News Digest: AAP plans US-style fund-raiser dinner in Sangrur

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, July 16, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		AAP plans US-style fund-raiser dinner in Sangrur Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to host a fund-raiser dinner at its upcoming national executive meet to be held in Punjab from July 25 to 27. SAD: Hooda's HSGPC move an attack on Sikh community In an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the Shiromani Akali Dal sought Centre's intervention to scuttle the Haryana government move to set up a parallel Sikh religious affairs body, a day after Haryana governor gave assent to a separate Sikh Gurdwaras (Management) Bill. Heavy rain warning in Uttarakhand, char dham yatra disrupted The Met department has warned that heavy rain is likely to lash the hills of Uttarakhand in the next 48 hours beginning Wednesday. More India News»

		Business
		Birla to sell stake in new retail company Birla is seeking a valuation of $2.5-3 billion to raise $500 million in the proposed retail unit. Dabhol on brink of turning into bad debt The Dabhol power project, once an iconic foreign venture, is on the brink of turning into a non-performing asset – or a bad loan for bankers – after it defaulted in clearing its dues to lenders, who have refused to either lend more or accept a government proposal to convert their debt into equity. DGCA doing financial audit of airlines Worried at the crippling cash crunch faced by Indian airlines, the aviation regulator is doing their financial audit to ensure that only carriers with funds to fly safely stay in the business. More Business News»

		Environment
		Chipko movement taught world ahimsa's power: President President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday conferred Chandi Prasad Bhatt, pioneer of the Chipko Movement, with the 2013 Gandhi Peace Prize and said the noted environmentalist has taught the world power of ahimsa, non-violence. 48 industrial units polluting Ganga asked to close down Directions have been issued to about 48 industrial units polluting River Ganga to close down, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday. 163 large and medium irrigation projects delayed: Centre A total of 163 large and medium irrigation projects are delayed, the Rajya Sabha was told on Monday. More Environment News»

		World
		Gaza rocket kills first Israeli Israel resumed a punishing air campaign against Gaza on Tuesday after its Palestinian foe Hamas rejected a truce and fired dozens of rockets over the border, killing an Israeli for the first time. Ukraine and Russia draw nearer to direct conflict Accusations of cross-border hostilities between Ukraine and Russia intensified on Tuesday, deepening a shadowy war of real or imagined attacks and sabotage that threatens to draw the two countries into direct conflict. Libyan airport turns battlefield between rival militias First, there is a single shot. Then Libyan fighters empty their anti-aircraft guns as others crouch for cover at Tripoli International Airport. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Shah Rukh Khan supports Saahil's debut film Mad About Dance (MAD) was conceived four years ago by Saahil, who was a student in UK then and Shah Rukh Khan who was completing his film Ra.One at that time in London. Can you identify these celebs? After playing an autistic patient in Barfii!, Bollywood bombshell Priyanka Chopra is now all geared to play the role of Indian boxer Mary Kom. The actress launched the first look of her upcoming film which is a biopic (yesterday July 14 2014) and within a few hours of its launch, the first look of the film has been trending. Star fathers happy to take a backseat for their sons' launch Blame it on Tiger Shroff. His successful debut in Heropanti at the capable hands of producer Sajid Nadiadwala has brought the focus back on other superstar sons who are waiting in the wings. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		We're genetically linked to our friends: Study Friends are as related as fourth cousins or people who share great-great-great grandparents on average, a University of California (UC) and Yale University study has found. This translates to about 1% of our genes. Cannabis reduce tumour growth in cancer patients Scientists at the University of East Anglia have discovered previously unknown signalling platforms in the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis which are responsible for its success in shrinking tumours. Gujarat lab making life support system sensors for India's space mission The Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre (SAC) is playing a pivotal role in realizing India's dream of launching its own astronauts into the space. More Science News»

		Sports
		Nothing can console me: Lionel Messi After Argentina's defeat against Germany in the World Cup final, the world is once again talking and debating on Lionel Messi's place in the pantheon of greats. We're all world champions: Loew to fans Germany coach Joachim Loew told hundreds of thousands of fans in Berlin celebrating his team's WC victory that they shared the title with his players. Germany heroes return to huge fan party Captain Philipp Lahm carried the trophy off the aircraft to cheers and a chorus of "Football's Coming Home" from fans gathered on the airport's viewing terrace. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi launches Mi 3, Redmi 1S and Redmi Note in India Xiaomi has launched three new smartphones in the Indian market - Mi 3, Redmi 1S and Redmi Note at Rs 13,999, Rs 6,999 and Rs 9,999. Microsoft likely to announce job cuts this week: Bloomberg The restructuring may end up being the biggest in Microsoft history, topping the 5,800 jobs cut in 2009. Indian IT cos beat MNCs in major deals Almost half of 26 large IT outsourcing deals in June were won by India-centric IT service providers. More Technology News»

		Education
		Rs 55 million scholarship scheme for X-XII kids In a first, of its kind, a Rs 55 million scholarship scheme was launched for students of classes X to XII on Monday. This will be India’s Outside of government initiative, this will be India’s biggest scholarship scheme outside of government initiative. 60% cut-off condition rankles Himachal Pradesh universities The condition of a minimum requirement of 60% imposed by the state government has left private universities in the hill state worried as they have only filled 10% to 15% seats. MHRD seeks DU's spending details The HRD ministry on Tuesday sought the approval status of various expenditures undertaken by Delhi University. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra witnesses worst water crisis in a decade due to delayed monsoon Delayed monsoon in the state has led to the worst water crisis in the last one-and-a-half decades. Two flats merged into one must get tax exemption: Bombay HC If two adjacent flats are bought from different people through two agreements and then converted into a single unit with a common kitchen, then the owner is exempt from paying capital gains tax, the Bombay high court has said. Tomato prices shoot up to Rs 80 per kg After onion and potato prices went through the roof, it's the turn of tomatoes, whose wholesale price touched Rs 46 per kg and retail price skyrocketed to around Rs 80 per kg on Tuesday, both the highest in the year. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		With just 8 guards for 90 acres, park security a joke A day after a Spanish tourist alleged she was molested in Lodhi Garden, TOI took stock of the security arrangements there and found that there aren’t enough guards and lighting. Tomato at Rs 60/kg as vegetable prices surge in Delhi Last week it was onions, now it's tomatoes that are making Delhiites see red. LGBT rights message in a song After the Supreme Court upheld Section 377 last year, criminalizing sexual relationships between same sex couples, it’s been a time full of insecurities and emotional turmoil for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Govt looks to the sun to solve power crisis The state government wants to tap solar energy to tide over the power crisis by encouraging residents to install solar panels on their rooftops and sell surplus power to the government. Mob attacks, strips doctor, aide in Nelamangala village A woman doctor and her assistant were attacked and stripped in their government ayurvedic hospital by a 100-strong mob led allegedly by a gram panchayat president on the outskirts of Bangalore city. Rape survivor's friends, not cops, trace assailant She was abducted and raped in a car in the heart of Bangalore. A 22-year-old student’s Friday night horror would have been predictably buried un More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		'Seasonal' hawkers flood Old City areas Come Ramzan, the high density traffic in the Madina - Shalibanda corridor sees a two-fold increase in the number of roadside vendors, who cash in on the demand of shoppers in the holy month. Scholars decry 'zakat' to fake organizations Leading scholars of Islam in the city have advised Muslims to exercise caution in giving away zakat or mandatory charity as there has been a growth of 'spurious' institutions collecting alms for personal gains. Bhartiya's host cradle ceremony at Park Hyatt in Hyderabad Bhartiya's host cradle ceremony at Park Hyatt in Hyderabad More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		PG seats at Madras School of Economics filled on day 1 A postgraduation in economics is much sought after.This was evident from the fact that all general category seats in the premier Madras School of Economics were filled on day one of the counselling process. Govt to build 10,000 flats as part of plan to make TN slum-free As part of a plan to create slum-free cities, the government on Tuesday announced that 10,000 flats would be constructed in Chennai and other cities and towns in the state. Two councillors found dead as cross-party affair ends in tragedy Two councillors were found dead in Perambalur on Tuesday in what appears to be the fallout of an illicit affair, police said. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Doctor prescribes biomed for waste problem A leading orthopaedic surgeon in city has launched one of country’s largest biogas plant in Sundarpura, Anand — a mean waste guzzler that will digest 64 tonnes of domestic and farmland waste to produce 7,000 kg of biogas daily. Wet days ahead for Ahmedabad There are finally some indications that Ahmedabad will get good rains in the next few days.Weather officials said that the city is likely to have light rain on Wednesday, followed by heavy rains on Thursday and Friday. Gold mine for loan-seekers The slowdown in the economy over the past two years and high gold prices have made an increasing number of people in Gujarat seek loans on gold to fulfill their financial needs. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Court turns down cops plea on transfers Earlier, appearing on behalf of the state government, state counsel Piyush Shukla submitted before the court that the transfer order was passed on the basis of GO dated June 7, 2014. 2 jump into well to save mother, drown Two young boys jumped into a well to save their mother.However, while the mother survived, her two young sons drowned on Tuesday morning. Juvenile justice: Punitive or corrective? The government's decision to repeal Juvenile Justice Act-2000 and re-enact a new law by the same name in 2014, is making child right's activists quite jittery. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BMC plans project in Saheed Nagar The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will set up another commercial and residential complex through public-private partnership (PPP) mode at Saheed Nagar. BJD, opposition want constitution of house panel on Polavaram The ruling BJD and opposition parties on Tuesday demanded constitution of a house committee headed by speaker Niranjan Pujari on the controversial Polavaram project. Power production hit at Kolab, Balimela With Koraput recording around 50% deficit rainfall in the first fortnight of July, power generation at Kolab and Balimela hydro electricity projects in the district has been badly hit, leading to power cuts. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Short-fuse Morena: Woman set ablaze for objecting to assault on girl A 20-year-old youth with help from his parents, allegedly set ablaze his aunt after she stopped him from beating her daughter in Morena district.The woman succumbed to injuries on Monday night. Heavy rain brings Bhopal to grinding halt Two-and-half hours of heavy downpour in the evening brought the city to a grinding halt on Tuesday.It was second consecutive day of mayhem on the streets after the skies opened up with fury. Second privilege notice against Satyadev Katare in a week The day witnessed non-stop uproar and ruckus by both the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress members over the issue with the House being adjourned for ten minutes by the Speaker. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Self-defence classes for college girls from this session College-going girls of the city will soon be able to get even with their stalkers all by themselves. Minor held for raping minor Local police have arrested a 14-year-old boy for raping an eight-year-old in Mansa Devi Complex. Minor picks up abandoned stolen phone, rounded up The 17-year-old boy, who hails from Nepal and works as a labourer at a liquor vend in Sector 21, immediately picked up the phone when he saw them throwing it out of the car. More Chandigarh News»

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