News Digest: With reports of BJP-TRS tie-up, Congress wooing back MIM

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, February 23, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		With reports of BJP-TRS tie-up, Congress wooing back MIM The Telangana Rashtra Samithi's (TRS) overtures towards BJP has left other parties to work on new alliances with the GHMC elections expected to be held sometime soon. Devadasi system still exists in Telangana, AP, says report The tall claims of the successive governments notwithstanding, Devadasi system continues to flourish in rural areas of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Indians spend more time behind the wheel than Chinese, Aussies: Survey Commuters in India spend more time behind the wheel in comparison to their counterparts in China, Thailand, the Philippines and Australia. More India News»

		Business
		Vistara looks at overseas flight With Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines as its parents, less than two-month-old Vistara has drawn up ambitious overseas network plans to be ready for the impending change in rules for Indian carriers to fly abroad. Finance SEZs can halt rupee trading exodus: Finance ministry The finance ministry has cited the exodus of rupee and nifty trading outside Indian shores as the key reason behind pursuing finance special economic zones (SEZs). Desi retailers may get e-tailing nod The government is expected to let Indian companies - which manufacture 70% of their goods locally - venture into the burgeoning e-commerce space. More Business News»

		Environment
		Tweets of joy: Rare birds fly into Delhi Birdwatchers have reported a host of rare birds in the city this season. The sightings, they say, are a result of luck and the proliferation of birdwatchers with better equipment. Kanhar dam case: Green panel pulls up environment ministry The National Green Tribunal has sought a report from the union environment ministry in the case of the controversial Kanhar dam in Uttar Pradesh within one week, failing which a Rs 25,000 fine would be slapped as it listed the final hearing for March 4. Indian river faces the modern world For many centuries, it was a curse that saved the river. More Environment News»

		World
		Turkish troops enter Syria to relocate historic tomb Almost 600 Turkish troops pushed deep into Syria in an unprecedented incursion on Sunday, relocating a historic tomb and evacuating the soldiers guarding the monument after it was surrounded by Islamic State (IS) jihadists. Somalia extremists urge attacks on US malls A video purported to be by Somalia's al-Qaida-linked rebel group al-Shabab urged Muslims to attack shopping malls in the US, Canada, Britain and other Western countries. All miners trapped in S African goldmine found safe All 486 miners trapped underground after a fire broke out at a South African goldmine have been found safe, the mine's spokeswoman said today. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Madhur Bhandarkar's mother passes away Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar’s mother Shanta Bhandarkar (79) passed away over the weekend, following a heart attack. Why Saif and Kareena spend more time in Pataudi We were the first to tell you that the current Nawab of Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan and his begum Kareena Kapoor Khan are taking an active interest in redoing their ancestral home in Pataudi. Indians who have won an Oscar Very few Indians have walked away with the Golden statue. Here's a look at those Indians who've made the country proud at the Academy Awards. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Now, same-sex couples can make babies In a breakthrough, researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist, have shown that stem cells from the skin of two adults of the same sex can be used to make human egg and sperm cells. Did dark matter trigger wiping out of dinosaurs? The elusive dark matter may have been responsible for the comet strike that wiped out dinosaurs 65 million years ago, a new study suggests. Brain goes silent when we talk loud The part of the brain identified as the command centre for human speech does not actually work when we speak loudly, a study reveals. More Science News»

		Sports
		World Cup: All-round India crush South Africa by 130 runs at MCG Shikhar Dhawan scored a ton as India defeated South Africa by 130 runs to record their second win of World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Ranchi Rays win Hockey India League title on debut Debutants Ranchi Rays gave an inspired performance and twice came back from a goal down to beat Punjab Warriors to win the Hockey India League title. Shikhar Dhawan planned his knock well, says Dhoni Hailing Dhawan's match-winning century against South Africa, skipper MS Dhoni said the left-hander played smart by staying at crease even after getting his ton. More Sports News»

		Technology
		WhatsApp voice calling now active on Android We were able to get the voice calling feature activated on our Android phone after receiving a WhatsApp call. Samsung Galaxy S6 teaser hints at metal body, bezel-free screen It looks like Samsung's next Galaxy phone will finally ditch the cheap-feeling plastic of its predecessors. 14 highest-paying tech jobs of 2015 There's no question that the tech industry pays well.Here are the 14 tech jobs that have found a place in Glassdoor's 'best-paying jobs' list. More Technology News»

		Education
		University of Calcutta ties up with Webster University Students from the University of Calcutta will now be able to opt for short-term courses in US based Webster University's Thailand campus. COURSE CURSOR - Mapping masters A degree in geospatial and mapping sciences trains students in the use of surveying and mapping devices to open careers in various fields Won with the sun US-based students have built a solar car which clinched the top prize at a global challenge More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Summer-like heat sears Mumbai, but no signs of H1N1 cases abating Mumbaikars have been sweating it out for the last two days as maximum temperatures have breached the 38 degree mark. Private hospitals 'ill-equipped' for patients The dearth of isolation facilities in the city has started hitting several patients suffering from H1N1 and in need of hospitalization. One sister seeks administration, other partition of Raheja estate t is sisters versus brother now in the G L Raheja property fight. One of his two daughters, Sonali Arora, recently moved Bombay HC against his son Sandeep for administration of the late real estate baron’s Rs 11,000 crore estate. Earlier, the other daughter, Sabita Narang, had moved court against Sandeep for partition of the estate. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Trafficked woman saved from East Delhi A 20-year-old woman, who was trafficked from West Bengal and forced into prostitution was rescued from southeast Delhi’s Greater Kailash on Sunday. Two men and one woman were arrested from the area. AAP MLA from Vivek Vihar booked for rioting According to the complaint filed by BJP activist Manish Ghai, Goel and his men had barged into his house on January 6, claiming that he had stored illegal liquor meant for distribution during the polls. Police said the FIR also names Goel’s son, Sumit, and supporters Atul Gupta and Balbir Singh. Wife's lover, aide killed IAF staffer A probe into the death of an Indian Air Force employee revealed that one of the accused was in an illicit relationship with the victim’s wife, and had plotted to kill him after affair was discovered. The man and his accomplice were arrested on Saturday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		I would have been a consultant: Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs will be adopted on Monday to be crowned the 27th Maharaja of the Mysuru royal family . Class 7 boy designs car using scrap Kids make coconut tabla and more at innovation fest The other picture show With the mushrooming of venues that screen indie films in the city, alternative cinema lovers have never had it so good More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Kurnool rail project moves at a snail's pace Kurnool, the capital of erstwhile Andhra state, continues to get a raw deal even after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Defectors set to dominate council polls in two states An unprecedented 41 vacancies are to be filled in the first biennial elections to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh legislative councils after the bifurcation of the undivided state. Techie stages kidnap drama to extort money from father A techie who landed in the city from Mumbai to attend a job interview engineered his own abduction drama to demand ransom from his father “to have fun with the money.” More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		George Town gets new road, loses it within a month Residents of Audiappa Naicken Street in George Town were relieved when Corporation of Chennai belatedly gave them a new road top in December. Unfortunately for them, it didn't last even a month. Skin allergy, dry cough: Pollutants exact toll Chennai Fifty-two-year-old Panjalai D of Vadaperumbakkam began suffering from respiratory ailments about five years ago. It was around the same time that his neighbourhood got taken over by plastic recycling units. Some residents in that area now go to sleep with masks on or handkerchiefs around their faces to keep out the smoke billowing out of the units. Smaller the pollutant, bigger the problem when it enters lungs They are 100 times finer than human hair, and deadlier. While residents are up in arms every time an industry or a garbage dumpyard comes up near their neigh bourhood, they are oblivious to the dangers posed by smaller and seemingly in nocuous pollutants that are more harmful than those visible. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		'Heritage can earn its upkeep' From extending help through micro financing for repairs of dilapidated havelis to helping people manage their heritage and even earn a livelihood out of it, schemes were dished out at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Hamari Virasat’ on Sunday. DGP Cup cricket tourney begins The DGP Cup cricket tournament was inaugurated by the DGP PC Thakur at the Gujarat College cricket ground on Sunday. 'Make In India an old mantra' ‘Make in India’, a marketing strategy promoted by the central government as the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is actually an old mantra. A study by an IIM Ahmedabad professor reveals that ‘Make in India’ was very much there during India’s colonial period and the post-independence decades till 1991. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		AU official accused of sexual harassment Allahabad University’s joint registrar has been accused of trying to outrage modesty of a girl, who visited his office to request joining letter on Friday. UP Board to withdraw recognition of schools not sending teachers The UP Board has decided to withdraw recognition to schools that failed to send teachers for invigilation work in the ongoing class X and XII examination. HC seeks reply on CCTVs in police stations Hearing a PIL seeking installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all police stations of Uttar Pradesh in order to check human rights violations, the Allahabad High Court has directed the state’s principal secretary (Home) to file reply (counter affidavit) within six weeks. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Swine flu claims another life in Bhubaneswar A 42-year-old man died of swine flu in Bhubaneswar on Sunday raising the total H1N1 deaths in the state this year to three, director public health Kailash Das said. Brush with adventure at serene Chandaka in Bhubaneswar Get ready for some adrenaline rush in the sylvan surroundings of Chandaka during summer break. Shutdown over DWO death in Rayagada near Bhubaneswar The CB on Friday started investigation into alleged suicide of district welfare officer (DWO) Dhaneswar Prusty in Rayagada, even as state BJP president K V Singhdeo sought CBI probe into it. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		4-year-old girl abducted in Rewa A four-year-old girl has been abducted in Rewa district on Sunday night. Realty firm dupes retired IAF officer of Rs 8 lakh Promising partnership in housing projects, a company allegedly duped a retired Indian Air Force officer of Rs 8 lakh. IRS officer files case against wife for abducting son A 32-year-old woman has been booked for kidnapping her 4-year-old son on a complaint of her husband. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Punjab civic polls get off to peaceful start Polling to Punjab's six municipal corporations and byelection in two others on Sunday was largely peaceful except for stray incidents of clashes. Industry happy over likely amendments in Factories Act In what may be termed as a big development, finally the process to amend the Factories Act, 1948, by the Union government is likely to be completed soon. Amendments in the Act would be important for the industrial city of Ludhiana. First-timers off the blocks first Arvind Bishnoi | For the first-time voters in the Mohali municipal corporation (MC) elections on Sunday, it was not a day to sit at home and watch India take on South Africa in the cricket World Cup. More Chandigarh News»

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