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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