News Digest: Hizb chief hails militants, cops rescue his son during J&K operation

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, February 26, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Hizb chief hails militants, cops rescue his son during J&K operation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin hailed three slain Lashkar-e-Taiba militants for giving “a tough fight” to Indian security forces during the Pampore encounter even as J&K police and paramilitary forces safely evacuated his younger son Syed Mueen, a computer analyst working at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute, just before the three militants stormed the government building last Saturday. Govt backed violent lawyers, lax cops: Opposition A united opposition trained its guns on the government over recent incidents at JNU and Patiala House, alleging that the lawyers who attacked Kanhaiya Kumar and journalists in the courts complex were backed by Delhi Police and their political bosses. Over 1,600 posts vacant in CBI The CBI faces a 23% shortage of manpower, with as many as 1,656 of its 7,274 sanctioned posts vacant as on February 1, 2016, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. More India News»

		Business
		RBI to infuse Rs 12k cr via open market operations To ease the current liquidity crunch which could also help in lowering yields, the RBI on Thursday announced it will infuse up to Rs 12,000 crore into the market through open market operations (OMOs) on March 3. Banks may have to issue swipe machines in proportion to cards Cardholders can look forward to making cashless transactions at many more retail outlets with the RBI set to issue a direction to banks for improving the acceptance infrastructure. Besides asking banks to install point of sales (POS) terminals in proportion to the number of cards they have issued, the RBI will also come out with regulations rationalizing the merchant discount rate - the charges imposed by card companies on retailers. Disappointment over railway budget dents markets  Disappointment over the railway budget, coupled with negative Asian indices and derivatives expiry, subdued Indian equity markets on Thursday. This led to the Sensex provisionally closing the day's trade down 113 points, or 0.49 per cent. More Business News»

		Environment
		Drought-hit Zambia loses battle to save forests Despite concerted efforts to reduce deforestation, this season's poor rainfall — influenced by the El Nino weather phenomenon — is causing food and power shortages that could force more Zambian villagers to turn to the forests for fuel and income. Centre offers Rs 1.9k crore for solar energy till Jan-end Endangered monkey-eating eagle shot at in Philippine An endangered monkey-eating eagle which was released into the wild under a conservation programme is now fighting for survival after being shot, a Philippine conservation group said on Wednesday. A man surrendered to the Philippine Eagle Foundation and also handed over the injured bird. More Environment News»

		World
		US proposes sharp ramping up of N Korea sanctions at UN The United States presented a draft UN Security Council resolution on Thursday that would dramatically tighten existing restrictions on North Korea after its January 6 nuclear test and create the toughest UN sanctions regime in over two decades. 10 EU nations agree to bar entry of refugees Austria and nine Balkan states have agreed on several measures to choke off the flow of refugees from Greece, effectively imposing their own response to the migrant crisis while the European Union has been paralysed over what to do. Egyptian president Sisi 'put on sale' on eBay  More World News»

		Entertainment
		Movie Review: Aligarh Aligarh stays with you much after you see it, especially for Bajpayee and his nuanced portrayal of a man brutally put to shame by an intrusive and insensitive society. 'Senseless to have item numbers in films' The voice behind songs like Iktara and Tumhi Ho Bandhu, Kavita Seth is delighted that her new song Jeete Hain Chal from Neerja has been received well by the audience. The singer, who is known for her penchant for Sufi music, talks about being selective, why item numbers are just a fad and how Sufi music is gaining popularity. Dutt recalls first jail term and drug problem More Entertainment News»

		Science
		A robot that has fun at telemarketers' expense By night, Roger Anderson wages battles against evil telemarketers, tweaking and honing a robot that can talk endlessly to telemarketers, wasting their time so they don’t have to waste yours. New bio-inspired material to harvest water from thin air Harvard scientists have designed a new material inspired by organisms such as cacti, pitcher plants and desert beetles that can effectively harvest water from thin air. The research is the first step towards developing a system that can efficiently collect water and guide it to a reservoir, researchers said. Using thin avatars in gaming can help you stay fit Gamers who use thin avatars show increased physical activity compared to those who use obese avatars, a new study has found. More Science News»

		Sports
		Pakistan gets government go-ahead for World T20 The Pakistan government has cleared the PCB to send the national team to India for next month's ICC World Twenty20, with board chairman Shahryar Khan saying that he would request the ICC to arrange for additional security details for Shahid Afridi's squad. Djokovic quits Dubai quarter-final, ends 17 finals streak Novak Djokovic quit the Dubai Tennis Championships after dropping the first set of his quarter-final against Feliciano Lopez on Thursday, ending his streak of 17 successive finals. Harbhajan not treated well by Indian cricket: Saqlain Saqlain, who has 208 Test and 288 ODI wickets, said dropping a top grade performer according to convenience is not the best example to set. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Xiaomi Mi 5: Here's why it fails to excite Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi finally announced its flagship smartphone Mi 5 at an exclusive event in Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. The smartphone has been under speculations for months now. Xiaomi VP Hugo Barra said that the all-new Xiaomi phone Mi 5 has lots to offer, several tech enthusiast are not convinced.So, here is all that's new in Xiaomi Mi 5 and why it fails to excite us. Freedom 251 'review': Let's wait till deliveries start 8 tips to extend your smartphone's battery life Plenty of companies have been developing smarter battery technology for years, including methods to increase battery capacity tenfold or charge devices by pulling energy from the air. More Technology News»

		Education
		No decision on amendment to RTE Act, government says Union HRD minister Smriti Irani told Rajya Sabha on Thursday that no decision has been taken to amend the Right to Education (RTE) Act. she also said that issues related to the 'no-detention' policy are being examined by a committee working on the evolution of a New Education Policy. Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Exam notification issued The notification for Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGLE) 2016 is out. The examination is conducted for recruitments to various posts across departments and ministries under the Government of India. Army organizes free tuition for Kashmiri students Taking a step forward to establish meaningful contact with the youth, the Indian Army on Thursday announced that it has been organizing free tuition classes for needy students in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The Army said the aim is to create better future prospects for the students. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Six organisations from across India receive a grant of Rs 1.5 million Tata Trusts and the Harvard University South Asia Institute (SAI) have recently announced a grant of Rs 1.5 Million for six organizations from across India. Dutt earned Rs 38,000 making paper bags in jail, will walk out with Rs 450 Movie star Dutt, reduced to radio in prison, a free man More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Passengers upbeat about new facilities, no fare hike As railway minister Suresh Prabhu presented the budget on Thursday, passengers were seen intently watching the screens outside New Delhi station. Most had a relieved look on their faces as fares were not hiked. Other things that pleased them included CCTVs, Wi-Fi and cancellation facility through helpline 139. Coolies, however, did not seem upbeat about the change in their title to ‘sahayak’. Rly minister proposes to 'ring' in change The Ring Rail project that appeared to have been given a quiet burial over the years got a shot in the arm on Thursday when Union minister Suresh Prabhu announced a plan for its revival. Prabhu said all the 21 stations of ring railway will be modernised under the PPP model and that a master plan be prepared for their renovation in the next four months. Road-railers to ease snarls, cut emission The Delhi division of NR on Thursday signed a pact with a private company to start a road-railer service by next month. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Karnataka's only gain: Line to Kushalnagar Karnataka found little to cheer in the railway budget, with big projects like the suburban train for Bengaluru once again left out in the cold. While railway minister Suresh Prabhu did mention that the Centre would partner the state in the project, he failed to allocate funds for it. Take a train to Kodagu in 4-5 years The hilly region of Kodagu, Karnataka's only district still without a rail connection, will finally get one, may be after 4-5 years. Egged on by cops, crew lock Bengaluru girl in bus A design school student spent a harrowing 45 minutes on a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus after its crew, along with a few policemen and a mob, allegedly locked her inside the vehicle near Yelahanka police station here on Wednesday night. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Tipu's 'Outlook' faces demolition threat GHMC eyes Water Board land to dump garbage JAC flays Irani for 'manipulation' of facts in Parliament More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Rahul, Amit Shah and other leaders to visit poll-bound Tamil Nadu With election season hotting up in Tamil Nadu, top leaders of national parties are headed for the state in March. Madras HC releases posters to create awareness on juveniles in conflict with law Posters, boards and a handbook to create awareness on children/juveniles in conflict with law were released at the Madras high court on Thursday. Madras high court allows PMK to hold meeting The Madras high court on Thursday allowed Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) to hold a meeting at Urupakkam on the outskirts of Chennai by adhering to the conditions imposed by authorities. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Petitioner questions why panel not formed for selection of vigilance commissioner A petitioner, who has demanded appointment of a retired judicial officer on the post of vigilance commissioner, submitted before Gujarat high court on Thursday that the state government is required to form a selection panel to finalize name of the commissioner. Robot shows Bapu Ashram to old couple The latest innovation in robotics has helped Mysore-based parents of Harsh Kikkeri, director of the firm, Advanced Development, and the son of Joy Doctor, a local businessman, see Sabarmati Ashram despite them not being present in Ahmedabad Bill to broaden NA permission's scope cleared in assembly The Gujarat assembly on Wednesday passed The Gujarat Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2016, to relax norms for the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		JNU row: Lawyers beat up Allahabad protesters  A group of lawyers of the Allahabad district court chased the protesters seeking JNU student leaders'release after thrashing them resulting into injuries to around half-a-dozen of activists. High Court: Conviction of former chief secretary, top babu correct Over a two-decade-old plot scam returned to haunt UP's former chief secretary Neera Yadav and senior IAS officer Rajeev Kumar when the Allahabad high court upheld their conviction on Wednesday . HC upholds graft verdict against ex-UP secretary, top babu The Allahabad high court on Wednesday upheld former Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Neera Yadav and IAS officer Rajeev Kumar’s conviction in a scam related to plots of land in Noida. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Naveen 'happy' over allocation to Odisha in railway budget Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday thanked Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu for a fair allocation to the state in the railway budget, 2016. Odisha traders up in arms against malls In an attempt to compete with big shopping malls and organised retail sector, Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha-a state level association of traders and retailers, has decided to create a hub. The hub will purchase various grocery and food items in bulk and sale in a competitive price to customers. Taliban links of SIMI operatives surface: Police Recent arrest of five 'SIMI operatives' from Rourkela has brought to fore a startling revelation, involving their suspected links with dreaded Taliban, police sources confirmed on Wednesday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Let the dogs bark, Justice Faizanuddin speaks his mind on sedition Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Faizanuddin, who delivered the landmark judgment on sedition in Balwant Singh versus State of Punjab in 1995, told TOI on Thursday that sedition can be slapped only in rare cases and the government should curb its frivolous use. Trickle-down sops, tiger circuit only cheer for MP in rail budget With a capital outlay of Rs 4,325 crore which is 23% more than last year, Madhya Pradesh has some reason for cheer in the rail budget announced by Union minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday.  Shivraj, Tomar hails, Congress flays rail budget 2016 Even as the railways is working on a plan to turn Habibganj station into a major hub of Central India by redeveloping it into a world-class railway station, the Rail budget presented by minister Suresh Prabhu sincerely lacks the commitment that all major trains will have stoppage and halt at this station. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		For 2nd day, HC weighs in on claims of Sonipat rapes IG who had 'sensed' the disorder gets suspended A police officer who was serving as the inspector general (Rohtak range) when the ongoing violence erupted last week is among three cops suspended by the Haryana government on Thursday. Two DSPs were suspended as well. Congress writes to Maharashtra CM about planning committee More Chandigarh News»

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