Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, February 16, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rahul accuses BJP of blocking six key anti-corruption bills Addressing the over one-lakh-strong crowd with an “ellarigu namaskara”, Rahul said, “The bills are of help to you, they give power to you. We want to pass the bills. We are being stopped in Parliament by the BJP. They don’t allow Parliament to function.’’ Sonia Gandhi: Congress poll win vital for unity Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi began her party’s poll campaign in the state on Saturday by launching a virulent attack on BJP and CPM. Crossing over to a new life After a bridge connects a border village in Punjab to the Indian mainland for the first time since Independence, residents now aspire to a better life, and their first cars. More India News»

		Business
		'India can protect intellectual property' According to the statement, Boeing is the single largest producer, by dollar value, of US exports to India. DLF appoints three new directors Realtor DLF on Saturday said it has appointed three directors on its board to strengthen its management. Bidding for privatisation of 6 airports deferred again Putting a question mark on the entire project of privatising six major airports developed by Airports Authority of India (AAI) including Kolkata and Chennai, the bidding process has been postponed once again till mid-March. More Business News»

		Environment
		Humans drove orangutans to leave trees for ground Our male ancestors inspired orangutans to get down from the trees and spend more time on the ground to help them cope better with the forest degradation challenges, finds a study. US, China to share policy ideas to fight global warming The US and China, the world's two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, Saturday announced they were joining forces to share more information on trying to combat climate change. 32,000 migratory birds visit Loktak lake in Manipur Environmentalist Kh Shamungou who was present also said that common crane was also sighted for the first time in Manipur during this year's bird count. More Environment News»

		World
		Venezuelan opposition leader's arrest sought Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that a police manhunt was underway for Leopoldo Lopez, the hard-line opposition leader behind anti-government demonstrations that ended with three deaths. Chinese man sells baby to become TV dreams A Chinese man has been sent to jail for five years for selling his four month old child. US faces same fate as Soviet, warns Taliban The Taliban today marked the 25th anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan by saying that US forces were now fleeing the country in a similarly ignomious exit. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Yes, I am dating Bipasha: Harman Baweja Harman Baweja, 33, is simple, emotional, affectionate and a complete family man for whom friends and family mean the world, though, at times, he tends to take his friends for granted Marriage has cured my insomnia: Vidya Balan Like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Balan also had a sleep disorder Jackky gets to shoot at the world's only robot club in Tokyo for Youngistaan Tokyo’s Shinjuku Kabukicho district has a unique club in the world befitting an economy that has given the world so much technology More Entertainment News»

		Science
		'Honey heals wounds faster than betadine' Dr Pillai uses a locally-manufactured ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt to drain out fluid from the brain. “Traditional shunts made abroad are 10 times costlier — the ones we use cost Rs 3,000 per unit,” says Pillai. How stem cells decide liver, pancreas formation How do stem cells decide whether to become liver cells or pancreatic cells during development? Adultery may be the key to a long, happy marriage, psychologists claim Allowing your partner to sleep with other people could be the key to a happy marriage, psychologists have claimed. More Science News»

		Sports
		2nd Test: Kiwis half down, India on top Jadeja struck soon after lunch to dismiss Corey Anderson, pushing India close to victory in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington. Manchester City reach FA Cup quarters Manchester City powered forward with ease into the FA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, beating EPL title rival Chelsea 2-0 to maintain its quadruple chase. Dhoni's counter-attack hurt us: Watling "It's great," Bradley-John Watling said, about his effort with the big gloves. "Bowlers got to knock them, you just got to take them. It's your job, I guess." More Sports News»

		Technology
		Microsoft plunges into mobile war, Google exits The marriage of the Microsoft Windows operating system with Nokia's handsets under the Lumia brand has done little to upend the global smartphone market. Few takers for Google Plus, but Google not worried Google Plus may not be much of a competitor to Facebook as a social network, but it is central to Google’s future. Nokia Android phone's pricing 'revealed' Vietnamese online retailer Techrum.vn has listed Nokia X on its website at a price of 2.2 mill to 2.5 mill VND (approximately $110). More Technology News»

		Education
		Karnataka Virtual University plan in trouble The state government's plan to set up Karnataka Virtual University to harness internet and mobile based technologies to reach higher education to masses is facing resistance. 75 % of tribal children lagging behind in education: Survey A recent survey conducted by Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR) has revealed that 75 per cent of tribal children in 22 districts of Rajasthan are lagging behind in education and tribal girls are no more enrolling in schools. GIC, Indus University to research on competitiveness studies Gujarat Institute of Competitiveness has partnered with Indus University to establish GIC-Indus Chair of Competitiveness Studies for research in the field. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Found on train, honest steward returns scribe his expensive tablet The unfair mantra of finders keepers was rightfully rejected by a Mumbaikar’s heartwarming act of honesty. Here come handy devices for the disabled Last week, in the centre of a crammed Goregaon office, a skull served as a soft toy. People patted its blue head on the way to their desks and returned its toothy smile. Point failure disrupts WR services for 20 minutes Western Railway suburban services were disrupted for 20 minutes due to a point failure in the Up and Down fast-line corridors near Khar on Saturday. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Donations slid during AAP's stint in power Contributions to the Aam Aadmi Party may have jumped after Arvind Kejriwal quit as Delhi CM but data shows that the size and number of contributions to their funds from across the country had started declining after registering a huge surge post government formation in Delhi. AAP shifts focus to Lok Sabha polls Freed of the responsibility to govern Delhi, AAP leaders have shifted their focus to the Lok Sabha elections. AAP to win majority of Delhi votes in assembly, Lok Sabha polls: Survey Opinion among Delhiites on whether AAP did the right thing by quitting the government at this stage is sharply divided, but support for the party has only grown in the last two months. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Summons issued to Jayalalitha's former secretary The special court trying the Rs 66-crore disproportionate assets case involving Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Saturday reissued summons against V Baskaran who was secretary and consultant to the AIADMK supremo in the mid-1990s. Deemed varsities in Karnataka go back on seat deal Fail in parting with seats to govt for CET. Schoolboy thrashed by principal, teachers A class 10 student was allegedly beaten up by his school principal and two teachers in Chintamani, Chikkaballapur district. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		In Seemandhra, cries for a separate Telugu nation Miffed Telugu Desam Party leaders from Seemandhra have a new demand: If we can't have a united Andhra Pradesh, we want our separate country and our separate parliament. Kidnapped 11-month boy traced An 11-month-old boy, Virat, who went missing from Singareni Colony, Saidabad, on Friday, was traced in the same locality when the kidnapper tried to abandon him on Saturday.Police nabbed the culprit. MAA runs into statue trouble The Movie Artistes' Association (MAA) is scouring the city for a place to install the statue of actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who lost his battle with cancer last month. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		DMDK begins talks with Congress, seeks appointment with Rajnath Singh DMDK chief Vijayakanth’s meetings with Congress leaders in New Delhi over the past two days has upset the BJP leadership, it is learnt. Girl killed in Tamil Nadu, villagers suspect child sacrifice In a suspected case of child sacrifice, the body of a 10-year-old girl was found hanging from a tree in the premises of a temple in Perumal Koil Karadu in Salem district on Saturday. Blending music, fashion and dance in Madras Christian College's cultural fest, Deepwoods'14 in Chennai Madras Christian College has been hosting its cultural fest, Deepwoods’14 has many surprises in store for the audience. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Non resident Gujarati is king of Indian spices in US While working as a quality controller in Jefferson Electric, Chicago, in the 1960s, Mafat Patel often missed Indian food. Meeting for Gujarat University vice-chancellor's hunt inconclusive The second meeting of the three-member Search committee formed to find a full-time vice chancellor for Gujarat University remained inconclusive, with the committee not able to reach consensus on three names. Senior engineers want to be back in housing board The Gujarat high court has sought a reply from the state government, the urban development department and the housing commissioner over a petition filed by civil engineers. 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
		Lover, friends gang rape class XII student Valentine’s Day celebration turned into nightmare for a girl after her boyfriend and three of his friends allegedly gang-raped her at Bhapur here. Dash of glamour in children's festival Ollywood actors Sabyasachi, Archita and Sritam Das left the children star-struck on the concluding day of the two-day children's festival, Rainbow 2014 , here on Saturday. Neem trees to cool down state capital after monsoon With the city recording high temperatures long before summer, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified 20 roads in the city for planting neem trees in an attempt to cool down commuters. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Katare demands CBI probe into PEB scam, arrest of ex min Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Katare said, the said meeting took place two days ago and now, special task force (STF) of MP Police probing the scam would be pressurized to go slow. Villagers start fresh protests against Chutka atomic plant Ahead of district administration's third attempt to convene a public hearing for acquisition of land for proposed Chukta atomic power plant in Mandla, fresh protests have erupted on Saturday. MP govt for biometric attendance to curb scams Facing heat over scholarship scam, the state government is learned to have made up its mind to launch web-based biometric attendance of students pursuing professional courses in government-aided private institutions. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Punjab BJP miffed over party chief's comments Rajnath during a recent interview on a TV channel said, "In 1984 when Hindu-Sikh riots took place, at that time BJP played what type of role. Blizzards batter Himachal, block several major highways Heavy snowfall continued in Himachal for the second consecutive day on Saturday with many places even facing blizzards, which brought life to complete standstill in most towns of the state. Farmers' siege turn indefinite, no headway yet The three-day farmers' protest outside Bathinda mini-secretariat turned into an indefinite strike from Saturday as the state government's indifferent attitude has flared up the agitation. More Chandigarh News»

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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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