News Digest: Techies cheer US decision on spouses of H-1B visa holders

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, February 27, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Techies cheer US decision on spouses of H-1B visa holders The US has just made it easier for her to take a decision. It has allowed spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the US. Mamata sees a friend in rival No.1's enemy Mamata Banerjee isn’t giving much importance to her once Man Mukul Roy’s meeting Union finance minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament on Thursday. Govt firm but uncertainty over land bill grows The government is working to get the contentious land acquisition bill passed in Lok Sabha next week, but is increasingly wary that defiant opponents and procedural road blocks may come in the way. More India News»

		Business
		Sebi fines DLF, promoters It’s one of the biggest such fines by Sebi. SC okays spectrum sale, halts allotment The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay spectrum auction in all 17 circles but told the Union government not to finalize the allotment of spectrum even if the successful bidder paid up the bid amount. Cement prices likely to go up as Railways increase freight rates Cement prices across the country are likely to go up by Rs 3-5 per 50 kg bag following railway minister Suresh Prabhu's proposal to increase freight rates in his maiden budget. More Business News»

		Environment
		Property owners around Gir sanctuary move HC Forty-eight of 66 land owners, who allegedly run resorts and hotels without permission in the restricted buffer zone of Gir sanctuary, have approached Gujarat high court after they were issued notice by the electricity company for their alleged use of electric supply for commercial purposes. Delay in setting up of STPF by the states: Govt The Government on Thursday said there has been a delay in setting up of special tiger protection force (STPF) by the states and they are being constantly reminded in this regard. Omfed plant polluting water in Bhubaneshwar: Panel The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has issued a show-cause notice to Omfed plant at Chandrasekharpur here for allegedly causing water pollution. More Environment News»

		World
		US wraps up Ebola military mission in Liberia Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf paid an emotional tribute to the American people as the United States formally wound up its successful five-month mission to combat the west African nation's Ebola outbreak. Syria refugee crisis nears 'dangerous turning point':UN Syria's refugee crisis is approaching a "dangerous turning point" as nearly four million Syrians face worsening living conditions in exile, the UN refugee chief has warned. Explosions in Nigerian towns in north kill at least 34 Explosions in Nigeria's north central city of Jos and the northeastern town of Biu over the past two days have killed at least 34 people, witnesses said Thursday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I was hurled into an extra-marital affair' Mahesh Bhatt talks to Follo about his film based on the story of a single mother, much like his own. Exclusive: Sunny Leone's pictures from Ek Paheli Leela Sunny Leone will soon be in the upcoming thriller film, Ek Paheli Leela. Actors who remarried without getting divorced More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Pen made from `miracle pine' to sell for $4,400 Luxury marque Montblanc is to sell fountain pens made from a “miracle pine“ tree that survived the 2011 tsunami, for a hefty $4,400, an official said, with just 20% of takings donated to local people. Chew on this: Had your coffee? Now eat the cup Diners at KFC restaurants throughout Britain soon will be able to have their coffee -and eat the cup, too. World's first 3D-printed jet engine created Australian researchers unveiled the world's first 3D-printed jet engine on Thursday , a manufacturing breakthrough that could lead to cheaper, lighter and more fuel-efficient jets. More Science News»

		Sports
		Virat Kohli may get close to 50 ODI centuries: Sourav Ganguly Kohli may get close to breaking Tendulkar's 49 ODI centuries record but the batting maestro's 100 tons milestone would stay safe forever, feels Ganguly. Afghan cricketers remind Sunil Gavaskar of West Indies' greats Sunil Gavaskar has predicted a bright future for Afghanistan after their first World Cup win, saying the players come across as "natural cricketers". Moin Khan escapes angry protesters at Karachi airport Moin Khan returned home from Australia and escaped an embarrassing situation at the airport where a small group of protesters had gathered to vent their anger. More Sports News»

		Technology
		IT hiring to fall by 13% in FY2016: Nasscom Industry body Nasscom estimates the information technology sector to create 30,000, or 13%, less jobs in fiscal 2016 compared with this year. Second-gen Moto E pricing for India revealed Motorola had announced the second-generation Moto E smartphone in two variants -- one featuring 4G LTE support, while the other compatible with 3G networks. 7 hottest smartphones to be launched next week More Technology News»

		Education
		Mumbai University: 2,500 engineering students can take exams under old system The Mumbai University academic council failed to give complete relief to 2,500 engineering students who were not eligible for final year admissions as they had more than five ATKTs (allowed to keep terms) in their lower classes. Indian researchers cry over stipend as China spends $216.8 billion on R&D Indian researchers are on the streets. They are fighting for an increase in stipend and better R&D spend in the country, and angry over government’s apathy. Nursery fee refund if admission withdrawn Months after the nursery admission process began in Delhi, the Directorate of Education has issued a circular on fee refund. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'How did Salem's early days slip past Mumbai cops?' The special TADA (P) judge who convicted extradited gangster Abu Salem in the 1995 murder of builder Pradeep Jain, has lamented the inability of the city’s “committed police force” to curb underworld dons and terrorist gangs. 'Hate crime' victim booked for obscenity A garage owner from Nalasopara, who was allegedly assaulted last month for putting up a picture of Jesus Christ in his garage, was booked on Wednesday for “showing an obscene video to two minor siblings”. BMC move may add to open space The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to acquire a 1,075 sq mtr plot, currently reserved as playground, in Dahisar (E) near Vaishali Nagar. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		30-year-old alleges rape by policeman A 30-year-old woman has alleged she was raped by a policeman inside her house in outer Delhi’s Alipur area on Wednesday night. Girl suffers cut to face after college window falls Three students of Vivekananda Mahila College in east Delhi were injured on Thursday afternoon after a glass window pane on the third floor came loose from the hinges and fell crashing on them. Cyclist run over by bus A 26-year-old cyclist was crushed to death by a speeding chartered bus in northeast Delhi following which the vehicle was torched by an angry mob. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Hospitals get into act in advance When a person suffers a stroke, a CT scan has to be done within three hours. And in case of a head injury , the treatment must be almost immediate to avoid excess blood loss. Mom died waiting for road to clear Ambulances often can't reach the patient or hospital in time, thanks to insensitive motorists. The Times of India's campaign aims to ensure ambulances ensure timely medical care for patients. I was 10 when I first took a train, I was thrilled' AnilKumar Today, if chief minister Siddaramaiah wants to travel by train, he gets a saloon or I AC compartment all to himself. It's a long journey from his first train journey in a general compartment to Tirupati in 1958 as a 10-year-old boy. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Traffickers go scot-free as cops soft-pedal probe Indifferent police and lax probe in cocaine peddling cases seem to be encouraging offenders, mostly foreign nationals, to continue their trade in the city. ED attaches properties worth Rs 232 cr in Jagan assets case Moving ahead with its attachments in the disproportionate assets case against YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday attached 29 assets worth Rs 232 crore belonging to Bharati Cements, India Cements, Janani Infrastructure, Jagati Publications (publisher of Sakshi newspaper) and Carmel Asia Holdings. Rail Budget: Telangana celebrates, Andhra Pradesh cries foul The much-awaited railway budget, which is the first since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, was a mixed bag for the two states.  More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Rail Budget 2015: Ticket machines to replace counters Southern Railway is planning to push for more automatic ticket vending machines as railway minister Suresh Prabhu has talked about Operation Five Minutes aimed at helping travellers buy unreserved tickets quicker. Thumbs-up for CCTV cameras in women's coaches Travelling by suburban trains may be safer for women soon as rail ways is planning to introduce CCTV surveillance in women's coaches as part of plans to improve security . Rail Budget 2015: Ride may get comfy but on old trains The wait for newer and faster trains will remain but passengers could possibly relax in better waiting rooms and surf the internet on smartphones using wifi that the railways plans to install at all stations.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Admission process to begin before HSC results Struggling to keep date with its academic calendar, the admission committee for professional courses has decided that the procedure for admission in technical colleges will be started before the HSC science results are declared. Naroda Patia massacre: HC grants bail to second convict Gujarat high court on Thursday granted bail to a second convict in the 2002 Naroda Patia massacre case, Kripalsingh Chhabda, who sought release citing former minister Maya Kodnani’s bail. Delhi HC to Centre: Post Rajnish Rai in police Delhi high court has directed the Centre to give IPS officer Rajnish Rai a posting as an IG in a central police organization within three weeks. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Museum to digitize cultural assets In an attempt to preserve the cultural identity of the city, Allahabad Museum would soon be maintaining a database of all archaeological sites, historic monuments and fairs including Maha Kumbh, Ardh-Kumbh, Magh Mela and Kartik Mela. Online shopping entices revelers before Holi If you are among those who want the best of colours, sprinklers or balloon for your kid but reluctant to leave your cozy sofa, online shopping on this Holi is an option. Cops to give 'receipts' for filing complaints at stations In a fresh initiative taken by top police brass, people filing complaints or applications for redressal of their grievances at police stations/ police outposts or public grievances cell, would get receipts of their complaints. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Seer's role: Govt may amend law If the state government has its way, the Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, will soon define role of Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati during Rath Yatra. Centre's green light to seafood park in Khurda The Centre has approved a state government proposal to set up a seafood park at Derasa in Khurda district. 46 lakh people to be screened for diabetes Amid growing concern over increasing incidence of diabetes, the state government has decided to screen around 46 lakh people in 10 districts this year. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Change in weather for couple of days likely City is likely to experience cloud cover and unseasonal showers in Bhopal between February 28 and March 2 owing to low pressure area over parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Pakistan. This will lead to change in weather conditions and day and night temperature would come down. Bhopal BRTS to be open to other buses: District Administration One of the India's longest Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) will be open to other buses, according to district collector Nishant Warwade here on Thursday. MP governor Ram Naresh takes off to attend Lalu Yadav's daughter's wedding today Completely unconcerned about the drama going on regarding demands for his resignation after being booked in MPPEB scam, Madhya Pradesh governor Ram Naresh Yadav is all set to take off from state hanger to Delhi Thursday evening to attend the grand wedding ceremony of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav's daughter Raj Lakshmi with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's grandnephew Tej Pratap Yadav. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Ex-CM, kin made to wait for ambulance, govt orders probe Hukam Singh was chief minister of the state for few months during the Lok Dal government in 1990-91. Just before the Lok Sabha elections, he had joined the BJP. Polls manipulated but results a caution for Congress: Capt Amarinder Singh Reacting to the party's performance in the municipal elections, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Capt Amarinder Singh alleged these polls were "brutally manipulated" by the Akalis. HUDA assures to solve water woes in Gurgaon Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) on Thursday agreed before the Punjab and Haryana high court to resolve the water problems of people living in Sector 68 to 80 of Gurgaon within two years. More Chandigarh News»

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