environment
		Wasps discovered in India named after Brad Pitt Brad Pitt's flying namesake is a tiny creature measuring less than 2 mm. While thinking of a name for the new wasp, Buntika A Butcher, from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, recalled her long hours of studying in laboratory right under the poster of her favourite film actor. Leopards have lost 75% of their habitat range: Study New research has found that the leopard has lost 75% of its historic habitat range. This appears to confirm conservationists' suspicions that leopards are facing a multitude of growing threats in the wild. Release of animals into wild stirs up controversy in China Postings of micro-blogger "cora liebo" narrating the list of animals "released" in the southwestern province of Yunnan have left jaws dropped all over China. One such posting in April listed bedbugs among the creatures released, along with 58 kilograms of snakes. More Environment News»

		World
		Death toll mounts to 22 in China's landslide Twenty two people have been killed and 17 are missing in a massive landslide that engulfed the construction site of a hydropower station in southeast China on Sunday. Two people were also pulled out alive on Monday. Iraqi forces retake village from Islamic State Iraqi forces retook a northern village from Islamic State on Monday as they try to close in on the city of Mosul. In March, Iraq's military opened a new front against the militants in the Makhmour area, to liberate Mosul. To date, Iraqi forces have taken just five villages. France to create regional 'de-radicalization' centres France will create centres in the country to de-radicalize people from being involved in jihadist groups, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Monday. The plan will cost an additional $US 45.5 million by 2018 on top of the current funding. It aims to help people who are likely to join such groups. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Priyanka tops the list of Most Desirable Women Soaring to new heights, breaking stereotypes and shattering the glass ceiling, our pride and America’s sweetheart, the feisty Priyanka Chopra tops the list of The Most Desirable woman of 2015​. Not Kangana, Zareen to star opposite Irrfan It was reported that Kangana Ranaut and Irrfan were to romance each other in director Sai Kabir’s 'Divine Lovers'. Sai had earlier directed Kangana in 'Revolver Rani'. Priyanka: It's very important to respect your job Soaring to new heights, breaking stereotypes and shattering the glass ceiling, our pride and America’s sweetheart, the feisty Priyanka Chopra tops the list of the Times 50 Most Desirable Women 2015 More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Climate change linked to rise in kidney ailments When a mystery kidney disease killed more than 20,000 people in Central America over the course of a decade, it set alarm bells ringing in several tropical countries including India. Indian landmass drifted away from Madagascar: IISc study The researchers determined the timing of suturing (formation and re-formation of continents) by radioactive dating of minerals like zircon, monazite within the suture. Scientists peel back the carrot's genetic secrets Researchers said on Monday they have sequenced the genome of the carrot, an increasingly important root crop worldwide, identifying genes responsible for traits including the vegetable's abundance of vitamin A, an important nutrient for vision. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL 2016: RCB pip KXIP by one run in a thriller Despite the win, RCB skipper Kohli would know that his bowlers just about managed to take the team home. On a slow track a score of 175 should have been a very tough one. Watson made the difference, with a terrific penultimate over in which he conceded just seven runs. Time for Dhoni to make Ashwin feel wanted again Good spinners often react to good, inspirational and attacking captains. They like to be made to feel wanted. At the peak of his powers, Ashwin was made to feel that way by Dhoni. Absent Mallya hopes for Force India boost in Spain The Force India principal's financial problems have made more headlines than the results of team drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez this season but Mallya hoped a package of aerodynamic upgrades would bring some good news. More Sports News»

		Technology
		6 latest affordable Samsung Galaxy Android phones Apart from its flagship Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series, Samsung has launched several affordable handsets in its Galaxy A and Galaxy J series to attract consumers looking for budget devices. Despite the hype around Chinese brands in the low budget segment, Samsung’s affordable smartphones have managed to attract consumers. If you’ve missed them, here are seven affordable Samsung Galaxy Android phones launched recently. 6 things that give earphones edge over headphones There has always been a rift between audiophiles (music lovers) when it comes to earphones and headphones. 10 tips to free space on your iPhone Often feel storage crunch in your 16GB iPhone? More Technology News»

		Education
		SC nullifies medical tests held by states, private colleges the three-member oversight committee, headed by former Chief Justice R M Lodha, to oversee NEET-II. Maneka Gandhi seeks cheaper education loans for girls Union minister Maneka Gandhi has sought education loans on concessional rates for girl children in an effort to promote their education. Allahabad University to hold PG entrance test through online and offline modes AU chief proctor, N K Shukla said, "we have written to MHRD and sought their permission to conduct these entrance tests by both the modes and if we are asked for the same, the last date for application forms will also be extended". The last date for PG forms ended on Monday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Ajmer shrine custodian backs Haji Ali fight A custodian of the Ajmer Dargah and Sufi scholars have backed the Haji Ali Sabke Liye forum's fight for restoration of women's right to enter the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali. Scholars said that if the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, one of the most revered Sufi saints, allows women full access to the dargah, there was no reason why Haji Ali should block their entry. Court makes Mumbai realtor pay for pulling a fast one Rs 1.02 crore for "arbitrarily" cancelling a flat booked by two senior citizens in Thane along with 18% interest on the principal amount from end-2010. Haven't received offer to become Rio Olympics Goodwill Ambassador: A.R. Rahman Mumbai, May 9 (IANS) Music composer-singer A.R. Rahman on Monday denied that he has received any offer from the Indian Olympic Associationto become the Goodwill Ambassador for the Rio Olympics but backed superstar Salman Khan for the post. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Ready to ease diesel cab ban if there's a phaseout plan: SC The Supreme Court on Monday said “the taxi problem needs to be solved” and agreed to consider on Tuesday the Environment Pollution Control Authority’s (EPCA) plan for a phaseout of diesel-run all-India tourist permit (AITP) taxis, which are extensively used by BPOs to ferry nearly 2.5 lakh employees in the NCR. 14-yr-old ODs on iron tablets handed out by school, dies A 14-year-old girl from a government school in Bharat Nagar in northwest Delhi died allegedly after an overdose of iron tablets handed out by the school authorities. Gadkari: Parking lot got stuck in red tape The difficulty involved in getting a plan passed through the bureaucratic maze was made starkly evident when road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that it took his ministry nine months to get the approval for an automated multi-level parking for cars. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Residents won't bribe, power cut off Vision group formed to pull Bengaluru out of its infra morass The government has formed a vision group comprising the city's elite in its bid to breathe fresh life into an ailing Bengaluru, especially to find solutions to resolve infrastructure and civic bottlenecks. Infosys Foundation offers to revive lakes, but govt keeps mum The Karnataka government has not taken any action on a proposal by the Infosys Foundation to rejuvenate two dying waterbodies - commonly known as Doddathogur and Chikkathogur lakes - in Electronics City. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		CM: Cabinet rejig this month-end Rekindling hopes of party legislators aspiring to be ministers once again, chief minister Siddaramaiah, who is set to complete three years in office on May 13, said the cabinet would be reshuffled by the month-end. Hyderabad maid dies of torture in Saudi, broker booked Last December, the broker, Muskan, had sent Asima to Riyadh to work there as a domestic help on a monthly salary of 1500 Saudi riyals.Muskan had charged Rs 1.5 lakh as brokerage. Three other families come out to narrate similar horror tales "Three days ago, Ghousiya received a phone call from someone in Riyadh informing that Asima had succumbed while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Riyadh. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Dalit unity a dream as egos keep leaders apart When UP chief minister Mayawati spoke in Chennai on Sunday, many in the state recalled that her ascension in 1993 in UP coincided with the dalit upsurge in Tamil Nadu. Election effect: No new power, water or sewerage lines Girl attempts suicide after being stalked for 6 months A 17-year-old girl attempted suicide by consuming rat poison in her house on Metu Street in Chengelpetet on Sunday afternoon. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat govt announces its 'Agri Business Policy-2016' Ahmedabad, May 9 () Gujarat government today announced its 'Agri Business Policy-2016' with a special emphasis on promoting food processing industry, applying new techniques to convert agriculture waste into value-added products and developing the entire value chain of exporting locally grown farm Centre agrees to Guj plea on reserving lignite block for GMDC Ahmedabad, May 9 () The Centre has agreed to Gujarat government's request to reserve lignite, to be mined at Valia block in Bharuch, for Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), state Energy Minister Saurabh Patel said today. Modi "slightly changed" name in MA II admission form:GU Ahmedabad, May 9 () Amid claims by AAP that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degrees and marksheets had "glaring discrepancies", the Gujarat University today said he had "slightly changed" his name, dropping 'kumar' from it. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Allahabad University to hold PG entrance test through online and offline modes AU chief proctor, N K Shukla said, "we have written to MHRD and sought their permission to conduct these entrance tests by both the modes and if we are asked for the same, the last date for application forms will also be extended". The last date for PG forms ended on Monday. Ancient pond located in Raniganj, efforts on for restoration 3 villagers shot dead by bandit gang in Chitrakoot More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Jagannath Temple to offer free Prasad to devotees Odisha gets Oil Ministry's 1st SDI Bhubaneswar, May 9 () Announcing plans to set up a state-of-the-art world class institute for skill development in Odisha, the Oil Ministry today made functional its first ever skill development institute of the country here. Oil ministry opens Skill Development Institute in Bhubaneswar More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		There are no widows in this tribal belt of Madhya Pradesh Among the Gonds of Madhya Pradesh's Mandla district, it's almost impossible to find a widow. RGPV starts e-entrepreneurship cell CM Chouhan rushes to Ujjain to review post-rain situation More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Cow vigilante groups bent on circumventing law: HC Gang printing fake US dollars busted, 3 held Bathinda police on Monday claimed to have busted a gang involved in printing counterfeit US currency. Haryana to apply Beijing model for catering to Delhi's food needs Haryana looks to provide fruits, milk and vegetables to Delhi on the pattern of China, which had developed the peri-urban agriculture zone around Beijing to provide such things to its capital. More Chandigarh News»

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