News Digest: Scared of ISIS, Iraqi brothers seek refuge in India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, February 01, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Scared of ISIS, Iraqi brothers seek refuge in India So scared is family of the boys that soon after they told their parents they had spoken to The Times of India, they called back the reporter to change their names in the story. Cops trying to kill me, judge writes to Allahabad HC Officials confirmed that the charges against the policemen involved are serious as the judge has alleged a conspiracy by the three to kill him. Saradha takes centre stage at TMC meet While he kept his partymen on tenterhooks through his body language on Friday, Mukul Roy’s 42-page statement to CBI apparently left little to doubt. More India News»

		Business
		India's economic growth revised up by almost 50% India's economy grew almost 50 per cent faster in 2013/14 than earlier thought, the government said on Friday after changing a formula, a reminder of the challenges that unreliable statistics present to Indian policymakers. 'Greek funding would be a decision for ECB council' ECB Vice-President Vitor Constancio said on Saturday that a decision on whether to give Greece emergency funding would be up to the central bank's Governing Council. US support Congress to speed up LNG export license In a development that could benefit India's effort to import natural gas from the US, the Obama Administration has supported the Congress to approve or deny permits for shipments of Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement countries in 45 days. More Business News»

		Environment
		Jackal research and translocation project launched Wildlife SOS in collaboration with U P Forest Department and Archaeological Survey of India are launching a wildlife research project to study and eventually translocate about 30- 35 wild jackals from Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra, Agra to safe natural habitat. Female elephant electrocuted in Tamil Nadu A 20-year-old female elephant was electrocuted near the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. 185 rare Asian Black Spotted turtles seized by BSF The Border Security Force (BSF) seized 185 rare Asian Black Spotted turtles close to the Indo-Bangla border late on Thursday. More Environment News»

		World
		Obama condemns 'heinous murder' of Japanese hostage US President Barack Obama on Saturday condemned the "heinous murder" of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto by Islamic State militants and vowed that the United States would continue its actions to destroy the hardline Islamist group. Islamic State admits defeat in Syria's Kobani The Islamic State group has acknowledged for the first time that its fighters have been defeated in the Syrian town of Kobani and vowed to attack the town again. Ukraine peace talks collapse as fighting rages Peace talks aimed at halting rising bloodshed in eastern Ukraine ended in failure Saturday, with Kiev's envoy saying pro-Russian separatists wrecked a deal by refusing to discuss an immediate ceasefire. More World News»

		Entertainment
		60th Britannia Filmfare Awards: Winners From Salman Khan to Deepika Padukone, Karan Johar to Varun Dhawan, the stars made their presence felt with their style statements and memorable quotes. Here's a look at the list of winner under the various categories. 60th Britannia Filmfare Awards: Best quotes Best red carpet appearances at Filmfare Awards Sonam Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and several stars descended at the red carpet of the coveted 60th Britannia Filmfare Awards 2014. Here's a look... More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Now, fake human arms to help detect cancer Synthetic human skin is being made by Google as part of its work to create a wristband that can detect cancer, impending heart attacks and other diseases. Structure of anxiety disorder protein revealed New research has revealed the crystal structure of a key protein, TSPO, which is associated with several forms of anxiety disorders. HIV may stay hidden in 'quiet' immune cells In what could lead to a cure for HIV, researchers have found that the human immunodeficiency virus may stay hidden for years in certain "quiet" immune cells. More Science News»

		Sports
		Williams beats Sharapova to win sixth Australian Open title It was Serena Williams' sixth title at Melbourne Park and 19th Grand Slam win overall, moving her into a tie with Helen Wills Moody in third on the all-time list. EPL: Man United enjoy Leicester revenge at Old Trafford Van Persie and Falcao, two forwards whose form has been under an intense recent spotlight, both scored as Man United beat bottom-of-the-table Leicester 3-1. Murray, Djokovic both bidding for firsts at Australian Open For two men who have accomplished so much in their careers, the Australian Open final between friends Djokovic and Murray could achieve a number of firsts. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi shows Arunachal in India, angers China The Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has inadvertently reignited a century-old geopolitical dispute between India and China, Quartz reports. Samsung to launch Galaxy S6 in March Samsung will launch its next flagship smartphone Galaxy S6 by March-end. HTC Desire 526G+ vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G vs YU Yureka With an intent to penetrate the budget smartphone segment, Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC recently launched Desire 526G+ Dual Sim, a new octa-core processor-powered device. More Technology News»

		Education
		Rs 1cr up for grabs at IIT-B's business start-up plan contest today A personalized parenting application, affordable healthcare products, low-cost multi-line refreshable Braille display were among a range of ideas in the fray at Eureka, a business plan competition which is part of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay’s Entrepreneurship Summit 2015. Where is West Bengal's education system headed? Frequent campus violence, mass copying, irregularities in admission procedures, frequent student protests over trivial matters are plaguing West Bengal's once-reputed educational institutions that have at one time produced some of India's best known faces, both leaders and scholars. LSAT-India to be the primary admission test for many prestigious law schools A number of prestigious law schools and universities across India have announced that they will be using the Law School Admission Test (LSAT-India) scores for admissions, bringing the total number to such institutes to 60. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'SIM racket accused has terror links' The city police suspect that Govandi resident Sharif Khan, from whose house 2,173 active SIM cards and fake government documents including Aadhar and PAN cards were seized recently, was in touch with international terror suspects via a Facebook account. Woman sold off for Rs 1L, abused by 35 in a day A Kolkata resident who was conned into coming to the city after promising her a job was allegedly “sold off for Rs 1 lakh” in Bhiwandi’s red light area and was physically abused by 35 persons on a single day. Hotel owner rapes staffer on first day of her job, on the run A hotel owner in Ulhasnagar is on the run after being booked for allegedly raping a receptionist on her first day of job at the hotel. The accused, Sadanand Shetty (45), owns Dolphin Club hotel in Ulhasnagar 3. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi girl found dead in car, teen held A 16-year-old girl was found dead inside a car allegedly owned by the family of a former MLA in Anand Vihar on Saturday afternoon.While the doctors and police said the girl committed suicide, her family members have alleged murder. Delhi elections 2015: At Laxmi Nagar, AAP, BJP are even-steven Delhi elections 2015: Won't answer BJP's questions now: AAP  AAP on Saturday said the party would not respond to BJP's five questions as it had already challenged the saffron party's chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi for an open debate, which she “ran away from”. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Times Litfest Bengaluru: Net is an absolute human right The right to the internet is an absolute human right, Bengaluru-based lawyer Lawrence Liang said. Pranesh Prakash, policy director, Centre for Internet and Society, said people should fight for this right “as we fight for the right to food“. Times Litfest Bengaluru: Touching on live issues Blossoms in the Rain, the Kan nada poetry session, revived memories of incidents of rape that rocked IT City, with poets T Yellappa and MR Kamala focusing on this social crime. Times Litfest Bengaluru: Sex not a must-have `Sex'. And this time say it with feeling. The near full house, asked to re peat the `s' word after afternoon session speakers ­ Shinie Antony and Preeti Shenoy -let it stretch, roll off their mouths. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		3 more succumb to swine flu Three more people died of swine flu in the city on Saturday taking the H1N1 toll to 27 in January. All the three patients succumbed to the virus at Gandhi Hospital undergoing treatment. Violating rules, MLA builds house at govt qtr His assembly constituency could be miles away in Chittoor district, but that has not deterred Chandragiri YSR Congress MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy from expanding his official quarters in Hyderabad’s Adarshnagar area violating the rules. 4-hour non-stop Hanuman Chalisa sets world record About 1.30 lakh devotees of Lord Hanuman on Saturday set a world record here by chanting Hanuman Chalisa non-stop for four hours. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		10 workers killed as effluent tank collapses in Ranipet Ten workers, nine of them from West Bengal, were killed in the early hours of Saturday when a tank of an effluent treatment plant at Ranipet Sipcot industrial estate in Vellore district collapsed on the compound wall of an adjacent factory where they were sleeping. 75-year-old woman robbed at home in Korukkupet Two men attacked a 75-year-old woman and robbed her of a five sovereign gold chain at Munishwar Nagar in Korukkupet on Friday. Cop attacked for stopping drunk motorbike drivers A special sub-inspector of police was attacked after he stopped three men on a bike for drunk driving near Triplicane police station on Wallajah Road on Friday night. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		FEB 1, FAB On January 9, 1915, Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa; nearly a month later, on February 1, his history-transforming life began in Ahmedabad. So today marks the 100th year of his return to the city. Swachchta drive at Ahmedabad school sweeps up gold bars, Rs 1cr cash When the Kendriya Vidyalaya School in the ONGC campus in Chandkheda undertook a cleanliness drive on Saturday, they found Rs 1 crore in cash and 21 gold bars worth Rs 59 lakh. Vehicle fumes cause cancer: Experts Traffic is usually gridlocked at rush hour and the air is choked with diesel fumes.With so many diesel-fuelled vehicles on the roads, you are exposed to a mixture of cancer-causing substances every day. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Min to review UP Board preparations State education minister Mehboob Ali will hold a meeting on February 3 to review preparations for hassle-free X and XII exams of UP board. AU turns to retired teachers to ride over staff criss Battling acute shortage of teaching staff, the Allahabad University has now turned towards its retired teachers. The varsity has decided to re-employ superannuated teachers below 70 years. However, these teachers would not be allocated any administrative work. Their services would continue till the appointment of a regular teacher against the post. Guard locks self in room, fires in air Panic gripped Kotwali area after guard of a dharamshala locked himself in a room and started firing in air on Saturday evening. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Three boys injured in Bhushan firing Tension prevailed in front of Bhushan Steel Limited at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district after the plant’s security guards opened fire on villagers. AIIMS cuts price for private wards Good news for patients. The AIIMS here on Thursday reduced charges for its private ward, which offers separate luxury rooms for indoor patients, from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,000 per patient a day. Students to make best out of waste The National Institute of Fashion Technology on Friday will host 90 students, who will make pieces of art out of waste materials. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		From kitchen to hustings: First-timers buoy on hope Half of 100 women candidates from 85 wards are testing their luck in civic polls on Saturday for first time. Civic slugfest: Taut nerves, smiles on face A day ahead of polling, mayoral candidates of BJP and Congress on Friday remained busy hammering out strategies for D-Day. Clouds clear, mercury plummets to 7.4 degrees Cold wave conditions gripped the state capital once again with the minimum temperature plummeting after the clouds gave way to clear sky on Friday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Mayor takes stock of construction in Mahila Bhawan City mayor Poonam Sharma on Saturday took stock of construction work of Mahila Bhawan in Sector 38. She was accompanied by former city mayor and chairperson of Women Empowerment Committee Harjinder Kaur and official of MC's engineering and administrative wings. Hotel management institute organized chef competition Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, a premier Hotel Management Institute under Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on Wednesday organized a chef competition in the Institute premises for the students. Gender bender: Sex ratio below 500 in more than half of Haryana's village No Girl Born In 2,400 Villages In 2013 More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: BJP not to roll out red carpet for Jayanthi Natarajan

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, January 31, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		BJP not to roll out red carpet for Jayanthi Natarajan “She is damaged political goods and does not bring anything to the table,” a senior BJP source said of the minister who was attacked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “corruption” during the 2014 poll campaign. Jayanthi Natarajan was with Rajiv Gandhi on his last day A true Nehru-Gandhi loyalist, Jayanthi Natarajan upheld the legacy of her Congress family and represented the party in Rajya Sabha four times from 1986. BJP trying to split Congress in Jharkhand The BJP is attempting to split the six-member Congress contingent in Jharkhand by weaning away four of its MLAs. More India News»

		Business
		Adanis to demerge port, power business In an attempt to simplify its corporate structure, Adani Enterprises (AEL), the flagship company of diversified business conglomerate Adani Group, on Friday announced the transfer of its entire port business to Adani Port and SEZ (APSEZ) and power business to Adani Power (APL). GIC plans bond issue to boost N-cover General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) has turned to the capital market for solutions to create the underwriting capacity required for providing liability insurance cover to nuclear operators. Sun Group chief Maran quits SpiceJet board Sun Group chief Kalanithi Maran, his wife Kavery Kalanithi and confidante S Natrajhen have resigned from the board of SpiceJet. More Business News»

		Environment
		185 rare Asian Black Spotted turtles seized by BSF The Border Security Force (BSF) seized 185 rare Asian Black Spotted turtles close to the Indo-Bangla border late on Thursday. SMC approves solar panels to produce 540 KW of power Standing committee of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) approved tenders of setting up solar panals on 12 different locations to produce 540 kilo watt of electricity at the cost of Rs 4.58 crore. Most of Hawaii's coral recover from mass bleaching Coral rely on algae for food and their survival. More Environment News»

		World
		Bomb blast at Shia mosque in Pak kills over 60 A suicide attack on a Shia mosque (imambargah) left 50 people dead and more than 60 injured in Shikarpur region of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Friday. Air strike kills IS 'chemical weapons expert': US A US-led coalition air strike killed a chemical weapons specialist with the Islamic State group in Iraq who once worked for Saddam Hussein, US military officers said on Friday. 3 Chad soldiers, 123 Boko Haram militants killed in Cameroon Three soldiers and 123 Boko Haram militants were killed when the Islamist group attacked a Chadian army contingent in northern Cameroon, the Chadian military said on Friday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Aditi Rao Hydari to play Irrfan's wife Abhinay Deo is all set to direct his next untitled film that will be a comedy thriller. Jacqueline inspired by Salman's painting skills? Jacqueline Fernandez recently tried her hand at painting for a scene in Roy and nailed it. Alia's Instagram pictures you should not miss! More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Biological clock predicts human lifespan Scientists can now almost accurately predict a person’s lifespan. 'Mini brain' in spinal cord helps us balance US researchers have discovered a "mini brain" hidden in our spinal cord that helps us remain balanced while maneuvering our way through crowd or walking across an icy parking lot in winter so that we do not slip and fall. Co-inventor of laser, Nobel laureate Charles Townes, dead Charles Townes, who shared the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics for invention of the laser, a feat that revolutionized science, medicine, telecommunications and entertainment, has died at age 99, the University of California at Berkeley reported. More Science News»

		Sports
		Djokovic edges Wawrinka to book Oz Open final with Murray Novak Djokovic ended Stan Wawrinka's title defence with another five-set clash to book a third final showdown with Andy Murray at the Australian Open. We are in 'catch-22' situation, says skipper Dhoni Indian captain Dhoni said the dilemma over settling down into the right bowling combination has put the team in a "catch-22 situation" ahead of the ODI World Cup. Punjab Warriors fightback to beat Delhi Waveriders 3-1 Punjab Warriors continued their impressive run and came from a goal down to beat Delhi Waveriders 3-1 and register their third consecutive win in the HIL. More Sports News»

		Technology
		How, and why, Apple overtook Microsoft Microsoft’s revenue was barely one-third of Apple’s, and operating income of $7.8 billion was less than a quarter of Apple’s. Google reports disappointing Q4 revenue Google's slumping stock price has primarily been driven by two factors: steadily rising expenses and a general shift by people toward using smartphones instead of desktop to do searches and peruse digital content. 10 tricks every Android user should know Most Android phones are already pretty easy to use, but there are some easy steps you can take to make them even more enjoyable and efficient. More Technology News»

		Education
		LSAT-India to be the primary admission test for many prestigious law schools A number of prestigious law schools and universities across India have announced that they will be using the Law School Admission Test (LSAT-India) scores for admissions, bringing the total number to such institutes to 60. Tapmi achieves 100% placement; average salaries at Rs 8.70 lakh The T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) has placed all the 391 students (Batch of 2013-15) this year achieving the coveted 100% target. 'Current placement system to blame for IIT grads' burnout' More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Juhu locals put up fight to save open plot from squatters For a city starved off open spaces, activists from Juhu fear the loss of another open plot in the prime area of the western suburbs. 'Less than fifth of sown area in state under irrigation' Shockingly Maharashtra’s only less than a fifth of the sown area is under irrigation, reveals a paper of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) that was released by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday. Mind your language, MAT chief tells Pune collector Maharashtra administrative tribunal chairman, Justice A H Joshi has expressed strong displeasure over the language used by Pune collector Saurabh Avadh Rao, an IAS officer of the 2003 batch, in his affidavit filed before the tribunal. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Couple kills alcoholic son, hacks body An elderly couple, fed up with their 27-year-old alcoholic son, bludgeoned him to death and chopped the body using a stone-cutter. Cabbie deviated from route: Uber business head to court The business head of Uber Asia on Friday told a trial court that the cabbie, who allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman inside his cab on December 5, 2014, had diverted the vehicle from the actual route for which it was booked on the day of the incident. Check hotels near IGI airport: NGT National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee, National Productivity Council, Maulana Azad Medical College, Jamia Milia Islamia University and other agencies to conduct joint inspections of hotels near the IGI airport to check whether they are following pollution control norms or not. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bengaluru audience is vibrant and frank Litfests seem to be sprouting all over the country. Cities and towns, big and small, all have their own literature festivals. Some cities have two and more. Enriching platter of ideas, books & debates Literary festivals take Bengaluru-based, Kolkata-born businessman Harsh Vardhan Arya back in time. “We live in a virtual world,” he says, “you buy books online, download and read them on your Kindle. There’s no romance to buying a book anymore. Spa CEO held for sexual assault The chief executive officer (CEO) of a spa was arrested on Thursday on charges of sexually harassing women employees. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		4 held for possessing fake notes Three women tailors and their employer were arrested on Thursday night here for possessing fake currency notes worth Rs 36,000. Swine flu: 2 pvt hospitals get notices As the swine flu toll mounted to 25, with one more death in the city on Friday, health authorities served notices on two private hospitals for not sharing the information with the government on H1N1 patients they treated. Telangana govt lowers penalty amount for land regularization Telangana government on Friday reduced the amount of penalty for regularizing government land encroached by private individuals in the city. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		This pint-sized campaigner of helmets is a big hit As vehicles pile up at traffic signals along the IT corridor in the evening hours, a five-year-old boy walks up to two-wheeler riders. He extends his nimble hands with a bunch of pamphlets, and pleads: “Uncle, please wear a helmet. It’s for your safety. It’s for your family.” Corporation debars 7 contractors for poor road work Censured by the Madras high court and under fire from the public for the appalling state of the city’s roads, Corporation of Chennai on Thursday took the unprecedented step of permanently debarring seven contractors responsible for work of inferior quality. Igarashi & MAPE Advisory buy out Blackstone's in Agile Electric Sub Assembly In a move that turns investment banker into an investor by itself, MAPE Advisory Group and auto-component maker Igarashi Electric Works of Japan have bought out the entire 97.9% stake held by Blackstone Capital (Singapore) and BFIP (CAYMAN) in Agile Electric Sub Assembly for $106.4 million. Agile owns Igarashi Motors. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		HC reopens woman lawyer's case against O P Mathur In a setback for former additional DGP and present director general of Raksha Shakti University, O P Mathur, Gujarat high court on Friday ordered the reopening of two-decade-old criminal proceedings against him with regard to forcible entry into a woman advocate’s house, brandishing a gun and creating drunken ruckus in 1996. Encounter cops may be promoted Two promotions in quick succession for Rajasthan cadre IPS officer Dinesh MN, an accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, has prompted the Gujarat home department to consider promotion for at least three officers facing similar charges. From garbage bin to US woman's lap She is just three-and-half-years-old but has endured suffering that would drive even adults crazy. She was thrown in dustbin by her biological mother where stray dogs attacked her and bit off part of her nose. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Poster asks PM, RSS chief to come clean on Godse City Cong Leaders Train Gun At BJP Varsity allots hostel rooms but fails to provide possession Even though the ongoing academic session of the Allahabad University is approaching fag end, the struggle of students, who arrived from other cities and states, to find accommodation in various hostels is far from over. DM, SP to inform custodial death to NHRC within 24 hours: Member District magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) have been ordered to inform National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) about custodial deaths in their jurisdiction within 24 hours. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Three boys injured in Bhushan firing Tension prevailed in front of Bhushan Steel Limited at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district after the plant’s security guards opened fire on villagers. AIIMS cuts price for private wards Good news for patients. The AIIMS here on Thursday reduced charges for its private ward, which offers separate luxury rooms for indoor patients, from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,000 per patient a day. Students to make best out of waste The National Institute of Fashion Technology on Friday will host 90 students, who will make pieces of art out of waste materials. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Rachna Nagar: Day after loot, 3 accused in police net Sweater Colour Was The Giveaway Hindus are insecure in India: Togadia Two days after Barack Obama nudged India to uphold religious freedom, Vishwa Hindu Parishad working president Praveen Togadia said India is no longer a nation of Hindus. Women writers redefine feminism, call for action Feminism is not about bra burning. If a woman refuses to dump trash outside house, she’s a feminist. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		SDM south conducted anti-polythene drive Continuing its anti-polythene drive, UT Administration on Friday seized around 140 kg plastic carry bags from Apni Mandi of Sector 46, Main Market Sector 46 and Village Badheri. MC conducted anti-encroachment drive The enforcement department of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Friday carried out an anti-encroachment drive in various sectors of Chandigarh. Chandigarh Beopar Mandal welcomes Govt's decision to review of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 The meeting of subcommittee of Chandigarh Beopar Mandal –CBM- regarding Food Safety was held on Thursday under its chairmanship Naresh Mahajan. More Chandigarh News»

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