News Digest: Saradha con: Big fish feel the heat

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, August 28, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Saradha con: Big fish feel the heat Back-to-back arrests by CBI last week of two powerful players with heavy-duty political backing in the almost Rs 3,500-crore Saradha scandal have rattled many politicians. Karunanidhi's son Alagiri booked in temple land grabbing case Former union minister and expelled DMK leader M K Alagiri has been booked for alleged grabbing of land belonging to a local temple, an official said. Travel to Kashmir valley, enjoy a feast fit for a king Struck by Kashmir's scenic beauty, a wise old king once said, 'If there is heaven on earth, it is here, it is here'. Now, with Times Passion Trails' Kashmir Culinary Trail, discover how this heavenly destination can be paradise for the palate as well. More India News»

		Business
		Overseas payments under scanner The government has put payments made by Indian companies to foreign vendors and routed through Indian banks under the scanner after the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money and the Central Bureau of Investigation expressed fears over possible misuse. 'WHO says alcohol prohibition doesn't work' India's embattled alcoholic beverage industry has pulled out a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report outlining the adverse impact of 'blunt' measures like prohibition on alcohol after Kerala last week unveiled a plan to rid the state of liquor. Allow more private and foreign banks: ADB president Takehiko Nakao, president of the Manila-based Asian Development Bank says investors are keen to invest in India but calls for more reforms in the financial sector. More Business News»

		Environment
		Plastic waste may trigger water bombs in Himalayas Unfortunately, this is the ugly truth of the Himalayas. The heap, which includes biodegradable plastic, can be found just four kilometres from Shimla in the reserved forest of Lalpani. Earth can sustain more terrestrial plant growth Earth can produce much more land-plant biomass — the total material in leaves, stems, roots, fruits, grains and other terrestrial plant parts — than previously thought, according to a new study. Elephants belong in the wild: Mary Kom Elephants and other animals in circuses are subjected to chronic confinement, physical abuse and psychological torment. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama seeks allies for action in Syria President Obama has begun to seek and mobilize allies for possible US action in Syria and Northern Iraq even as reports emerged of an American jihadi dying in Syria fighting for extremists. Russia has opened new war front: Ukraine The Obama administration, which has placed increasingly punitive economic sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis, on Tuesday asserted that the Russians had sent new columns of tanks and armour across the Ukrainian border As truce holds, dazed Gazans get to work Life did not exactly return to normal, but thousands of residents did return to their homes. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Am not allowed to go near my daughter or meet her' Raja Chaudhary, who has been missing in action for some time now, will soon be seen in a comic role, that of a bank robber, in the upcoming show Raavi And Her Magic Mobile. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to make comeback with Irrfan The extremely talented Irrfan will be playing the lead with Aishwarya in the film. Pics: Best & worst of Aishwarya Rai at Cannes so far More Entertainment News»

		Science
		New estrogen compound may curb binge eating Scientists have found that a new estrogen-based compound may help prevent binge eating. Is our universe a 2D hologram? A unique experiment called the Holometer has started collecting data that will answer some mind-bending questions about our universe - including whether we live in a 2D hologram. Fastest sprinters' speed secret unlocked Scientists have unlocked the secret behind Usain Bolt's extraordinary speed - he delivers a firm, rapid punch to the ground! More Science News»

		Sports
		Sindhu enters third round, Jwala-Ashwini pair bows out P V Sindhu stormed into the third round of the World Badminton Championship with a straight game victory over Olga Golovanova of Russia. Odds slashed on Van Gaal leaving Manchester United British bookmakers reacted to Manchester United's defeat by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup by slashing the odds on manager van Gaal leaving the club. Agnieszka Radwanska knocked out of US Open Polish fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska was knocked out of the US Open, going down 6-3, 6-4 to China's Peng Shuai in the second round in New York. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi 'discontinues' Mi 3 just a month after launch Xiaomi has suspended the sales of Mi 3 for an undefined period of time. Oppo N1 Mini review: Great camera phone, not so great price The phone packs the N1's rotating swivel camera in a relatively compact form factor. Toys that 8 of the wealthiest tech titans own From sports franchises to private planes, we've rounded up some of the most interesting toys tech billionaires have splurged on recently. More Technology News»

		Education
		AMU's Kerala centre restricts use of mobiles on campus Aligarh Muslim University centre at Malappuram, Kerala, has imposed restrictions on use of mobiles by students on campus. Students' papers to be verified online The time-consuming document verification process of Bangalore University (BU) students is all set to go online from the next academic year. Educational Initiatives, Duke TIP launch talent search programme for school children The ‘Duke TIP ASSET India Talent Search 2014’ programme seeks to identify toppers in mathematics, science and English in classes 7 and 8 and give them a platform to aim for more. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Dying declaration cannot be made in kin, friend's presence No relative or friend should be present while the dying declaration of a victim is recorded, the Bombay high court has said. 2-year-old girl dragged away by leopard A two-year-old girl from a tribal village in Wada fell prey to a leopard on Wednesday and she is yet to be found. Poor response forces BEST to scrap two Freeway buses Two fast-track bus routes were introduced via the Eastern Freeway to encourage citizens to use public transport while travelling from SoBo to the suburbs. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Sultanate-era relics on road to recovery Paharganj's identity, for years, has been that of an area replete with budget hotels teeming with foreign tourists. Metro to scale new high with Ghaziabad link Travelling within the NCR will become fast and smooth with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation constructing a 9.6km elevated track to Ghaziabad in December. Less than 4% of commuting in Delhi done on cycles now In 1957, more than 35% of Delhiites commuted on bicycles. Fifty years later, the ‘modal share’ of cycling in the city’s transport had reduced to about 4% and—given the rapid increase in private vehicle ownership—is likely to have dipped further by now. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		No fresh KPSC selection: KAT to govt In a setback to Siddaramaiah government, the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) on Wednesday asked it not to undertake a fresh selection process via the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Siddaramaiah's loss is Vasundhara's gain But these prominent Bangaloreans have recently been named to Rajasthan’s BJP CM Vasundhara Raje’s advisory body to spur the economic and social growth of the desert state. Seer accused of sexually abusing woman Administrators of the Shri Ramachandrapur Mutt in Hosanagar of Shimoga district have filed a police complaint of blackmail against a singer and her husband. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Panel finds Vinukonda-Donakonda region ideal for Andhra capital After months of scouting for suitable place and putting an end to speculation, the K C Sivaramakrishnan Committee has identified Martur-Vinukonda-Donakonda region as ideal for the location of new capital location of Andhra Pradesh.  Steep fee hike in private dental colleges After increasing fee for certain categories of seats in private medical colleges, the Telangana government on Wednesday effected a change in the fee structure of private dental colleges as well. Did DoPT mess up AIS officers' cadre allocation? A slip-up by the department of personnel and training (DoPT) of excluding former chief secretary PK Mohanty’s name from the list of officers, despite being in service on June 1, has changed the complexion of the entire AIS cadre allocation to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Tamil, the lost language of Carnatic music Among the many issues that remain unresolved in Carnatic music is the language that should be used. I hold that a key reason for alienating nonbrahmins is that the language of Carnatic music used in much of the concert performances is typically not Tamil. Bharat Ratna: Missing jewels from TN Karunanidhi's demand for bharat ratna to annadurai puts spotlight on past state honours. TN tourism department plans makeover to woo tourists Tamil Nadu tourism is planning to begin all over again. After a period of inaction, the department has decided to revive a few of its tourist-friendly schemes following a recent ministers’ conference in Delhi. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		NaMo chant at Ahmedabad's Ganesha pandal The Narendra Modi wave continues in the city even after the general elections. Modi may have moved to New Delhi as Prime Minister but his presence will loom large during the Ganpati festivities in the city this year. Cloud of bats diminishes Modhera Sun temple glow Creatures of the night have laid siege to the Sun temple at Modhera and tourists are appalled by the stink they have raised. Thousands of bats have taken shelter in the temple and their droppings are now a health concern. Teen rapes four-year-old in Odhav A four-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 19-year-old youth, Rajesh Gajera, in Odhav.Police have arrested Gajera for the crime."She was raped on August 24," said an Odhav police official. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Can't deny quota over gender: HC The Allahabad High Court has ruled that there should not be any discrimination on the ground of gender in providing reservation to a girl under the Freedom Fighters’ quota for admission to medical courses in Combined Pre-Medical Test (CPMT). AU prof deciphers Gupta dynasty inscription A faculty member of the department of Ancient History of Allahabad University has managed to decipher and identify a rare 5th century copper plate inscription discovered in a village near Mahasthan in Bogra district of Bangladesh. Docs rush to Koraon villages after death of 5 kids The death of five children in different villages of Koraon block in the past 48 hours has made the officials of health department run from pillar to post to ascertain the cause of the deaths. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Jajpur postmaster embezzles Rs 8 lakh The postmaster of Nachipura village post office in Jajpur district is accused of embezzling Rs 8 lakh of depositors. Cong to take stock of election debacle Congress general secretary in-charge of Odisha B K Hariprasad and secretary Subhankar Sarkar would hear them for two days starting Wednesday.The duo would compile their views and submit the report to the high command. Training to make science colourful & interesting Teachers from tribal schools of Odisha on Tuesday got hands-on training on teaching science in a more interesting and joyful manner. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Protests rage outside Scindia School, parents claim kids forced to watch porn Protests raged outside Scindia School, Gwalior, after the alleged suicide bid by a student. 'Sorceresses' burn a man alive, dance around him in Madhya Pradesh Seven people including four sorceresses stabbed a man, chopped his arms, burned him alive and danced around him until he was done to ashes. No end to state's power woes Chouhan had on August 23 instructed officials to improve power supplies and ensure 24-hour supply in the state.Power minister too had in a statement on August 21 assured supplies would be improved in two days. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		'Tera CM kidhar hai' challenge for parties A galore of political parties in Haryana, which is likely to go to polls by the end of September, notwithstanding, they are yet to find their chief ministerial candidates. HJC to explore new options for alliance Sources close to HJC leader Kuldeep Bishnoi also hinted that Sharma may join hands with him by merging his party into HJC. BJP goes into huddle before panel meet with Akalis With differences cropping up between both parties, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and its alliance partner in the government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had on August 12 announced setting up a six-member state coordination committee. More Chandigarh News»

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