News Digest: MEA suffers Rs 378cr cut in fund allocation

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, March 01, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		MEA suffers Rs 378cr cut in fund allocation Even as foreign policy remains one of the focus areas for the NDA government, MEA has had to suffer a cut of Rs 378 crore from what it was allocated last year.MEA was allocated Rs 14,662 crore in the Union Budget. FM GIFTs Modi's pet plan host of sops Setting up international financial hubs within India, one of PM Modi's pet projects, got a strong boost from the finance minister through at least five major tax sops which will make it highly cost effective for institutions that set shop in such facilities, the premier among those being GIFT city in Gujarat. 5 RSS workers held for death threats to Kerala scribe Kerala police on Monday arrested five RSS workers from three districts of the state for threatening to kill senior journalist Sindhu Suryakumar over phone and through social media for her comments during a TV debate on Goddess Durga last week. More India News»

		Business
		TCS recognized as Global Top Employer Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been recognised as a 'Global Top Employer' by the Top Employers Institute. This certification is only awarded to the best employers around the world - organisations that demonstrate the highest standards of employee offerings, the institute said. Govt hikes import tariff value on gold, silver The government on Monday hiked import tariff value on gold and silver to $399 per 10 grams and $495 per kg respectively, taking cues from global market. For the first fortnight of this month, the import tariff value on gold was fixed at $388 per 10 grams and on silver was $487 per kg. Rupee jumps 20 paise after Budget  Enthused by budgetary proposals to boost exports, the rupee on Monday strengthened for the second day by rising 20 paise to end at 68.42 per dollar on sustained selling of the American currency by banks and exporters. More Business News»

		Environment
		A softshell turtle and a red panda rescued in Arunachal A small Asiatic softshell turtle and a red panda were rescued in Arunachal Pradesh and handed over for rehabilitation, officials said on Monday. Two IRBN personnel rescued the soft-shell turtle at Chimpu and the red panda was rescued by a resident from Kebi village. Scientists up in arms over lay-offs at Oz climate centre  Perched on a wild, windy promontory on the rugged tip of northwestern Tasmania, the tiny Cape Grim research station has been measuring airborne greenhouse gases since 1976. Elephant shot, tail chopped off in Assam More Environment News»

		World
		Super Tuesday to weed out laggards An electoral field crowded with White House aspirants tripping over — and tripping — each other is expected to be winnowed down to putative winners at the conclusion of Super Tuesday when a dozen US states hold party polls to nominate their choice for the presidential race. One dead, four missing as flooding hits Haiti One person died and four others were missing in flooding that hit Haiti, leaving at least 9,600 houses in the deeply impoverished Caribbean country under water, officials have said. Police officer fatally shoots man in North Carolina A police officer in Raleigh, North Carolina fatally shot a man wanted on a drug charge, prompting protests amid accusations that the victim was shot in the back. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Mirchi Music Award: Winners' list The coveted 8th Mirchi Music Awards was held at a star-studded ceremony and well known personalities from the music fraternity graced the event... Shah Rukh Khan slapped by a woman! It does become a big news when you find out that one of the nation's biggest stars got slapped by a woman, as it happened with Shah Rukh Khan. Fan trailer: SRK turns an obsessive stalker A superstar is nothing without a fan and a fan’s existence is connected with the existence of a star. Maneesh Sharma’s much awaited directorial venture ‘Fan’ brings back the polished actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is at his stunning best in the film that talks about the obsession of a fan. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		A virtual 'heroin cave' may help addicts kick habit Addicts in a new study at the University of Houston will strap on virtual reality headsets and navigate a “heroin cave” to help them try and kick their addictions. Leap Year 2016: Why February 29 only happens every four years Nasa explores Mars-like place on Earth More Science News»

		Sports
		Asia Cup: Unbeaten India face bruised Sri Lanka Sri Lanka are coming off a defeat to Bangladesh on Sunday, having beaten UAE in their opening match, and need a win to level on four points. I have no idea of my salary yet, says FIFA head Infantino New FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on his first full working day he still did not know what he would be paid as head of soccer's global governing body. Rohit Sharma likely to miss Sri Lanka match Nursing a toe injury, India opener Rohit Sharma on Monday skipped the team's training session and is likely to miss Tuesday 's Asia Cup T20 match against Sri Lanka. More Sports News»

		Technology
		HTC Desire 626 review: A good looking budget smartphone  HTC has a history of introducing some of the best looking smartphones. Taking its legacy ahead, the company launched its mid-segment smartphone the HTC Desire 626 priced at Rs 13,310. We reviewed the smartphone to check whether its worth the price or not. RHA T20 headphones review: An audiophile's delight Finally India is on the map when it comes to high grade audio. With serious audio comes in serious options. The T20 is one such option from a British headphone company called RHA. Apple to launch 4-inch iPhone SE on March 22: Report Apple's much-speculated 4-inch iPhone is reportedly launching on March 22. More Technology News»

		Education
		Government to create higher education financing agency Government on Monday announced the creation of a Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) with an initial capital base of Rs 1,000 crore which will leverage funds from the market and work to create infrastructure in India's top institutions like the IITs. Certificate course in management of Diabetic Retinopathy launched in Guwahati All set for CBSE exams from March 1 More than 3.28 lakh students in Patna region, comprising Bihar and Jharkhand, are busy with final revisions to write Class X and XII examinations of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) commencing from March 1. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Maharashtra boost: Rs 10,000cr to widen 2,000km of national highways Expect wider national highways in the state, including major stretches on the Mumbai-Goa and Mumbai-Nanded highways, in the next couple of years 'Entry of private players may make BEST better' The entry of private entrepreneurs into the transport sector will not only benefit commuters, but also have a major impact on state agencies, including the BEST undertaking and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation Bajirao Mastani continues winning run at Mirchi Music Awards The return of melody in modern Hindi film music, with strong influences of Sufi and folk, was unmistakable at the country’s most awaited music soiree. The eighth Royal Stag Mirchi Music Awards, powered by Idea Cellular, were distributed at YashRaj Studio in Andheri on Monday evening. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Budget 2016: Delhi gets only Rs 325 crore tax share for 16th year With Delhi's share in central taxes remaining stagnant at Rs 325 crore for the 16th year now despite the state government's demand for Rs 5,000 crore, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that the people of the city, who contribute substantially to the Centre's tax collection, had been "cheated".  Two cops run over by speeding cars Two policemen were killed in Lutyens’ Delhi while they were on their way back to the police lines. Umar, Anirban in police custody for one more day A trial court on Monday extended the police remand of JNU sedition case accused, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, by another day. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		You repair, you conserve at this cafe If every wornout piece of cloth in our house can be recycled into a trendy handbag or reused by ragamuffins sitting across the road, then sustainability will get a new dimension. A kilo of salt for Rs 2, a litre of palm oil for Rs 25, everything else remains the same After Re one per kg rice, the state government on Monday came up with one kg of iodised salt at Rs two and palm oil at Rs 25 per litre for the below poverty line (BPL) and Anthodaya (poorest of the poor) families. Karnataka HC dismisses bail plea of two Nigerians, directs for expediting their trial The Karnataka high court has dismissed the bail petition filed by two Nigerian nationals against whom the Bengaluru police have filed charge sheet citing various offences in relation to online fraud by misusing internet and social media and also collection of huge money. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Seats outnumber students in Telangana A whooping 7.5 lakh seats from a slew of courses ranging from engineering to hotel management have no takers in Telangana since 2012-13 in colleges affiliated to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Hic, hic! Telangana's liquor policy to get a new kick At a time when Telangana government is being criticized for going slow on its proposed liberal policy of liquor sales, the state government is all set to roll out several initiatives to attract the growing women consumers. Ancient water tanks to be tourist hubs In a bid to boost tourism, the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) will now give ancient water tanks a makeover to turn them into major tourist destinations. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Man running away from police fatally run over by train in Tamil Nadu A 42-year-old man was fatally run over by a speeding train on Monday morning when he was fleeing from police who questioned him in connection with an alleged attempt to steal a cow near Vazhapadi in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. Doctors call for national prevention programme to stop 'diabetes tsunami' Terming the growing epidemic of diabetes as a “public health tsunami,” doctors have called for drastic steps through national prevention programmes to stop social, economic and health challenges that are likely to insurmountable. Jayalalithaa lays foundation stone for Uppur power plant Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa laid the foundation stone for 2X800MW Uppur super critical thermal power station in Ramanathapuram district. The plant will commence its commercial operations in September 2019. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat CM terms budget as progressive and inclusive Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today welcomed the Union Budget 2016-17 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha today and said that the budget will create new opportunities of development for the youth and poor people of the country as well it will give impetus to agriculture growth and rural development. Govt seeks time to reply to Mammumiya's discharge plea The state government on Monday sought time from the special TADA court to reply to a discharge application filed by Umarmiya Bukhari alias Mammumiya Panjumiya in connection with an arms case registered in Dariapur police station in 1993. Hearing on Hardik Patel's bail plea adjourned once again The hearing on Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convenor Hardik Patel’s bail plea was adjourned on Monday for the seventh occasion in the sedition case. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Cattle smugglers use ambulance-like van to dodge cops Policemen in Kaushambi were stunned after they seized an ambulance-like traveler vehicle being designed by racketeers involved in cattle smuggling with an intention to dodge the cops. Government hospital doctor refuses to operate HIV patients A surgeon at a govt hospital in Pratagarh refused to operate on two patients with HIV, saying that he wouldn't touch them. The chief medical superintendent of the district hospital has issued him a show-cause notice following an outcry by local social organisations. 142 policemen attacked in 8 districts of Allahabad zone in last one year Around 270 law breakers accused of attacking police parties or policemen between January 1, 2015 and February 15, 2016, are still evading arrest across the Allahabad zone. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Generator smoke kills four in Sundargarh Four persons died and two fell critically ill after getting suffocated by smoke emitted by a generator at Dhotidipa village in Sundargarh district on Monday. Renovation of airstrips may finally take off The state's aviation sector will get a boost if the provisions of the Union Budget 2016 are any indicator. Kendu leaf pluckers hail decision Organizations of kendu leaf pluckers and beedi workers have hailed finance minister Arun Jaitley's announcement of hiking excise duty on all tobacco products except beedi as it will help the sector grow. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		NLIU: 4 students suspended for breach of hostel norms Proctorial board of National Law Institute University (NLIU) on Monday permanently suspended four students from hostel for flouting hostel guidelines. Four bodies stuffed in sacks create sensation in Gwalior Panic prevailed in Gwalior city after the recovery of four bodies stuffed into jute bags found at different locations in the city. They included the bodies of two women and two children - all of the victims belong to the same family. Middle-class betrayed by Union budget: Madhya Pradesh Congress Madhya Pradesh Congress on Monday saw the Union budget as a mere manuscript of words and statistics which utterly failed to live-up to the BJP's dream slogan of `acche din'. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Hansi residents want DSP, SDM booked While the situation is returning to normal in other parts of Haryana, an uneasy calm prevails in Hansi Township of Hisar district where residents have sought registration of case against the SDM, as well as, the DSP of the area. Jat violence victims' kin shoo away minister Haryana's agriculture minister Om Prakash Dhankar was on Sunday shooed away by relatives of four people who were killed in the Jat quota agitation in Jhajjar last week. Traffic relief under Zirakpur flyover by May With the road under Zirakpur flyover turning into a traffic bottleneck, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started widening the stretch. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: MBA graduates recover education spend in 4 years

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, February 29, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		MBA graduates recover education spend in 4 years The individuals have appreciated quantifiable returns on their investment in terms of high employment rates, post-degree salary growth, advancement in their chosen fields and career satisfaction. Why audio cassettes are in demand in these Bengal villages The demand isn’t from retro music lovers but from smugglers of counterfeit currency who use tape to drag bundles of fake Indian notes across the border. Vaccine for cervical cancer must for all? As the Indian government toys with the idea of offering the cervical cancer vaccine to all girl children as part of its national immunisation plan, the issue divided a gathering of national and international oncologists at the Tata NCPA in Mumbai on Saturday. More India News»

		Business
		UK's exit from EU would be a "shock": G20 The global economy will suffer a "shock" if Britain leaves the EU, finance ministers and central bankers from the world's biggest economies, including India, have warned, boosting Prime Minister David Cameron's strong stand against leaving the bloc. Vinod Rai becomes 1st chairman of Banks Board Bureau Former CAG Vinod Rai was on Sunday appointed the first chairman of the Banks Board Bureau, which will advise the government on top-level appointments at public sector lenders and ways to address the bad loans problem among other issues. Jet Airways to launch Delhi-Muscat flight from March Expanding its presence in the Gulf market, private carrier Jet Airways on Sunday announced that it will launch a flight service to Muscat from here next month. The Mumbai-based airline currently operates three daily flights, one each from Mumbai, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, to the Oman capital. More Business News»

		Environment
		Scientists up in arms over lay-offs at Oz climate centre  Perched on a wild, windy promontory on the rugged tip of northwestern Tasmania, the tiny Cape Grim research station has been measuring airborne greenhouse gases since 1976. Elephant shot, tail chopped off in Assam Migratory birds miss their date with Chandlai lake The winged visitors at Chandlai Lake have given a skip to the lake, which in previous seasons had witnessed an impressive turn out of winter migratory birds. More Environment News»

		World
		Four killed in US plane crash Four people, including two children, were killed in a plane crash on Sunday in Navasota, a city southeast of College Station in the US state of Texas. Canada fulfils promise to take 25,000 Syrian refugees Canada has met a self-imposed deadline to accept 25,000 Syrian refugees fleeing their country's civil war, officials said, fulfilling a campaign promise by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. British PM threatened with 'no confidence vote' Conservative ministers and senior backbenchers in the Parliament have threatened a "no confidence vote" if British Prime Minister David Cameron fails to stop the "blue on blue" attacks on fellow Conservatives. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Live blog: 88th Academy Awards 'Raanjhanaa' to 'Yuva': Campus dissent in films As the JNU row continues with protest marches and counter-protests across the country, and new twists and turns everyday, it seems nothing short of a Bollywood script. Saifeena to make a movie with Raj-Shilpa Saif Ali Khan and Raj Kundra have reportedly decided to jointly produce a movie together. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		NASA invites India to jointly explore Mars, send astronauts Asteroid 2013 TX68 may impact Earth in 2017: Nasa India to establish lab to study gravitational waves: Narendra Modi India has decided to establish a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) where gravitational waves can be studied, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday. In his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, Modi said Indian scientists were also in the research team that studied gravitational waves. More Science News»

		Sports
		Kohli vs Amir is as exciting as my duel with Sachin: Shoaib Shoaib feels that Mohammad Amir and Virat Kohli's face-offs will also go down in cricket history as an epic duel. 'Knock against Pakistan was learning curve for me' Virat Kohli believes his match-winning 49-run knock against arch-rivals Pakistan, which helped his team successfully chase down a tricky total, was a great learning experience for him on how to build an innings in tough situations. Asia Cup: Bangladesh upset SL to keep hopes alive Bangladesh registered a 23-run upset victory over defending champions Sri Lanka in a round robin league encounter to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the final of Asia Cup T20 on Sunday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		15 most inspiring quotes of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs If you're looking for some inspiration, here are some of his most thought-provoking or motivational words. Freedom 251: 'Making' of world's cheapest phone The duo who got married in January this year allude to their lack of pedigree and profile for the dollops of scepticism directed at them. 12 things Microsoft does better than Apple As the second-most-valuable company in the world, Apple gets all the attention when it comes to its technology. But Microsoft is doing some really cool stuff that Apple hasn't even begun to (publicly) discuss. In fact, Apple is taking its cues from Microsoft in some key areas. More Technology News»

		Education
		Certificate course in management of Diabetic Retinopathy launched in Guwahati All set for CBSE exams from March 1 More than 3.28 lakh students in Patna region, comprising Bihar and Jharkhand, are busy with final revisions to write Class X and XII examinations of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) commencing from March 1. 25 lakh students to appear for CBSE exams this year Over 25 lakh students have registered this year for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exams-the highest in the history of the exam and 6.3% more than last year's total. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Women to get letters for auto permits today Women who won the autorickshaw permit lottery recently will receive their letter of intent on Monday for plying the three wheelers. Couple ends up marrying on jetty after boat with guests capsizes A young couple ended up getting married on the Naigaon jetty as most of the guests belonging to the marriage party were stranded there after a boat ferrying the procession capsized on Sunday morning. Around 15 of the 60 people, who were in the boat, were rescued by locals while one person, Ramchandra Mhatre, 60, drowned. Lent sees mercy in action as good deeds pool money Religion commonly warns that people must pay for their sins, but making the faithful pay for their good deeds is also working well for a church in Borivli. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Reach out to masses, students urged What JNU students stand for is the “politics of reason”, says Lawrence Liang, co-founder of the Alternative Law Forum. And unless they design “campaigns that converse with large numbers, they’ll be trumped by the politics of sentiment.” Case shift means no sedition proof: JNU students The shifting of their case to the anti-terror cell is a “sure sign the government has no evidence for sedition,” feel Jawaharlal Nehru University students. Gaucher's needs early treatment In a country where thousands die due to rare diseases before celebrating their first birthday, Sashank Tyagi has survived for 26 years with Gaucher’s disease. The Ghaziabad resident is one of the oldest surviving Gaucher’s patient in India, say doctors. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		132 academicians: Oust Prof Pollock from Murty Library The ongoing controversy over the Jawaharlal Nehru University has now reached the doorsteps of the Murty Classical Library of India (MCLI) that seeks to make available to the world, great literary works of India from the past two millennia. KIA gets platinum rating for green initiatives Sivakasi's little fire extinguisher inventor feted wanted my mother to be safe, mothers of my classmates to be safe and the society I was living in to be safe." That's the driving force for Jayakumar, the 13-year-old inventor of a low-cost fire extinguisher from Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. He was felicitated by Beyond Carlton on Saturday for his innovation. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Seats outnumber students in Telangana A whooping 7.5 lakh seats from a slew of courses ranging from engineering to hotel management have no takers in Telangana since 2012-13 in colleges affiliated to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Hic, hic! Telangana's liquor policy to get a new kick At a time when Telangana government is being criticized for going slow on its proposed liberal policy of liquor sales, the state government is all set to roll out several initiatives to attract the growing women consumers. Ancient water tanks to be tourist hubs In a bid to boost tourism, the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) will now give ancient water tanks a makeover to turn them into major tourist destinations. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Jaya's loyalist lays foundation stone for 1st Amma temple If all goes well as per the plan of MGR youth wing joint secretary of Virugambakkam constituency A P Srinivasan, the first ever temple for state chief minister J Jayalalithaa would come up in Iyeppedu village, 60km from Vellore, by the end of this year. App to be launched to help Chennaiites locate e-toilets Chennaiites can soon locate the nearest electronic toilets (e-toilets) with the help of a mobile app. The Greater Chennai Corporation and Eram Scientific Solutions (ESS) will launch on Monday a mobile application to help people locate e-toilets in the city. Woman, son die as house collapses near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu A 55-year-old woman and her son died when the first floor of their house collapsed near Sankarankoil in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Sunday. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		IT search operations at realty firm yields Rs 6.5 cr unaccounted cash After four days of search operations and survey, the investigation wing of the Income Tax department recovered Rs 6.5 crore of unaccounted cash and 20 bank lockers from various premises of city-based real-estate firm JP Iscon Group. Gujarat to get Spices Park, quality testing lab soon Soon, producers and traders of spices in the state will be able to process, test and export spices from Gujarat itself. It's smarter preparation for students this exam season With the season for board, semester and competitive examinations here, city students are tackling the common mind-block syndrome by ditching last-minute cramming and opting for ways that enable better retention and ensure smoother sailing. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		142 policemen attacked in 8 districts of Allahabad zone in last one year Around 270 law breakers accused of attacking police parties or policemen between January 1, 2015 and February 15, 2016, are still evading arrest across the Allahabad zone. 'In SAARC, Pak creating most problems' Among its member-nations, Pakistan is the one creating most problems, so SAARC should think of moving ahead without it if the situation so demands, said strategic expert Major General (Retd) G D Bakshi on Saturday. Play with bold theme stopped at BHU Based on the life of a prostitute a play - `Mugalatey' - being staged at the Onkar Nath Thakur Auditorium at Banaras Hindu University was stopped in the mid by a professor, who did not find the storyline and theme of the play `suitable' for an institute like BHU. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Moderate rain continues across state Several places in the state witnessed light to moderate rain during the last two days. Man impaled by 5-ft rod survives after surgery A five-feet long, 1.5 feet wide iron rod, which pierced through a man's chest on Friday evening, was removed in a three-and-a-half-hour surgery in the early hours on Saturday. Girl found dead on railway track The government railway police (GRP) on Saturday recovered the body of a girl from a railway track at Kuhudi station in Khurda district on Saturday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Congress workers held after protest over smart city proposal Ten Congress workers, including its Bhopal district president PC Sharma, were arrested for protesting against the proposal to develop smart city in Shivaji Nagar, Tulsi Nagar and adjoining areas. 66-year old French national found dead at Tuli Tiger Resort A 66-year old French woman was found dead in her hotel room in Tuli Tiger Resort, Kanha, situated in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. 66-year-old French national found dead at Tuli Tiger Resort A 66-year old French woman was found dead in her hotel room in Tuli Tiger Resort, Kanha situated in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		'Six men stopped a car, dragged 2 women to fields' Two more eyewitnesses claimed on Sunday they had seen women being attacked on National Highway-1 at Murthal during the Jat quota agitation. Ramesh Kumar, a 46-yearold truck driver, claimed he had seen six men stopping a white Alto with two women inside it at Murthal around 8pm on February 21. Haryana FM claims Rs 28cr relief for property damage A mob had burnt down three bungalows of the minister and his relatives in Rohtak. Punjab bans sale of army uniform Punjab government today imposed a ban on the sale of army uniforms across the state. More Chandigarh News»

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