Your News Digest from Times of India

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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