Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, February 24, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Romila Thapar, Ashis Nandy urge Penguin to fight suit in 'The Hindus' case After Penguin India withdrew the copies of the controversial book 'The Hindus: An Alternative History', a group of eminent authors and historians today asked the publishing house to contest the suit against the book in a higher court for "holding up the freedom of expression." Dalit activist Udit Raj to join BJP Dalit leader and activist Udit Raj will join BJP on Monday, party sources said. Raj is also expected to contest Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh. Three PSUs producing vaccines at snail's pace The three public sector units producing primary vaccines might have resumed operation, but they are hardly making any contribution to the vaccines procured for the Universal Immunisation Programme. More India News»

		Business
		Emirates set to get more flying rights In a farewell ‘gift’ to Gulf carriers at the cost of desi airlines, the aviation ministry is set to grant Dubai additional flying rights of 10,000 seats a week — up almost 20% from the current capacity of 55,000 seats. FY14 growth may fall to 4.7% Is the government overestimating the GDP growth rate for the current fiscal? Some of the top economists believe it is. MNCs work to accelerate startups in India The success of the Microsoft Accelerator programme for Indian startups now looks to be encouraging other global companies to start similar initiatives, a trend that could provide more fuel to the emerging startup ecosystem here. More Business News»

		Environment
		World's largest oyster discovered A 14-inch long giant Pacific oyster found off the coast of Denmark has been confirmed as the world's largest by the Guinness Book of World Records. Kutch pastoralists claim grassland community rights under FRA Pastoralists of Banni area of Kutch region in Gujarat have claimed community rights under ‘The scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006’ which was passed on December 18, 2006. The claim is over entire Banni grassland covering 2,400 sq km. Yamuna remains dirty despite huge costs to clean it: Panel Interceptor sewers along the major drains of the city are crucial for curbing pollution of the Yamuna as they would keep untreated sewage from flowing into the river. More Environment News»

		World
		US warns Putin against Ukraine grab In addition to any economic assistance the EU might offer, the US has also promised help. Syrian rebel who was Osama's friend killed Al-Soury's death will fuel the infighting among jihadis fighting President Bashar al-Assad, a violent rivalry that has killed hundreds of fighters in recent months, rebels said. UK boost to oil and gas to keep Scotland The British government said on Monday it would enact sweeping measures to make it easier to unlock hard-to-extract North Sea gas and billions of barrels of oil as it tries to persuade Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. More World News»

		Entertainment
		5 shocking facts about Shah Rukh Khan In Pics: Hrithik Roshan-Arjun Rampal controversy 'Temptations are there, but I follow Buddha' Ali Zafar and Yaami Gautam are like yin and yang. For Ali’s cheeky answers, you have Yaami’s bashful hesitation. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Coming soon: Lettuce-based self-growing electric wires Scientists may be able to use lettuce to create ‘self-growing’ electricity wires in the future, paving the way for biological computers and ‘bio-robots’. Bacteria from baby poop used to make probiotic sausages Scientists have found a bizarre way of making sausages healthier — by using baby poop. Vertical film screens offer a new reality In the beginning, it was black and white. Years later, it was colour, followed by 3D glasses and Imax. But could the next big development in cinema be vertical screens? More Science News»

		Sports
		India short of finishers sans famed trio For the first time since January 24, 2004, the famed finishing trio of Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni won't feature in an Indian line-up in Asia Cup. Nadal proves his form with Rio Open win Rafael Nadal shrugged off the injury concerns that wrecked his Australian Open bid as he dismantled Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov to win the Rio Open. Brooklyn Nets sign openly gay Collins Jason Collins signed a 10-day contract with the NBA's Brooklyn Nets to become the first openly gay man playing in a major US professional sports league. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung launches Tizen-powered smartwatches The Gear 2 will be available in two variants, namely the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, with the latter being an economy version. How to get a job at Google Google attracts so much talent it can afford to look beyond traditional metrics, like GPA. Meet the Google trekker photographing Indian monuments Google created a tool specifically build to do one thing – photographing a monument in a way that captures a 360-degree view. More Technology News»

		Education
		B-school challenge Prospective full-time MBA students applying to the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, have an opportunity to win scholarships by taking part in a contest organised by the school. Shark migration Like salmon in reverse, longsnouted Bandringa sharks migrated downstream from freshwater swamps to a tropical coastline to spawn 310 million years ago, leaving behind fossil evidence of one of the earliest known shark nurseries. Mastering biology Infection biology is an area of biomedical sciences. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'Apply existing laws to rescue declining Bandra' The swift transmogrification of H-West ward from a quiet corner of the city into a cultural, shopping and nightlife hub has brought with it an adjunct set of problems. Young but restless after metamorphosis Sixty-five-year-old Daphne Warapen remembers the time when she used to cross rice fields and expanses of greenery while walking from her home at Union Park to St Theresa’s Church on Bandra’s 24th road for the Sunday mass. Compensation within 3 months The cost of developing the land, which will be returned to the affected villagers, will be borne by Cidco, which is the developing agency of the new airport; under the central law, the cost is supposed to be borne by the affected persons themselves. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		3-yr-old gets hand back after 10-hr operation A Haryana farmer’s quick thinking helped save the life and limb of his three-year-old boy, whose arm was severed from the chest wall while playing in the farm land. Man arrested for rape A 55-year-old woman has alleged that she was raped by a neighbour at the railway colony beside DDU Marg in central Delhi on Saturday night. Yamuna dirty despite efforts to clean it: House panel A parliamentary panel has noted that the river Yamuna seems “dirtier” than before despite Rs 6,500 crore having been spent on its clean-up even as a project to lay interceptor sewers along the three major drains of Delhi suffers delays. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Ambareesh is on the path to recovery, wife says Fans of actor-turned-politician and housing minister M H Ambareesh heaved a sigh of relief on Sunday after his wife made a public announcement that her husband is recovering. NSG, police security drill from today Don’t panic if you see armed commandoes donning fatigues and find yourself in the thick of action on your way to work on Monday. Bangalore scores low on walkability score Pedestrians are nothing short of sitting ducks for speeding and wayward motorists in Bangalore city. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Protest outside IIIT after student commits suicide About 8,000 IIIT students at Basara staged a ‘rasta roko’ in front of the institute accusing the authorities of not allowing an ambulance into the campus immediately after one of its students jumped off the hostel building around 7.30am on Sunday. Will minorities get a better deal in two states? With the passage of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in Parliament, the minorities find themselves split into two states, like their counterparts from the majority community. Property registrations show a decline in Andhra Pradesh After the Centre gave enough hints that the creation of Telangana state was certain, property registrations in the city, especially surrounding areas, dropped significantly in the last two months. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Inspector suspended, CB-CID handed techie murder probe Chief minister J Jayalalithaa ordered that the case be transferred to the CB-CID and police offered a reward of up to Rs 2 lakh for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. Goal in sight for leprosy victims' daughters As 15-year-old Monisha propels a football with perfect control in a ground at Kancheepuram, she seems to be dribbling past the obstacles of life. Police give tech firms safety brief, promise to patrol OMR The murder of a 23-year-old software engineer with Tata Consultancy Services and subsequent pressure from the government appears to have jolted police out of their complacency. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Left to fight alone, she defeats malignant fate At 40, Sridevi Yagnik was fighting the biggest battle of her life — stage two breast cancer. Woman from Kalol found dead in Pirana, police register case of murder A team of Danilimda police found the body of a woman on Pirana road late on Saturday night with multiple stab wounds.The victim was later identified as an orchestra singer from Kalol having relatives in Ahmedabad. Safe space marked for cyclists, pedestrians at Vijay Crossroads Harikrishna Patel, additional commissioner of police (traffic), said they have partnered with the civic body and NGO for 'Right Steps' initiative to emphasize adequate planning and management of traffic flow. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		MLA seeks road repair Peeved over dilapidated condition of roads in various localities, City (North) MLA Anugrah Narayan Singh has decided to raise the matter on the floor of the house. Congmen flay Jayalalithaa The activists also took out a procession which ended at Peepal Chauraha, where they burnt the effigy of Jayalalithaa.The activists were shouting slogans against her. Tantrik makes bid to rape girl A tantrik and his accomplices tried to rape a 15 years old girl and beat her up badly when she raised an alarm.The incident took place at a village in Bisheshwarganj on Friday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Demand for Odia varsity and research centre They also demanded the use Odia as an official language at all government offices and to make it a compulsory subject at all schools and colleges. EC asks for campaigners' list Speaking to representatives of various political parties, Sharma said the district election officers will notify costs of different materials to be used during campaigns to set the limit of the candidates expenditure. Mass Rapid Transit System: Hyderabad agency to prepare plan The state government has selected Hyderabad-based consultant Balaji Rail Road System Limited (BARSYL) to prepare detailed project report (DPR) for proposed mass rapid transit system (MRTS) between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		After cloudy day, cold winds sweep Bhopal After overcast conditions throughout the day on Saturday, there was a change in weather condition.By night, cold winds swept and the city experienced drizzle. Electoral reforms bill discussed at MANIT's mock parliament Students of Maulana Azad National Institute (MANIT) organised a mock parliament on Saturday, where students from various colleges discussed a bill drafted by intellect browsers consortium (IBC) on electoral reforms. Bags with jewellery stolen from car Travelling bags with jewellery and clothes kept inside a locked four-wheeler were stolen on Hathi Khana Road in Budhwara here on Friday night.The case was later registered at Talaiya police station of the city. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Anti-Sikh riot victims protest land grab Giving details, Darshan Singh said Giani Sant Singh Maskeen had purchased the land with offerings from the community to help the victims to settle down but the land had been grabbed by some influential persons. Take steps against Punjabi-speaking ban in school, DCs told Following a report of several private schools, especially of those affiliated to CBSE and ICSE, prohibiting students from conversing in their mother tongue Punjabi, the Punjab government has asked deputy commissioners and education department officials to take appropriate steps and stop the school managements from imposing such a ban. Costly coal to push up power rates in Punjab, Haryana However, Haryana government has recently promised that there would be no tariff hike for the power consumers of the state in election year as it has agreed to financial restructuring plan of Government of India. More Chandigarh News»

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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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