Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, February 15, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rebel CPM leader Molla begins separation process Rebel CPM leader Rezzak Molla's leaving the party is an open secret by now. On Friday, he gave a date and time to begin the separation process: 11am on February 23, at Rabindra Sadan. Tejpal not getting a fair deal, Bina Ramani says A fashion designer and restaurateur from Delhi, Ramani, 70, is best known for hosting the party at which model Jessica Lal was shot dead. 190 officers refused to provide vehicles for Maharashtra assembly session, RTI query reveals As many as 190 officials defied the state government's orders to provide their official vehicles for the winter session of the state legislature that was held in Nagpur from December 9 to 20 this year. More India News»

		Business
		Govt raises tariff value on gold, silver The government today raised the import tariff value on gold and silver to $421 per 10 grams and $663 per kg, respectively, taking into account the volatility in the global prices India-US partnership remains indispensable, vital: CII As India-US ties remain indispensable, vital and invaluable, a balance needs to be struck between a sustainable, strategic partnership and the comparatively short term goals of trade and commerce, industry body CII said on Friday. Unitech Q3 profit down 61% at Rs 32.82 crore The Gurgaon-based company had posted a net profit of Rs 84.16 crore in the year-ago period. More Business News»

		Environment
		Barack Obama proposes $1 billion climate protection fund President Barack Obama will Friday propose a $1 billion dollar fund to mitigate the impact of climate change, as he inspects farmland parched by drought in California. Hefty fine for killing great white shark in Australia An Australian man has been fined Aus $18,000 (US $16,000) for killing a juvenile great white shark by ramming it with his boat then beating it to death with a metal pole, officials said. No norms compromised in granting environmental nods: Veerappa Moily Moily, who took over the additional portfolio in late December after Jayanti Natarajan resigned, has cleared projects worth over Rs 150,000 crore and is nearing clearing the backlog. More Environment News»

		World
		Daunting task ahead for Italy's Renzi Italian centre-left leader Matteo Renzi is one step away from forming a new government after he swiftly eliminated party rival Enrico Letta as prime minister. Snow storm hits Japan again, grounds over 100 flights Two people were killed Friday when a fresh snow storm hit Japan, disrupting rail and road travel, grounding more than 100 flights and adding to the piles left behind by an earlier blanketing. US judge strikes down Arkansas execution method A group of death row inmates won a US court ruling on Friday temporarily blocking executions in Arkansas until the southern state's legislature specifies which barbiturate drug should be used in lethal injections. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Who did Hrithik spend his Valentine's Day with? For a better part of the last 17 years, Hrithik Roshan reserved February 14 for Sussanne 'A rockstar's life is not possible without sex ' Ali Zafar, 33, is an extremely kind-hearted man, who is the happiest when he is jamming or creating music Movie Review: Gunday More Entertainment News»

		Science
		China's second lunar probe travels 70 million km China's second lunar probe, Chang'e-2, has traveled more than 70 million km into deep space in good condition, so far the longest voyage of any Chinese spacecraft, a senior engineer said Friday. Early Britons chose dairy food over fish Archaeologists and chemists tracing ancient British diets have found that more than 99% of the earliest farmer's cooking pots lacked seafood residues. Now, practise kissing with this pillow In a bizarre invention, a Florida designer has developed a pillow with a 'mouth' that can help people perfect their kissing technique. More Science News»

		Sports
		Wagner scalps Kohli after steady stand Wagner gave India sixth blow as he dismissed Kohli (38) after a 63-run stand with Rahane in the post-lunch session on the second day of the final Test. I get dropped for important tours: Ishant "Whenever, there is an important tour I get dropped; whenever there is an easy tour I am in the team. It's a very hard thing for me," said Ishant Sharma. Stage set to host perfect ICC World Cup MS Dhoni said that India are shaping up nicely and are on course to become the third nation after Australia and West Indies to win back-to-back World Cups. More Sports News»

		Technology
		IBM to cut 15,000 jobs, India operations to be affected IBM has started a restructuring process, which would see as many as 15,000 jobs being cut globally, including India. Your mobile bill may go up soon Your mobile bill may soon go up with top telecom companies such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone bidding aggressively to bag spectrum. Airtel launches 4G on mobiles at same price as 3G Airtel has launched 4G on mobiles, thus becoming the first in India to offer such a service. More Technology News»

		Education
		Rajasthan high court notice to HRD ministry, law varsities on CLAT The Rajasthan high court on Friday issued notices to the HRD ministry, all the 14 national law universities and schools as well as organizers of the Common Law Admission Test asking why question papers and a copy of OMR (Optical mark recognition) sheet were not given the students appearing in the exam. High court tells Haryana to appoint regular govt college teachers by November 15 The development as state-run colleges in Haryana are facing acute shortage of teaching faculty and a large number of contractual or guest teachers have been engaged for a long time to meet the requirement. Soon, college courses to be graded Soon students will be able to make more informed choices on the courses they wish to pursue. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		C ward residents set to form pressure group Residents of C ward, who gathered in strength for a public discussion organised by The Times of India on Friday on civic issues in their area, posed tough questions to their elected representatives and agreed to form a citizens’ action committee which would act as a pressure group to push authorities into taking action. 'Old Bollywood hits are very similar to the Blues' On Thursday night, Grammy Award-winning Bluesman Jimmie Vaughan was flipping through channels in his Mumbai hotel room when he came across Bollywood hits from the 50s. Cop who makes Rs 51,000 a month worth Rs 40 crore Chavan comes from a middle class family; his wife is a homemaker and they have two school-going children. The ACB raided his home in Varap village, Titwala, and found proof of assets far beyond his known sources of income. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Wet Valentine's-Day is 2nd coldest in Feb since 1971 Couples had another excuse to snuggle up to each other on Valentine’s Day, which turned out to be wet and chilly. Relief, but new worries for Congress The exit of the AAP government came as a huge relief to the Congress that had never been at ease with supporting a party that relentlessly targeted it for corruption , but the emotion was tinged with apprehension in view of uncertain poll prospects. Middle class may return to BJP fold AAP’s exit from office would reassure BJP that its decision to keep out of government formation was wise given the instable nature of the December, 2013 mandate, but the saffron outfit faces a tough task of taking on the new party in what may turn out to be a direct fight in the Lok Sabha polls. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		ATM attack victim returns to work Around 6.45am on Friday, Jyothi Udaya, 44, walked into Corporation Bank's service branch on Mission Road to a warm reception from her colleagues. Bangalore infra is set to get a Rs 9,477 cr push The Karnataka government seems to be recognizing that Bangalore, the state's cash cow, needs more attention than it has received in recent years. 'The Hindus': ALF serves legal notice to Penguin The 30-paragraph notice was sent by advocate Lawrence Liang of the ALF on behalf of Shuddhabrata Sengupta and Aarthi Sethi to Penguin on Friday. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		3 students drown in water body in Jayabheri Enclave Park The schoolbags, tiffin boxes and shoes of A Shravan, 14, Indrajith, 14 and Nikhil, 15, were found on the platform at the edge of the deep waterbody, said Petbasheerabad police. CM Kiran's file clearance spree raises eyebrows Kiran Kumar Reddy is burning the midnight oil to quietly clear hundreds of pending files at a time when Parliament is being rocked by protests over the creation of Telangana. Andhra Pradesh high court upholds SWB's power over endowed properties The high court on Friday upheld the AP State Wakf Board's powers to supervise the activities of Mumtaz Yar Ud Daula Trust. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Tamil Nadu cop who spilled the beans on IPL probe faces arrest It is learnt that CB-CID chief Narinderpal Singh wrote to DGP K Ramanujam on Wednesday and Thursday, recommending Kumar’s suspension and his custodial interrogation. 85% of Chennai roads of poor quality, corporation data shows Almost 85% of city roads have failed Chennai Corporation’s quality test. Data accessed by TOI shows 27 of the 172 samples collected were tested, and only four roads were found to be of standard quality. Jayalalithaa's birthday goes national, feasts planned in Delhi, Mumbai It is a busy week ahead for AIADMK functionaries. In between election work, they will hold feasts for the poor, organize blood and eye donation camps, distribute free dhotis and saris, plant saplings and special arrange special prayers in religious places. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Bride calls in cops, scraps wedding It was a moment of happiness for Panchal family in Ranip as their only daughter was getting married with a city youth on the Valentine's Day. Groups clash in Navrangpura Two groups came to blows after an altercation between two students at a community-run hostel in Navrangpura on Thursday night. Sour grapes: Moral police fire tomatoes A group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members threw tomatoes at lovebirds who had thronged the Sabarmati Riverfront early on Friday morning to celebrate Valentine's Day. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		55 Bahraich villages face blackout over dues The power corporation has disconnected the connection of 55 villages due to non-payment of bills.As many as 30 such villages are in Nanpara tehsil and 25 in Mihipurwa town. AAP's 'jhadoo chalao yatra' from Saturday AAP's 'jhadoo chalao yatra' Aam Admi Party volunteers on Friday announced a "jhadoo chalao yatra" across Allahabad from Saturday onwards. Sakshi Maharaj bats for Uma Bharati as Jhansi candidate Former MP and senior party leader Sakshi Maharaj visited Jhansi on Friday to feel the political pulse here. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Allow stray tiger to mate in zoo, experts say Wildlife experts have criticized the state government for preventing a tiger, which strayed into Nandankanan on April 30 last year, from mating with a tigress there. Emotions rule as curtains fall on the 14th assembly Emotion was writ large on the faces of legislators as curtains fell on the last nine-day session of the 14th assembly on Friday. Dhauli Hill sound and light show on fast track After hanging fire for four years, the proposed sound and light show at the historic Dhauli Hill here has been put on fast track. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP boy shifted to Karachi's Malir prison Four days after an Indian fishermen was battered to death in Karachi's Malir Jail, Madhya Pradesh's runaway youth Jitendra Arjunwar, who was arrested for trespass in August last year, has been dumped in the hellhole prison. Number of battered husbands in Jabalpur on the rise Complaints received and disposed at the weekly public hearing at the police headquarter in Jabalpur displays a shocking trend. 'Billion Rising' cries for swift justice for rape survivors This was no court.It was a public hearing in which dozens of people, including rape survivors, who are still denied justice, raised their voice in the One Billion Rising Campaign launched in the city on Friday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Wet Valentine's Day hots up on dance floors Be it trance, punk, or hip hop, party-hoppers let their hair down to different genres of music.But, surprisingly sufi music too got many people tapping their feet. 5 Union territory cops key witnesses in Rs 8 crore car robbery Five policemen attached with the operation cell of the Chandigarh police are key witnesses in the sensational Rs 8-crore car robbery in Delhi. Optical sensors in medicine can better diagnose many diseases: Experts Students were apprised of diverse technologies in biomedical engineering and how these have helped people worldwide. More Chandigarh News»

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Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, February 14, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		'Pepper spray can disorient person, aggravate asthma' Pepper spray, especially when used in a closed space such as Parliament, can lead to temporary blindness, irritation leading to watering of the eyes, persistent cough, breathlessness and wheezing in those suffering from asthma, experts say. Beyond ugly war in party and House, Congress eyes win in 17 Lok Sabha seats Two consecutive bountiful harvests from AP which has 42 LS seats helped Congress win in 2004 and 2009. Weapons of House disruptions A pepper spray sneaked into the House is a new low even for the MP - hooligans who have so far gone for furniture and rough and tackle tactics to make a point. A look at weapons political leaders have used. More India News»

		Business
		High 2G bids can add to financial stress Analysts are warning of pressure on cash flows as companies are expected to take more debt, leading to higher interest burden. Sebi tightens corp governance norms Market regulator Sebi on Thursday approved a series of decisions to increase transparency in corporate governance, a move that will have far-reaching implications for top honchos of India Inc. Leela to sell 2 hotels for Rs 2k cr to pare debt In one of the biggest deals in the Indian hospitality industry, sovereign wealth funds of Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Malaysia are vying with each other to acquire two of India's marquee properties. More Business News»

		Environment
		India in top five position in spearheading the global green building movement: IGBC India has significant opportunity to go the green way and concerted efforts by all the stakeholders is the need of the hour, said vice-chairman of Indian Green Building council (IGBC), Goa, Bharat Kamat on Thursday. National Green Tribunal seeks response from coal, power utilities on pollution The National Green Tribunal has taken serious note of alarming pollution caused by thermal power plants in Vidarbha using inferior quality coal, in violation of ministry of environment and forests' norms. 'African forest elephant could blink out within our lifetimes' An estimated 100 elephants will be killed across Africa today. Poached, in all likelihood, in front of their families. Their tusks ripped off to meet the global greed for ivory. More Environment News»

		World
		Belgium approves child euthanasia Belgium became the first country to allow euthanasia for terminally ill children of any age on Thursday when its lower house of parliament passed new "right-to-die" legislation by a large majority. Italian PM Enrico Letta to resign Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said he would tender his resignation on Friday, opening the way for Centre-Left leader Matteo Renzi to take the helm of Italy's third government in less than a year. Over 72,000 men found to be raped in UK every year Men aren't safe in Britain. Over 72,000 men found to be raped in UK every year. Government announces first ever fund of £500,000 to help male rape victims. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I will enjoy kissing Deepika Padukone' Yes you read the above headline right! In an exclusive interview to Filmfare, Bollywood's favourite student Siddharth Malhotra confessed that he will enjoy kissing actress Deepika Padukone on screen. 5 Lessons of Love from Bollywood I'd have to meet Siddharth to get pregnant: Vidya Excerpts from a fun conversation with the chirpy actress, who visited the Bombay Times office on Wednesday More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Can smart rifle hit bull's eye? The US army has confirmed that is testing new high-tech rifles that incorporate "computer vision and object tracking technologies" that allow "any soldier (to become) an extraordinary marksman". Indian scientists in US convert discarded plastic into petroleum products In a major breakthrough Indian-origin scientists based in US have successfully converted plastic shopping bags into diesel, natural gas and other useful petroleum products. Lasers fuel hopes of unlimited, clean Nuclear-power A milestone has been reached in the 60-year struggle to harness the nuclear reactions that power the Sun in an experiment that could lead to a way of producing an unlimited source of clean and sustainable energy in the form of nuclear fusion. More Science News»

		Sports
		Ishant destroys NZ, India take control Ishant Sharma struck again post lunch to claim a five-wicket haul by dismissing Corey Anderson and Bradley Watling in quick succession in the second Test. 'Franchises spent wisely on Indians' Brendon McCullum, a consummate destructor in any format, fetched only Rs 3.2 crore from CSK; it was almost half compared to what he used to get. We have lots of match-winners: Kirsten Gary Kirsten is no stranger to Indian cricket but he was sitting in at the IPL auction for the first time as the new coach of Delhi Daredevils. More Sports News»

		Technology
		'iPhone 6 images' leaked online The images come courtesy Twitter users Sonny Dickson and mornray886 and show that iPhone 6 will have bezel-less display and will look similar to iPad Air. Nokia Lumia 1320 review: Big screen, big price Here's the review of Nokia's mid-range phablet Lumia 1320, priced at Rs 23,999. IBM lays off staff in India IBM India, whose employee base had risen to the highest among MNCs in the country at close to 1.5 lakh, is now witnessing layoffs. More Technology News»

		Education
		Mix detail and theory in right way for a winning formula Mansha Sachdeva concedes chemistry “involves a lot of learning” – memorizing – but she’s clearly got a handle on the subject. The Class XII student from Springdales School, Pusa Road, has never scored less than 90 in it. She says she is “doing fine.” Time to e-learn and get ahead at 4000 govt schools Opened under the Odisha Madhyamik Sikshya Mission (OMSM), the scheme - ICT@school - aims at taking classroom education one step ahead. India grants Rs 20.31 million for school in Nepal India provided aid for constructing the building to help create better facilities for over 2,000 students, about 38 per cent of them girls. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		New meter puts damper on excessive use of horn A meter that measures horn usage and punishes excessive honking has been created by a group of city residents to reduce noise pollution on roads. Ceiling fan falls on third student in three weeks Over 1,000 students of MGM College of Engineering & Technology at Kamothe protested on their campus on Thursday after a ceiling fan fell on a girl student in her classroom. Congestion charge can help de-clutter C ward TOI reported on Thursday how lanes in C ward were choked & markets overcrowded. Readers wrote in with ideas on how to fix these problems. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		IOC posts Rs 916 cr loss in Q3 as govt gives half dole Flagship refiner-marketer IndianOil Corporation on Thursday reported a loss of Rs 961.45 crore in the December quarter, against Rs 3,331.96 crore profit in the year-ago period, as the government paid less than half of cash subsidy it owes to the company, erasing foreign exchange gains. BJP, Cong stall assembly, revolt against Speaker As violence and vandalism ruled Lok Sabha on Thursday, the Delhi assembly wasn’t too far behind. Government starts giving permits for NCR autos The transport department has started the process of issuing 5,500 interstate permits to city's autorickshaws that was promised in the recent mahasabha organized by the Delhi government in Burari. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Chided by dad for bunking tuitions, boy ends life A 15-year-old boy, scolded by his father for not attending Maths tuitions, hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his belt on Wednesday night. Women most vulnerable where they feel safe Wolves may be on the prowl on mean city streets, but this isn't where women are most vulnerable.Surprisingly, it's in the safety of a home or neighbourhood that most rapes take place. Ministers, MLA bat for 1am deadline The demand to extend Bangalore's nightlife has struck a response in a section of the ruling party, but city police continue to be firmly opposed to the proposal. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Name new road after Akkineni Nageswara Rao: Danam Nagender Labour minister Danam Nagender has asked the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation standing committee to name the Annapurna Studio road after Akkineni Nageswara Rao and also install his statue at Film Nagar. Congress rings in Kiran for a patch-up ahead of Telangana debate in Parliament The chief minister sought some time to react to these proposals as he was engaged in meetings with MLAs, MPs and ministers about the future plan of action, according to his close aide. Seemandhra region witnesses total shutdown in protest against Telangana bill The entire Seemandhra region witnessed a total shutdown on Thursday in response to the bandh call given by APNGOs and political parties in protest against the Telangana bill. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Finding big picture in small stories When Balu Mahendra went over to persuade Amol Palekar, the favourite hero of middle-class cinema in Hindi, to act in a 'small' Malayalam film in the 1980s, he laid down two conditions . To Balu sir with love For most of the film fraternity — from actors to directors to aspiring filmmakers — who came to pay their last respects to Balu Mahendra on Thursday afternoon, it was not just because he was an awardwinning cinematographer, director and storyteller. It was because they believed he was their greatest teacher of the craft. Boy shot at in custody can be discharged from hospital, says court The boy, who suffered a gunshot injury while being illegally held at Neelankarai police station , is free to be discharged from hospital, the Madras high court said. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		AMC official takes bribe to issue fake health card, suspended A serious discrepancy while issuing state health benefit cards under the Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojna (MAY) to poor and below poverty line (BPL) families came to light at the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). 'Scrap mining leases lacking in green nod' The Gujarat high court on Thursday directed the state government to close with immediate effect all minor mineral mining activities that are underway without environment clearance (EC). 2 kids trafficked from WB, rescued A team of Amraiwadi police officials spotted two wandering boys in the area and brought them to police station. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		15-year-old girl kidnapped at gun-point A girl was kidnapped by three brothers at gun-point on Sunday evening.When the family members were unable to search the girl, they met the superintendent of police. Nepalese cops held on border Six policemen of Nepal police illegally entered the Indian territory with weapons on Wednesday evening and tried to arrest a youth from Pachpakdi Chauraha. CCTVs, intruder alarms see brisk sale Thanks to the inaction of police in checking burglaries and thefts, businessmen and common people alike are now opting for CCTV sets and intruder alarms for security reasons. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Railways pushes wagon project off track The fate of the proposed railway wagon factory at Sitalapalli in Ganjam district is hanging in balance. Bhubaneswar Development Authority gym plan stalled A letter from state election commissioner Ajit Tripathy has put a question mark over the proposed gymnasium at Biju Patnaik Park here. Congress MP to fast over missing villagers Majhi had started a mass dharna outside the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday with a 48-hour notice to respond to his demands. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Ex-minister aide's police custody extended up to Feb 20 Court of chief judicial magistrate Bhopal extended police custody of O P Shukla, one-time OSD of former culture minister Laxmikant Sharma, till February 20, on Thursday. SWC orders BMC to file FIR against squatters Bhopal bench of State Women's Commission (SWC) on Thursday instructed BMC officials to register an FIR against encroachers.SWC directive came in response to victims'complaints. Spl court tells NIA to submit charge-sheet by Feb 26 A special court on Thursday asked National Investigation Agency (NIA) to submit its charge-sheet in the RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi murder case by February 26. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Priest run over by speeding car A rash driving car, crushed to death a 42-year-old priest near Chandi Mandir toll tax barrier at around 4.15am on Thursday morning. Bank staffer dies in car crash A 24-year-old executive with a private national bank was killed and two others, including a girl were injured in an accident on the road dividing sectors 35 and 36 on Wednesday night. Inspector testifies against IPS officer Chandigarh police Inspector Anokh Singh, on Thursday, recorded his statement against former Chandigarh SP Desh Raj Singh, who was arrested by CBI for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh in October, 2012. More Chandigarh News»

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