The New Indian Express Chennai - February 01, 2025

In this issue

February 01, 2025

SONIA'S REMARK ON PREZ SPARKS CONTROVERSY

CONGRESS leader Sonia Gandhi’s comments about the hour-long address of President Droupadi Murmu to Parliament on Friday gave the BJP ammunition to launch a scathing attack on the grand old party.

1 min

First in 10 yrs, no foreign bid to stoke pre-session row: PM

IN a rather sharp remark, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that for the first time since 2014, no foreign attempts were made this year to stoke trouble before the start of a Parliament session.

1 min

GET OUT OF THE WAY OF GROWTH, SAYS SURVEY

The 'business as usual' attitude will lead to growth stagnation, warns the Economic Survey

2 mins

2 More Ramsar Sites Take Total to 20 in TN

TAMIL Nadu has further strengthened its position as India's leading state in wetland conservation with the declaration of two new Ramsar sites - Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary and Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, both located in Ramanathapuram district.

1 min

Two-year survival of child cancer patients in city at 59%

CHENNAI Population-Based Childhood Cancer Registry (PBCCR), the first high-resolution dataset in India exclusively for paediatric cancer, launched by the Cancer Institute at Adyar on Friday showed that 59.3% of patients in the Greater Chennai Corporation were alive after two years while 16.5% had died.

1 min

Message to Trump: No de-dollarisation policy

Don's Open Threat

1 min

After two years, party cadres allowed to enter Vengaivayal for funeral; media still barred

For the first time in two years, members of political parties were allowed entry to Vengaivayal, the village in Pudukkottai district that has been under police surveillance ever since the water contamination scandal in December 2022.

1 min

Two private dairy firms hike milk, curd prices

TWO private dairy companies — Jersey and Thirumala — have raised the prices of their milk and curd products, which will take effect on February 3, according to a statement.

1 min

HC dismisses Nithyananda's plea to appoint him as head of three mutts

The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda seeking his appointment as head of three mutts in Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts.

1 min

Health dept to conduct walk-in interview to fill specialist posts

TO fill 658 specialist vacancies in government hospitals, the health department will conduct a walk-in interview through the Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB), Health Minister Ma Subramanian told mediapersons on Friday.

1 min

Press Club Meets SIT on Phone Seizures; Editors Guild Calls for Fair Probe

The office-bearers of Chennai Press Club on Friday met the Madras High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Anna University rape case, and lodged their reservations about the seizure of mobile phones of journalists and treating them in an unfair manner.

1 min

Pudukai activist body exhumed; team holds X-Ray examination

ACTING on directions of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, a three-member team from the Pudukkottai Government Medical College Hospital on Friday performed an X-Ray examination on the exhumed body of activist Jagabar Ali (58) at the Islamic burial ground located on Konapattu Road in Vengalur under tight police security.

1 min

Turtle deaths: Centre seeks report from TN govt; NGT impleads Andhra

Tribunal slams TN as reports didn't mention action against erring trawlers, posts matter to Feb 7

2 mins

Greenfield road planned to ease chaos near Thiru Vi Ka bridge

RUSH hour congestion at Adyar, Santhome and RA Puram junctions on Durgabai Deshmukh Road will soon be a thing of the past as the state highways department is set to build a new greenfield road at an estimated cost of ₹25 crore.

2 mins

CM inspects ₹474-cr development projects under way in north Chennai

Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday inspected the progress made in five key works carried out at a cost of ₹474.69 crore: ornamental fish sales centre, Kannikapuram playground, Ganesapuram flyover, 776 residential quarters on Stanley Hospital Road and Tondiarpet bus terminus — under the North Chennai Development Plan (NCDP) and laid the foundation for works to be taken up at a cost of ₹59.15 crore.

1 min

Dheeran redux: Cops nab conmen in Rajasthan

A special team of Avadi police recently busted a case where traders from the India-Pakistan border districts of Rajasthan had allegedly cheated an Ambattur-based chemical factory of several lakhs of rupees by procuring sulphur-based fertilisers without paying for them.

1 min

Home secy told to ensure cops file FIRs promptly

The Madras high Court has instructed the state home secretary, dheeraj Kumar, who appeared in the court, to ensure the police officers register FIrs and file charge sheets promptly, without much delay.

1 min

Home secy told to ensure cops file FIRs promptly

THE Madras High Court has instructed the state home secretary, Dheeraj Kumar, who appeared in the court, to ensure the police officers register FIRs and file charge sheets promptly, without much delay.

1 min

Decide parties' requests for protests sans bias, cops told

The police have to act without bias and take a fair decision while considering the applications submitted by political parties seeking permission to hold protests, said Justice P Velmurugan of Madras High Court.

1 min

Aadhav Joins TVK, Gets Poll Campaign Post

AADHAV Arjuna, suspended from the VCK after he spoke in violation of the party's position with respect to the ruling DMK at a function attended by TVK president Vijay, has joined the actor-turned politician's party on Friday.

1 min

Court revokes suspension of assistant prof who invited MP to college event

'Prof already dismissed'- Secretary of Pachaiyappa's Trust C Duraikannu said the protests by students, \"who did't attend classes\", were carried out after the suspension of Revathy due to administrative reasons. He added the asst professor was already dismissed by the HC over lack of qualification and is continuing in the job after obtaining a stay

1 min

MSMEs look for income tax cut in budget

Ahead of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget presentation on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries' Association (Tanstia), the apex body of all district associations, Industrial Estate Associations, and Product Manufacturers' Associations of the state, has sought from the centre reduction of income tax for small and medium enterprises and low premium insurance to safeguard the industry.

1 min

Moment of pride as survey recognises TN's success

INDUSTRIES Minister TRB Rajaa said on Friday it is a moment of immense pride for TN as Economic Survey 2025 has recognised the remarkable success of the state in championing the growth of the non-leather footwear sector.

1 min

Prisoner Can't Be Denied Access to Basic Facilities

A prisoner cannot be denied access to minimal facilities required to deal with their physical condition which hampers their daily life, such as using an Indian toilet or sleeping on the floor, said the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

1 min

AI can help PwDs realise their potential: Dhankhar

VICE President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said that artificial intelligence (AI) can play a great role in helping persons with disabilities (PwDs) realise their potential, even as he stressed on the need for more support from special educators and society for the deafblind community.

1 min

Amit Shah, V-P & CM among leaders attending Naidu's family function

VICE President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, governors of TN and Maharashtra RN Ravi and CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister MK Stalin, and a host of other political leaders attended the marriage reception of Vishnu, grandson of former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, at Mahabalipuram here on Friday.

1 min

Guv's charges an impetus to continue what we're doing: Stalin

CM says industries from other states are coming to TN as law and order is maintained efficiently

1 min

Three murder accused try to escape custody, injured; two cops hurt

THREE youths accused of the murder of a history-sheeter near the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam earlier this week are undergoing treatment at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) after sustaining fractures during their escape attempt.

1 min

Missing infant found dead in well in Vellore

A two-year-old girl who had been missing for two days was found dead in an abandoned well in Gudiyatham, Vellore, on Friday afternoon.

1 min

IAS officers rejig: MTC, Guidance get new MDs

THE Tamil Nadu government on Friday transferred around 35 IAS officers, most of them being district collectors.

1 min

Viral ECR Chase: 4 Nabbed, Police Claim No Political Link

TAMBARAM police arrested four suspects on Friday in connection with an incident along the East Coast Road (ECR) in Kanathur, where seven youngsters in two cars—one bearing a DMK flag—allegedly chased and harassed a woman and her friends in the early hours of January 25.

1 min

Cancer screening to start soon across TN

DR R SWAMINATHAN, the head of the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Cancer Registry, said the dedicated population-based cancer registry for childhood cancer captures more granular data, including detailed information on socio-economic and demographic background of patients and of treatment taken.

1 min

Leather Industry Eyes 2.5 Million Jobs by 2029-30

The 38th edition of India International Leather Fair (IILF) will be held at Chennai Trade Centre from February 1-3 with the leather and footwear industry aiming to achieve a turnover of $47 billion by 2029-2030 and generate 2.5 million jobs.

1 min

Empty trains run across new Pamban bridge

In one of the final trials before the line becomes operational, trains with empty rakes were run across the new Pamban bridge to the Rameswaram station on Friday.

1 min

Oppn bid to put a dent in my image won't succeed: Siddu

'ED probe politically motivated, no evidence of money laundering in case'

1 min

CROWD CONTROL LESSONS UNLEARNT AT PRAYAGRAJ

THOUSANDS of pilgrims were crushed under a moonless winter sky in the wee hours of Wednesday at Prayagraj.

2 mins

SURVEY A REMINDER OF BUMPS ON ROAD TO VIKSIT BHARAT

THE Economic Survey has summed up the enormous task that lies ahead if we are to be a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

1 min

Roads That Fork With Budget 2025

In the next two years, we'll know the outcomes of the census, and the finance and pay commissions. This budget is a chance to address some issues before the imperatives change

4 mins

DeepSeek Torpedoes Western AI Oligopoly

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock forward by a second.

3 mins

SC directs EC to preserve video clips of polling

THE Supreme Court on Friday directed the Election Commission of India (EC) to preserve the video clips of the polling till the pendency of the pleas against the decision to increase the maximum number of voters per polling station from 1,200 to 1,500.

2 mins

BJP spent over ₹1,737 cr on 2024 polls, 37% more than 2019: Data

THE BJP has informed the Election Commission of India (EC) that it spent a total of ₹1,737.68 crore on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the elections for four state assemblies.

1 min

Warmer, drier Feb likely to hit wheat crop: IMD

THE India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday forecast a drier and hotter February which would cause adverse impact on standing food grain crops like wheat at flowering and grain filling stages.

1 min

Kejriwal has failed to govern national capital, says Modi

WITH Delhi assembly election campaigns entering the final phase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the AAP government for \"failing to govern the national capital\", during a rally in the Dwarka area on Friday.

1 min

Only goal is Viksit Bharat: Prez

Addressing joint sitting of both Houses, Murmu says pace of work tripled in govt's third term

2 mins

NMC flip-flop as patients & relatives can appeal against medical negligence

Course correction

2 mins

Social media posts on '2nd stampede' spark row

Eyewitnesses claim that the incident took place almost three hours after the first one on Mauni Amavasya; mela authorities say no idea

2 mins

Meghalaya cops step up probe as fossil of whale ancestor goes missing

EVIDENCE that Northeast was possibly once a part of the mighty ocean has gone missing. Partially fossilized jaw and teeth of a whale ancestor, believed to be 35-40 million years old, was reported missing by the locals of Tolegre village in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on January 27.

1 min

Punjab's debt may reach ₹3.53L cr by March, govt plans ₹1K sops to women

THE public debt of fund-starved Punjab government is expected to reach ₹3.53 lakh crore by March this year.

1 min

Muslims throw open mosques, shrines for Kumbh devotees

FOLLOWING the stampede on January 29 in Prayagraj during Mauni Amavasya at the Maha Kumbh, which resulted in the loss of 30 lives and left many injured, members of the minority community stepped in to assist the exhausted devotees wandering tired and hungry on the crowded roads of the Sangam city.

1 min

12 held for parading Gujarat tribal woman

A woman was disrobed, tied to a motorcycle, and paraded through Dhalsimal village for reportedly living in with a man, police said on Friday.

1 min

'Byrnihat' brings smog in Assam, Conrad seeks help from Himanta on curbs

COME winter, smog shrouds idyllic Assam cities, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting unexpected highs in Guwahati.

1 min

Former glam girl as Kinnar akhara chief triggers waves

FORMER Bollywood actor Mamta Kulkarni's anointment as Mahamandaleshwar (religious superior) of the Kinnar Akhara has sparked controversy after Rishi Ajay Das, who claims to be a founding member of the akhara, removed Kinnar Akhara Acharya Mahamandeleshwar Dr Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, from her post.

1 min

DC crash: Air traffic controller's workload was twice the normal

According to a New York Times report, staffing was thin in the control tower at reagan national airport, where the crashed american airlines plane was about to land when the collision occurred.

1 min

25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico coming today, says Donald Trump

Considering similar action against China too for sending drugs: Don

2 mins

25% Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Coming Today, Says Donald Trump

Considering similar action against China too for sending drugs: Don

2 mins

62 hrs: Sunita sets new record in spacewalking

INDIAN-ORIGIN astronaut Sunita Williams has broken the record for total spacewalking time by a woman by logging 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk.

1 min

Rafah crossing to reopen, 3 Israelis to be freed in fourth swap today

GAZA'S Rafah border crossing with Egypt is to reopen Saturday following a fourth exchange of hostages and prisoners under a truce agreement, a Hamas official and a source told AFP.

1 min

After aid cut, confusion and chaos in USAID

DONALD Trump's administration changes have upended the US agency charged with providing humanitarian aid to countries overseas, with dozens of senior officials put on leave, thousands of contractors laid off, and a sweeping freeze imposed on billions of dollars in foreign assistance.

1 min

Sri Lankan President Dissanayake ready to release Tamil land in Jaffna

SRI LANKAN President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday assured the northern Tamils that their lands held by the military would be fully returned back to them soon.

1 min

Busy Bee Airways to reach out to Go First lenders

BUSY BEE AIRWAYS on Friday informed the insolvency appellate tribunal NCLAT that it will try to reach out to the lenders of Go First.

1 min

Eco survey advocates tax breaks on e-vehicles, subsidies for new energy

TAX breaks on electric vehicles (EVs) and subsidies for renewable energy can encourage a shift toward low-carbon lifestyles, the Economic Survey 2024-25 stated on Friday.

1 min

India lags in R&D, requires private sector contribution

INDIA is facing a significant gap in research and development (R&D) across key sectors, with a strong need for greater private sector involvement, according to the Economic Survey 2025, released on Friday.

1 min

Economic Survey warns against long working hours

INDIA INC still debates over the 70-90-hour workweek proposal, but the Economic Survey has finally put an end to this by citing a study that documented adverse health effects if employees' work hours exceed 55-60 per week.

1 min

Apple expanding mfg in India for domestic needs, export: Cook

APPLE CEO Tim Cook on Friday said the company is expanding its manufacturing in India to meet both domestic demand and global export needs.

1 min

Need to ramp up investment in battery storage tech

INDIA'S energy transition requires a comprehensive approach and can't solely focus on renewable energy, said Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran on Friday.

1 min

India Inc warned against overuse of AI

AS OpenAI's ChatGPT and the recent 'R1' low-cost AI model by Chinese firm DeepSeek have raised concerns about the future of jobs, the Economic Survey stresses on skilling employees so that artificial intelligence (AI) can augment their efforts rather than replacing them.

1 min

'Enhance eco freedom for individuals, small biz'

Economic Survey calls for significant deregulation and structural changes; wish-list includes strategy for growth, expansion of MSMEs

1 min

Excessive financialisation can hurt real economy as it comes with risks: Survey

Market may see correction in 2025, warns survey

1 min

Racing Set for a Big Step Forward

THE racing scene in India is set for a major enhancement with bigger and more powerful vehicles in the near future, according to Vicky Chandhok, vice-president, Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC).

1 min

Mukund, Ramkumar look to lift India

SEASONED players Mukund Sasikumar and Ramkumar Ramanathan will lead Team India's challenge in the men's singles matches for their Davis Cup 2025 World Group I Playoffs tie against Togo to be played at DLTA Complex on February 1 to 2.

1 min

Spotlight on Vijay as TN face tricky 97-run chase on Day 3

FRIDAY was a mixed day for Tamil Nadu.

2 mins

Super Kings win to stay in hunt for SA20 playoffs

Joburg Super Kings maintained their challenge for a place in the Betway SA20 playoffs with a victory over the table-topping Paarl Royals at the Wanderers on Thursday evening.

1 min

Big Real Madrid test for Man City in CL play-off

REAL Madrid will play Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoffs round in a standout clash of the past two title winners after the draw was made Friday.

1 min

With flowers & chocolate, GM Yakubboev says sorry to Vaishali

UZBEK Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev offered flowers, chocolate and a personal apology to Indian GM R Vaishali after causing quite a stir by refusing to shake hands with her before their game in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament here, citing \"religious reasons\".

1 min

All-round India win T20I series

Hardik, Dube resurrect hosts after they were reduced to 12 for three in two overs in Pune

2 mins

Bindyarani Dominates Proceedings, Clinches Gold Medal With Record Lift

MANIPUR's star weightlifter S Bindyarani Devi set a national record in snatch en route to her gold medal-winning effort in the women's 55kg category at the ongoing National Games here on Friday.

1 min

WHY ARE OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES DYING?

OVER 3,000 TURTLES DIED IN ANDHRA PRADESH AND THE TOLL IN CHENNAI CROSSED 1,200. YET, THE GOVERNMENTS ARE RELUCTANT TO ENFORCE THE NORMS. THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL IS PUSHING BOTH STATES TO TAKE ACTION, WHILE THE UNION GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO MAKE TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES MANDATORY FOR ALL THE TRAWLERS IN THE COUNTRY

4 mins

A crisis of conservation

DYING?

2 mins

Sea surface warming four times faster now than in 1980s

AY 'global warming' and most of us would think of wildfires, droughts or glaciers melting. Seas and oceans are rarely the first things that come to mind.

1 min

Confessions of a shopaholic

Everything is taxed, yet the urge to shop doesn't subside. As we navigate through the unending desire, and prepare for a new budget, here is how spendthrifts prioritise, and pacify themselves after splurging

5 mins

Confessions of a shop

It starts the same way every time. You tell yourself you're just going to browse. Maybe scroll through your favourite designer's new collection, casually check out what's new on Net-a-Porter, or - God forbid - step into the mall \"just to look.\" Then it happens. You spot the one. Maybe it's the dreamiest pair of Alaïa ballet flats, the Gucci Jackie bag in that exact shade of vintage brown, or a tweed Maje co-ord that screams \"old money aesthetic.\" And suddenly, financial responsibility? Never heard of her.

4 mins

SPECTRES OF SAVARKAR

Did Gandhi and Savarkar stay together as 'friends' in London? Did Savarkar pledge to be politically useful to the British? What kind of Hindu rashtra did he want? Arun Shourie's latest book, The New Icon, unravels some of the key myths about the Hindutva leader.

4 mins

Of stamps and stories

In Chennai, a philatelic exhibition showcased stamps depicting historical moments and cultural art forms, sparking interest among students and collectors.

2 mins

Spotlight on creative streaks

INK cotton candy. The buttery smell of popcorn. Colourful heart-shaped balloons sold by a vendor on a cycle near the gate. Stage lights in order. Speaker volumes checked. Cushiony seats dusted and ready to be occupied. Students in bright dance costumes. DIY props. Students called out for attendance.

2 mins

Third and final season of Squid Game to release this June

NETFLIX recently announced the release date of the third season of Squid Game. Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the final series is all set to release on June 27.

1 min

ADITYA ROY KAPUR TO HEADLINE RAJ AND DK'S RAKT BRAHMAND

AJ and DK's upcoming fantasy web series Rakt Brahmand - The Bloody Kingdom is all set to star Aditya Roy Kapur in the lead role.

1 min

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The New Indian Express Chennai is an English-language daily newspaper published in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the most popular English newspapers in Tamil Nadu, covering a wide range of topics, including:

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The New Indian Express Chennai is known for its in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and editorial independence. It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest news and developments in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and India.