News Digest: Vikas Swarup appointed Canada envoy

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, February 17, 2017
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Vikas Swarup appointed Canada envoy SC pulls up search engines over sex selection content Army chief didn't declare war on Kashmiris More India News»

		Business
		TCS plans share buyback as Chandra moves to Tata HQ Remonetisation process almost complete: Arun Jaitley The remonetisation situation with regard to replenishing the scrapped currency is "almost normal" now and the Reserve Bank is monitoring the supply on a daily basis, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday. Sebi allows foreign investors to buy shares via primary mkts Markets regulator Sebi has allowed foreign investors to acquire shares through primary markets in depositories and clearing corporations. Prior to this, foreign investors could acquire shares of depositories and clearing corporations only through secondary market. More Business News»

		Environment
		Ganga pollution: NGT mulls CBI inquiry Pollution caused over one million premature births in India Expectant mothers breathing polluted air resulted in premature birth of over one million babies in India in 2010, highest in the world and twice the numbers for China, a study claimed on Thursday. India reported 1.1m deaths due to air pollution in 2015 The government here may be in denial mode on linking premature deaths to air pollution, but a new study on global air pollution by the US-based institutes claims that the India's worsening air pollution caused some 1.1 million premature deaths in 2015 and the country now "rivals China for among the highest air pollution health burdens in the world." More Environment News»

		World
		US defence chief to Nato: Pay up or we reduce support US Defence Secretary James Mattis bluntly warned Nato allies on Thursday that Donald Trump's administration would "moderate its commitment" to the transatlantic alliance unless members met their spending pledges. Blast: Pak announces Rs 1m reward for info on suspect Pakistan's Punjab police on Thursday announced Rs 1 million reward for any information about the identity of suspected facilitator of the Lahore blast, even as elite commandos killed six militants belonging to a faction of the Taliban that claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. UN wants resettlement of Rohingya refugees The United Nations' refugee agency has asked Bangladesh to allow it to negotiate with the United States, Canada and some European countries to resettle around 1,000 Rohingya Muslims living in the South Asian nation, a senior official at the agency said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Deepika Padukone to star in an Indo-Chinese film? Here’s some good news for Deepika Padukone fans. According to reports, the actress might feature in Siddharth Anand’s Indo-Chinese project. Arshad: Irada ventures into the whodunit space Is Shruti Haasan dating this London-based actor? Cupid has struck another Bollywood starlet, who has managed to keep her relationship with a London-based Italian actor under wraps until now. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		First Indian genomics beacon launched in UK Global Gene Corp and Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) on February 14 launched ggINDIA, the first ever beacon for Indian genomics data. Mice genetically modified to stop cocaine addiction Mice have been genetically engineered to prevent them from becoming addicted to cocaine. Researchers in Canada created mice that produce higher levels of a protein that normally strengthens the connections between brain cells. Gravitational wave detection will help probe evolution of Universe, yet require more sensitive detectors A year after the breakthrough detection of Einstein’s gravitational waves in deep space through the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) experiment, Prof Archana Pai of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) who served as part of a global team of scientists looks forward with the Indian government proposal to set up a LIGO detector in the country. More Science News»

		Sports
		Don't try to take advantage of BCCI's current mess: Shastri "In my mind, India deserve every penny that they get from ICC tournaments, simply because they are the Pied Pipers of world cricket," former India captain Ravi Shastri​ stressed. Anil Kumble lauds Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni Indian cricket team coach Anil Kumble on Thursday heaped praised on Virat Kohli saying the transformation of the current India skipper from a 19-year-old to the present time has been brilliant. World rankings: Sindhu cracks top five "I'm really very happy for achieving a career high rank of No.5," Sindhu told TOI. "When I started playing in 2016 I never thought I would break into top-5 within a year. This is quite unexpected," she added. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Microsoft Xbox 'Project Scorpio' launch date announced The teaser includes an image Microsoft shared for its Xbox ‘Project Scorpio’ last year at the E3 gaming conference. Moto G5, G5 Plus smartphones' leaked on e-commerce website As per the images (shared by Android Police), the smartphones will run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box and will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, clubbed with 2GB RAM. It will include 32GB inbuilt storage along with the option to include a microSD card (up to 128GB). Here's the first look at the LG G6's colourful new user interface The LG UX in all likeliness will be based on Android 7.0 Nougat and may be called as LG UX 6.0. The G5 and the V20 come with UX 5.0 and UX 5.0+. More Technology News»

		Education
		By next year, centralised admissions for nursery US university receives $1.5 million grant for Jainism studies An Indian-origin philanthropist in the US has made a grant of $1.5 million to a prestigious American University to advance studies in Jainism. University of South Florida extends deadline for masters and PhD program In response to recent concerns among international students planning to study in the US, the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa has extended its deadline for applications to masters and PhD programs for fall 2017 from February 15 to June 1, 2017. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Advocate courts trouble over HC sting The Bombay Bar Association has filed a petition before the Bombay HC to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against an advocate and others involved in video recording of court proceedings and uploading it online as a sting. The matter was mentioned on Thursday before a division bench of Justices A Oka and A Prabhudessai. Adoption, even after marrying kid's mom, not final sans court nod 'Zero tolerance for fatal BEST accidents, fires' BEST general manager Jagdish Patil on Thursday said there will be `zero tolerance' for bus mishaps--which have gone up to 16 in the past 11 months. ​ More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		By next year, centralised admissions for nursery Owaisi's AIMIM to contest civic polls All India Majlise-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will be contesting upcoming municipal corporation polls in Delhi. After 11 years in jail, 2 accused in Delhi blasts cleared on all counts More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		State, Dassault to set up excellence centre US Air Force pilot masters eastern strategies in Delhi The team needs to bond and believe, say Sarang pilots More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Man held for fake Israel visas, tickets Cyber crime detectives of the Hyderabad police arrested a notorious offender who duped several people by promising to secure them tourist visas to Israel.Kumar Arumugam alias Arun Kumar, owner of Cosmos Tours and Travels, was arrested in Erode in Tamil Nadu. ​ Osmania University statistics department gets gold medal The department of statistics, University College of Science, Osmania University received a gold medal from the CR Rao Institute of Statistics during as part of its golden jubilee celebrations held on Thursday University of Hyderabad prof J Prabhakar Rao to be part of education panel A faculty member from University of Hyderabad (UoH), prof J Prabhakar Rao, has been appointed as a member of the National Advisory Cum Consultative Committee constituted by the ministry of human resource development to develop a draft open educational resources (OER) policy for higher education. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		After 3 months, Kudankulam N-reactor Unit 1 starts power generation Unit 1 of the Kudankulam nuclear reactor has re-started power generation, more than two and half months it was shut down due to technical problems. The unit is likely to generate power for a month and then again shut down for change of fuel and general maintenance. Legendary musician Balamurali's wife Annapoorna dies Wife of legendary musician late M Balamuralikrishna, Annapoorna, passed away at her residence on Thurs day afternoon after battling illness for the past few months.She was 82. They ran 26 hours to Auroville and then a 26-mile marathon, all to inspire others They didn't just run the 26-mile Auroville Marathon last Sunday -they decided to run to it as well. Last weekend, Chennai-based runners Peter Van Geit and Vipul Kumar decided to run 26 hours at a stretch from Chennai to Puducherry , right up to the starting point of the trail marathon in Auroville. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Science is for everybody: Roberto Trotta “It is important to demystify science and it should be approached with curiosity and passion,“ said Roberto Trotta, a theoretical cosmologist at Imperial College London, in his lecture “The Power of Simplicity: What I Learnt by Explaining Cosmology in 1,000 Simple Words“ on Thursday. Education, skill training top corporate social responsibility projects Education, skill development and poverty alleviation are the focus areas for money spent under corporate social responsibility (CSR) by various companies. Cashless mass marriage in Bayad this Sunday This Sunday, nine couples will tie the nuptials in a mass marriage at Bayad, a town in Aravalli district, without a penny changing hands in cash. In a state where people are queuing up at 'Chandla counters' to register their cash gifts to the couple is common practice, there will also be a swipe machine in place to accept money. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		BJP bets on man who ended its winning streak in Allahabad The Cong, which Nandi had joined upon his expulsion from BSP and quit only last month, will end up supporting Parvez owing to its alliance with the Samajwadi Party. SHIATS case: Probe transferred to SP The state government on Wednesday informed the high court that investigation of SHIATS assault case has been transferred to superintendent of police (crime), Allahabad. Former MP Atiq Ahmad is one of the accused in SHIATS assault case. ​ Rudy: Modi factor will click for BJP in Assembly polls Union minister of state skill development and entrepreneurship (independent charge) and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still the party's face in UP elections. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Three carcasses of jungle cats seized Three carcasses of Jungle cats (Felis Chaus), categorised under schedule-II of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972, were found by forest officials of Khurda range on the outskirts of the city on Thursday. BJD terrorises people with bureaucrats' help: Dharmendra Pradhan In view of the increasing poll violence cases in the state, union petroleum minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday alleged that the ruling BJD is using some bureaucrats for its own interest and to terrorize people during panchayat election. Bhubaneswar to have smart bus transport system The smartest city of the country will have a smart bus transport system soon to cater the need of the demand of increasing population of the city. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Sabotage bid to derail train on world's longest narrow gauge route in MP Thrice As Many Tigers Near Bhopal Doctors set to double at hamidia hospital For the first time in over three decades, the number of doctor posts at Hamidia Hospital are all set to double. Indications are that the state government would make an announcement in this regard soon and provide financial support in the upcoming state budget. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Jat stir: Khattar reviews situation in 10 dists District officials told to maintain law and order, prepare list of injured Jat stir clips on YouTube blocked by cyber cops Also the leak of the intelligence report has become a bigger problem now as the forged version of the same is being circulated among protesters. TOI had on Wednesday reported about the report leak on social media hinting at the ongoing Jat agitation in the state turning violent after February 19. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Little space for rivals, India rockets to stellar heights

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, February 16, 2017
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Little space for rivals, India rockets to stellar heights Delhi 86th among top 100 student cities: QS ranking Mumbai, the second most affordable city in the world for students till 2016, has dropped to the 30th position this year. Delhi, on the other hand, ranks way higher at 15, states a report by Quacquarelli Symonds, compilers of the QS World University Rankings. Centre to audit prescriptions to fight antibiotic resistance More India News»

		Business
		Donald Trump may be good for India, says Mukesh Ambani American President Donald Trump might be a blessing in disguise for India, said Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. ​​“It will help Indian talent and Indian IT industry to focus on solving problems in India," he said. Government gives green signal to merger of SBI, associate banks Seeking to create a global sized bank, the government on Wednesday gave go ahead to the merger plan of SBI and its five associate banks but did not take a decision with regard to Bharatiya Mahila Bank. Porsche India sells over 400 sports cars in 2016 German sports carmaker Porsche sold over 400 cars in India last year, and said that the company will further expand its retail presence in the country as it adds to its product portfolio. More Business News»

		Environment
		India reported 1.1m deaths due to air pollution in 2015 The government here may be in denial mode on linking premature deaths to air pollution, but a new study on global air pollution by the US-based institutes claims that the India's worsening air pollution caused some 1.1 million premature deaths in 2015 and the country now "rivals China for among the highest air pollution health burdens in the world." Gurugram India's most polluted city, again Air quality index in Gurugram touched the 356-mark on Monday, surpassing 28 other cities in terms of pollution again. 'Mud on Boots' project launched to support conservationists More Environment News»

		World
		China warns US against fresh naval patrols in South China Sea China's foreign ministry on Wednesday warned Washington against challenging its sovereignty, responding to reports the United States was planning fresh naval patrols in the disputed South China Sea. Donald Trump reignites feud with intel and media Washington has erupted in anger and recrimination again after allegations against President Trump and his associates of being too cozy with Russia resurfaced following the resignation of the National Security Advisor Michael Flynn on the same charges. Woman held for killing of Kim Jong-Un's half brother A woman carrying a Vietnamese passport was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the assassination of a half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un , Malaysia's police chief said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Vishal Bhardwaj on National Anthem in theatres Then and Now: Bollywood's 24 cute child actors Salman Khan’s little co-star from ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ stole a million hearts with her Bollywood debut and it looks like she’s all set for an encore with her latest photoshoot. Diljit-Anushka's reel romance in 'Dum Dum' More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Gravitational wave detection will help probe evolution of Universe, yet require more sensitive detectors A year after the breakthrough detection of Einstein’s gravitational waves in deep space through the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) experiment, Prof Archana Pai of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) who served as part of a global team of scientists looks forward with the Indian government proposal to set up a LIGO detector in the country. After Indian Navy rejection, DRDO says no hope lost on LCA Weeks after the Indian Navy chief said the LCA-Navy was overweight and that it cannot be used by the force, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has allayed fears of the project becoming redundant even as the navy has floated a request for information (RFI) to procure 56 carrier-borne aircraft in the last week of January. First middle-weight black hole found hiding in dense star cluster More Science News»

		Sports
		Sunrisers take on RCB in IPL 2017 opener on April 5 The BCCI on Wednesday announced the fixtures of the upcoming IPL 2017 season with the opening match scheduled to be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on April 5. Maxwell wants team to 'create doubt' in Kohli's technique Glenn Maxwell suggested that the best way to tackle the onslaught from India skipper Virat Kohli during the four-match Test cricket rubber will be to "trigger a doubt" in the Delhi batsman's technique. I have game plan ready for Ashwin, says David Warner Australia will not only depend on his starts but also want David Warner to counter the Ravichandran Ashwin threat for which the explosive opener has a "game plan ready". More Sports News»

		Technology
		TCS' boss to Indian IT companies: Don't worry about H-1Bs Tata Consultancy Services chief N Chandrasekaran today said concerns surrounding the H-1B visa are hyped and asked the $155-billion domestic IT industry not to get paranoid as these are exciting times with lots of opportunities. Xiaomi set for its 'new innings' in India Chinese mobile handset manufacturer Xiaomi is likely to soon procure licence to operate its own branded outlets in India, as part of its effort to increase its offline distribution in coming years, company's top executive said here today. Apple is the new king of the global smartphone market: Gartner According to Gartner, it has taken eight quarters for Apple to regain the No 1 global smartphone vendor ranking, but the positions of the two leaders have never been so close, with a difference of only 256,000 units. More Technology News»

		Education
		Schools can now order NCERT books online Delhi high court stays Delhi govt's new nursery admission norms Aligarh Muslim University: All three in running for V-C post conform to UGC norms More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Will take legal steps on AAI notice: Leela Hotel Leelaventure Ltd, which runs the Leela chain, said that it has taken all legal steps to 'vigorously' contest the Airport Authority of India's (AAI) eviction notice with regard to its flagship property in Mumbai. Youth killed for not dancing at friend's party The Andheri police on Wednesday arrested an unemployed man (24) for killing his close friend who refused to dance at their common friend's birthday early on Tuesday. Airline fined for denying entry on overbooked flight It directed that a copy of the order be sent to the secretary, department of civil aviation, as well as the DGCA to deliberate on the issue and evolve guidelines. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Hindu College turns 118 Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal, at the 118th Founder's day in Hindu College on Tuesday, stressed on the need to view the older generation as a resource, and work to reduce the "generation gap". Cab strike takes violent turn Six days into the strike by app-based taxi drivers, neither the union nor the companies are showing any signs of backing off. Anti-Sikh riots probe almost over, SIT gives report More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		'MiG keen to join Make in India' Outsourcing projects to push India's defence, aero sectors From UP to Bengaluru in a WW II-era aircraft DAY TWO People Of All Hues Add Colour And Infuse High Spirits Missing On Day 1 | Companies, Domestic And Foreign, Scramble To Woo Prospective Customers More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Old-age home bosses held for rape of minor Two persons were arrested for raping a minor for six months. G Manik Rao and A Srinivas Reddy , both managing directors of Akshaya old-age home in LB Nagar, were arrested 10 days after they fled from the home, where the 15-year-old victim used to work. HC rejects Andhra Pradesh government plea to acquire temple land The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday refused to accede to a plea by the Andhra Pradesh government which wanted the court to modify the prevailing restraint order in respect of temple land all over AP and Telangana. 'Spend 6 mins evaluating each answer paper' Hundreds of students, on Wednesday, protested in front of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad campus against university's evaluation system. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		105 people tested positive for H1N1 since Jan in city There have been nine confirmed H1N1 deaths in the state since January , and 20-30 suspected cases of the flu are admitted to hospitals every day, said public health officials. Sasi faction charts counterattack online The AIADMK's IT wing may have woken up late to the benefits and damage potential of social media.Now that they are on to it, they are blaming every party , DMK, PMK, BJP as well as the rival faction, for the memes on Sasikala that have gone viral. Cats on wall Nataraj, Saidai broker peace More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		African Union comes seeking Gujarat forensic expertise Dr J M Vyas, director general of GFSU, said these collaborations carry forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's engagement with the continent. Classical for contemporary age To promote different forms of Indian classical dance, the city-based Ice Group will organize Classical Dance Festival in Ahmedabad, through its philanthropic venture, IceCraft. The curated dance festival will be spread over four days from February 18 to February 21. Gujarat University budget on syndicate meeting agenda today More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Rudy: Modi factor will click for BJP in Assembly polls Union minister of state skill development and entrepreneurship (independent charge) and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still the party's face in UP elections. Political parties test waters with first-timers From middle age women stepping out from the shadows of their husbands, to a national spokesperson of the ruling party at the Centre, at least 10 candidates from prominent political parties are joining electoral politics for the first time in Allahabad. AU gives in to students' demands, ready to give offline option More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJD, BJP engage in war of words over poll code violation Odisha panchayat poll: 73 per cent voter turnout in phase-II Vigilance seizes Rs 2 lakh cash from IAS officer's car in Cuttack Vigilance sleuths on Wednesday detained an IAS officer for interrogation after seizing over Rs 2 lakh in cash from his vehicle in Cuttack, about 30 km from Bhubaneswar. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Don't ask tough questions in House, BJP tells its MLAs Madhya Pradesh Congress mobilising workers from blocks for February 22 protest Dhruv recorded telephone conversations of Opposition leaders: Congress More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Apna Ghar: 2 judicial officers depose before CBI court Jat stir: CBI FIRs in arson on Haryana minister's properties The protesters were seeking reservation in government jobs and educational institutes for the Jat community under the category of Other Backward Classes. Jat stir in Haryana enters 18th day The BJP government in the state had last week formed a five-member committee, headed by Chief Secretary D S Dhesi, to hold talks with the agitating Jats. More Chandigarh News»

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