News Digest: Siddaramaiah defends MLA who slapped cops, slams BJP

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, July 05, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Siddaramaiah defends MLA who slapped cops, slams BJP Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday went on the offensive over the assault case involving a Congress MLA. He termed the attack on two constables by Hungund legislator Vijayanand Kashappanavar in a city lounge bar on Tuesday a “relatively a minor incident compared to BJP legislators who have been accused of rape, watching porn films or even going to jail”. 60% chance of drought: Private forecaster There’s a 60% chance of drought across India this year, private weather company Skymet said on Friday in a revised forecast downgrading its monsoon prediction to 91% of normal. In April, it had predicted 94% rains in the country. Punjab sees money-spinner in online lottery Cash-starved Punjab government has revived a plan to open licensed 24X7 online lottery parlours across the state to generate an annual revenue of Rs 1,000 crore. More India News»

		Business
		Reliance Retail set to take on Walmart Tension is rising in the retail industry, as Mukesh Ambani-led Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries gets ready to take on US retailer Walmart in the country's $450-billion cash-and-carry business. Spencer's to add 80 hypermarkets Over the next four years, Spencer's — the retail vertical in the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group—will invest at least Rs 250 crore to add 80 hypermarkets across the country. The investment is likely to be financed through an initial public offering sometime next year. Hyundai ends 4 dealerships in south Hyundai Motor India has terminated four dealerships in its southern markets citing "poor quality of service". More Business News»

		Environment
		Accidents killed 13 lions in 1 year in Gujarat The state government has admitted that 13 lions died in accidents in Gir-Somnath, Amreli and Jungadh districts in the year beginning June 1, 2013. HC rejects PIL asking railways to re-impose ban on plastic Bombay high court today declined to entertain a PIL which sought a direction to the Central Railway (CR) to re-impose a ban on use of plastic to pack food items sold at suburban platforms and in local and long- distance trains. Fish consuming vast quantities of plastic ocean waste Carlos Duarte, an oceanographer from the University of Western Australia, said there was 100 times less plastic on ocean surfaces than expected, Xinhua reported. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama: US always has been a nation of immigrants Celebrating the ethnic diversity of America, President Barack Obama said more than two dozen foreign-born military members who became US citizens at the White House on the Fourth of July are vivid reminders that welcoming immigrants "is central to our way of life.'' Major Venezuelan newspaper to be sold One of Venezuela's oldest and most prestigious newspapers has been sold amid increasing government pressure on independent news media. Egypt to raise fuel prices by up to 78 percent from midnight Egypt was set to raise mainstream fuel prices by up to 78 percent from midnight on Friday, an Oil Ministry source told Reuters, in a long-awaited step to cut energy subsidies to ease the burden on its swelling budget deficit. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Tiger Shroff beats Ranbir Kapoor Launched in September 2012, Times Celebex is a monthly rating index based on several measurable parameters, including the stars’ Box-Office performance, their ability to stay in the news across print, TV and online, their brand endorsement, and their popularity among fans on the internet and social media. Sunny Leone attempts a Marilyn Monroe Sunny Leone’s next with Ram Kapoor will target families for a change. OMG: Karan Kundra's love bite gets viral! TV heartthrob turned B-Town aspirant Karan Kundra created a viral storm when promo videos of him attacking a girl went online. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		A sensor that can find copper in body In what may be a simple and quick method to detect copper in the human body and the environment, scientists at the Central Leather Re search Institute (CLRI) have developed a chemical sensor that glows in the presence of copper. Scientists find new formation of coronary vascular population A new formation of distinct coronary vascular population in the neonatal heart has been discovered by Chinese scientists that they say may provide new strategies for the treatment of myocardial infarction. Now ultrasound way to find if the star is baby or young 'Infant' stars can be distinguished from 'adolescent' stars by measuring the acoustic waves they emit, says a study. More Science News»

		Sports
		Injured Neymar ruled out of World Cup Brazil on Friday lost superstar striker Neymar for the World Cup after he fractured a vertebrae during his side's 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal win over Colombia. Federer reaches ninth Wimbledon final Roger Federer reached a ninth Wimbledon final after suppressing bullet-serving giant Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 with a masterful display of the grasscourt arts. Luiz seals Brazil win over Colombia A second-half free kick from Brazil's David Luiz sealed a 2-1 win over Colombia in a frantic quarterfinal, keeping the hosts on track for a sixth world title. More Sports News»

		Technology
		How Microsoft seized a big chunk of the internet, then broke it There's a group of people at Microsoft who are like internet superheroes on a mission to protect the world from evil hackers. 10 ways Android L is better than Apple's iOS 10 ways Android L is better than Apple’s iOS Steve Jobs took our jobs: Finnish prime minister Finnish PM Alexander Stubb accused Steve Jobs of crushing his Nordic country's job market by selling innovations that caught Finland's companies off guard. More Technology News»

		Education
		Answer sheets to have students' photos To bring in more transparency in examinations, students appearing for ICSE (class X) and ISCE (class XII) will be provided answer sheets embedded with their photographs, Fr Jose Aikara CM, chairman of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), said on Friday. Second list triggers spate of cancellations at DU The first day of second cutoff admissions at DU is more about cancellations. And, this year, they took place largely in BCom (honours), thanks to Shri Ram College of Commerce keeping the door open to the course by lowering its cutoff by 0.25%. Call to save interest of 2013 batch Participants of the Save DU Campaign protested again on Friday, this time to protect the interests of the single FYUP batch. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Ban construction near water bodies, says PIL The HC on Friday admitted a plea seeking cancellation of permission for construction in the floodplain of rivers, lakes, creeks, tributaries, estuaries and beaches. 2 more open up about abuse at special school Two more students were made witnesses by the police on Friday in the Dadar sexual abuse case in which a 42-year-old principal and a 37-year-old teacher of a school for special children were arrested on Wednesday. Experts fear city may lose its seafront The redefinition of the Mahim coast as a bay by the state coastal authority is expected to open up large parts of the city's shore line for construction. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Power curb on malls has been lifted Power supply in Delhi malls after 10pm has been completely restored from Friday, following improvement in electricity supply in the city, a government official said. Delhi Development Authority plans to build 4,500 flats for the elderly Delhi Development Authority has drafted a proposal to create the biggest housing project for the elderly built with government participation in the country. Delhi: Go for multilevel car parks or pay a heavy penalty? City authorities may soon penalize car owners for not using multilevel parking facilities. A committee set up by the lieutenant governor is set to recommend that rates for surface parking be raised five-fold in areas where multilevel parking exists. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Siddaramaiah defends MLA who slapped cops, slams BJP Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday went on the offensive over the assault case involving a Congress MLA. He termed the attack on two constables by Hungund legislator Vijayanand Kashappanavar in a city lounge bar on Tuesday a “relatively a minor incident compared to BJP legislators who have been accused of rape, watching porn films or even going to jail”. Jagadish Shettar on Slapgate: Cong fears backlash, so it is shielding the MLA The BJP has stalled proceedings in both Houses of the Karnataka legislature on Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar's issue. Congress issues show-cause notice The Congress on Friday issued a show-cause notice to its MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar and asked him to reply within three days.Though the MLA is absconding, the notice was delivered at his residence in Bangalore. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		No power, water connections without OC, says GHMC chief Officials at the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) and Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) were asked on Friday to insist on occupancy certificates (OCs) while granting water and power connection to buildings, GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar said. Girl commits suicide over poor rank in Eamcet As she failed to get a good rank in Eamcet, an engineering aspirant committed suicide at her residence in Lalaguda on Thursday night. Traffic violators' free run to end soon Free run of traffic violators will end soon. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Keeper of yore with a keen eye for talent He was not only effective behind the stumps but also had the knack of spotting and nurturing talent. Chennai building collapse: Dogs put in as many hours as humans at site It has been a tiring seven-day search and rescue for two-and-a-half year old Dil, a German Shepherd, and eight-year-old Rustum, a Labrador. National Disaster Response Force to stay back in Chennai Two of the 10 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) that came for rescue operations at Maulivakkam will stay back in the city. The building collapse had underscored the need for such a force here. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Over Rs 3cr to be spent on new cars for ministers Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has cleared a proposal to buy 27 new cars for ministers of her cabinet at the cost of over Rs 3.1 crore. House passes key town planning amendment bill The Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development (Amendment) Bill-2014 was passed in the state assembly by a majority on Monday in the absence of opposition MLAs. Congress MLAs suspended after ruckus Vaghela tried to raise the issue, but speaker Vaju Vala insisted on discussing it after the question hour, which opposition members opposed. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Akhadas soften stand against Sai followers A day after serving 48-hour ultimatum, the akhadas on Thursday softened their stand against Sai Baba followers as no protest was staged against Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati. BSc, BCom entrance test results out The results of BSc and BCom entrance test (UGAT-14) were announced on Thursday.Director, admission cell, Allahabad University, Jagdamba Singh announced the results. Written test to recruit assistant professors on September 21 Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Services Commission (UPHESC) announced on Thursday that the written examination for 1,652 vacancies of assistant professors would be conducted from September 21 to 28. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Utkal students seek better hostels A group of students from Utkal University on Thursday submitted a memorandum to vice-chancellor Ashok Das pressing for their demands for repair of the university hostel buildings and good quality food at the hostels. Saradha chief sent to judicial custody Kingpin of Saradha chit fund scam Sudipta Sen was on Thursday brought here for interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate, which is probing the company's alleged illegal money trail and diversion of public deposits to other businesses. Call in time saves worker family of cremation rituals Sample this scene: An old father at Swargadwar in Puri watching a pyre being readied a few feet away for cremation of his son. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Drought alarm: All 51 districts in Madhya Pradesh rain deficit Madhya Pradesh is staring at drought if monsoon fails to gain momentum.All 51 districts are short of their quota of rain so far. Commercial use of property: Notice slapped on Katare's wife State government has served notice to wife of Leader of Opposition Satyadev Katare for using "residential space" for "commercial purpose" in Arera Colony. MPPSC boss wanted extension of tainted exam controller A query under RTI revealed that chairman of scam-riddled Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) made a request to the state government for extending the deputation of tainted controller of examinations for evaluation of exams whose question papers were leaked. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		830 apply for 80 seats in MA (Eco) Panjab University (PU) saw hundreds of aspirants queuing up in departments on the last day of submission of forms for various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Kirron Kher shows she cares for senior citizens Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher said on Friday that she would push for separate OPD hours for senior citizens at the city's government hospitals, including the PGIMER. Stray dogs kill blackbucks in Fatehabad Stray dogs on Friday mauled two blackbucks at Badopal in Fatehabad district on Thursday. More Chandigarh News»

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