News Digest: Black money: I-T dept conducts survey at HSBC bank in Mumbai

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, February 24, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Black money: I-T dept conducts survey at HSBC bank in Mumbai The Income Tax department has conducted a "survey" operation at the head office of HSBC bank here in connection with the black money probe against it and certain Indians who held accounts in its Switzerland branch. One judge on Teesta bench sought recusal, but who? Chief Justice H L Dattu on Monday issued a statement saying the hearing of anticipatory bail petitions of social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband were shifted out of a bench of Justices Mukhopadhaya and N V Ramana “on the direct recusal” of one of the judges. States with bigger urban population to have more smart cities States with higher urban population such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat shall have more smart cities. More India News»

		Business
		Green shoots visible in economy: Panagariya NITI Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya has said that green shoots of revival were clearly visible in the economy and backed the idea of reworking the massive rural job scheme for better asset creation and skills development. Bansals get new roles in Flipkart recast India’s largest online retailer Flipkart has undertaken a massive reorganization at a time when the e-tailer is looking to prune its losses and make itself IPO ready. ITC to buy Park Hyatt Goa for Rs 515 crore ITC is on an acquisition spree. Within a fortnight of a major buy in the personal care products space, the Rs 45,000-crore conglomerate looks set for an over Rs 500-crore acquisition in the hospitality sector. More Business News»

		Environment
		Gujarat soughts nod for lion conservation plan The Gujarat government has sought approval from the Centre for its Rs 150-crore Lion Conservation Plan. Not only that, it has demanded that the central government bear the lion’s share — Rs 135 crore — of the total project cost. Bengal mulls two-way approach to stop rhino-poaching Alarmed by frequent incidents of rhino poaching in north Bengal, the West Bengal government has decided to adopt a two-pronged approach to deal with the menace. 450 Climate Reality Leaders to be trained on climate change High-profile leaders in renewable energy are joining Nobel laureate and former US vice-president Al Gore here to train another 450 Climate Reality Leaders on the science of climate change and solutions for the climate crisis while developing skills to effectively communicate about both the challenges and opportunities, the Climate Reality Project announced on Monday. More Environment News»

		World
		US expresses concern over Nasheed 's arrest Expressing concern over the arrest of former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on terrorism charges, the US has asked the Maldivian government to take steps to restore confidence in their commitment to democracy, judicial independence and rule of law. Ice storm slams Texas, more than 1,300 flights cancelled An ice storm that hit wide parts of Texas and neighboring states on Monday knocked out power to thousands of people, led to hundreds of traffic accidents and caused more than 1,300 flight cancellations nationwide. Hollande vows stiffer penalties for hate speech French President Francois Hollande has vowed to introduce tougher penalties for "racist, anti-semitic or homophobic" remarks in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks in Paris. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Abhi shoots action sequence at a location named after Aish Abhishek Bachchan shot a car chase sequence for his next All Is Well at Aishwarya Point (Trimbakeshwar, Nasik), named after his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. WAGs too distracting, but only till quarterfinals? If their ‘purpose’ is to distract or relax the players, WAGs might get to fulfill it at least partly. The BCCI is rethinking its ban on them at the World Cup, and mulling over allowing them if the team makes it to the quarterfinals. 10 celebs mentored by Salman Khan Salman has always been a helping hand to his close ones. The actor trained Sooraj Pancholi and is also producing his debut film. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Japan clocks to keep time for 16 billion years Japanese researchers have built a pair of clocks which they say are so accurate they will lose a second only every 16 billion years — longer than the Earth has been around. Armband to sound an alarm if you have fever Scientists have developed a fever alarm armband - a flexible, self-powered wearable device that sounds an alarm in case of high body temperature. Formula milk puts newborns at higher arsenic risk In the first study of urinary arsenic in babies, Dartmouth College researchers have found that formula-fed infants had higher arsenic levels than breast-fed infants. More Science News»

		Sports
		Flexibility is Ajinkya Rahane's key strength: MS Dhoni Indian captain MS Dhoni feels that Ajinkya Rahane has improved by leaps and bounds in recent times and is ready to don any hat for the team's cause. World Cup: Roger Federer sorry for India 'bleed blue' upset Roger Federer apologised for getting caught up in the bitter rivalry between Indian and Pakistani cricket fans after he was pictured admiring India's blue shirt. World Cup: I am happy, but not satisfied, says Sachin Tendulkar Impressed with India's performance in the World Cup so far but not completely satisfied with it, Sachin Tendulkar said that the team can still raise its game. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Are techies 'workmen'? TN government to decide Are our software engineers 'workmen'? Madras HC leaves the question to TN government. Lenovo A6000 review We review the Lenovo A6000, India's cheapest 4G-capable smartphone, at this time. 7 hot smartphones under Rs 10,000 Shopping for a budget smartphone? Not sure which one to go for? The wide range available across e-commerce websites adding to rthe confusion? Here's help. More Technology News»

		Education
		Centre to frame grading system for universities, SC told The Centre told the Supreme Court on Monday that it was considering a new system to grade universities and the process of laying down criteria would be finalized within three months. Deadline to get AICTE approval for BTech courses extended The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has extended the deadline for institutions which are yet to seek approval for B.Tech courses, a move which may come as a relief to as many as 24 Delhi University colleges. INSTITUTE WATCH - University Launch The JIS Group Educational Initiatives will be launching the JIS University at Agarpara in Kolkata from the upcoming academic year. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC: Can single mum's kid be denied passport? Bombay High Court on Monday questioned whether a single mother could be denied a passport for her child at a time when live-in relationships are legally accepted. Green signal for MU-Rlys tech courses The University of Mumbai is collaborating with the Indian Railways to set up a ‘Rail Innovation and Technology Centre’ to offer specialized courses to students. Night duty staff in ladies coach to undergo sobriety check The Government Railway Police (GRP) commissioner has issued instructions that all personnel escorting ladies compartments at night be checked before they leave for duty. This check will be done to ensure that they are not drunk. This comes in the wake of a home guard, Kailash More, getting sloshed and using abusive language in a Western Railway local train last Wednesday. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi House opens 1st innings with power play The first day of the sixth legislative assembly began without any fireworks unlike in 2013, but there was drama. There was a subtle show of strength by Aam Aadmi Party—that has a more than overwhelming presence in the House— and BJP responded by playing the victim card. Sisodia to live in Sheila's old home Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia will move to the bungalow once occupied by Sheila Dikshit when she was the chief minister. Oath-taking turns into a House-warming party The first day of the assembly session began with 67 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs, including chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and three BJP legislators taking oath on Monday. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Authorized tree officers absent, illegal felling becomes the norm Trees of Bengaluru are an orphaned lot. With nominated tree officers failing to take charge, they are fast falling prey to indiscriminate axing. Six-month struggle to get money back A few months ago, when Anand P (33), a software programmer, and his wife were on their way to HSR Layout, they saw a home fair. Eliminate risk while buying a home The Bengaluru real estate market is vibrant, with builders catering to all sections of the society with apartments and villas of varying categories -built up area ranging from 650 sqft to 10,000 sqft and price Rs 30 lakh to Rs 10 crore plus. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		3 police stations get GPS Ambar Kishore Jha, superintendent of police on Monday launched the Beat Tracking System for three police stations of Warangal urban police limits. Mounting debts drive two farmers to suicide Two farmers committed suicide in separate incidents in the district allegedly due to mounting debts. Funds trickle in for AP capital The NDA government, which has been dithering on Andhra Pradesh government’s plea to accord special category status to the residuary state, has sanctioned Rs 1,600 crore for the construction of capital, AP municipal administration minister P Narayana said on Monday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Sky high plans needed for Chennai's redevelopment Being one of the oldest cities in the country, Chennai has always grappled with hap hazard development. 'Dashboard' ready to help corporation drive projects The city will be the first in India to have a ‘dashboard’ on the lines of London and New York for its civic officers to monitor public work effectively. Corporation of Chennai will inaugurate the system this week. 4 get 10 years in jail for plotting bomb attacks in Chennai A special court in the city on Monday sentenced four members of a Muslim radical organisation to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for plotting bomb blasts at temples in Chennai in 2002. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		They won the battle Dr Bhavesh Satani (32) can identify with the panic associated with swine flu. No school before 3 years: HC gives 3 months for rules Gujarat high court on Monday gave three months to the state government to frame proper rules or to amend the rules prohibiting admission of a kid below three years of age in pre-primary schools and to take action against the schools that violate the Right to Education laws. Court doubts govt's RTE will, suggests lawyers' panel Gujarat high court on Monday expressed dissatisfaction with the state government for its “lack of efforts” to implement the Right to Education Act in order to ensure admission of poor children on the 25% seats in primary section in private schools. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		AAP ready with UP's five zone expansion plan Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is ready with its expansion plan. In order to prepare for the assembly elections scheduled in 2017, the party has decided to divide UP into five zones. Now plan & track bus journey with UP BusApp Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has launched a mobile application ‘UP BusApp’ that would enable passengers to plan their journey in advance. Residents join hands to lay sewage system in their localities As the authorities plan to make Allahabad a smart city replete with world class infrastructure and facilities, there are still some basic amenities which have been ignored. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		CM carcade head shunted Chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s carcade in-charge Binod Das was on Sunday transferred to commissionerate of police headquarters in the wake of Thursday’s egg attack on the CM’s car. Health dept asks police to report jaundice cases With jaundice cases pouring in from three police institutions in the state, the health department has asked police to inform it about any future outbreak. New lease of life for dying art forms at fest Artists left city folks mesmerized during a two-day fest, which aimed at reviving various dying art forms. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Bhopal's day temperature shoots to highest for this month in 3 years On Monday, day temperature in Bhopal rose to 32.8 (+4) degrees celsius, highest for this month in past three years. Madhya Pradesh: CBI arrests ex-VC of Sagar university N S Gajbhiye from IIT-K The anti-corruption branch (ACB) of CBI's Jabalpur branch on Monday arrested Senior professor of IIT-Kanpur and former vice-chancellor of Dr Hari Singh Gour Central University Dr N S Gajbhiye in connection with seven different cases registered against him. Row over mobile last installment trigger for twin murder: Police Row between a youth and his girlfriend over a mobile set led a youth to inflict multiple stab wounds on teenager and her mother to eliminate the two in a cold blooded and pre-planned manner. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Kin say youth held for theft died in custody An assistant sub-inspector of Government Railway Police was booked for allegedly driving a youth accused of snatching the bag of an under-training woman IPS officer to suicide. HC notice to Punjab DGP, state EC over Joshi brother attack The street battles between SAD and BJP workers in the ongoing civil polls in Punjab have reached the Punjab and Haryana high court. 3 killed in accident due to fog Three persons, including a woman, were killed after their car collided head-on with a truck due to fog near Talwandi Rana village on the Hisar-Chandigarh road in Hisar on Monday morning. More Chandigarh News»

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