Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, March 06, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Communalism will be major issue in polls: Congress Congress said communalism will be a principal issue in the Lok Sabha elections, a statement that points to the possibility of a focused attack on BJP and Narendra Modi in the campaign field. Antibiotics, syrups need prescription Now, you will need a doctor's prescription for buying common antibiotics, certain pain-relievers, anxiety-busters and sleeping pills. Baichung's got a goal... is it a winner? He’s scored many goals on the field, but it’s still far from certain if Baichung Bhutia can score a vital one for his new party, the Trinamool Congress, from the Darjeeling seat. More India News»

		Business
		'RBI likely to issue few bank licences' The Reserve Bank is likely to issue a few bank licences notwithstanding the model code of conduct which came into force from today, finance minister P Chidambaram said. Govt approves 8.75% interest on EPF deposit Government has approved payment of 8.75 per cent rate of interest on PF deposits in 2013-14 for over five crore subscribers of retirement fund body EPFO. Sensex rises 67 points to end near record close The benchmark sensex today rose over 67 points to end near its record close on positive global cues and as investors started taking positions with just about a month left for the Lok Sabha elections. More Business News»

		Environment
		Environment ministry clears Kerala demand on Western Ghats The centre has accepted the Kerala government's recommendations to keep agricultural land, plantations, and habitations out of the ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) identified by an expert committee on the conservation of the Western Ghats. Global warming may threaten World Heritage sites Some of the world's most recognizable and important landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Sydney Opera House could be lost to rising sea-levels if current global warming trends are maintained over the next two millennia, a new study has warned. China declares war on pollution with $35 billion fund China on Wednesday declared a war against chronic pollution choking the booming nation, allocating about $35 billion for environmental protection this year to combat toxic smog that frequently engulfs Chinese cities. More Environment News»

		World
		Attacks in Baghdad area kill 21 people Bombings mainly targeting Shiite areas of Baghdad and attacks on security force checkpoints in and around the capital killed at least 21 people Wednesday, officials said. TV anchorwoman criticizes Kremlin on Ukraine An anchorwoman on a Kremlin-funded TV network said on Wednesday that she is standing by her criticism of Russia's military incursion in Ukraine. 1 in 3 women sexually or physically abused in EU One in every three women in the European Union have admitted to experiencing either physical or sexual violence from the age of 15. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Sidharth-Pratyusha in Kamya Punjabi's cricket team Cricket fever seems to have gripped small screen stars as after Bollywood's Celebrity Cricket League, even our TV stars are gearing up for a Box Cricket League which will commence soon. Cola brand signs Deepika for whopping six crores! Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone is on cloud nine. After delivering four blockbuster hits in 2013, Deepika is the undisputed reigning queen of the film industry. Before & After: Hairy actors get waxed chests More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Cut sugar consumption by half: WHO The World Health Organization has recommended that sugar intake be reduced globally. IVF boost for 4 women after womb transplants In what will be a medical first, four women who were born without a womb have now got impregnated via IVF. Second success raises hope for a way to rid babies of HIV A second baby born with HIV and treated with drugs shortly after birth is now 9 months old and HIV-negative. The success of the treatment raises hopes for a path to rid babies of the virus that causes AIDS. More Science News»

		Sports
		India need Sehwag for World Cup: Lee Brett Lee thinks Virender Sehwag needs to be in India's mix of things for the team to make an impact on the bouncy surfaces of Australia in the World Cup. Ronaldo helps Portugal beat Cameroon Ronaldo made the most of shambolic defending by scoring twice to help his team to a 5-1 friendly win and become Portugal's all-time leading scorer. Australia push India to third spot Australia replaced India at number two position in the Test team rankings by the virtue of their 245-run victory over South Africa in the third and final Test. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google launches indoor maps in India Google has announced the availability of indoor maps in India. Yahoo to disable Google, FB sign-in for its services Yahoo will stop letting consumers access its various online services by signing-in with their Facebook or Google credentials. Why gadget launches get delayed in India The problem is not much for TVs and many other products as most companies make or assemble these products within the country. More Technology News»

		Education
		Shift in teaching methodology still a challenge: Joshi It has been five years since CBSE introduced Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation at the secondary school level. CCE has improved scores, not teaching School standards in the country remain fairly low with CBSE’s subject evaluators rating 49.8% as average and 9.11% in need of improvement . Uttarakhand board students scoring over 80% marks to get laptops Laptops will be distributed among students who score over 80% marks in class 12 examination of state board as also to those who secure more than 70% marks in higher, technological and medical education in Uttarakhand. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Entries invited for journalism award The Press Club, Mumbai, has invited entries for the National RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2014. Act immediately on protection of witnesses: HC The Bombay high court on Wednesday told the state that if it does not issue a government resolution for giving immediate protection to witnesses by March 14, then it will direct it to do so. Illegal extension of eatery razed The BMC on Wednesday demolished the illegal extensions built by sea food joint Gajalee at Vile Parle (E). More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Model code may delay Reliance-Infra dues The minimum termination payment would be Rs 900 crore in case the GoM takes a decision. 'Surprise, but a huge challenge' He has been the face of Indian football for more than a decade and come the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he’ll be the face of the Hills. Check electoral rolls this Sunday, it's the final call fter the show of strength in the December 2013 Delhi assembly elections, which saw a voter turnout of 65.86% with first-time voters and women registering their presence in large numbers, the office of the chief electoral officer of Delhi is preparing to launch a special drive to add to the over 1.20-crore strong voter list. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		You can eat heartily till 1am in Bangalore City police commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar on Tuesday issued a notification permitting all eateries in the city to stay open till 1am for a period of 90 days, on an experimental basis. Apps will help you interface with traffic cops You can now take a picture about a traffic violator, get alerts on traffic jams, complain against errant autorickshaws and carpool - all with mobile apps launched by Bangalore city traffic police on Wednesday. Unsung knights in khaki get their caps of fame The police department's backroom boys were on Wednesday honoured by Round Table India: some for their chilling encounters, others for routine, but crucial duties. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Two-phase elections for Andhra Pradesh On the verge of bifurcation, the Telangana region of united Andhra Pradesh will go to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections on April 30 and the Seemandhra region on May 7. Ultimatum to Centre on Rs 150cr dues to private hospitals At a press conference on Wednesday, ASHA members said they would however continue to provide treatment to the beneficiaries at CGHS rates, but only after payments are made. TRS, YSRC go into poll mode A confident TRS and YSR Congress entered the election mode on Wednesday by claiming they were the ones to watch out for in Telangana and Seemandhra respectively. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Canteens to work, but no Jayalalithaa photos With the model code of conduct coming into force immediately, there will be a freeze on distribution of mixers, grinders, fans, laptops, milch cows and goats in Tamil Nadu . Left-Jayalalithaa deal may come unstuck Seat-sharing talks between AIADMK and the Left have taken a turn for the worse, Left sources suggesting that the alliance is on the verge of a break-up. Subbiah murder: Cops camp in Andhra Pradesh to nab accused lawyer The SI on special duty was bashed up when he tried to reach the duo on the Madras high court campus on September 19. Since then Williams has been absconding. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Deferred reward or bribe? It is not only a desire for academic distinction that is making many students work extra hard to excel in their board examinations but also the gizmos and foreign trips promised by their parents if they do well. 'Practice gets you the perfect score' Aditya Taneja secured 10/10 CGPA in class X exam last year.He shares his success formula with TOI . 2 areas cut from agriculture zone The state urban development department has agreed in principle to exclude Ghuma and Shela from the 'agricultural zone' category in the latest development plan for the Ahmedabad. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Hard work, perseverance must for success: Rai For Shashi Bhushan Rai hard labour and perseverance are two vital ingredients for success in PCS examination. 1 patient dies of burns as doctors refuse to relent on day 4 of strike A patient suffering from 98% burns died at SRN Hospital as Allahabad medicos' strike against police atrocities on their Kanpur counterparts continued on Tuesday. Train runs into stationary truck, 12 injured Over a dozen of passengers were seriously injured after a passenger train rammed into a stationary truck near railway track in Gonda-Mailani railway division on Tuesday morning. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJP smells a rat in CBI chief visit CBI director Ranjit Sinha's four-day visit to state during which he stayed in Raj Bhavan and met chief minister Naveen Patnaik has not gone down well with BJP. Ban on coaching centre posters The school and mass education department has banned coaching centres from putting up posters and banners near high school examination centres across the state. Lobbying in BJD intensifies in Nabarangpur Hectic lobbying has started in BJD for Nabarangpur Lok Sabha (LS) ticket, which is reserved for ST candidates.The seat is currently represented by Congress. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Newborn thrown into river, survives A newly born girl child was thrown in a river soon after birth but was saved. Rajnath parries questions on Modi's Lok Sabha seat BJP president Rajnath Singh parried a question on whether party's Ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi would contest from Uttar Pradesh saying that it was for the central election committee to take a decision on it. Two farmers attempt suicide, another suffers heart attack After hailstorms wrecked crops across the state, the spate of suicide attempts by farmers continued despite chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's compensation promise. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		BJP, Congress yet to name candidates Uncertainty continued to grip both the Congress and the BJP over the selection and announcement of their Lok Sabha candidates for the Chandigarh seat even as the poll dates were announced on Wednesday. Chandigarh's tryst with democracy on April 10 The 5.80-lakh strong electorate in Chandigarh would elect their Lok Sabha representative on April 10, the second of the nine-phase parliamentary elections that would be held between April 7 and May 12. 1 held for murdering canter driver The police arrested a man for murdering a canter driver, Sanjay Kumar, on Wednesday. More Chandigarh News»

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