Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, February 23, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Delhi high court must order probe into party fundings: AAP Amid accusations of Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal being silent on the issue of its foreign funding, the outfit on Saturday launched an attack against BJP and Congress urging the Delhi high court to direct a “thorough investigation” of the funding sources of these parties. Audio bridge to help Modi talk with thousands at a time If you get a surprise call from NDA’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the run-up to the parliamentary polls, rest assured it will not be a pre-recorded message seeking votes. India's spiritual and religious market is estimated to be over $30 billion That opportunity is now spawning a whole variety of startups and online ventures. And many are taking advantage of the market’s fragmentation and low technology penetration. More India News»

		Business
		India should increase ship-building capacity: Mukherjee India has to increase its turnout of quality maritime personnel and its ship-building capacity if it has to emerge as a major economic power, President Pranab Mukherjee said here on Saturday. 'Job creation only solution to make India prosperous' Different sections of the society, including politicians and corporates, should work towards job creation as it is the only "antidote" that can make the country prosperous, Infosys executive chairman N R Narayana Murthy said on Saturday. India's forex reserves up $1.45bn India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves increased by $1.45 billion to $293.78 billion for the week ended February 14, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed. More Business News»

		Environment
		'Slimy seaweed' a magic potion for climate-vulnerable Sunderbans The slimy green seaweed that grows in the wild and has no takers could emerge as a life-saving magic potion for the climate-vulnerable inhabitants of the Sunderbans. Several Chinese cities reel under smog Smog continued to blanket China's north and central regions for the third day on Saturday, prompting the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) to issue a yellow alert for air pollution. Scientists discover new marsupial known for fatal sex Australian scientists have discovered a new species of marsupial, about the size of a mouse, which conduct marathon mating sessions that often prove fatal for the male. More Environment News»

		World
		UN agrees resolution on Syria aid The UN security council united for the first time on a resolution on Syria's humanitarian crisis Saturday, demanding that President Bashar Assad's government and the opposition provide immediate access everywhere in the country to deliver aid to millions of people in desperate need. Protests in east Ukraine ease separatism fears A bid by regional leaders loyal to President Viktor Yanukovich to challenge the legitimacy of the national parliament appeared to founder on Saturday, after thousands of protesters rallied in eastern Ukraine in support of the political changes in Kiev. Suicide car bomb kills three at Lebanon army post A massive suicide car bomb targeting an army checkpoint in the eastern Lebanese town of Hermel near war-torn Syria killed two soldiers and a civilian on Saturday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Shibani Kashyap records single with Mika Singh Singer Shibani Kashyap has paired up with Mika Singh for the first time for a Punjabi track, Soneya, a Times Music release Kumar Sanu teams up with Almas Noor in his latest album Bollywood’s most loved and melodious voice Kumar Sanu comes together with one of the finest voices, belonging to the royal family of Kedah, Malaysia — Almas Noor Javed Akhtar pens song for the CRPF Javed Akhtar, Raju Singh and Javed Ali have come together to create a special song to celebrate 75 years of the CRPF More Entertainment News»

		Science
		US army working on pizza that will stay three years They call it the holy grail of ready-to-eat meals for soldiers, a pizza that can stay on the shelf for up to three years and still remain good to eat. Scientists make artificial muscles from fishing line and thread In the past, artificial muscles have been crafted out of materials including metal wires and carbon nanotubes, but they have proven to be costly to make and tricky to control. Beyond Cern: Now physicists prepare to construct the even larger Hadron Collider The costs of creating a new collider, in a 100km tunnel, would be enormous – an estimated 10 million cubic metres of rock would need to be dug up. More Science News»

		Sports
		Is Fletcher contributing to think-tank? BCCI seems to have adopted a wait-and-watch policy with Duncan Fletcher. Since he took over after World Cup in 2011, India have forgotten how to travel well. Federer in Dubai to show revival is real Roger Federer's performance in reaching Australian Open semifinal is the first step in a mini-revival of tennis' great legend. This week could see the second. Sociedad stun Barcelona, Madrid go top Real Madrid moved three points clear at the top of La Liga as Barcelona suffered their second defeat in four games with a 3-1 reverse away to Real Sociedad. More Sports News»

		Technology
		With WhatsApp, Facebook enters your address book Being able to tap into your address book is a major reason why Facebook decided that WhatsApp was worth as much as $19 billion. iPhones, iPads vulnerable to hacking: Apple A major flaw in iOS could allow hackers to intercept email and other communications that are meant to be encrypted, Apple said. Google's Hangouts blunder helped WhatsApp WhatsApp is not only simpler and faster to use than Google Hangouts, but also allows users to create specific groups for group discussions. More Technology News»

		Education
		Amity boy becomes Aptitude Wizard In a test of logic and analytical aptitude, Times NIE in association with Byju’s Classes organized a ‘Think & Learn Challenge’ in over 300 schools in NCR to find the ultimate ‘Aptitude Wizard’ in the city. Switch on 'thermo' talk! Every business challenge is a communications challenge – whether you’re reporting to your directors or brainstorming with your team, speaking with customers or updating clients, you’re communicating. Aligarh University Centre at Murshidabad may become a central university for minority areas Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has written to the Union minority affairs minister to turn the AMU centre at Murshidabad into a central university. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Cop falls off train at Thane platform, dies A 46-year-old constable attached to the Kapurbawdi police station here lost his life while trying to board a local train at Thane station on Saturday. Baby's body found in actor Nutan's bungalow pool The body of a newborn girl was found inside the swimming pool of the bungalow of yesteryear actress Nutan on the outskirts of Kharegaon in Kalwa on Saturday. Caved-in portion of road off The BMC has repaired the portion of the road that had caved near Madam Cama road junction at Nariman Point off Marine Drive on Friday afternoon. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		AAP Delhi rebellion The Aam Aadmi Party faced another rebellion on Sunday when a group of around 30 volunteers sat on hunger strike outside the party’s Hanuman Road office to protest against its Lok Sabha candidate selection process. Fresh stir against nursery points Beleaguered parents who are finding themselves out of the nursery race with just 70 points for neighbourhood staged another protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, this time with their kids. Kashmiri traders craft a success story At his plush South Extension house, Bashir Ahmad Butt riffles through newspapers when guests arrive. The 66-year-old, who has a white beard and wiry frame, greets his visitors with elaborate ceremony. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Debutant voters in Karnatata show 20% gender gap As the Lok Sabha polls loom large, the young female population across India is not too enthused to vote, it appears. Home alone woman murdered Saunchita Bagdi, from West Bengal and wife of Ganga Bagdi, was found in a pool of blood with her one-year-old child playing next to her, Ganga told police. Two boys drown near Bagalu Two boys who went fishing with a net made out of mosquito nets reportedly drowned in Manchappana Hasalli lake near Bagalur, Bangalore North, on Saturday afternoon. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		A taste of T-flavour As the Telangana-Seemandhra bifurcation debate hit its crescendo last week, every argument, for or against the motion, appeared to conspicuously revolve around just one issue: the interest of the Telugu people. Film industry pitches for land package in Visakhapatnam With the Centre's decision to bifurcate the state, Tollywood producers demanded the government to speed up the process of land allocation and development of the industry in Vizag. High grave prices at Yusufain dargah under lens Further, another inquiry is being ordered against Shah for allegedly having failed to audit accounts of DHY and for not paying proper funds."The mutawalli has been paying wakf fund only from 2008. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		People participate in avian surveys to help ornithologists compile data If the Hitchcock thriller ‘The Birds’ rattled people enough in the 1960s to have them scanning the skies for signs of unnatural avian behaviour, more recently a crop of birding initiatives have brought the public to once again scour the firmament – this time with a purposeful sense of understanding the method to their stunning madness. Jethmalani falls in Chennai Lawyer and politician Ram Jethmalani, who got the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts off the noose, suffered a fall in Chennai on Friday. PIL questions RBI move to withdraw pre-2005 notes A PIL filed in the Madras high court has questioned legality of the Reserve bank of India’s January 28 order proposing to withdraw all pre-2005 currencies. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Hello helpline, goodbye exam anxiety The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) will launched toll-free helpline - 1800 233 5500 - for students of SSC and HSC science and general streams from Monday. Unsafe buildings ready to face legal fire? The civic authority also told the HC that punitive action would be initiated against them if the occupants failed to install fire-fighting equipment before March 2.Hearing on this case is scheduled to be held on March 3. Now, report cheating from exam centres The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has adopted a novel way for prompt reporting of cheating cases. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Businessman killed in forest Four persons killed a businessman engaged in renting out bamboos and wooden logs (patra, balli) at Malhi Chauraha in Nawabganj on Thursday evening. Couple found dead The bodies of a couple, who went to dig soil, were found at different places on Friday. Auto thieves from Lucknow arrested in Shravasti Six auto thieves, including the kingpin of the gang, were arrested on Friday. As many as 14 vehicles were recovered from them. The kingpin of the gang was based in Lucknow. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		No FIR: Axe on three cops Three cops of Cantonment police station here have been suspended for dereliction of duty.DCP (Cuttack) S Praveen Kumar acted against the trio on Thursday for not registering an FIR of a complainant. Crucial role for 17 lakh new voters Odisha has added an average of around 82,000 new voters per Lok Sabha seat for the forthcoming general elections compared to the 2009 polls. Kondh fest: Fiat against VAL icing on the cake It's festive time for Dongria Kondhs, living on Niyamgiri Hills at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district.They started their three-day annual worship on top of the mountain, about 3 km from the foothills, on Friday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		The fusion band, Indian Ocean performs at Jheel Mahotsav in Bhopal Of fusion and rock music: The fusion band, Indian Ocean, charmed Bhopalites with their splendid performance on the concluding day of Jheel Mahotsav. Mika performs on the second day of Jheel Mahotsav at Motilal Nehru Stadium in Bhopal Bhopal had a musical extravaganza with singer Mika Singh at Motilal Nehru Stadium on the second day of the cultural fest, Jheel Mahotsav. Girl walks out of marriage for dowry; gets groom, kin nabbed Displaying courage, a girl broke off marriage when a groom and his family began making absurd dowry demands in Damoh district on Thursday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		2 khap leaders in race for AAP tickets Two khap leaders of Haryana have applied for Aam Aadmi Party ticket to contest Lok Sabha polls from Sonipat and Rohtak constituencies of Haryana. Dhankhar khap president Om Prakash Dhankhar has applied for AAP ticket from Rohtak from where chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s son and sitting MP Deepender Singh Hooda is the lone contender for Congress ticket. All eyes on Kejriwal's rally today After making an impressive debut and unceremonious exit from Delhi assembly, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) shall gauge its popularity and acceptance in Haryana during the first state-level rally which is to be held in the home turf of chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his MP son Deepender Hooda in Rohtak on Sunday. Court puts trial in Saini case on fast track Close on the heels of a complaint by Punjab Congress leaders against Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini before the election commission in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, a special CBI court in Delhi this week fast-tracked the trial of the abduction case against him. More Chandigarh News»

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Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, February 22, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Odisha minister Maheswar Mohanty shot at in Puri State law and tourism minister Maheswar Mohanty (60) was injured on Friday after unknown miscreants fired at him near his residence in Puri. Shiv Sena UP chief targets Modi, seeks Rajnath's projection as PM Pandey said the Shiv Sena leadership has given its nod to the state unit’s proposal of supporting projection of somebody from Uttar Pradesh as the next prime minister. No FCI godown being used to store liquor: KV Thomas Food and consumer affairs minister KV Thomas told Rajya Sabha on Friday that no Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown is being used for storing liquor. More India News»

		Business
		CSR rules soon with 10 major areas Corporate affairs minister Sachin Pilot had TOI last year that the essence of the bill is self-reporting and self-disclosures and there is no intention on the part of the government to create an inspector raj. Create portfolio with your goals in focus Financial prudence makes it possible to increase wealth manifold, says Gaurav Mashruwala Embassy Group hijacks Four Seasons deal Last December, Goldman Sachs entered into a conditional agreement to sell the 1-million sqft development to RMZ but failed to close the deal following opposition from its minority shareholder. More Business News»

		Environment
		Scientists discover new marsupial known for fatal sex Australian scientists have discovered a new species of marsupial, about the size of a mouse, which conduct marathon mating sessions that often prove fatal for the male. Heavy smog alert for Beijing as pollution levels goes high The Chinese capital has issued a yellow alert for heavy air pollution over the next three days, with children and the elderly being advised to stay indoors. Agra's leather shoe units told to check pollution After hundreds of petha (sweetmeat) units were forced to shut down in Agra last fortnight, Uttar Pradesh's pollution control body has now shifted its focus to pollution causing leather shoe units here. More Environment News»

		World
		Renzi forms new Italian government Democratic Party leader Matteo Renzi has formed Italy's new government, saying the broad coalition aims to give the economically-strapped country “hope.” Obama snubs China, meets Dalai Lama US President Barack Obama welcomed Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to the White House on Friday, defying China, which said the meeting would "seriously impair" bilateral ties. Strangers save baby who stopped breathing on road When five-month old Sebastian stopped breathing on a highway in the US state of Florida on Thursday, his desperate aunt pulled over and screamed for help. More World News»

		Entertainment
		What exactly happened at Salman Khan's dinner party? Salman Khan hosted a get-together for his close friends at his place recently. Both his former flame Sangeeta Bijlani and ‘Jai Ho’ co-star Daisy Shah were part of the guest list. Director goes underground post molestation charges While actress Geetika Tyagi has decided to file a police complaint, director Subhash Kapoor, who she has accused of molesting her, has gone underground and cannot be contacted. Pics: Comedy characters that went viral Here's a list of comedy characters from the small screen that went viral amongst audiences to the extent that they even imitate them. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Astrophysicists look inside heart of an exploding star Astrophysicists have for the first time ever been able to look inside the heart of an exploding star to document exactly how shock waves rip apart massive dying stars and ultimately end their lives. In a first, experts peer into heart of supernova Astrophysicists have for the first time been able to look inside the heart of an exploding star to document how shockwaves rip apart massive dying stars. 600-yr-old mystery script cracked A British linguist has cracked the code of a 600-year-old manuscript, deemed as ‘the most mysterious’ document in the world. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL 7 set to embark on African safari Five years after it created an unforgettable buzz in SA, the money-churning Indian Premier League is all set to return to Nelson Mandela's country once again. 'Politicians should stay out of sports' Politicians should stay out of sports & sportspersons should be at helm of affairs, Rahul Gandhi said at the launch of 'National Youth Policy 2014' on Friday. 'Want to do for MI what I did for CSK' Mike Hussey was a pillar of strength for CSK. But this time around, Mumbai Indians picked him up in the auctions as CSK didn't go the distance to retain him. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer pressure-test you: Satya Nadella In his first interview as CEO, Satya Nadella talks about leadership lessons from his predecessors, his management style and fostering innovation. 'Google was ready to pay more than $19bn for WhatsApp' According to a report, Google CEO Larry Page went to meet WhatsApp chief Jan Koum last week in a desperate bid to prevent the deal from materializing. Samsung to unveil bendable tablet next week: Report South Korean media is abuzz that Samsung will unveil the first-ever bendable tablet at Mobile World Congress. More Technology News»

		Education
		China No. 3 pick of foreign students That the world flies to China and India to entice the young to their colleges is common knowledge. What is not so well known is that China has now become the third most favoured nation of international students after the US and UK. University in Hindi heartland has no Hindi department In a strange twist of fate for Hindi in its heartland, the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (MJP) Rohilkhand University, with more than 155 degree colleges affiliated to it, has been without a department of Hindi for the last 39 years. CBSE advises its schools across country to use canvas shoes only The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued an advisory to all the heads of schools under its jurisdiction to introduce canvas shoes as part of the uniform. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Hospital fined Rs 3.8 crore for denying patient stem cell bank of choice The Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a penalty of Rs 3.81 crore on L H Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, for denying a couple the right to preserve their newborn’s stem cells with the company of their preference. Raj, Uddhav enjoy extra cover even as their parties run riot It couldn’t be more ironic. The leaders of the two most aggressive parties in Maharashtra are also among the ones enjoying the most protection at the state’s expense. AAP fined for political rally at ground sought for Shiv Jayanti The BMC has fined the AAP for using a ground in Andheri (W) for a political rally when the application for use of the ground cited a religious purpose and the celebration of Shiv Jayanti. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Over 5,000 DDA flats unallotted Residents of Delhi may be waiting for Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to offer new flats, but there are about 5,970 flats lying vacant in the city. Plea in high court against AAP A plea has been filed in Delhi high court seeking direction to the Election Commission to cancel the registration of Aam Aadmi Party on the ground that it allegedly used forged documents to register itself. Najeeb Jung reviews helplines Lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung on Friday reviewed the work done by the anti-corruption helpline. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		She power: New-age ads celebrate womanhood Not very long ago, insurance companies sold policies for son's education and daughter's wedding, and jewellers pitched their products primarily for the brides-to-be. Convict in high court 2 years after jumping parole Police on Friday produced in the Karnataka high court Thejus alias Theju, a convict in a murder case who had jumped parole two years ago. Embassy may bag Rs 515cr Four Seasons Bangalore deal India’s leading tech-park developer Embassy Group has swooped down to hijack a Rs 515-crore acquisition of the country’s second Four Seasons Hotel project in Bangalore from cross-town rival RMZ Corp, people involved with the matter said. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Cops ponder over future With the Telangana bill having been passed by the Parliament, state police officers are trying to figure out their future postings from the ‘Civil List’. 'Women relegated to the margins of Telangana movement' After long decades of struggle, the new state of Telangana would soon be a reality, but several activists say that women would continue to remain in the margins as the popular movement has failed to give them enough representation. TDP demands development works in peripheral municipal circles Seeking ‘justice’ for peripheral circles, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) corporators staged a dharna in front of GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar’s chambers on Friday, demanding Rs 5 crore to each of the 50 wards in the peripheral municipal circles like L B Nagar, Uppal, Kukatpally, Alwal and Kapra for developmental works. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		8-hour outages leave residents reminiscing about good old days The three months when Chennai can complain of a nip in the air are over — and with them has gone uninterrupted power supply. Jaya won't let Modi run away with growth plank Unwilling to let BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi appropriate the mantle of a growth crusader, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa pitched in on Friday , saying the state had received higher incremental investments under her governance , even more than Gujarat. Freebies? Tell us how will you fund them: EC to parties Political parties are free to announce freebies in their election manifestoes, but they must also spell out means to finance them, the Election Commission has said. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Researchers say accountants gave up 'shirorekha' to write fast Gujarat’s business community has always influenced history and culture of the land. Chain-snatchers make West wild On an average, two house break-ins, one chain-snatching and six vehicle thefts are reported daily in the Ahmedabad city, said the state government in the assembly. Middleman held, another on the run The local crime branch (LCB) of Gandhinagar police arrested a middleman named by the prime accused Kalyansinh Champawat, for collecting Rs 1.2 crore from 23 candidates taking the examination for the post of talati. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Labourer killed in wall collapse A 55-year-old woman labourer was killed and two others sustained injuries when a dilapidated wall they were taking down collapsed on them at the district women hospital under Shahganj police station here on Thursday. Blast in fireworks trader's house injures four At least four persons including a woman and three children suffered injuries in an explosion at the house of a fireworks trader at Chail block under Pipri police station of Kaushambi district on Thursday. Declassify Bose files: Forum to govt All India Legal Aid Forum has asked the Central government to declassify 36 top secret files regarding Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and end the controversy over his death. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Protest at Utkal over broken hostel wall The agitators said at least four boys entered the ladies' hostel No.I on Wednesday night because of the broken boundary walls, posing a threat to their security. Film star, cricketer to promote brand Odisha The state government has begun hunting for a 'brand ambassador' to promote Odisha tourism in domestic and overseas markets and planning to rope in a Bollywood personality or a cricketer for the purpose. Scientist surpasses own world record Thirty-eight hours and 21 minutes.That was the duration of city-based scientist Pothula Srinivasa Brahmanand's speech marathon, a successful attempt to break his own world record. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		MP Cong leader claims job scam in journalism varsity, moves Lokayukta police Katare said the scam is similar to the one in Haryana, where former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, his son Ajay Chautala and 53 others were convicted by a Delhi court last year for illegal recruitments of 3,000 junior basic trained teachers. NIFT: NCW suggests Kothari's suspension, action against director general National Commission for Women (NCW) has slammed National institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) director general Prem Kumar Gera and NIFT Bhopal director U S Tolia describing sexual harassment in NIFT as 'institutional failure'. Girl walks out of marriage against dowry; gets groom, kin nabbed Displaying courage, a girl broke off marriage when a groom and his family began making absurd dowry demands in Damoh district on Thursday.The girl had represented Madhya Pradesh at a national level sports event. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Complaints against Punjab DGP serious: Election Commission Brahma also revealed the EC had held a three-hour meeting last week with Saini at the office of Punjab CEO V K Singh at their Sector 17 office in Chandigarh. Haryana voters may get meal discount at hotels Cast your ballot and pay 25% less for lunch at your favourite restaurants. Senior PGI faculty protest extension of dean's term Defying the PGI act and inviting the ire of senior faculty, officials have extended the term for the dean's post until the next governing body meets. More Chandigarh News»

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