News Digest: ASI tried to kill Odisha minister 5 times in 2 weeks: Police

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, February 01, 2023
		Today's Headlines

		India
		ASI tried to kill Odisha minister 5 times in 2 weeks: Police The Odisha police officer who fatally shot state health minister Naba Kisore Das last Sunday had been looking for an opportunity to attack him on five occasions in the past fortnight before coming close enough to fire two rounds at his target in Jharsuguda’s Brajarajnagar, the crime branch claimed Tuesday. In 26-day trial, UP man given life term for abducting minor Boy, 6, testifies, nails mom and her lover for dad's killing More India News»

		Science
		52 avian species observed in Ladakh under Asian Waterbird Census Fifty-two avian species were observed in the 'Asian Waterbird Census-2023' conducted in the Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said. The GoI-UNDP Himalaya project and department of wildlife protection had organised the census between January 17 and January 19 in collaboration with Ladakh biodiversity council, they said. Earth likely to cross 1.5 degree warming in next decade: AI study predicts Study finds link between depression and risk of heart disease in young adults More Science News»

		Technology
		Coin Master: January 31, 2023 Free Spins and Coins link Players can gather coins in this game in a variety of ways. Players can raid and attack the towns of other players in order to steal cash. You can even get free extra spins in this game. Coin Master offers free spins that can be used to gather coins and other prizes. Garena Free Fire Max Redeem Codes for January 31: Claim your daily rewards The developers of the game are always incorporating new alphanumeric codes into it. Players can win complimentary prizes by using these codes. These codes can also be used to unlock different steps and acquire various reward points. Poco X5 Pro launch: Company betting big on 'lean' smartphone lineup in 2023, says India head Himanshu Tandon Poco X5 Pro: When asked about the specifications, the executive did share some information. “The USP of the upcoming Poco X5 Pro will be a 778G SoC, 108MP main camera, and a 5,000mAh battery, among others,” said Tandon. “Also, Poco X5 Pro will also be the first smartphone from Xiaomi to get MIUI 14 out-of-the-box,” he added. More Technology News»

		Business
		Big-ticket investors ensure Adani FPO 112% subscribed Support from high networth investors ensured India’s biggest follow-on public offering (FPO), the Rs 20,000-crore Adani Enterprises’ (AEL) issue, achieved full subscription on the last day of bidding. However, there was a tepid response from retail investors and employees. The flagship of the Adani Group received total bids for 5.1 crore shares, against the offer size of 4.6 crore shares, on January 31, the third and final day of retail bidding, representing a 112% subscription. Economy to grow 6-6.8% next year, recovery complete: Economic Survey The annual Economic Survey for 2022-23 projected the economy to grow by somewhere between 6% and 6.8%, depending on global factors in 2023-24, with 6.5% a baseline expectation. While admitting that the world economy faces considerable uncertainty that could affect India’s growth, the survey struck a confident note, mirroring the sunny posture of the government, which plans to showcase the recovery on its watch as one of the main pitches for the 2024 polls. Adani stock rout costs India spot in world's top five markets In the run-up to the Budget and amid heavy selloff in Adani Group stocks, foreign funds have taken out a little over $2 billion, or about Rs 17,300 crore from the Indian market in three trading sessions. The fall in Adani stocks —that have seen over $67 billion or about Rs 5. 6 lakh crore being wiped off their combined market capitalisation since January 24 — also dragged down India’s market valuation by nearly $150 billion. More Business News»

		Sports
		Doesn't matter what surface you play on: Surya plays down 'shocker' pitch controversy The Ekana Stadium pitch controversy which erupted after India skipper Hardik Pandya termed the surface a 'shocker', it led to the sacking of the curator. But the vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav on Tuesday downplayed the saga saying that the team is fine with any type of surface they get. On the eve of the series deciding third and final T20I against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, Surya said that things like the wicket aren't in the hands of the players and they have got to accept, adapt and move on with the situation at hand. Hockey India advertises for new Chief Coach: Who are the likely candidates? It didn't take much time for Hockey India (HI) to react to the team's dismal show at the Men's Hockey World Cup. President Dilip Tirkey and other HI officials met the team and the coaching staff led by Graham Reid after they arrived from Rourkela having finished joint 9th in the tournament. And the day after Germany were crowned the champions in Bhubaneswar, chief coach Reid, analytical coach Greg Clark and scientific advisor Mitchell David Pemberton tendered their resignations. Babita Phogat included in Oversight Committee to probe allegations vs WFI The Sports Ministry on Tuesday added former wrestler Babita Phogat's name in the Oversight Committee after several wrestlers expressed their displeasure that they were not consulted before the formation of the panel. More Sports News»

		Education
		upGrad's Hyderabad learner records CTC hike of 233% during 2022; Higher-Edtech facilitates 130+ career transitions in Telangana AFDR Punjab releases fact-finding ground report on pollution from Zira distillery The AFDR Punjab released a report about the pollution in case of the distillery Malbros International Pvt Ltd at village Mansooorwal Kalan. The report says that the residents of the villages near the distillery have been protesting because of the pollution. Read the article below to find out more details. IGNOU introduces PG diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication in 3 languages, check details IGNOU has launched a new Postgraduate diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication program. The program is available in the online mode and in three languages- English, Hindi, and Tamil. Eligibility is based on a bachelor's degree in any discipline. The duration of the program is one year. How to register for IGNOU PG diploma in Journalism? Candidates can follow the steps shared above. The fee for the program is Rs 12,500. More Education News»

		Environment
		Germany pledges $222 million for Brazil environment, Amazon German development minister Svenja Schulze announced Monday that her government will make 204 million euros ($222 million) available for environmental policies in Brazil. Three dead as rain pounds New Zealand's largest city Auckland Authorities declared a state of emergency for the Auckland region and the nation's new Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, flew to the city on a military plane to assess the damage. Hipkins was sworn in to the top job on Wednesday after Jacinda Ardern resigned. India now home to 70% of world's tigers, govt tells SC The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that there is an annual growth of 6% in tiger population, which offset natural losses. India achieved the target of doubling the tiger population in 2018, four years ahead of schedule of the St Petersburg Declaration on tiger conservation, it said. and is now home to 70% of world’s tigers. More Environment News»

		World
		Pakistan mosque blast that killed 100 was 'revenge against police' A suicide blast at a mosque inside a Pakistan police headquarters was a targeted revenge attack, a police chief said Tuesday, as rescue efforts ended with the death toll standing at 100. Between 300 and 400 policemen had gathered for afternoon prayers at the compound's mosque on Monday in the provincial capital Peshawar when an entire wall and most of the roof were blown out, showering rubble on officers. Winter weather cancels flights, leads to death in Texas Winter weather brought ice to Texas and nearby states Tuesday, causing the cancellation of more than 980 flights and delays to nearly 800 more. US secy of state Blinken renews appeal for Israel-Palestinian calm More World News»

		Environment
		Germany pledges $222 million for Brazil environment, Amazon German development minister Svenja Schulze announced Monday that her government will make 204 million euros ($222 million) available for environmental policies in Brazil. Three dead as rain pounds New Zealand's largest city Auckland Authorities declared a state of emergency for the Auckland region and the nation's new Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, flew to the city on a military plane to assess the damage. Hipkins was sworn in to the top job on Wednesday after Jacinda Ardern resigned. India now home to 70% of world's tigers, govt tells SC The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that there is an annual growth of 6% in tiger population, which offset natural losses. India achieved the target of doubling the tiger population in 2018, four years ahead of schedule of the St Petersburg Declaration on tiger conservation, it said. and is now home to 70% of world’s tigers. More Environment News»

		Hyderabad
		Worker falls to death in Secunderabad's Cantonment nala A 38-year-old contract worker of Secunderabad Cantonment Board fell to his death in a nala in Bowenpally on Tuesday. Police said Yalesh collapsed while conducting anti-larvae operations and fogging and fell into Chinnathokata nala. On Eatala Rajender turf, Telangana minister KT Rama Rao rakes up central funds promise Alleging former minister Eatala Rajender promised the moon during the Huzurabad by-election, municipal administration and IT minister KT Rama Rao has asked the BJP MLA where were the flood of funds from the Centre after getting elected as a legislator in October 2021. Formula E race is on track, traffic diversions from Sun In view of the upcoming Formula E race, the government on Tuesday announced that it will be blocking traffic from the Telugu Talli flyover to Khairatabad flyover and from Mint compound to Imax from February 5 onwards. Chief secretary Santhi Kumari conducted a review meeting on Tuesday in this regard with officials. More Hyderabad News»

		Chandigarh
		I-T searches 10 premises linked to two self-styled Pentecostal Christian pastors in Punjab The action, involving 50 tax officials and staff assisted by paramilitary forces, came a day after Bajinder’s team announced on his Facebook page that he had opened a new branch of “Prophet Bajinder Singh Ministries” in Dubai. Both pastors allegedly claim to deliver “miracle cures”. Fazilka youth scaled Africa's highest mountain peak 5,895 metres high Kilimanjaro on January 26 A 22-year-old youth from Punjab’s border district Fazilka scaled Africa's highest mountain peak, 5,895 metres high, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on January 26. Chandigarh cop gets 4 years in prison in graft case The special CBI court sentenced a UT police constable to four years of rigorous imprisonment in a Rs 10,000 graft case. More Chandigarh News»

		Ahmedabad
		Ahmedabad weather: Chill loses bite, minimum temperature up in city On Monday, the city's minimum temperature was 14.8°C, which was 1.8°C higher than normal. The maximum temperature at 27.5°C on the other hand was 1.7 degrees lower than normal. 1989-batch IPS officer Vikas Sahay named in-charge Gujarat DGP Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Vikas Sahay has been appointed in-charge director general of police of Gujarat after the retirement of incumbent DGP Ashish Bhatia, who was on an extension. Illegal immigrants fake identity to fly to US With the US tightening visa rules following the Dingucha tragedy, human smugglers have fallen back on an alternate modus operandi. More Ahmedabad News»

		Chennai
		Chennai aced challenges of Covid, monsoon, says CM Chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said the administration had aced the two challenges faced by the city after the DMK government took charge Covid-19 and the monsoon. C Lalitha, younger of noted Carnatic duo Bombay Sisters, dies at 84 in Chennai C Lalitha, the younger of the inseparable Bombay Sisters, who together dominated the Carnatic music world for more than five decades, died here on Tuesday. Two murder accused lop off woman's ears for gold in Tamil Nadu Two men accused of murder and out on bail in Tirupattur, found an easy way to pay their lawyer's fees: by lopping off an elderly woman's earlobes for her earrings. More Chennai News»

		Bangalore
		BJP conspiring to fix DK Shivakumar: Karnataka Congress Karnataka Congress on Tuesday accused BJP of trying to “frame” DK Shivakumar, KPCC president, in the sex CD case involving BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi by misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).​ Karnataka: BJP anticipates big infrastructure push While chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has already submitted a wishlist to the Centre, the state BJP unit is expecting big announcements in the Union budget, especially in the infrastructure sector, since elections are around the corner. Air show effect: Garbage dumping, mud-capping to be done at night in Bengaluru In view of the upcoming air show, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to carry out garbage dumping and mud-capping activities at its Mittaganahalli dump in the night hours from February 8 to 20. More Bangalore News»

		Bangalore
		BJP conspiring to fix DK Shivakumar: Karnataka Congress Karnataka Congress on Tuesday accused BJP of trying to “frame” DK Shivakumar, KPCC president, in the sex CD case involving BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi by misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).​ Karnataka: BJP anticipates big infrastructure push While chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has already submitted a wishlist to the Centre, the state BJP unit is expecting big announcements in the Union budget, especially in the infrastructure sector, since elections are around the corner. Air show effect: Garbage dumping, mud-capping to be done at night in Bengaluru In view of the upcoming air show, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to carry out garbage dumping and mud-capping activities at its Mittaganahalli dump in the night hours from February 8 to 20. More Bangalore News»

		Mumbai
		'Illegal office in Bandra east': After BJP slur, Anil Parab gets Mhada clean chit A day after BJP's Kirit Somaiya claimed Mhada had demolished an illegal office of Shiv Sena (UBT) ex-minister Anil Parab in Bandra (East), the state housing authority issued a letter to Parab stating the illegal construction in the open space in the Gandhi Nagar Mhada layout had nothing to do with him. BMC gets 1,000 inputs for its budget to be tabled this week A fortnight after inviting suggestions from Mumbaikars for the BMC budget 2023-24, which is expected to be tabled this week, the municipality has received close to 1,000 inputs via email and physical letters. Senior civic officials said important suggestions will be incorporated in the budget. 'Jai Jai Maharashtra Mazha' is state song The state cabinet on Tuesday finalised the patriotic Marathi song, "Jai Jai Maharashtra Mazha, Garza Maharashtra Mazha," as the official state song. The song, which praises the state, will be officially adopted on February 19, the birth anniversary of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Shankar Mishra gets bail in Air India urination case ​​The court said the antecedents of the accused, whether he is a first-time offender or if other criminal cases are pending or have been decided against him, have to be considered. With average minimum at 6.6 degrees Celsius, Delhi suffered its coldest January in 10 years The capital experienced its coldest January in the last 10 years, with the average minimum temperature dipping to the lowest since 2013, India Meteorological Department data reveals. Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital gets Rs 1,800 crore, 13% less than demand The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,826 crore to Safdarjung Hospital in FY 2023-24, 13% less than its demand of Rs 2,100 crore, according to officials. More Delhi News»

		Delhi
		Shankar Mishra gets bail in Air India urination case ​​The court said the antecedents of the accused, whether he is a first-time offender or if other criminal cases are pending or have been decided against him, have to be considered. With average minimum at 6.6 degrees Celsius, Delhi suffered its coldest January in 10 years The capital experienced its coldest January in the last 10 years, with the average minimum temperature dipping to the lowest since 2013, India Meteorological Department data reveals. Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital gets Rs 1,800 crore, 13% less than demand The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,826 crore to Safdarjung Hospital in FY 2023-24, 13% less than its demand of Rs 2,100 crore, according to officials. More Delhi News»

		Delhi
		Shankar Mishra gets bail in Air India urination case ​​The court said the antecedents of the accused, whether he is a first-time offender or if other criminal cases are pending or have been decided against him, have to be considered. With average minimum at 6.6 degrees Celsius, Delhi suffered its coldest January in 10 years The capital experienced its coldest January in the last 10 years, with the average minimum temperature dipping to the lowest since 2013, India Meteorological Department data reveals. Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital gets Rs 1,800 crore, 13% less than demand The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,826 crore to Safdarjung Hospital in FY 2023-24, 13% less than its demand of Rs 2,100 crore, according to officials. More Delhi News»

		Allahabad
		Teachers' constituency polls: 68.62% cast votes in Prayagraj Prayagraj held elections for the Allahabadjhansi Teachers' Constituency on Monday. 86% lawyers vote in Allahabad High Court Bar Association election A large number of lawyers exercised their right to vote in the election for various posts of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA). The voting began at 9 am and ended at 5 pm. Seers flay Mauryafor his stand onRamcharitmanas A saints' congregation was organized at a Hindu religious gathering, the Akhil Bharatiya Dharma Sangh's (ABD) camp on the Magh Mela premises, under the auspices of the Yuva Chetna on Mondays. Minister of State for Tourism and Ports Shipping and Waterways, Shripad Naik, National Coordinator of the Nav Chetna, and Shri Ramchandra Singh, Jointly Inaugurated the Congregation. Naik said that Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, is famous around the world. He said he was associated with the Ramjanmabhoomi Movement, and got the opportunity to visit Uttar Pradesh several times. Swami Sarveshranand Saraswati highlighted the main features of Sanatan Dharma, and cautioned people against forces which are trying to bring disrepute to Hindus and the Sanatan Dharma saints are upset over SP Leader, Swami Prasad Maurya's stand on Ramcharitmanas. Shri Ram said that by giving responsibilities to Maurya, SP has only insulted the Hindus. More Allahabad News»

		Bhopal
		MP scrap dealer held after deaths of 7 mine 'thieves' A dealer who allegedly purchased scrap from thieves foraging through abandoned mines of South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol has been arrested, days after seven such pilferers died in the pits. IAF team finds wallet of fighter jet pilot who died in crash in Morena IAF officials had found Wing Commander Hanumathrao Sarathi's wallet during a day-long search on Saturday. No shortage of funds to promote sports: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that a new and strong India with all-round development in academics, sports and others is emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More Bhopal News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Naba Das murder: Accused Odisha cop closed eatery day before he murdered minister Without taking accused assistant sub inspector of police Gopal Krushna Das’ theory at face value that he alone planned and murdered minister Naba Kisore Das to take revenge for a past insult, the Crime Branch is investigating whether more people were involved in the crime with other possible motives of business or political rivalry, police sources said. Man duped of Rs 4 lakh by 'friend', files FIR A 25-year-old Sundargarh resident has lodged an FIR against unidentified persons for allegedly duping him of Rs 4 lakh. According to the complaint filed on January 28, victim Diptesh Patel, a contractor who lives under Town police station, befriended a woman named Mini Patil on Instagram after she sent him a friend request on January 18. The two then exchanged phone numbers and would often talk over phone. Rescued sloth bear cub shifted to Nandankanan A two-month-old male sloth bear cub rescued from Shukrana village under Sukinda forest range in Jajpur district on Sunday has been shifted to Nandankanan Zoological Park on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Monday. More Bhubaneswar News»

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