News Digest: Finance minister sounded like PC in pitching for MGNREGA: Rahul Gandhi

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, March 03, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Finance minister sounded like PC in pitching for MGNREGA: Rahul Gandhi Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi was relaxed, quick to banter and showed a willingness to engage in his speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Despite several interruptions, he never lost his cool. Congress guns for Gujarat CM to deflect Karti, Ishrat bullets Congress on Wednesday attacked PM Narendra Modi for the alleged allocation of 422 acres of land at throwaway prices to the business associates of Anar Jayesh Patel, daughter of Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel. Modi govt plans reek of hypocrisy: Azad The motion of thanks to the President’s address in RS on Wednesday saw heated exchanges between the government and the opposition with leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad accusing the government of hypocrisy and doublespeak. More India News»

		Business
		Saudi raises crude price to Europe, Asia, cuts it for US Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude exporter, Wednesday raised the April prices of its oil to Asia and Europe but cut it slightly for shipments to the United States. Facebook, CitrusPay tie up to facilitate e-comm Sun Pharma to take on antacids with 'Pepmelt' Sun Pharma is stepping on the gas for growing the consumer healthcare segment. The drug maker is launching an ayurvedic digestive remedy to take on popular antacids on retail shelves, including Eno (GSK Consumer Healthcare), Digene (Abbott India), Pudin Hara (Dabur) and Gelusil (Pfizer). More Business News»

		Environment
		Greenpeace says China increasing coal-fired capacity Greenpeace East Asia said that China had a total of 210 coal power projects in the pipeline for environmental assessment despite overcapacity in the industry and pollution concerns. Of those, 95 projects received final regulatory permits that would allow construction to begin, it said. Osama urged US to fight climate change Osama bin Laden wrote a letter calling on the American people to help President Barack Obama fight "catastrophic" climate change and "save humanity", in the latest evidence of his worries about environmental issues, newly released documents show. In-principle approval given to 4 new tiger reserves The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given in-principle approval for creation of four new tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam and Chhattisgarh, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. More Environment News»

		World
		EU politicos begin inquiry into VW scandal A look at the new UN sanctions on North Korea A UN resolution unanimously adopted Wednesday ratchets up sanctions on North Korea, with a raft of new measures that are the toughest yet to hit the reclusive country. 18 killed in car bomb against Syrian insurgents Eighteen fighters were killed in a car bomb blast that hit a Syrian insurgent group in the southern province of Quneitra on Wednesday, a monitoring group reported, and a rebel source said the attack was likely carried out by hardline Islamists. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Akshay: We don't take interest in real issues In the first 20-odd years of his Bollywood screen life, Akshay Kumar seemed content being the quintessential mainstream action hero. Bollywood celebs and their stepmoms Arjun Kapoor had always been tight-lipped about his equation with stepmom, Sridevi, until he decided to spill the beans on a TV show. 'No Bed of Roses' for Irrfan Khan Well, that’s true that Irrfan’s journey as an actor’s hasn’t been like a bed of roses. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		UK firm introduces country's first 'period leave' for women A community and arts centre based in Bristol, south-west England, has become the first employer in Britain to introduce so-called "period leave" for women. Briton among first patients to be injected with cancer vaccine A young British woman has become one of the first cancer patients to be injected with a new vaccine designed to stimulate the immune system so that it destroys tumours wherever they have spread in the body. First gene behind grey hair discovered Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have discovered the first gene responsible for greying hair, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments to delay or block the process. More Science News»

		Sports
		Bumrah will find difficult to sustain with this action: Aaqib Former Pakistan fast bowler and current United Arab Emirates coach Aaqib Javed feels that Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will "find it difficult" to sustain for long without injury in international cricket with his unusual action. Asia Cup: Bangladesh set up title date with India A spirited Bangladesh continued their giant killing act with a stunning five-wicket win over Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller to set up a title clash against India in the Asia Cup. Laxman approached me for India coach job: Hussey Michael Hussey was approached by former India batsman VVS Laxman for the post of Indian team's head coach, the ex-Australian cricketer has revealed in his latest book. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google Maps for iOS introduces real-time detour mapping Google Maps users, you can now easily add pit stops to your trips on iPhones. The feature added to Android sometime back is now available on iOS too. 7 Biggest battery-saving myths With that backdrop in mind, here are seven biggest battery-saving myths. Vivo launches Xplay 5, world's first smartphone with 6GB RAM Vivo has launched its flagship device Xplay 5. The company has introduced two variants of the smartphone, one with 6GB RAM and Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and the other with 4GB RAM and Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. More Technology News»

		Education
		SC: Bring LLB on par with MBBS, BTech The Supreme Court on Wednesday started the arduous task of initiating “long overdue” reforms in legal education and in the profession of advocacy to put the LLB degree on a par with those of MBBS and BTech. Madhya Pradesh inks $300mn pact with World Bank on education Union government, Madhya Pradesh government and the World Bank signed a US$ 300 million credit agreement on Tuesday for the 'MP higher education quality improvement project'. Easy start to Class XII exam eases nerves The CBSE Class XII board exams kicked off on Tuesday with the paper on English.Students, who had expected a far tougher paper, were pleasantly surprised with the questions, which many said was easier than last year's. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Corporators raise stink over trash in drains Corporators on Wednesday slammed the civic administration over garbage choking all drains in the city. BMC removes illegal boards of Bandra shops Bandra (W) shop owners complained about high-handedness by municipal officials after signboards of 20 shops and compound tiles of a commercial-cum-residential building were demolished on Wednesday. Beggar caught pelting stones at cars on WEH A pavement dweller was detained for pelting stones at vehicles on the Western Express Highway in Goregaon (E) early on Wednesday. A couple of motorists sustained injuries. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Only certified photographers at ASI monuments The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is amending its photography policy and making it mandatory for photographers to be licensed to operate commercially in protected monuments. Sick of hiding, Umar's family joins march Kulsum Fatima (25), the younger sister of Umar Khalid, is “sick of hiding”. “I am a public person. We were getting threats but we filed an FIR and have got protection,” she says. JNU must answer why peace eludes campus: HC Starting Kanhiaya Kumar’s bail order with lines of a patriotic song from the film Upkaar, Delhi High Court pilloried the JNU faculty and student leaders for allowing anti-national event on campus. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bengaluru student wins ticket to Classmate Spell Bee national finals Healthcare focussed startups get a boost Leaders must stop discrimination to rid untouchability among followers: Archbishop More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Telangana to enter agreement with Maharashtra on irrigation projects Soon, Tirumala to have advanced surveillance system Telangana doctors allege foul play in repatriation process The bifurcation cum repatriation process of government doctors working in the twin states has hit a new low, with Telangana Government Doctors' Association (TGDA) now alleging large scale irregularities in the way documents were uploaded in the AP Reorganisation portal. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Linen weaves its way into world of saris When Anusha Dayanidhi had to attend a wedding reception, she did not opt for the traditional silk. A chic linen sari, paired with a beautiful blouse was her pick. Engineers to pedal, push for traditional farming methods Two city engineers who gave up the cushy confines of their IT offices to take up farming have planned to cycle across villages of India next month, with the goal of accumulating knowledge about traditional farming methods that have lost significance since the rise of chemical farming. Corpn spends Rs 22L on `budget bags' in 5 years A bag is an integral part of a budget, whether it is a civic body budget or the Union Budget. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat wrestler sisters rub shoulders with Aamir, Salman on shoots of Dangal, Sultan Jain Bal Diksha case: Fourth warrant issued against monk A magisterial court has issued bailable warrant on fourth occasion against the Jain monk, who had sought eight months’ time to walk to Ahmedabad from Kolkata to face criminal prosecution. J A Khan is state's new No. 2 forester J A Khan, chairman of the Gujarat Biodiversity Board, has been appointed as the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife).Khan replaces S C Pant who retired on Monday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Notorious criminal, wanted by Mumbai police, held in Allahabad In a joint operation, Special Task Force (Allahabad unit) with the help of Mumbai police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested a hardcore criminal identified as, Mohd Aslam Israel, a resident of Antoo (Pratapgarh) near Mayo Hall crossing while plotting to escape from the city. The police have also recovered a SUV without registration from his possession. Dacoit Babuli Kol gang thrashes labourers after asking their caste, seeks goonda tax Making his presence felt in the badlands of Bundelkhand again, dreaded dacoit Babuli Kol allegedly thrashed around a dozen labourers and sought "goonda tax" from the contractors working on a road at Unchadeeh under Manikpur police station of Chitrakoot district in wee hours of Wednesday. HIV patients get aid, to be operated on Finally the three HIV positive patients of Pratapgrah district, who were refused to be operated by a surgeon at district hospital of Pratapgrah, would be operated by the same doctor on Wednesday . More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Human trafficking gang nabbed Naveen urges Centre to start construction of ESIC hospital in the city Billionaire Odisha MLA booked for harassment Sanatan Mahakud, an Independent billionaire MLA from Champua in mineral-rich Keonjhar district, was on Tuesday booked by Mahila police here for allegedly torturing a woman, who claims to be his daughter-in-law. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		SECL mining issue: Green panel issues warrant against Umaria collector Madhya Pradesh inks $300mn pact with World Bank on education Union government, Madhya Pradesh government and the World Bank signed a US$ 300 million credit agreement on Tuesday for the 'MP higher education quality improvement project'. Vyapam scam: HC grants bail to builder Vipin Goyal Madhya Pradesh high court on Tuesday granted bail to Bhopal-based builder Vipin Goyal who is an accused in Vyapam recruitment scam. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		56 Ludhiana schools face closure for not adhering to norms Ludhiana tops the state with maximum schools not adhering to the guidelines of the Punjab School Education Board. 56 schools in the district and 44 in Sangrur district face closure due to non-compliance. Angry villagers damage vehicle in minister's cavalcade Angry over poor drainage system in the village, Kuttiwal residents in Bathinda district attacked a police vehicle which was accompanying PWD minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon during his visit to the area on Wednesday. Now, shell out more for liquor in Haryana With the Haryana cabinet giving nod to 50% increase in excise duty in addition to a 2% hike in VAT, country liquor (CL) and Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) will now cost more in the state. The additional revenue generated will be utilised for welfare functions and social activities More Chandigarh News»

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