Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, February 19, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Trinity fellow clears air over Rahul's academic credentials A UK-based academician has sought to dispel speculation over Rahul Gandhi's credentials as a Cambridge graduate, saying he had a hand in the Congress vice-president's admission to the prestigious university. Why fruit juice isn't better than cola How many times have you settled for a packaged fruit drink instead of a fizzy cola for health reasons? Turns out that the fruit drink contains the same amounts of sugar and calories as the cola. Gold smuggling in India likely to rise if curbs stay: WGC Gold demand in India is expected to be robust in 2014 and likely to encourage an increase in smuggling if curbs on bullion imports remain, the World Gold Council (WGC) said. More India News»

		Business
		China pips India in gold consumption China has overtaken India as the world's largest gold consumer, according to a World Gold Council report released on Tuesday. Buy your first home by March 31 Those planning to buy their first house should rush and complete the formalities by March 31 to avail of the additional tax benefit against the interest paid on a home loan. Quadricycles to ply from October 1 A new category of four-wheelers - quadricycle - will be allowed to ply in cities across the country from October 1, largely replacing the auto-rickshaws. More Business News»

		Environment
		Mahashtra govt to implement river conservation scheme In view of growing urbanisation and industrialisation, Maharashtra government will implement a river conservation scheme, under which sewage water will be treated for reuse in industry and agriculture. Dolphins 'suffering miscarriage, lung disease, after BP oil spill' Scientists admitted that their study cannot prove that the dolphin's health problems were caused by the Deepwater spill because there were no studies of dolphin health prior to it. Calf refuses to leave sick jumbo Rupesh Khan The injured villager Gunamoy Kundu (50) has been admitted to Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital. More Environment News»

		World
		Snowden elected rector of UK varsity Edward Snowden, the former US National Security Agency analyst who revealed US surveillance of phone and Internet communications, was elected rector of Glasgow University in Scotland today. Venezuela opposition leader jailed over protests Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez emerged from days of hiding and surrendered to police before thousands of supporters Tuesday, saying he hopes his arrest awakens Venezuela to the corruption and economic disaster caused by 15 years of socialist rule. China to expand abandoned baby hatch scheme Chinese government is desperately dealing with the rising trend of parents abandoning unwanted babies, mostly disabled, by placing specially designed baby hatches in the villages. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'Became men when we shared space with Priyanka' Priyanka Chopra, who played Nandita — a Calcutta-based cabaret dancer from the 80’s — in 'Gunday', has been applauded for her finely-nuanced performance in the film Deepika's present lover bonds with her ex-lover The special screening of ‘Gunday’ saw who’s who of Bollywood in their designer best. However, what drew maximum attention was the bonding between actors Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. IN PICS: Celebs who should NOT be invited together We overheard an interesting conversation between two Bollywood wives, who were having lunch at a suburban restaurant More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Stem cell banking from teeth gains acceptance People with poor health history or those suffering from genetic diseases are going to the dentists in greater numbers for stem cell banking from teeth. Why Einstein changed his view on universe Scientists have found out why physicist Albert Einstein, who for long believed that the universe was static, changed his mind and accepted the modern cosmological view that the cosmos is expanding. Nasa satellite data raises hope of reviving Aral Sea All is not lost for the fast-disappearing Aral Sea, a saline lake in central Asia. More Science News»

		Sports
		NZ series gone, skipper Dhoni still 'cool' Captain MS Dhoni refused to accept that it had been a disastrous tour, merely accepting that the (loss in the) ODIs were disappointing only "to some extent." Barca edge towards last eight after win A Lionel Messi penalty and a late goal by Dani Alves gave Barcelona a 2-0 win over Manchester City in their Champions League Last 16 first leg clash at Etihad. Kiwi nightmare ends with missed chance Virat Kohli hit his sixth ton as India drew the second Test against New Zealand on the fifth day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington to lose the two-Test series 0-1. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung, LG may set up chip making units in India Samsung and LG are considering setting up units to manufacture chips in India, following government's clearance to build two such units. Aakash 4 tablet computer to be priced at Rs 3,999 Kapil Sibal said low-cost tablet PC Aakash 4 will be available in the market in around one and a half months for Rs 3,999. ​Google to put new Android versions in all upcoming phones Google will stop approving manufacturers’ requests for its mobile services for older Android versions 9 months after a new iteration debuts. More Technology News»

		Education
		Mukesh Ambani quits, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw to head IIM-Bangalore board In a first for the premier Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), a woman will head the board of governors at IIM-Bangalore. Rajasthan govt introduces optional board exam for Class VIII The Vasundhara Raje government on Tuesday announced the formation of an education board for Class VIII, also introducing the option of exams for Class VIII students in government schools. Govt launches Rs 600cr scheme for educating adult Muslims Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the government on Tuesday launched a new programme for educating adult Muslims, targeting over one crore of them. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		CM will move to new sixth floor office this week The chief minister's office has begun shifting from the first floor of Mantralaya to the refurbished sixth floor. 'Cheap flats meant only for government staff' Developer Hiranandani Constructions on Tuesday said people are being lured by “miscreants” for securing allotment of concessional flats in its project at Powai. Sewage responsible for 70% of river pollution A government survey reveals that the sewage from cities, villages and towns is polluting the state’s rivers in a much bigger way than industrial wastes. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Afghan held with cocaine worth Rs 20cr An Afghan national, ferrying drugs for an international cartel, was arrested with 4kg cocaine worth Rs 20 crore in the international market. CBI reluctant to take up Nido Tania death case The CBI can refuse investigations referred to it by central or state governments, but it is bound to investigate those cases which have been given to it by courts. Delhi high court to hear discoms before RWAs, NGOs The Delhi high court on Tuesday said it would first decide the plea seeking an audit of accounts of Delhi's three private discoms by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India before dealing with other matters on the subject. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Hit the waves on surfboard Karnataka could get its own version of Santa Barbara, if the tourism department's initiative gets off the board. It's hit on surfing to draw the crowds, both Indian and foreign, to its beaches. Little Mariam moves limbs, is out of ICU It was a yawn that sparked hope. Mariam Kouser, 3, followed it by opening her eyes on Sunday, making her parents and grandparents, who were waiting by her hospital bed for two months, break into tears of relief. Tumkur socialite's death was murder Charred remains of the socialite wife of a high-profile businessman in Tumkur did little to raise police curiosity in early 2011. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Sonia-bashing to be poll plank for TDP, YSRCP If there is one major poll issue that will dominate the general elections in Seemandhra region, it will be “Italian Sonia”. AP Inc breathes easy after passage of T Bill Andhra Pradesh Inc finally heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday as curtains finally fell on the four-year separate statehood drama with the passage of the Telangana bill clearing the clouds of ‘uncertainty’ over businesses, especially in Hyderabad. No toll fee to be levied on inter-state vehicles for now With Telugu-speaking people set to get two states, transport services between the two entities will not be affected at least for the next few years. Also, motorists will not have to pay inter-state fee for now. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Relatives thank CJI, Jaya for support When the bus carrying Arputhammal entered the Koyambedu terminus at 10.35am on Tuesday, news of her son’s death sentence being commuted to life was out. A daughter waits to be reunited She was born in prison and raised in a special cell for women in Vellore jail for nearly two years. On first birthday, Amma canteens to serve sweet pongal free There will be a ‘sweet’ surprise for all those visiting Amma canteens in the city for breakfast on Wednesday — a complimentary plate of ‘chakkkara pongal’ to mark the first birthday of the hugely popular eateries. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Childless get nest on hope's fertile ground Currently, the commissioning couple stays in a hotel while the surrogate mother is given lodging and boarding at the Surrogate House and later admitted in the hospital. Newborns are admitted in the pediatrics hospital. Ahmedabad traffic cops are now armed Men in whites will no longer be mere pushovers for errant drivers! Besides preventing traffic offences, traffic cops may act as a deterrent against serious crimes taking place on city streets. Police agencies put 70 through narco in 2013 The queue of police agencies seeking narco analysis of crime accused is getting longer by the day at Directorate of Forensic Science in Gandhinagar. In 2013, police teams from across the country put 70 accused through narco analysis. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Litterateurs pay tributes to author Amar Kant The mortal remains of noted Hindi litterateur and Jnanpeeth Award winner Amar Kant was consigned to flames at Shankarghat on Tuesday. Drive to check passengers without tickets conducted To curb the practices of traveling without tickets and irregular tickets, Allahabad division of North Central Railway is launching drives in various trains and stations. Eat boiled vegetables for max benefit: Experts Indian housewives have been practicing it since time immemorial and modern chefs consider it the art of healthy eating and living. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJD may go solo in coming polls The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday indicated it would fight the forthcoming assembly elections without forming an alliance with any political party. Unguarded ATMs face closure Taking umbrage at non-compliance with its recommendation for deploying security guards at ATM kiosks here, commissioner of police R P Sharma on Tuesday shot off a second reminder to the head offices of different banks. Major reshuffle in IPS cadre Ahead of assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the state government effected a major reshuffle in SP-rank officers on Tuesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Mobile phones banned in MP board exams MP board of secondary education has banned students from carrying mobile phones to exam halls for its high school and higher secondary examinations. STF seizes mark-sheets, starts probe Special task force (STF) on Tuesday initiated investigations into irregularities in RTO constable recruitment test held in August 2012. BJP aims to reclaim Malwa region via Narmada-Kshipra link Two months before Lok Sabha elections, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan's BJP government in Madhya Pradesh touched the sentimental nerve of Malwa region people by completing the first phase of its ambitious pilot Narmada-Kshipra river linking project and holding a cabinet meeting on Tuesday at Ujjaini - the village where the two rivers are linked. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Central Excise asks BJP to pay service tax on Modi rallies Ahead of elections, the confrontation between the Congress and the BJP is now set to take an ugly turn with the Centre deciding to slap service tax on rallies being addressed by BJP PM pick Narendra Modi. Chandigarh youth flaunt their vocal talent on virtual stage The city youth are now going for a virtual platform to showcase their talent. Girl hit in school, becomes partially blind Panchkula deputy commissioner S S Phulia has ordered a probe to ascertain how a 10-year-old girl lost sight in one of her eyes after an alleged assault at her school. More Chandigarh News»

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Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, February 18, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Copyright office, permanent copyright board to come up A separate copyright office and a permanent copyright Board are being set up to provide better services to authors, performers and creators of various works, HRD minister MM Pallam Raju said . Panel rules out frisking of MPs The demands for frisking of MPs while entering Parliament, triggered after the pepper spray attack by one of them last week, fizzled out on Monday with a parliamentary committee deciding against making such a recommendation AAP to 'pursue' BJP, Congress candidates Congress and BJP candidates have no respite with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal announcing that his party candidates will "pursue" contestants from the two parties. More India News»

		Business
		Sensex crawls in auto mode High on an unexpected excise duty cut boost, automobile stocks drove the sensex up 97 points – a rise of a decent 0.5% – although there was not much to cheer for Dalal Street investors in the Interim Budget proposals. No conflict with RBI on growth: Chidambaram Finance minister P Chidambaram dismissed arguments that there was a contradiction between the stance of the government and the Reserve Bank of India on the growth versus price stability issue but asserted that an elected government has the responsibility of charting out the pace of growth. Ruias offer £912m to buy out Essar Energy The Ruias of Essar shocked UK investors on Valentine’s Day as they offered to buy the outstanding shares of the Londonlisted Essar Energy at 70 pence a share, or a sixth of its listing price four years ago. More Business News»

		Environment
		Calf refuses to leave sick jumbo Rupesh Khan The injured villager Gunamoy Kundu (50) has been admitted to Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital. 'Proper implementation of agroforestry policy a big challenge' The maiden policy comes following the World Congress on Agroforestry held in New Delhi from February 10-14. Environmentalists criticise FM for making diesel-guzzler SUVs cheaper that while passenger cars sales had declined by 6.69%, the sales of. More Environment News»

		World
		Talks called off as Taliban kill 23 Pak soldiers The talks between the Pakistan government and Taliban negotiators scheduled for Monday were called off after the terrorist group claimed to have executed 23 soldiers who were in its custody since their abduction in June 2010. Mystery packages found in UK, threat level put at 'substantial' A series of suspect packages left all over London has forced Britain to put in place a threat level termed as “substantial” from international terrorism. Study: Ganges teeming with deadly superbugs The Ganges is teeming with multi-drug resistant superbugs, including the deadly NDM-1 virus, and their levels peak during the annual pilgrimage season, says a new study. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Is Kamaal Khan getting threatened by a gangster? Though KRK isn’t sure if the alleged gangster is from Gurgaon or Rajasthan or Chandigarh, he says he isn’t bothered by such calls, since he has no friends in the industry and such things happen. 'I have no desire to be a part of Bigg Boss again' Actor Mahek Chahal wants to get married to someone outside the Bollywood film industry. Virat Kohli furious over Anushka Sharma's lip job rumours? The cricketer has not taken kindly to all the flak his alleged girlfriend Anushka Sharma has got due to her changed appearance. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Peter Higgs finds Nobel fame 'a bit of a nuisance' Peter Higgs has described his new found fame after receiving the Nobel “a bit of a nuisance”. The 84-year-old reclusive physicist has for the first time opened up about his life and revealed that his quest for the God Particle wrecked his marriage in 1970s. Addiction to video game can make you smart First it was Doodle Jump. Then Dots. And now, Flappy Bird. So many of the games that we download on our smartphones are a waste of time, but we can’t seem to stop playing them. Loneliness, not obesity, biggest killer of elderly Loneliness is a major health risk for the elderly and it can increase the risk of premature death by 14%, warns a new research. A meta-analysis showed loneliness has twice the impact on early death as obesity. More Science News»

		Sports
		India in tatters as Southee scalps Pujara Tim Southee worked his magic to pick up his second wicket when he dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara on fifth day of second Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington. Pique eager for Barca to restore lustre Gerard Pique thinks that Barca's Champions League last 16 tie with City represents an opportunity to restore their reputation as one of world's leading clubs. McCullum first Kiwi player to score 300 Brendon McCullum became the first New Zealand batsman to score a Test triple-century during the fifth day of the second Test against India in Wellington. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Acer Iconia W4 review: First usable Windows mini-tab Is Acer Iconia W4 the first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet worth buying? We find out. Mobile phone tariffs likely to go up: Vodafone Telecom operators have been cutting back on freebies and discounted minutes to maintain profitability. 6% excise duty on all mobile phones: Chidambaram The government said the excise duties on mobile handsets will be restructured to 6% for all categories. More Technology News»

		Education
		Global job offers double for IIM Bangalore graduates It's a windfall for the class of 2012-14 at the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore. Bucking negative trends, 388 students received 425 job offers from 150 companies during the final placement season. Confusion over student loan moratorium Finance minister P Chidambaram's move to exempt interest for education loans taken prior to March 31, 2009, has created confusion, say those in the banking and education business. President to inaugurate Aligarh Muslim University's off-campus centre in Murshidabad on Feb 20 The centre will initially offer degree courses in law, business management and education. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC tells Cidco to inspect destruction of mangroves The Bombay high court took a serious view of allegations in a PIL regarding rampant destruction of mangroves in Navi Mumbai and directed Cidco to inspect the site to verify the grievances. Petitioners can seek clarification in Welukar row Two PILs were filed by Nitin Deshpande and V G Patil and a petition by A D Sawant, a contender. Probe alleged threat by cop to lawyer in court: Bombay high court The Bombay high court has directed an inquiry against an assistant inspector from Thane's Economic Offences Wing for allegedly threatening an advocate in a courtroom. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Solar fridge for vaccines could play key role in aid efforts Delivering life-saving vaccines to remote areas of developing countries could soon be possible with new solar-powered fridges. Engineers have developed a prototype system that could keep vaccines cool until treatment. People have emotional tie with us but there may be intellectual disconnect: Arvind Kejriwal His government's gone, his future is uncertain. And he doesn't have a house beyond six months. But that hasn't affected Arvind Kejriwal's spunkiness. No new policies in Delhi till President's rule lasts With simultaneous Lok Sabha and Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections ruled out, the city is likely to be run by lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung for quite some time. However, with the current assembly kept in suspended animation, all 70 of the city’s MLAs will retain their “powers, privileges and immunities, including salaries and access to MLA funds”. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		9 sitting Congress MPs, Nandan Nilekani get the nod The Congress Election Committee (CEC), headed by AICC president Sonia Gandhi, has renominated all the nine sitting MPs from Karnataka, besides finalizing the name of Nandan Nilekani for Bangalore South. Global job offers double for IIM Bangalore graduates It's a windfall for the class of 2012-14 at the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore. Bucking negative trends, 388 students received 425 job offers from 150 companies during the final placement season. Eminent Carnatic vocalist R K Srikantan passes away Eminent Carnatic vocalist R K Srikantan passed away in a private hospital in Seshadripuram on Monday night. He was 94. Srikantan had been hospitalized on Friday with lung congestion. His blood pressure dipped, worsening his condition , son R K Kumar said. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Women cabbies to make Hyderabad roads safe again On a day when Union finance minister P Chidambaram announced the allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for empowerment of women in the country, Hyderabad is already on its way to reclaim the safety of its roads and make them more women-friendly. Man pushes friend to death A 46-year-old housewife was mowed down by a truck after she was pushed onto the road by a fellow villager following an altercation at Maheswaram on Sunday evening. Hyderabad culture wows Pakistan group A group of artistes from Pakistan, who enthralled denizens with their dance and drama performances over the last few days, said they are in awe of Hyderabad' s cosmopolitan culture. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Travel agency cancels ticket on its own, fined Rs 57,000 Cancelling of an international flight ticket on it own has cost online travel agency Make My Trip India Rs 57,000. Man jumps off Kathipara flyover A 30-year-old man from Ambattur, who jumped from the lower end of the Kathipara flyover early on Monday after his bid to open an eatery suffered a setback, is recovering in hospital. Beats of samba soccer lure Chennai tourists to South America Chennaiites who are known to prefer Southeast Asian countries for a vacation are now exploring exotic far-off lands, and South America with its salsa parties, breathtaking coastlines and street parties ahead of the FIFA world cup seems to be on top of the list this year. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		'Textbook terrorists' booked Ten days after The Times of India launched the ‘Error Terror’ campaign highlighting the horrifying texts children read in the Gujarat board schools, the state government has suspended panelists involved in content preparation and announced that all flawed content from the textbooks would be withdrawn. Pics of Afghanistan to speak a thousand words The situation in war torn Afghanistan will reach the art aficionados of the city in the form of strong, even heart-wrenching photographs and documentary movies this week. National summit on financial services at GIFT City The aim of the national summit is to facilitate the process of putting together pragmatic rules, procedures and facilities which would expedite the development of the envisaged 'Global Financial Hub' in India. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Jr engrs to go on 'satyagraha' from Feb 18 To protest against non-acceptance of their demands, junior engineers of the power department from across the state will observe an indefinite 'satyagraha' from February 18. BJP's PM pick unwanted in US, says Beni Union steel minister Beni Prasad Verma laid the foundation of steel processing unit at Jarwal on Sunday.The unit will be constructed on an investment of Rs 22 crores.About 500 persons will get employed. AU's former guards protest The gherao continued till evening and ended only after the proctor Prof RK Upadhayay assured the agitated guards that their demands are being considered by the varsity authorities. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Banks asked to step up loan disbursal The state-level bankers' committee (SLBC) on Monday fixed the target for priority sector finance under annual credit plan (ACP) for Odisha in 2014-15 at Rs 40,000 crore, a media release said. Utkal University students lock exam section A section of Utkal University students on Monday locked the varsity's examination section for over four hours, pressing for removal of registrar Banani Mohanty. Scientist aims to break own world record City-based scientist Pothula Srinivas Brahmanand, who created world record in September 2012 by delivering the longest speech for 33 hours 46 minutes, will attempt to break his own feat here on Tuesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		20 days on, cops catch up with MLA's son A much hunted “unidentified young man” has been tracked down by police and identified as Golu Singh, son of BJP MLA from Bargi, Pratibha Singh, who has more than a dozen criminal cases, including that of a murder of police official pending against him 5 get life term for murdering Russian woman during train loot A local court in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh sentenced five people to life imprisonment on Monday, for murder of a Russian woman during a train robbery in 2007. Tough time for private students to take admit cards in Hamidia College Non-regular students enrolled with Barkatullah University, Bhopal faced a tough time in getting their admit cards at Hamidia Arts and Commerce College on Monday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Haryana sees more revenue from higher vehicle sales following excise cut Haryana leads in car and two-wheeler production, being home to Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, leading manufacturers in these two segments.The two companies support a vast ecosystem of ancillary makers in Gurgaon area. Ex-servicemen hail one-rank one-pension decision Union finance minister P Chidambaram's acceptance of the much-awaited one-rank one-pension demand of ex-servicemen has brought cheer to lakhs of retired defence personnel in the region. Unions slam agriculture summit sans small farmers The summit would have been a milestone if chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had announced interest-free agriculture credit, he said. More Chandigarh News»

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UPA’s chance for a masterstroke?