News Digest: Rajnath directs Delhi top cop to ensure security of churches

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, February 06, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rajnath directs Delhi top cop to ensure security of churches Acknowledging the concerns of Christians over recent incidents of vandalization of churches, Union home minister Rajnath Singh has directed the Delhi Police to ensure adequate security of Christian institutions in the Capital. Cong stands by its reading of Obama's comments on tolerance A day after the White House denied that President Barack Obama’s remarks on religious tolerance were a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress reiterated that its interpretation of the visiting leader’s comment was correct, in what appeared to have caused a sense of discomfiture among BJP rivals. SC says no to contempt proceedings against Mamata The Supreme Court on Thursday turned down a plea for initiating contempt proceedings against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for staging a protest against CBI probe in the Saradha chit fund scam. More India News»

		Business
		HDFC Bank raises Rs 9,800cr via QIP, ADR HDFC Bank, one of the leading private sector banks in India, on Thursday raised nearly Rs 9,800 crore through a combination of foreign and domestic offerings. Not banker to Sahara deal, says BofA Subrata Roy, the boss of Indian conglomerate Sahara, is in a New Delhi prison on contempt-of-court charges and needs to post $1.6 billion in bail to get out. To help raise the money, Sahara is in talks to refinance its overseas hotels, including New York’s Plaza. Sikka rejigs Infosys's top deck Vishal Sikka has undertaken the biggest restructuring in Infosys since he took over as the company’s CEO in August last year. He has reorganized the company’s delivery function and has reshuffled the responsibilities of a number of top executives. More Business News»

		Environment
		Clean air must be a birthright for all, Javadekar says A day after Delhi high court expressed its anguish over Delhi’s dirty air, Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday admitted that the government needs to work to make the air clean and said, “Clean air must be a birthright for all and that’s the way India wants to walk”. After snowfall, forest officials arrange food for Kashmir national park animals Forest officials arrange food for Kashmir's national park animals With thick blanket of snow covering Kashmir, officials in Srinagar's Dachigam national park are busy arranging food material for birds and animals, deprived of natural vegetation due to snow. Mining lobby urges Odisha to operate 18 closed units In view of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Ordinance, 2015, of the Centre, the Eastern Zone Mining Association (EZMA), a mine owners’ lobby, on Tuesday demanded that the state government resume operation of 18 mines. More Environment News»

		World
		German, French leaders take Ukraine peace plan to Moscow The leaders of Germany and France announced a new peace plan for Ukraine on Thursday, flying to Kiev with a proposal they would then take on to Moscow. Syria strikes kill 66 after rebel fire on Damascus: Monitor At least 66 people were killed on Thursday as Syria's regime pounded a rebel stronghold with air strikes after a barrage of opposition fire hit the capital Damascus, a monitor said. Obama calls Dalai Lama 'good friend,' inspiration US President Barack Obama on Thursday called the Dalai Lama a "good friend" and an inspiration for freedom. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Varun's mother mistook him for a salesman Varun Dhawan’s mother, Lali, has an interesting take on her son’s makeup in Badlapur. When Ranbir used to hang out with Aishwarya Over a meal of haleem, roti and chocolates, Ranbir Kapoor talks to Bombay Times about all his films over the next two years. Bollywood mysteries that remain unsolved More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Green tea can fight side effects of supplements Drinking green tea for several weeks or months before you start taking green tea-based dietary supplements for weight loss can protect from potential side effects, a new study has claimed. Smartphone dongle detects HIV in 15 mins Researchers have developed a low-cost smartphone dongle that can simultaneously detect HIV and syphilis from a finger prick of blood in just 15 minutes. Cure for common cold gets a step closer A breakthrough made by British scientists could be the first major step towards curing the common cold. The researchers have cracked a code that governs infections by a major group of viruses, including the common cold and polio. More Science News»

		Sports
		No Indian in Walsh's top fast bowlers' list for World Cup Former West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh has revealed his list of fast bowlers who he thinks will shine in the World Cup starting February 14. Cristiano Ronaldo voted best Premier League player Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted the best player in the English Premier League, despite spending just six seasons in the division's 23-year history. Sachin Tendulkar crosses 5 million followers on Twitter Sachin's fan following continues to grow even after his retirement from international cricket. Sachin is only the second cricketer after Virat Kohli (@imvkohli) to reach this milestone. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi phones to be made in India: Report According to a report in Digitimes, Chinese OEM Inventec is planning to set up production lines at a leased factory in Chennai. iGate executive accused of sexual harassment iGate is in the middle of yet another sexual harassment lawsuit. Barely two years after its CEO Phaneesh Murthy was asked to leave for sexually harassing the company’s investor relations head Araceli Roiz, the IT services company’s legal head Mukund Srinath faces similar charges. 11 fun facts as Facebook turns 11 More Technology News»

		Education
		BCom results are out after a 24-day delay The university’s third-year BCom semester V results were declared on Thursday, after a delay of 24 days. The exams got over on November 28 last year and the results were supposed to have been declared within 45 days. President award for central universities President Pranab Mukherjee presented visitor’s Awards for Central Universities in the categories of ‘Best University’, ‘Innovation’ and ‘Research’ for the year 2015 at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. Panel wants child rights and laws in school syllabus To make children understand what rights they are entitled to, West Bengal's child rights panel wants the students to be taught about them as part of the school curriculum. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		9 out of 10 Uber drivers don't have badges: Report Nine out of 10 drivers working for Uber in Mumbai and Pune did not have the mandatory public service vehicle authorization badges, according to data from the transport commissioner's office. Man with cirrhosis gets new life after sister, uncle donate liver A Jalgaon resident became the first patient in western India to undergo a dual lobe liver transplant, thanks to his sister and uncle donating parts of their liver to him. Flyer held with Rs 10L drug kept in helmets A woman from Malawi in southeast Africa was arrested on Thursday for allegedly carrying 9.9 kg of ephedrine—a drug used to concoct narcotic substances—concealed in helmets. Customs officials pegged the value of the contraband around Rs 9.9 lakh in the international market. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		As campaigning ends, BJP claims it is in pole position Wrapping up its high voltage campaign for the Delhi assembly polls, BJP on Thursday expressed confidence that it would emerge victorious in the elections.  BJP hopes for return of middle-class voters With BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in a neck-and-neck fight for the Delhi assembly, the saffron outfit is banking on the return of middle-class voters who have traditionally formed the bedrock of BJP's support in the city.  Katara case: HC verdict likely today The Delhi high court is likely to pronounce the order on the sentence to be awarded to Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav's son Vikas Yadav and two others convicted in the Nitish Katara murder case on Friday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Panel to frame subsidy model for merit students As a first step to implement the controversial 2006 CET Act, the Karnataka gov ernment on Thursday constituted a committee to work out a subsidy model to enable meritorious students get seats in prominent private colleges at a low fee This 99-year-old school has 60 thirsty students It's a sultry Thursday. Classes are under way at the Government Kannada and Telugu Higher Primary School, OPH Road, Shivajinagar. But a steady stream of students walking to the toilet with a bucketful of water strikes a jarring note. Why ask China? We told you first: Sreedharan India's Metro Man E Sreedharan has pointed out the futility of Karnataka's attempt to get a Chinese delegation to do a feasibility study on the proposed Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru corridor. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Shortage of H1N1 kits triggers panic in Hyderabad Scores of swine flu suspects waited anxiously as both Institute of Preventive Medicine and Fever Hospital ran out of H1N1 test kits on Thursday. It's a close encounter with Jupiter today Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, will be at its closest to the Earth on Friday much to the delight of sky-gazers. Cops to turn 'Spot Light' on chain-snatchers The Hyderabad police plans to throw a ‘Spot Light’ on certain areas of the city where chain-snatching incidents are frequently reported to quickly nab suspects with the help of a patrolling team. The new initiative aims at ensuring safety of women in the capital. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Tourists flock to tiger resorts as sightings rise News about the increase in tiger population in India has set wildlife lovers packing off to tiger resorts across the country hoping for a glimpse of the big cat. DSP charged with cheating woman, CB-CID to probe Officers of the CB-CID have registered a case of rape against deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Sivaganga, Pon Karthik Kumar for cheating a woman after promising to marry her. Online docs are second opinion experts For members of a generation with little time to put health first, online medical portals are a godsend. Be it helping them skip long waits in hospital lobbies to meet a doctor or offering expert advice for a second opinion, there are solutions for all needs — at the click of a mouse. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat companies sharpen language arsenal As Gujarat-based corporates explore new geographies – within the country and abroad — they are arming their employees to conquer language barriers. Eight vehicles detained in traffic crackdown A total of eight vehicles, including that of two girl students, were detained by Ramol police on Thursday in a crack down on students violating traffic rules. Electronic eyes on watch at sensitive places in city On January 29, three women on a two-wheeler were speeding on the wrong side at Vijay Crossroads. They collided with a women on a scooter, driving on the proper side. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		IMFL smugglers' gang busted, 4 held A joint team of Cyber Crime Cell and SWAT (Special Weapons & Tactics) arrested four persons near Nehru Park on Thursday and claimed to have busted an inter–state racket involved in smuggling of Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) bottles from Haryana. The gang later used to supply the bottles to different parts of the state. A case under sections 419\420\467\468 of the IPC and 60\72 of the Excise Act was lodged in this connection. Central govt a bunch of liars: Punia Chairman of National Scheduled Caste Commission PL Punia on Thursday termed the Central government as “bunch of liars misguiding the citizens”. AU team raids hostels, moves out 76 illegal occupants The Allahabad University finally swung into action and caught and moved out 76 illegal inmates from Sir Sunder Lal (SSL) hostel during a raid on Thursday. Recently, TOI had reported on the delay in conducting raids in hostels where several illegal occupants had occupied the rooms. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		CBSE advises kids to stop social networking The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on its helpline website has asked students to refrain from logging onto to social networking sites, messaging and using cellphones because these serve as big distraction from studies. Cancer survivor dances to good health Noted Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi exponent Ananda Shankar Jayant raised hope among cancer patients by sharing her own story of fighting cancer through dance. Justice M M Das to probe chit fund scam The state government on Wednesday appointed retired Justice Madan Mohan Das as the commission of inquiry to probe into unauthorized collection of public deposits. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Engineering student hangs self after failure in love and exam in Bhopal Dejected after failure in love and semester exam, an engineering student committed suicide, here on Wednesday. Kamal Nath's fort crumbles, BJP captures Chhindwara Congress’ once impregnable fort and former Union minister Kamal Nath’s political backyard was ambushed by BJP on Wednesday and razed to ground. MP has policy for each sector: CM Continuing dialogue with US-based companies and investors willing to invest in Madhya Pradesh, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said public service delivery system has been regarded as world's best practice. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Wrong to say DRDO took long to deliver, says father of BrahMos The impression that Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has failed to deliver or delayed major defence technology projects is not correct, says former CEO of BrahMos Aerospace A Sivathanu Pillai. Tracking the DiasporaTexas gets first turbaned Sikh police officer On February 6, one of the largest sheriff's offices in the US will make Sikh-American history with Sheriff Adrian Garcia and members of Texas Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) welcoming the first observant Sikh American deputy, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, to serve while keeping his Sikh articles of faith, including his dastaar (turban) and beard. Congress to start campaign for 2017 elections with Moga rally The Congress is on the lookout for a venue around Moga for rally to be addressed by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. More Chandigarh News»

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