News Digest: For Lankan refugees, time may have come to return

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, February 05, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		For Lankan refugees, time may have come to return Sujivani is quick to turn philosophical when asked about her life as a Tamil returnee to Sri Lanka. Karnataka HC to hear Togadia's plea against ban today VHP functionary Praveen Togadia approached the Karnataka high court on Wednesday challenging the police commissioner’s order banning his entry to the city for a week. Govt announces Rs 850 cr package for Andhra The NDA government on Wednesday announced the much-awaited financial and special development package for Andhra Pradesh as well as a slew of concessions for the industrial sector for both AP and Telangana. More India News»

		Business
		Micromax pips Samsung to top slot in Oct-Dec: Survey Low-cost mobile handset player Micromax has emerged as top smartphone seller, displacing Samsung in the fourth quarter of calendar 2014, a survey by a research firm showed on Wednesday, but the Korean giant contested the findings, saying it still maintains the pole position. Vedanta top bidder in coal mine auction Vedanta Group of NRI metals-and-mining baron Anil Agarwal has put in 25 bids for 14 out of 23 producing coal blocks being auctioned by the government for the first time. Rajan pitches for raising I-T savings limit beyond Rs 1.5L Days ahead of the Budget, Reserve Bank governor Raghuram Rajan on Wednesday pitched for increasing the tax exemption limit on financial investments by individuals from Rs 1.5 lakh a year. More Business News»

		Environment
		Mining lobby urges Odisha to operate 18 closed units In view of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Ordinance, 2015, of the Centre, the Eastern Zone Mining Association (EZMA), a mine owners’ lobby, on Tuesday demanded that the state government resume operation of 18 mines. India a leader in climate change efforts: Prakash Javadekar Environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said India's commitment and the corresponding efforts in pursuing clean and renewable energy path demonstrated the country's leadership in combating climate change. Dance of Demoiselle cranes in Daryapur Local bird-lovers are rejoicing this season as the year has recorded the highest number of winter migratory bird specie ever sighted in Maharashtra. Around 957 Demoiselle cranes, popularly known as ‘Kraunch’ in Marathi, have been spotted near Daryapur tehsil which is around 55 kilometres from Amravati. More Environment News»

		World
		Jordan says IS can be defeated; uproar over burn video Jordan called Wednesday for a decisive battle against the Islamic State group, declaring ''this evil can and should be defeated,'' after the militants burned a Jordanian pilot to death in a cage and gleefully broadcast the horrific images on outdoor screens in their stronghold. Death toll hits 31 in Taiwan plane crash Rescuers were searching for 12 people Thursday morning after using a crane to hoist the fuselage of a wrecked TransAsia Airways plane from a shallow river in Taiwan's capital following a crash that killed at least 31 others. Argentine president's tweets on Chinese accent cause furor Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, seeking badly needed investment in China, has joked on Twitter about Chinese accents, causing a furor back home. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Aditya smooches Katrina Kaif in Kashmir The lead pair of Abhishek Kapoor's Fitoor shared a passionate lip lock on a rickety bridge over the Dal Lake on Sunday as curious locals living in the adjacent houses looked on in amazement. Dhanush: Balki is a weird man After Raanjhanaa, Dhanush read 33 scripts before saying yes to Shamitabh. During a recent visit to Delhi, we spoke to him over breakfast, where he was not eating South Indian food as we were expecting, but was happily enjoying aloo paratha with dahi. Excerpts: Gautam Gulati's Bigg Boss win was predicted? Astro numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani had predicted Gautam Gulati will win the latest season of Bigg Boss on social networking sites before the actor was declared as the winner recently. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Largest rat was as big as a buffalo The world’s largest rat was as big as a buffalo with the bite as strong as that of a tiger. The largest rodent ever to have lived may have used its front teeth just like an elephant uses tusks, a new study by scientists at the University of York and The Hull York Medical School (HYMS) has found. Meet robo-scientist Eve who can make drug discovery fast An artificially-intelligent ‘robot scientist’ has discovered that a compound shown to have anti-cancer properties can also be used in the fight against malaria, UK researchers say. The robot scientist, named Eve, could make drug discovery faster and much cheaper. Is your partner faithful? Finger length can tell Science offers a handy way to distinguish between faithful and promiscuous types: check the length of their fingers. More Science News»

		Sports
		Tendulkar factor will be missed in India-Pak World Cup clash With a tally of 313 runs in five matches at a high average of 78.05, Tendulkar stands head and shoulders above all other Indians in all World Cup contests against Pakistan. Van Gaal targets FA Cup to provide first silverware Shorn of European excitement and with only a remote hope of winning the EPL, United manager Louis van Gaal wants FA Cup to garnish first season in charge. HIL: UP Wizards end Punjab Warriors's winning run Table-toppers Jaypee Punjab Warriors on Wednesday suffered their first defeat in the Hockey India League after going down 1-2 against Uttar Pradesh Wizards. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung, Micromax claim India smartphone market leadership Both Micromax and Samsung have claimed they dominated the Indian smartphone market, citing separate reports. Twitter to open research facility in India: Report Twitter is reportedly planning to open a new research and design centre in Bangalore. 7 must-know WhatsApp tips More Technology News»

		Education
		CBSE exams to get tougher If the pre-boards are any indication, scoring in the CBSE Class 12 board examination is set to get a little more difficult than usual. Changes have been made in the exam pattern, shifting from ‘objective-type’ questions to ‘application-based’ ones. Stephen's to teach being good citizen St Stephen's College intends to help Delhiites become better citizens.It is launching a course for the "citizens of Delhi" in March.There are no stratospheric cut-off marks to match for admission and no interview. XIIth Boards paper pattern to change Changes in the pattern of question papers for the Class XII Central Board of Secondary Education exam, and a clear shift away from ‘objective-type’ questions to ‘application-based’ ones, will make it significantly harder to score this year. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Prajapati case: Court drops charges against ex-Guj police chief In another blow to the CBI, a special court here on Wednesday granted relief from prosecution to former Gujarat police chief P C Pande in the 2006 Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter case. Activists seek better utilization of seats reserved under RTE As yet another year of admission for the 25% seats reserved under the RTE Act nears, several parents and activists have decided to send a list of demands to school education minister Vinod Tawde. Triglycerides, the ignored twin of cholesterol in lipids If cholesterol is the don of lipids (LDL-low density lipoprotein) then triglycerides (TG) is his major domo. TGs are the end products of digestion and breakdown of a fatty meal. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi elections 2015: Bhagora? 49-day term proves to be an asset, not a liability for AAP With the campaign for Delhi drawing to a close in a frenzy of mudslinging and with opinion polls suggesting that the Aam Aadmi Party may have nosed ahead of the BJP, TOI undertook a day-long drive through nine constituencies in west and south Delhi to check out what’s exciting voters and determining their choices. Delhi elections 2015: Delhi poll results not referendum on PM: Venkaiah Naidu With most of the opinion polls giving an edge to AAP in Delhi polls, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said the electoral mandate in the capital cannot be seen as a referendum on the performance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Delhi elections 2015: Congress voters have come back after a fling with AAP, Ajay Maken says Former Union minister Ajay Maken was brought to Delhi’s electoral politics and made campaign committee chairman to bolster Congress’s chances in this election. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		No cadaver transplant for foreigners here The Silicon Valley of the country aims to become a global city, but fails foreigners here in the time of need. For, foreign patients can't benefit from cadaver organ transplants in Bengaluru. Move to ban posters worries Sandalwood The hard-selling of a movie might have gone hi-tech, with the internet and promotional events making up for the pre-release blitzkrieg. But Sandalwood swears by the good-old posters that dot the walls at prominent junctions and thoroughfares. Karnataka HC to hear Togadia's plea against ban today  VHP functionary Praveen Togadia approached the Karnataka high court on Wednesday challenging the police commissioner’s order banning his entry to the city for a week.  More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Will prove critics wrong: KCR Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday vowed to prove naysayers, who do not believe in his vision for the city and the state, wrong by transforming the very face of Hyderabad. Techie held for duping lover The KPHB police arrested a 28-year-old software professional for allegedly duping his lover by promising to marry her. AP seeks 20k crore from Centre for building capital city Having decided to perform the ‘bhumi puja’ for the construction of the new capital in a grand ceremony in the second week of June 2015, the Andhra Pradesh government has sought an immediate release of Rs 20,000 crore from the Centre for the core structures to come up by that time. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Parties find ingenious ways to bribe voters in Srirangam A confrontation between cadres of AIADMK and DMK in Srirangam on Wednesday turned the focus on distribution of cash to voters in the constituency ahead of the February 13 byelection. Stop dumping garbage in Kodungaiyur, online petition urges corporation The corporation's plan to set up a 200-acre park in Kodungaiyur after scientific closure of the dump yard may be gathering dust, but an online petition asking the civic body to prevent dumping of waste in there is gaining momentum, with more that 200 residents signing it. Residents say 'not in my backyard' to public toilets People want public toilets in their neighbourhood, but they don't want them too close to their houses. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		ABVP seeks more hostels for SC/ST students Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has demanded hostels and better facilities for SC/ST students in the city to help them pursue higher education. Bio-shield to protect coastline Nearly three years after it was conceived Gujarat government has initiated the Bio-Shield project for conservation of ecology along the coastline of the state. HC turns down Vipul Chaudhary's appeal Mehsana dairy chairman Vipul Chaudhary suffered a setback on Wednesday when the Gujarat high court rejected his appeal against the show-cause notice issued to him by the co-operatives registrar and also fined him Rs 7,500. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		UP Board invigilators banned from taking leave Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has banned teachers and principals to be deployed as invigilators and centre coordinators in UP Board examinations from taking leave, citing health problems. Obscenity amidst spirituality in Magh Mela When lakhs of devotees took holy dip in Ganga on the occasion of Maghi Purnima on Tuesday, an obscene dance by scantily dressed bar dancers was going on in camp. Pilgrims throng city rail stations on way back Elaborate Security Measures In Place More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Flight molestation: Police seek passenger list Police probing alleged misbehaviour by an industrialist with a woman onboard a Mumbai-Bhubaneswar plane last week have sought the list of passengers on that flight from the Biju Patnaik airport. Bhubaneswar HC asks crime branch for report on Janla murder The Orissa high court has asked the Crime Branch (CB) to furnish a report on progress of its investigation into the 2011 murder of business executive Debashis Mohanty at Janla, on the outskirts of the city. SOG bullets pierce houses in Bhubaneswar ‘Wayward’ shooting practice by Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel triggered panic here. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Saffron storm breaches Kamal Nath's Chhindwara fort Continuing its winning streak in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP on Wednesday won the urban civic body polls in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Chhindwara. 2 days after murder, cops claim bro-in-law the killer Two days after a 45-year-old man was found dead on city outskirts on February 2, Gunga police on Wednesday claimed the man was murdered by brother-in-law. Raahgiri gets Bhopal to come out in hundreds on this sunny Sunday Full of fun and entertainment, Raahgiri Sunday this week saw thousands of Bhopalites turn up early morning to make the most of the arrangements. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Mayor invites all councilors to visit all wards to take stock of developmental works City mayor Poonam Sharma will start visiting all the wards of Chandigarh to take stock of development works of various wings of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. Khattar launches e-registry system for land registration Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday inaugurated an E-registry system for registration of lands through video conferencing from Chandigarh secretariat. 2 Hallomajra men accuse local councillor of assault Two Hallomajra residents - Charanjeet Singh Kohli, and Maan Vir Singh - accused a local councillor - Satish Kumar Kainth - and his associates of assaulting, thrashing and humiliating them in Hallomajra on Tuesday night. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Arbitration law to be tweaked for ease of business, law minister says

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, February 04, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Arbitration law to be tweaked for ease of business, law minister says The government will introduce amendments to Arbitration and Conciliation Act in the coming budget session of Parliament along with a bill on setting up of commercial courts across the country, sending out signals to foreign investors on ease of doing business in India. Industries near Taj flout SC ban, expand Several glass bottle manufacturing industries operating near the Taj Mahal have allegedly expanded their capacity despite a freeze on such activity around the world heritage site since 1996 to safeguard it from pollution. Arunachal receives season's first snowfall Several districts of Arunachal Pradesh received the season’s first snowfall in past few days. More India News»

		Business
		Petrol, diesel prices cut by over Rs 2 State-run fuel retailers on Tuesday reduced petrol price by Rs 2.42 per litre and diesel by Rs 2.25, but the motor fuels still remain costlier than jet fuel — which costs Rs 46.51 per litre in Delhi — due to four consecutive hikes in excise duty. RBI cuts SLR, allows new 'unbreakable' bank FDs Banks will have headroom to lend an additional Rs 42,000 crore following the RBI’s move to cut SLR by 50 basis points. SLR, or statutory liquidity ratio, is the portion of deposits banks must invest in government bonds. Pause till we get more data: Rajan RBI governor Raghuram Rajan spent his 52nd birthday laying out his monetary policy review. The governor expressed the need to look deep into the new GDP numbers which portray India’s 2013-14 economic growth to be one of the highest in the world. More Business News»

		Environment
		India a leader in climate change efforts: Prakash Javadekar Environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said India's commitment and the corresponding efforts in pursuing clean and renewable energy path demonstrated the country's leadership in combating climate change. Dance of Demoiselle cranes in Daryapur Local bird-lovers are rejoicing this season as the year has recorded the highest number of winter migratory bird specie ever sighted in Maharashtra. Around 957 Demoiselle cranes, popularly known as ‘Kraunch’ in Marathi, have been spotted near Daryapur tehsil which is around 55 kilometres from Amravati. Europe's food fight shifts after GM crop vote Campaign groups and the biotech industry are digging in for a new round of conflict, following the European Union's decision to allow member states to set their own rules on growing genetically modified organisms. More Environment News»

		World
		Britain takes first step to allow 3-parent babies UK is set to become the first country to introduce laws to allow the creation of babies from three people. China doesn't defend Pakistan on terrorism For possibly the first time ever, China did not try to defend Pakistan against accusations of sheltering, financing or supporting terrorism. 55 years on, 'Mockingbird' gets a sequel One of the world’s most widely read literary works will soon have a sequel. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Aamir, Anushka on top post 'PK' While PK gets Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma the top spot, Action Jackson gets Ajay Devgn a place in the top 5 in Times Celebex powered by zoOm! for Dec 2014. 'Amitji can hurt me tremendously' R Balki, 50, may not have a great memory but he is certainly original. He is hugely emotional and highly innovative and is amongst the few men who consider women not just equal to men, but in fact, better. Actresses getting bolder with orgasm scenes More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Soon, smartphones that will sniff out life-threatening disorders Experts are developing a new technology that would enable smartphones to screen their users' breath for life-threatening diseases. Babies' genes may hold clues to preterm birth Variants in a fetus' DNA, not the mother's, may be what trigger some preterm births, scientists have found. Having troubled sleep? Blame it on your gadgets Excessive use of smartphones and computers throughout the day can worsen quality of sleep in teenagers, a study has found. More Science News»

		Sports
		Amitabh Bachchan to commentate in India-Pakistan WC clash Amitabh Bachchan is set to make his commentary debut in the much-awaited India-Pakistan World Cup game as part of a promotional activity for his upcoming film 'Shamitabh'. Barcelona president charged with tax fraud in Neymar case A Spanish judge charged the president of Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, on Tuesday with tax fraud linked to the signing of Brazilian star Neymar. Cristiano Ronaldo worth one billion pounds, says agent Ronaldo's agent Mendes revealed that the prolific striker would sell for at least 300 million pounds if Real Madrid wish to set him free anytime soon. More Sports News»

		Technology
		WhatsApp bug shows private pictures to strangers A security problem in WhatsApp means that anyone can see users’ profile photos, even if they have been set to be viewable to friends only, according to security researchers. 9 reasons why iPhones are better than Android phones If you're having trouble deciding between iPhone and Android, take a look at these 9 reasons why iPhones trumps Android. HTC One (M9) Plus specifications leaked online HTC One (M9) Plus or Hima Ultra will sport a 5.2-inch display with a resolution of 1440x2560pixels as per new rumours. More Technology News»

		Education
		XIIth Boards paper pattern to change Changes in the pattern of question papers for the Class XII Central Board of Secondary Education exam, and a clear shift away from ‘objective-type’ questions to ‘application-based’ ones, will make it significantly harder to score this year. NCERT to publish series on martyrs Concerned that the existing textbooks do not celebrate heroes, NCERT has decided to publish a series called ‘Veergatha’. Rohan Murty to be inducted into education advisory board Rohan Narayan Murty, the man behind the ambitious Murty Classics of India, will be made a member of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), the oldest and highest advisory body on education. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Sack 35 govt staff convicted for graft: CM Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday asked chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya to dismiss around 35 government employees, who have been convicted on charges of corruption. Minimum temp falls to 16.2 degrees Celsius After several days, the minimum temperatures in the city touched the 16-degree mark on Tuesday. The minimum temperature recorded in Santacruz was 16.2 degrees Celsius as compared to Monday’s minimum of 17 degrees Celsius. HC increases maintenance IT professional pays daughter The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed a senior software consultant working with an IT MNC to pay Rs 25,000 as monthly maintenance for his 12-year-old daughter who lives with his former wife. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhiites wake up to a foggy morning, 13 trains delayed Delhiites on Wednesday yet again woke up to a foggy morning with the minimum temperature settling at 11 degrees Celsius. Clean up capital's air With air pollution dominating public discourse this winter, TOI approached the major political parties contesting Delhi assembly elections to ask them about their action plan for cleaning up Delhi's air and taking positive steps for the environment. Ajay Maken of Congress gives us his party's plan in this regard in the first of a series. After fake visa try, man held in genuine attempt Presuming that he would not get a permanent US visa, a man applied twice on fake identity and got rejected both the times. Ironically, his offence came to the fore when he applied for the visa again, this time under his real identity. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Students of illegal schools can write SSLC exam: Government Thousands of class X students of schools declared unauthorized by the education department could be left in the lurch, with the state government deciding to allow them to appear for the upcoming SSLC exam as private candidates. Cutting-edge tech fights off Big C Innovations benefit four patients who are on road to recovery Panel will get Arkavathy files when it seeks: CM While opposition leader Jagadish Shettar alleged the government was not cooperating with the commission, the CM said the commission was yet to seek information and files would be sent when sought. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Three more succumb to swine flu in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh Swine flu claimed two more people in Telangana and one in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. Officials said that 60-year-old Shobha Rani and 40-year-old Asra died in Hyderabad, while a 45-year-old man succumbed at Punganur town in Chittoor district. Need to plug loopholes in healthcare delivery: KCR Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called for serious introspection in the government health sector, saying basic healthcare was eluding the poor. It's a 'grave' situation for the dead in Hyderabad Two months after Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner Somesh Kumar announced the ‘immediate modernisation’ of crematoriums and development of graveyards, the reality presents a sorry picture. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Multiple voter entries being fixed, HC told All necessary action has been taken to correct multiple entries in the electoral list and resolve the issue of absent, shifted and dead voters for the February 13 Srirangam byelection, the Election Commission has told the Madras high court. Woman, daughter found killed in hut A mother and daughter were found murdered in their hut at Chinnachozhayampakkam near Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district on Tuesday morning. Air Pegasus to touch southern skies, start services this month Another low-cost regional airline will soon fly the southern skies. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Hotel occupancy gets a boost Good times roll for the hotel industry, which saw a very vibrant beginning to 2015 owing to the inflow of high profile tourists from across the world. Cops focus on old hotspots, but crime rising elsewhere Believe it or not, out of 39 police station areas, only eight reported presence of 48% accused caught from within the city in 2014. These areas are Vatva (167), Naroda (164), Sardarnagar (126), Vejalpur (113), Danilimda (103), Naranpura (85), Sarkhej and Bapunagar (75 each). Chinese lanterns: HC seeks reply from state, Centre Gujarat high court on Tuesday sought explanation from the Centre, the state government and the director general of police (DGP) over use of Chinese lantern, which soar into the sky on the festival of Uttarayan. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Locals protest against inefficiency of AMC officials Peeved over overflowing drains and problem of waterlogging, residents of Jayantipur and Sulemsarai staged a protest on Monday. Shouting slogans against Allahabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for failing to look into their complaints, the people asked for speedy solution to their problems. HC turns down mufti's plea on cap The Allahabad High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by a mufti who had requested the court to issue directions to the passport authorities to accept his photograph with a cap for issuing passport. Security tightened at railway stations, trains Railways has pulled up its sock for the last bath of Hindu month of Magh – Maghi Purnima – scheduled for Tuesday. Security has been enhanced at Allahabad and adjoining smaller stations. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Stone falls in Puri temple complex The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) preserving Puri Jagannath Temple in view of July Nabakalebara notwithstanding, a piece of stone fell from a subsidiary shrine on Monday. State seeks extra central forces to fight Reds, protect coast The state government on Monday demanded additional central forces to strengthen its fight against Maoists and for better coastal security. Ponzi firms still on prowl, SPs alerted Despite CBI probe and arrest of high-profile persons in the mega chit fund scam, several Ponzi firms continue to take investors for a ride in the state. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Gas leak from Jabalpur spice factory kills 2 A two-year-old and her aunt died after reportedly inhaling gases that leaked from a spice packaging factory in Jabalpur on Tuesday. Bhopal's Sadar Manzil should be converted into heritage building: Experts 18th century palace Sadar Manzil of Bhopal should be converted into heritage building for multiple use, according to experts, here on Tuesday. 97 AIIMS Bhopal docs face uncertain future Union Ministry Red Flags Appointments More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Khattar launches e-registry system for land registration Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday inaugurated an E-registry system for registration of lands through video conferencing from Chandigarh secretariat. 2 Hallomajra men accuse local councillor of assault Two Hallomajra residents - Charanjeet Singh Kohli, and Maan Vir Singh - accused a local councillor - Satish Kumar Kainth - and his associates of assaulting, thrashing and humiliating them in Hallomajra on Tuesday night. ATM thieves nabbed Police on Tuesday arrested two accused allegedly involved in looting Rs 4 lakh from an ATM machine of a government bank located in the cantonment area of Chandimandir. More Chandigarh News»

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