The New Indian Express Chennai - January 30, 2025

In this issue

January 30, 2025

No PG-NEET domicile quota

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday held that domicilebased reservations for post-graduate medical courses under state quotas are unconstitutional.

1 min

PILGRIMS' CRUSH KILLS AT LEAST 30 IN MAHA KUMBH

DISASTER STRIKES DURING RUSH FOR A DIP AT SANGAM'S NOSE, PROBE PANEL FORMED

2 mins

3K Turtles May Have Died in AP; 130 More Washed Up in Chennai

The mystery behind mass mortality of Olive Ridley turtles is getting murkier with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh reporting 3,000 deaths, while the toll in Chennai continues to skyrocket despite stringent measures.

2 mins

Mettupalayam 'honour' killings: Convict gets death penalty

A special court in Coimbatore on Wednesday sentenced a 30-year-old man to death for murdering his brother and the latter's 16-year-old girlfriend in a 2019 'honour killing' case.

1 min

3 YouTubers Among 4 Held for Sexually Harassing Boys

FOUR individuals, including Tamil YouTubers Divya, Karthick and Chitra, were arrested under the Pocso Act on Wednesday in connection with allegedly sexually harassing minor boys near Srivilliputhur.

1 min

MTC to bring on board pvt players to operate premium bus services

Transport dept grants approval; move aims to curb reliance on cars for commute inside city

1 min

Vengaivayal water contamination: Hearing on plea against CB-CID's charge sheet adjourned to Feb 1

TAKING up a petition moved by a complainant in the Vengaivayal water contamination case seeking the court not to accept the charge sheet submitted before it by the CB-CID police, the special court for trial of cases under the SC/ST (PoA) Act on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on the matter to February 1.

1 min

CPM urges GCC to withdraw decision to outsource breakfast scheme meals

THE Communist Party of India (Marxist) has urged the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to withdraw its decision to outsource the preparation and distribution of meals under the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme. The demand was formalised through a resolution adopted at the party's district secretary meet on Wednesday.

1 min

CPM Urges GCC to Withdraw Decision to Outsource Breakfast Scheme Meals

Similar attempt in 2023

1 min

Corpn replaces boiled chickpeas in school menu with packaged snacks

Officials say students tired of eating same snack while experts worry move could lead to obesity

1 min

Corpn removes 16,370 MT of building waste in 22 days

THE Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Wednesday announced that it has removed a total of 16,370 tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste during a mass clean-up drive from January 7 to 28 across various zones in the city.

1 min

Man wanted by TN cops arrested in Kolkata based on Interpol red notice

A man wanted by the Tamil Nadu police for financial fraud was arrested at the Kolkata airport based on a red corner notice issued against him by the Interpol, CBI said on Wednesday.

1 min

City Metro to Discontinue Monthly Parking Passes Starting February 1

THE Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is discontinuing its monthly vehicle parking passes from February 1, 2025, and will be replacing its travel card top-up facility completely with the Singara Chennai Card - National Common Mobility Card from April 1.

1 min

Ensure basic facilities in special court, says HC

The Madras High Court has directed the special court for bomb blast cases at Poonamallee to make available the facilities of video-conference for the lawyers, the accused persons and the witnesses.

1 min

DMK's Hindi poll pamphlets spark furore

CAMPAIGNING heated up in Erode East with rivals DMK and NTK trading barbs after a supporter of the Dravidian party distributed pamphlets in Hindi to garner votes for its candidate VC Chandirakumar.

1 min

MSP for all produce, river-linking among farmers' budget expectations

WITH the Union budget for 2025-26 set to be presented on February 1, farmer unions and agricultural activists have highlighted their key expectations, which include minimum support price (MSP) for all agricultural produce, big-ticket fund allocation for natural farming, cold storage facilities for horticulture produce, solar power panels, inter-linking of rivers and deputing the workers of MGNREGS for agricultural works.

1 min

Shaadi.com Barred From Airing 'Money-Back' Ad

THE Madras High Court has temporarily restrained the matrimonial website, Shaadi.com, from airing its much-trumpeted advertisement on finding a bride or bridegroom in 30 days and the moneyback guarantee of the user fee.

1 min

Chennai Press Club: Seizure of scribes' phones during AU probe an act of intimidation

THE seizure of mobile phones and other devices from law-abiding reporters during the Special Investigation Team's probe of the FIR leak in the rape of an Anna University student is an intimidation tactic deployed by the police department, the Chennai Press Club said in a statement on Wednesday.

1 min

₹227-crore Unity Mall in Chennai to display handloom, handicraft products

CHIEF Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday laid the foundation for establishing an Integrated Unity Mall in the Co-optex Complex spanning 4.54 lakh sq ft and comprising exhibition halls for display of handloom and handicrafts produced in various districts of TN and other states.

1 min

Tension grips Cuddalore village as govt starts clearing agriculture land, 25 held

VILLAGERS of Malayadikuppam, Kodikanpalayam, and Pethankuppam under Vellakarai panchayat staged a protest on Wednesday against the acquisition of agricultural land for industrial purposes when the revenue officials, accompanied by over 100 police personnel, arrived with earth movers to clear the land at Malayadikuppam.

1 min

DMK to demand code of conduct for guvs in Parl

Party vexed over centre's 'reluctance to promote' TN Iron Age findings

2 mins

Southern Rly launches cargo service, to make ₹208 cr in 6 yrs

THE Chennai division of Southern Railway inaugurated a dedicated Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) on Wednesday, operating between the Royapuram and Patel Nagar (in Delhi) railway stations.

1 min

Udhaya Meets Asia Pacific Deaf Games Medallists

YOUTH Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday met with sportspersons who won 14 medals at the 10th Asia Pacific Deaf Games held in December last year.

1 min

Car with DMK flag chases women's vehicle, clip goes viral; case registered

THE Kanathur police have registered a case against a group of men who, in two cars, allegedly chased a few women in another car along the East Coast Road on Saturday.

1 min

14 Arrested for Death of Poacher, Bid to Pass it Off as Jumbo Attack

DEVARSHOLAI police arrested 14 people for allegedly killing a poacher and passing it off as an elephant attack.

1 min

6-yr-old girl drowns in pool during birthday celebration

A six-year-old girl drowned in a hotel swimming pool near Marakanam on Tuesday during her birthday celebration.

1 min

TN to get Jaya's seized valuables on Feb 14, 15

A SPECIAL court in Bengaluru has fixed two days — February 14 and 15 — to hand over the confiscated valuables and properties seized from former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in connection with a disproportionate assets case against her to the government of Tamil Nadu.

1 min

G Square to Invest ₹1Kcr in Strategic Expansion

G Square, one of India's largest real estate developer and Tamil Nadu's leading plot promoter, is planning to invest ₹1,000 crore in a strategic expansion over the next two years.

1 min

ED raid on house of ex-MUDA chief illegal

THE High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday declared that the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) raid on the residence of Natesha DB, former MUDA commissioner, in connection with the alleged irregularities in allotment of 14 sites to BM Parvathy, wife of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, during his tenure, as illegal, unwarranted and abuse of law.

1 min

T'gana CM sets Feb 2 deadline for caste survey

CHIEF Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to submit the final report of the recently conducted socio-economic, education, employment, political and caste survey to the Cabinet sub-committee by February 2.

1 min

ISRO hits ton, pads up for next 100 missions in 5 yrs

NVS-02 satellite precisely placed into the orbit by the GSLV-F15 rocket

2 mins

CONSIDERACTIVITY-BASED LEARNING ACROSS INDIA

\"THE latest ASER, which shifted from being an annual status of education report to a biennial one in 2016, should gladden us.

1 min

REBUILD TRUST WITH CHINA, BUT VERIFY ACTIONS ON BORDER

IT'S encouraging that India and China are taking steps to rebuild trust and stabilise their relationship after four years of tensions.

1 min

With the U.S. Out, Who Will Fill the Gap at W.H.O.?

The impact of Trump's order to withdraw from WHO will be felt all over the world while combating diseases. Critical links in global research & surveillance networks will be severed

4 mins

How To Dance The M&A Tango In Perfect Rhythm

BUILDING BUSINESSES

3 mins

We trust in Modi's guarantees, none else

\"WE trust in Modi's guarantee, none else, not even the BJP leadership's,\" school teacher Meenakshi asserted as she joined women in droves to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched his Delhi poll campaign on Wednesday.

2 mins

India Turns Down Report on Interference in Canada Polls

INDIA dismissed a Canadian intelligence report alleging New Delhi's involvement in Canada's electoral process and countered that Canada has been persistently interfering in the country's internal affairs.

1 min

ICMR chief says samples collected to identify cause for surge in GBS cases

The Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Rajiv Bahl, said on Wednesday that they are still investigating the cause behind the increase in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra.

1 min

SC seeks details of FIRs filed against Muslim men for misusing triple talaq

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to file an affidavit detailing the FIRs and chargesheets against Muslim men who invoked triple talaq for divorce, violating the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights in Marriage) Act, 2019.

1 min

Waqf JPC Adopts Revised Report

To be presented to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday, tabled in Parliament on Friday

2 mins

Massive jump in WAVES challenge registration

WITHIN three months, the number of registrations for different challenges under the first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) has increased from 5,000 to 75,000, officials said.

2 mins

After Sangam stampede, tight security in place at Varanasi and Ayodhya

FOLLOWING the stampede at Maha Kumbh, Varanasi and Ayodhya administrations stepped up measures for crowd and traffic regulations since both the cities are witnessing heavy rush of devotees at Kashi Vishwanath and Ram Temple.

1 min

'Frenzy to reach Sangam nose leads to stampede'

NARROW POINT BELIEVED TO HOLD SIGNIFICANCE FOR 2ND AMRIT SNAN ● LIMITED AREA RESERVED FOR SEERS OF THE AKHARAS

2 mins

Maha BJP minister demands ban on burqa in 10th and 12th board exams

MAHARASHTRA BJP minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday urged education minister Dada Bhuse to prohibit burqa during the upcoming 10th and 12th grade state board examinations, citing security concerns and potential examination malpractices.

1 min

No action against docs for RG Kar stir: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed hospitals to regularise the unauthorised absence of doctors who protested against the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Kolkata demanding Justice for the victim and her family.

1 min

Alert school principal in Bihar steps in, stops tap water mixed with poison

THE timely intervention of authorities in Bihar's East Champaran district averted a major incident on Wednesday after a poisonous substance was discovered in the water tank of a government middle school.

1 min

Long incarceration': 6 get bail in CPI leader Pansare murder case

THE Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to six accused in the case of murder of CPI leader and rationalist Govind Pansare in 2015, on the ground of long incarceration.

1 min

Rajapaksa's son Namal indicted in hotel project

FORMER Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa's elder son has been indicted in the High Court here for alleged misappropriation from an Indian investment prior to 2015.

1 min

Syria asks Israel to leave buffer zone

SYRIA's new authorities on Wednesday urged Israel's withdrawal from Syrian territory it occupied in the Golan Heights after president Bashar al-Assad's ousting, during talks with UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, state media reported.

1 min

Don rolls out VRS scheme for 2 million US federal staff

Gives them time till Feb 6 to accept package for govt downsizing that includes 8-mth pay

1 min

UK report flags Khalistan, Hindu nationalism as threat

TWO types of extremism with their origins in the Indian subcontinent - pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism - have been flagged as threats to 'understand' in a leaked report into the UK government's 'Extremism Review'.

1 min

Ukrainian drone barrage sets afire oil refinery 800 km inside Russia

A Ukrainian drone attack killed a mother and her toddler in western Russia on Wednesday, local officials said, in a major overnight barrage that set an oil refinery ablaze and targeted a nuclear facility.

1 min

1985 Air India bomber suspect's killer sentenced

A Canadian court has sentenced a 24-year-old man to life after he pleaded guilty to the killing of a Sikh businessman, a suspect in the 1985 Air India bombing who was later acquitted, according to local media reports.

1 min

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels control much of east Congo city, says UN

RWANDA-backed rebels captured large parts of eastern Congo's largest city including its airport, the United Nations said, as Rwanda's president on Wednesday joined calls for a ceasefire in the decadeslong conflict.

1 min

Indian Bank net up 35% to ₹2,852 crore on lower NPAs, higher yields

Chennai-based public sector lender Indian Bank has reported a healthy 35% growth in net income at ₹2,852 crore in the three months period ending December, as the bank earned more from its advances at a reduced cost of funds along with higher interest income.

1 min

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank net profit rises to ₹300 crore

Private sector bank Tamilnad Mercantile Bank on Wednesday reported a net profit of ₹300 crore for the December quarter, up by 6%, compared to ₹284 crore in the year-ago period.

1 min

ITC Hotels shares list at 30% discount to discovered price, crack another 5%

ITC Hotels (ITCHL) shares were listed at ₹188 apiece on the BSE, and at ₹180 apiece on the NSE on Wednesday.

1 min

Chinese-made AI model DeepSeek safe for use in India, says govt source

DEEPSEEK, a Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model, is safe to use in India, according to a source from the government.

1 min

Hikes ethanol prices for supply to PSU OMCs

IN a bid to secure the supply of critical minerals essential for industries such as electronics, telecommunications, transportation, agriculture, defense, healthcare, and clean energy, the government on Wednesday approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with a budget of ₹34,300 crore.

1 min

Mkt hoping for capital gains tax cut

Investors expect the upcoming Budget to reverse last year's capital gains tax shocks

1 min

Maruti Suzuki shines, Tata Motors' PAT declines 22% to ₹5,451 crore

TWO of India's largest automakers - Maruti Suzuki (MSIL) and Tata Motors - reported their December quarterly earnings on Wednesday.

1 min

Capital Show Keeps Pretoria In Contention

A rejuvenated Pretoria Capitals claimed the honours in the Jukskei Derby with a six-wicket bonus point victory over Joburg Super Kings at Centurion on Tuesday evening.

1 min

New coach for women's 400m

JAMAICAN athletics coach Jerry Lee Holness, who has mentored serial medallists like Elaine Thompson and Nesta Carter, has taken charge of the Indian women's 400m team ahead of some high-profile events coming up this year.

1 min

India Bolstering Research Power for Olympics: Usha

INDIA is focusing not just on strengthening infrastructure capabilities, but also intellectual preparedness as it eyes hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha said on Wednesday.

1 min

Srikanth sails into Rd of 16 in Thailand

FORMER World No 1 shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has been in the shadows for some time now.

1 min

Shami's long-awaited return sight for sore eyes

Having made his India comeback, focus will be on pacer ahead of CT

3 mins

Rahul, Siraj and Kohli return for last Ranji league games

LOCKED in a three-way tussle for a quarterfinal berth, Karnataka will have KL Rahul's experience to bank on in the quest for a bonus point win over table-toppers Haryana in their final league match of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C in Bengaluru on Thursday.

2 mins

Karnataka swimmers dominate pool

KARNATAKA, as expected, dominated the swimming pool, clinching five gold medals and setting a new meet record at the Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex in Haldwani on Wednesday.

1 min

NorthEast United Crush Hyderabad 4-1

NORTHEAST United FC put up a dominant performance to record a 4-1 victory over Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League in Guwahati on Thursday.

1 min

POWER, PEOPLE, & THE PULSE OF HISTORY

In his latest book, 'The Lord of the Earth and the Sea: A History of the Chola Empire', historian Anirudh Kanisetti maps the forgotten narratives, evolution of medieval Tamil society, the dynasty's political turmoil, innovations and contributions of women

5 mins

UNLEASHING ART ON SKIN

PRIDE comes in all forms and mankind will always find innovative ways to exhibit it.

2 mins

Unleashing Art On Skin

RIDE comes in all forms and mankind will always find innovative ways to exhibit it.

2 mins

The audacity of a sexist PIL

Every year in October or November, the Indian mediasphere explodes with thinkpieces and online posts defending Karva Chauth, a mostly North Indian festival in which women fast to pray for their spouse's longevity.

2 mins

Kate Mara Joins Cast Of Imperfect Women

Kate Mara is set to star alongside Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington in Apple TV+'s highly anticipated psychological thriller series, Imperfect Women.

1 min

PRISON BREAK WITH A TWIST

Director Dhinakaran Sivalingam, along with actors Guru Somasundaram and Sanchana Natarajan, speak about their recent film Bottle Radha, and the films, actors, and real-life incidents that inspired its making

3 mins

SK 25 titled Parasakthi

On Wednesday, the makers of Sivakarthikeyan's 25th film dropped a teaser, confirming the title.

1 min

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