Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, February 28, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Iran's foreign minister to meet Salman Khurshid today Iran is hoping that by the first deadline of July 20, there would be a nuclear agreement with the west — where Iran agrees to limit a uranium enrichment programme, make it transparent and verifiable, while the west lifts sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy. Centre goes online for appraisal of IAS officers The Centre has introduced the system of online filing of Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) for IAS officers from the current assessment year ie 2013-14. Seemandhra to get 50k rore development fund Union minister Jairam Ramesh said the Seemandhra region would get funding to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore for overall development of the region as compensation for it losing revenue from Hyderabad. More India News»

		Business
		eBay pumps $100m into Snapdeal The world's largest digital marketplace eBay Inc is leading a $134 million (Rs 830 crore) investment in Snapdeal in a deal that suggests investor appetite for the potential winners in Indian e-commerce remains intact. Sony India bets on affordable TVs, phones The company will discontinue the sale of Vaio brand later this year and this is being done as Sony decided to exit the personal computers space globally after suffering losses. Govt decides to hold on to ITC, L&T shares SUUTI was set up as part of the restructuring of the erstwhile Unit Trust of India and the shares and assets left with the entity are net of redemption of liablities of the mutual fund. More Business News»

		Environment
		UP government approves Pilibhit tiger reserve In a move that would bolster tiger conservation in the country, the UP government has approved plans of a tiger reserve in Pilibhit, the third in the state after Dudhwa and Amangarh. Kaziranga loses two more rhinos Kaziranga National Park lost two rhinos on Thursday.While one was killed by poachers at Kukrakata reserve forest adjoining the park, the other one died after the animal fell into a muddy pit. Sunderbans tiger count steady, but prey base not enough Even though there is euphoria over a minimum 103 tigers in the Sunderbans, a new study shows the prey abundance is supporting not more than 30 big cats in the mangroves. More Environment News»

		World
		Ukraine crisis now in Crimea The United States told Russia to demonstrate in coming days that it was sincere about its promise not to intervene in Ukraine, after armed men seized the regional parliament in a mainly ethnic Russian region and raised the Russian flag. 52 people killed in blasts in Iraq At least 52 people were killed Wednesday as a motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated in Baghdad's Sadr City and militants targeted mostly Shi'ite neighbourhoods around the country. Modi's Arunachal remark won't hurt ties: Chinese daily BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's remarks on Arunachal Pradesh would not impact India-China relations, Communist Party-backed daily Global Times has said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Who is Salman's choice of villain for Hero's remake? Model-turned-actor Vivan Bhathena is being considered to play the villain in the remake of Hero (1983), which marks the debut of Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff friends again Morellato Time from Gitanjali Group’s lifestyle brands celebrated the music launch of director Satish Kaushik’s latest film at a Juhu hotel. Manini De misplaces her wedding ring Staying true to character takes a lot out of actors. In actress Manini De’s case, she almost lost her wedding ring in the bargain. Currently seen on Diya Aur Baati Hum, she briefly lost her ring while shooting for the show. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Dropleton: It exists in solids, acts like liquid Scientists said on Wednesday they had discovered a new type of microscopic particle cluster that is found in solid materials but strangely behaves like a liquid. A phone that self-destructs if tampered with Boeing Co on Wednesday unveiled a smartphone that appears to come straight from a James Bond spy movie. In addition to encrypting calls, any attempt to open the casing of the Boeing Black Smartphone deletes all data and renders the device inoperable. NASA discovers 715 new planets Nasa's Kepler mission has found 715 new planets in what is the largest number of planets discovered in a single go. More Science News»

		Sports
		India take on Sri Lanka in first real test Five-time champions India will look to build a winning momentum when they take on Sri Lanka in what could by their first real test in the Asia Cup on Friday. Federer sets up Djokovic semifinal clash Swiss great Roger Federer earned another showdown with defending champion Novak Djokovic by outplaying Lukas Rosol 6-2, 6-2 to reach Dubai Open semifinals. Dressing room better without KP: Prior England's dressing room will be a better place without Kevin Pietersen after the batsman was sacked following the Ashes tour of Australia, Matt Prior said. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Infosys to give 5-7% pay hike Infosys will give an average of 5% to 7% salary increase for employees between job levels 2 and 6. How Canon plans to take on Flipkart, Amazon in India Canon India is considering longer warranty periods for products bought offline to negate the steep discounts offered by e-tailers. First look: Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone Sony's smartphones are distinctive in being waterproof. More Technology News»

		Education
		IIM aspirants cry foul over CAT, move court Alleging large-scale irregularities in the manner in which the Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission to 13 Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) was conducted, a petition by eight candidates in Madras high court has sought a stay on the entire admission process this year. CBSE bans coaching for JEE, schools look to dodge rule Schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will have to stop conducting courses that integrate the regular syllabus and coaching for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination for admission to the IITs, the board has said. Maharashtra govt makes a move, teachers refuse to budge The state has issued two government resolutions (GR) to meet the demands of junior college teachers who have boycotted assessment of HSC answersheets. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Three years on, lifer who jumped parole found with new name A murder convict, serving life term in a Nashik jail, jumped parole and went into hiding. His Kalbadevi-based family said he was HIV positive and had died. Bombay HC: Can a woman molest another? The Bombay high court on Thursday questioned if a woman can be accused of outraging the modesty of another woman and sought the legal provisions for it. HC speeds up trial in Raheja family row The Bombay HC on Thursday framed two preliminary issues to be decided first in a suit filed by real estate magnate G L Raheja against his only son. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Kapish's family was looking for a match for him Lt Commander Kapish Muwal, one of the naval officers who died in the INS Sindhuratna mishap, had turned 27 last month and his family was looking for a bride for him. CBI will probe Nido death case After initially refusing to take over the case, the CBI has finally decided to probe the death of 19-year-old Nido Tania. Jung sets up panel to check juvenile homes Disturbed by repeated escapes from state-run juvenile homes for children in conflict with law, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Thursday set up a committee charged with the task of submitting a comprehensive report regarding functioning of observation homes within the next two weeks. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Raman memorabilia unravels his mystique Head straight to IISc to soak in the Raman memorabilia on show at an exhibition titled 'Celebrating the Life of a Rare Gem'.Organized by the archives department, the exhibition is on at the IISc building reception hall. It's not easy for a woman to be a sculptor: Sudha Murty "At an event 20 years ago, I was given a sculpture of Sir MV (M Visvesvaraya) as a memento and I asked the organizers who the sculptor was. BMTC bus catches fire, 30 passengers safe A BMTC bus was gutted after its diesel tank caught fire near Bidaraguppe, off Attibele, on Thursday evening. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Chiranjeevi open to donning greasepaint again With the state bifurcation issue resolved, Union minister of state Chiranjeevi said he just might gravitate towards doing his 150th film."I will act when the time comes. Sanitation on key city roads to be privatized Contractors would have to carry out door-to-door collection of garbage from residential houses, shops and commercial establishments besides cleaning sidewalks and footpaths. Residents threaten to halt traffic to oppose blockades Angry residents of Malkajgiri municipal circle will block traffic in front of the Secunderabad Club if the army does not agree to ease restrictions on civilian vehicle movement along the AOC stretch, a people's Joint Action Committee said. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Record catch expected as Kasimedu gets 100 boats Fishing off Chennai is set to get a fillip. Some 100 mechanized boats have been acquired by fishermen in Kasimedu from their counterparts in Rameswaram and Kanyakumari. AIADMK whittles away at DMDK, Vijayakanth left with 20 loyal MLAs In a further erosion of the DMDK on poll eve, yet another legislator, Arun Subramanian, called on AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, indicating rebellion against party chief Vijayakanth. Rajiv Gandhi's busts vandalized in Chennai, Congress takes to streets Tension prevailed in several parts of Chennai on Thursday after three busts of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi were found vandalized, triggering protests. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		No scar, no surgery, no leave, insists boss Rasesh Joshi, a chemical engineer working in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, was given a rather difficult assignment at work — to prove that he had indeed undergone spine surgery. Jeweller shot in Chandkheda, hurt A jewellery shop owner in Chandkheda was shot at by unidentified assailants inside his shop on IOC Road late on Thursday night.Police have blocked the city's exit points and launched a hunt for the men on bike. Teacher held for molestation A 47-year-old school teacher, who runs tuition classes in Juhapura, was arrested by Vejalpur police on Thursday after one of his students alleged that he had molested her. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Women seers from different states join all-women akhara The first all-women akhara -- Shri Sarveshwar Mahadeo Vaikunthdham Muktidwar Akhara Pari - performed pattabhishek on the banks of Ganga on Thursday. Showers dampen spirit, only 5 lakh take holy dip Amidst intermittent spell of rains, around five lakh devotees took holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Mahashivratri.The 45 day-long Magh Mela concluded with the last snan of Mahashivratri on Thursday. 'Research must focus on humanity and mankind' The department of chemistry, Allahabad University held a national symposium on 'chemistry at interface of innovative research in science and technology' at Vizianagram Hall on Thursday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Actor Bijay Mohanty joins Congress Popular film actor Bijay Mohanty joined the Congress party on Thursday.Mohanty is likely to contest from the prestigious Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha (LS) seat in the forthcoming elections. Prepaid auto service at SCB Medical College soon Encouraged by success of prepaid autorickshaw service at Cuttack railway station, authorities have now decided to extend the facility to SCB Medical College and Hospital here. Lights, camera, election! To cash in on their popularity in the forthcoming elections, political parties are luring film personalities to join them. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Madhya Pradesh's 'Gulaab gang' sees red, razes liquor dens Nasiri Bai may not bear resemblance to comely Madhuri Dixit in her latest avtaar of a Gulaab gang crusader, but in real life, her name evokes awe among liquor mafia and bootleggers in Malwa region. CM dashes to rain-hit areas in Sehore, offers slew of reliefs Chief minister said farmers who suffered 50% damage or more to their crops in hailstorms will be given wheat and rice at Re 1 per kg along with BPL beneficiaries in the state. Hailstorm ravages standing crop, 30 villages reeling Heavy rain and hailstorm continued to wreak havoc in several parts of the state, leaving 32 people injured and massive damages to standing crops especially wheat and pulses. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Fly abroad from T3 of Chandigarh The Tricity residents' high-flying wait will be over in February next year, when the local airport will show off its swanky terminal for operation of international flights. Read before you booze and party Before you fling a few down the hatch and let your hair down, read the writing on the wall. Celebrating the night of Shiva Chants of Om Namah Shivay reverberated in the air as the tricity sought blessings of the blue-necked God and his consort.Devotees offered Shiva his favourites - flowers, bel leaves and milk packets. More Chandigarh News»

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Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, February 27, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Leopard spotted in Dehradun, creates panic Close on the heels of a leopard being spotted in Meerut, there were reports of leopard sightings in two areas of the city, creating a flutter among residents. Punjab Congress demands FIR against state minister Anil Joshi They alleged that it was an attempt to save the minister.They said that an offence under Section 31 of Representation of Peoples Act was non-cognizable and would require immediate arrest of the accused. Ex-Punjab minister to oppose Lok Sabha ticket to Preneet Kaur from Patiala However, he said he was a committed worker of the party and would obey the final decision of the high command."But I would oppose Preenet during allotment of ticket," he clarified. More India News»

		Business
		Govt's austerity measure bleeds AI Government's austerity measures are punching a hole in the 'Maharaja's' pocket. Gulf carriers to rule Indian skies India's huge aviation market is now officially the battleground for Gulf carriers, with Indian airlines forced to watch them walk away with a lion's share of the country's globetrotters. Adani Ports to set up Rs 1,270cr container terminal in TN Private port operator Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones Ltd will develop a container terminal at Ennore Port at a cost of 1,270 crore. More Business News»

		Environment
		El Nino fears: Pawar says plan ready Amid fears of possible El Nino conditions impacting Monsoon in India this year, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said India is ready with "contingency plan" to deal with any eventuality. Lion population in Gurajat on the rise Despite step-motherly treatment by the Centre, the lion population has grown steadily along with the area in which they can be found, claim officials of the state forest department. We need to pull together to save oceans: John Kerry US secretary of state John Kerry warned royalty, corporate kings and environmental warriors on Tuesday that governments won't save the seas without "significant impetus" from every sphere of society. More Environment News»

		World
		Pak to beat India to Cern membership Pakistan is all set to beat India in becoming an associate member at Cern (European Organization for Nuclear Research), the world's largest particle physics laboratory that recently found the God Particle. Jordan warns of review of peace deal with Israel Jordan warned Wednesday that it might review a 1994 peace treaty with Israel after Israeli MPs began a debate on allowing Jewish prayers at Jerusalem's sensitive Al—Aqsa mosque compound. Kerry likens Uganda anti-gay law to Nazism US secretary of state John Kerry on Wednesday compared tough new anti—gay laws enacted in Uganda to anti—Semitic legislation in Nazi Germany or apartheid in South Africa. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'We have made Salman and Shah Rukh Khan superstars' Diplomacy be damned. Juhi Chawla, who is promoting Gulaab Gang, the film in which she plays the antagonist, is at her candid best 'Wish Sunny Leone wasn't in the video of my song' It’s rare for those behind the scenes to have a take on how films finally turn out, but singer Arijit Singh, one of Bollywood’s most popular voices, made his sentiments clear at the Miranda House fest in Delhi recently. PICS: Unknown facts about Bollywood Actresses More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Nasa teams up with Isro to launch satellite to study earth The Jet Propulsion Laboratory of Nasa on Wednesday declared that it would launch a water-related satellite in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Blood test to predict chances of death Researchers from Finland and Estonia have identified four biomarkers that can help identify people at high risk of dying from any disease within five years. Water found on Jupiter-sized planet outside our solar system Water has been detected in the atmosphere of a planet outside our solar system. More Science News»

		Sports
		Kohli leads India to massive 6-wkt win Powered by skipper Virat Kohli's stupendous 136-run innings, India registered a massive 6-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Asia Cup match in Fatullah. Ashwin's mystery ball: Copying Narine R Ashwin has hit the change button again. The offie, known to experiment a little too much, adopted a Sunil Narine-like action in Asia Cup tie against Bangladesh. Real Madrid ease towards CL last eight Real Madrid turned in a clinical away performance to thrash Schalke 04 6-1 and stand on the brink of the quarters after Champions League last 16 first leg tie. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Lenovo Vibe Z review: A phone full of cool tricks Vibe Z is a phablet that packs in a screen size of 5.5 inches, similar to that of K900. Unlike Vibe X, Vibe Z comes with top of the line hardware. Infy to hive off products business, Sanjay Purohit to be CEO The new division, called Edge Works, will have a three-tier structure and will be headed by Sanjay Purohit. Moto X coming to India in "next few weeks" After a successful launch of the low-cost Moto G smartphone, Motorola is bringing its Moto X handset to India in the next few weeks. More Technology News»

		Education
		SSC hall tickets full of errors, still to reach 1 lakh students The SSC exam is scheduled to start on Monday, and a big number of hall tickets that schools across Mumbai received as late as Wednesday were riddled with errors. 16 lakh students set to appear for Gujarat Board exams A total of 9.75 lakh students will take the SSC exam while for the HSC general stream 5.08 lakh students and 1.17 lakh will appear for their HSC science examination which being in March 13. A good English teacher will boost students' math scores, Stanford study shows If you have a great English teacher in school, chances are your math scores will get boosted. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Battery pit leak led to smoke in sub? Mumbai/ The mid-sea mishap on Wednesday took place when INS Sindhuratna had just begun its "sea workup phase" after undergoing a refit at the Mumbai dockyard from May to December last year. Lift assault: Accused was in his twenties, recounts spunky girl As soon as the lift started moving, the man tried to strangulate her with the cycle gear cable.She screamed for help even as the assailant was using all his might to kill her. Slum rehab key to saving Dahisar mangroves Dahisar, the last suburb within Mumbai limits on the western track, primarily needs a comprehensive slum rehabilitation plan to protect its mangroves, free public space and allow affordable housing. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Nursery rules changed, lots to be drawn afresh In a move that would affect a majority of admission seekers and lead to a redraw of lots in schools, the lieutenant governor on Wednesday told the Delhi high court that the government was scrapping the five points awarded to inter-state transfer cases for nursery admissions in the capital. Parents feel battle won, but nursery war on For parents with 70 neighbourhood points, the battle is only half won. No Lok Sabha ticket for Delhi MLAs: Kejriwal AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s announcement that party legislators will not be considered for the parliamentary elections set off speculation on his own candidature for the Lok Sabha polls. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Raman memorabilia unravels his mystique Want to have a look at the original order appointing Prof CV Raman as the first Indian director of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science in 1932? Want to see the first-ever photograph of the Nobel laureate without his trademark Mysore peta? You are my son's discovery, I respect you, Raman told daughter-in-law Frenchwoman Dominique was in awe of the occasion: she had to meet her future father-in-law who was a great scientist and Nobel laureate, for the first time.She gingerly stepped into the room where CV Raman was resting. IIT boy's body not yet found The search for the body of Sahil Jalan, an IIT-Kharagpur student suspected to have drowned in the Cauvery at Mekedatu, about 95km from Bangalore, ended unsuccessfully on the fourth day on Wednesday. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Doubts remain over TRS merger with Cong The Congress-TRS merger issue is becoming trickier in the midst of a war of words between the leaders of the two parties as to what has been agreed upon. YSRC to contest all seats in Telangana YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Wednesday announced that his party would contest all the seats in Telangana and strive for continued brotherhood between all Telugu-speaking people. City corporators to get iPads soon Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) corporators are gifting themselves iPad-4s.A proposal to this effect was approved by the GHMC standing committee which met here on Wednesday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Bad roads, congested entrances make it tough for patients to get to hospitals The city is a healthcare hotspot but getting to or from most hospitals has become stressful and dangerous for patients. HC: Centre should sanction freedom fighter's pension A week after declaring that granting pension to deserving freedom fighters was not charity, Madras high court came to the rescue of another tyagi, and directed the Centre to sanction pension to a 95-year-old Indian National Army veteran from the year 1973. IIM Trichy bags hot deals for summer internships Indicating the revival from the economic downturn, average stipends for interns of the Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli (IIM-T) have risen during the summer placements for the 2013-15 batch compared with last year. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Unesco tag race: Ahmedabad leads Delhi, Mumbai There are more than 250 World Heritage Cities across the globe.Italy has almost half-a-dozen such cities while Paris and Tel Aviv also have this status. Sewa ni Haveli to be opened today The refurbished haveli building for the Design Sewa unit in Dhal ni Pol will be inaugurated on Thursday.The restored haveli will be christened 'Sewa ni Haveli'. Pranjivan saw Bapu as India's liberator The 150th birth anniversary of Dr Pranjivandas Jagjivandas Mehta, a Kathiawadi whom Mahatma Gandhi described as his 'greatest friend' and benefactor, falls on February 27, 2014. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Local intelligence unit personnel stabbed to death A local intelligence unit sleuth was stabbed to death by a notorious gangster and his two sons at a school in Sidheswar Nagar near ITI on Gwarlior Road on Thursday night.Cop's nephew too was injured in the attack. Allahabad University to hold two-day Innovation Expo-2014 In a novel initiative, the authorities of Allahabad University would be organising the first 'AU Innovation Expo' on February 27 and 28.The event will be organized at the department of chemistry. Power dept serves notice to Allahabad University, dues stand at Rs 60 lakh The crisis of non-payment of electricity dues by some of the boy's hostels of Allahabad University has worsened. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		AIIMS Bhubaneswar inaugurated Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Gulam Nabi Azad today dedicated the 978 bedded All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar to the people of Odisha. Bhubaneswar kabadiwalas to be scrapped The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun the process of relocating kabadiwalas (scrap dealers) from Unit-III here to avert frequent fire mishaps. Chandan Mitra meets fringe parties in Bhubaneswar, upsets BJP BJP central observer Chandan Mitra on Tuesday caused a flutter in the party here after he met leaders of two fringe political outfits and discussed possibility of forging pre-election alliance with them. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		PACS 'Jan Ustav' concludes These community leaders represents socially excluded groups like schedule caste, schedule tribes, minority groups, disabled, women and children and are working for the awareness of their community to mainstream them with the society. MP govt proposes hike in agricultural land rates, spares LIG, MIG flats Residents in the state capital, especially the lower income group (LIG) and middle income groups (MIG) have been spared off hike in property rates. US firm dupes Bhopal printer of Rs 28 lakh A local publisher was duped of Rs 28 lakh by a New York-based firm that got books published and delivered from him but did not pay the money.A case was registered at MP Nagar police station on Tuesday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Mercury goes up, city feel the 'summer' Just a day before the city is expected to receive rainfall, the mercury rose and started giving the Tricity a feel of the summers. Majithia attends anti-drug event at Panjab University, NSUI silent Launching the anti-drug awareness initiative of SOI, Majithia also welcomed 14 top leaders from Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) and Students Organization of Panjab University (SOPU) into its fold. Musical show leaves audience spellbound The 3rd day of the 5-day 2nd International Puppet Festival saw puppetry group from Ireland leaving the audiences spellbound with their magical performances on stage at the Tagore Theatre on Wednesday. More Chandigarh News»

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