Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, February 20, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Nirbhaya ad gives sleepless nights to NRI woman While boarding a Kochi-Bahrain flight three months ago, Daisy Sunny, a widow and mother of two from Kerala’s Thoppumpadi, was clueless about unexpected ‘fame’ awaiting her. Money-spinner ATM gives bank a run for money State Bank of India officials went into a tizzy after one of its ATMs in Madhya Pradesh’s Manasa town began spewing extra cash, nearly double the amount keyed in by customers. As the word spread, crowds thronged the machine to collect their booty. One toll tag for Delhi-Mumbai national highway from August Indian Highways Management Company Ltd, a company promoted by NHAI, has appointed ICICI Bank to set up the central clearing house that will collect toll charges through electronic mode and distribute the funds to developers. More India News»

		Business
		Sensex jumps 89 pts to one-month high The benchmark sensex climbed about 89 points to nearly one-month closing high of 20,722.97 on Wednesday, driven by smart gains in bluechip pharma and IT stocks. Gold extends losses on sustained selling, global cues Gold fell by Rs 125 to Rs 31,225 per ten grams here today on sustained selling by stockists in line with a weakening global trend. Economic crime rising globally, PwC survey says Economic crime against businesses and other organizations continues to rise around the world. More Business News»

		Environment
		Flamingos hunted for meat in Navi Mumbai's mudflats Broken beaks, feathers and bones have been found on the outskirts of Phunde village in Uran taluka, about 25km from Vashi, raising fears of poaching of flamingos which migrate to the nearby mudflats every winter. No timeline set for sorting out issues on Western Ghat report Environment minister M Veerappa Moily on Wednesday refused to give any timeline on the settlement of issues regarding the implementation of an expert committee report on Western Ghats. Tough winter creates menace: Ice from high-rises City dwellers battling one of the most brutal winters on record have been dealing with something far more dangerous than snow falling from the sky: ice tumbling from skyscrapers. More Environment News»

		World
		US visa ban for 20 Ukraine officials The United States has imposed visa bans on about 20 senior Ukrainian officials accused of backing the deadly repression of protesters in Kiev, a US diplomat said Wednesday. 'Noisy House scenes upset UK voters' Three of Britain's leading politicians — the deputy prime minister, speaker of the House and leader of the opposition — have called for urgent reforms to Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), the most-watched event in the parliamentary week. 101-year-old man to contest US Congressional polls Better late than never! A 101-year-old man in the US has launched a bid to enter the House of Representatives and contest the Congressional polls. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Salman Khan says NO to Deepika Padukone Deepika Padukone might be Bollywood's reigning queen at the moment but she still has to wait to do a film opposite Bollywood biggie Salman Khan. Actors who can replace Hrithik Roshan in 'Shuddhi' When Salman did not approve of Jacqueline Fernandez Salman Khan is also a perfectionist of sorts, especially when it comes to style. The superstar is particular not only about his appearance but also takes a keen interest in the look of his co-stars. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		US navy to unleash Star Wars-type laser gun this year Some of the US navy’s futuristic weapons sound like something out of ‘Star Wars’, with lasers meant to shoot down drones and electric guns that fire projectiles at hypersonic speeds. That future is now. Have an abusive boyfriend? This app may help Here’s a tool that could help avoid dating violence or abusive relationships. Scientists have developed a smartphone app that warns young women of a dangerous partner by helping them examine their relationships and potential behavioural red flags. Computer solves 80-year-old puzzle, but who'll check? A puzzle that has confounded mathematicians for almost a century is closer than ever to being solved, it has emerged. But there’s one slight problem. More Science News»

		Sports
		Is India keen on discovering new talent? The mettle of the Indian 'bench strength' is not being tested enough on foreign tours, with the tried and tested lot being persisted with, despite failing at times. Holders Bayern beat 10-man Arsenal 2-0 Goals by Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller gave Champions League holders Bayern Munich a 2-0 win over 10-man Arsenal in their last 16, first-leg match. Fedex can win another major title: Pete Roger Federer could play for another 4 years and add to his tally of 17 Grand Slam titles, according to ex-No. 1 and 14-time Grand Slam champ Pete Sampras. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple looking at cars, medical devices for growth: Report Apple is looking at cars and medical devices to diversify its sources of revenue as growth from iPhones and iPads slow, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report. Google's advice to Glass users: Don't be 'Glassholes' Google gave early adopters of its internet-connected eyewear a bit of advice: don't be "Glassholes." Lenovo: Flipkart, Amazon not our authorised resellers Lenovo has issued an advisory cautioning consumers when buying its products from e-commerce companies like Snapdeal, Flipkart & Amazon More Technology News»

		Education
		Now in CBSE: Law, theatre studies Come 2014-15 and your child could pick theatre, legal studies or gender studies as an elective, in a departure from run-of-the-mill courses. 14 new IIITs to be established, Shashi Tharoor says The government has approved the establishment of 14 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT), Parliament was told on Wednesday. Mica's platform to budding entrepreneurs Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad's (Mica) comcubator recently organized the 'eChai Marketing Challenge 2014' at its campus. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Principals worry kids may misuse protection Act School principals admit that proper implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is the need of the hour, but they are also worried that it may be misused to target schools. 24 apply for controller of exams' post The Mumbai University has received around 24 applications from candidates for the controversial post of controller of examinations. Interest on loan for stocks not tax-deductible Tax laws provide that expenditure incurred in relation to exempt income will not be allowed as a deduction in the hands of the tax payer. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Viru bats for education, responds to a child's distress call with scholarship For poverty-stricken but a bright 12-year-old Rishab, this would surely be the best gift of his life: free school education. And the gift has come from none other than celebrated cricketer Virender Sehwag, who offered free education to the child in his Sehwag International School (SIS), a multi-activity campus in Jhajjar, south of upscale Gurgaon in Haryana. Delhi interim budget awaits clearance in Parliament With the current Parliament session heading for an end in 48 hours, officials are busy trying to save Delhi from a financial crisis in the absence of a budgetary provision for the city beginning April 1. DU college flouting mining ban? The ban on mining of the Aravalis is being openly flouted on the premises of an academic institution in southwest Delhi, sources have said. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Muniyappa, 108, undergoes successful angioplasty At 108, Muniyappa G from Karnataka's Kolar district, has undergone a successful angioplasty at St John's Medical College Hospital in Bangalore. He is back on his feet now. Only Karnataka has poor voter sex ratio in south India Three southern states have women voters more or less equal to their male counterparts for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. While Kerala has more women voters, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have almost same of number of voters of both sexes. Prices of Kempe Gowda Layout sites hit the roof The dream of owning a Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) site may remain a mirage for many. Reason: the BDA has increased prices by 200-600% in the proposed Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Layout. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		HC seeks reasons for not holding polls in 5 Bheemili panchayats Justice Ramesh Ranganathan of the AP High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to explain why elections are not being held in five gram panchyats in Bheemunipatnam mandal of Vishakhapatnam district though their merger with GVMC was set aside. Parents force minor girl to marry 6 times in 2 years In a shocking incident, a 17-year-old girl approached Rein Bazaar police alleging that she was forcibly married off six times in the past two years to various men by her money-hungry parents. Telangana bill may get caught in legal tangle The Andhra Pradesh State Reorganization Bill is likely to get entangled in a legal quagmire with many constitutional experts averring that the legislation would be invalid without going for constitutional amendments. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Vacant land to be identified, turned into parking lots To put an end to parking woes and ensure free flow of traffic on main roads, the Chennai Corporation has announced plans to create more parking space in its annual budget. 31% of last year's funds untouched The Chennai Corporation on Wednesday presented a budget of 4,200 crore for the 2014-15 financial year without any mention of increased tax collection. Further, close to 31% of the amount allocated to various departments in the civic body's last budget remains unspent. Private partners to boost education quality in govt schools In a bid to increase enrolment in government schools, the corporation has come up with a slew of sops and initiatives. Apart from free notebooks to attract students, it has decided to improve quality by going in for public-private partnerships (PPP) in select schools. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat International Finance Tec-city finds takers, 5 to set up shop After a long wait, Gujarat International Finance Tec-city (GIFT) finally took the first significant step towards becoming a financial hub. One more Congress MLA joins BJP Former state minister and sitting Congress MLA from Somnath assembly seat Jasa Barad has joined BJP.He is the second sitting Congress MLA to have joined BJP within the last fortnight. Narendra Modi slams finance minister P Chidambaram for taxing his speeches The Central Excise Department had demanded payment of service tax by BJP on tickets for entry to Modi's rallies.However, that notice was dropped once the news came in media on Tuesday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Murder triggers violence in Pratapgarh Angry locals fought a pitched battle with police near Bhupiamau crossing in Pratapgarh on Wednesday over the murder of a history-sheeter. Litterateurs pay tributes to author Amar Kant The mortal remains of noted Hindi litterateur and Jnanpeeth Award winner Amar Kant was consigned to flames at Shankarghat on Tuesday. Drive to check passengers without tickets conducted To curb the practices of traveling without tickets and irregular tickets, Allahabad division of North Central Railway is launching drives in various trains and stations. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJD may go solo in coming polls The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday indicated it would fight the forthcoming assembly elections without forming an alliance with any political party. Unguarded ATMs face closure Taking umbrage at non-compliance with its recommendation for deploying security guards at ATM kiosks here, commissioner of police R P Sharma on Tuesday shot off a second reminder to the head offices of different banks. Major reshuffle in IPS cadre Ahead of assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the state government effected a major reshuffle in SP-rank officers on Tuesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		A neon-themed party for couples on Valentine's Day at a city pub in Bhopal Bhopal’s lovebirds marked Valentine’s Day with lots of fun at a neon-themed party held at a city pub. Mobile phones banned in MP board exams MP board of secondary education has banned students from carrying mobile phones to exam halls for its high school and higher secondary examinations. STF seizes mark-sheets, starts probe Special task force (STF) on Tuesday initiated investigations into irregularities in RTO constable recruitment test held in August 2012. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		'Helicopter politics' rages in tribal Lahaul-Spiti Politics over the number and frequency of emergency helicopter sorties to snow-bound Lahaul-Spiti district is heating up in the cold mountains with BJP and Congress leaders engaging in a war of words. Haryana hikes financial aid to gallantry award winners Haryana government on Wednesday announced a steep hike in award money to recipients of gallantry and other award winning members of armed forces from the state. CM highlights importance of road improvement Stating that roads are lifeline of Himachal Pradesh which not only provide connectivity but also help in economic development of the state, chief minister Virbhadra Singh, on Wednesday, informed the state assembly about government's decision to hire consultants for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) on roads. More Chandigarh News»

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