News Digest: No govt bid to gag anybody, says Advani

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, January 27, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		No govt bid to gag anybody, says Advani Amid talk of intolerance, BJP veteran L K Advani on Tuesday said there was no question mark on the freedom of expression in the country and wondered who were the people saying so. IIT-Hyderabad develops 'pendant' that can monitor heart rhythm It requires a trained medical professional to interpret ECG signals for any abnormality in heartbeat. HRD ministry junks report of Sanskrit panel set up by UPA The HRD ministry has refused to accept the recommendations of second Sanskrit commission set up in 2013 by the UPA government on the ground that the report was submitted much after the panel's term expired. More India News»

		Business
		Govt plans China-type economic  zones Sources in the government said discussions are on to ready a plan to build these zones in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Snapdeal plans to lend Rs 1k crore in six months to attract sellers In an attempt to attract more merchants to sell on its platform, online marketplace Snapdeal is looking to disburse loans worth Rs 1,000 crore over the next six months to its sellers. FII selloff in January worst since 2008 FIIs were net sellers in value terms in all but three trading sessions during the month, data with share depository NSDL showed. More Business News»

		Environment
		Storks spend winter eating rubbish, not migrating Some white storks have taken to spending the winter in rubbish dumps eating garbage rather than making the usual journey south across the Sahara, scientists said. This is a new sign of how human influences, ranging from climate change to pollution, disrupt migratory routes for animals. Archaeologists discover dinosaur fossils in Gujarat A team consisting of a German archaeologist and two Indians discovered dinosaur fossils during an ongoing research in Gujarat. New bird species in India, first in a decade The find of a new species of bird in northeastern India and adjacent parts of China has marked the first discovery in a decade and the fourth since 1949. More Environment News»

		World
		Denmark OKs bill to seize assets from refugees Denmark’s parliament passed measures on Tuesday aimed at deterring refugees from seeking asylum, including confiscating valuables to pay for their stay, despite protests from international human rights organisations. Putin's a picture of corruption, says US official A senior US treasury official has directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of corruption. 'Angel' dolls get seats, meal on Thai flights A craze in Thailand for pampering lifelike dolls to bring good fortune doesn’t seem to have done the trick for some vendors, who on Tuesday were raided by police on charges of tax avoidance. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Padma honours for Rajinikanth, Ajay Devgn, Anupam Kher Some big names from cinema featured in the Padma list this time. Rahul Sharma's first tweet after marrying Asin Okay guys, Rahul Sharma has posted his first tweet after his much talked about wedding to actress Asin. And the thing about this tweet is that it is way too adorable to go unnoticed by anyone. Priyanka proves she's still daddy's lil girl The actress' statement after she received the Padam Shri just proved that her 'Daddy's lil girl' tattoo is absolutely justified. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		PIO doctor pulls off kidney transplant using 3D printing An Indian-origin surgeon in the UK has pulled off a complex kidney transplant on a three-year-old girl using 3D printing, believed to be among the world’s first such operations. Fatty liver poses risk of heart dysfunction in obese Adding more support to the importance of dietary interventions in obese patients, a research said fatty liver is independently associated with heart failure in such people. Chinese scientists create autistic monkeys in a bid to find cure Scientists say they have genetically engineered autistic monkeys in the hope of finding new ways to treat the illness. The challenge for now is to develop methods to treat the monkeys, with the long-term hope of finding a genuine cure for autism. More Science News»

		Sports
		1st T20I: Kohli, bowlers help India beat Australia by 37 runs The format change finally brought some cheers for Team India as their preparations for World Twenty20 got off to a perfect start. Bowlers seemed to have found their mojo back as they helped India defend their total for the first time on this tour. Australia were bowled out for 151 in 19.3 overs in a massive chase of 189. Deborah seals historic Track Cycling World C'ships berth Deborah Herold from the Andamans created history again by qualifying for the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships for the first time in India's history, ahead of South Korea and Japan in the main draw. Team India returns to top of ICC Test rankings India on Tuesday regained their numero uno Test status after a hiatus of nearly four-and-half years following England's 2-1 series victory over former leaders South Africa. More Sports News»

		Technology
		7 things under Rs 800 to keep your gadgets clean Electronic devices tend to get handled by many people on a daily basis. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review: A brilliant mix of looks, performance and portability After the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, the American giant has launched Microsoft Surface Pro 4 in India, which came to us for a review. Apple set for lowest iPhone sales growth ever Analysts say Apple has become a victim of its own success as the iPhone 6 line was lapped by consumers looking for big-screen smartphones, thus creating a sales record hard to match for the succeeding iPhone 6S line. More Technology News»

		Education
		UK schools get tough on face-covering veils Britain's top schools monitoring authority has instructed officials to mark down institutions as "inadequate" where face-covering veils are hampering learning, days after Prime Minister David Cameron advocated removal of face coverings at educational institutions. Univs can't charge over Rs 2 for answer sheet copy: CIC The chief information commissioner (CIC) of India has come to the rescue of thousands of students who are facing inexplicable delays in getting copies of evaluated answer sheets or are being charged exorbitantly for the copies. Change in exam welcome but teaching rejig needed: Experts The directorate of government examinations, as promised in circulars in 2015, has implemented changes in the exam pattern, which will be reflected in the Class 10 boards this year. But will these reforms yield positive results? That's the larger question. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Ghulam Ali in Mumbai this week; hosts seek security Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali will be in the city this week to attend an event and his hosts have sought adequate security for him from Maharashtra government, months after his concert here was cancelled due to Shiv Sena's opposition. Widow murder:Borivli bldg maybeef up security Following a 59-year-widow’s murder outside her flat in Borivli, residents of the building are contemplating beefing up security measures. Chintan wants flat in Juhu, studio sealed The judicial custody of contemporary artist Chintan Upadhyay and four others—accused of murdering his estranged wife Hema and her lawyer—was extended up to February 8 on Monday. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Stink to rise in E Delhi as civic staffers go on strike Garbage is likely to start piling up from Wednesday in east Delhi and all other municipal services disrupted there as well as in north Delhi as civic body employees have decided to strike work for the next three days over non-payment of salaries. Delhi cops shop for 'sticks' to beat porn You will have to do better than hitting the delete button to get rid of porn. As cybercrime soars, police get ready to byte deep Three months from now, Delhi Police will have a better handle on cybercrime. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Karnataka ATS yet to make even a single arrest In the past one month, eight terror suspects have been arrested from Karnataka. Six of them were wanted for alleged links with the Islamic State, one was an Al-Qaida supporter, and another was wanted in connection with a 2008 Ahmedabad-Surat terror attack. 114 inmates released from Hindalaga jail on R-Day Life sentenced inmates of Hindalaga central jail here, who released on the eve of Republic Day based on their good conduct promised of leading future life as good citizens of society. Bengaluru educator bags #100Women award Her father's death may have forced her to step into the corporate world as an IT analyst, but she still nurtured her dream to become a teacher. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Probe blames university admin for Rohith's death A report released on Tuesday by The Independent People’s Tribunal on Human Rights and Environment concluded that Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula’s death was “caused by the acts of omission and commission of the authorities”. Don't throw out Bhogapuram Airport farmers: HC to AP The state is in the process of acquiring 5311 acres in Bhogapuram mandal of Vizianagaram district for the airport and it also issued a notification seeking the land from farmers on August 31, 2015. Now, a storm of rage against interim V-C Hundreds of students from various varsities poured into University of Hyderabad (UoH) on Monday in support of the agitating students over the suicide of dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Surprise inspection found flaws Previous planned inspections by the Tamil Nadu DR MGR Medical University had not found anything amiss. Functioning on a provisional affiliation, the college has been taking in students every year since 2008. Soon, a wearable chip to analyse heart rhythm It requires a trained medical professional to interpret ECG signals for any abnormality in the heartbeat. Coast Guardcopter findsbody of boy A Coast Guard helicopter on Tuesday found the body of a 13-year-old boy who went missing while bathing in the sea at a beach in north Chennai on Monday evening. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Sharma 'misused' official car while on leave, says govt After some four years, the state government has suddenly remem bered that re tired IPS offi cer Rahul Sharma, in February 2012 had "misused his official vehicle" and kept his driver and gunman with him while he was on leave. AQIS link: Cops probe IP address After revelations that Anzar Shah, Zafar Masood and Usman Khurshid, allegedly linked to AlQaeda in Indian Sub-continent had visited Gujarat, the state police is now probing about two dozen IP addresses suspected to be from Gujarat from which members of the alleged terror module sent messages to each other. Indian Army displays might On the eve of Republic day, Parbat Ali Brigade of the Golden Katar Division invited teachers and students from schools from Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad to showcase their prowess and gave a glimpse of their way of life. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Namaz, Ganga snan part of life for this volunteer He not only offers namaz five times a day but also takes a holy dip at the Sangam during Magh Mela, Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh. Allahabad University central library to open on holidays The authorities of Allahabad University have decided to keep the Central Library open on Sundays and holidays, barring a few important ones. Congress-men block Paswan's cavalcade Congress workers stopped Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan's cavalcade for the second time in two days on Sunday at Manda.They were protesting against the price rise of essential commodities. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		4 'Iraqi men' go missing; alert sounded in Odisha A high alert has been sounded in Odisha after four men, presenting themselves as Iraqi nationals, disappeared when asked to produce their identity proof at a hotel here on Monday night, with police suspecting them to be terrorists. CPI seeks punishment for Jatni rape accused Members of Communist Party of India (CPI), state unit, and Utkal Mahila Samiti (UMS) had a face-off with police on Monday while they were trying to march towards the chief minister's residence demanding exemplary punishment for the Jatni rape accused. Pollution board sets timeframe to clear projects To make the process of according consent to establish and operate to industries easier and faster, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has set a timeframe for different categories of industries. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Maihar bypoll: BJP forwards candidature of Narayan Tripathi Madhya Pradesh BJP's State Election Committee here on Monday unanimously forwarded the name of former Congress MLA Narayan Tripathi as the party's candidate for the Maihar assembly bypoll. Undivided MP's first DGP B P Dube passes away Undivided Madhya Pradesh's first Director General of Police (DGP), B P Dube passed away here on Monday after a brief illness, family sources said. Family in Bhind held after threat to blow up India Gate BHOPAL: Police on Monday night rounded up a family in Bhind district after receiving a threat to blow up India Gate on Tuesday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		At Khattar's home, woman beats men to sarpanch post The sarpanch's post in Baniyani village was open for all and had nine aspirants, including two women candidates, in fray. R-Day: Girls unfurl flags in schools in Haryana villages Girls with highest educational qualification were today accorded the honour of unfurling the national flag at Republic Day programme in schools in the villages across Haryana. Badal shifted out of ICU Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, admitted to a hospital here following chest congestion and fever, was today shifted out of ICU following improvement in his condition. More Chandigarh News»

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