News Digest: Surpiya Sule seeks disqualification of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare as MPs

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, July 05, 2023
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Surpiya Sule seeks disqualification of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare as MPs A day after sacking them from the party, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP filed two separate petitions for the disqualification of Praful Patel from the Rajya Sabha and Sunil Tatkare from the Lok Sabha. Uddhav to tour Maharashtra in bid to rejuvenate party ahead of polls After Thackeray held a meeting of the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday at his residence, Matoshree in Bandra (East), party functionaries said their chief would visit all important cities and talk to party workers ahead of next year's elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Thackeray would attend the meeting of opposition parties in Bengaluru. He said Congress politician Rahul Gandhi had called Thackeray to request his presence at the meeting. Maha Cong stresses united MVA, but no call on oppn leader AICC general secretary in charge of the state H K Patil on Tuesday said a decision on the leader of the opposition in the assembly would be taken after interacting with everyone at the appropriate time. The post is vacant as Ajit Pawar of the NCP joined the Shinde-Fadnavis government on Sunday. More India News»

		Science
		Jowar emerges as India's sustainable alternative to wheat amid climate challenges In the face of escalating climate challenges, a new study has uncovered Jowar (Sorghum) as India's resilient substitute for wheat. As the country's second-largest wheat producer, India has witnessed a staggering 40% surge in wheat production since the early 2000s. Ferocious black holes reveal 'time dilation' in early universe Time is a slippery thing, as profound thinkers like Albert Einstein and, well, fictional time traveler Dr. Who plainly understood. The latter, in a 2007 episode of the British sci-fi series, accurately described time as "wibbly wobbly."Scientists made that point anew on Monday in a study that used observations of a ferocious class of black holes called quasars to demonstrate "time dilation" in the early universe, showing how time then passed only about a fifth as quickly as it does today. Isro semi-cryo engine test terminated mid-way Isro on Monday said it conducted the first hot-test of the semi-cryogenic engine on an intermediate configuration, known as the Power Head Test Article (PHTA), on July 1. The test, conducted at the Isro Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu was towards developing a 2,000kN thrust semi-cryogenic engine to power the booster stages of future launch vehicles. More Science News»

		Technology
		Vi Super Hour and Super Day Data Packs launched: Here's what the users will get Vodafone Idea has introduced new offers for its prepaid users. The telecom operator has rolled out the Super Hour and Super Day recharge plans. The company claims that the purpose of these packs is to enable prepaid customers to continue using data seamlessly without any interruptions even after reaching their usage limit. These smartwatches may help detect Parkinson's disease, here's how A study by the Mental Health Innovation Institute at Cardiff University has found that smartwatches may be able to detect Parkinson's disease symptoms up to seven years earlier than diagnosis is usually made. Involving over 103,000 participants, the medical-grade wearables measured movement speed over a seven-day period. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine, and backed by the UK Dementia Institute, the Welsh government and Cardiff University. Smartwatches could enable clinicians to identify at-risk individuals and offer treatment earlier. Further research is needed before the technology can be put into clinical practice. AI takes over sports: Wimbledon to feature AI commentary Wimbledon 2021 is revolutionizing its audio and text commentary using IBM's AI platform Watson to offer post-match highlights on the Wimbledon app. The AI analyzes data such as ball tracking, player locations and shot types to create commentary for its users. This new feature aims to enhance viewers' experience by providing informative and engaging narration with diverse sentence structures and vocabulary based on an AI generative model for language. Additionally, a new artificial intelligence tool has been introduced called AI draw analysis, which uses several factors to determine the player's draw favorability rating. More Technology News»

		Business
		For advising on a $64bn merger deal, bankers get a 0.0002% fee The $64bn merger of two Indian lenders, completed in August, has generated just over $1m in fees for 18 advisers, according to sources who revealed that just two of the advisers, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, would benefit significantly from the tie-up. Several of the advisory firms learned only a day before the announcement that the merger was taking place, the sources said. Xi's metal curbs risk backfiring as G7 seeks China alternative China's decision to control the export of gallium and germanium, used for making chips and electric cars, shows its power to retaliate against US, Japan, and Europe's moves to cut it off from advanced technology. However, this move may backfire as it could prompt these countries to reduce dependence on China and boost output elsewhere. Facebook faces legal setback in EU court decision on data privacy and ads Facebook lost a legal challenge Tuesday at the European Union's top court over a groundbreaking German antitrust decision that limited the way the company uses data for advertising.The European Court of Justice said competition watchdogs can consider whether companies like Facebook comply with the continent's strict privacy rules, which are normally enforced by national data privacy regulators. More Business News»

		Sports
		SAFF Championship: India beat Kuwait in penalty shootout to win 9th title A determined Team India edged Kuwait in a tense penalty shootout to clinch a record ninth SAFF Championship title in Bengaluru on Tuesday. India finished with a score-line of 5-4 in the shoot-out after both sides were deadlocked 1-1 in 120 minutes in the summit clash . Ajit Agarkar appointed Team India's chief selector Former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar was on Tuesday appointed as the chief selector of the Team India's senior men's selection committee. Watch: Federer gets rousing welcome at Big W's centre court Wimbledon paid tribute to the legendary Roger Federer as the eight-time champion returned to the prestigious tournament on Tuesday. The Centre Court crowd greeted the Swiss maestro with a prolonged standing ovation, mixed with cheers, as he made his way to the Royal box. More Sports News»

		Education
		Dr Abhijit H Joshi takes over as VC of Desh Bhagat University Dr. Abhijit H Joshi on Tuesday took over as the vice-chancellor of Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh. Dr Virinder Singh, advisor to the chancellor, welcomed him. PM virtually inaugurates global convention centre at Puttaparthi On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sai Hira Global Convention Centre at Prasanthi Nilayam in Puttaparthi, located in the Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. Speaking through a virtual address, the Prime Minister expressed that the upcoming 25 years following India's independence would be known as the "Kartavya Kaal," emphasizing the nation's commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities by giving them utmost importance. IIT Bhilai Researchers Develop Revolutionary 'Smart Insulin' for Enhanced Diabetes Treatment Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai and Shiv Nadar University have successfully developed a "smart insulin" for diabetes treatment. This innovative formulation made from bio-abundant materials has the potential to reduce insulin injection frequency with extended release lasting up to two days. The material exhibits promising results during experiments on diabetic rats and may lead to an improved quality of life for people living with diabetes. This development opens the possibility of creating an artificial pancreas and reducing the global health threat diabetes poses. More Education News»

		Environment
		World registers hottest day ever recorded on July 3 July 3, was the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to data from the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction. ​​The average global temperature reached 17.01 degrees Celsius (62.62 Fahrenheit), surpassing the August 2016 record of 16.92C (62.46F) as heatwaves sizzled around the world. Climate change? UK sees hottest June on record The UK sweltered through its hottest June since records began in 1884, the country's weather agency said on Monday, adding that human-induced global warming means such unusual heat will become more frequent in the next few decades. Even after one year of the ban on single-use plastic, traders flout norms in Visakhapatnam More Environment News»

		World
		World registers hottest day ever recorded on July 3 July 3, was the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to data from the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction. ​​The average global temperature reached 17.01 degrees Celsius (62.62 Fahrenheit), surpassing the August 2016 record of 16.92C (62.46F) as heatwaves sizzled around the world. Taliban ban women's beauty salons across Afghanistan In the latest round of restrictions against women, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has imposed a ban on women-run beauty salons, depriving hundreds of female workers from employment as the war-battered country battles extreme poverty. Female Russian journalist and lawyer brutally attacked in Chechnya Armed masked assailants in the Russian province of Chechnya attacked and brutally beat a prominent investigative reporter and a lawyer on Tuesday, an assault that highlighted a violent pattern of rampant human rights abuses in the region. More World News»

		Environment
		World registers hottest day ever recorded on July 3 July 3, was the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to data from the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction. ​​The average global temperature reached 17.01 degrees Celsius (62.62 Fahrenheit), surpassing the August 2016 record of 16.92C (62.46F) as heatwaves sizzled around the world. Climate change? UK sees hottest June on record The UK sweltered through its hottest June since records began in 1884, the country's weather agency said on Monday, adding that human-induced global warming means such unusual heat will become more frequent in the next few decades. Even after one year of the ban on single-use plastic, traders flout norms in Visakhapatnam More Environment News»

		Hyderabad
		Hyderabad Metro witnesses record 5.1 lakh single-day ridership In a major milestone post pandemic, the Hyderabad Metro Rail achieved its highest ever ridership on Monday by clocking 5.10 lakh passengers. Hyderabad accident: 2 women morning walkers mowed down on footpath by speeding car, another critical A woman and her daughter, who were on a morning walk, were killed and another woman was injured after they were struck by a speeding car in Bandlaguda area of Hyderabad on Tuesday morning. Union minister G Kishan Reddy appointed Telangana BJP chief, Bandi Sanjay ousted In a major organisational reshuffle, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday named Union tourism minister Kishan Reddy as its president in Telangana, replacing Bandi Sanjay. More Hyderabad News»

		Chandigarh
		Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann slams Uniform Civil Code week after AAP backed it Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann slammed the BJP-led Centre on Uniform Civil Code, accusing the party of raising religious issues for electoral gain. This comes a week after AAP MP Sandeep Pathak said the party backed UCC "in principle". Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa calls for CAG audit of AAP roadshow After the Punjab government initiated the process of recovering the senior advocate’s fee that the previous Congress dispensation had paid to oppose the transfer of gangster Mukhtar Ansari to Uttar Pradesh, state’s leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has requested India’s comptroller and auditor general (CAG) for a special audit of the government’s “unauthorised” expenditure on a roadshow before it took office. Punjab Congress leader Amrinder Raja Singh Warring accuses AAP of doubletalk on UCC Reacting to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s statement denouncing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amrinder Raja Singh Warring on Tuesday said the chief minister had adopted double standards and was trying to fool people. More Chandigarh News»

		Ahmedabad
		After failing Class 10, lovers end lives together A 16-year-old girl from Kheda and a 17-year-old boy from Ahmedabad killed themselves by drowning themselves in the Sabarmati on Sunday, police said. High court asks for details of impact fee appeals in towns The Gujarat high court on Tuesday sought information from the authority concerned on the status of applications for regularization of unauthorized constructions under the new impact fee law in the municipalities across the state. IAS officer Gaurav Dahiya reinstated he Gujarat government has reinstated IAS officer Gaurav Dahiya, who was suspended after a woman from Delhi accused him of bigamy and cheating in 2019. In a notification dated July 3, 2023, the 2010-batch officer was appointed as the additional development commissioner in Gandhinagar, relieving A B Rathod of the additional charge. More Ahmedabad News»

		Chennai
		Home for mentally ill owner arrested for sexual abuse Police on Tuesday arrested the owner of a home for mentally ill near Thiruporur on charges of sexually exploiting a woman staying there with her son and sealed it following the Chengalpet collector's order that it had been running without permission. The home owner, Veeramani, was later remanded in judicial custody. Stone quarry owners end strike after talks with minister, officials The nine day state wide strike by stone quarries came to an end on Tuesday after multiple rounds of talks with top government officials and state minister for mines Duraimurugan. HC delivers split verdict over Senthil Balaji arrest, custody The Madras high court on Tuesday delivered a split verdict in minister Senthil Balaji arrest case, over legal issues surrounding the manner of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14, and whether he could be sent to the ED custody even after completion of the 15-day remand period. More Chennai News»

		Bangalore
		Protests over Cong's five poll guarantees BJP staged protests in and outside the assembly over the government's failure to fulfil its pre-poll guarantees. The Lower House was adjourned twice in the pre-lunch session and eventually for the day. Rohini opens centre to further research in mental health The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) on Tuesday launched the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind, a dedicated centre focused on advancing research and practice related to neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health. Purple Line commuters see red as signalling issue hits services Working professionals and others relying on Namme Metro services on Purple Line faced a tough time due to disruption in train operations on Tuesday morning. More Bangalore News»

		Bangalore
		Protests over Cong's five poll guarantees BJP staged protests in and outside the assembly over the government's failure to fulfil its pre-poll guarantees. The Lower House was adjourned twice in the pre-lunch session and eventually for the day. Rohini opens centre to further research in mental health The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) on Tuesday launched the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind, a dedicated centre focused on advancing research and practice related to neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health. Purple Line commuters see red as signalling issue hits services Working professionals and others relying on Namme Metro services on Purple Line faced a tough time due to disruption in train operations on Tuesday morning. More Bangalore News»

		Mumbai
		BJP doesn't like mass leaders, they'll erode Ajit's base: Nephew Sharad Pawar's grand nephew Rohit Pawar on Tuesday said the BJP does not like "lok netas (mass leaders)" like Ajit Pawar and so before the elections it will erode his power, stature and following.Rohit, an MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed who remains with the Sharad Pawar-led faction, said his uncle Ajit will not have any autonomy in an alliance with the BJP. 'Disqualify Praful Patel, Tatkare as MPs' A day after sacking them from the party, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP filed two separate petitions for the disqualification of Praful Patel from the Rajya Sabha and Sunil Tatkare from the Lok Sabha. Pawar vs Pawar: Sharad, Ajit call MLAs for meets two hours apart While the Sharad Pawar group has called a meet of MLAs and other party functionaries at 11 am at Y B Chavan Centre at Nariman Point, deputy CM Ajit Pawar has summoned all the legislators at 1 pm to the Mumbai Education Trust in Bandra, which is run by NCP's cabinet member Chhagan Bhujbal. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		HC dismisses PIL challenging mandatory driver uniforms Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging mandatory uniforms for auto rickshaw and taxi drivers in the city. BJP targets CM over denial of bail to Sisodia, RAPIDX A day after the Delhi High Court refused bail to former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and the Supreme Court slammed the city government for not contributing funds for a transport project, the BJP on Tuesday dubbed CM Arvind Kejriwal as "dishonest", "most corrupt" and "kingpin" of the liquor scam. NGT sets up eight-member panel to check pollution around AIIMS The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed an eight-member joint committee to implement the recommendations submitted by School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) to check sources of pollution around AIIMS Delhi, which has impacted patients and staff. More Delhi News»

		Delhi
		HC dismisses PIL challenging mandatory driver uniforms Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging mandatory uniforms for auto rickshaw and taxi drivers in the city. BJP targets CM over denial of bail to Sisodia, RAPIDX A day after the Delhi High Court refused bail to former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and the Supreme Court slammed the city government for not contributing funds for a transport project, the BJP on Tuesday dubbed CM Arvind Kejriwal as "dishonest", "most corrupt" and "kingpin" of the liquor scam. NGT sets up eight-member panel to check pollution around AIIMS The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed an eight-member joint committee to implement the recommendations submitted by School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) to check sources of pollution around AIIMS Delhi, which has impacted patients and staff. More Delhi News»

		Delhi
		HC dismisses PIL challenging mandatory driver uniforms Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging mandatory uniforms for auto rickshaw and taxi drivers in the city. BJP targets CM over denial of bail to Sisodia, RAPIDX A day after the Delhi High Court refused bail to former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and the Supreme Court slammed the city government for not contributing funds for a transport project, the BJP on Tuesday dubbed CM Arvind Kejriwal as "dishonest", "most corrupt" and "kingpin" of the liquor scam. NGT sets up eight-member panel to check pollution around AIIMS The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed an eight-member joint committee to implement the recommendations submitted by School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) to check sources of pollution around AIIMS Delhi, which has impacted patients and staff. More Delhi News»

		Allahabad
		UP best, safest destination for investments, says Yogi Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that rule of law is the first requirement for good governance and UP police has established the rule of law in the last six years by ridding the state of crime, riots, and anarchy. Garbage sites stink after rains, locals fear spread of diseases Scattered showers lead to waterlogging, power cuts More Allahabad News»

		Bhopal
		Slap NSA on man seen in video urinating on tribal's face: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan A video of a man urinating on a tribal man's face while smoking a cigarette in MP's Sidhi went viral on Tuesday. Police have filed an FIR against Pravesh Shukla under the SC/ST Act. The CM said: "I have instructed the administration to arrest him and impose NSA." Chouhan ends annual renewal of contract staff Barely five months ahead of polls, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday announced major sops for the over 1.5 lakh contractual employees of the state government, promising the same pay and benefits as regular staff and abolishing the need for annual renewal of contract. Video shows man urinating on tribal youth in MP; police invoke NSA Police in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district on Tuesday registered a case after a video showing a man urinating on a tribal youth went viral. More Bhopal News»

		Bhubaneswar
		120 cops come to rescue as Similipal battles staff crunch Days before the cease work of non-gazetted forest service association, the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) is struggling to get forest staff for field work, forcing authorities to rope in 120 police personnel and 100 forest staff from neighbouring divisions to keep an eye in the core areas and other vantage points. Bhubaneswar Police sets up unified IT platform to improve policing In a major boost to policing in Bhubaneswar and in Cuttack, the commissionerate police has set up an integrated & unified command and control centre (I&UCCC) to check crime and manage traffic with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). 'Rout opened six benami accounts, deposited Rs 1.2 cr' The vigilance directorate, which arrested former additional sub-collector of Nabarangpur Prasanta Kumar Rout on June 24 for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets worth Rs 5.21 crore, has come to know that he had opened six bank accounts in the names of people without their knowledge and deposited around Rs 1.2 crore in those benami accounts. More Bhubaneswar News»

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