News Digest: N-deal 'breakthrough' is about how to resolve issues, US says

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, January 27, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		N-deal 'breakthrough' is about how to resolve issues, US says The "breakthrough" understandings on the India-US nuclear cooperation are on how to resolve the issues and break a logjam for the last six years rather than a done deal, according to US officials. Selfie in front of running train costs three college-goers their life Attempts to click “eye-catching pictures” to upload them on social networking sites cost three college going friends from New Delhi, Moradabad and Faridabad their lives on Monday when they were run over by the speeding train. Mr Obama at home in Pranab's palace Heightened security marked the "At Home" reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday evening with barricades restricting the smaller than usual number of guests. More India News»

		Business
		Bata gears up to start retailing CAT footwear Footwear and fashion accessory manufacturer Bata may soon start retailing and distributing CAT footwear in India. Luxury carmakers plan marketing blitz Luxury car brands, expected to suffer the pinch of the excise increase much more than lower priced mass market cars, are planning to counter the price mark up by going on the product offensive and targeting newer customer segments. Top luxe car marques like Mercedes Benz, Audi and BMW are planning a product and marketing offensive in 2015 that, marketers hope, will help counter the overall slowdown in luxury retail and keep the growth momentum going. Bengaluru's non-tech companies set for IPOs India’s information and software technology capital will see a slew of non-tech companies hit the capital markets over the next few months, encouraged by the bull run under the Modi government. More Business News»

		Environment
		Britain's ethnic minorities breathing most polluted air Britain’s ethnic minorities are breathing the most polluted air. Panel to find ways to gauge pollution level The Central Pollution Control Board — country’s main pollution watchdog — has set up a panel to develop easy to understand "standard operating procedures" for evaluation of the impact of polluted air, water and land/soil on human health, flora and fauna in the "severely" polluted areas. Forest department plans to domesticate wild elephants in Kolhapur The territorial forest department of Kolhapur region has planned the domestication of wild elephants in Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts. More Environment News»

		World
		Kurds celebrate ousting Islamic State fighters from Kobani Jubilant Kurdish fighters ousted Islamic State militants from the key Syrian border town of Kobani on Monday after a four-month battle — a significant victory for both the Kurds and the US-led coalition. Frenchwoman freed from Mexico jail sues ex-president A Frenchwoman who became a cause celebre in her country after she was jailed for kidnapping in Mexico is suing a former Mexican president, other ex-officials and a major TV network, her lawyer said Monday. Russia defiant after more threats from West over Ukraine A defiant President Vladimir Putin on Monday called the Ukrainian army a "Nato foreign legion," reflecting his readiness to stand up to the West regardless of rising economic costs, as Standard & Poor's rating agency downgraded Russia's credit rating to junk. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Big B: I have no words to express my gratitude After receiving the Padma Vibhushan, Amitabh Bachchan thanked the government on his Facebook page and also mentioned the impressive track record of his family (minus Abhishek) when it comes to the Padma Awards. Rajinikanth: I took eight hours to sing four lines Amitabh Bachchan feels that there is something divine and godly about Ilaiyaraaja. Actresses who went topless for movie posters Here's taking a look at actresses who dared to bare it all. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Flexible work hours can improve employees' health Giving employees more control over their work schedules may help curb sleep deficiency and improve health, according to new research. Chewing gum helps fight oral bacteria Just 10 minutes of chewing gum can remove 100 million bacteria from your mouth, according to a new study which suggests chewing gum may be as good as flossing. Star Trek-style transporter ready to beam up objects? German scientists have invented a Star Trek-style transporter that can scan an object and ‘beam’ it to another location. More Science News»

		Sports
		Top seed Djokovic powers into Australian Open quarters Novak Djokovic will contest his 23rd consecutive Grand Slam quarters after easing past Luxembourg journeyman Gilles Muller 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 at Oz Open. Life easy next to Lionel Messi, says Brazilian Neymar Brazilian star Neymar has given four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi the credit for his upturn in form during his 2nd season with Barcelona. Punjab Warriors beat Wizards 3-2 in a close HIL match Punjab Warriors continued their fine form and beat UP Wizards 3-2 in a keenly-contested league match to register their second consecutive win of the HIL. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung to be main chip supplier for next iPhone: Report It is being reported that Samsung will be responsible for around 75% of the chip production for the next iPhone. HTC Desire 820 review Successor to the popular Desire 816, HTC's Desire 820 packs in better hardware and sports a similar price tag. Here's our review... 7 tips to improve the way you search online As the internet continues to grow with every passing second, the amount of content available online — such as text, pictures and even high-definition multimedia — keeps on increasing. More Technology News»

		Education
		Higher education to the aid of rural India through technology Aimed at encouraging higher education institutions to engage with problems of rural India like sanitation and hygiene, water, health and education and to provide appropriate solutions for them, the government's recently launched Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) can lead to transformational change in the country if the technologies are "relevant, robust and affordable", experts say. 'Work hard and believe that you can make it big in IT' You must see the larger picture, work hard and believe that you can make it big in IT, says Vishal Chalana, co-founder of a US-based IT company. Retell the past A DU college is setting up an archive-cummuseum and a translation centre. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Vegetables grown along railway tracks highly toxic: PIL The latest PIL filed by an NGO in the Bombay high court regarding toxic levels found in vegetables grown along railway tracks in the city has once again highlighted health hazards due to “gutter water farming”. Woman gives birth to boy on train A woman gave birth to a baby boy inside a local train on Sunday. State government refuses to take blame for police recruitment deaths More than seven months after four candidates died while undergoing a police recruitment test in the city, the state has said that the police department was not at fault. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Man held for kidnapping businessman's kid A 25-year-old jeweler has been arrested for kidnapping a toddler, son of a money lender who had refused to lend him money. 53-day exhibition to show Deccan's varied art history Visitors to National Museum will be able to visit a unique exhibition starting on Tuesday. Padma Shri for Everester Arunima Sinha Arunima Sinha may have lost her leg to a railway accident but she has achieved what few can think of in four years since the incident took place. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		2 Mehdi followers detained, warned A youth from Hubballi, who confessed to being 'motivated' by the tweets of Mehdi Masroor Biswas, was detained and later released with a warning. Sleuths probing Mehdi's ISIS links recently found out that the youth had retweeted some of the former's tweets. BJP leaders give high tea a miss, governor praises government Top BJP leaders were conspicuous by their absence at the high tea hosted by governor Vajubhai R Vala on Republic Day. Suspected Bodo militant held in city A suspected Bodo militant was arrested in Electronic City, Bengaluru police have claimed. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Rajaiah loyalists organise grand reception for new deputy CM With T Rajaiah being removed as deputy chief minister, his supporters lost no time to jump into new deputy CM Kadiam Srihari’s camp in his constituency of Ghanapur (Stn) on Monday. Governor unfurls Andhra's big dreams on R-Day Governor ESL Narasimhan, in his address at the maiden Republic Day celebrations of Andhra Pradesh after division of the state, reiterated the government’s commitment to build a world-class capital city close to Vijayawada. Sleazy post 'shared' from south zone DCP's Facebook account A group of Facebook users on the friend list of South Zone DCP, were in for shock when they found themselves tagged in a sleazy video posted from his personal account. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Amma floats draw flak from opposition: 'It shows Tamil Nadu in poor light' AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa may not be visible after she relinquished the chief minister's chair following the verdict in the disproportionate assets case, but Amma was the face of the Republic Day parade in Tamil Nadu as colorful tableaux from government departments featured her prominently, to the virtual exclusion of everyone else. Republic turns 66, politics to the fore Even in her absence, former chief minister J Jayalalithaa made her presence felt at the 66th Republic Day celebra tions at the Marina on Monday morning as one float after another drifted down Kamarajar Salai bearing images of the AIADMK chief. Rich in heritage, poor in tourist facilities Kancheepuram may be rich in heritage that draws hun dreds of tourists from across the country and the world but it is poor in facilities, and travellers rarely stay overnight in the temple town. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Japan festival bids sayonara in style The fortnight-long festival hosted a grand feast of cultural and academic events comprising four theme-based exhibitions, three award winning films, nine Japanese art demonstrations and workshops. Two girls accuse professors of sexual harassment Two girl students of a private management institute in Usmanpura have lodged a police complaint alleging that their professor Arvind Pandey has been sexually harassing them. Vatva youth held for minor girl's murder Vatva police on Sunday nabbed a youth Ramdev Chauhan, a resident of Vatva, for killing the 13-year-girl with whom he eloped five days ago. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Magh Mela sees scores of foreigners in Allahabad Overwhelmed by her surroundings, Susan Diamond felt ‘blessed’ as she stood on the banks of Sangam in Magh Mela area amidst devotees converging from all directions. Drizzle to revive cold wavein Allahabad: Met Chilly winds accompanied by drizzle made a return to the city after three sunny days on Sunday, signaling revival of harsh winter conditions. Robbers break into cash-less bank, return empty-handed Few unidentified persons entered UP Gramin Bank at Tharwai by cutting its window frame but returned bare handed as it had no money. The incident came to light on Saturday morning when bank manager came to open the bank. An FIR was lodged with the Tharwai police station. This is the second case of bank robbery in Tharwai in the last six months. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Minister: Plus II online evaluation plan intact The state government will go ahead with online evaluation of Plus II examination papers. The task of scanning the answer sheets and making these online will be outsourced to a private company, official sources said. Cooperative elections end The second-phase elections to 480 primary cooperative societies on Sunday passed off peacefully, according to State Cooperative Election Commission (SCEC) here. Singer Prafulla Kar gets Padma Shri He was doing what he is best at when the news broke.A Padma title, which was eluding celebrated singer and composer Prafulla Kar for years, was finally his. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		French puppeteers enthrall audience A play with no dialogues, just music and a magic box of dreams, 'Pacotille', a French puppet theatre show was staged at Bharat Bhawan here on Sunday. Premium tatkal: Booking can be made from 8 am Premium tatkal scheme is under review by Railway Board. After a complaint from a passenger about upper berths, passengers will now get confirmed lower berths through premium tatkal. Rained for more days, but received less fall this yr Spells of winter rain in past few days may have hassled many, but it rained more last year compared to this year in the same period in January. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Robbery ended in Mohali youth's murder The two assailants who had attacked two women and killed an 18-year-old youth at Phase IX here on Saturday evening had stormed the house to rob cash and valuables and were aware that the family head would not be in town, said police on Sunday, suspecting it to be the job of an insider. Police medals for IG, DSP w/ UT IG R P Upadhyay and CBI DSP Jagdish Singh have been selected for President's police medals for 2015. School students take stage by storm The UT education department organized a cultural evening to celebrate Republic Day wherein students from various schools performed. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Five things to know about 66th Republic Day

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, January 26, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Five things to know about 66th Republic Day US President Barack Obama will on Monday be chief guest at India's Republic Day parade, a spectacular projection of the nation's military might and cultural diversity. PM Modi seeks views of ministries on Sethusamudram plans Before the Narendra Modi Cabinet takes a final decision on realignment of the politically sensitive Sethusamudram project, the Prime Minister wants some key ministers to be appraised about the alternative plan. Sources said he wants a consensus among the informal group of ministers. Eager to get Ghulam Nabi Azad back in Rajya Sabha, Congress woos National Conference Congress is ardently wooing the National Conference (NC) for support in Rajya Sabha elections, desperate as it is to secure re-nomination of leader of opposition in the Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad. More India News»

		Business
		Govt aims to clean up accounts The target of tax refunds for the fiscal year is estimated to be Rs 1.17 lakh crore. 'Make in India not just about import substitution' Anand Mahindra is keeping close tabs on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and American President Barack Obama’s dialogue on defence and renewable energy, where his companies have interests. Financial strategies for the new rich If you save money and build assets consistently, there is little to worry about when you retire. More Business News»

		Environment
		Panel to find ways to gauge pollution level The Central Pollution Control Board — country’s main pollution watchdog — has set up a panel to develop easy to understand "standard operating procedures" for evaluation of the impact of polluted air, water and land/soil on human health, flora and fauna in the "severely" polluted areas. Forest department plans to domesticate wild elephants in Kolhapur The territorial forest department of Kolhapur region has planned the domestication of wild elephants in Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts. Australia orders waste dumping ban on Great Barrier Reef Australia has ordered a ban on dumping dredge waste on most of the Great Barrier Reef, the environment minister said on Saturday, as part of a push to stop the UN declaring the site in danger. More Environment News»

		World
		Ukraine: Phone calls prove rebels attacked city, killed 30 Ukraine's president said Sunday that intercepted radio and telephone conversations prove that Russia-backed separatists were responsible for firing the rockets that pounded the southeastern city of Mariupol and killed at least 30 people. Greek radical left wins election A radical left-wing party vowing to end Greece's painful austerity program won a historic victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections, setting the stage for a showdown with the country's international creditors that could shake the eurozone. Talks in Yemen between political parties, rebels break down UN-sponsored talks between Yemeni political parties and Shia rebels who occupy the capital broke down on Sunday, with several main factions calling for renewed protests against the rebels. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Shamitabh's song shot in several restrooms Director R Balki says that Shamitabh, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and debutante Akshara Haasan, has an unconventional story. And from what we hear, the film’s songs too, are rather unconventional. 'Honey Singh is not a drug addict' Recently, a person who calls himself by the name of ‘Yo’ made news when he alleged that Yo Yo Honey Singh was a drug addict and thus, he was in a rehab in Chandigarh. Actresses who wore bikinis in their debut films More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Soon, paper-thin, faster flexi-screens for computers The next generation of transistors may pave the way for flexible, paper-thin computer screens that provide faster response times and better efficiency, scientists say. 8,383km in six days: '2 Eagles' seek to cross Pacific on balloon Two balloonists took flight from Japan on Saturday in a bid to break world records for distance and duration for gas balloon travel, in what they hope will be at least a six-day trans-Pacific flight reaching the US West Coast, officials said. Found: Why rain gives off aromatic earthy smell MIT scientists have identified the mechanism that releases an earthy smell in the air after light rain. More Science News»

		Sports
		Saina Nehwal beats Carolina to retain Syed Modi Grand Prix title Ace Indian shuttler and top seed Saina Nehwal rallied to beat second seed Carolina Marin of Spain 19-21, 25-23, 21-16 and retain the Syed Modi Grand Prix title in Lucknow. Satpal gets Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri for Sardar Iconic wrestler-turned-coach Satpal was named for the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, while national hockey captain Sardar Singh was among the five sportspersons chosen for this year's Padma Shri awards. HIL: Punjab Warriors beat Kalinga Lancers 4-2 Jaypee Punjab Warriors skipper Jamie Dwyer led from the front as his team put up a clinical show defeating Kalinga Lancers 4-2 in a HIL match on Sunday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		HTC Desire 820 review Successor to the popular Desire 816, HTC's Desire 820 packs in better hardware and sports a similar price tag. Here's our review... How to choose better gadgets This is the only way we can make you stick to the pledge that you will no longer buy gadgets in blissful ignorance! How Microsoft Windows has changed over the last 30 years The story began three decades back -- in 1985. Here's how Windows has evolved over the past thirty years. More Technology News»

		Education
		'Work hard and believe that you can make it big in IT' You must see the larger picture, work hard and believe that you can make it big in IT, says Vishal Chalana, co-founder of a US-based IT company. Retell the past A DU college is setting up an archive-cummuseum and a translation centre. Skilled for the future When it comes to IT careers, mobile app development, user experience design and big data analysis are some of the major skills in demand. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Vegetables grown along railway tracks highly toxic: PIL The latest PIL filed by an NGO in the Bombay high court regarding toxic levels found in vegetables grown along railway tracks in the city has once again highlighted health hazards due to “gutter water farming”. Woman gives birth to boy on train A woman gave birth to a baby boy inside a local train on Sunday. State government refuses to take blame for police recruitment deaths More than seven months after four candidates died while undergoing a police recruitment test in the city, the state has said that the police department was not at fault. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Former ACP's bail rejected in rape case A trial court cancelled the bail given to a former ACP in a rape case after he threatened the alleged survivor by using his contacts in the police force. Court stays order to shelter home for mentally ill women Coming to the rescue of mentally ill homeless women, the Delhi high court on Friday stayed a Delhi government order to hand over maintenance of one such shelter home to a private body. Planners doubt multilevel parking fix Shopping at Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh markets may soon become a more comfortable experience with corporations already implementing National Green Tribunal’s order to ban parking on tarred roads. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Air Asia flight returns after 10 minutes in air An Air Asia flight from Bengaluru to Pune took off but had to return after remaining in the air for 10 minutes because of technical issues on Sunday afternoon, triggering panic aboard the aircraft. Illegalities now dog all 480 sites in layout The alleged forgery of official signatures to sell illegally eight sites in a layout in east Bengaluru has got bigger. Birds falling to death in city everyday The young kite rescued from the Metro tracks on Saturday was lucky, thanks to some alert citizens and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation officials who saved it. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		3 die, 87 test positive for H1N1 On Sunday, five doctors from Osmania Medical College (OMC) have been tested positive for swine flu, triggering alarm bells in the medical fraternity. Rajaiah gets marching orders; Kadiam made Telangana deputy CM Dr T Rajaiah was on Sunday axed from his position as Telangana’s deputy chief minister and the health minister. Fear of swine flu keeps Numaish visitors at bay In view of the swine flu scare and holidays, the Exhibition Society, which is organizing the 75th All India Industrial Exhibition (Numaish) at Exhibition Grounds at Nampally has decided to allow visitors from 12 pm during weekends. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Universities start schools to catch them young The Jeppiar Educational Trust, which runs Sathyabama University, also runs Jeppiar School in the vicinity. Sand lorry owners say govt depts have them in a bind Private sand lorry owners are crying foul, saying they are being made to pay penalties because two government agencies are working at cross purposes. Burglars loot gold jewellery from house in Poomaellee Burglars looted a house in Poonamallee and escaped with 15 sovereigns of gold jewellery on Saturday night. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Japan festival bids sayonara in style The fortnight-long festival hosted a grand feast of cultural and academic events comprising four theme-based exhibitions, three award winning films, nine Japanese art demonstrations and workshops. Two girls accuse professors of sexual harassment Two girl students of a private management institute in Usmanpura have lodged a police complaint alleging that their professor Arvind Pandey has been sexually harassing them. Vatva youth held for minor girl's murder Vatva police on Sunday nabbed a youth Ramdev Chauhan, a resident of Vatva, for killing the 13-year-girl with whom he eloped five days ago. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Robbers break into cash-less bank, return empty-handed Few unidentified persons entered UP Gramin Bank at Tharwai by cutting its window frame but returned bare handed as it had no money. The incident came to light on Saturday morning when bank manager came to open the bank. An FIR was lodged with the Tharwai police station. This is the second case of bank robbery in Tharwai in the last six months. 4 pantry car workers held for holding passenger captive Four workers of pantry car in Mumbai Mail were arrested near Bhirpur Station on Saturday for holding a passenger captive. The train, coming from Howrah, got stranded near the station as the passengers pulled the chain. Order food in trains through phone calls, SMSes Railway authorities have decided to provide e-catering facility through phone calls and SMSes in trains running without pantry cars. This facility has been introduced in seven trains passing through North Central Railway region. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Ammonia leak spreads panic in Sambalpur Panic gripped Sambalpur after ammonia leaked from a private cold storage at Panchgachhia under Ainthapali police limits on Saturday afternoon. Tight security for R-Day In the wake of Intelligence Bureau's tip-off about possible terror attacks in Odisha, police have decided to deploy extra security personnel ahead of state-level Republic Day parade in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Man arrested for lover's death For seven days she lay on the hospital bed, enduring excruciating pain of 90% burns, but did not disclose name of the man, who poured kerosene and set her on fire. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Traffic diversions in place for Republic Day function in Bhopal Traffic diversions would be put in place for January 26 function at Lal Parade grounds on Monday. Blackbird stamp authority in national kart racing championship With features of adjustable seats and air pods, team Blackbird from University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun won overall first prize in the national kart racing championship organised at go kart track, Ratibad on Sunday. Two arrested with tiger hide in Madhya Pradesh State forest department on Sunday arrested two persons with a tiger hide from Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Haryana may appeal against fetuses in septic tank case Director General Health Services (DGHS) Haryana, Narinder Arora, is planning to file an appeal in one of the most shocking female feticide cases in the state, almost four years after the doctor was discharged on technical grounds. Congress 'Lalkar' rally sets poll ball rolling Sounding a battle cry against drugs, Amritsar MP Amarinder promised to eradicate the drug menace if his party is voted to power. No more mining in Bangarh area from now The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to impose a complete ban on mining in Bangarh area of Una district with immediate effect. More Chandigarh News»

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